Nurses threaten night-duty boycott over Akure health centre attack

Following the abduction of several nurses last Saturday at a health centre in Akure, the Ondo State capital, nurses in the state have threatened to withdraw from night duties.

The Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), in the state, Felix Orobode, issued the warning after armed men reportedly invaded Oke Ijebu Health Centre in the heart of Akure, assaulting staff and carting away valuables.

According to Orobode, the attackers stormed the facility in the night and beat staff mercilessly and stole money and other belongings before whisking some of the health workers away.

He added that conflicting reports initially emerged, with some suggesting a kidnapping and rescue operation, while others claimed the victims were later released.

Providing clarity, the union leader said affected staff confirmed they were abandoned by their assailants along Ondo Road after the attack.

“We were told the attackers came in a bus and forced their way into the facility. The staff on duty were beaten and some were taken away.

“When we spoke with the victims, they said they were dropped around Olokuta Prison along Ondo Road. That is what we reliably gathered,” he stated.

This account aligns with information from security sources, including local operatives, who indicated that the victims were not formally rescued but later found after being abandoned by the attackers along the same route.

The ANNM Chair described the incident as a stark indication of worsening insecurity in the state, especially as it occurred in a central area of Akure.

“For this to happen in Okeijebu, the heart of Akure, shows clearly that we are facing serious security challenges,” he said.

The union leader warned that nurses across the state may boycott night shifts if urgent security measures are not implemented, raising fears of a looming disruption in healthcare delivery, particularly during critical overnight hours.

“I want to make this clear: we are not going to wait until our members are kidnapped and we begin to raise ransom. If government fails to secure our facilities nurses will withdraw from night duty across Ondo State,” he declared.

He expressed deep concern over the inadequate security presence at public health facilities, lamenting that many centres are left vulnerable as they rely on elderly, unarmed guards lacking the training and equipment needed to respond to security threats.

You can see the security man here—an elderly man, unarmed, without any security training. That is what we have in most of our facilities,” he said.

Orobode stressed that fear among health workers could severely impact service delivery, as staff may become reluctant to attend to patients during vulnerable hours.

“If health workers are afraid of their lives, how can they give their best to patients? The morale is already affected,” he added.

He said discussions had been initiated with the state commissioner for health and the Akure South local government chairman to address the situation, while the union’s state executive council is expected to take a final decision on the proposed industrial action.

“The government must act now. The primary responsibility of any government is the security of lives and property,” he said.

El-Rufai’s son apologises to Shettima for calling him ‘spineless’

Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a public apology to Vice President Kashim Shettima for a now-deleted social media post in which he described the Vice President as “painfully spineless.”

In a post on X on Sunday, Bashir described his tweet as reckless and expressed admiration for the Vice President.

Tagging Shettima’s handle, El-Rufai wrote, “I want to use this medium to personally apologise to the Vice-President of Nigeria, His Excellency Sir Kashim Shettima, for my old post referring to his person as spineless.

“He is someone I greatly admire and respect. It was a reckless tweet.”

In the original tweet, posted on March 6, 2026, and subsequently deleted, Bashir urged Shettima to take stronger action against alleged corruption at the Presidential Villa.

He wrote, “I like Shettima. He’s just painfully spineless.

“I hope one day he realizes he is positioned in a unique place, and has the ability to take the whole corrupt criminal family system at the Villa down. He has the leverage tbh.”

The apology post gained traction on social media with some users praising Bashir for owning up to the mistake and showing accountability.

Others mocked the retraction, questioning his consistency or suggesting external pressures prompted the reversal.

In replies, Bashir insisted there were “no threats,” saying: “There was no truth in the tweet. It was uncalled for and disrespectful.

“We no dey fear arrest for this side o,” he added.

This episode comes after political fallout involving Nasir El-Rufai, Bashir’s father, and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The ex-Kaduna governor had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following his arrest over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge, with the case adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.

He was, however, reportedly granted release from ICPC custody to attend the funeral of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, whose burial was held on Sunday.

Fear as fire outbreak hits Mayorkun’s Lagos mansion

Concerns have mounted over the safety of popular singer Mayorkun and his family following reports of a devastating fire at his Lagos residence late Saturday night.

The incident reportedly occurred around 9:35 p.m., shortly after the “Eleko” singer returned home from a performance. Sources suggest an explosion triggered the blaze while the singer, his wife, and children were inside the building.

Videos circulating online show a section of the mansion engulfed in flames, sparking a wave of anxiety among fans and colleagues. While emergency responders were seen arriving at the scene, official confirmation of the occupants’ safety and the extent of the damage remains pending.

