Former Deputy Senate President and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, Ovie Omo-Agege, has issued a stern warning to anyone planning to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 general elections. Omo-Agege gave the warning during his campaign flag-off in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, declaring that anyone who attempts to rig the election would face severe consequences. He insisted that Nigerians would no longer tolerate electoral fraud or allow their votes to be stolen, warning that those involved in ballot manipulation would be held accountable. “It’s rig and die. Anybody who tries to rig the 2027 election will face the consequences. We will not allow anyone to steal our votes,” Omo-Agege declared. The NDC candidate also alleged that his campaign, family and supporters had been subjected to intimidation and attacks. He called on security agencies and the international community to closely monitor political activities in Delta State to ensure a peaceful, free and fair electoral process. Omo-Agege expressed confidence that the NDC would defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State in the 2027 elections. He urged his supporters to intensify mobilisation efforts in support of his senatorial ambition and other candidates of the party ahead of the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is deploying artificial intelligence to verify electronically entered election results against scanned result sheets before they are uploaded, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The initiative is aimed at reducing human errors and enhancing transparency in the electoral process, amid growing concerns that AI-generated misinformation, manipulated videos and cloned voices could erode voters’ confidence in the credibility of elections. The Director of Information and Communication Technology at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Lawrence Bayode, has disclosed that the commission is developing a framework to guide the responsible use of artificial intelligence in Nigeria’s electoral process. Bayode made this known at the launch of the AI for Elections Programme and Hackathon, organised by Rise Networks in Abuja on Thursday. He said INEC had established an Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department to oversee the adoption of the technology. Explaining how the system would work, Bayode said it would compare electronically entered election result figures with scanned result sheets and flag any discrepancies for resolution before the results are uploaded. “If the electronically entered figures are consistent with the scanned results, the system allows the results to be uploaded automatically to the portal,” he said. According to him, the initiative is designed to improve efficiency, minimise human error and ensure that results published on INEC’s portal accurately reflect figures recorded at polling units. However, Bayode cautioned that technological innovation in the electoral process must not undermine security, operational stability or public confidence. He urged developers participating in the programme to work with publicly available or authorised data without exposing critical election infrastructure. Also speaking at the event, Meta’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, said the growing use of artificial intelligence had made it increasingly difficult for citizens to distinguish authentic information from manipulated content, posing fresh challenges to electoral integrity. “Elections are decided by voters. Voters make decisions based on what they believe, and what they believe depends on what they can trust,” Dada said. The convener of the programme, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, said the initiative would bring together developers, researchers, journalists, election experts and civil society organisations to develop practical technology-driven solutions to electoral challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections. She explained that the programme builds on the development of Run-Am, an artificial intelligence-powered misinformation detection and fact-checking application created for Nigeria’s 2023 elections. According to her, the new initiative would focus on trustworthy electoral information, data analysis, inclusive and multilingual civic technology, cybersecurity, election observation and citizen accountability. The programme will also feature an AI Innovations Development Hub and a Community of Practice to support promising solutions beyond the hackathon. Applications opened on Thursday, October 22, and will close on November 12, 2026. Nigerians aged 18 and above are eligible to participate either individually or in teams of up to four members. The competition offers a total prize pool of N10 million, with N4 million for the overall winner, N2.5 million for the second-place winner and N1.5 million for the third-place winner. Four additional special awards worth N500,000 each will also be presented. Professor Victor Odumuyiwa of the University of Lagos called on INEC to prioritise locally developed technological solutions, arguing that Nigerian developers were better positioned to understand and address the country’s electoral challenges. “We understand our context, we know the problems, and we are the ones best placed to solve them,” he said. Lawyer Tsema Ede, who discussed the legal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence in elections, said the technology could support voter education, electoral malpractice monitoring and cybersecurity but stressed the need for safeguards against abuse. The organisers emphasised that the programme would remain non-partisan, excluding projects intended to influence voters’ preferences or interfere with electoral administration. They also prohibited unauthorised testing of live electoral systems, clarifying that winning the competition would not automatically grant participants permission to deploy their innovations operationally. The initiative is expected to culminate in a national grand finale in Lagos on December 16, followed by technical support for selected innovations.