From Francis Sadhere, Delta

Prominent Niger Delta-born human rights and development advocate, Chief Mulade Sheriff has urged political job seekers and influential Nigerians to desist from distracting President Bola Tinubu and state governors, but instead, allow them to focus on delivering good governance.

Speaking recently, Chief Mulade, a respected peace and environmental justice advocate, decried the rising trend of early political maneuvering and endorsements for the 2027 general elections, describing them as selfish and counterproductive to national development. “I appeal to highly placed Nigerians to stop distracting the President and Governors over the 2027 general elections that are still over two years away,” he said. “These actions are being driven by selfish interests to protect positions and contracts, and they come at the expense of our nation’s development.”Mulade, who holds the traditional title of Ibe Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State’s Warri South-West LGA, stressed that President Tinubu has spent less than two years in office and should be allowed to concentrate on fulfilling his campaign promises.He criticized the actions of political jobbers who, according to him, are endorsing the President prematurely in a bid to curry favor.“It is imperative to state that the President is barely about two years in office, and has not delivered on his electioneering promises, but he is being distracted by persons who are promoting their selfish interest rather than the good of the masses,” he noted.Mulade called on all well-meaning Nigerians to prioritize national interest over personal gain and refrain from actions that could derail progress.He also advised President Tinubu to be cautious of praise singers and sycophants, urging him to focus fully on the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.“The President does not need these distractive and mischievous political endorsements to be re-elected if he delivers on his promises to Nigerians,” Mulade said.He urged Tinubu to channel his efforts into addressing critical national issues such as insecurity, hunger, bad governance, economic decline, and oppression of the masses.Chief Mulade’s remarks come at a time of growing political tension and early jostling for power ahead of the 2027 elections, despite the administration being in its early phase.

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).The Speaker dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC alongside Hon. Sunny Ifada, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker Hon.

Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader Hon. Nosa Nosayaba.Their defection to the APC now makes the party having 18 out of the 24 members of the Assembly. The defection ground rally held yesterday also saw the former PDP State Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba, and 17 Local Government Chairmen, numerous councilors, joining the APC.APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru who received the defectors on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, assured them of equal opportunities within the APC.He emphasized the significance of their defection as a milestone for the party’s consolidation in Edo.He commended Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, particularly for ensuring regular salary payments and infrastructural renewal such as the ongoing road projects in Ekpoma.He noted that the wave of defections signifies a shift in political tides and reflects growing confidence in the APC-led administration.On his part, Okpebholo welcomed the new entrants into the APC fold, promising that the state is on a path to an accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a president who believes in our people.”From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability,” the governor stated.He declared that Edo would play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.“We will lead the South-South in supporting Mr. President. We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State,” he affirmed.Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, described the Speaker’s return to APC as a homecoming, further describing Agbebaku as one of the original builders of the party in the state.”This defection is a testament to the governor’s impressive performance. Out of 24 Assembly members, APC now holds 18 seats, providing the needed legislative support to move the state forward,” Oshiomhole said.He expressed optimism that the governor’s achievements would earn him a second term in 2028, just as Edo State would deliver for President Tinubu in 2027.Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed the wave of defections to the visible development strides under Governor Okpebholo.“The governor’s performance speaks volumes, and his results are drawing others back to the party,” he said.Speaker Agbebaku, in his remarks, praised the governor’s developmental focus, citing the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in Owan West LGA as signs of inclusive governance. “We are here to support the governor and the president to move Edo forward,” he declared.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

In continuation of its onslaught against criminals in Niger State, the Niger State Police Command has arrested another set of 12 suspected car snatching syndicate and rescued seven kidnapped victims.The State Command public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun in a crime bulletin on Tuesday said the Command is determined to dismantle the criminal network in the State.

”In continuation of our effort to decimate crime and criminality in the State, the following breakthroughs were recently recorded. ”He disclosed that, as on Sunday, the 4th of May, 2025 at about 12.30am, Police operatives attached to Tafa Div arrested three suspects, namely; “Umar Mukhtar 25yrs of Okada Road, Minna -Shuaibu Ahmed 30yrs of the same address, and Mohammed Ibrahim Abba 25yrs of Tafa, Kaduna State”According to him, the suspects were arrested at Dikko junction with a white Toyota Camry vehicle suspected to have been stolen, and during interrogation, Mukhtar confessed that on 3rd May, 2025 at about 8pm, one Mustapha of Angwan-Kaje area of Minna led him and Shuaibu to a residence in Bosso Estate for robbery.He narrated that Mustapha was armed with a toy gun, while he and Shuaibu used screwdrivers as weapons. He said further that they requested for money but as there was no money, the wife of the victim drove in within the period of the robbery incident, and the vehicle with Reg. No KNT 785 SN was snatched.”A preliminary investigation revealed that Mukhtar and Shuaibu drove the vehicle away, while Mustapha stayed back and locked the victims in the toilet to ensure that nobody raised an alarm.”The said Mustapha linked Mukhtar and Shuaibu to Mohammed Abba at Dikko junction who was contacted to take them to Kaduna to dispose the vehicle”The State Police however recovered the vehicle and the suspects are under investigation, and effort to arrest Mustapha who is presently at large is ongoing.Similarly, On 3rd May, 2025 at approximately 2.30pm, acting on credible information, Police operatives attached to Maje Div arrested two suspects who specialised in theft of tricycles, the suspects namely Abdulaziz Salisu 19yrs of Madalla, Suleja, Abubakar Mohammed of Chachi village, Sabon-Wuse.Wasiu Abiodun said Investigation revealed that on 2nd May, 2025 at about 5am, the said Abdulaziz went to a mosque at Dakwa with the pretence to observe morning prayers, and when the prayers commenced, he ran out of the mosque and made away with a tricycle with Reg. No. GUS 16 VC.Police operatives on stop and search at Maje Bridge intercepted the tricycle suspected to have been stolen, and during interrogation, he confessed that he stole the tricycle and that he had taken it to Abubakar Mohammed who would facilitate the movement of the tricycle to Katsina State to the buyer.Meanwhile, on the 1st May, 2025 at about 6pm, information was received that there was a robbery incident at APC Quarters, Suleja where victims were robbed of their handsets and other valuables”Consequently, Police operatives of ‘B’ Div Suleja were led to the scene by the DPO and one Mubarak Mohammed 16yrs was pursued and arrested.In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to taking part in the armed robbery and that there were thirteen of them as a syndicate. He led operatives to the arrest of others, who are; Ibrahim Mohammed 20yrs of Guaraka, the gang leader, Abdullahi Yakubu 18yrs,Mohammed Abubakar 18yrs,Nasiru Musa 17yrs, Shamsudeen Musa 18yrs-Ahmed Ali, all of Galadima area of FCT, AbujaThe investigation led to the recovery of six cutlasses, three torch lights, charms, fourteen handsets, and four bags from their hideout under a mango tree along Abuja-Kaduna Express Road. All suspects are under investigation and they will soon be transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and prosecution accordingly.However on a cheering note, On 3rd May, 2025 at about 7am, a group of suspected kidnappers invaded Tungan-Boka and Masaha villages of Mashegu LGA and kidnapped seven persons. Unfortunately, one Garba Mohammed was shot dead during the attack.However, at about 5pm of same date, a team of Policemen led by the DPO with vigilante members mobilised for a rescue operation, and trailed the suspected kidnappers to a forest within Tungan-Boka village where the hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel. As a result of this, the seven kidnapped persons were rescued unhurt as the hoodlums escaped from the scene. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing miscreants.