By: Balogun Ibrahim

Eight aspirants have expressed interest in contesting the Rivers State governorship election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also commended former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, for what it described as his “boldness” in obtaining the ADC presidential nomination form.

Amaechi previously served as Minister of Transportation under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Sunday night, the State ADC chairman-elect, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, said the party had continued to record an unprecedented surge in political participation and interest ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dimkpa said the growing interest showed that the ADC had quickly become a preferred platform for credible leadership, progressive politics, and people-oriented governance.

He noted that Amaechi’s decision to declare his intention to run for the presidency on the ADC platform represented another major boost to the party’s growing national influence.

According to him, the level of political interest in the party within Rivers State has been remarkable, with at least eight notable individuals already indicating interest in contesting for the governorship under the ADC.

He explained that the aspirants include former public office holders, technocrats, professionals, and respected private-sector operators.

Among those mentioned are a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, a former member of the House of Representatives, and a former Executive Director of Marine and Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Others include another ex-lawmaker and former Chairman of NIMASA, a former Commissioner for Employment Generation, a former Chief Medical Director of UPTH, a renowned architect, and successful entrepreneurs from the private sector.

Dimkpa further disclosed that several qualified individuals in the state had also shown interest in contesting for Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly seats under the ADC platform.

He said the development demonstrated that the ADC was no longer being viewed as merely an alternative political party, but increasingly as a strong political force for the future.

According to him, the party represents a convergence of experience, competence, credibility, youth-driven energy, and grassroots support for a new political direction in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

Dimkpa added that while Nigerians had often complained that credible individuals avoided politics, many respected figures were now actively joining politics and deliberately choosing the ADC.

He said the increasing influx of professionals and political leaders into the party reflected growing public confidence in the ADC’s vision, internal democratic culture, and transformational agenda.

He reaffirmed that the ADC in Rivers State remained committed to transparency, internal democracy, peaceful engagement, and issue-based politics as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

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The post RIVERS 2027: EIGHT ASPIRANTS SIGNAL INTEREST IN ADC GOVERNORSHIP TICKET appeared first on Hotjist.

By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Kwara State University, Malete, has announced plans to discontinue its Top-Up/HND Conversion programme from the 2025/2026 academic session in compliance with directives from the National Universities Commission.

The institution disclosed this in a public announcement issued on Monday and signed by the Registrar, Kikelomo Sallee.

According to the statement, the decision followed regulations issued by the National Universities Commission, the regulatory body for universities in Nigeria.

“This is to inform the public that Kwara State University, Malete, will discontinue its Top Up/HND Conversion programme from the 2025/2026 academic session.

“This discontinuation is in compliance with the regulations of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory body for all universities in Nigeria,” the statement read.

The university added that the NUC would later provide directives regarding students already enrolled in the programme.

“The NUC will also give directives on the status of students already enrolled on the programme in KWASU in due course,” it added.

KWASU reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance and academic standards.

“Kwara State University, Malete, is firmly committed to ethical standards and abides by all the policies of the regulatory body,” the statement noted.

The development comes weeks after the university secured full accreditation for nine undergraduate programmes during the NUC’s October/November 2025 accreditation exercise.

In a statement issued by the Director of University Relations, Saeedat Aliyu, the university said the accreditation status was conveyed in a letter dated April 7, 2026, and signed by the NUC Director of Accreditation, Abraham Chundusu.

According to the notice, “the full accreditation status is valid for the statutory period of three years.”

The accredited programmes include Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Environmental Health Science, English, Linguistics, Performing Arts, Computer Science, and Microbiology.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, described the accreditation as a reflection of the institution’s commitment to academic excellence.

He said, “The successful reaccreditation of the nine programmes points to the commitment of all stakeholders to sustain the excellent education provided by the institution.

“Members of the university community must continue to give premium service, as the management will not relent in working for the advancement of the institution.”

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The post KWASU DISCONTINUES TOP-UP, HND CONVERSION PROGRAMME appeared first on Hotjist.

By:Tajudeen Aminat

Legal practitioner Frank Tietie has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is granting state governors excessive influence and control over the party’s primary election process.

Tietie made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday while commenting on ongoing political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the move could help consolidate the president’s political position, noting that such decisions are ultimately political in nature.

The lawyer, however, stressed the need to safeguard the rights of aspirants who voluntarily withdraw in support of a consensus candidate.

