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Applicants who took part in the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) recruitment aptitude test have raised concerns over alleged technical difficulties that they said disrupted their attempts to complete the online examination.

Several applicants took to X to complain of difficulties accessing the test portal, repeated logouts, delays in loading questions and problems moving from one question to another during the exercise.

One applicant, posting under the name Matchmaking – Nightlife, described the experience as frustrating, alleging that the test was designed to last 40 minutes but that candidates were losing valuable time because the system repeatedly logged them out.

The applicant wrote that about 15 minutes had elapsed without a question being successfully answered, citing auto-logout, delayed logins and errors after clicking the button to proceed to the next question.

Another user, Jamokski, who said the video circulating online was recorded before the main examination room, also complained about the examination platform.

According to the applicant, moving from one question to another could take several minutes, while some questions reportedly moved automatically to the previous or next item without any input from the candidate.

Other applicants reported similar experiences.

One user, Kayode K. Lawal, said the aptitude test had glitches “everywhere”, listing problems with the login process, examination portal, timing and loading of subsequent questions.

He questioned the suitability of the system for student examinations, given the difficulties applicants were experiencing during the recruitment exercise.

Another applicant, who identified himself as Leahcim, said he was scheduled to take the test between 1pm and 1:40pm but could not gain access at the scheduled time.

“I was scheduled for 1pm-1:40pm, after so much trial I was allowed to access the website around 3pm. And I was able to finally login by 5:30pm,” the applicant wrote.

He said that after eventually gaining access, he struggled to complete only four questions because he was repeatedly logged out of the system.

An applicant identified as Kuti Of Mokwa also posted that after the test was rescheduled, he had managed to answer only two questions in 28 minutes.

The complaints have triggered criticism of WAEC on social media, with some applicants describing the experience as frustrating and questioning the reliability of the organisation’s technology.

However, the complaints should be viewed against the background of a genuine recruitment process.

WAEC maintains an official Job Application Management Portal for vacancies at its Nigeria National Office. The portal instructs applicants to review advertised vacancies, submit applications and monitor their application status through their dashboards.

By August, applicants who had progressed in the recruitment exercise began seeing messages on their dashboards informing them that they had been “advanced to the next stage of the application process” and asking them to confirm their availability for an aptitude test.

The portal update required applicants at that stage to provide or confirm details including their active email addresses, telephone numbers and states of residence for subsequent communication about the recruitment process.

WAEC itself also has an Aptitude Tests Department that provides computer-based and remote online testing services, including recruitment tests for organisations. Its published materials describe the remote testing system as an initiative intended to provide secure, flexible and convenient assessment while improving efficiency and reducing logistical challenges.

The latest complaints raise questions about whether the technology deployed for the recruitment exercise delivered the reliability expected from an organisation that administers high-stakes examinations.

As of the time of filing this report, WAEC had not publicly responded to the specific complaints reviewed by The Nigeria Education News or explained the reported login, auto-logout, timing and question-navigation problems.

The Nigeria Education News could not independently establish how many applicants were affected or whether the reported difficulties occurred across all test sessions.

WAEC applicants have therefore been advised to rely on the Council’s official recruitment portal for further instructions and updates rather than unverified information circulating on social media.

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The victory of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the August 15, 2026 governorship election has remained unchallenged at the tribunal after the constitutional 21-day period for filing petitions expired without any petition being lodged.

The deadline for challenging the election result elapsed on Saturday, with none of the 14 political parties defeated in the poll approaching the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to contest the outcome.

Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole.

He secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who recorded 444,815 votes.

A total of 15 political parties participated in the governorship election.

The tribunal office was opened at the premises of the State High Court in Oke Fia, Osogbo, shortly after INEC announced the election results to receive petitions arising from the poll.

However, with the constitutionally prescribed 21-day period now over, no petition has been received by the tribunal.

The development comes days after Oyebamiji publicly congratulated Adeleke on his victory and said the election outcome would not mark the end of the APC’s activities in the state.

Oyebamiji, while addressing APC leaders, members and supporters in Osogbo last Saturday, urged the party to shift its attention towards preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He called on members to strengthen the party’s structures, unite across its various tendencies and begin grassroots mobilisation ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The APC governorship candidate also urged party members to mobilise support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates seeking elective positions in Osun State in 2027.

While congratulating Adeleke on the victory declared by INEC, Oyebamiji encouraged APC members not to lose confidence in the party or abandon democratic principles because of the election result.

He said the party’s priority should now be to consolidate its existing structures, expand its grassroots reach and improve unity among its members.

