2026

A former staunch supporter of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Chijioke Ihunwo, has explained his decision to join the Rainbow Coalition aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Ihunwo said his decision was not a betrayal of Fubara but a response to the governor’s call for peace and political reconciliation in the state. Speaking on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, Ihunwo said he remained loyal to Fubara and was simply following the governor’s directive to embrace peace and move forward. He said, “If we truly support him, we should join him in the Rainbow Coalition,” adding that his loyalty to the governor remained unchanged. Ihunwo, a former caretaker chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, had previously criticised Wike’s political camp and accused it of attempting to destabilise Rivers State. However, he said political alliances could change, noting that “in politics anything can happen.” He maintained that his current position was based on his principal’s instruction to sheathe their swords and work for peace. Addressing claims that he and other allies gave Fubara poor political advice during the Rivers crisis, Ihunwo rejected the allegation, saying he had a personal relationship with the governor and acted according to his convictions at the time. He also dismissed calls for him to apologise to Wike and other political figures over his actions during the crisis, and declined to revisit specific incidents, saying the focus should now be on peace and moving forward. Ihunwo said he would work with Wike’s supporters in Obio/Akpor ahead of the 2027 elections, following Fubara’s instructions to ensure the Rainbow Coalition succeeds in Rivers State. He further maintained that he had no regrets about his actions during the political crisis, insisting that his loyalty remained with Fubara and that he would continue to follow the governor’s directives.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded a retired Department of State Services officer, Ihechimere Ezeakolam, at the Kuje Correctional Centre after he was arraigned on terrorism-related charges linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. Ezeakolam was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Muhammed Umar on four counts bordering on alleged support for IPOB, membership of the organisation and the use of social media to promote its activities. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Following his plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the case. Justice Umar adjourned the matter until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that Ezeakolam remain in Kuje Correctional Centre. According to the prosecution, Ezeakolam allegedly supported IPOB between 2025 and 2026 by providing what it described as moral assistance and sharing messages online in support of the group. He was also accused of joining IPOB in Abia State during the same period. In another count, the prosecution alleged that he knowingly aided and encouraged the group by posting social media messages allegedly intended to persuade members of the public to support IPOB. The final charge accused him of posting and making available online messages allegedly aimed at advancing the activities of the proscribed organisation. The charges were brought under provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. The defendant has denied the allegations by pleading not guilty, and the case will proceed to trial on the scheduled date.

The family of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu has renewed concerns about his health, urging authorities to ensure he continues to receive medical care from independent doctors. In a statement issued by Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu family, the family alleged that Kanu’s health deteriorated while in custody due to inadequate medical management before an independent team of doctors was allowed to examine him. According to the statement, Kanu reportedly suffered from critically low potassium levels, poorly controlled hypertension, declining kidney function and heart-related complications. The family claimed independent medical experts described his condition as life-threatening, warning that the low potassium level could have resulted in cardiac arrest. The family said Kanu’s condition improved after an independent medical team led by Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji began treating him. It stated that his potassium level increased from 2.1 mmol/L to 2.9 mmol/L and that symptoms including frequent nosebleeds, dizziness, fainting, swollen feet and persistent headaches became less severe. Despite the reported improvement, the family alleged that members of the medical team have since faced intimidation and scrutiny from regulatory authorities. They called on the relevant agencies to allow the doctors to continue treating Kanu without interference. The family also demanded unrestricted access for his preferred medical practitioners, the withdrawal of disciplinary actions against the doctors, and an independent review of matters relating to his medical records. According to the family, copies of its petition have been forwarded to the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, as well as Nigerian authorities and several international human rights organisations. In a separate petition addressed to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kanu appealed to the association to intervene in matters concerning his healthcare and the welfare of the independent medical professionals attending to him. He noted that issues surrounding his medical treatment and a court-ordered medical examination remain before the Court of Appeal, adding that his appeal to the NMA seeks support for his doctors and continued access to independent healthcare. Kanu also urged the association to engage the relevant authorities, establish an independent oversight mechanism for the healthcare of detainees, and support what he described as his right to adequate medical treatment under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules. Nnamdi Kanu is currently serving a life sentence at the maximum-security Sokoto Correctional Centre in Sokoto State.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a fresh reduction in the ex-depot prices of petrol and diesel after global crude oil prices dropped sharply below $80 per barrel. Under the revised pricing, the refinery cut the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, by ₦50 per litre, bringing it down from ₦1,215 to ₦1,165. The price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) was also reduced by ₦80 per litre, falling from ₦1,650 to ₦1,570. The price adjustment comes as Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, declined by nearly five per cent on Tuesday. The drop followed renewed optimism that the United States and Iran could reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil shipping route. According to reports, discussions between the two countries have made progress, raising hopes that commercial vessels may soon resume normal passage through the strategic waterway. A senior Gulf official reportedly estimated a 50 per cent chance of an agreement being reached before the end of the week. In a statement, Dangote Refinery said the latest price reduction reflects its commitment to making petroleum products more affordable while supporting businesses and economic activities across Nigeria. The company noted that it remains focused on supplying high-quality refined products at competitive prices, adding that it will continue to pass on the benefits of improved operational efficiency to consumers whenever market conditions allow. Dangote also said the refinery continues to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security by reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and increasing local refining capacity. With the new ex-depot rates, retail petrol prices across the country are expected to range between ₦1,200 and ₦1,250 per litre, depending on transportation costs, location and other logistics. Meanwhile, negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz continue to advance. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran and Oman have agreed on the geographical coordinates for a proposed safe shipping route through the waterway. He explained that discussions over the past two months have covered legal, security, environmental and technical issues, adding that both countries are finalising a joint statement outlining the key areas of agreement. Baghaei expressed optimism that the process would be concluded soon, provided there is no interference from external parties.