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The Presidency has debunked allegations by the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Obi had said he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is systematically frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.

He said this during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo.

A clip of the interview was shared on Jideonwo’s X handle on Wednesday.

Speaking on the possibility of participating in the 2027 presidential race, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges he faces had become so intense that he could not even be certain he would still be alive by then.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

Reacting in a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s recent claims, including an alleged incident involving his vehicle at an airport and fears about his safety ahead of the 2027 general election, were unfounded and lacked credible evidence.

Onanuga described Obi as a “pathological and serial liar,” hellbent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters.

He said: “As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.

“His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.

“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.”

The presidential spokesman further stated that the federal government had no interest in targeting Fidelity Bank, in which Obi is said to have a substantial interest, stressing that the financial institution continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms.

Onanuga stressed the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms designed to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians, rather than engaging in political distractions.

He added: “It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms.

“The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being “haunted” by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.

“The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies or by his candidacy, as he constantly diminishes himself with specious, unverifiable utterances.”

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By Gloria Ikibah

Irregular migration across West Africa is expected to remain at persistently high levels for the rest of 2026 despite tougher border controls and increased interception operations.

Assistant Superintendent of Immigration with the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Alkali Jammeh, gave the warning while addressing parliamentarians at the ECOWAS Parliamentary Citizen Engagement on the Dangers of Irregular Migration and Modern Slavery, held in Banjul from 6 to 10 July.

Jammeh said current trends pointed to sustained migration pressure across the region, fuelled by increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks and continued movement through established migration corridors.

According to him, enforcement efforts have done little to slow the pace of illegal migration during the first six months of the year.

“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.

“Irregular migration remained at a high and sustained level during the first half of 2026 despite intensified border enforcement and interception operations by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID),” he said.

He added that operational intelligence showed, “The Gambia continues to function as both a transit and departure country along the Atlantic migration route.”

Jammeh said data collected during the second quarter revealed a sharp rise in the interception of migrants, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from European countries, particularly Germany and Italy; he also warn that criminal syndicates were adapting quickly.

“In the second quarter, a significant increase in migrant interceptions, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from Europe (mainly Germany and Italy) demonstrated that migration pressures remained strong and are becoming increasingly organised.

“Smuggling networks continue to exploit coastal communities, unauthorised border crossings, and regional migration corridors, requiring sustained intelligence-led operations and enhanced regional cooperation,” he said.

He also disclosed that security agencies continue to intercept large groups of migrants, with most coming from neighbouring West African countries.

Jammeh further revealed that a growing number of vulnerable migrants, including Gambians, were being intercepted.

He said migration remained largely male-dominated but observed a gradual increase in female migration, but also raised concerns about the increasing presence of children among migrants, saying it suggested that more families were embarking on dangerous journeys.

“Migration remains predominantly male. Nearly one in five migrants are female. Female migration is becoming more visible in mixed migration flows.

“The presence of children indicates family migration and child protection remains a priority,” he stated.

Providing a breakdown of migrants intercepted, Jammeh said Senegal accounted for the largest share.

“Senegalese nationals form the largest group (842 or 33.7%). The Gambians remain a significant proportion (781 or 31.3%). Guinea (424 or 17.0%) and Mali (383 or 15.3%) continue to contribute to migration flows,” he explained.

“Nearly all migrants originated from ECOWAS Member States,” he said, identifying Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali as the principal countries of origin.

“The implication suggests that migration trend remains predominantly regional,” he added.

Summing up developments during the second quarter, Jammeh painted a worrying picture of the evolving migration landscape.

“Key observations during Quarter 2: Increase in organised group movements. Continued dominance of ECOWAS migrants. Persistent involvement of Gambian nationals. Growing number of women and children. Continued use of irregular migration routes,” he said.

He also identified weak legal frameworks, inadequate patrol and surveillance equipment, limited operational funding, shortages of fuel for border patrols and the complicity of some local communities as major obstacles to tackling migrant smuggling.

Looking ahead, Jammeh warned that the situation could deteriorate further unless governments across the region strengthen cooperation.

“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.

“Smuggling networks are likely to continue exploiting coastal departure areas while adapting their methods to evade law enforcement operations.

“Migration flows from Senegal, Guinea and Mali are expected to remain significant, while returns from North Africa and deportations from Europe are likely to continue increasing.

“Without sustained enforcement, intelligence gathering, community engagement and regional cooperation, migrant smuggling activities may become more organised and difficult to disrupt,” he explained.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has defended Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas  over Wednesday’s controversy surrounding a motion on the implementation of capital projects in the 2026 Budget, insisting that the disagreement was purely procedural and not an attempt to prevent debate on the issue.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, by the House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi,  he said public reactions to the incident had misconstrued what transpired during plenary, stressing that the Speaker acted strictly in accordance with the House Standing Orders.

The clarification followed debate over a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rep. Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, on funding challenges confronting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the execution of the capital component of the Federal Budget.

According to the House, the controversy did not stem from the subject matter of the motion but from discrepancies between the version submitted to the Speaker for approval and the one eventually presented on the floor.

“The issue was not the substance of the motion, but a procedural matter relating to a difference between the version of the motion submitted to the Speaker for approval and the version presented on the floor,” the statement said.

It explained that under Order Eight, Rule 5(1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (Eleventh Edition), every Matter of Urgent Public Importance must first be submitted to the Speaker before it can be raised during plenary.

“This ensures that only matters meeting the required threshold of urgency are admitted and that Members deliberate on an authenticated text,” the statement added.

The House noted that despite objections from some lawmakers, Speaker Abbas admitted the motion for debate, allowing Ikwechegh to present it before members.

However, while the motion was being moved, the Speaker observed that key aspects of the document differed from the version earlier approved.

“Some portions of the motion, particularly the proposed resolutions and prayers, differed materially from the version earlier submitted and approved. Additional prayers not contained in the approved document had been introduced,” the statement said.

To safeguard the integrity of parliamentary proceedings, the Speaker directed that the officially submitted version be read aloud and invited members of the Minority Caucus to verify the discrepancies.

“As an institution built on records and due process, the House can only take decisions based on motions and documents duly submitted, authenticated, and admitted for consideration. Any substantial alteration to an approved motion during presentation must follow the appropriate parliamentary procedure,” the statement further read.

The House rejected suggestions that the opposition lawmaker had been prevented from raising the matter.

“It is important to emphasise that the sponsoring Member was not prevented from raising the issue before the House. The concern was solely about ensuring compliance with established procedures and maintaining the integrity of legislative records,” it stated.

The statement further reminded lawmakers of their responsibility to comply strictly with parliamentary rules.

“While acknowledging that Members continue to deepen their understanding of parliamentary practice, all Members are expected to present motions strictly in the form submitted and approved for consideration,” it noted.

According to the House, the Speaker subsequently referred the matter, based on the prayers contained in the officially approved motion, to an ad hoc committee for further legislative examination and a report.

Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the House said it will continue to protect members’ right to raise issues of urgent public importance while ensuring that legislative business is conducted in line with established rules.

“The House of Representatives remains committed to protecting Members’ rights to raise matters of public importance while ensuring that all proceedings are conducted in line with the Standing Orders, due process, and the highest standards of parliamentary integrity,” the statement asserted.