Shettima Calls Obi Cheap Alcohol Seller + Police Busts Cybercrime Gang + Ex-INEC Warns On Rigging

Anchor: Anieze Akinola Vice President, Kashim Shettima criticised NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi at an APC rally in Akure, Ondo State, questioning his grasp of Nigeria's economy and his record as Anambra governor. Shettima also highlighted increased federal allocations to Ondo and defended the administration's investments in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and power. Meanwhile, Obi visited survivors and families affected by the 2025 Yelewata attacks in Benue State, where 271 people were reportedly killed, paying tribute at a memorial wall and pledging to help prevent a recurrence. This follows an allegation by the NDC governorship candidate that the Benue State Government tried to stop the visit, which the state denies. In Imo State, an event centre in Owerri has reportedly been marked for possible demolition days after hosting Obi's NDC town hall. A notice attributed to the state government demanded title documents and proof of ground rent payment within 48 hours, prompting online speculation that the venue is being targeted. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike said at a stakeholders' meeting in Abaji, Abuja that Obi should be elected president of social media, and accused him of avoiding difficult situations. Police say they have uncovered phone farms allegedly used to manipulate online conversations ahead of the 2027 elections, with hundreds of phones and automated accounts amplifying selected narratives. A suspect has also been arrested over false reports about a South-South political candidate. Concurrently, a former INEC presiding officer urged voters to ensure results are uploaded through BVAS while internet is available. INEC has explained that results that fail to upload due to network problems are queued and transmitted once connectivity returns. A security official's claim that police officers, soldiers and other personnel deployed to polling units do not get to vote has also renewed calls to find a way for them to exercise their voting rights. In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo says he is ready to sign death warrants for kidnappers, even if a relative were convicted. Under the state's anti-kidnapping law, kidnapping that results in a victim's death attracts the death penalty. In Delta State, police say they have dismantled a criminal syndicate called Hustlers Kingdom, accused of luring young men with fake job offers into internet fraud and punishing those who missed targets with axes and machetes. Several young men were rescued and one suspect is in custody. In Osun State, the Oloyan of Oyan accused the state government of failing to pay stipends to traditional rulers and chiefs for several months, affecting over a dozen obas and hundreds of chiefs. Governor Ademola Adeleke is yet to respond. Also, South-West traditional rulers endorsed President Bola Tinubu's re-election after a meeting at the Olubadan's Palace in Ibadan, backing the removal of fuel subsidy and calling for the presidency to remain in the South in 2027. In New Jersey, Nigerian-born lawyer, Shirley Emehelu was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor, the first immigrant to hold the office. She moved to the US at age three, studied law at Yale and served as a federal prosecutor and Acting Secretary of State, and the state now has women serving as governor and lieutenant governor at the same time. Finally, we remember Princess Omobola Ademoroti, known as Mobi, a former THISDAY and Arise UK colleague who died last month aged 44 from a brain aneurysm. A Service of Songs and Night of Tributes holds this evening in London ahead of her funeral service tomorrow. She is survived by her husband, two children and siblings. KashimShettima PeterObi BolaTinubu APC NDC Akure OndoState Yelewata BenueState Owerri ImoState NyesomWike PhoneFarms Disinformation INEC BVAS Election2027 MondayOkpebholo Kidnapping DeltaState HustlersKingdom OsunState AdemolaAdeleke TraditionalRulers Olubadan ShirleyEmehelu NewJersey PrincessOmobolaAdemoroti AriseNews THISDAY AriseUK NigeriaNews TrendingNews WhatsTrending AniezeOsakwe Subscribe to our Channel for high profile interviews. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ARISEtv | and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arisenewsofficial | and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AriseTVNews | Check out our website www.arise.tv