News
Governoship candidate trades mandate for money
The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State, Michael Okunlade, on Wednesday, alleged that the governorship candidate of the party, Michael Lana, traded his mandate with the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Lana stepped down from the race on Tuesday to endorse Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Okunlade, who made this allegation in a telephone interview with The PUNCH in Ibadan, also tongue-lashed Lana for lack of integrity. He further alleged that he stepped down for Makinde, having been paid and promised an appointment after the election.
He said, “Does he (Lana) know what he is doing? He didn’t pay for a nomination form. We only packaged him. He didn’t have any input or contribution to the party. He is just a noise maker. How many of them reached that compromise to endorse Makinde? That’s not true. Lana is a rogue who contributed nothing to the party.
“Lana is just for money. If you watched all his debates either on television or radio stations, he was totally against Makinde’s policies. But because of money, he went to PDP. Lana can trade anything for money. He lacks integrity. Lana can trade his children for money.
“He knows that Makinde is giving money now. They know that he is the only person who can give out money. He knows that Makinde doesn’t deserve it but because of money and greed, he went there.”
Okunlade, while responding to the allegation that the party was not carrying him along before taking some decisions, said, “Yes, because he doesn’t have any substance. That’s the reason.
“We didn’t see him as our candidate in SDP. We only packaged him. Somebody who cannot deliver his ward. He said he defected with some honourables or candidates, who are those honourables or candidates? Some of those who could not get 100 votes in the last election in their respective local governments.
“Lana cannot even win if he contests councillorship in his local government. Go and check his records at the law court, he has never won a single case but he would come out and be making noise.”
The party chairman said most of the candidates who reached a compromise with him to work for Makinde did not pay a dime for the nomination form.
He explained, “They wanted to reap from where they did not sow. And when you see somebody like Lana, it’s better to avoid him. Lana is not a gubernatorial candidate before. We were only packaging him. Let him show you the receipt for the payment. He doesn’t have any structure. I gave tickets to those referring as candidates. He went to the People’s Democratic Party to collect money.
“We are symbols of the party. Our decision and position remain Teslim Folarin for governor. Lana did not come out to vote in the last election. Let him show us a picture of where he cast his vote. We have pictures of all other governorship candidates where they voted. He is a noise maker.
“Somebody who has been consistently telling the whole state that Makinde policies are anti-people. Somebody who opposed Makinde on local governments. Somebody who opposed Makinde on Parks Management System. Somebody who opposed Makinde on a lot of things but because of money, he said he had stepped down,” he said.
Reacting to the allegation in a telephone interview, Lana maintained that he was not carried along when the party collapsed the structure for Folarin.
He said, “I am not like him. I am the one that has the mandate. Did he talk to me before he went on air to announce that they have collapsed their structures for Folarin? Is it me that collapsed the structure for Folarin? So, who is selling the party? If they are symbols of the party, did they talk to me that they have already collapsed the structure for APC? Did they carry any one of us along? Did they talk to any House of Assembly candidates? Did they talk to any local government chairman? So, who traded who?
On the allegation that he didn’t pay for the nomination form, Lana said, “Let him bring his account number and state how much we’ve been paying into his account.”
On not voting at the last election, the SDP governorship candidate said, “That’s their problem. Did they know my polling unit? That’s his own problem. Did he leave his polling unit and check mine?
“I voted in South West, Ward 10 which is Iyaganku GRA. So, how can he say that? he asked.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
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