By Our Correspondent

In a bid actualize his vowed ambition to contest 2027 President Presidential election,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday opened the long awaited sale of nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress by picking the first forms to prepare grounds for his reelection i

The president bought the forms through a proxy, Federal House of Representatives member, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Chief James Faleke, who led a delegation of directors in the presidency to the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotels and Towers), where the event took place to purchase the nomination forms.

The documants were handed over to the delegation by the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu on Tuesday immediately the party commenced the sales to aspirants, who came from the 36 states of the federation to pick the documents for the 2027 elecrions.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after picking the forms, Hon. James Faleke, expressed optimism on the chances of the reelection of President Bola Tinubu.

“My name is James Abiodun Faleke. I represent Ikeja Federal constituency. And by the grace of God, I am the representative of Mr. President in the House of Reps. So for all support groups who have made efforts, who have contributed money to purchase the form, I have done so on their behalf, on behalf of Nigerians.

“There is no one particular person that has done this. It is on behalf of all Nigerians.Just as we did pre-2023 election, I was also privileged with some leaders to buy the form. Here again, I am privileged to buy the form on behalf of all Nigerians, for our president, for our performing president and by the grace of God, 2027 will be a reality. By the grace of God, he will contest and he will win the election.

“At the same time, I am also privileged, with my friend here, Hon. Ajala, to pick the form for the incoming governor of Lagos, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamza. And let me also say that those of us who contributed money to buy this form are like more than 1,000 in Lagos.

“It is not just one person. All of us cannot come here and pick the form. Only representatives are sent. And I am also lucky to be one of those who have been sent to pick the form. At the same time, I picked my own form to come back to the House of Reps and you can see the forms with me. So, I am lucky, and I am also waiting behind to get the receipt of our incumbent senator, Senator Idiat Adebule, that I will pick the form for her from my West Senetorial District. This is just to let you know that everything is intact and God is in charge.

“First, let me tell you that political parties can come together as part of democracy. When we do our work, they will do their work,” Faleke remarked.

The president is so far the only aspirant for the presidential election in the APC to have obtained the forms, which cost N100 million representing N30 million for Expression of Interest and N70 million for nomination forms.

Representatives of many other aspirants expecially those vying for governorship, the Senate and House of Representatives seats were seen at the venue and they purchased the two forms for their principals.

The exercise, which started on Saturday, April 25, 2026 will end on Saturday, May 2, 2026 and it is hoped that all aspirants would have picked up their forms because the APC has ruled out the possibility of extending the period for the sales of forms.

By Our Correspondent

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has officially declared the Ondo South Senatorial seat vacant following Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, UN.

Ibrahim was last week accredited as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative in New York after presenting his Letter of Credence to UN Secretary‑General, António Guterres.

Announcing the vacancy during Tuesday’s plenary, Akpabio said it takes immediate effect in line with constitutional provisions.

He directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a by‑election to fill the seat within the next 30 days.

Under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate is required to notify INEC of any vacancy in its membership to initiate a fresh election.

Senator Ibrahim, a businessman and politician, represented Ondo South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC before his diplomatic appointment.

His presentation of the letter of credence marks the official start of Ibrahim’s duties as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

During the ceremony, Ibrahim conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill, commending Guterres for his leadership and commitment to the principles of the UN Charter at a critical moment in global affairs.

Highlighting Africa’s role within the UN system, Ibrahim said President Tinubu recognizes the continent’s contributions in supporting the Secretary‑General and the G77 plus China bloc during General Assembly deliberations.

