ARMY RAISES ALARM OVER POOR SOUTHEAST ENLISTMENT
The Nigerian Army has issued a serious warning over the continued underrepresentation of the South East in its recruitment exercises, revealing that states like Enugu are falling dangerously short of their enlistment quotas. During a town hall meeting in Enugu over the weekend, Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, who heads the Army’s 2025 Recruitment Enlightenment Team, disclosed that while Kaduna State has already recorded more than 3,000 applicants, Enugu is struggling with just around 100. This, he said, could result in the South East losing the military recruitment slots allocated to it annually.
Ekeator said the trend was not new and has repeated itself across several recruitment cycles. Despite the Army reserving about 200 slots for Enugu State this year, fewer than 100 people have so far applied. He urged community leaders—including traditional rulers, council chairmen, and union leaders—to actively encourage youth to apply and to counter negative narratives about military service in the region.
He also addressed what he called “persistent misinformation” suggesting that Igbo soldiers are disproportionately sent to the frontlines and killed in combat, calling those claims baseless and divisive. “Today, one of the top commanders in charge of military equipment in Nigeria is our brother, Chibueze Ogbuabor. Many of us have risen in the military. We are living proof that these fears are exaggerated,” he said.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, lamented that despite efforts to reverse the trend, enlistment numbers have remained low. He stressed the need for modernized outreach that resonates with younger generations, suggesting that military recruiters should learn from global examples and adapt their messaging strategies. ALGON Chairman Hon. Okechukwu Edeh pledged the support of local governments but also urged the Army to rebuild public trust through transparency and stronger engagement. Other speakers, including retired Lieutenant Colonel Israel Mbah, now a traditional ruler, shared their military experiences and encouraged young people to consider the Army as a pathway to honor and national service.
PRESIDENCY WARNS SUPPORTERS AGAINST ILLEGAL 2027 TINUBU-SHETTIMA CAMPAIGN BILLBOARDS
Meanwhile, The Presidency has officially disowned a wave of campaign billboards and posters that have surfaced in Abuja, Kano, and other cities suggesting an early 2027 re-election campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency made it clear that no such campaign has been authorized and that such activities are in violation of Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
While acknowledging the enthusiasm of supporters, Onanuga warned that any form of campaign ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable is illegal and could compromise the integrity of the democratic process. “President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima are law-abiding leaders. They do not support actions that undermine Nigeria’s institutions,” he said.
The statement emphasized that the President remains focused on governance and has not declared any intention regarding 2027. “Until INEC issues its timetable, any campaign or billboard suggesting a re-election move is unauthorized and should be stopped immediately,” it read.
The Presidency reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including economic recovery, security, infrastructure renewal, education, and social investment. “The focus remains on nation-building and delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda—not on campaigning,” Onanuga added.
KANO STATE REJECTS ECOWAS COURT RULING ON BLASPHEMY LAW
Kano State has responded defiantly to a recent judgment by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which ruled that certain elements of its blasphemy laws violate international human rights standards. In a firm statement released to the media, Kano’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, said the state will not repeal or weaken its religious laws under external pressure.
Waiya argued that Kano’s blasphemy laws are rooted in the deeply held religious and moral values of its majority-Muslim population, and are a reflection of the state’s constitutional right to legislate on matters of public morality. He maintained that under Nigeria’s federal structure, states are permitted to make laws in accordance with their local cultural and religious beliefs. “These laws are part of what maintain peace and religious harmony in Kano. We will continue to uphold them as long as our people support them,” he said.
While acknowledging the authority of the ECOWAS Court, Waiya said Kano’s laws would remain consistent with the wishes of its people. The state government also emphasized that its actions align with Nigeria’s principle of legal pluralism, which allows states to adapt laws to reflect local social realities. The development has stirred a broader national debate on the balance between human rights obligations and the autonomy of states within Nigeria’s federal framework.
