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TY Danjuma’s Nephew, David Dinshiya, Declares Bid for Taraba Governorship in 2027

By Yakubu Tsotsi Uk, Jalingo

Hon. David Usman Dinshiya, a nephew of elder statesman and former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), has formally declared his intention to run for governor of Taraba State in the 2027 election.

Dinshiya made the declaration in Jalingo, stating that he would contest under the Peoples Democratic Party on the platform aligned with the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party in the state.

The announcement brings the Danjuma family name back into the center of Taraba’s political conversation ahead of the next electoral cycle. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s military and political history, hails from Taraba and remains an influential voice in the state and nationally.

Speaking at the event, Dinshiya said his decision was driven by a desire to address what he described as gaps in development, youth unemployment, and security challenges facing the state. He pledged to run a campaign focused on unity, economic revitalization, and improved governance if given the party’s mandate.

The 2027 Taraba governorship race is expected to draw multiple contenders from both the PDP and opposition parties. Party primaries have not yet been scheduled, and the PDP’s national leadership has not commented on the state-level factional alignments.

Dinshiya’s entry adds to the list of early aspirants positioning themselves for the race more than a year before the election. Political observers note that family connections and factional structures within the PDP in Taraba are likely to shape the contest in the months ahead.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja to begin serving his prison sentence following his conviction for corruption and money laundering.

The transfer was carried out after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that Mamman be handed over to prison authorities on Tuesday. The order followed his presentation before the court by the EFCC, which also sought further forfeiture of properties linked to him.

Mamman was earlier convicted and sentenced to a total of 75 years in prison on multiple counts relating to the diversion of about ₦33.8 billion meant for major power projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric schemes. The court ruled that the sentences on the various counts would run consecutively, leading to the cumulative 75-year term.

He was sentenced on May 13, 2026, but was not immediately in custody after the judgment, prompting the EFCC to later track and present him before the court for formal committal to prison custody.

With the latest court order, Mamman has now been officially received at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he will commence serving his sentence pending any further legal proceedings or appeals.

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Moniepoint commits ₦3b to establish innovation hubs in OAU, others

Nigeria’s leading financial technology company, Moniepoint, has announced a landmark ₦3 billion investment to establish world-class innovation hubs in three foremost Nigerian universities — Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Nigeria, Nsuka.

The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint, Tosin Eniolorunda, during the official launch of the initiative at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Monday.

Speaking at the event, Eniolorunda explained that the initiative was conceived to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical industry application, particularly in the fields of engineering, technology, innovation and the digital economy.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the vision was inspired by Eniolorunda’s personal academic journey as a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University and his commitment to giving back to institutions that nurture future innovators and nation-builders.

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Army Arrests Suspected Recruitment Fraudster Over ₦3.6m Scam in Taraba

The Headquarters of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army has arrested a suspected recruitment fraudster accused of defrauding members of the public of over ₦3.6 million under the guise of securing enlistment into the Nigerian Army.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Felix Yadeh, 51, was apprehended by members of a local vigilante group at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State and later handed over to troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly collected a total of ₦3,627,000 from unsuspecting victims while falsely promising them recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.

The Army said the suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation that his younger brother instructed him to collect the money as purported recruitment fees for enlistment into the service.

Items recovered from the suspect included one Infinix Android mobile phone and ₦3,050 cash.

The statement noted that the suspect and the recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue to uncover the full scope of the alleged fraud and identify possible accomplices.

Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops and the local vigilante group for their vigilance and swift response that led to the arrest.

He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to tackling criminal activities and warned Nigerians against falling prey to individuals claiming they can facilitate recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money.

The Brigade stressed that recruitment into the Nigerian Army is free, transparent, and strictly merit-based, urging members of the public to report suspicious persons involved in extortion, impersonation, or recruitment scams to security agencies.

The operation, according to the Army, forms part of ongoing efforts directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuibu, to eliminate criminality, extortion, and fraudulent activities across the country.

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APC Assured Me Of An Automatic Ticket Before Joining The Party, But That Promise Was Broken" — Sen. Ned Nwoko

Senator Ned Nwoko (representing Delta North) publicly accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of breaking a pre-defection agreement. He stated that before he joined the APC, the party's former national leadership guaranteed him an automatic ticket, an assurance that was subsequently ignored when he was forced to compete in the primary elections.

In a media briefing and interview on Arise News, Nwoko explained that he had held meetings with the party's then-National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, and other leaders. He was assured of an automatic ticket and a power-sharing formula to integrate his faction. However, these agreements failed to materialize after a change in party dynamics.

