The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that the “Rainbow Coalition” he is promoting ahead of the 2027 general elections is not an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike said the coalition was conceived as a multi-party platform to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, stressing that members of different political parties could participate in the initiative.

The former Rivers State governor made the clarification in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, following concerns raised by APC governors over political alliances outside the party’s formal structures.

According to Wike, his decision to support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election does not mean that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will abandon its participation in other elections. He said he never promised that the PDP would not field candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

Wike said the Rainbow Coalition was not established to help politicians secure electoral victories in their respective states, arguing that political disputes and contests at the state level should be handled locally.

“Politics is local and those having problems in their states should resolve them instead of using the re-election of the President to whip up sentiments,” he said.

He also recalled that he and other members of the G5 supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election without first meeting with APC governors, using the development to argue that voters could support different political parties at presidential and legislative levels during the same election.

Wike maintained that his immediate political focus is mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election, while political parties remain free to contest other positions. The clarification comes amid an emerging disagreement between the minister and APC governors over the role of the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The controversy surrounding the ancestry of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has escalated, with APC member Abayomi Hunye challenging him to settle the matter in court.

Adeola had threatened legal action against Hunye and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello over claims that he is originally from Ekiti State. Through his media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, Adeola gave the two individuals 24 hours to provide evidence supporting the allegation or face lawsuits. He described the claims as false and libellous.

Responding through his media aide, Femi Oyewale, Hunye said he welcomed the threat of litigation and was prepared to meet Adeola in court. He maintained that he had documentary evidence to support his position and alleged that the issue concerning the senator’s ancestry was already before a court.

Hunye described the 24-hour ultimatum as what he characterised as a political tactic and accused Adeola’s camp of attempting to intimidate those raising questions about his ancestry and eligibility ahead of the 2027 governorship election. These are Hunye’s allegations, not established findings.

He argued that questions surrounding the origin and eligibility of a governorship candidate are matters of public interest, particularly in the context of the 2027 Ogun governorship contest.

Adeola, meanwhile, has maintained that the claims about his alleged Ekiti origin are false and challenged his accusers to produce evidence to substantiate them. The dispute has therefore shifted from media exchanges toward a possible legal confrontation, with both sides indicating that documentary evidence could be central to the matter.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taofeek Arapaja, has alleged that the political understanding reached with sections of the Muslim community ahead of the 2023 general elections has not been respected in the ongoing succession debate in Oyo State.

Speaking on the state’s political development, Arapaja recalled participating in a delegation that visited the Muslim community at Adogba Mosque, Ibadan, when some Muslim groups were advocating for a Muslim governor. He said the appeal at the time was for Governor Seyi Makinde to be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms, noting that former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who was also a Muslim, had similarly served for eight years.

According to Arapaja, the understanding was that following the completion of Makinde’s tenure, the governorship would be ceded to a Muslim candidate. He, however, expressed disappointment over what he described as a failure to honour that understanding when discussions over Makinde’s succession began.

Arapaja also criticised what he described as an attempt to retain political control through a preferred successor, saying Oyo State should not be subjected to the influence of any individual. “We all kicked against godfatherism. We cannot now allow anyone to turn himself into an emperor in Oyo State. The people must remain the ultimate owners of the state,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Remi Oseni assured constituents of his commitment to effective representation if elected, promising to build on his existing interventions. The programme organiser, Pastor Ayodele Eleko, thanked political leaders and supporters for attending and urged APC members to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.

The 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, has warned Governor Seyi Makinde against diverting the state’s N85 billion French loan facility to finance political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Alli urged the governor to ensure that the funds are used strictly for the purpose for which they were obtained, particularly projects aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and services across the state.

The former lawmaker also called for transparency in the disbursement and utilisation of the loan, demanding that the state government make public details of the projects, contractors and procurement processes associated with the facility.

According to Alli, the people of Oyo State deserve to know how the funds are being spent, stressing that resources obtained in the name of development must not be diverted for political purposes.

He urged the Makinde administration to prioritise accountability and ensure that the French loan delivers measurable benefits to residents, particularly in the healthcare sector.

Veteran musicians including Ebenezer Obey, Kollington Ayinla and Abass Akande Obesere are set to celebrate Nigerian music legend King Sunny Ade as he clocks 80.

The celebration, tagged “Celebrating KSA @ 80,” is scheduled to take place on September 20 at Platinum Lounge Social Club, Abule Egba, Lagos.

The event is being organised by one of King Sunny Ade’s sons, Biodun Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as PSA1.

The celebration is expected to bring together several prominent figures from Nigeria’s golden era of music to honour King Sunny Ade’s remarkable career and contribution to the country’s entertainment industry.

The “Celebrating KSA @ 80” event will serve as a tribute to his enduring legacy and his immense contribution to Nigerian and African music.

King Sunny Ade, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential juju musicians, has enjoyed a career spanning several decades. His music helped take Nigerian juju to international audiences and established him as one of Africa’s most celebrated musical icons.

Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has adjourned the murder trial of former Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the State Park Management System, PMS, Mukaila Lamidi,popularly called Auxiliary until October 7 this year.

