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ACF warns against premature 2027 campaigns, urges focus on governance

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The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has issued a stern warning to political actors across the country against engaging in premature campaigns for the 2027 general elections at the expense of governance.

It described such actions as insensitive amidst the deepening insecurity, economic hardship, and growing discontent among Nigerians.

The ACF Chairman, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman, stated this at the 715th National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the forum at its national secretariat in Kaduna.

The ACF chairman described the recent resurgence of violent attacks in parts of the North and other parts of the country as disturbing and unacceptable, saying, “Only recently, we were rudely astounded by the sad news of the resurgence of terror attacks and loss of lives and property in Bokkos, Plateau State; the gruesome assassination of Northerners in Uromi, Edo State; and renewed Boko Haram assaults in Borno State.”

He noted with concern that while federal authorities continue to assure of normalcy in the North-East, the return of insurgents to communities has shattered public confidence.

“These insecurities have interfered with the peaceful co-existence of our people. Farms are abandoned, schools closed, and petty trade halted, crippling livelihoods,” Osuman lamented.

ACF also expressed sympathy for victims of the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri and its environs, urging federal and state authorities to scale up emergency response and rebuild critical infrastructure.

On the political climate, Osuman decried the growing tempo of political campaigns and media rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as a distraction from the urgent task of governance.

“While the desire to serve is commendable, the safety, welfare, and prosperity of Nigerians should take precedence. The momentum around 2027 should take a back seat for now,” he said, stressing the need for responsible leadership that addresses terrorism, mass killings, hunger, and disease.

He called on members of the forum and leaders across the board to be courageous and selfless in speaking truth to power, likening their role to that of global moral icons such as Martin Luther King Jr., Indira Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

Highlighting internal developments within the forum, the chairman commended revitalisation efforts in various state chapters, particularly applauding the Gombe State chapter for its coordination and engagement during recent visits.

He also announced the creation of six additional standing committees on agriculture, livestock, education, politics, code of conduct and ethics, and the 25th Anniversary Planning Committee, bringing the number of ACF standing committees to fifteen.

“Our influence as a socio-cultural force must not be seen as symbolic. We must match our ideals with action and tangible impact,” he said, just as he tasked committee members to deliver on their mandates and ensure the forum “leaves lasting footprints on governance, policy, and peacebuilding in the region.”

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Abia govt agency reacts to alleged sex scandal involving Ex-Director, two female staff

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Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC has broken its silence on the alleged sex scandal involving its former Director and two female staff, where it was alleged that theit trysts were recorded on video.

The Commission which made a statement on Friday in reaction to the trending issue, said it does not condone immoral act in all ramifications.

A statement from ASOPADEC signed by Iyke Onuegbu, its Head of Media/PRO said its attention was drawn to the viral publications on social media, pointing out that ASOPADEC cannot be held responsible for unspeakable private affairs of employees outside office hours.

“The public is hereby informed that the incidents as alleged happened in the past and the former director in question has long retired from service.

“The Commission is taking steps to conduct an internal investigation on the matter after which appropriate sanctions would be applied on erring staff in line with the service rules” he said.

According to Onuegbu, at the inception of the new administration, frantic efforts were made to clean the mess of the past and the Commission is being administered with zero-tolerance towards any form of misconduct.

The agency cautioned its present staff to uphold the Commission’s mandates and not engage in any immoral acts that may bring the image of the agency to disrepute.

It appealed to the social media handlers and the public to distance the present administration with whatever that may have happened in the past.

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Edo: Bishop begs Tinubu, security agencies to rescue kidnapped seminarians

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The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, has called on President Bola Tinubu, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the security agencies to expedite action and rescue two abducted seminarians whose ordeal in the den of their captors was recently captured in a viral video.

In a statement signed by the Diocese’s Director of Communications, Reverend Peter Egielewa, on Thursday, the Bishop said he was deeply hurt that his seminarians had been with armed strangers for 35 days and urged people to pray for their release.

He particularly appealed to the president, the governor and all security agencies in the country to do the needful and help rescue the seminarians from the hands of the kidnappers.

Ekwutosblog reports that the viral video showed two young children clutching what appears to be a human skull, crying, and pleading for their release while surrounded by gun-wielding men.

The church confirmed in its statement that the children in the footage are two of the three seminarians kidnapped when gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi-Agenebode, in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, on July 10, 2025.

“As the chief shepherd of the Diocese, I feel personally hurt and disturbed that my seminarians, our children, have been living with armed strangers for 35 days now. I find it difficult to sleep these days because of this. We have been praying since their kidnap, and again I call on people everywhere to please pray with us,” the Bishop said.

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Police finally returned my stolen AI Ray-Ban sunglasses – Sowore

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The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has returned the Artificial intelligence, AI, Ray-Ban sun glasses back to activist politicians, Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore had alleged that the sun glass was stolen during a protest by retired police officers on July 21, 2025 at the Force headquarters.

The protest was organised to demand improved welfare and retirement benefits for Nigerian police officers.

During the peaceful protest, Sowore had claimed that the glass was stolen by one Aku Victor Chiemerie.

However, Sowore confirmed the return of the glasses in a post on X.

“Today, the Nigeria Police Force returned my stolen Ray-Ban Meta eyeglasses, stolen by the National Thief, Aku Victor Chiemerie, to me,” he wrote.

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