Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress NDC for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has revealed the Tinubu administration’s policy he would retain if elected president.

Obi said he would maintain the floating of the naira but focus on boosting productivity to strengthen the currency and improve its value to Nigerians.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed this during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday.

Asked to name one policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration he would retain, Obi said, “There’s one the floating of the Naira. I’m not going to defend it. But I’m going to put productivity to make it more valuable to the people.”

Obi also cautioned Nigerians against allowing tribal sentiments to influence the 2027 presidential election.

He said, “Our election should not be driven by tribalism.”

The Tinubu administration introduced the naira float in June 2023 as part of its economic reforms aimed at unifying the foreign exchange market and allowing market forces to determine the currency’s value.

The policy led to a significant depreciation of the naira, with the currency moving from below N500/$ at the time to above N1,000 per dollar and later crossing N1,500 per dollar at various points.

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has presented the traditional beaded crown to the newly installed Olomoni of Okuu-Omoni-Ife Land, Oba Adewale Aderoju.

The presentation took place on Thursday evening at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Ooni Ogunwusi, who serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), offered ancestral blessings and royal prayers for the new monarch.

The Ooni charged Oba Aderoju to uphold the dignity, customs and traditions of his people while using his position to promote peace, unity and development across his domain.

He described the ascension of the monarch as a sacred responsibility, urging him to serve his people with wisdom, humility and courage.

Ooni Ogunwusi further emphasised the important role of traditional rulers as custodians of culture and drivers of community development.

He encouraged the Olomoni to work closely with other traditional rulers and community leaders, particularly towards strengthening unity among communities whose ancestral heritage can be traced to Ile-Ife.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola, offered royal prayers for the new monarch, seeking wisdom, good health, longevity and strength for him to successfully lead his people.

Oba Toriola urged the Olomoni to make the welfare of his subjects a priority and ensure that peace, unity and progress remain the foundation of his reign.

Responding, Oba Adewale Aderoju expressed appreciation to the Ooni of Ife for the honour and recognition accorded him.

He described the presentation of the beaded crown as a significant moment in his reign and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by the Ooni and his people.

The Olomoni promised to preserve the traditions and cultural heritage of his forebears while pursuing peace, unity and socio-economic development in Okuu-Omoni-Ife Land.

He also expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Ooni, neighbouring traditional institutions and other stakeholders to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Ile-Ife and advance the interests of his people.

Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has called for increased public awareness about sickle cell disorder and the importance of genotype compatibility before marriage and having children.

The singer made the remarks while speaking on the One54 Africa Podcast, where he discussed the need for couples to know their genotypes before committing to marriage. He stressed that understanding genotype status could help prospective couples make informed reproductive decisions.

Adekunle Gold, who is married to fellow singer Simi, said genotype compatibility was one of the first things they established when they met. According to him, he would not have proceeded with the marriage if Simi had an incompatible genotype.

“I wouldn’t have married my wife if she was SS. When we met, the first thing we did was know our genotype and we match. So she is AA,” the singer said.

He further expressed strong concern about people living with sickle cell disorder having children, arguing that prospective parents should carefully consider the possibility of passing the condition to their offspring.

“There is so much awareness that needs to be done. If you have sickle cell, forget about love, you can’t do it because it makes no sense. You are about to bring a child into the world and they are about to be sickly, it makes no sense,” he said.

His comments have sparked conversations online about genotype compatibility, sickle cell awareness and the decisions couples should make before marriage. While his remarks reflect his personal views and experience, medical professionals generally encourage couples to undergo genotype counselling and testing before marriage so they can understand the possible genetic risks and available reproductive options.

The singer’s intervention has therefore renewed attention on the importance of early genotype testing and counselling, particularly among young Nigerians preparing for marriage. Health advocates have consistently encouraged people to know their genotype early rather than waiting until they are already in a relationship or preparing to have children.

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Abayomi Semako Hunye, has declared that the party does not yet have a definite candidate for the 2027 governorship election, despite the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the preferred candidate in the ongoing political contest.

Hunye made the assertion while speaking on the controversy surrounding the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State. He argued that, from a legal standpoint, the process for producing the party’s candidate has not been validly concluded. His comments come amid growing political activity within the Ogun APC ahead of the 2027 election.

According to Hunye, the party’s leadership cannot simply impose a candidate without following the procedures recognised by law and the APC’s electoral guidelines. He maintained that the nomination process provides for different methods, including consensus and direct/open ballot, and that the appropriate procedure must be followed before a candidate can be regarded as the party’s legitimate flag bearer.

He specifically argued that under a consensus arrangement, only individuals who purchased the party’s nomination forms qualify as aspirants, and those aspirants must reach an agreement in writing before the consensus process can be considered concluded. He therefore questioned the legal basis for treating one aspirant as the final APC candidate while other contenders are still challenging the process.

