Today’s Headlines:I did not pray for Tinubu, Muslim-Muslim ticket’ – Rev Dachomo;APGA warns members against supporting Obi, NDC

The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has denied reports that he prayed for the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The cleric is currently in Israel on what he described as his first-ever International Christian Advocacy Tour, where he aims to draw the attention of world leaders to the persecution of Christians in Plateau State.

He reacted to reports in certain quarters claiming that he specifically prayed for the election success of the President and drummed up support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a post he shared on social media platforms on Monday night, the outspoken cleric said he never prayed for Tinubu and Shettima to succeed in the 2027 election.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has warned its members in Anambra State against supporting the presidential bid of Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, describing such support as detrimental to the political fortunes of the party.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara issued the warning in a statement titled “A Betrayal Alert for Ndi APGA,” in which he urged APGA members to remain loyal to the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Opara questioned Obi’s continued political relationship with APGA, saying the former Anambra State governor remained committed to sponsoring candidates in his party against APGA candidates in every electoral cycle.

He told APGA members to view a vote for Obi and the NDC as a vote against APGA, stressing that there was no formal or informal agreement between APGA and the NDC on power-sharing.

Security forces in Ondo State have killed Abdussamad Ohida, a commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.

Mr Ohida, aka Anwar, was killed on Sunday during an operation in a forest located in Owo, in the northern part of the state.

Innocent Olamale, spokesperson for the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure, confirmed the development, saying the terrorist was eliminated along with some members of his group.

“Yes, it was a joint operation which was intelligently led to the execution of the ISWAP commander,” Mr Olamale, a major and an assistant director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade, said.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the identities of the people who died in the crash involving an NAF ATR 42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, on Monday.

The aircraft, NAF 931, was carrying five crew members and 20 passengers when it crashed during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson, said no survivor had been found following the accident, which prompted the immediate activation of search-and-rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities.

Those killed include five crew members: Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician.