News
APC Fires Back At Pantami,Others Over Consensus Debacle
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has defended its adoption of consensus candidates for the 2027 governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections, insisting that direct primaries remain available for any aspirant dissatisfied with the arrangement.
The party, in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari, said consensus was adopted in line with the APC constitution as a legitimate and preferred method for candidate emergence, stressing that the process was designed to promote party unity.
The clarification comes amid growing discontent among some aspirants over the recently announced consensus candidates, as the party seeks to calm tensions and rebut claims of exclusion.
Former Communication Minister, Isa Pantami had vowed to fight out what he described as injustice, even if it involves losing his life.
Report said that governorship aspirants, Pantami, the immediate former Transportation Minister Saidu Ahmed Alkali, and Senator Danjuma Goje, aspirant for Gombe Central senatorial zone, have rejected the consensus, which has not favoured them.
The ruling party in Gombe State on Sunday adopted Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate and ratified 33 lawmakers for the 2027 polls.
According to the APC, the adoption of consensus followed extensive consultations involving the Party Elders Committee, State Working Committee, State Executive Committee and all aspirants.
The party maintained that every aspirant was duly informed and invited to participate in the consensus-building process, but noted that some of those now objecting to the outcome had declined participation.
“It is surprising and disingenuous that individuals who voluntarily absented themselves from the process would now seek to question an outcome they refused to help shape,” Kyari said.
The APC, however, stressed that consensus was only the party’s first option and not a binding final decision, noting that aspirants who reject the arrangement are free to test their popularity through direct primary elections.
“Neither the Electoral Act nor the APC Constitution imposes consensus as a fait accompli. Where any aspirant disagrees with the consensus arrangement, the party has no alternative but to proceed with the direct primary option,” the party stated.
The development underscores efforts by the ruling party in Gombe to manage internal disagreements ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested 2027 electoral cycle, while preserving cohesion within its ranks.
The APC also called on aspirants and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements capable of undermining party unity, urging all stakeholders to rally behind the collective objective of victory at the polls.
News
Police Arraign 5 Over Attack On Officers In Ogun
Ogun State Police Command has arraigned five suspects before the Ota Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in the assault and obstruction of police officers carrying out their lawful duties in Ota.
The suspects were brought before the court following an incident around The Bells area of Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, on October 2, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babasiyi.
The police said the incident occurred after a patrol team intercepted and arrested a suspect allegedly found with a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the command, the officers were taking the handcuffed suspect to the station when they were allegedly ambushed by a group of people armed with cutlasses, stones and bottles.
The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to some of the officers, damage to the police operational vehicle and the escape of the suspect in custody.
Following the incident, the command said an intelligence-led operation was launched, leading to the arrest of five suspects identified as Morenikeji Badmus, 36; Adedoja Segun, 40; Jeremiah Odise Ugbede Onride, 49; Mike Stephen, 28; and David Odeh, 32.
The suspects were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, obstruction of lawful duty and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The police said efforts were still ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the scene of the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting police officers carrying out their lawful responsibilities.
“Members of the public are urged to refrain from physical confrontation with law enforcement personnel and channel grievances through established lawful channels,” the statement said.
The command added that “the safety of police officers performing lawful duties remains a priority of the command.”
News
9 Yr-Old Arrested Over Deaths Of 4 Family Members
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy over the alleged killing of four family members in Rugan Badali community, Karasuwa Local Council of the state.
The police said the child allegedly set fire to the family house while his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, resulting in their deaths.
According to report, the suspect was said to have committed the act after his father flogged him over an allegation that he had stolen a fowl.
Speaking with journalists in Damaturu yesterday, the suspect, whose name was withheld because of his age, allegedly confessed to setting the house ablaze.
He said he bought matches the following day and set fire to the house.
“I carried one of our fowls to sell. People reported me to my father, and I was beaten. The following day, I bought N50 worth of matches in the neighbourhood. While my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me,” he said.
The boy added: “People came to the rescue. I did not tell them that I was the one who did it until after three days of prayer. I then confessed and was later arrested by policemen and brought here to Damaturu.”
Parading the suspect alongside his father, Abubakar Idi, the police spokesperson, ASP Yusuf Ali, said the boy remained a suspect despite his age.
Ali said the case would be handled in accordance with the law, stressing that the incident underscored the need for greater attention to criminal activities involving children.
He expressed concern over the development, particularly as the state continues to recover from the effects of Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.
News
Hisbah Arrests 6 Women In Anti-Prostitution Raid In Yobe
The Yobe State Hisbah Commission has arrested six women suspected of engaging in sex work during an operation in Gadaka, Fika Local Government Area of the state.
The women were arrested in the Abuja area of Gadaka town during a weekend operation conducted by operatives of the commission’s Fika Local Government Area command.
The operation also targeted locations suspected of selling and processing alcoholic drinks, according to the commission.
Head of Administration of the commission in Fika LGA, Malam Musa Abari Talba, who confirmed the arrests, said the operation was part of efforts to check activities considered contrary to the religious and moral values of the community.
Talba said the operatives also embarked on awareness campaigns during the exercise, warning residents against activities they described as harmful to the peace and moral conduct of the society.
He said: “The operation was carried out by our men at the weekend in the Abuja area of Gadaka. Six women suspected of engaging in sex work were arrested.”
According to him, the operatives also visited locations suspected of selling and processing alcoholic drinks, where residents were cautioned against activities prohibited by law.
He added that the commission used the opportunity to preach to residents and encourage them to comply with the law and shun practices considered detrimental to the community.
Talba said the exercise was not limited to arrests, stressing that the commission’s broader objective was to promote peace, discipline and good moral conduct among residents.
He further disclosed that similar operations would continue across the local government as part of efforts to ensure compliance with the law and promote peaceful and orderly communities.
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