A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state, Oladayo Ogunjebe, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to improve the economy ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement personally signed and issued in Lagos on Friday, Ogunjebe warned that failure to address the current hardship could make it difficult to sell the APC to voters in the next election cycle.

He said while he supports the ongoing economic reforms, the average Nigerian is feeling overwhelmed by the effects.

His words: “As we speak, the common man on the street is finding it extremely hard and difficult to survive in Nigeria. He needs urgent succour.

“For me, without this, it would be extremely difficult to sell our party again to the masses if they feel that the APC-led government has left them behind economically in the scheme of things.”

Ogunjebe urged Tinubu to consider the realities of ordinary citizens, saying their economic plight must be prioritized.

He said: “I am using this medium to call on our leader and father to do more to ensure that the people feel less of the heat emanating from the series of economic reforms being carried out by the government.

“The government in my reckoning should come out with a comprehensive, practical palliative solution that would mitigate the impacts of these reforms on our people.”

The APC chieftain said his call was not borne out of mischief but from genuine concern about the party’s chances in 2027.

He also called on the party’s national leadership to address grievances among stakeholders, saying internal disunity could hurt APC’s electoral fortunes.

“There appear to be misgivings within the ranks of the party from the national level down to the ward, with many stakeholders feeling left behind in the scheme of things.

“Most members of the party are not feeling like stakeholders any longer, and I urge the leadership of the APC to look into this,” he added.

Ogunjebe said party unity must be restored to ensure all members are on the same page when electioneering begins.

O’tega Ogra, a presidential aide, has criticized Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, over his comments on the recent killings in Benue state.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Ogra described Obi’s reaction as politicization of a national tragedy, accusing him of hypocrisy and poor leadership during his time in office.

He wrote: “Without mincing words, it is regrettable that a former presidential candidate and ex-governor, PGO, whose own so-called ‘leadership’ record is permanently stained by one of Nigeria’s darkest chapters of police brutality under the disbanded Akwuzu SARS — a police unit that killed on sight in Anambra under the guise of Mr Obi’s infamous pronouncement.

“A man who presided over the systematic suppression and marginalization of minorities — be they political, religious, and/or ethnic — and who once aligned with those who sought to undermine Nigeria’s democracy during the dark military years.

“This same individual now seeks to lecture others on leadership and politicize a tragedy. Shame.”

Ogra said the tragedy in Benue was “deeply painful” and should not be used for political theatre.

He added that President Bola Tinubu had prioritized the situation, ordering full security mobilization and personally visiting the state on Wednesday.

“As we speak, the Chief of Army Staff has relocated to the affected zone on the directive of his commander-in-chief. Internal security apparatus and intelligence agencies have been fully activated and deployed.

“Mr President has given marching orders to his NATSEC apparatus, and he has also advised the Chief Executive of the State on what to do,” he added.

He noted that Tinubu had remained in “constant briefings and debriefings” with security chiefs, the Benue governor, and key stakeholders.

“As a former chief executive of a state, sir, you should know that security incidents differ in context, complexity, and causes. Each is, and must always be addressed with the urgency and discretion it deserves,” Ogra stated.

Ogra urged Obi to demonstrate better leadership in his conduct.

“In cases like this, it would be wise to be more circumspect, empathize with the victims of the tragedy, or, better still, heed the counsel of sages across history that, ‘you do not preach in white nor play politics with the tragedy and pain of others especially when your record is written in lies and blood.’ Please show leadership in your conduct, sir,” he concluded.

The Northern Security and Integrity Forum (NSIF) has accused Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, of putting “politics over lives” following his recent engagement with leaders of armed groups in the state.

In a statement issued on Friday in Gusau and signed by its national president, Sulaiman Ali Mustapha, the forum described the governor’s participation in peace meetings with wanted bandit leaders as a “shameful U-turn” that betrays public trust.

Part of the statement read: “Governor Dauda Lawal has now become the living embodiment of the phrase: ‘politics over lives.

