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Gov Alia accuses ‘religious bandits’ of fueling crisis in Benue
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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has blamed those he described as “religious bandits” for fueling the prolonged crisis in the state.
The governor made the remarks in Makurdi on Thursday during an event commemorating Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day.
He pointed out that while many traditional and religious leaders are actively collaborating with his administration to restore peace, some are allegedly stoking division and unrest.
“There are also some religious leaders that I call ‘religious bandits’ who are fueling the bad experiences that we are having here,” Governor Alia stated.
“How do they support that? By their rhetorics, by what they speak. If you do not have the facts about Benue and Nigeria, shut up. Don’t just say something because you have the holy altar and oil to speak.”
The governor said the Democracy Day celebration should inspire sober reflection, particularly in a state still grappling with security challenges.
“It is not yet Uhuru for us in Benue State. We are still burying our dead, who are killed unprovoked,” he lamented. “It is not just hope but an intense effort to ensure that we take out this total menace of carnage and killings.”
He assured the public that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity, especially in the six local government areas classified as flashpoints. Governor Alia expressed optimism that with sustained federal support, peace will be fully restored.
Calling for unity and patriotism, he urged Nigerians to remain positive and focused on the nation’s collective good.
“Let’s celebrate Nigeria as a common entity. It is a great day and we must think very positively for the state and the nation,” he said.
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Just in: Court fires 2027 APC candidate, orders fresh primaries
The Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, has sacked Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election.
Justice Hassan Dikko issued the order on Monday after hearing arguments from the parties involved in the case.
The judge directed the APC to organize another primary for the senatorial district within 14 days of the judgment.
The court’s decision followed a suit filed by APC senatorial aspirant, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who challenged the validity of the primary election conducted by the party.
Kaura had emerged as the winner of the APC primary held on May 19, 2026.
He reportedly secured 65,642 votes to defeat other aspirants who participated in the contest.
Among those who contested against him were Shinkafi, Hannafi Musa-Moriki and Tijjani Yahaya.
The court’s latest ruling has therefore cancelled the result of the earlier primary, meaning Kaura can no longer rely on that election as the party’s candidate for the district.
The APC is now expected to conduct another primary within the 14-day period ordered by the court.
The fresh exercise will provide the aspirants with another opportunity to compete for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Shinkafi, who took the matter to court, welcomed the ruling and said the decision was a positive development for his legal challenge.
News
Former Osun deputy gov snubs Adeleke’s appointment into UNIOSUN governing council
Ex- Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs Titi Laoye-Ponnle, has declined her nomination as a member of the governing council of Osun State University, UNIOSUN by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
It was gathered that the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, conveyed Laoye-Ponle’s decision to the governor during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Osogbo, on Sunday.
Basiru said the former deputy governor would have joined him on the visit to personally explain her position, but could not be present.
Basiru noted that the former deputy governor is currently holding the position of chairman of the Governing Council of a federal institution.
“She said I should tell you she is not concerned about capacity, but she is presently the Chairman of the Governing Council of one of our federal institutions,” Basiru stated.Ordering Custom Wall Maps
He added that Laoye-Ponnle thanked the Governor for the consideration and expressed her willingness to work for the success of the state at any other time.
Governor Adeleke, on Friday, dissolved the Governing Council of the university and constituted a new council to strengthen the administration and governance of the institution.
The newly constituted council has Prof. Adewale Oladipo retained as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman.
Other members of the reconstituted council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal; Otunba Titi Laoye-Ponnle; Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi; Chief Funminiyi Awotide; Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo; and Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola.
Adeleke charged the new council to build on the achievements of the university and provide the necessary support for its continued growth.
The new council members were inaugurated by the Governor on Monday at the Government House.
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Nigeria’s economy gathers momentum on track to hit $1trn GDP
Nigeria’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience and accelerating growth with second quarter of 2026 real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding by 4.43 per cent year-on-year, up from 4.23 per cent in Q2 2025 and 3.89 per cent in Q1 2026.The strong Q2 2026 outturn lifted real GDP growth for the first half of 2026 to 4.16 per cent, up from 3.68 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025, a clear signal of sustained strengthening across the economy.Growth is also becoming more broad-based. In Q2 2026, 27 economic subsectors recorded real growth above 3.0 per cent, up from 23 subsectors in Q2 2025, showing that expansion is no longer concentrated in a handful of industries.The productive sectors led the way.
Manufacturing grew by 3.24 per cent, more than double the 1.60 per cent recorded in Q2 2025, reflecting improved industrial output. Agriculture expanded by 4.39 per cent, up from 2.82 per cent, underscoring stronger production and value-chain performance.
Services, the largest driver of growth, expanded by 4.60 per cent, up from 3.94 per cent.The relative stability and steady appreciation of the exchange rate further amplified these gains in dollar terms.
The naira appreciated by more than 12 per cent between H1 2025 and H1 2026, resulting in an expansion of the economy by approximately 17 per cent in U.S. dollar terms over the period, a pace that, if sustained along with the various social programmes of the Government, will meaningfully strengthen dollar incomes, improve purchasing power and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.Given this momentum, Nigeria is well positioned to consolidate its standing among Africa’s largest economies and to advance toward the Government’s target of a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030.
The International Monetary Fund has already ranked Nigeria among the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026, projecting the country to account for roughly 1.5 per cent of world growth this year, ahead of several advanced and emerging economies.
Continued macroeconomic stability, sustained growth across productive sectors, and improving investor confidence would accelerate Nigeria’s progression toward becoming Africa’s largest economy by 2028.
These results underscore the importance of sustaining our reforms and ensuring policy consistency as their benefits begin to reach households across the country.
The Government remains focused on accelerating inclusive growth and translating these macroeconomic gains into shared prosperity for every Nigerian family.Federal Ministry of FinanceAbuja, Nigeria
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