***Says nobody can pretend life is easy at the moment

***Launches 2027-2031 political roadmap, “From Reforms to Prosperity”

By Sam Otuonye 

The federal government on Tuesday, 

admitted that Nigerians are currently facing bitting economic hardship, despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention policies. 

Chief of Staff to the president and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, admitted that nobody should pretend that life is easy at the moment in the country, even as he noted the impact of the federal government’s economic reforms.

The Chief of Staff, who made the admittance during the unveiling of the administration’s 2027–2031 electoral roadmap, titled, “From Reforms to Prosperity Agenda”. however, defended the policies of the Tinubu administration.

He explained that the president feels the people’s plight, adding that he deliberately chose to govern as a statesman rather than a politician by confronting longstanding economic challenges despite the immediate political consequences.

Gbajabiamila emphasised that President Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and unify the foreign exchange market was informed by the need to address structural weaknesses in the economy and secure the country’s long-term economic future, even as he acknowledged that the policies had placed considerable pressure on households.

Describing the president as a statesmen who make decisions based on the long-term interests of the country, the former House of Representatives Speaker argued that Tinubu had the option of maintaining existing economic policies to avoid immediate public backlash but instead chose to confront the country’s economic distortions.

“Now, those decisions have placed real pressure on households. We must speak honestly about that experience because the people living through it deserve to be heard. And nobody should have to pretend that life is easy at the moment.

“If he came in as a politician and decided to govern as a politician, he would have continued on the cruise, on the path that we were taking.

“But instead, knowing full well the immediate consequences, he decided he would govern as a leader,” he said.

He added that the ultimate justification for the reforms would be their ability to translate structural economic improvements into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila described the administration’s new electoral roadmap as an ambitious document reflecting Tinubu’s political philosophy and commitment to long-term national development, adding that it’s objective was to build an economy where hard work guarantees a decent livelihood and every Nigerian has a fair opportunity to succeed.

“At the heart of this manifesto is my abiding conviction that every Nigerian should be able to share. Your country should give your best efforts a fair chance.

“A manifesto, in its strictest sense, is simply a contract between the people and the leader,” Gbajabiamila said.

He listed interventions in human capital development, social protection, taxation and electricity as evidence of president Tinubu’s efforts to expand economic opportunities.

He added that initiatives such as N-Power and the student loan scheme are designed to improve access to opportunities and ease the financial burden on young Nigerians.

He said the ruling party must be prepared to account for its performance and convince voters through its achievements rather than relying on political rhetoric.

“The party asking to continue in government must be prepared to answer the people whose mandate it seeks.

“We must earn support through the quality of work, through the quality of our case and the seriousness of our conduct,” he said, adding that the 2027 general election would offer Nigerians an opportunity to decide whether to sustain the administration’s reform agenda or return to what he described as short-term political approaches.

** Voting Tinubu a religious obligation, Jigawa assembly speaker charges residents

*** ‘Obi’ chants greet Reps’ Deputy Speaker, Kalu,  at Abia cultural festival 

*** OK Movement demands probe as police confirm one dead, five injured in NDC rally attack in Delta 

By Our Correspondents 

The battle for votes among political parties ahead of the 2027 general election has received different reactions across the country, as the candidates intensify efforts to woo electorate using both religious, ethnic and other methods. 

For example, residents of Jigawa State have been to told that they have a religious obligation to fulfil in voting the incumbent president and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu’s, who is of the same Islamic faith with them.

Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Dangyatin, declared that,  it is compulsory for the state residents to vote for Tinubu in the election because he is a fellow muslim.

The Speaker, who made the declaration on Saturday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and governorship campaign council in Dutse, cited Tinubu’s Muslim faith, his Muslim running mate and what he described as the President’s support for the North as reasons residents should vote for him.

It was however a different scenario at Abia State, where the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, faced a crowd embarrassment, as the teeming crowd that graced a cultural festival kept chanting Obi! Obi! Obi, when he was speaking.

The Jigawa assembly Speaker, who took turn to role out President Tinubu’s benevolence and support to northern Nigeria, recalled the president’s role in facilitating the emergence of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the North should reciprocate the support.

