Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State have admitted that they voluntarily made the written and recorded confessional statements presented by the Department of State Services (DSS).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, who are the first and second accused persons, made the admission on Thursday during cross-examination at the resumed hearing of the case.

Both men confirmed that they willingly gave the audio-visual statements and thumbprinted the written confessions in the presence of their lawyers.

The DSS had tendered the statements as evidence, and the court admitted them during the proceedings.

Despite confirming the statements, the defendants appealed to the court for forgiveness and asked to be released. They had earlier made a similar plea while opening their defence and giving evidence on their own behalf.

The two men are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms over the alleged abduction.

Meanwhile, proceedings also continued in a separate case involving two defendants accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

During the hearing, a prosecution witness identified the defendants as the individuals who allegedly abducted him for ransom in Imo State on October 4, 2026.

At the end of Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Emeka Orafu adjourned both cases until November 6 for further hearing.

The Presidency has taken a swipe at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, following a Federal High Court judgement that nullified his nomination and removed the party leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that the court, on Thursday, invalidated all decisions taken by the ADC National Working Committee, including the primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The ruling has generated reactions from political figures across the country, with some opposition leaders expressing concern over its implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

Reacting to the judgement, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, accused the Mark-led leadership of violating the party’s constitution and guidelines, as well as the country’s constitution.

In a post on his X account, Bwala defended the court’s decision, alleging that the David Mark-led faction took control of the party’s leadership through undemocratic means.

He wrote:

“A political party that wants to govern Nigeria must be a party of due process, equity and justice.

“You descended on ADC like a thief in the night, took over its leadership undemocratically and hoped that all is well.

“You desecrated the party’s constitution and guidelines, you trampled on Nigeria’s constitution and ‘poopooed’ on INEC’s Act and guidelines; and by so doing you lifted a middle finger on Nigerians and think that you would gaslight everyone.

“I am sure by now your cash-out lobbyists will be dancing, waiting for a payout.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, will be unable to replicate his 2023 electoral performance in the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike boasted that he had successfully dismantled the political momentum Obi enjoyed during the last presidential election, insisting that the so-called Obi wave would not have the same impact in 2027.

The minister made the remarks on Thursday during his monthly media chat, where he also argued that opposition parties lacked the support and political strength required to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.

When asked whether he and the APC could be underestimating the opposition, particularly given the possibility of a run-off election, Wike dismissed the suggestion, maintaining that such a scenario was unlikely.

“All these so-called ‘Obi Kekerenke’; it does not exist again. I have killed it,” he said.

Wike further insisted that the political wave associated with Obi in 2023 was “dead and buried”, adding that those who benefited from it during the previous election should not expect a repeat in 2027.

Meanwhile, Obi has criticised the circumstances surrounding a court order that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.

The ruling also invalidated decisions taken by the party’s caretaker committee, including its nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi described the development as shocking, unsettling and surprising.

He questioned the timing of the ruling, arguing that it came just three months before a major election. He also alleged that the development was engineered by the ruling APC to distract opposition parties from their campaigns.

The former Anambra State governor said he had experienced a similar situation while in the Labour Party, and cautioned the APC against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

Obi, however, clarified that he was not challenging the court’s decision but was raising concerns about the timing of the order.