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened possible nationwide action following the breakdown of negotiations with the Federal Government over workers’ welfare, petrol prices and other labour demands. The warning came after a meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, ended without an agreement on the outstanding issues. The NLC has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, to demonstrate meaningful progress on its demands, warning that its relevant organs would decide the next course of action if the next meeting fails to produce concrete commitments. The congress also directed its affiliate unions, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising members ahead of possible nationwide action. In a statement issued after the meeting by its Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, the NLC expressed disappointment over what it described as the government delegation’s lack of preparedness for the negotiations. According to the congress, organised labour approached the meeting in good faith but left without securing any concrete commitments from the government. The demands include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures, and resolution of the terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). Labour also called for the resolution of demands by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) concerning peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances. The NLC alleged that the government delegation lacked the necessary authority to engage meaningfully on the issues presented during the meeting. “The meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour, convened at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on 22nd October 2026, has ended without resolution,” the statement said. The NLC said the Minister of Labour had requested an adjournment until October 27 to allow the government to adequately prepare for a more productive meeting, including bringing relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to the negotiations. The congress reiterated its commitment to dialogue but stressed that it would not tolerate indefinite delays in addressing workers’ demands. “We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” it said. The NLC urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while directing its affiliate unions, state councils and civil society allies to prepare for possible industrial action. “However, we urge all affiliates of NLC and TUC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government,” the statement added. The October 27 meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for the Federal Government and organised labour to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent an escalation of industrial tensions. While the NLC maintained that it remained committed to negotiations, its mobilisation directive signals the possibility of a wider labour dispute if the next meeting fails to produce meaningful progress.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has explained why vaccines are unavailable for the ongoing Ebola outbreak spreading across parts of Africa, alleging that international partners have treated the disease as an African problem. The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday. Kaseya suggested that the response would have been different if the outbreak had occurred in Western countries. “If this outbreak was in Western countries, vaccines would already be available,” he said. WAFFI TV reports that the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Kaseya explained that, unlike the Ebola strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West African epidemic, which has an approved vaccine known as Ervebo, the Bundibugyo strain has no licensed vaccine. He disclosed that the Africa CDC had initiated clinical trials for new vaccine candidates, including a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain manufactured in Egypt. According to him, the ongoing outbreak is the most geographically widespread in history, affecting three regions of Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo alone recording more than 9,500 infections and approximately 4,600 deaths. Nigeria confirmed its first case of the outbreak on Tuesday involving a woman who arrived in the country from Uganda on October 3. Since the confirmation, 44 contacts of the infected woman have been placed under monitoring as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent further transmission.

Former Fulham goalkeeper John Vaughan has died at the age of 62, with tributes pouring in from clubs where he made his mark as a player and goalkeeping coach. Fulham announced his death in a statement published on its official X account on Thursday, expressing condolences to his family, friends and former teammates. Vaughan spent two seasons at Craven Cottage from 1986 to 1988, making 44 league appearances after joining the club from West Ham United. He initially established himself as Fulham’s first-choice goalkeeper before losing his place following Jim Stannard’s arrival. During his spell with the London club, Vaughan was named Supporters’ Player of the Year. However, he was also between the posts when Fulham suffered a heavy 10-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Littlewoods Cup. After leaving Fulham in 1988, Vaughan moved to Cambridge United, where he enjoyed the most successful chapter of his playing career. He spent five seasons with Cambridge, making 231 appearances across all competitions and helping the club achieve consecutive promotions between 1989 and 1991. Vaughan subsequently represented Charlton Athletic, Preston North End and Lincoln City before retiring from professional football. He later transitioned into coaching, specialising in goalkeeping development and working with several clubs, including York City, Macclesfield Town, Grimsby Town, Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Barnsley and Bradford City. At the time of his death, Vaughan was serving as an academy coach at Sheffield United, continuing his involvement in the development of young footballers. Fulham expressed sympathy to his loved ones, while Cambridge United also honoured the former goalkeeper, recognising his important contribution during one of the most memorable periods in the club’s history.

