• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

1. No Matter What You Do I Will Contest 2027 Presidential Election - Peter Obi Challenges APC Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has vowed not to be intimidated by the large number of governors in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing his supporters in Njikoka, Anambra State, on Friday, he stated that he would contest the 2027 presidential election fearlessly. Obi lamented that Nigeria has completely collapsed and is in need of redemption. He stated that there have been several orchestrations meant to put him off the contest, but he will not be deterred. He said, "Nigeria has collapsed and is already lying on the ground. Nigeria is not working because many rich Nigerians are hungry and greedy. They have everything they need, but still scavenging for more. "This is an empowerment program, but you will be surprised that many well-to-do persons will come here to struggle for things they have no need for. Go to their compound, you will see better vehicles than the ones they are struggling for. "This country is skewed against the poor, and that is why we are working to become President. We want a country where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. "I have always said it that I'm not desperate to be the President of Nigeria, but I'm desperate to see a Nigeria that works. "You all know that I'm now in ADC. People have been asking me why I left LP, but I told them that we have been in court in the Labour Party over leadership, and we have been securing favourable judgments, but INEC refused to recognise us. When I left on 31 December, they recognised the same orders they were rejecting. "You see all the things they have been tinkering with the constitution, some of them are because they don't want me to contest. But I want to tell them that with their 30 governors, they should make the election free and fair and see who wins. "I want to announce to you all that no matter what they do, I must contest the election. Let them declare a free and fair contest, bring the ball to the middle of the field and declare it started, and let's see what happens." The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged staff of the commission to prepare for the responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections, warning that such performance is the only way to address the growing trust deficit around the electoral body. Amupitan said the commission was determined to strengthen Nigeria's democratic process and restore the confidence of citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections. The INEC chairman made the call on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing staff at the commission's secretariat after inspecting the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise in some local government areas. He said the commission would also collaborate with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to track Nigerians who had attained voting age and ensure they register. Amupitan emphasised that every activity undertaken by INEC officials would directly influence the credibility of the 2027 elections. He urged the staff to perform their duties with honesty and professionalism. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the recently announced ambassadorial postings, describing the move as a diplomatic misstep. In a statement issued on Friday, the party said the announcement reflected what it described as the government's poor understanding of diplomatic procedures. Naija News reports that the statement was signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. According to the opposition party, publicly announcing ambassadorial postings before obtaining the consent of host countries violates established diplomatic practice. The ADC cited Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which requires that a sending country first secure agrément - formal approval - from the receiving country before appointing a head of mission. The party warned that failure to follow the proper process could expose Nigeria to diplomatic embarrassment if any country rejects a nominee. President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the recent Boko Haram attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The President, in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mourned the innocent lives lost during the attack. He described the attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists as a heartless assault on hapless citizens, urging Nigerians in Borno and elsewhere not to succumb to fear. Naija News reports that the President also directed the military to launch a swift response and ensure those kidnapped by the terrorists are rescued and the criminals are brought to book. The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has demanded his immediate and unconditional release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). In a statement issued on Friday, the family said the continued detention of the former governor by the anti-graft agency had no legal basis. The statement was signed by Bello El-Rufai, son of the former governor and a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. According to the family, El-Rufai was initially taken into custody on February 18 before the ICPC obtained a remand order from a magistrate's court on February 19. They described the order as defective, noting that it permitted only a 14-day detention period, which had already elapsed. "As of today, March 6, 2026, Nasir El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody under circumstances that have no basis in law. We state categorically that there is currently no valid legal instrument authorizing his detention," the statement read. The family said the detention order had expired without the ICPC filing charges against the former governor before a competent