By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 general elections, subject to the outcomes of pending court cases.

The commission, however, rejected a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, seeking a review of his exclusion from the list of candidates.

A source within INEC disclosed the decisions to Daily Trust on Thursday, following a meeting of the commission to consider complaints from political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the lists published ahead of the elections.

According to the source, INEC received 69 petitions relating to omitted candidates for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. About 36 of the petitions were successful, while the remaining applications were unsuccessful.

The source added that the commission was awaiting final figures from its legal department before issuing an official statement on the outcome of the review.

Regarding Pantami, who is the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, the source confirmed that INEC had cleared his candidacy.

Gwarzo was also cleared to contest under the NDC platform in Kano State. However, the commission said his clearance would remain subject to the final decision of the court on the legal dispute surrounding his nomination.

The source explained that the commission had no objection to either candidate contesting the election, provided the pending legal matters did not result in a contrary court ruling.

Candidates challenge exclusion

Pantami and Gwarzo were among prominent governorship candidates whose names were missing from INEC’s list released in October.

INEC had earlier attributed the omissions to alleged failure by their political parties to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the requirement to submit membership registers.

The commission said its position was based on a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act, which makes the submission of party membership registers mandatory.

Gwarzo subsequently approached the court to challenge the exclusion of himself and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.

In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, he asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel INEC to recognise them as the NDC’s candidates.

Pantami’s candidacy is also facing litigation, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.

Adebutu’s petition rejected

Meanwhile, INEC rejected Adebutu’s request for a review of his exclusion from the Ogun State governorship candidates’ list.

The PDP candidate had challenged the commission’s decision, maintaining that he remained a registered member of the party and had fulfilled the relevant membership registration requirements.

However, the INEC source confirmed that his petition was unsuccessful.

The commission is expected to issue a formal statement detailing the decisions reached after reviewing the 69 petitions.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, has sentenced a 20-year-old man, Dauda Umaru, to seven years’ imprisonment for procuring and having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) disclosed the conviction in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The court, presided over by Justice Aisha Y. Salihu, also ordered Umaru to pay a total of ₦1.5 million, comprising ₦1 million into the Victim Trust Fund Account and ₦500,000 as compensation to the victim.

According to NAPTIP, the conviction was secured under Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, as amended.

The agency added that failure to pay the stipulated amount would attract an additional seven months’ imprisonment.

NAPTIP intensifies prosecution of sexual exploitation cases

The latest conviction comes as NAPTIP continues to prosecute cases involving the sexual exploitation of minors and other forms of human trafficking.

In a related case previously reported by The PUNCH, the agency secured the conviction of 37-year-old Fatima Sanda for procuring a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation.

Sanda was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by the High Court of Justice, Court 10, presided over by Justice Aisha Ndume. The court also ordered her to pay ₦500,000 in compensation to the victim.

The agency’s latest announcement underscores ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for offences involving the exploitation of minors.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria, arguing that the country’s leaders can offer prayers without travelling abroad.

Makinde said prayers for Nigeria could be offered within the country, insisting that there was no need for the President to travel to Saudi Arabia for that purpose.

The governor made the remarks while reacting to reports of Tinubu’s journey, saying Nigerian leaders should remain in the country and share in the challenges facing citizens.

“I read on social media that our President is travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria. Prayers are answered even in this country. We will stay here and pray for our country and leaders,” Makinde said.

He argued that leadership required being physically present with the people and understanding their difficulties rather than travelling abroad whenever the opportunity arose.

According to him, the President could pray for the country at the Presidential Villa, in churches, mosques or any other location within Nigeria, without necessarily going to Saudi Arabia.

Makinde also said his party, the APM, would not embark on foreign trips for prayers, maintaining that its members would remain with Nigerians while praying for the country and its leaders.

His comments come amid public concerns over Nigeria’s economic difficulties and insecurity, as well as recurring debates about foreign trips by political officeholders.

President Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia has also attracted attention, with the trip reportedly including the performance of the lesser Hajj.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorists have reportedly killed a police inspector and 11 civilians during attacks on Waiwayi and Kystu communities in Koko-Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying the inspector was killed during an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this during a telephone conversation, adding that the identity of the deceased officer would not be made public until investigations were concluded.

Usman said the attackers stormed the two communities, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle that resulted in the death of the inspector.

“Yes, there was an attack on the villages of Waiwayi and Kystu by suspected Mamudawa, and unfortunately, during an exchange of fire, they killed one police inspector,” he said.

