Today’s Headlines: No One Owns Voters, Obidients Tell Wike; NPA Pushes Inland Dry Port Modernisation

The Obidient Movement has warned Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike against attempting to influence or manipulate the 2027 general elections following his appointment as campaign coordinator for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Rivers State and the FCT. The movement stressed that coordinating a political campaign does not give anyone ownership of voters or control over the electoral process, insisting that Nigerians alone have the constitutional right to choose their leaders.

The group challenged Wike and the All Progressives Congress to campaign based on their performance and allow voters to decide the outcome through credible elections. It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to remain impartial, while calling on Nigerians to protect their votes, document electoral irregularities and report evidence of malpractice.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced plans to modernise inland dry ports by upgrading infrastructure, improving technical capacity and addressing rail connectivity and logistics challenges. Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho said the improvements would enable the facilities to handle growing cargo volumes and complement digital systems being introduced at the nation’s seaports. He also called for increased private-sector investment to improve cargo handling and operational efficiency.

The NPA plans to inspect the Dala and Funtua inland dry ports to assess their operational challenges and infrastructure needs. Stakeholders highlighted poor rail connections as a major obstacle, noting that improved access to the national rail network could reduce pressure on roads and lower transportation costs. The initiative follows a directive by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, transferring operational oversight of inland dry ports to the NPA.

African Democratic Congress chieftain Dele Momodu has expressed confidence that the opposition knows how to prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning a second term in the 2027 general election. Speaking on Arise Television, Momodu said the party was working behind the scenes to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid but declined to reveal its strategy. He also expressed confidence in Nigerians’ determination to prevent the President from returning to office.

Momodu questioned the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission under Tinubu’s administration, alleging that the President had appointed too many South-Westerners to the electoral body. He further claimed that governors, judges and legislators were afraid to challenge Tinubu’s influence, adding that some of his supporters privately hoped he would lose the election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness to win the 2027 general elections, insisting that it is preparing thoroughly and will not leave anything to chance. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the APC had performed well in bye-elections since the 2023 general elections and was strengthening its structures and campaign machinery ahead of the next polls. He dismissed suggestions that the party’s preparations indicated desperation, arguing that they reflected its determination to retain power.

Morka criticised opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, accusing them of concentrating on the shortcomings of President Bola Tinubu’s administration instead of presenting their own plans to Nigerians. He maintained that the APC was focused on winning the next election and argued that its control of the federal government and several states demonstrated public support for the party.

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