court. The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Friday said the newly signed Electoral Act approved by Bola Tinubu is not yet available to the public. Makinde made the remark during the Obafemi Awolowo Lecture 2026, held in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. "I haven't seen it. That is the reality," the governor said. The lecture, titled "Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action," was organised to mark the 117th posthumous birthday of the late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo. Addressing the gathering, Makinde expressed concern that a law expected to guide the conduct of the next general elections had not been made easily accessible. "As a governor of a state in Nigeria, I've been asking, please give me the Electoral Act signed by Mr. President so that we will know which hymn book we're singing from," he said. "I haven't seen it. That is the reality. I haven't seen it." The new Electoral Act has been surrounded by controversy, with several opposition figures criticising aspects of the legislation. Recently, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders rejected the law passed by the National Assembly of Nigeria and signed by Tinubu. At a press briefing in Abuja titled "Urgent Call to Save Nigeria's Democracy," opposition leaders described some provisions of the amended law as "anti-democratic." Armed thugs reportedly prevented the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from gaining access to his hometown, Ubima, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State. According to Daily Post, the incident occurred on Friday, just hours after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Secretariat in Ubima was destroyed and set on fire by armed men. Security personnel attached to Amaechi's convoy reportedly thwarted the attack, despite sporadic gunfire. Amaechi is scheduled to visit his hometown today to officially register with the ADC. This is the second reported attack on ADC members in the state in recent months. In February 2026, party members were allegedly attacked in Igwuruta Community in the same local government during a sensitisation programme. The Rivers State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Meanwhile, Amaechi has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after completing his registration with the party in his hometown. Naija News reports that Amaechi registered at Ward 8 in Ubima, located in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, on Friday morning. Addressing supporters who gathered to welcome him into the party, the former governor appealed for calm and warned against any act of violence or retaliation. Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, professionally known as Baba Ijesha, has accused his colleague, Damilola Adekoya, better known as Princess, of framing him, leading to his jail sentence at Kirikiri prison. Naija News recalls that Prince had in 2021 accused Baba Ijesha of sexually assaulting her 14-year-old foster daughter at her residence. Baba Ijesha, who was sentenced to Lagos State prison, was released in November 2025 after completing his five-year term. Speaking for the first time after his release, the actor in a viral music video described Princess as a devil, stating that she told people to silence her and stop his voice from being heard. While insisting that the incident was a setup by Princess, Baba Ijesha said human beings are more wicked than venomous snakes and warned his fans to be careful with friends. Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has revealed that he spends about ₦40,000 every day to maintain electricity in his home due to the poor power supply in Nigeria. Naija News reports that the 78-year-old actor made this known during an interview on Africa Independent Television, where he spoke about the challenges Nigerians face because of unstable electricity. According to him, the cost of keeping his house powered has become very high because he has to rely on different sources of electricity to meet his daily needs. Edochie explained that part of the money goes to buying electricity units from the distribution company, which costs him about ₦10,000 daily. In addition to that, he also spends ₦20,000 on diesel to run his generator, while another ₦10,000 is used to buy petrol for a second generator. Altogether, the daily spending on electricity in his household reaches ₦40,000. The actor said the situation worries him, especially when many citizens are struggling with the same problem across the country. He also expressed concern that many people seeking political power do not appear focused on solving the everyday difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians. United States President Donald Trump reignited football's most enduring debate after telling Lionel Messi how much he and his family admire rival star Cristiano Ronaldo during a reception at the White House. Naija News reports that Lionel Messi visited the White House alongside his Inter Miami teammates following their 2025 MLS Cup triumph. The Argentine great was introduced in the Oval Office before greeting the US president with a handshake. "It's my privilege to say what no other president has ever said before, welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi," Trump said. The moment soon turned into a nod to the long-running Messi versus Ronaldo rivalry that has split football fans across the world for nearly two decades. During his remarks, Trump revealed that his son Barron is a big admirer of the Argentine star, but he also praised Ronaldo in the same breath. "He (Barron) is a big fan of yours," Trump said to Messi. "He thinks you're just a great person. He's a tremendous fan of yours, as well as a gentleman named Ronaldo. Source: https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/07/top-nigerian-newspaper-headlines-for-today-saturday-7th-march-2026/