By Divine Perezide

A recent photograph showing the former Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Deacon Kingsley B. Otuaro, in the company of prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stirred a wave of speculation and political interpretation on social media and beyond.

The image, which has been widely circulated, raised questions about Otuaro’s political affiliations, with some observers hinting at possible realignment or defection. However, Pastor Arex Akemotubo, the spokesperson for Otuaro and the Auditor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, has come forward to dispel the growing speculation.

In a statement addressing the issue, Akemotubo emphasized that the meeting was not politically motivated, but rather a reflection of statesmanship and democratic engagement.

“It’s normal for leaders across party lines to interact and engage on various national issues of mutual interest,” he said. “Such interactions are a testament to the maturity of our democracy and the spirit of collaboration that transcends party differences.”

Akemotubo’s remarks appear aimed at reinforcing Otuaro’s continued commitment to the PDP, while also highlighting the evolving nature of political discourse in Nigeria, where bipartisan dialogue is increasingly common.

Observers note that Otuaro has maintained a reputation for inclusive leadership and bridge-building throughout his political career, and his recent appearance should not be misread as a signal of political defection.

As the political landscape continues to shift ahead of 2027 elections, such instances of cross-party engagement are expected to grow, underscoring the importance of context in interpreting political interactions.

By Favour Bibaikefie

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially debunked claims spreading across social media platforms that its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been dismissed by President Bola Tinubu. A widely circulated message on WhatsApp falsely alleged that Prof. Yakubu had been replaced by Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan.

Reacting to the rumors in a statement to Vanguard, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, firmly denied the claims. “Please, disregard. It is not true,” he stated.

Prof. Yakubu, currently serving the final months of his second term, is expected to step down later this year. The procedure for selecting a new chairman involves several stages: the President nominates a candidate, who is then profiled by the Department of State Services (DSS). The nominee must then be reviewed by the National Council of State before the name is submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

At this time, no official declaration has been made regarding any successor to Prof. Yakubu.

By Favour Bibaikefie

Lagos, Nigeria – A senior academic has strongly criticized the heavy-handed security measures that paralyzed an entire senatorial district in Kogi Central during Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent homecoming.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Prof. Jide Jimoh, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), condemned the security clampdown, which saw major roads across the area barricaded by operatives in what appeared to be an attempt to prevent Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s visit.

“How can you shut down literally a whole local government senatorial district just because somebody is trying to visit?” Prof. Jimoh questioned, expressing concern about the implications of the action for democratic engagement in the region.

Despite the heightened security and road closures, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan outmaneuvered the obstruction by arriving via helicopter — a move that took both her supporters and opponents by surprise.

Prof. Jimoh commended the senator’s tactical ingenuity. “In terms of strategic planning, she was ahead of her adversaries,” he said. “I never expected that she would come in on a helicopter, having seen that the whole roads leading to where she was supposed to go had been barricaded by security agencies. In terms of strategy, she was quite ahead of her adversaries.”

The LASU dean emphasized that the incident raises significant concerns about political freedom and the state of democracy in Kogi State. He described Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bold decision as a powerful statement against forces attempting to suppress her political outreach and reaffirmed the need for fairness in political processes.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s helicopter arrival not only circumvented the blockade but also reignited public discourse on the misuse of state security resources and the importance of safeguarding democratic rights.