He however rejected the outcome. He claimed to have won in 98 wards with sufficient video evidence. He further alleged that election results from a single ward were controversially manipulated to subvert his victory.

State APC stakeholders, such as Delta APC Chairman Hon. Norbert Sochukwudinma, criticized Nwoko's stance. They argued that Nwoko stayed away from grassroots structures after joining the party and that leadership requires active community engagement rather than relying on assumed entitlements.

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Just In: Taraba Ex-Governor Rev. Jolly T. Nyame meet with PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Taraba State governorship election, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha CON Esq ahead of the coming 2027 election

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Troops Arrest 21 Suspected Drug Peddlers In Abia Community

Troops of the 144 Battalion (Rear) under Operation Eastern Sanity have recorded a major operational breakthrough following a coordinated joint raid that led to the arrest of 21 suspected illicit drug peddlers at Owaza Mammy Market in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday, May 25, 2026, was based on credible intelligence indicating the alleged activities of crude oil bunkerers, illegal petroleum dealers, pipeline vandals, and illicit drug traffickers operating within the market and surrounding bushes.

In a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Abia State, Mazinho Attah, the operation involved troops of the 144 Battalion (Rear) working in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy Component and the Nigerian Air Force 511 Quick Response Group.

According to the statement, security operatives executed a well-coordinated raid by swiftly cordoning off the market and adjoining suspected criminal hideouts before conducting an extensive search operation.

The raid led to the arrest of 21 suspects allegedly found in possession of large quantities of illicit substances, including Indian h**p, rizzlers, and suspected hard drugs commonly referred to as “ice.”

Security operatives also recovered the sum of N103,000 believed to be linked to the suspected illegal activities.

The arrested suspects are currently undergoing preliminary profiling and are expected to be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Nigerian Army stated that aggressive patrols and area domination operations have continued across the general area to deny criminal elements operational freedom.

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Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar Goodluck Jonathan From 2027 Presidential Race, Fines Plaintiff ₦20M

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, affirming that he remains constitutionally eligible to run.

In its ruling on a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Justice Peter Lifu held that earlier judicial decisions by both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already settled the question of Jonathan’s eligibility to seek another presidential term.

The court consequently dismissed the suit for lacking merit and imposed a ₦20 million fine on the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, for instituting what it described as an unmeritorious

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present in court during the judgment delivery.

The suit had sought a perpetual injunction to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party or being listed as a presidential candidate for the 2027 election, as well as to stop INEC from accepting his nomination.

The ruling comes amid heightened political speculation over Jonathan’s possible return to active politics, especially after reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had granted him a waiver and automatic presidential ticket.

Jonathan had earlier told supporters that he would consult widely before making any decision on a possible 2027 run, describing the presidency as a serious responsibility.

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Victor Osimhen: “I left home with a backpack and 2 pairs of clothes. The one I was wearing, and a green kit in my bag. We drove to Abuja in the oldest car you can imagine, and we arrived at midnight.

The next morning, the sun came up, and I saw 1 million kids with a dream.

Maybe 1 million is an exaggeration, but not by much. There must have been 900 kids waiting outside this stadium. The first day, I didn’t even get on the pitch. The second day, one of the coaches finally pointed at me.

‘Green shirt. Let’s go. You have 15 minutes.’

Just 15 minutes to change my life. I knew that the only way to impress them was to run. So I ran until I was sweating blood.

I ended up scoring 2 goals in 15 minutes.

I thought that maybe I had a chance. But then the coaches got on a microphone, and they addressed the crowd. They called out some names, and I did not hear my name. Everybody started walking to the parking lot.

My dream was dead. I was just about to get in the car when I heard people shouting.

‘Hey! Hey! The guy in green!’

Huh???

I turned around, and some kids were waving to me.

I pointed to my chest, like in the movies.

Me???

I looked behind me.

‘The guy in green!’

Lucky green.

I ran back over to them, and they said, ‘Hey, the coach wants to see you. The team doctor told him you were the guy who scored two goals. Are you the guy?’

I said, ‘I’m the guy!!! I’M THE GUY!!!!’

I went back into the stadium and the doctor was pointing at me and holding up two fingers.

He said, ‘That’s the kid.’

Two fingers saved me.

If the team doctor didn’t do that, I would not be a footballer today. I would probably be at the bottom of a well.”

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will today, May 26, 2026, deliver its judgment in a suit seeking the disqualification of a former President, Goodluck Jonathan, from the 2027 presidential race.

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