He explained that aspirants could challenge the process in court if the agreed procedures for selecting a consensus candidate are violated.

Tietie also argued that the party should clearly disclose the procedure for arriving at a consensus candidate when aspirants obtain and submit their nomination forms.

“The APC and the president are handing significant control of the primary election process to governors. This could strengthen the president’s position politically, and that remains a political decision,” he said.

He added that the rights of any aspirant who signs a voluntary withdrawal in support of a consensus arrangement must be protected.

“If an aggrieved aspirant believes the agreed process for reaching a consensus was breached, such a person has the right to seek redress in court.

“The procedures should be clearly communicated at the point of collecting and submitting nomination forms. The process could involve voting, consensus, or any other agreed method,” he stated.

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The post 2027: APC ACCUSED OF HANDING GOVERNORS EXCESSIVE INFLUENCE OVER PRIMARY ELECTIONS — FRANK TIETIE appeared first on Hotjist.

By ‘Sefiu Ajape

A yet-to-be-identified student of the University of Benin was shot dead by gunmen while driving out of the institution’s main gate at Ugbowo in a JLK Mercedes-Benz on Sunday night.

Eyewitnesses said the student was shot at close range by masked gunmen, who fled the scene immediately after the attack.

A video circulating online showed the aftermath of the attack.

Two other occupants of the JLK Mercedes-Benz who survived the attack were said to have been rushed to the University of Benin Health Care Centre for treatment.

One student said, “They shot him at close range, and there was no way he could have survived the attack. Two others who were in the vehicles were also injured and rushed to the school’s health care center.”

Operatives from the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters later arrived at the scene to evacuate the remains of the victim.

The Divisional Police Officer, SP Emmanuel, said details surrounding the incident were still sketchy.

The Edo State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

In a separate incident, another student was reportedly chased with a machete at the Social Science Lecture Theatre on Saturday but escaped unhurt.

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The post VIDEO: UNIBEN STUDENT SHOT DEAD AT CAMPUS GATE, TWO OTHERS INJURED appeared first on Hotjist.

By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has published the list of aspirants cleared and disqualified ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.

According to the party, 33 aspirants were cleared to contest in the primaries, while 65 were disqualified.

Notably, all 32 aspirants reportedly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s camp were disqualified from participating in the exercise.

Meanwhile, incumbent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were cleared.

In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, aspirants who purchased the House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were urged to check their status on the notice board at the APC state secretariat located at No. 268B Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

Ikenga also stated that appeals regarding the screening results should be submitted through the party secretariat.

He added that the appeal process will take place on Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at the party secretariat.

Meanwhile, the screening committee’s report outlined several reasons for the disqualification of affected aspirants. These include nominations by individuals who were not financially up-to-date members of the party, contrary to Article 9.3 of the party constitution; alleged inducement and attempted bribery of committee members; submission of unsigned affidavits; failure to provide voter cards or party membership slips/cards; conflicting dates of birth; inability to confirm payment of membership dues by nominators; irregular party membership numbers; inconsistencies in submitted names and documents; inadequate number of nominators per ward; and invalid affidavits that failed to disclose key details relating to NECO certificates.

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The post APC SCREENS OUT FUBARA CAMP, CLEARS WIKE LOYALISTS FOR ASSEMBLY RACE appeared first on Hotjist.

By Aishat Momoh.  O.

The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of a 100-level student of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Favour Olaniyi, who was found dead near his off-campus residence in Akure.

Olaniyi, a student of the Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, was reportedly discovered lifeless inside a bush close to the university’s North Gate on Saturday.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, although police said a bottle suspected to contain a poisonous substance was recovered at the scene, raising suspicion of possible suicide.

Confirming the development in a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Abayomi Jimoh, said detectives had already launched an investigation into the case.

According to the statement, officers who visited the scene observed no visible marks of violence on the deceased’s body.

Jimoh added that the corpse had been deposited at the morgue for preservation and further examination while investigations continue to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the death.

Reacting to the incident, the university described the student’s death as “sad and unfortunate.”

In a statement issued by the institution’s Director of Corporate Communication and Protocol, Adegbenro Adebanjo, the university disclosed that its security personnel promptly alerted the police after receiving reports about the incident.

The institution stated that police officers, medical officials, and university security personnel coordinated efforts to evacuate the body to the morgue.