He said, “Tinubu is our fellow Muslim and a leader who has the interest of Jigawa State at heart. That is why we must vote for him and support the APC at all levels.”

The Speaker expressed confidence in the APC’s strength, citing the presence of former governors, senators, and federal lawmakers at the campaign council inauguration as major advantage in winning the state for the president and the APC

He said the turnout demonstrated the party’s broad support across the state.

Dangyatin, who also coordinates the City Boy Movement in Jigawa, said the group would intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.

He disclosed that members of the movement would embark on house-to-house campaigns to promote the activities of Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.

“We will take the City Boy Movement across Jigawa, going from house to house to tell the people what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our governor are doing,” he said.

In Abia, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was greeted with a vociferous crowd, chanting Obi! Obi, as he mounted the podium, trying to use the Item Okpi cultural festival occasion to canvass support for President Bola Tinubu in Abia State, as captured in a viral trending video on social media 

The chant was a reaction that greeted Kalu as he addressed the gathering and appealed to the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

However, Peter Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was not present at the occasion.

Kalu told the crowd that “President Tinubu has remembered us. He has remembered the South East. He has remembered Bende. The only way to say thank you is to vote him for a second time,.”

But the Deputy Speaker’s:appeal was  interrupted by repeated  and thunderous chants of “Obi kererenke” and boos from members of the crowd which almost turned the event into a rival political campaign, as the supporters of President Tinubu, led by the Deputy Speaker, responded with chant of “on your mandate we shall stand,” which is associated with the APC presidential candidate.

In another development, the Obi/

 (OK) Movement has demanded for an immediate investigation into the alleged attack on Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters during their One Million-Man March in Asaba, Delta State capital.

Delta state Coordinator of the Movement, Favour Emerue, made the demand at a news conference on Saturday, where he  called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, including their alleged sponsors and financiers.

Emerue alleged that armed hoodlums disrupted the peaceful procession, attacking participants with sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons, adding that several supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries and were receiving medical attention in hospitals across Delta.

He described the incident as an assault on democratic participation and citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and association.

The OK Movement coordinator accused the perpetrators as NDC political opponents in Delta state, who were frightened and unsettled by the massive turnout of the party’s supporters from Delta’s 25 local government areas of the state 

He called on Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to order a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident, while calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators

Emerue, who urged security agencies to guarantee the safety of political actors and ensure campaigns were conducted without intimidation, further appealed to the international community to monitor developments and support efforts to protect democratic participation in Nigeria.

He emphasised that every political party deserved the freedom to mobilise supporters and participate in democratic activities without intimidation.

This is as the Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of one person and five others injured as violence marred a political rally organised by the Obedient/OK Movement in support of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Delta State.

The police said in a statement on Sunday that it had launched an investigation into the violent incident which happened during the rally at the weekend 

He said the organisers were briefed on the identified security threats and advised against holding an open road procession

The Delta state Police Command Publication c Relation Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said in the statement issued on Sunday, that it had received intelligence reports indicating the likelihood of violence before the rally and consequently invited the organisers to a security meeting

Edafe added that they were also encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.

“However, the organisers allegedly ignored the advice and proceeded with the road procession, leading to a violent incident along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, which resulted in the death of a victim whose identity was yet to be ascertained.” the command said

According to the police, upon receiving a distress call, officers were mobilised to the scene and took the injured victims to the hospital for medical attention, while security was reinforced in the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The statement  noted further that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, condemned the violence and reiterated that political parties were free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities.

He, however, advised political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and liaise with the police ahead of political gatherings to ensure adequate security arrangements.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to a thorough and impartial investigation, urging anyone with useful information to contact the command.

***Arrests Synagogue Church crusade attendee from Uganda with 87 wraps of cocaine 

*** Takes war against drug abuse sensitization to  schools, worship centres, others

By Nkem Okereh 

Nigeria’s anti-drug agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has in recent  time, faced serious attempts foiling the rising trend of manufacturing and trafficking of drugs through the country. 

This is as drug couriers have severally turned the Nigeria route as a safe heaven in the movement and delivery of their illicit trade.