Hunye’s position adds another layer to the political tension within the Ogun APC, where the contest for the 2027 governorship ticket has increasingly become a subject of debate among party members and aspirants. Reports have identified Hunye as challenging Senator Solomon Adeola in the battle for the APC ticket.

The aspirant urged APC members and residents of Ogun State to distinguish between political announcements and the legally completed nomination process. He maintained that until all prescribed procedures are followed and the relevant legal requirements are satisfied, no aspirant should be presented as the final governorship candidate of the party.

The development is expected to further intensify the political contest within the Ogun APC as the 2027 elections approach. With competing interests already emerging around the party’s governorship ticket, the nomination process could become a major issue in determining whether the party enters the election united or faces further internal disagreements.

The centuries-old Osun-Osogbo Festival is facing growing environmental and health concerns as pollution linked to gold-mining activities upstream continues to affect the sacred Osun River in Osun State.

The river, which runs through the 75-hectare Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was reportedly visibly discoloured during this year’s festival. The river is central to the annual celebration dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba river goddess, and attracts worshippers, tourists and visitors from Nigeria and the Yoruba diaspora.

The pollution is reportedly linked to mining activities that intensified upstream around 2018. Campaigners say runoff from artisanal and other mining operations carries sediments and potentially toxic substances into the river. Independent testing commissioned by environmental advocacy group Urban Alert in 2021 reportedly detected unsafe levels of lead, mercury and cyanide in samples collected from different locations along the river.

The development has raised particular concern because some devotees traditionally drink or bathe with water from the Osun River as part of their spiritual practices. Despite warnings about the water’s safety, some worshippers continued to use it during the festival, reflecting the deep religious and cultural significance attached to the river.

Environmental advocates have accused authorities of taking insufficient action to address the problem. Although some mining sites have reportedly been shut and miners arrested, campaigners say there has been no comprehensive remediation programme or independent confirmation that the river has returned to safe conditions. They are calling for authorities to identify and map the full extent of the contamination and immediately stop mining activities responsible for further pollution.

Experts have also warned that the consequences extend beyond human health. Heavy metals can remain in river sediments, accumulate in fish and aquatic vegetation and move through the food chain, potentially damaging biodiversity and affecting communities that depend on the river ecosystem for their livelihoods.

The situation has therefore become both an environmental and cultural heritage crisis. Campaigners are urging the Federal Government, Osun State Government and relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement against illegal mining, conduct comprehensive water-quality assessments and implement a properly funded clean-up programme. They warn that while gold deposits can continue to be exploited, the ecological and spiritual character of a cultural landscape that has existed for centuries may be extremely difficult to restore once permanently damaged.

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has questioned what it describes as a 20-year pattern of the United States repeatedly opposing African positions at the United Nations, asking whether Washington’s relationship with Africa truly reflects strategic partnership.

PeacePro’s concern follows the September 4 UN General Assembly vote on an African Union backed resolution, where 164 countries voted in favour, six abstained and the United States stood alone in opposition.

In a statement by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro said the latest vote should prompt a broader examination of US voting behaviour towards Africa over the past two decades.

“The map is not the story. The vote is. Why does the United States so frequently find itself on the opposite side when Africa speaks collectively at the United Nations?”

PeacePro said its review of UN voting records indicates that the US has opposed almost all Africa led proposals subjected to voting during the period under review.

The organisation stressed that its question is not anti-American, but diplomatic.

“One vote can be explained as disagreement. A recurring pattern over two decades requires examination and explanation.”

PeacePro therefore asked, “If Africa is genuinely a strategic partner of the United States, why do African collective positions so often collide with Washington’s diplomatic preferences at the UN?”

PeacePro said it is examining the voting record to determine how often the US has supported, opposed or abstained from African sponsored and Africa related resolutions, and whether the pattern has remained consistent across successive US administrations.

“We are not seeking to manufacture an anti-American narrative. We are asking an uncomfortable but legitimate diplomatic question, which is that, when Africa stands together at the UN, how often does the United States stand with Africa and how often does it stand against it?”

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has challenged any contractor who claims she demanded money from them as a bribe to come forward publicly and make the allegation.

Adeyeye made the challenge on Monday during an engagement with journalists, while responding to questions surrounding calls for her resignation and criticism of her leadership of the regulatory agency. She maintained that she returned to Nigeria after decades in the United States primarily to serve the country and help restore NAFDAC’s reputation.

The NAFDAC boss said she spent about 34 to 37 years in the United States, including roughly three decades as a professor, before retiring and returning to Nigeria. According to her, she had a comfortable life abroad but chose to come back because she wanted to contribute to Nigeria’s development.

“Any contractor that I have demanded money from should come here and tell me! I came here for service. I retired happily,” Adeyeye said.

She criticised what she described as a culture of seeking personal gain in public service, saying the mindset of “what can I get?” and “what is in it for my pocket?” had contributed to some of Nigeria’s problems. Adeyeye said she was motivated by service rather than personal enrichment.

