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Shock Claim: Olu Falae Says He, Not Obasanjo, Won the 1999 Presidential Election
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and 1999 presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, has claimed that he, not former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was the true winner of the 1999 general election that marked Nigeria’s return to civilian rule.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking during a special Democracy Day edition of The Morning Show on Arise TV on Thursday, Falae alleged that the results of the election were manipulated to deny him victory.
According to the elder statesman, his legal counsel at the time, the late Chief J.O.K. Ajayi, conducted a thorough analysis of the declared results and concluded that Falae had defeated Obasanjo—then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party—by over one million votes.
“I was informed by my lawyer, the late Chief JOK Ajayi, that after a careful review of the figures, I actually won the election by more than a million votes,” Falae stated.
He explained that despite having grounds to challenge the outcome, he chose not to pursue legal action in the interest of national stability and a smooth transition to democratic governance after years of military rule.
Falae’s remarks reopen a long-standing debate about Nigeria’s 1999 political transition, which came in the wake of General Sani Abacha’s death and the rise of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who led the return to democratic rule. Many saw the 1999 elections as a political compromise, particularly aimed at addressing the grievances of the South-West following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, widely believed to have been won by MKO Abiola.
Falae ran under a joint platform supported by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All Peoples Party (APP), while Obasanjo, also of Yoruba descent and a former military Head of State, received backing from the PDP, the political elite, and the military establishment.
“There was tremendous pressure on us not to disrupt the process. We made sacrifices to ensure democracy returned,” Falae noted. “At the time, I accepted the outcome in good faith. But the truth remains—I won that election.”
He emphasized that his statement was not motivated by personal bitterness, but by a desire for historical truth.
“It’s not about me; it’s about setting the record straight. Nigerians deserve to know the real story behind what has been called the rebirth of our democracy,” he added.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Falae lamented the persistent issues surrounding electoral credibility, saying the country has not conducted a truly credible election since 1993, despite the continuity of democratic governance since 1999.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has appealed to his supporters to remain calm following the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pantami, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in May, was absent from the list published by INEC on Saturday.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, the former minister’s camp described the development as a temporary electoral setback, assuring supporters that efforts were being made to resolve the issue.
The statement, signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe, acknowledged the concerns raised by PDP members and supporters of the Pantamiyya Movement both within and outside Gombe State.
According to the statement, Pantami’s legal and liaison teams are engaging relevant PDP organs and INEC to secure compliance with a court order and address the omission within the period allowed by law.
The camp urged supporters to remain optimistic, stressing that the publication of the final list did not bring the matter to a conclusion.
“We are aware of the people working behind the scenes to frustrate good and responsible leadership in Gombe State,” the statement said.
Expressing confidence that the issue would be resolved, the camp encouraged supporters to sustain their mobilisation efforts and remain committed to the movement’s goal of serving humanity.
It also reaffirmed the unity between the PDP and the Pantamiyya Movement, stating that both remained committed to advancing the political aspirations of their supporters in Gombe State.
“No distraction will derail our course, in sha Allah,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members who were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The corps members were rescued on October 7, 2026, at Amakohia Ubi in the Owerri West Local Government Area of the state following a coordinated operation involving the police and other security agencies.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
Iniedu said the rescued victims had been taken for medical assessment and were receiving the necessary care.
The statement read:
“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members abducted in Imo State on 1st October 2026.
“The victims were rescued on 7th October 2026 at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations. They have since been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.”
The prospective corps members were reportedly travelling to their orientation camp when gunmen attacked their convoy along the Owerri-Onitsha route.
The police said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
According to the statement, security agencies would continue coordinated operations until all those involved were brought to justice.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction, as the Police and other security agencies sustain coordinated operations towards bringing all culpable persons to justice,” the statement added.
The Force thanked members of the public for their cooperation and support, while assuring Nigerians of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property.
“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates members of the public for their cooperation and support and remains committed to the protection of lives and property, prompt response to security threats and continued collaboration with sister security agencies,” the statement said.
Kenya Airways has confirmed the death of a passenger aboard one of its flights from Nairobi, Kenya, to Lagos on Tuesday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that the airline disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the passenger became unresponsive about 20 minutes before the aircraft arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The airline expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and friends while apologising for any inconvenience the incident may have caused.
Kenya Airways also said it was providing the necessary support in coordination with the deceased’s family, relevant local authorities and aviation regulators.
The statement read, “Our crew administered first aid as per their training and followed all emergency procedures.
“Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41 hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel, and upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away.
“We uphold and respect the privacy and dignity for all involved.”
Pastor Dies After Collapsing While Preaching at Funeral
In a related development, the pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Glorious People Assembly, Aleto, Deacon Steve Eyo, has died after collapsing while preaching at a funeral service in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to Leadership, Eyo was delivering a sermon at the funeral of a female member of his church on Friday when he suddenly collapsed.
The incident reportedly shocked mourners who had gathered for the burial.
Eyo was subsequently taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment using an ambulance that had been hired to transport the remains of the deceased person whose funeral was being held.
He was, however, pronounced dead at the hospital.
During his sermon, Eyo had reportedly spoken about the certainty of death and the importance of living with the awareness that life can end at any time.
He began preaching at about 1:10 p.m. and reportedly collapsed approximately 15 minutes later as he was concluding his message.
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