“For years, he demonized former Governor Bello Matawalle’s approach to banditry, portraying it as weak, immoral, and counterproductive.

“Yet today, after more than 20,000 civilians and over 500 security personnel have been killed, Lawal is doing exactly what he once ridiculed — sitting with attackers and preaching dialogue.”

The forum said recent peace engagements held in Zamfara and Katsina, where notorious bandits like Ado Aleru were seen addressing public gatherings, have left victims of violence disillusioned.

“These meetings are not acts of peace — they are acts of surrender. They show a government that is overwhelmed and now embracing a method it once mocked,” it said.

NSIF said Lawal must offer Nigerians “a national apology,” not another press statement or roundtable.

“By misleading the public and endangering lives through arrogance and political grandstanding, he owes the people of Zamfara and Nigeria more than explanations — he owes them contrition,” the group stated.

The group described former governor Bello Matawalle as “a man ahead of his time” whose much-criticized peace strategy has now been quietly adopted by his successor.

“It is now obvious that Bello Matawalle deserves not just vindication but canonization.

“He pursued peace amid criticism, relied on facts over populism, and stayed the course when others opted for rhetoric,” the forum said.

NSIF accused the current administration of lacking a strategic security framework, saying its response has been driven by media optics and inconsistency.

“Under Lawal, banditry has worsened, abductions are rising, and rural communities are being wiped out, while the state holds press briefings instead of delivering results.

“Now that he is crawling back to the same carrot-and-stick model he once discredited, Nigerians must ask: who is fooling who?” the group said.

The forum said the governor’s peace approach confirms that military force alone cannot resolve the crisis — a point the previous administration recognized.

“This is not about glorifying criminals. It’s about understanding that absolute militarisation has failed. Working with community-linked actors, alongside law enforcement, can provide space for real solutions,” the group stated.

NSIF urged civil society, the security community, and media watchdogs to demand greater transparency from the Zamfara government.

“What we are witnessing is not innovation. It is imitation — badly executed,” the statement said.

The forum also disclosed plans to submit a dossier on Zamfara’s security failures to the National Security Adviser and the Senate Committee on Army for further scrutiny.

“It is no longer acceptable for politicians to weaponize insecurity during elections only to adopt the same condemned strategies once in office,” the group added.

Despite claims of a political rift between President Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima both leaders met for Juma’at prayers in Abuja.

In a photo post shared on X by Stanley Nkwocha, a media aide to the vice president both Tinubu and Shettima were joined by other political leaders at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Nkwocha noted that other politicians who join the leaders for the prayers include, the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila and the deputy chief of staff to the president, Ibrahim Hadejia.

Others are the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani; the governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi; the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.

In addition to this, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin was also present at the Juma’at prayer at the Abuja mosque.

Nkwocha said, “The prayers were also offered in honour of President Tinubu’s late mother, Hajiya Abibatu Mogaji.”

The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah on Friday, announced the appointment of a new leadership for the State Forest Guard.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to the State Government.

Onyia said the governor approved the appointment of Colonel Dan Didiugwu (retired) as the chairman of the Enugu State Forest Guard.

Mbah also approved the appointment of DCP Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo (retired) as the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard.

According to Onyia, the appointment of the Chairman of the Forest Guard Board is subject to confirmation by the Enugu State House of Assembly.

He added that the appointment of the Commander of the Forest Guard will take effect immediately.

Both appointments, Onyia said are part of the Enugu State government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and professionalise forest and environmental security operations across the state.

He added that these efforts are in alignment with the state’s commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and natural resources.

“It is further announced that the office of Commander of the Forest Guard supersedes the previously existing position of State Coordinator, which is now abolished.

“The State Government expresses confidence in the capacity and experience of both Colonel Didiugwu and DCP Akinbamilayo to reposition the Forest Guard into a highly responsive and efficient outfit,” Onyia added.