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Datti Baba-Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says only God can stop President Bola Tinubu from winning the 2027 presidential election. He spoke in an interview with TrustTV while discussing the growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections as well as the records of the presidential candidates. Datti said he did not agree with Tinubu’s policies but acknowledged the president’s ability to build political alliances and organise over many years. He said Tinubu spent about 16 years building a political structure and played a key role in bringing former President Muhammadu Buhari into an alliance ahead of the 2015 election. “Even though I don’t entirely agree with him, he did what others were not able to do. He organised for 16 years, not just plan,” he said. “He organised for 16 years against all odds, he brought in Buhari from retirement. Buhari is from across the Niger. He stood for that.” According to Datti, Tinubu’s ability to pursue difficult and unconventional political strategies was central to his success in the 2023 election. He contrasted this with Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the former vice-president may not have been able to pursue a similar strategy because of resistance from those around him. Datti described Tinubu’s 2023 victory as an extraordinary political feat, saying the president had effectively “won a lottery with 16 digits”. Datti also described Tinubu as having an overwhelming grip on Nigeria’s political space, saying the president had “overpowered almost everyone”. Datti claimed the opposition was disorganised and suggested that Tinubu had enough influence to prevent other political parties from uniting against him. “He (Tinubu) will not allow them (opposition) to come together. He probably actually chooses candidates in the opposition parties. He installs leadership in those political parties. He does what you and I cannot imagine,” Datti said. “If Tinubu says something will happen, only God Almighty can stop it. If he says to be declared in 2027, only God Almighty can stop it. I’m telling you this. Asked whether his assessment was a compliment or criticism, Datti said it was open to interpretation. “It is anybody’s business to interpret it anyhow. I only state the facts. And the fact is Nigeria now belongs to Tinubu,” he said. Recently, Datti, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in 2023, said none of Tinubu’s opponents in the 2027 presidential election has the capacity to move the country forward.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says the sexual offence case involving Poco Lee, the Nigerian dancer, remains active in the United Kingdom. The Snaresbrook Crown Court in the UK has disclosed that the dancer, born Iweh Pascal Odinaka, is being charged with attempted r^pe, two counts of r^pe and two counts of assault by penetration. James Baker, the court’s admin team lead, also confirmed that the case is listed for plea and trial preparation on September 15. But rumours started to circulate online on Friday that the dancer had been freed from the UK prison and that the complainant had either withdrawn from the case or reached an out-of-court settlement. Pamilerin Adegoke, the social media influencer, revealed that Poco Lee had regained his freedom after weeks in custody. In a post via X, Adegoke wrote “Poco Lee is out”. Another user identifed as Benny also alleged that Burna Boy and Rahman Jago played a key role in securing in Poco Lee’s freedom. “Breaking: Poco Lee is now released. All thanks to Burna Boy and Rahman Jago tirelessly behind the scenes,” Benny wrote. As of the time of this report, these claims have not been independently verified by the UK court, and Poco Lee’s management has not officially confirmed his release. But in a response to an inquiry from PUNCH, the CPS press office stated that the matter has not been dropped and that Odinaka is still expected to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on the scheduled date. “This case is still live, and Odinaka is still set to appear for a PTPH at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September 2026,” the service said. Poco Lee’s management earlier dismissed claims that drink-spiking was included among the alleged r^pe charges against him in the UK. They added that they would provide more updates on the case through official channels as appropriate. TG Omori and Rahman Jago, two associates of Poco Lee, also expressed dismay over the situation, describing him as one of the “purest souls” he had ever met.