The university also confirmed that the deceased’s parents had been informed and assured that the institution was fully cooperating with security agencies investigating the matter.

According to the statement, counselling support is also being provided to some of the deceased’s classmates affected by the tragic incident.

The university extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, stating that its thoughts and prayers remain with them during the difficult period.

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The post POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF FUTA STUDENT FOUND IN BUSH NEAR RESIDENCE appeared first on Hotjist.

By Aishat Momoh.  O.

The Federal Government has intensified pressure on telecommunications operators to improve service quality across Nigeria, insisting that subscribers must begin to enjoy better connectivity and value for money.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the minister, the government has already implemented major reforms aimed at stabilising the telecom sector, adding that operators must now take concrete steps to address persistent network failures affecting millions of Nigerians.

Tijani specifically charged telecom companies including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 to improve service delivery and resolve connectivity challenges nationwide.

He explained that the current administration inherited deep-rooted structural problems in the telecom industry caused by years of underinvestment in critical infrastructure.

According to him, the poor quality of service experienced by subscribers is largely linked to infrastructure limitations that have hindered operators from delivering efficient and reliable telecom services.

To address the challenges, Tijani said the government adopted both short-term and long-term strategies targeted at transforming Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.

On the long-term strategy, the minister disclosed that the government had secured funding support led by the World Bank and established a framework under Project BRIDGE to expand nationwide fibre-optic infrastructure.

He added that large-scale fibre deployment and additional telecom tower rollout through NUCAP would commence before the end of the year, alongside plans to increase satellite connectivity capacity across the country.

According to Tijani, the investments are expected to bridge major infrastructure gaps within the next two to five years and significantly improve internet access, network reliability, and broadband penetration nationwide.

The minister stated that the government’s vision is to ensure Nigerians, particularly small business owners, can access stable, high-speed internet directly in their homes and workplaces rather than relying on unstable mobile networks.

He also highlighted several immediate reforms introduced by the government to strengthen the telecom industry, including tariff adjustments, the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, tax harmonisation measures, and broader economic reforms.

Tijani said the reforms have created a more transparent and stable operating environment for telecom companies, many of which have now returned to profitability.

He stressed that operators now possess both the financial strength and enabling environment required to significantly improve service delivery.

The minister further revealed that the Nigerian Communications Commission has been empowered to independently monitor operators’ performance, enforce regulatory compliance, and sanction defaulting companies where necessary.

According to him, the government will increasingly rely on reports from the commission as well as complaints from consumers to hold telecom operators accountable.

Tijani expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon witness noticeable improvements in call quality, internet speed, data services, and network coverage across the country.

He warned that operators failing to meet expected service standards would face regulatory action, insisting that Nigerians deserve telecom services that reflect the value of what they pay for.

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The post FG PRESSURES TELECOM OPERATORS TO IMPROVE NETWORK QUALITY, SERVICE DELIVERY appeared first on Hotjist.

By Aishat Momoh.  O.

President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, describing him as a symbol of integrity, principled leadership, and dedicated service to Nigeria.

In a personally signed statement commemorating Fasoranti’s centenary on May 11, the President expressed deep admiration for the elder statesman’s remarkable life and enduring contributions to Nigeria’s political and educational development.

Tinubu described Fasoranti’s attainment of the milestone age as a moment of national celebration.

“My joy knows no bounds as we witness Pa Reuben Fasoranti, our father, elder statesman, administrator, pro-democracy activist, prominent politician, and foremost Afenifere leader, attain the milestone age of 100,” the President stated.

According to Tinubu, Fasoranti’s century-long life has been marked by uncommon sacrifice, moral discipline, and unwavering commitment to noble causes, earning him admiration and respect across the country.

The President further described the elder statesman as a model of honesty, integrity, and authentic leadership whose life continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

Tinubu also highlighted Fasoranti’s contributions to education, noting that the Afenifere leader recognised early in life the transformative power of education and devoted himself to advancing the sector.

The President praised Fasoranti’s political journey, describing him as one of the last surviving disciples of late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo, and a steadfast promoter of progressive political ideals in Yoruba land and Nigeria at large.

He recalled Fasoranti’s active role in the defunct Action Group and later in the Unity Party of Nigeria, where he served as Commissioner for Finance in old Ondo State between 1979 and 1983.