Oyebamiji also reflected on the period after his emergence as the APC governorship candidate in December 2025, saying different factions within the party had set aside their differences to pursue a common objective.

He said the party’s campaign reached various communities and engaged groups including civil servants, retirees, artisans, students, youths, entrepreneurs, women, professionals, sporting groups, persons living with disabilities and religious organisations.

ALSO READ: INEC list sets stage for Kwara governorship race

The APC candidate commended members and supporters for their loyalty, resilience and commitment during the campaign and election, saying their efforts had contributed to strengthening the party despite its defeat.

He further appealed to Adeleke, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to ensure the safety of residents and protection of their property regardless of political affiliation.

Oyebamiji also condemned alleged harassment, intimidation and attacks against APC members, supporters and their businesses, describing such actions as threats to peace, development and investment in Osun State.

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The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, has denied fresh allegations linking him to banditry, describing viral videos and claims circulating on social media as part of a sustained campaign of disinformation and character assassination.

Buba, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced allegations since 2024 of having links with suspected bandits, accusations he has consistently denied.

The latest controversy followed the circulation of videos by a content creator known as ‘D English Alhaji’, who alleged that suspected bandit kingpins had visited the senator’s residence.

The allegations were further amplified after a resident identified as Hassan accused Buba, during an interview with the social media influencer, of being among politicians allegedly aiding bandits in the area.

Hassan also alleged that individuals linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Gide, were brought to Abuja for specialised training, allegedly facilitated by an aide of the senator.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday titled, “Setting the Record Straight: My Response to Fabricated Videos, False Allegations and a Sustained Campaign of Disinformation,” Buba dismissed the allegations as false.

The senator, who is currently chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party, said he initially avoided responding to the allegations because of the sensitivity of his previous role overseeing national security matters.

According to him, his silence should not be interpreted as an inability to respond to the allegations.

He said, “For much of my public life, I have resisted the temptation to respond to every allegation, criticism or provocation directed at me. Citizens have a legitimate right to scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibility, and public officials must be prepared to account for their conduct.

“My election as senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District — and particularly my responsibility as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence — reinforced the need for restraint. National security demands discretion.

“Operational successes cannot always be publicised without jeopardising ongoing efforts, exposing sources or endangering individuals and communities involved in sensitive interventions.”

Buba said the controversy surrounding him began after an incident on September 15, 2024, when Umar Shayi allegedly led a militia group purportedly working as hunters for the Bauchi State Agency for Vigilante and Youth Empowerment.

According to him, two charcoal sellers were reportedly killed during the incident.

The senator said he visited the families of the deceased and demanded justice, adding that his intervention subsequently led to allegations linking him to banditry.

“This campaign dates back to September 15, 2024, when Umar Shayi led a militia group purported to be hunters working for the Bauchi State Agency for Vigilante and Youth Empowerment. The group reportedly killed two charcoal sellers who were conducting their lawful business.

“As the elected senator representing the district, I visited the families of the deceased to condole with them and called on the relevant authorities to ensure justice is served. I also vowed to pursue lawful action on behalf of both the deceased and the injured victims.

“I condemned the killings and urged the government to institute safeguards against abuses by those entrusted with protecting citizens,” he said.

Buba alleged that following his intervention, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Bununu, publicly linked his name to banditry.

He also recalled allegations that he sponsored a suspected bandit kingpin for the 2024 Hajj, saying he had consistently denied the claim and invited security agencies to investigate.

The lawmaker said, “Following my intervention, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Bununu, publicly linked my name to banditry — an allegation I rejected as false and unsupported by evidence.

“Subsequently, Governor Bala Mohammed petitioned President Bola Tinubu that I sponsored a ‘bandit kingpin’ to perform the 2024 Hajj through an aide named Yahaya Ibrahim.

“I categorically denied these allegations. I stated that I had no aide by the name cited and invited security agencies to investigate.”

Buba said his sponsorship of pilgrims, educational programmes, medical interventions and empowerment initiatives was based on recommendations from community and religious leaders.

The senator noted that he subsequently filed a defamation suit, marked CV/413/2024, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over the allegations.

Addressing the origin of photographs and videos now circulating online, Buba said a young man identified as Hassan Husseini had been introduced to him in 2024 as an orphan requiring educational assistance.

The Bauchi legislator explained that he enrolled the young man in a private college and an Islamic school in Kaduna and also provided him with a bicycle.

According to him, the young man later abandoned his education and requested money to establish a car dealership.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence noted that he declined the request and advised him to return to school.

