Today’s Headlines:Obi’s camp hits back at Soludo; Tinubu orders probe of Ondo Air crash

The political disagreement between former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo intensified on Monday, with Obi’s media office accusing the state government of devoting excessive attention to the former governor ahead of the 2027 general election.

The latest salvo followed a message from the Anambra state government, urging voters to reject Obi and his political platform.

In a post managed by the New Media office of Governor Soludo, the government accused Obi of working against the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and urged APGA supporters to resist him.

Responding in a statement issued on Monday, the spokesman for Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jnr., dismissed the campaign against Obi as a distraction from the business of governing the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State and has directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement on Monday.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.

Onanuga said the President had extended his deepest condolences to the family of the 25 passengers and seven crew members involved, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected back in Abuja this evening after concluding a six-day stay in Lagos, the Presidency announced on Monday.

The President will depart Lagos for the Federal Capital Territory after a visit during which he participated in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day anniversary and held other engagements.

Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 29, following his annual holiday in London and Paris. 

While in Lagos, the President addressed Nigerians on October 1 to mark the country’s 66th Independence Day anniversary.

Following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on October 5, 2026 with tail number NGR 931, en route Lagos from Benin, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that the Ministry will assist in rescue operations.

‎In a post made on his X handle, he confirmed the crash, he said the Air Traffic Controllers informed him of the disappearance of a military aircraft and that all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.

He said information confirms that the military aircraft crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State and the wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing.

He said: “Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board. Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.

‎”Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”