Tinubu noted that Fasoranti became one of the leading voices against military dictatorship during Nigeria’s years under military rule, using the Afenifere platform to advocate for democracy, justice, and Yoruba unity.

The President also reflected on the personal tragedies Fasoranti endured over the years, including surviving an assassination attempt during the regime of late military ruler Sani Abacha and the killing of his daughter, Funke Olakunrin, by kidnappers in 2019.

Despite the challenges, Tinubu said the elder statesman remained resilient and unwavering in his convictions.

The President further expressed gratitude for Fasoranti’s prayers and support during his presidential campaign, recalling a visit to the elder statesman in Akure before the election.

According to Tinubu, Fasoranti prayed for his electoral victory and expressed confidence that he would live to witness his emergence as President of Nigeria.

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The post TINUBU CELEBRATES FASORANTI AT 100, HAILS HIS LEGACY OF INTEGRITY, SERVICE appeared first on Hotjist.

By Aishat Momoh.  O.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged vandalisation and theft of electrical installations at the General Hospital, Igbotako, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Akure.

According to the statement, the incident was reported on May 6, 2026, by a concerned resident who alleged that a suspect identified as Promise Godspower unlawfully gained access to the hospital premises, vandalised electrical installations, and stole electrical cables.

Jimoh said police operatives acted promptly on credible intelligence and investigative leads, leading to the arrest of the prime suspect.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the offence.

The police spokesperson added that a security personnel attached to the hospital, Pogbara Sigalo, was also taken into custody for questioning over alleged negligence of duty and possible complicity in the incident.

According to the police, the stolen electrical cables were recovered from the suspect, while investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, condemned both the alleged vandalism and the reported security breach.

The police commissioner described negligence of duty as a serious threat to public safety and the protection of government facilities and infrastructure.

Lawal also warned against acts of vandalism, theft, and destruction of public property, stressing that anyone found culpable after investigations would face prosecution in accordance with the law.

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The post POLICE ARREST TWO OVER ALLEGED VANDALISATION OF ONDO HOSPITAL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS appeared first on Hotjist.

By Aishat Momoh. O.

Governor Dikko Radda has urged intending pilgrims from Katsina State to pray for lasting peace, unity, and improved security in the state and across Nigeria as they embark on the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The governor made the appeal on Sunday during the official farewell and send-off ceremony for the pilgrims in Katsina.

Radda described Hajj as a sacred obligation and a rare spiritual privilege granted by Allah, noting that those selected for the pilgrimage were among the fortunate few chosen to fulfil one of the five pillars of Islam.

The governor disclosed that the Katsina State Government approved a N3.8 billion loan facility to address challenges that initially threatened the state’s allocated Hajj slots.

According to him, the intervention enabled the state to secure and fill a total of 3,890 slots for the 2026 pilgrimage exercise.

Radda also announced that the state government would sponsor the Hadaya sacrifice for all intending pilgrims and provide each pilgrim with a $500 allowance to support their basic needs during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

He further revealed that about 200 officials had been deployed to provide medical care, welfare support, spiritual guidance, and logistical assistance throughout the pilgrimage period.

The governor urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold the image of Katsina State while in the Holy Land.

He noted that many families made sacrifices to enable their loved ones to participate in the pilgrimage and therefore called on the pilgrims to demonstrate discipline, patience, and mutual respect at all times.

Radda also warned against the spread of misinformation capable of undermining government efforts during the Hajj exercise.

According to him, his administration has strengthened the operational capacity of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board to improve service delivery, accommodation, and feeding arrangements for pilgrims.

Earlier, the Director-General of the board, Yunusa Dankama, confirmed that the state successfully secured 3,890 Hajj slots through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Dankama commended pilgrims from Katsina for maintaining a strong record of discipline and organisation during previous Hajj exercises, urging them to sustain the reputation during the 2026 pilgrimage.

Also speaking, a representative of the North-West Zonal Office of NAHCON, Muhammad Bin Othman, represented by Commissioner Umar Kalgo, praised Katsina State for its effective Hajj management system and advised pilgrims to comply strictly with Saudi Arabian regulations, particularly regarding the handling of the Nusuk Card.

The Amirul Hajj, Ahmed El-Marzuq, also assured pilgrims that extensive consultations had been held with stakeholders and community leaders to ensure smooth coordination of the exercise.

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