He added that the police were yet to release the officer’s name pending the completion of investigations.

The attackers were also reported to have set houses on fire and looted food items from shops in the affected communities.

The assaults reportedly forced several residents to abandon their homes and flee to safer locations.

Usman said security operatives had cordoned off the affected areas to prevent further attacks, while a manhunt had been launched to track down those responsible.

The incident has further heightened security concerns in rural communities across Kebbi State, where repeated attacks have threatened residents’ lives, homes and livelihoods.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Sirik, on October 29.

Iranian state media reported that the drone was brought down by an advanced air defense system operating within the country’s integrated air defense network. The IRGC described the incident as the 14th MQ-1 drone it claims to have intercepted and destroyed.

The claim and the circumstances of the reported incident have not been independently verified. The United States has not publicly confirmed the loss, and details about the drone’s operator, mission and wreckage remain unclear.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a terrorist ambush in Zamfara State and rescued two abducted herders while recovering 520 rustled livestock in Sokoto State, the military said on 28 October 2026.

According to a statement by Captain Tamuno Sinivie, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), troops of Sector 2 came under a coordinated ambush by terrorists on both sides of the Anka–Guruzu Road in Zamfara while conducting a fighting patrol to clear the route after reports of terrorist activity.

The troops responded with overwhelming firepower, fought through the ambush and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. One soldier sustained a gunshot wound during the firefight and was promptly evacuated for medical attention. He is said to be in stable condition.

The statement said troops subsequently dominated the road and restored freedom of movement for commuters.

In a related operation on the same day, troops of Sector 2 foiled an attempt by terrorists to rustle livestock and abduct herders at Takasaba Village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops mobilised to the scene and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon 520 livestock and two abducted herders.

The rescued victims were identified as Malam Sulaiman, aged 50, and Nasiru Sulaiman, aged 14. They were handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.

The military described the operations as further proof of the resilience, combat readiness and sustained operational momentum of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in denying terrorists freedom of action, securing critical routes and protecting vulnerable communities in the North West.

The Theatre Commander, Major General WB Idris, commended the gallantry and fighting spirit of the troops and urged them to sustain the offensive against terrorist elements. He also reassured residents of the joint operations area of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security, while encouraging the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Yemen’s Aden International Airport was damaged on October 28 after Houthi forces launched an attack that left large craters on the runway and forced authorities to suspend air traffic, according to the breaking news report.

The strike followed an evacuation warning from Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, who claimed that a Saudi military cargo aircraft carrying weapons was at the airport. The allegation has not been independently verified.

United Nations personnel had left the airport shortly before the attack, and a humanitarian flight bound for Amman, Jordan, departed safely earlier in the day. The International Organization for Migration confirmed that its personnel were safe and accounted for.

Aden airport is a critical gateway for civilian travel and humanitarian aid to southern Yemen. Repeated attacks on the facility threaten access to medical supplies, relief workers and essential services in a country already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

By Haladu Muhammad

I want to speak about an issue that has deeply concerned and disturbed me for quite a while—for over half a decade, if not a full decade. The topic I wish to discuss today is clear and well known to all of us: the state of our education sector.

Education is paramount and sacrosanct. It is everyone’s duty, concern, and business. The core issue I want to address is the performance of teachers in our public schools compared to those in private schools. When comparing public and private institutions, which system possesses better infrastructure and facilities to properly instruct, guide, and develop our children?

To set the context, we are all aware of the economic hardships the country is facing. Citizens across all sectors are struggling with their daily or monthly earnings. It is no secret that the remuneration for teachers and civil servants is often inadequate.

However, what I find difficult to accept—and must question—is the persistent reliance on salary grievances as an excuse for poor performance. While I am not dismissing their financial concerns, education remains a collective responsibility.

To clarify, I am not simply shifting blame onto our educators. Look at states like Borno, Zamfara, and Jigawa. During my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year in Zamfara State, where I served at Government Girls Secondary School, Maru, I engaged in many intellectual discussions with my colleagues regarding this situation. 

Under the previous state administration, teachers went unpaid for two to three months, leading to stagnation in the education sector. However, under Governor Dr Dauda Lawal Dare, workers’ entitlements, pensions, and gratuities have been prioritised and paid promptly. Similar positive administrative steps regarding welfare can be observed in Borno and Jigawa States.