From bursting illegal  local drug manufacturing companies in the various forests in the country to arresting couriers, especially who attempt to traffic drug at the various Nigerian airports, the NDLEA recorded another giant stride in its war against drug trafficking, as it announced the arrest of a Ugandan woman who arrived the country for church crusade.

According to the agency, the courier, identified as Ms Farida Nansubuga, arrived in Nigeria to attend a church crusade, organised by the Synagogue Church, but stayed behind after her religious obligation, to courier 87 wraps of Cocaine found hidden in her private part as she tried to depart the Murtala Mohammed International airport in Lagos.

According to the agency, “the 34-year-old Ugandan, Ms. Farida Nansubuga, came to Nigeria with members of her church for spiritual renewal at a prayer session in Lagos. But when it was time to go home, she chose a different path.

“While the rest of her delegation flew back to Uganda, she stayed behind, not to pray some more, but to pick up a consignment of cocaine, which she hid in her private part in a bid to smuggle it into her country.

“Her plan, however, came crashing down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday 3rd November 2026, when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted her at the screening point of Terminal 2 during a joint passenger screening exercise with aviation security personnel.

“She was due to board a Ugandan airline flight to her home country.

“A body search on her pointed to a substance concealed around her pelvic region, after which she was taken to a designated private search room for a secondary search.

“This led to the recovery of eighty-seven (87) wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.150 kilograms, strapped around her pelvic region and held in place beneath two layers of underwear.

“During preliminary interview, the suspect, said she arrived in Nigeria on 29th October 2026 with members of her church for a prayer session at The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun Egbe area of Lagos.

“She claimed that after the prayer session, the other members of her delegation returned to Uganda while she stayed back to collect the illicit consignment on behalf of a friend, simply identified as Joy, who resides in Uganda.

The agency went further the state that “According to her, Joy directed her to a contact in Nigeria who arranged a vehicle to bring her to a hotel on the morning of her scheduled departure.

“It was there, she said, that the man handed her the drug and instructed her to hide it beneath her clothing to beat security screening at the airport.

“She claimed no definite fee was agreed for the trip, but that she expected to be paid not less than US$1,000 on successful delivery.”

The NDLEA noted further that its operatives made more interception at the Lagos airport on Friday 6th November revealing that it uncovered 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, weighing 526 kilograms with a street value of N900 million, in a consignment from India declared as Paracetamol Tablets 500mg.

According to the agency, the consignment which was sealed in eleven cartons packed in two wooden structures, arrived at the import shed of the airport on Tuesday 3rd November aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Ahmedabad, India.

Suspicious of the declaration, NDLEA officers placed the cargo under surveillance until a joint examination with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies on Friday.

It disclosed that ten out of the eleven cartons were filled with the opioid pills, while only one carton contained paracetamol tablets as cover.

Also at the import shed of the airport, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 4th November the agency said it intercepted 32 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 16.15 kilograms, concealed inside two wooden sofas in a consolidated cargo that arrived from Houston, Texas, United States aboard a Turkish Airlines flight.

It added that a freight agent, Ibrahim Abdulwaheed Adewale, who came forward to clear the consignment was taken into custody.

In a follow-up operation on Friday 6th November, a 34-year-old caterer from Ibadan, Oyo state, Adeoye Sarafa Ojo, who came to collect the package was arrested. Adeoye claimed he was sent by a friend, Taiwo Anuoluwapo Olusegun.

Similarly, NDLEA said a syndicate importing chemicals used in the production of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, from the United Kingdom has come under the NDLEA hammer, following the interception of nine parcels of illicit substances hidden in two cartons of snacks tagged “Michael Tea Guy” in a consolidated cargo that arrived aboard an Air Peace flight from the UK on Friday 23rd October.

Two of the parcels contained 1.20 kilograms of cannabis, while forensic analysis of the other seven parcels confirmed them to be chemicals used in making synthetic cannabis.

A 51-year-old freight agent, Afolabi Abiodun Wale, who came to clear the consignment was arrested, while two more cartons for the same recipient later arrived from the UK aboard an Allied Air flight.

