Ebony I state governor, Francis Nwifuru has told the newly elected local government chairmen in the state to take the 2027 election very seriously if they must retain their offices

The governor  therefore directed the  chairmen to ensure the All Progressives Congress (APC), wins their respective areas in the 2027 general elections or risk losing their positions.

Nwifuru, who said his directive was not a threat to opposition parties but a clear expression of his commitment to protecting the APC and ensuring victory for the party in all elections in the state, gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of 13 local government chairmen and their deputies following the August 22, 2026, council elections, in which the APC won all chairmanship and 171 councillorship seats.

He said with campaigns for the National Assembly elections now underway, the chairmen were expected to mobilise support for the APC in their respective local government areas.

“Campaign has been declared open for the National Assembly. So, as you are going back to your local governments, what you will be talking about is our party. Your prayer is for our party to win all the positions.

“We cannot leave one position to any other political party. We will win 100 per cent in the general election. Go and tell our opposition that nobody is threatening them.

“We have now started campaigning. We are not threatening you; we will defeat you at the polls. Nobody is threatening you. We are politicians. We must speak for our party and we must deliver our party.

“When we win, and you know we will win, we will remove any council chairman that did not win his local government area. It is as simple as that,” he said.

Nwifuru urged the chairmen to protect the party’s interests in their areas and resist attempts by opposition politicians to undermine the APC.

He, however, directed them to engage their political opponents and reconcile with those who contested against them during the council elections.

“Engage all your opponents. Engage those who contested against you. Discuss with them, bring them back to our party,” he said.

Nwifuru also cautioned the elected deputy chairmen against allowing political gossip to create conflict between them and their principals.

He urged them to work closely with their respective chairmen and resist pressure to form rival groups within their councils.

 The national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has described the death of the party’s National Vice Chairman, South,Dan Orbih as a painful loss both to the party and himself

The family of former PDP chieftain announced his death.in a statement on Tuesday 

Orbih, a prominent PDP chieftain and political associate of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was said to have died on Monday, August 31, 2026 at the age of 64.

The family in a statement signed by Francis Udukhomoi Orbih, described the late politician as a beloved brother, husband, father and uncle, while announcing his passage.

“With profound sadness and a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of the Almighty God, the family of Chief M.C.K. Orbih announce the passing of our beloved brother, husband, father and uncle, Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, who passed away on Monday, 31 August 2026,” the statement said.

According to the family, Orbih is survived by his wife, Mrs Florence Orbih, and two children, Ms Winifred Anwosiobor Orbih and Dr Mildred Omonemi Orbih.

“His brothers, sisters and other members of his extended family also survive him.”

The family appealed to relatives, friends and associates of the deceased to support them with prayers as they come to terms with the loss.

“At this difficult time, we ask family members, friends and well-wishers to remember the entire family in their prayers as we mourn this painful loss.

“Further details will be announced in due course.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the family added.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, described his death as painful, saying he has lost a true friend and political associate.

Wike in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday in Abuja, described Orbih as “a friend indeed.”

Describing the death as the “fall of one of the biggest trees in the political forest of Edo State,” Wike said the late PDP stalwart would be missed by all who knew him.

He said, “I have lost a friend and a committed political ally. Dan Osi Orbih was everything anyone could desire in friendship and political associate. But we can’t question God, He gives and He takes.

“On behalf of myself, my family and political associates, I commiserate with the family of Chief M.C.K. Orbih, on the demise of Chief Dan Orbih, a good friend, a great politician, and a man of faith in the Almighty God,” he said 

By Nkem Okereh 

The Nigeria Police said it has  placed three chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), under investigation over their alleged inciting remarks ahead of the 2027 general elections

The police disclosed on Tuesday that  it has currently launched a critical probe into the alleged anti democratic comments made by Osun east senator, Francis Fadahunsi, Kuje Area Council chairman in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Danjuma Shekwolo and Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba.

While senator Fadahunsi was seen in a rival video, charging his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party, during the just concluded governorship election in Osun state, Buba, the Zamfara state commissioner reportedly threatened to flog residents, and cut off the hands of people, who refused to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.

In another trended video, Danjuma Shekwolo, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the FCT warned residents of the Area Council that they should either vote for the APC in 2027 or leave the council.

The force Public Relations Officer, Aniete Iniedu, who confirmed the investigation while speaking with journalists at the Joint Security media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, described the inciting comments particularly in relation to the electoral process, as “a criminal offence”.

He said, “On the issue of the Senator in Osun State, the Council Chairman in FCT and the Borno Commissioner’s inciting comments, I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State.

“The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.

“The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order and we will not shy away from this responsibility, no matter whose ox is gored.”

The police further disclosed that all the alleged inciting statements by the political actors were being investigated and that the outcome would be made public.

“Every insightful statement listed here is under investigation presently and the outcome will be released. We want to also use this opportunity to advise and caution all political stakeholders to desist from such comments,” he added.

The Force also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the investigators by providing statements and evidence needed to prosecute suspected offenders.

He noted the reluctance of witnesses to come forward has posed major challenges in confronting criminal prosecution in the country.

“One of the challenges I must tell you now that we have, the law states that a case is made when there are two or three witnesses. He who alleges must prove his allegations.

“The challenge we have in Nigeria right now is that most of our witnesses are those who have evidence to the incident, and do not come forward when it is time to go to court.”

The force PRO further urged members of the public to provide information and evidence without fear, saying their cooperation would assist the police and prosecutors in securing convictions.

“I would refer to you, enlightened members of the public, to come forward without fear and to give your representation so we could help our lawyers in prosecution of these cases,” he stated