The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused some politicians of encouraging citizens and thugs to arm themselves and engage in violence under the guise of protecting their votes during the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Keyamo alleged that the politicians had already sent their own children abroad for safety while urging ordinary Nigerians to risk their lives.

He warned that security and law enforcement agencies would not allow anyone to create confusion or unleash violence under the pretext of protecting votes.

The minister urged those planning to engage in violence to reconsider their actions, warning that security operatives could lawfully neutralise individuals who wield dangerous weapons and attack others while claiming to defend their votes.

reports that Keyamo made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account on Monday.

He wrote:

“After safely ferrying their children abroad, some unscrupulous politicians are encouraging hapless citizens and thugs to take up weapons to kill one another under the pretext of ‘protecting their votes’. That’s fine.

“Let me reiterate what late President Buhari said pre-2019 election (which I supported and I still support): when you resort to self-help and you take up dangerous weapons in the guise of ‘protecting your votes’ and you attack anybody, it is lawful and legitimate for law enforcement agents to ‘neutralise’ you or simple ‘put you down’ in the course of their duty. And the children of the politicians will be watching your foolishness from their safe haven somewhere in the world.

“Having been forewarned, you can then go ahead and exercise your options. CHIKENA!!”

The Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, has claimed that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, sponsored President Bola Tinubu’s first trip to Saudi Arabia.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Shaibu made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

When asked whether Atiku would have accompanied Tinubu on his recent trip to Saudi Arabia if he had been invited, the ADC campaign aide said the former vice president had previously sponsored the President’s first journey to Mecca.

Shaibu said, “The first time Bola Tinubu went to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia, it was on the bills of Atiku Abubakar. He took him there. It’s on record; let him contest it.

“Atiku, in his magnanimity, sponsored President Tinubu to the Holy Land because of his love for people and the Almighty. Atiku loves bringing people to know God.”

The ADC spokesperson also criticised Tinubu’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, arguing that a second term in office could not be secured through spiritual claims.

He maintained that visits to the Holy Land should be personal rather than treated as national affairs, accusing the President’s supporters of politicising the trip.

Shaibu also questioned Tinubu’s sincerity of faith, arguing that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, would not remain in custody if the President’s religious convictions were genuine.

He further criticised Tinubu for speaking into a microphone during his visit to Saudi Arabia while, according to him, Nigerians were “dying of hunger”.

The ADC campaign aide also dismissed claims by the Tinubu administration that the economy had improved, insisting that many Nigerians continued to struggle with economic hardship.

Shaibu said Nigerians would remember the President’s prayers in Mecca alongside the high cost of food, goods and services.

The Kebbi State Government has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, of exploiting the security challenges in the state for political advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the allegation was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Governor Nasir Idris.

The government claimed that opposition politicians were using visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and communities affected by banditry to score political points.

It accused the ADC leadership of building its campaign strategy around what it described as fabricated allegations, attempts to incite civil servants and propaganda on security matters.

The statement further alleged that the opposition party was trying to influence civil servants with promises of improved workers’ welfare and the construction of a befitting state secretariat.

The government also criticised recent visits by ADC leaders and candidates to communities and IDP camps affected by banditry, describing the trips as politically motivated.

In particular, it accused Malami of displaying what it called “crocodile tears” during a visit to Jega. The statement also alleged that the ADC’s House of Representatives candidate for Koko/Besse/Maiyama Federal Constituency, Shehu Muhammed Koko, showed insensitivity during a condolence visit.

The statement also raised questions about Malami’s legal challenges, referring to allegations of questionable wealth accumulated during his time in public office.

It recalled that courts had ordered the seizure of about 50 properties and the freezing of 47 bank accounts. However, the government did not provide further details about the cases in its statement.

The Kebbi Government further alleged that the ADC’s activities came after Governor Idris visited Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Shanga Local Government Areas, where he announced the deployment of additional armoured vehicles and military personnel, including members of the civilian Joint Task Force, to strengthen security operations.