DELTA PDP SUFFERS MASSIVE DEFECTION TO APC AS SOUTH SOUTH POLITICS REALIGNS
The South South’s political landscape witnessed a seismic shift as thousands of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State defected en masse to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection, orchestrated during a major political rally, featured high-profile leaders including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and Senator Ned Nwoko.
Among the defectors were Chiedu Ebie and several influential figures in the Delta Unity Group, who pledged their loyalty to the APC and described the move as a “necessary step toward progress, unity, and national development.” Governor Okpebholo praised the defection as evidence of growing support for President Tinubu’s leadership in the South South, stating, “This is not just politics. It is a movement to rescue and reposition Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He emphasized that Delta, like Edo, will benefit from APC’s governance style, which he described as performance-based, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of ordinary Nigerians. APC leaders expressed confidence that the momentum would continue to grow ahead of 2027, making the region a battleground for national influence.
TWO ISWAP OPERATIVES ARRESTED IN PLATEAU AS MILITARY FOILS PLANS
Security forces under Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have disrupted a major terrorist plot by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to set up operational cells in Plateau and Bauchi States. According to a statement issued by OPSH spokesperson Major Samson Zhakom, the military arrested two ISWAP operatives—Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, both 25 years old—during a covert operation in the Yelwa area of Shendam Local Government Area in Plateau State on April 11.
The suspects reportedly posed as tailors while coordinating with senior ISWAP commanders to expand the group’s footprint in Nigeria’s North Central region. Preliminary investigations indicate that they were in the early stages of establishing safe houses and building recruitment networks.
The operation marks a significant success in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, particularly in areas previously considered outside ISWAP’s operational zones. The military said intelligence gathering will continue as efforts intensify to root out terror cells hiding in civilian communities.
TINUBU ORDERS TOUGHER ACTION ON UNACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES
President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s educational regulators to intensify their crackdown on unaccredited tertiary institutions, warning that the credibility of the country’s academic system is under threat. Speaking through a Federal Ministry of Education official at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)’s 14th convocation ceremony, Tinubu urged the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other oversight bodies to act decisively against “certificate mills” and academic fraud.
The President said his administration is committed to upholding academic standards, and pointed to ongoing inter-agency collaboration involving JAMB, NYSC, NUC, and NBTE to detect and eliminate illegal institutions and fake degrees. He tasked regulatory leaders with restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s education sector and ensuring all institutions meet minimum quality standards.
At the convocation, 51 inmates from Nigerian correctional facilities were among the graduates, with 41 receiving undergraduate and 10 postgraduate degrees. President Tinubu commended NOUN for expanding access to education and encouraged the university to adopt a fully online model to support digital learning nationwide. The event also saw honorary degrees awarded to AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and House Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
NIGER STATE TO RECEIVE DONOR-FUNDED OXYGEN PLANT
The Niger State government has confirmed plans to commission an oxygen plant at the Suleja General Hospital, the first such facility to be owned and operated within the state. The project, funded by the Global Fund, is expected to boost critical healthcare capacity in the area and reduce the state’s reliance on oxygen supplies from other hospitals, including those in Abuja.
Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health Services, Dr. Bello Tukur, said the plant will be commissioned by Health Minister Dr. Ali Pate and will be operated by the Global Fund for the first ten years before a full handover to the state. Speaking through a senior official during a project inspection visit, the commissioner emphasized that the facility will serve both public and private hospitals in Niger State and generate additional revenue.
However, the inspection team identified several issues, including inadequate building security and the need for power infrastructure. The state government is expected to provide fuel for the 800kva generator and connect the facility to the national grid, with the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy already engaged on the matter.
Medical Director of Suleja General Hospital, Dr. Adedokun A. Adebayo, expressed excitement about the project, noting that the hospital had previously depended on oxygen supplies from Maitama Hospital in Abuja. The new plant is expected to significantly improve emergency care and respiratory support services in the region.
