Today’s Headlines: How Obasanjo’s threat made me run to Ghana-Amaechi;PDP condemn intimidation of candidates

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s threat made him run from Nigeria to Ghana.

Amaechi disclosed that Obasanjo threatened him while attempting to stop him from becoming the governor of Rivers State.

In a video on X, Amaechi revealed that he escaped to Ghana from where he fought to become the governor of Rivers State.

The ADC presidential running mate made the remarks while urging youths to take up leadership roles in Nigeria.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned alleged intimidation of its candidates for the 2027 general election in some states, saying it is unacceptable.

National Chairman Abdulraham Mohammed said the party is confident that its candidates for the various positions the opposition party is contesting in the 2027 general election will emerge victorious.

Mohammed, who spoke at a meeting with state chairmen of the party at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, expressed optimism that the outcome of the 2027 polls would herald success for the country. He expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party at the state chapters for their roles in ensuring that the PDP had a successful exercise to nominate candidates for next year’s election.

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lere Olayinka, has dismissed claims that the opposition poses a serious threat to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Olayinka, who is also a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) media team, said growing support for Tinubu across political parties within the Rainbow Coalition signalled increasing confidence in the President’s leadership.

Speaking on Monday during a live broadcast on AIT’s political program, Democracy Today, anchored by Terverr Tyav, he defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s political engagements across the country, saying supporters of the administration were building grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general election.

He argued that political contests were won through visibility, effective mobilisation and a strong grassroots presence, not social media campaigns.

More than 2,000 residents of Iseyin and other communities across the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State are expected to benefit from a four-day free medical outreach organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation.

The humanitarian initiative, which commenced yesterday in Iseyin, is being hosted with the support of a renowned legal practitioner, Barrister Ahmed Raji, SAN.

Speaking at the flag-off of the outreach, the Founder of the Foundation and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, emphasised the importance of giving back to society through communal efforts.

According to him, the medical mission was designed to bring essential healthcare closer to residents of the ancient town and neighbouring communities.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s academic record at the Chicago State University, insisting that the President graduated with a first-class degree in accounting from the American institution.

Alausa said he was familiar with the university, having lived in Chicago for almost 30 years, and had personally met several people who studied with Tinubu.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while responding to questions about the President’s educational qualifications.

“I’m telling you hardcore facts. I lived in Chicago for almost 30 years. I’ve been to that university so many times,” he said.