The NAFDAC director-general also highlighted what she described as the difficult financial and operational condition of the agency when she assumed office in 2017. She said NAFDAC inherited liabilities of about N3.2 billion, including unpaid taxes, money owed to staff and outstanding payments to contractors. She said approximately N3.1 billion of the liabilities had been cleared by November 2018.

Adeyeye further recalled that between 70 and 80 per cent of NAFDAC’s laboratory equipment was not functioning when she took over, while the agency’s information and communications technology infrastructure was also in poor condition. She said these challenges formed part of the issues she set out to address after assuming leadership.

According to her, the agency subsequently recorded improvements in its regulatory capacity, moving from maturity level one to maturity level three in 2022, which she described as a major milestone for NAFDAC and Nigeria’s regulatory system. She also cited the agency’s growing recognition and participation in international regulatory organisations.

Responding to the continued calls for her resignation, Adeyeye questioned the motivation behind such demands, insisting that her record should be judged by the reforms and improvements recorded under her leadership.

She said she had returned to Nigeria because she was concerned about the country’s international image and wanted to contribute to changing the perception of its institutions.

“I was ashamed of my country. I came to remove some of the shame. And the world is seeing it,” she said, stressing that her decision to serve at NAFDAC was driven by patriotism rather than the pursuit of financial benefits.

Adeyeye’s latest comments come years after she publicly alleged that some members of the House of Representatives had demanded money from NAFDAC during an oversight visit in 2017, an allegation that was subsequently disputed by the lawmakers involved.

The NAFDAC chief, however, has now turned the challenge toward anyone alleging that she personally demanded money from contractors, asking such individuals to come forward with their claims publicly.

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has raised the alarm over increasing attacks, killings and abductions of farmers and residents across the South-West, warning that the worsening insecurity could threaten food production and deepen food insecurity in the region.

The organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said the security situation was forcing farmers to abandon their farms because of fears of kidnapping, ransom demands and violent attacks. He cited reported incidents across Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states, including the abduction of farmers and the killing of agricultural workers.

Afenifere also expressed concern over the reported abduction of 33-year-old poultry farmer Ooreoluwa Osonuga in Ogun State and the continued captivity of Debo Farounbi in Osun State despite an alleged N30 million ransom payment. The organisation said such incidents were discouraging farmers from venturing into their farms and affecting agricultural productivity.

The group identified insecurity, falling farm-gate prices, middlemen and alleged destruction of farmlands by herders as major challenges facing farmers. It warned that continued abandonment of farms could lead to reduced food production, rising food prices, unemployment and increased poverty across the region.

Afenifere called on the six South-West governors to strengthen the Amotekun security network by providing more personnel, operational vehicles, communication equipment and surveillance drones. It also advocated stronger military operations against criminal groups, improved border security, enforcement of anti-open-grazing laws and the creation of specialised ranger units to protect forest reserves.

The organisation urged federal and state authorities to urgently coordinate their security efforts and restore farmers’ confidence. It warned that failure to tackle rural insecurity could have serious consequences for the region’s agricultural economy and food security, while traditional authorities in Oyo State also backed calls for stronger protection of farmers and rural communities.

Abuja — The presidential candidate of the African People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has ruled out any return to the fuel subsidy regime, while calling for a new and sustainable pricing framework for petrol in Nigeria.

Makinde made the position known while speaking at the commissioning of the APM campaign office in Abuja, where he reiterated his commitment to the party’s “Reset Nigeria Agenda” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Oyo State governor said the commissioning of the campaign office represented another step towards his ambition of building a country that works for all Nigerians.

“Today’s commissioning of our campaign office in Abuja is another step towards our goal to build a country that works for every Nigerian under the Reset Nigeria Agenda,” Makinde said.

He used the occasion to appreciate supporters, political stakeholders and other opposition figures who attended the event, particularly former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Makinde described Obi as his “brother” and stressed the need for opposition political parties and their leaders to work together ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“As I said in my remarks, the opposition must work together in the forthcoming 2027 election,” he said.

The APM candidate’s position on fuel pricing comes amid continuing concerns over petrol prices, the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on households and businesses, and the broader cost-of-living crisis facing Nigerians.

Makinde argued that rather than returning to the old subsidy system, Nigeria needs a pricing mechanism capable of providing greater stability and protecting citizens from excessive price shocks while ensuring that the downstream petroleum sector remains viable.

He maintained that the proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda would focus on addressing structural challenges in the economy and creating an environment where Nigerians can enjoy improved living standards and greater economic opportunities.

The call for opposition collaboration is also expected to form a significant part of political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, as opposition figures continue discussions on how to build a stronger platform capable of challenging the ruling party.

With the commissioning of the Abuja campaign office, Makinde said the APM had taken another step towards mobilising Nigerians and advancing its political agenda ahead of the 2027 polls.