*** To form common front against insecurity

By Chidera Orji

As 2027 general election approaches, the Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) , have assured that the two top security agencies are ready to deliver peaceful, free and fair election across Delta State.

The position of the two agencies was made known through a press statement made available to DISCLOSURE News by
DSC Anthony Uchenna, the CDPRO Delta State Command, when the Commandant of NSCDC Delta State, Chinedu F. Igbo, hosted the new Police Commissioner in Delta State, Samuel Erale psc, mnips, in his office in Asaba, the Delta State capital, when the commissioner came on a courtesy call to Command Headquarters of NSCDC on Friday..

CP Erale, upon arrival at the NSCDC headquarters, inspected the Guard of Honour after which he was warmly welcomed by Commandant Chinedu who introduced him to the senior officers of NSCDC Delta.

The Senior officers of both agencies entered into a closed door session where CP Erale expressed gratitude to Commandant Chinedu for the warm reception which he sees as a sign of acceptance and unity. He stated that the police command under his watch will do all that is required to improve on the existing synergy as no security agency can work alone.

He expressed concerns on some hitches observed during collaboratiive efforts among security agencies since he assumed office, and suggested that inter agency operations will improve only when there is synergy, professionalism and Intelligence-driven coordination in waging war against insecurity.

He said that his visit to NSCDC, an agency that is seen as a formidable partner in the internal security architecture, is to seek a profound collaboration beyond synergism, partnership and networking in combating crimes and criminality in Delta State.

Commandant Chinedu in his response, acknowledged that no security agency can do it alone, it is therefore important for NSCDC to collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with the police and other security agencies as exemplified by the Commandant General NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, OFR..

He promised to improve on the existing synergy while assuring CP Erale of continued support for the police as the lead agency in internal security.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased its premium motor spirit, PMS, pump price following the announcement of a discounted fuel price.

Checks on Friday showed that NNPCL increased its petrol price to N1,405 per litre from N1,370 per litre.

Several fuel pump attendants, who spoke to an online medium Daily Post, on condition of anonymity, said the latest price increase was announced on Thursday but implemented on Friday.

This means that NNPCL’s petrol price increased by N35 per litre, although the state-owned oil company has not explained the reason for the adjustment.

The latest development means that petrol prices at the company’s filling stations have risen again despite the controversy surrounding the announced fuel discount.

On Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, announced a proposed fixed petrol gantry price of N1,375 per litre ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

By our reporter

Hundreds of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement on Friday staged a protest at the Kano State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, demanding the reinstatement of the National Democratic Congress governorship candidate and an investigation into alleged irregularities in the substitution of some candidates.

The protesters, led by the NDC deputy governorship candidate, Mustapha Kwankwaso, submitted a formal petition to the commission on behalf of the governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Gwarzo.

The movement alleged that an INEC official colluded with unauthorised individuals to facilitate the replacement of some of its candidates.

Receiving the protesters, Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, acknowledged their complaints and assured them that the petition would be forwarded to the commission’s national headquarters for consideration.

Zango explained that INEC had provided reasons for the omission of some candidates and given affected political parties until October 24, 2026, to challenge the decision.

“Basically, what they came to do is to present a complaint about the omission of their candidates. INEC has made the point very clear, the reason for the omission and the fact that there is a window of appeal that has been provided up to the 24th of October,” he said.

The REC praised the protesters for presenting their grievances peacefully, describing the approach as preferable to resorting to violence.

“We received all the complaints and assured the delegation that their petition will receive the necessary attention and we are going to forward it to our national headquarters for consideration.

“I also commended them because that is the most orderly way of presenting such complaints rather than resorting to violence,” Zango stated.

He reiterated INEC’s commitment to neutrality in the electoral process and urged eligible voters in Kano State to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

According to him, the commission would soon extend PVC collection to Registration Areas to make the exercise more convenient for residents.

Speaking with journalists after submitting the petition, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr Habib Mohammed, said the protest was intended to secure the reinstatement of the NDC candidates and draw attention to alleged misconduct by an INEC official.

Mohammed accused the official of working with unauthorised individuals to conceal a decision that allegedly resulted in the substitution of some candidates.

“We are also petitioning against a staff here, whom we believe colluded with some unauthorized people to hide a decision which led to substitution of some of our candidates,” he said.

He further alleged that several letters containing suspected forged signatures had been submitted to the commission, leading to the replacement of some candidates affiliated with the movement.

The spokesperson called on INEC to investigate the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the purported substitutions.

He warned that the movement might consider further action if the commission failed to address its concerns adequately.

Mohammed, however, acknowledged the REC’s assurance that the petition would be forwarded to INEC’s national headquarters for appropriate consideration.