THE VIRGIN TIMES AFRICA

 The decision by some former ministers of President Bola Tinubu to resign from the Federal Executive Council in pursuit of elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections appears to be yielding mixed fortunes, with only two securing party tickets so far. Five former cabinet members stepped down from their positions after the Presidency directed political appointees seeking elective offices to resign before participating in party primaries. Their resignation was in line with the Electoral Act 2026. Among those affected were former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who resigned to contest for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Bauchi State; and former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, who resigned to pursue Kebbi senatorial ticket. Others are former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, who resigned to contest Gombe governorship ticket; former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, pursuing House o...

  Fresh cracks have emerged within Nigeria’s opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 presidential election as major political parties and pressure groups faulted the position of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that no southern candidate can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the next general election. The parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, Young Progressives Party, Social Democratic Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, as well as both the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient Movements, disagreed with the former vice president over his stand. In separate exclusive interviews, they insisted that the presidency should remain in the South in the interest of fairness, national cohesion and political stability. The disagreement followed a statement issued on Sunday by Atiku’s media aide, Olusola Sanni, warning opposition parties against zoning their presidential tickets to the South.

  Senate reverses principal offices rule as Oshiomhole slams Akpabio The Senate on Thursday rescinded controversial amendments to its Standing Orders 2026 following concerns by lawmakers that some of the provisions were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution. The reversal came barely days after the upper chamber amended portions of its rules, a move that had triggered controversy and sharp exchanges among senators. It, however, drew sharp rebuke from the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, as he called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resign from office. The amendments had come amid growing interest by outgoing governors and political heavyweights, many of whom are positioning to enter the Senate in 2027 to contest for top leadership roles such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President. No fewer than 10 governors and several former governors are already angling to secure senatorial tickets, leveraging their influence over party structures to emer...

 The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, recovering a stolen motorcycle from them. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued Thursday. According to the statement, “On 4th May, 2026, operatives attached to Ningi Division arrested Moh’d Sani, aged 25 years, and Sani Lawan, aged 20 years, both males from Badungu Village, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State. “At the time of arrest, a red Boxer motorcycle was recovered in their possession.” Habib explained that further investigation linked the suspects to an earlier robbery incident in Ningi Local Government Area.