Bismarck Rewane, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), says the initial public offering (IPO) of Dangote refinery will nurture an investment culture among Nigerians, offering a “surer bet of getting revenues and dividends than gambling”. Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Rewane said the target of attracting 10 million investors to the IPO would give the refinery one of the largest shareholder bases in the world, making it a significant milestone for the company. “If you can get 10 million shareholders to participate in the IPO, the Dangote refinery will have the largest number of shareholders in the world. But that doesn’t mean the value of the investment,” the CEO said. “But it is significant as we are developing and nurturing an investment culture amongst Nigerians who, before now, spent almost 20 to 30 percent of their income at the bottom of the pyramid on gambling and on betting for football.” Rewane said investing in the refinery would offer Nigerians an alternative to gambling, as investors would be putting their money into an asset that is identifiable. “It offers a surer bet of getting revenues and dividends than the 0.0001 probability that you will get a football match or a wrestling battle,” he said. “The difference between a gambling act, a lottery act, and an investment is that in one case, you are investing based on known parameters. On the other one, you are actually just gambling and taking a chance.” ‘N5,000 DANGOTE REFINERY SHARES BETTER THAN SELLING PVC FOR N15,000’ Comparing the projected 10 million shareholders with the number of Nigerians who voted in the 2023 general election, the economist said the IPO could also democratise Nigeria’s market and economic process by giving more Nigerians an opportunity to own shares. He said Nigerians would be better off investing their money in shares than selling their permanent voter cards (PVCs) for short-term financial gains. “One is more, has a greater impact, that is the democratisation of the market process, and that you are better off with your N5,000 share than selling your PVC for N10,000 or N15,000 and consuming it,” Rewane said. “This is an investment which would translate itself in a matter of two to three years to something as much as almost N300,000, if I’m right.“ The FDC chief said the refinery’s IPO would also diversify its shareholding and give more Nigerians an opportunity to participate in what he described as Africa’s largest IPO. “This is a great investment opportunity, and it’s going to nurture investment culture for Nigerians,” he said. “And, if you look at the 10 largest refineries in the world, not one of them is in Africa. So this gives an opportunity for Dangute refinery to be a hub for refining and marketing refined products for the whole of central and west Africa.” Rewane described the IPO as a “compelling investment opportunity” that could generate returns for investors while increasing tax revenue for the government. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals officially signed its IPO documents with investment banks and financial advisers on September 7, ahead of its proposed opening on September 14. The offer, expected to close on October 13, has a minimum subscription of 10 shares, meaning investors can participate with N5,250, at an offer price of N525 per share.

Bamanga Tukur, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has died at the age of 90. Tukur died on Saturday, three days before his 91st birthday, his family announced. Born on September 15, 1935, in Adamawa state, Tukur was a politician, businessman, administrator and elder statesman who held several prominent positions in Nigeria’s public and private sectors. He served as governor of the old Gongola state during the Second Republic after being elected in 1982. His tenure was cut short by the military coup of December 1983. Tukur also served as minister of industries under the military administration of Sani Abacha between 1993 and 1995. Before becoming governor, he was general manager and chief executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he served from 1975 to 1982. He was elected national chairman of the PDP in March 2012 and held the position until 2014. Beyond politics, Tukur was involved in business and continental economic affairs. He founded BHI Holdings, also known as Daddo Group, and was a founder, former president, and life patron of the Africa Business Roundtable. He also served as chairman of the NEPAD Business Group and became the first African vice-president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH). Tukur obtained a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States and was later awarded an honorary doctorate in law by Benue State University, Makurdi. He held the traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa state.

The death toll from suspected alcohol poisoning in two communities in Ondo state has risen to 30, with 60 recorded cases. Banji Ajaka, the state commissioner for health, gave the update on Friday in Akure, saying three people were currently receiving treatment in hospitals while 27 others remained under medical observation. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 5, in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu after residents reportedly consumed an herbal liquid substance. Some of those affected allegedly became unconscious before dying at different locations. Ajaka said the cases were recorded mainly in Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga communities, with 95 percent of those affected being males aged between 16 and 55. He said those affected presented symptoms including headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some patients deteriorating rapidly. “The pattern of illness and reported history of exposure have raised strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance,” Ajaka said. “However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths.” The commissioner said 36 blood and urine samples had been collected for laboratory analysis, while samples of the suspected alcoholic substances had also been submitted for toxicological investigations. He said the investigation was being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies, adding that several suspects had been taken into custody. As part of measures to prevent further cases, the state government has imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic herbal beverages in Odigbo LGA. Ajaka urged residents to avoid alcoholic products from unlicensed sources and seek immediate medical attention if they develop blurred vision, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol. He also appealed to residents and community leaders to promptly report unusual illnesses and sudden deaths to health authorities.