As news of the fire spreads, social media has been flooded with prayers from well-wishers, many calling for urgent updates on the singer’s and his household’s well-being. 

Fayose predicts end for ADC if Obi loses party ticket

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has predicted the end for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) if Peter Obi doesn’t clinch the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

Speaking to Channels Television on the sidelines of the PDP National Convention, Fayose described Obi, a two-term Anambra State governor, as a great guy.

He said the Obi factor played a crucial role in the 2023 general polls, but argued that the same narrative wouldn’t play out next year.

“If Obi is not on the ballot of ADC, that is the end of ADC. It looks like that now that Obi will not (be on the ballot),” Fayose said.

“Today, Kwankwaso has returned to the party. Atiku will get the ticket. Will Obi go back to be a vice presidential candidate?”

Fayose also ruled out the possibility of Obi returning back to the LP.

“That is impossible; there is a wedge everywhere. Obi is a good, fantastic guy, but to become president at this time is difficult,” the ex-Ekiti governor stated.

Obi, former Anambra State governor, is one of the contenders for the ADC presidential ticket. He dumped the PDP on May 25, 2022, and joined the Labour Party, where he emerged as the party’s flagbearer in the 2023 general elections.

He later lost to President Bola Tinubu, trailing closely behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.

Reacting to Obi’s performance in 2023, Fayose said, “PDP is not Obi. Obi did not ride on the strength of his party.

“If Obi goes to Accord now, he will make some impact more than ADC. We are talking about a person,” the ex-governor said.

PDP Convention

Over 2,000 delegates drawn from across Nigeria are participating in the PDP National Convention holding in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The exercise is being organized by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, although it is believed that the Tanimu Turaki group of the party would boycott the convention.

Many of the delegates, dressed in uniforms bearing the PDP emblem, are seated at the velodrome of the stadium on Sunday.

Many others were seen being accredited and cleared by security operatives at a designated point.

The venue is also adorned with the colours of the party and umbrellas, the symbol of the PDP.

The Chairman of the convention planning committee and former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, told Channels Television that 2,503 delegates, drawn from states across the country, were expected to participate in the exercise.

He confirmed that reconciliation talks would still go on to resolve the crisis rocking the opposition party despite the absence of some PDP leaders.

Oyo Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, Joins Governorship Race

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibarapaland have openly endorsed the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, for the 2027 Governorship race in the State.

This position was made known during a well-attended PDP Ibarapaland Stakeholders’ Zonal Meeting held in Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area.

The meeting, convened primarily to deliberate on the planned visit of Governor Seyi Makinde to the zone, quickly evolved into a strategic political gathering where party leaders and grassroots mobilisers assessed the future of the party in the state.

In a strong show of unity, stakeholders passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin commending his leadership style, loyalty to the party, and contributions to legislative stability in Oyo State.

The endorsement went further, as leaders across the three local government areas in Ibarapaland urged the Speaker to formally declare his intention to contest the governorship election in 2027.

Responding to the overwhelming call, the Speaker appreciated the support and honour given to him by the stakeholders and pledged his readiness to join the governorship race.

Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the endorsement as more than a political gesture, noting that it represents a clarion call from his people in Ibarapaland and the wider populace of Oyo State.

He stated that the overwhelming support reflects the collective aspiration for inclusive governance and reaffirmed his commitment to aligning with the yearnings of the people as he steps forward in the race.

The meeting drew an influential mix of party leaders, government officials, and grassroots politicians.

Among those present were Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju (popularly known as Ibarapakan), representing Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency ; the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo and the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke.

Also in attendance was Alhaji Kamoru Adeyemi, PDP Chairman for Oyo South Senatorial District, alongside the three PDP Local Government Party Chairmen from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, and Ibarapa Central.

The political leadership at the grassroots was fully represented, with the Chairmen of the three local governments, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade (Ibarapa East), Hon. Lateef Akorede (Ibarapa North), and Hon. Olusola Adeleke (Ibarapa Central) all in attendance.

Other notable stakeholders present included Hon. Yemi Taiwo, Hon. Mrs. Funmilayo Orisadeyi, Hon. Moses Ojoawo, Hon. Dimeji Oladapo, Prince Biodun Labiyi, and Barrister Adekanmbi, among others.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, later proceeded to his constituency in Ibarapa East Local Government, where he attended a separate meeting of PDP stakeholders.

At the gathering, party leaders and loyalists reaffirmed their support for his leadership and ongoing consultations, describing his governorship ambition as a reflection of the collective will of the people.

The meeting also served as a platform to strengthen grassroots mobilization and consolidate unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.