Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Femi Otubanjo, has stated that President Bola Tinubu is not required to take his re-election campaign to all 36 states of the federation ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Otubanjo made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, arguing that there is no legal requirement or established convention compelling the President to organise campaign rallies in every state.

The political scientist explained that Tinubu would participate in campaign activities as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than in his capacity as Nigeria’s President.

According to him, this distinction means the President is not obligated to address every Nigerian during campaign rallies.

Otubanjo said, “The reality, of course, it is not compulsory for the president to campaign in 36 states.

“When the president goes to campaign, he is a candidate of the APC, not the president of Nigeria. So he has no obligation to speak to everybody.”

The NIIA scholar also questioned the effectiveness of political rallies, arguing that many gatherings described as campaign events are primarily designed to energise existing supporters rather than persuade undecided voters.

He maintained that most attendees at such rallies have already made up their minds about the candidates they intend to support, making the events less effective as platforms for winning over new voters.

Drawing a comparison with rallies organised by United States President Donald Trump, Otubanjo argued that Nigerian political gatherings often focus more on noise, self-praise and promises than on convincing voters through substantive arguments.

He said, “If you can take your time and watch a video of a typical Nigerian rally, it’s all noise.

“It’s all about bragging about what they have achieved, or bragging about what they can achieve. It is not about convincing anybody.”

Otubanjo further argued that campaign rallies were neither compulsory for Tinubu nor appropriate platforms for the President to communicate with the entire nation.

He stressed that political campaigns should be understood as activities undertaken by candidates seeking electoral support, rather than official presidential engagements.

“And so, it’s not really compulsory. It’s not a venue. It’s not a platform for the president to address the nation,” he said.

The professor’s comments came days after Tinubu announced plans to limit his physical participation in campaign activities to allow him to concentrate on governance.

The decision has attracted criticism from opposition figures, who have questioned the President’s approach to campaigning ahead of the 2027 general election.

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued four kidnapped victims in separate security operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states as the military intensifies efforts to combat terrorism and kidnapping across Nigeria’s North-West region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that the victims, comprising two men and two women, were rescued on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State and along the Bena-Sawade axis of Kebbi State.

According to the Nigerian Army, troops rescued two victims in Zamfara following a report of a terrorist attack on farmland across a river in Binoni Marafa, Maru LGA.

The rescued victims were identified as Mansur Shehu, 25, and Kadijat Haruna, 49.

In Kebbi State, troops launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving intelligence that suspected terrorists were moving with kidnapped persons from Dupindu Village in Kanya District, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

The operation resulted in the rescue of two additional victims, identified as Jimoh Su-Arege, 35, and Kalahe Danjuma, 41.

The Army disclosed that the rescued individuals were subsequently handed over to the Seriki of Dipindu.

The military also stated that troops had intensified patrols and surveillance across affected communities to strengthen security and prevent terrorists and other criminal groups from operating unhindered.

According to the Army, the successful operations demonstrate its continued commitment to rescuing abducted persons, disrupting terrorist activities and restoring peace in Zamfara and Kebbi states.

It further reaffirmed its resolve to sustain security operations across the North-West region, protect residents and deny criminal groups access to vulnerable communities.

Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked a commercial vehicle travelling along the road to Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, shooting at the passengers and killing all those on board.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The victims were reportedly returning from Sokoto, the state capital, when the deadly incident occurred. However, the exact number of casualties has yet to be confirmed.

reports that Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering Nigeria’s North-West region, revealed the incident in a post on X.

According to the reporter, some of the victims were among the 3,000 individuals recently recruited by the Sokoto State Government, who had been invited to the state capital for additional screening and the collection of their employment documents.

Bakatsine also shared photographs of some of the victims, although their identities had not been officially established at the time of the report.

In his post, the reporter disclosed that the attack occurred on Wednesday evening, when the suspected bandits intercepted the vehicle carrying the passengers along the route to Isa LGA and opened fire, killing everyone inside.

He wrote, “Yesterday evening, bandits reportedly intercepted a vehicle carrying passengers returning home from Sokoto city and opened fire, killing everyone inside. The exact number of victims has yet to be confirmed.

“Reports indicate that some of the victims were among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had been invited for further screening and to collect their documents.

“The attack reportedly occurred along the road to Isa LGA, Sokoto State.

“May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and give their families the strength to bear this painful loss.

“How can citizens continue to travel in fear of being attacked and killed on our roads, and what more must happen before their safety becomes a priority?”

The reported attack has renewed concerns over the safety of travellers on roads across Sokoto State and the wider North-West region, where banditry and armed attacks continue to pose security challenges.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of people killed and the identities of the victims had yet to be confirmed.