Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has warned against election rigging ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying those involved could face deadly consequences.

Omo-Agege, who is seeking to represent Delta Central Senatorial District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the remarks at a political event in his constituency.

“I want to make the news again. Anybody who rigs the election on that day, we will kill him! If you don’t value your life, come and rig the election,” he said.

“They’re rigging your future. They’re rigging the future of your children. We’re waiting for them. Let them try it. It is rig and die. We’re going to give them aura for aura. There’s no court this time. We’re going to fight.”

Omo-Agege declared his intention to contest for the Delta central senatorial seat in the 2027 elections in May.

He resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a letter dated May 22 and addressed to the chairman of the party’s Orogun ward 2 in Ughelli north LGA of Delta state.

In a statement, the former deputy senate president said his decision followed weeks of consultations with political associates, supporters and stakeholders across the country.

Omo-Agege’s threat comes about a week after President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

Germany manager Jürgen Klopp has stated he favors Barcelona to win Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid.

In his view, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona is clearly the stronger team at this stage. However, Klopp also admitted he has always had a personal preference for Barcelona.

In an interview with German broadcaster DAZN, Klopp confirmed he would not miss the highly anticipated Spanish football clash: “Of course, I will watch El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. I have watched this match at every stage of my life.”

Klopp also discussed how his views on the rivalry have evolved and why he supports compatriot Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

Klopp said: “In the past, I supported Barcelona more because I hated how Pepe and other defenders used to just sweep everything away in the backline. That was the only reason I always supported Barcelona. Nowadays, I look at the game from a neutral perspective. I support the stronger team. And as things stand, that team is likely to be Barcelona.”

Barcelona has had a strong start to the season and will host their old rivals at Camp Nou, currently leading Real Madrid by six points. However, Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season this week against Paris Saint-Germain.

The house of representatives is considering a bill seeking to prohibit landlords, property managers and estate agents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from demanding more than 12 months’ rent as a condition for granting or renewing a tenancy.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Paul Nnamchi (Enugu east/Isi-Uzo federal constituency) and Ahmed Doro (Bindawa/Mani federal constituency in Katsina), seeks to establish an authority to regulate rental payments and protect tenants from unlawful practices.

The bill also proposes measures to prevent landlords from circumventing the restriction through intermediaries, compulsory service charges, artificial tenancy renewals, separate agreements, or other arrangements designed to compel tenants to pay more than 12 months’ rent upfront.

Under the proposal, tenants could voluntarily pay rent for more than one year if they initiate the arrangement without coercion, threats, discrimination, or retaliation, provided the agreement and payment are documented in writing.

The proposed legislation also requires landlords and authorised agents to provide written tenancy agreements before or at the start of a tenancy, specifying the rent, payment schedule, tenancy duration, refundable deposits, additional charges, and the rights and obligations of both parties.

The bill aims to establish the Federal Capital Territory Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Authority, which would investigate complaints, monitor compliance, facilitate dispute resolution and order refunds of unlawful rental payments.

If the authority finds that a tenant paid rent in violation of the proposed law, it may order a refund of the unlawful amount within 30 days of serving the order.

The bill proposes fines of between N500,000 and N5 million for individuals convicted of knowingly violating the restriction on advance rent payments, while corporate offenders would face fines ranging from N5 million to N20 million.

The proposed law also provides for a fine of up to N1 million for anyone convicted of failing to comply with a valid compliance notice issued by the authority.

Tenants and landlords would retain the right to seek judicial redress, while anyone dissatisfied with the authority’s decisions could appeal to the FCT high court within 30 days.

Last year, the parliament proposed capping rent increases nationwide at 20 percent and urged the federal government to enforce the measure, but the resolution has not been verifiably implemented.