Africa’s technology sector is increasingly focused on moving beyond digital talent development to building innovative products, sustainable businesses and solutions that address the continent’s most urgent challenges. This was the key message at the recently concluded Inspire Africa Conference, organised by the Innovate Africa Foundation (IAF), which attracted more than 600 product managers, startup founders, corporate executives and technology leaders. Participants from across Africa’s technology, financial services, telecommunications, education and startup sectors explored how the continent can develop products that address real-world problems, build sustainable businesses and generate measurable economic impact. For IAF, achieving this goal requires nurturing a new generation of product leaders who can transform ideas into practical solutions with strong commercial potential. Demonstrating its commitment to this vision, the Foundation awarded full scholarships to more than 400 aspiring product managers and product builders, providing them with industry mentorship, hands-on training, professional coaching and networking opportunities with established players in the technology ecosystem. The growing recognition of product development as a driver of business competitiveness was further highlighted by the continued backing of Paga and Interswitch, both of which supported the conference for the third consecutive year. Senior representatives from the Mastercard Foundation, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Lagos Business School and other institutional stakeholders also attended the event, underscoring the importance of collaboration among policymakers, technology providers, talent developers and institutions in expanding economic opportunities. At the executive level, the closed-door Chief Product Officer (CPO) and C-Suite Summit, led by Christian Idiodi of Silicon Valley Product Group, brought together senior leaders from organisations including Nedbank, Absa, Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC, MTN and Paga. Discussions centred on how businesses can move away from prioritising additional product features and instead focus on solutions that deliver tangible commercial results. Executives examined how a more disciplined approach to product strategy could help companies minimise inefficient research and development spending, test ideas before making significant investments and strengthen collaboration among business, technology and product teams. The conference also provided more than 100 startup founders with practical insights into achieving product-market fit, building ventures and expanding operations in challenging economic conditions. An additional highlight was a Canva workshop, which demonstrated how artificial intelligence can accelerate product development. Participants explored Canva’s AI-powered tools to develop prototypes, experiment with ideas and assess concepts before committing resources to coding. The sessions reinforced a key principle for both startups and established businesses: validating ideas early can reduce development risks, limit unnecessary spending and make innovation more effective. Beyond the conference, IAF is seeking to expand the initiative’s reach across the continent. The Foundation has announced plans to take the 2027 edition of the Inspire Africa Conference to four major African technology hubs: Lagos, Cape Town, Nairobi and Casablanca. The planned expansion is aimed at building a continent-wide network connecting product developers, enterprises, technology firms, investors and institutions to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. As the continent’s digital economy evolves, the challenge is increasingly about more than producing people with technical knowledge. It is about equipping innovators with the skills and resources to develop products that meet market needs and attract paying customers in Africa and internationally. Through the Inspire Africa Conference, the Innovate Africa Foundation is positioning itself to help bridge that gap by promoting product leadership, commercial innovation and the development of solutions capable of delivering lasting economic value.

