Former Big Brother Naija housemate Saskay has urged Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 general elections, stressing the importance of protecting votes during the exercise.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The reality TV star encouraged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers on Election Day to exercise their civic rights.

She also called on Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to support efforts to ensure that votes cast are properly protected.

Saskay made the appeal in a post shared on her social media account.

She wrote: “You have PVC o, you don’t have PVC o. Come out on Election Day! Let those who can, vote. And those who can’t, help voters defend their votes.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

In a related development, Nigerian singer Cynthia Morgan has warned that Nigerians’ decisions at the 2027 general elections could have serious consequences for their lives and the future of the country.

The singer urged citizens to take the forthcoming polls seriously, stressing that their choice of political leaders could determine their safety and survival.

Morgan made the remarks in a post on her Instagram page, where she advised Nigerians to carefully consider the candidates they intend to support.

She warned that the outcome of the elections could affect citizens’ lives in different ways.

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after completing his visit to Saudi Arabia, where he performed the Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The President’s aircraft touched down in Abuja at approximately 8:53 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

He was received at the airport by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Education; the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; and other government officials.

Tinubu had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah, also known as the Lesser Hajj.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has dismissed claims that Tinubu’s pilgrimage was aimed at attracting support from northern voters ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oshodi said the trip should be viewed from both religious and national perspectives rather than through a political lens.

The presidential aide argued that the President’s access to the Holy Kaaba held significance for Muslims across Nigeria and should not be viewed as an issue concerning only one region.

He said: “You know public opinion is far from being monolithic. One section of the population cannot come and say, ‘This is for votes from the North’.

“I believe we should look at it from a different aspect. This is a huge significance for Nigeria. This is the first South-West leader to have been given that honour. How do the South-West Nigerians see that?

“So, it is not just a Northern or Southern thing. It is a Muslim thing. And the Muslims have cherished this opportunity,” he said.

Oshodi also noted that Tinubu had performed both Umrah and Hajj several times in his lifetime, insisting that his latest trip was not politically motivated.

The Deputy Director-General of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, has pledged that an administration led by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would not interfere in the selection of the Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives if elected.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Melaye made the declaration during an appearance on Arise Television, where he said the ADC would allow lawmakers to elect their leaders independently.

He maintained that the party was committed to democratic principles and an independent National Assembly.

“To start with, an Atiku presidency will not determine who is going to be the Senate president, the president of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Atiku is a Democrat. ADC is a very democratic political party. So we are going to allow the people to elect their leaders,” he said.

Melaye argued that allowing lawmakers to choose their leaders would promote legislative independence and strengthen the National Assembly’s oversight of the executive arm of government.

He said an independent legislature would be better positioned to scrutinise government activities and hold the executive accountable.

“And I told you that wherever you have the members electing their leaders, there is some modicum of independence.

“So to start with, the ADC will make sure that the National Assembly is truly independent, and if the National Assembly is truly independent, that will drive their oversight functions over the Executive,” he said.

Speaking on how government spending would be monitored, the ADC campaign official said relevant National Assembly committees would be empowered to question government officials and examine public expenditure.

He specifically mentioned the Committees on Establishment, Finance, and Budget and Planning as possible channels for investigating government spending and ensuring accountability.

“The Committee on Establishment is responsible for questioning this type of spenders because they have direct oversight function over the State House. The committee on finance is there. The committee on budget and planning is there,” Melaye said.