Despite public school teachers receiving higher salaries—often ₦60,000 to ₦77,000 or more, compared with private school teachers who may earn as little as ₦30,000 to ₦40,000—we consistently observe greater commitment and better pupil performance in private institutions. Private school educators, despite lower pay and inferior physical infrastructure, are often held to higher standards of accountability.

In many public schools, particularly during periods such as the rainy season, teacher absenteeism is rampant. It is not uncommon to visit a public school and find only two or three teachers present alongside the Vice Principal, while students roam the premises without instruction. Meanwhile, frivolous excuses for absence that are tolerated in the public sector would result in immediate financial deductions or termination in a private setting.

This disparity stems primarily from a lack of leadership, self-discipline, and institutional accountability. While public education has a superior structural and administrative framework on paper, it suffers from poor implementation and weak oversight.

Therefore, my call to action for state governors, Commissioners of Education, and key educational stakeholders is straightforward: establish and empower strict, independent monitoring committees within every Local Government Education Area (LGEA). These committees must actively oversee public school operations, enforce teacher attendance, and monitor academic performance across all wards and communities to restore standard quality to our public education system.

Haladu Muhammad is a concerned Nigerian citizen, and he writes from Maiduguri, Borno State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued two kidnapped herders and recovered 520 head of livestock allegedly rustled by suspected terrorists in Sokoto State.

The operation took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Takasaba village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement, saying the troops acted on credible intelligence about terrorist activities in the area.

According to him, the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the suspected terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon the livestock and the two abducted herders.

The rescued victims were identified as Malam Sulaiman, 50, and Nasiru Sulaiman, 14. They were subsequently handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.

Troops repel ambush in Zamfara

In a related operation, troops of Sector 2 reportedly repelled an ambush by suspected terrorists along the Anka–Guruzu Road in Zamfara State on the same day.

Captain Sinivie said the troops were conducting a fighting patrol to clear the road following reports of terrorist activities when armed men positioned on both sides of the route launched a coordinated attack.

He said the soldiers responded with firepower, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining casualties.

The troops subsequently maintained their presence along the road to restore freedom of movement for commuters.

However, one soldier sustained a gunshot injury during the exchange of fire and was evacuated for medical attention. The military said the soldier was in stable condition.

Military pledges continued operations

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General W.B. Idris, commended the troops for their conduct during the operations and urged them to sustain pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region.

He also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security across its joint operational area.

The commander called on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against armed groups.

The latest operations come amid continued security challenges in parts of the North-West, where communities have faced attacks, kidnappings and livestock rustling.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly wage award for federal workers, demanding instead that the minimum salary for the lowest-paid worker be increased to ₦300,000.

The union said workers needed a substantial and sustainable salary increase rather than temporary financial support that might not benefit all eligible employees.

The proposal followed a meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to discuss workers’ welfare and measures to address the rising cost of living.

In a statement signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the TUC also called for the implementation of the agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

“Our position is unequivocal: workers are not asking for favours; they are demanding social and economic justice that protects their dignity and livelihoods,” the statement said.

TUC questions implementation of previous wage awards

The union expressed concerns over the implementation of previous wage awards, arguing that the government had yet to fulfil its earlier commitments to workers.

According to the TUC, the wage award introduced in October 2023 was not fully implemented before the parties reached an agreement on a new national minimum wage in 2024.

It claimed that some workers received payments for only one or two months, while others did not receive any payment.

The union also criticised the irregular payment of the previous ₦40,000 wage award, alleging that some workers received payments covering up to four months without a consistent monthly schedule.

It further claimed that more than 80 per cent of state governments and employers in the informal sector did not implement any form of wage award.

The TUC questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary payment while, according to the union, previous commitments remained outstanding.

“How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?” it asked.

Union seeks sustainable salary increases

The TUC maintained that a permanent salary increase would offer workers more reliable financial support than a temporary wage award, particularly as the prices of essential goods and services continue to rise.

It argued that ongoing negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from granting workers an urgent pay increase.

The union also noted that the economic difficulties extended beyond federal government employees, affecting state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and those in the informal economy.

It identified rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other basic necessities as major pressures on households.

Calls for broader economic measures

Beyond salary increases, the TUC urged governments at all levels to take practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.

It also called for the timely payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs and stronger action against exploitative labour practices.

The union further advocated renewed efforts to strengthen the productive sector and create decent employment opportunities.

The disagreement adds another dimension to ongoing discussions between the government and organised labour over workers’ welfare, wage adjustments and the economic pressures facing Nigerians.

The Daily Reality