The agency explained that a sting operation conducted between Monday 26th and Wednesday 28th October led to the arrest of Okwuite Benjamin Ojone, 51, when he took delivery of the four cartons.

“A search of the two additional cartons revealed three parcels concealed in two packs of detergent, weighing 3.30 kilograms, and eleven plastic bottles of mostly liquid substances weighing 16.25 kilograms, bringing the total seizure to 1.20kg of cannabis and 28.65kg of synthetic cannabis chemicals,” the agency stated 

Also the NDLEA said it raided a courier companies in Lagos, on Tuesday, 3rd November 2026, where it’s operatives intercepted 46 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.2 kilograms packed in two cartons going to the United Kingdom.

Earlier, on Friday 30th October, they had intercepted 296 tablets of Swinol going to Australia from Lagos, as well as three shipments of tramadol going to the UK: 20 capsules from Benin City and 96 capsules from Sapele, Delta state, both concealed in vitamin C containers, and 600 tablets of Tramadol 225mg from Asaba hidden in female head wears.

Also the agency, on Friday 6th November arrested a 32-year-old man, Abubakar Ali, at Marine Beach area of Apapa, where a stash of drugs was recovered from a small store he built inside the sitting room of his apartment. Items recovered include 1.06kg of Tramadol 250mg; 1.27kg of Tramadol 225mg; 400g of pregabalin capsules; 355g of diazepam; 200ml of codeine and 6.07kg of cannabis.

In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives on Friday 6th November raided Odofin Road, Uso, where they recovered 148 bags of cannabis weighing 1,818 kilograms.

It would be recalled that the agency had same day, raided a cannabis farm in Board Forest, where they destroyed one hectare of cannabis plantation, recovered 242 kilograms of the drug and arrested a 36-year-old suspect, Itoro Linus Akpan.

In neighbouring Ekiti state, a 53-year-old man, Agbo Paul Peter, was arrested at Osin Forest, Osin Ekiti, on Thursday 5th November with 216 kilograms of cannabis and cannabis seeds.

According to the anti drug agency, the clamp down has continued accross the country, as it operatives in Edo state, on Friday 6th November intercepted a Golf saloon car loaded with nineteen bags of cannabis weighing 201 kilograms along Auchi–Ibillo road, Akoko Edo LGA, and arrested the driver, Abdulmumid Isah, 39, and a passenger, Danako Godwin, 25.

In a related development, officers raided a notorious drug joint on Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City, where three suspects: Emmanuel Sunday, 25; Samuel Bala, 31; and Loveth Momodu, 20, were arrested with quantities of Colorado, Loud and cannabis.

It was the same case in Taraba state, where NDLEA operatives on stop-and-search duty at their checkpoint in Lankaviri, Yorro LGA, arrested three suspects with a total of 283 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 226.255 kilograms within two days.

Also, on Thursday 5th November, one Ibrahim Abdullahi, 45, was arrested with 156 blocks weighing 149.275kg, while Kabiru Usman, 25, was nabbed the same day with 80 blocks weighing 40.07kg. On Friday 6th November, Babangida Babayo, 32, was arrested with 47 blocks weighing 36.91kg.

In Enugu state, a 57-year-old man, Celestine Uzochukwu Ejiakor, was arrested on Tuesday 3rd November at a checkpoint in Eke Obinagu with 44 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.5 kilograms.

In another interception at the Ugwuoba checkpoint, officers arrested one Godwin Shaapera, 40, with 24,000 capsules of Tramadol weighing 13.4 kilograms and 697 grams of ketamine.

The however said it’s Commands and formations have continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) with sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These it said include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of St. Andrew Basic School, Oyo town, Oyo state; Government Technical College, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Sa’ad College, Kano; and Inland Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra state, while the Zone 1 Command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, HRH Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu at his palace in Bauchi, among others.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers, men and women of the MMIA, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Taraba and Enugu Commands for the seizures and arrests.

He noted that the case of the Ugandan woman is a sad reminder that drug cartels will stop at nothing, including exploiting faith and religious travel, to recruit couriers for their deadly trade. He urged officers across all commands to sustain the tempo of their supply and demand reduction efforts.