President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has warned politicians against deploying ethnic, religious and regional divisions in their quest for victory in the 2027 elections, declaring that no electoral prize is worth the life of a Nigerian. Akpabio gave the warning on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after its two-month annual recess, with campaigns for the 2027 general elections already underway. He urged political parties and candidates to make their cases to Nigerians based on their visions and policies rather than turn the electoral contest into a battle that pits communities, religions or regions against one another. “Those who…
Author: National Update
The Senate on Tuesday resumed plenary after a two-month recess, received a fresh batch of executive requests from President Bola Tinubu—and adjourned again until October 13. The development means lawmakers spent only one plenary sitting after returning from the extended break before proceeding on another two-week adjournment. The Senate’s latest business included the 2026 statutory budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission, nominations for key federal appointments and two executive bills. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s communication transmitting the NDDC budget proposal to the chamber. The proposal was referred to the Senate Committee on Regional Development for consideration…
Concerned academics in Jigawa State have disowned an alleged endorsement of Governor Umar Namadi and President Bola Tinubu, accusing the state government of turning an education-focused intellectual engagement into a political gathering. The academics said they attended the meeting expecting to discuss the state’s worsening educational challenges and offer research-based solutions, only to discover that the programme had been redirected towards political endorsements. In a statement signed by Professor Muhammad Abdu Mago on behalf of concerned members of the Jigawa Academic Forum, the group said the development amounted to a serious breach of the trust placed in the organisers. According…
The Senate on Tuesday paid tribute to the late former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, describing his death as a major loss to Nigeria and resolving to send a delegation to his family. Idris, who died in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2026, aged 77, was remembered by senators for his contributions to Kogi State, his business investments and his personal relationship with the people of Sokoto State, where he built much of his business empire. The motion for his commemoration was moved by Senator Isah Jibrin Echono, who urged the Senate to honour the former governor with…
President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria has taken a fresh political and legal turn, with the African Action Congress challenging the absence in court while the African Democratic Congress says its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would provide a “physically present” presidency if elected in 2027. The two developments came as the Presidency maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of government during his working vacation in Europe. The AAC filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to determine whether Tinubu was required to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly before extending his stay…
Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has warned political actors and security agencies against actions that could turn the 2027 general elections into a war zone, insisting that Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders. Onaiyekan gave the warning on Monday in Abuja when the Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, visited him as part of its advocacy ahead of the elections. The Cardinal also challenged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to resist pressure…
By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko This piece was first written and circulated for publication in 2012. I have revisited and substantially restructured it because of developments that have occurred since then, particularly the continuing international debate over the legal and human-rights status of unborn children. The question of whether an unborn child should enjoy legal protection and a right to life remains one of the most contested moral, legal, religious and public-policy questions of our time. In recent years, several European countries have continued to revise their laws concerning abortion and end-of-life issues. France, for instance, amended its Constitution in March…
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to pursue a united and secure Nigeria, with poverty reduction and job creation at the centre of his administration’s priorities if elected in 2027. Obi stated this after he and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, ahead of their town-hall engagements in Sokoto State. During the meeting, Obi said the Sultan identified **security, poverty and employment** as three critical issues demanding urgent attention in Nigeria. The former Anambra State governor said the Sultan also reminded political…
By Friday Idachaba The Nigeria-Kenya Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NiKCCIMA) has secured membership of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), strengthening its platform for expanding trade and investment between both countries. The admission comes ahead of NiKCCIMA’s maiden Business Forum and formal launch scheduled for October 8, 2026, in Abuja, where the chamber plans to unveil a new framework for connecting Nigerian and Kenyan businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Founder and Global President of NiKCCIMA, Arc. Roberts M. Achanya, said the chamber was admitted alongside the Ikere…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary, the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has called for a national reassessment of the country’s democratic journey, warning that insecurity, poverty, corruption, unemployment and economic hardship continue to undermine national development. The Executive Director of CHRCR, Idris Miliki Abdul, made the call in an Independence Day statement in Lokoja, saying Nigeria had survived decades of political, economic and security challenges but still faced major obstacles to achieving its development aspirations. Abdul said Nigerians had reasons to celebrate the country’s continued unity and progress in democratic governance,…