Justice Ajayi adjourned the case after the state prosecution, led by Mrs O. S. Tella failed to submit its final written address to the court.

In a letter submitted by the prosecution, Mrs Tella explained that she was unable to file the final written address because she is currently serving as Secretary to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Seyi Makinde to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from the Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

However, defense counsel, Mrs E. O. Mbam, who represented Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN, did not object to the adjournment.

Mukaila Lamidi is standing trial on a one-count charge of murder instituted by the Oyo State Government.

He is alleged to have caused the death of one Wonuola Ayinde by knocking her down with his vehicle.

The incident allegedly occurred on September 23, 2023, at the Government Reservation Area, GRA, Agodi, Ibadan.

According to the prosecution, the offense contravenes Section 325 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and earlier filed a no-case submission, which was dismissed by the court.

The governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Abimbola Adekanmbi, has declared that he is not a surrogate or political proxy of Governor Seyi Makinde, stressing that he has his own vision, manifesto and strategy for governing the state.

Adekanmbi, while speaking on the process that produced the APM candidates ahead of the election, said the emergence of the candidates was not the product of decisions taken by Governor Makinde from his office, but followed consultations, public engagements and contributions from different sectors and regions of the state.

According to him, candidates for the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats emerged through a consensus-building process involving stakeholders across Oyo State.

He said, “The governor did not sit in his office and simply drop a list. There was a process that led to the emergence of all the candidates. There were consultations and public engagements, with input from every sector and region of Oyo State.”

Adekanmbi further dismissed suggestions that his political ambition was being driven by Governor Makinde, insisting that he would take full responsibility for his decisions and actions if elected governor.

“I’m no surrogate to Governor Makinde. The governor made it clear that I shouldn’t inherit his enemies or liabilities,” he said.

The APM candidate added that his ambition was based on his own assessment of the needs of Oyo State and his determination to present an independent governance agenda to the people.

“I’m owning every action I take as governor, just as I have always owned my actions in life. I own it, and I’m prepared. I have my own manifesto and strategy,” Adekanmbi stated.

His comments are expected to further shape the political narrative ahead of the Oyo State governorship election, particularly amid discussions over the influence of Governor Makinde and the political alignments surrounding the 2027 contest.

The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned the alleged deployment of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) recruited by the Ondo State Government to perform duties ordinarily assigned to professionally trained and licensed nurses in secondary healthcare facilities.

The group described the development as a serious threat to professional standards, patient safety and the quality of healthcare delivery across the state.

According to the forum, while CHEWs play an important role in primary healthcare and community-based services, their deployment to perform duties reserved for registered nurses and midwives could undermine the professional structure of the health sector and expose patients to avoidable risks.

ENF called on the Ondo State Government and relevant health authorities to ensure that healthcare workers are deployed strictly in line with their professional training, qualifications, licences and defined scopes of practice.

The group also urged the government to prioritise the recruitment and proper deployment of qualified nurses and midwives to address manpower shortages in secondary healthcare facilities, rather than filling nursing positions with personnel from other cadres.

The forum stressed that every category of healthcare professional has a defined role within the health system and that maintaining clear professional boundaries is essential to protecting patients and ensuring effective healthcare delivery.

ENF therefore appealed to the Ondo State Government to review the alleged deployment and engage relevant nursing stakeholders to resolve the issue in the interest of patients, healthcare workers and the overall health system.bbl

Former Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has reportedly sought reconciliation with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos after the disagreements that surrounded the party’s last primaries.

Elliot was seen kneeling and later prostrating before Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, as he appealed for reintegration into the APC political family in Lagos.

During the encounter, Elliot reportedly acknowledged that his judgment had been misguided during the last APC primaries. He also accepted the outcome of the political process and the verdict of the people of Surulere, while pledging renewed loyalty to the leadership of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos.

Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere in the House of Representatives, reportedly received Elliot warmly and granted him an audience. In a show of reconciliation, the Chief of Staff embraced the former lawmaker following his appeal.

The development underscores ongoing efforts to mend political differences within the Lagos APC ahead of future electoral contests, with party unity and loyalty to the established leadership expected to remain key issues.

Schools across parts of Nigeria’s Southwest are reopening for the 2026/2027 academic session, with pupils and students expected to return to classrooms as education authorities commence a new academic year.

In Lagos State, public and private primary and secondary schools are scheduled to resume today, Monday, September 14, 2026, following the release of the state’s harmonised academic calendar. The first term is scheduled to run until December 21, with a mid-term break fixed for November 2–6.

The Lagos calendar provides for 182 school days during the 2026/2027 session, with the second term beginning on January 11, 2027, and the third term on May 3, 2027. The state government has directed schools to adhere to the approved timetable.

As schools reopen, parents and guardians are expected to complete outstanding preparations, including school fees, uniforms, books and other learning materials, while school authorities are expected to ensure that facilities and teaching arrangements are ready for the new session.

The resumption marks the beginning of another academic cycle across the region, with attention expected to focus on learning outcomes, teacher preparedness, school infrastructure, student welfare and academic discipline.