Politics
Lobbying Firm Circulates Tinubu’s Historical US Forfeiture Records to Trump Administration, Congress
A Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has announced that it has begun distributing publicly available United States Department of Justice (DOJ) records relating to historical civil forfeiture proceedings involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to members of the Donald Trump administration, the US Congress, and senior congressional staff.
The firm, which has been linked to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, said the move forms part of its advocacy efforts on issues relating to governance, transparency and the rule of law.
According to the firm’s statement, the documents being circulated concern historical civil forfeiture proceedings in the United States involving funds linked to President Tinubu in the early 1990s.
The records referenced by the lobbying firm have been publicly available for several years and have previously featured in political and legal discussions both in Nigeria and the United States.
The lobbying firm did not allege any new criminal charges or ongoing prosecution against the Nigerian president.
The civil forfeiture case has remained a subject of political debate in Nigeria for years.
President Tinubu has consistently maintained that he has committed no offence and has not been convicted of any crime in either Nigeria or the United States.
The issue also featured prominently during the legal disputes that followed the 2023 presidential election, with Nigerian courts ultimately upholding Tinubu’s election.
The latest development is likely to intensify political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general elections as opposition parties and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to trade accusations over governance, accountability and integrity.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no immediate official response from the Presidency regarding the lobbying firm’s latest announcement.
Although the documents referenced are part of the public record, their renewed circulation in Washington could add another dimension to Nigeria’s political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, there is no indication that the move has triggered any new legal proceedings against President Tinubu in the United States.
Politics
Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report
A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.
The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.
The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.
It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.
On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.
“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.
Politics
Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency
Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.
The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.
According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.
“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.
The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.
The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.
With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.
His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.
Politics
Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.
“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.
Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message
Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.
At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.
NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027
The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.
The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.
Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.
The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.
Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign
Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.
For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.
Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.
Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.
The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.
As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.
-
Security4 months agoNDLEA Declares Alleged Drug Kingpin, Three Associates Wanted, Freezes ₦9.8bn Linked to Syndicate
-
Business/Finance3 months agoHow to Apply for Tunde Onakoya’s ₦250 Million Scholarship Programme and Free Laptop Offer
-
National Affairs3 months agoICPC Uncovers 908 Suspected Ghost Workers Across 50 Federal MDAs, Recovers ₦942 Million
-
Judiciary | Public Safety3 months agoINEC Tells Court Voter Information Is Not Confidential in Emeka Ike’s ₦10bn Lawsuit
-
Politics3 months agoAtiku Challenges Tinubu to Reveal Details of ₦15.13bn SUV Procurement in 2026 Budget
-
Judiciary | Public Safety3 months agoCourt to Rule Friday on NDLEA’s Bid to Destroy ₦480bn Meth Lab in Ogun
-
Security3 months agoFamily Paid ₦50 Million Ransom to Secure Release of Abducted Kebbi Judge
-
News3 months ago2026 Budget: FG Earmarks ₦962.83bn for SUVs, Empowerment Projects Amid Debt Concerns
