The Presidency is reportedly unhappy following protests in Ondo State regarding the distribution of INEC nomination forms to APC National Assembly candidates. Sources indicate that officials are particularly frustrated by viral videos allegedly showing the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, and the APC State Women Leader, Iji-Ayeola, leading demonstrations against President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Security agencies have been ordered to investigate those behind the protests, which the Presidency views as a betrayal, especially given that Ondo is an APC-controlled state under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa—a leader widely seen as a beneficiary of the President’s support. While state officials have publicly denied the Commissioner’s involvement, insiders note that Ondo was the only state to witness such unrest, even as the Governor reportedly sought to reconcile with the President through party elders.

Tensions have risen between the Presidency and Ondo State officials following protests over the issuance of APC nomination forms. The Presidency is reportedly angered by footage appearing to link top state officials—including Commissioner Seun Osamaye and Women Leader Iji-Ayeola—to protests against President Tinubu and the party’s national body.

Security services are now investigating the organizers of these demonstrations. The Presidency perceives this dissent as a betrayal, particularly as it occurred in a state led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who has historically been a strong ally of the President. Although the state government has denied the Commissioner’s participation, sources suggest the incident has caused significant friction, occurring simultaneously with the Governor’s failed attempts to arrange a meeting with the President.

The Presidency has expressed strong disapproval regarding recent protests in Ondo State triggered by the APC’s electoral nomination process. Reports indicate that the administration is particularly concerned by the alleged participation of high-ranking state officials in public demonstrations against President Bola Tinubu and the National Working Committee (NWC).

In response, security agencies have been tasked with identifying the sponsors of the protest. The situation has been framed as a breach of party loyalty, with the Presidency reportedly unsettled by the fact that such open opposition occurred within a state governed by Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a political figure frequently associated with the President’s patronage. While the Ondo State government has sought to distance itself from the protests, the incident has highlighted a notable disconnect, especially as reports emerge that the Governor was simultaneously attempting to secure a reconciliation meeting with the President through party elders.

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with factions led by Minister Nyesom Wike and Tanimu Turaki clashing over rival nomination forms and conflicting lists of candidates for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Wike-backed Faction’s Stance: Jungudo Mohammed, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, dismissed the Turaki group’s activities as “419” (fraud) and propaganda, asserting that they would have no impact on the PDP’s electoral prospects. He further stated that the Turaki faction lacks the necessary access codes from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload candidate information. Additionally, he challenged INEC to investigate the authenticity of the forms used by the rival camp and suggested that those responsible for any potential forgery should face criminal prosecution.

• Turaki-led Faction’s Stance: Ini Ememobong, the Publicity Secretary for the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, rejected the allegations that their nomination forms were fraudulent. Ememobong stated that the determination of document authenticity lies solely with INEC, rather than the opposing faction. While acknowledging that the ongoing conflict has negatively impacted the party, he maintained that his faction is “carefully navigating” the situation and remains confident that pending court cases will result in their favor.

Context of the Legal Conflict

• The tension follows an April 30, 2026, Supreme Court ruling that nullified the November 2025 PDP national convention, which had originally established the Turaki-led leadership.

• Although the Board of Trustees reappointed Turaki to an interim committee following the ruling, INEC continues to recognize the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, granting them the exclusive access codes required for candidate uploads.

• Terrorism Convictions: The Federal Government has successfully secured 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offenses since the mass trial program began in October 2017. These proceedings, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and various security and international partners, have concluded 10 phases of trials.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • • The first three phases (2017–2018) resulted in 366 convictions.

    • Phase Four (2023) added 14 convictions, while Phases Five and Six (2024) produced 351.

    • Phases Seven and Eight (2025) saw 125 convictions.

    • Phases Nine and Ten (2026) were the most impactful, yielding 865 convictions, which represents more than half of the total convictions recorded since the program’s inception.

    • The program has also ensured that individuals against whom the prosecution could not prove its case were appropriately discharged or acquitted.

  • Military Operations (January–June 2026): Between January and June 2026, the Defence Headquarters reported 14,221 operations across various states, including Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, and others. These efforts resulted in:

    • 1,597 terrorists and insurgents neutralized.

    • 1,516 kidnapped victims rescued.

    • Recovery of 451 firearms, over 16,000 rounds of ammunition, and 161 explosive devices.

  • Police Enforcement: The Nigeria Police Force reported significant successes in the first half of the year, including:

    • The arrest of 50 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping, and robbery by the Force Intelligence Department.

    • The dismantling of a 33-member criminal syndicate in Kwara State.

    • The recovery of approximately 60 tonnes of vandalized railway materials estimated at ₦400 million.

  Security agencies continue to urge the public to share timely and credible intelligence to assist in these ongoing national security efforts.