Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has sought the approval of the State House of Assembly to reappoint three commissioners who served in his administration during his first term.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The governor also requested the lawmakers’ confirmation of 10 Special Advisers to assist in the implementation of his administration’s policies and programmes.

Oyebanji conveyed the request in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Among the nominees is Dayo Apata, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who has been nominated to return as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

The governor also nominated Akintunde Oyebode for reappointment as Commissioner for Finance and Oyebanji Filani to retain his position as Commissioner for Health and Human Services.

All three nominees held the same positions during Oyebanji’s first term in office.

The development follows the governor’s recent appointment of four officials to oversee key areas, including power infrastructure, road development, airport affairs and transportation.

Those appointed include Philip Atere as Technical Adviser on Power Infrastructure and Tope Fatukasi as Technical Adviser on Road Infrastructure.

Oyebanji also appointed retired Air Vice Marshal Sunday Makinde as Technical Adviser on Airport Matters, while Tajudeen Alingbolu was named Director-General of the Ekiti State Transport Agency.

The state government said the appointments took immediate effect, adding that they were aimed at strengthening the administration’s efforts to improve critical sectors of Ekiti State’s economy.

The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party warned that Atiku could no longer rely on votes from Northern Nigeria, claiming that the region had thrown its support behind Tinubu’s administration.

Kaduna APC Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Sani Haruna, made the remarks on Monday during a press briefing.

According to the party, the large crowd that attended Tinubu’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday demonstrated the North’s growing support for the President.

“I am categorically calling on him to withdraw from the race. Already, the odds are against him,” Haruna declared.

The APC spokesman also called on Atiku to reciprocate what he described as Tinubu’s past political support for the former vice-president’s presidential ambition.

Haruna further accused Atiku and other opposition figures of exploiting ethnic, religious and regional sentiments in a bid to win the support of Northern voters.

He also dismissed allegations that attendees at Saturday’s rally had been paid to participate or that videos showing the crowd were generated using artificial intelligence.

According to Haruna, many supporters arrived at the venue several hours before the event, while some reportedly spent the night there in anticipation of the rally.

He maintained that the turnout reflected genuine support for Tinubu and demonstrated the President’s backing in the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has called on manager Xabi Alonso to give Brazilian youngster Estevao more playing time, warning that the teenager could become frustrated and eventually consider leaving Stamford Bridge.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Estevao has found it difficult to secure regular starting opportunities due to intense competition for attacking positions at Chelsea, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro among the players vying for places.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel praised the youngster’s performances since joining the London club and urged Alonso to involve him more regularly, even if he is not included in the starting lineup.

“I just think what Estevao did last season, since joining the football club, he’s been superb, he’s been brilliant,” Mikel said.

He added that the Chelsea manager could give the teenager opportunities to make an impact as a substitute rather than leaving him on the bench.

“Okay, maybe don’t start him in games. But bring him on in the second half because he is brilliant,” the former Super Eagles captain stated.

Mikel noted that Estevao had already demonstrated his abilities whenever he was introduced during matches, insisting that the club should do more to ensure the young forward remains central to its plans.

“We can see glimpses of that when he comes on the pitch; he’s given us so much joy, so I want to see him play. Not a criticism of Xabi Alonso, but it’s something that he needs to look at,” Mikel said.

The former Nigeria international also expressed concern over reports that Estevao was becoming unhappy with his limited opportunities and could seek a move away from Chelsea.

“We have a young player; the last thing we want to see him do is leave the football club. There are rumours now that he’s frustrated and wants to leave the club. We don’t want to see that,” he added.