Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) has publicly accused former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of attempting to incite Northern voters against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The controversy arose during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where Umeh addressed the following points:

• Sheriff’s Allegations: Sheriff claimed that Northerners would reject Obi in 2027, labeling him “divisive” and alleging that Obi had previously chased Northerners out of Anambra State during his tenure as governor.

• Umeh’s Rebuttal: Denouncing these remarks as a deliberate attempt to whip up regional sentiment, Umeh asserted that such statements are effectively inciting the Northern population against Obi.

• Defense of Obi: Umeh characterized Obi as a peaceful individual dedicated to national renewal, rejecting the claim that he is a divisive figure.

• Critique of President Tinubu: Umeh also defended Obi’s right to call for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation over security concerns, arguing that the President has failed to adequately address national insecurity, economic hardship, and the rising cost of fuel.

The Presidency has officially distanced the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, from the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), citing police forensic analysis that confirmed the signature on the council’s appointment documentation was forged.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Forgery Investigation: Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that police forensic experts determined the documents paraded by the PFIPC Director-General (DG) were fake. The case is currently filed at the Federal Court, with Gbajabiamila and 10 others listed as prosecution witnesses.

• Release of Adeyemi’s Father: The Nigeria Police Force released the father of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged DG of the PFIPC, following extensive questioning regarding his son’s whereabouts. Police officers had previously searched the family home on Monday in an attempt to locate Adeyemi.

• Legal Defense: Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, criticized the arrest of the elder Adeyemi as unlawful harassment. He emphasized that his client, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has consistently appeared in court for his ongoing trial regarding charges of conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation, and is scheduled to attend the next hearing on July 27.

• Senate Stance: The Senate stated it cannot intervene in the controversy because no formal petition has been submitted to the National Assembly and the matter is already sub judice. While the Senate confirmed the existence of a ₦1.3 billion budgetary allocation for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act, the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, clarified that the legislature did not create this budget line and that security vetting of agency heads is an executive responsibility.

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a Presidential Working Group, chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to develop the legal framework for implementing state police in Nigeria. The committee was established at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, with the goal of creating a “technically robust, implementation-ready” National Policing Bill.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Purpose: While the recent constitutional amendment established a framework for dual policing, the National Policing Bill is necessary to operationalize it and define the legal structure for implementation.

• Legislative Scope: The proposed bill will address several critical areas, including minimum policing standards, certification of state readiness, coordination between federal and state levels, accountability, human rights safeguards, and fiscal conditions.

• Committee Mandate: The working group is tasked with preparing the draft bill immediately, rather than waiting for the constitutional process to conclude, and will also recommend other necessary legal instruments to ensure a smooth transition.

• Membership: The group comprises high-level officials, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police, and a dedicated secretariat.