Today’s Headlines: 2027: Tinubu Will Win on First Ballot – Wike; 12 Nabbed Over Kidnapping in Kaduna

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election on the first ballot, ruling out the possibility of a run-off. Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike expressed confidence that Nigerians would re-elect Tinubu, insisting that the president would return to office for a second term.

Wike also denied allegations that he was sponsoring candidates against All Progressives Congress governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State. He maintained that supporting Tinubu did not prevent his party from fielding candidates in other elections, adding that he had made no agreements with the governors to restrict their political competition.

Police in Kaduna State have arrested 12 suspects, including eight suspected kidnappers and four alleged informants, during security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido. The operation led to the recovery of AK-47 rifles, while preliminary investigations indicated that two suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal groups. The police said investigations were ongoing to identify other accomplices and dismantle kidnapping networks.

The Kaduna State Government released three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers to strengthen security operations in the affected communities. Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu also ordered the deployment of additional tactical personnel, vehicles and security resources to improve surveillance and response times. The police urged residents, community leaders and youth groups to report suspicious activities and cooperate with security agencies as clearance operations against suspected criminal hideouts continued.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks production facility at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway in Ojo, Lagos State, arresting two suspects, Chibuzor Okafor and William John. During the raid, officials recovered equipment and materials allegedly used to repackage alcoholic and energy drinks. NAFDAC said the operation followed intelligence gathering and surveillance, adding that the recovered products would be evacuated for further investigation and possible destruction.

The agency said it would investigate the sources of the drinks, raw materials and individuals allegedly financing the operation, warning that counterfeit beverages posed serious public health risks. Officials urged Nigerians to report suspected illegal production and distribution directly to NAFDAC rather than spread unverified claims on social media, assuring informants that their identities would be protected. The agency also said the suspects would face appropriate administrative action and the law.

The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Manir Dan’iya to account for the performance of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s eight-year administration, in which he served as deputy governor. The challenge followed Dan’iya’s demand that the Sokoto State Government disclose its total revenue from the Federation Account since 2023. The APC described the request as unnecessary, arguing that allocation figures were already publicly available, and accused the previous administration of leaving unpaid liabilities, delayed salaries, outstanding pensions and inadequate infrastructure.

The APC said Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration had settled inherited liabilities, including more than ₦5 billion in unpaid student registration and tuition fees, and implemented the new minimum wage. It also cited the recruitment of 3,100 civil servants, 2,400 health workers and 1,550 Sokoto Marshall security personnel, alongside projects in roads, education, healthcare, water supply and security. The party maintained that its re-election campaign would focus on its record and urged Dan’iya to explain what the Tambuwal administration achieved ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

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