“I later discovered that, while under my care, he had recorded photographs and videos of visitors to my residence. These materials later formed the basis of allegations circulated on social media,” Buba said.

He further alleged that some individuals who circulated the videos later demanded money from him.

Buba said he petitioned the Nigeria Police Force on September 9, 2025, leading to the arrest and investigation of several suspects.

According to him, five suspects were subsequently arraigned on October 30, 2025, before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

“After the videos circulated and those sharing the videos and photos demanded money as extortion, I petitioned the Nigeria Police Force on September 9, 2025. Several individuals were arrested and investigated.

“On October 30, 2025, five suspects were arraigned before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025, on charges including criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, criminal defamation, advance-fee fraud and extortion.

“The matter is before a competent court, and I will refrain from comments that could prejudice the proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2026,” he said.

On the latest viral videos, Buba maintained that they had been wrongly presented as evidence of meetings between him and bandit kingpins.

He said the clips combined unrelated videos, including footage of Hajj returnees who visited his residence in 2023.

“The latest episode emerged in August 2026 when a content creator known as ‘D English Alhaji’ circulated videos alleging that bandit kingpins visited my residence.

“A subsequent fact-check established that the viral material combined two unrelated clips- footage of Kaduna-based Hajj returnees who visited my residence in 2023, and a separate clip showing different individuals displaying passports.

“The individuals in the first video spoke Fulfulde; those in the second spoke English. The claim that these clips constitute evidence of bandits visiting my residence is false,” he said.

The Bauchi lawmaker said the content creator subsequently interviewed Hassan Husseini, who made additional allegations against him.

He insisted that allegations contained in viral videos should be subjected to proper investigation and evidentiary standards.

“The content creator later interviewed Hassan Husseini, who made further allegations. These claims must be subjected to proper evidentiary standards—not accepted merely because they appear in a viral video,” he said.

The senator also disclosed that he had initiated legal action against Hassan Saleh Hussein in the Niger Republic.

“Meanwhile, I have submitted a formal criminal complaint to the Public Prosecutor at the Tribunal of First Instance in Niamey, Niger Republic, through a legal practitioner in that country, seeking the criminal prosecution of Hassan Saleh Hussein for defamation and insult carried out via electronic communication,” he stated.

Buba, who served for two years as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, defended his approach to security issues, saying he had consistently advocated a combination of military and non-military measures.

“For two years, I served as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, a role that placed me at the intersection of legislative oversight, intelligence, security policy and engagement with communities affected by insecurity.

“Throughout that period, I supported a comprehensive approach to security. While kinetic operations are necessary, I consistently advocated complementary non-kinetic strategies involving community engagement, dialogue, intelligence gathering, deradicalisation and confidence-building,” he said.

He added, “Nigeria cannot defeat insecurity by military force alone. Sustainable security requires winning the trust of vulnerable communities, strengthening local intelligence networks and creating pathways for cooperation with legitimate authorities.”

Buba said some of his interventions in security matters could not be publicly discussed because doing so could expose individuals involved in sensitive operations.

“Some of these interventions cannot responsibly be discussed in detail. Revealing identities of intermediaries or operational information could endanger patriotic citizens and undermine ongoing efforts. My silence on such matters should never be interpreted as an absence of service,” he said.

The senator also rejected suggestions that his humanitarian and philanthropic activities were designed to conceal improper relationships.

Buba claimed that his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Redemption Party and pursue his governorship ambition had heightened political attacks against him.

He recalled that former Bauchi State Governor and an APC governorship candidate, Mohammed Abubakar, made remarks about the source of his wealth in July 2026, which he considered defamatory.

The senator said he had also opted for legal action in that instance.

“Political disagreement should never justify character assassination. My decision to leave the APC for the Peoples Redemption Party on which platform I am pursuing my governorship aspiration should be debated on policies, competence and vision, not on fabricated allegations,” he said.

Buba maintained that he was open to public scrutiny but insisted that such scrutiny must be based on verifiable facts.

“I do not claim immunity from scrutiny. As a senator, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, currently chairing the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry, and now a gubernatorial candidate, I recognise that my actions and associations will be examined. That is democracy. But scrutiny must be based on facts.

“There is a difference between investigation and fabrication, between criticism and blackmail, and between political opposition and deliberate character assassination.

“Modern disinformation thrives on recycling old allegations, editing them, attaching new captions and redistributing them until repetition masquerades as evidence. Responsible citizens and journalists must resist this,” he said.

The senator also appealed to journalists, editors, fact-checkers and civil society organisations to independently verify the allegations and his responses.