Nigerian Afrobeats singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed that he deliberately avoids showing off his wealth and success on social media to prevent putting pressure on young people who look up to him. Speaking in an interview with Jam FM, the 26-year-old artiste explained that many young people admire him and aspire to achieve the level of success he has attained. Rema said he recognises his influence as a role model and is therefore mindful of how his lifestyle may affect those who see him as an inspiration. He noted that excessive displays of wealth could make some young people feel inadequate or pressured to achieve success before their time. According to the singer, everyone has their own journey, but some people feel compelled to rush their progress when they see others of their age doing well. He explained that although some people have advised him not to worry about how his lifestyle might affect others, he remains cautious because his intentions could be misunderstood. “I care about the kids who are under pressure,” Rema said, adding that parental expectations also contribute to the pressure many young people face. He observed that some parents compare their children with others and push them into studying courses they have little interest in, simply because they want them to secure well-paying jobs. The singer stressed that he does not want young people to rush their lives or put unnecessary pressure on themselves because of his achievements. Rema also attributed his preference for simple fashion, particularly streetwear, to his desire to avoid excessive displays of luxury. He said he rarely wears designer outfits, noting that his chains and watches are among the few expensive items that stand out in his lifestyle.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu of marginalising Bayelsa State, citing concerns over the realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and the exclusion of the state from the President’s campaign itinerary ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party argued that Bayelsa, as a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, deserves fair treatment in federal infrastructure development and political engagement. The Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Prince Mac-Eke, made the allegations while speaking with journalists at the party’s secretariat in Biobolo, Yenagoa. Mac-Eke described Bayelsa as a strategic state in Nigeria’s economic development, stressing that its contributions to the national economy should be matched with adequate infrastructure and other developmental benefits. He said concerns surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project had heightened public apprehension over what he described as the Federal Government’s failure to give the state adequate attention. The NDC spokesman also criticised the exclusion of Bayelsa from Tinubu’s campaign itinerary ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing it as another indication of the administration’s alleged disregard for the state. He said, “To us in the NDC, we are happy he is not campaigning in the state because it gives us ample time to tell our supporters the reasons they should vote for our candidates, who are more credible, qualified, transparent and devoted to fighting corruption.” Mac-Eke expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would enjoy considerable support in Bayelsa, noting that the NDC had established grassroots structures to mobilise voters ahead of the elections. He urged voters to reject vote-buying and evaluate candidates based on their credibility, track records, competence and policy proposals. The party spokesman maintained that the NDC would intensify grassroots mobilisation and direct engagement with residents to secure support for its candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has prohibited its personnel from providing escorts for politicians during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. The directive was issued by the Zonal Commanding Officer of RS6, ACM Abimbola Owolabi, during her maiden visit to the Cross River Command in Calabar on Wednesday. Owolabi stated that patrol vehicles and sirens must not be deployed for political activities or private engagements, including weddings and funeral processions. She directed officers assigned to campaign venues to concentrate solely on traffic management to prevent congestion and road crashes. The zonal commander warned personnel against leading political convoys or providing escorts for politicians, stressing that official vehicles must not be used for unauthorised activities. She also urged officers to intensify public enlightenment on road safety, noting that sustained awareness campaigns would help reduce road crashes and support efforts to achieve zero fatalities. Owolabi cautioned personnel against extortion, corruption and other forms of unprofessional conduct, emphasising the need to protect the reputation of the corps through accountability. “Misconduct by patrol operators and other personnel undermines public confidence in the corps. Officers must be extremely accountable across operational units,” she said. The zonal commander further advised officers to prioritise their safety during enforcement operations and avoid unnecessary confrontations that could result in assaults, injuries or damage to their uniforms. She urged personnel to demonstrate professionalism and exercise discretion when dealing with motorists, particularly in volatile situations that could escalate into violence. Owolabi also called for stronger collaboration with private operators to ensure the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles from highways and the swift clearance of traffic obstructions. She emphasised the importance of timely emergency response, effective rescue operations and intensified patrols to reduce road crashes and fatalities. Owolabi cautioned personnel against extortion, corruption and other forms of unprofessional conduct, emphasising the need to protect the reputation of the corps through accountability. “Misconduct by patrol operators and other personnel undermines public confidence in the corps. Officers must be extremely accountable across operational units,” she said. The zonal commander further advised officers to prioritise their safety during enforcement operations and avoid unnecessary confrontations that could result in assaults, injuries or damage to their uniforms. She urged personnel to demonstrate professionalism and exercise discretion when dealing with motorists, particularly in volatile situations that could escalate into violence. Owolabi also called for stronger collaboration with private operators to ensure the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles from highways and the swift clearance of traffic obstructions. She emphasised the importance of timely emergency response, effective rescue operations and intensified patrols to reduce road crashes and fatalities. “I urge FRSC personnel to maintain high standards of service delivery, process official correspondence carefully and ensure requests for operational support are properly documented,” she said. The zonal commander encouraged officers to prioritise their health and make use of the National Health Insurance Scheme, stressing that good health was essential for effective service delivery. She also appealed to the wives of FRSC personnel under the Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) to support their husbands in carrying out their responsibilities effectively and safeguarding lives.