He stressed that this backing reinforces the call for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council, describing such a move as a historic milestone that would strengthen global peace and security, especially across Africa.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a blistering condemnation of ongoing negotiations and amnesty arrangements between some Northern state governments and armed terrorists, declaring such actions a direct violation of Nigeria’s counterterrorism laws and a dangerous betrayal of the Nigerian people.
HURIWA warned that any governor or public official involved in negotiating, appeasing, or granting concessions to terrorists is effectively legitimising criminality and undermining the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.
The Association stated that while governors currently enjoy constitutional immunity, such protection is temporary and cannot shield them indefinitely from accountability.
“Once these officials leave office, they should be prepared to face investigation, arrest, and prosecution for aiding and abetting terrorism, whether directly or indirectly,” HURIWA declared.
The group described the growing trend of negotiating with terrorists in states such as Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara as a “dangerous doctrine of surrender,” warning that it has consistently failed and instead emboldened criminal networks.
Citing the 2024 Kaduna peace accord, HURIWA said the deal has effectively collapsed, with persistent killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement continuing across affected communities—particularly in Southern Kaduna.
“You cannot appease terrorists. Every kobo given, every concession made, is converted into more sophisticated weapons and more organised violence against innocent Nigerians,” the group said.
Terrorists Running Parallel Governments
HURIWA raised grave concerns that large swathes of Northern Nigeria are slipping out of government control, with terrorists now operating as de facto authorities in rural areas.
According to the group, armed groups in parts of the North-West and North-Central are imposing illegal taxes on farmers, regulating movement, and dictating the economic life of entire communities under threat of violence.
“What is unfolding is the emergence of parallel governments—terrorist enclaves where the authority of the Nigerian state has completely collapsed,” HURIWA warned.
Farmers, the group noted, are being forced to pay levies to access their own lands, while those who refuse face brutal reprisals, including killings, kidnappings, and destruction of entire villages.
Occupied Communities, Displaced Populations
HURIWA further decried the continued occupation of indigenous communities in Plateau, Kaduna, and Benue States by armed groups, describing the situation as a humanitarian and constitutional crisis.
The group referenced reports by community leaders and organisations indicating that over 100 communities in Southern Kaduna alone remain under the control of armed militias, with original inhabitants displaced into overcrowded Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Similar patterns, it said, are evident in Plateau and Benue States, where farming populations have been driven from ancestral lands.
“This is nothing short of internal territorial conquest. Nigerians are being dispossessed in their own country while the state looks the other way,” HURIWA stated.
Media Silence, Escalating Atrocities
The Association also accused sections of the media of underreporting the scale of violence, warning that a “fog of silence” is enabling the crisis to deepen unchecked.
“What is reported is only a fraction of the atrocities. The reality on the ground is far more devastating,” it said.
Federal Government Must Act Now
HURIWA called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action, warning that continued inaction risks further erosion of national security and territorial integrity.
Key Demands and Recommendations
Immediate prohibition of all negotiations and amnesty deals with terrorists by state governments, backed by enforceable federal directives.
Full-scale military operations to reclaim all territories under terrorist control and dismantle their operational bases.
Liberation and restoration of all occupied communities in Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue States, with safe return and resettlement of displaced residents.
Establishment of permanent security buffers in vulnerable areas to prevent reoccupation by armed groups.
Criminal investigation and prosecution of any public officials found to have engaged in or facilitated negotiations with terrorists in violation of the law.
Targeted dismantling of terrorist taxation systems, including protection for farmers and rural economies.
Strengthening of intelligence networks and community-based security frameworks to complement military efforts.
Urgent humanitarian intervention for displaced populations, including housing, food security, and livelihood restoration.
Judicial and legislative reforms to ensure stricter enforcement of counterterrorism laws and faster prosecution of offenders.
“Nigeria Cannot Negotiate Its Survival”
HURIWA stressed that the fight against terrorism cannot be won through appeasement, but through decisive enforcement of the law and restoration of state authority.
“Nigeria cannot negotiate its survival. A nation that rewards violence invites its own destruction,” the statement read.
The group warned that history has shown that every failed peace deal only strengthens terrorist groups, deepens insecurity, and prolongs the suffering of innocent citizens.
“The time for half-measures is over. The Nigerian state must act firmly, decisively, and lawfully—or risk losing control of even more territory to forces of terror,” HURIWA concluded.