FG Releases 2026 Flood Outlook, Warns Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi Among 33 States at High Risk

By: Naija prime media on April 15, 2026 / comment : 0

 The Federal Government has released its 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), warning that flooding is expected to affect Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi, and 28 other states across the country as the rainy season begins.

The flood prediction was unveiled on Wednesday by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, during the public presentation of the AFO held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja. The event was organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) under the theme: “Smart Water Resources Management: Moving from Oil to Water-Based Economy.”

Utsev stressed that early warnings remain crucial in reducing the devastating impact of flooding, noting that timely information saves lives, protects infrastructure, and prevents major economic losses. He explained that the Federal Government is strengthening its flood forecasting capacity through the modernisation of hydrological monitoring systems across the country.

The minister also disclosed that his ministry is expanding collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to ensure improved integration of weather and water data, which is vital for delivering more reliable forecasts to farmers, urban planners, disaster managers, and other sectors.

According to him, the Annual Flood Outlook is not merely a scientific report but a national call to action, adding that forecasts will only be effective if communities and government institutions translate the warnings into practical preparedness.

The presentation was attended by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, alongside senior government officials, state representatives, development partners, security chiefs, and members of the media.

Flood Risk Highlights

Utsev revealed that the 2026 forecast identifies 14,118 communities across 266 Local Government Areas in 33 states and the FCT as being under high flood risk. The affected states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.

He also stated that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states—excluding Ekiti—are projected to experience moderate flood risk, while 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states may face minimal flooding.

Flash Flood Warning in Major Cities

The minister warned that flash and urban flooding is expected in major cities due to heavy rainfall, poor drainage maintenance, blocked waterways, and weak flood-resilience infrastructure. Cities likely to experience this include Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Warri, Sokoto, Calabar, Makurdi, Asaba, Abeokuta, Oshogbo, Onitsha, and Yola, among others.

Coastal Flooding Threat

He further noted that coastal and riverine flooding is projected in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Ondo, driven by rising sea levels and tidal surges. This could negatively affect fishing activities, wildlife habitats, and river transportation.

Utsev called on state governments, local councils, disaster management agencies, farmers, and community leaders to act quickly by reviewing the forecast and adopting preventive measures. He urged authorities to integrate flood risk planning into land-use policies, urban development, and infrastructure design.

He stressed that floodplains must be properly managed, drainage systems improved, and communities supported to adapt to changing climate conditions.

NiHSA Introduces AI-Integrated Flood Modelling

Earlier, NiHSA’s Director-General, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in areas of climate resilience, food security, sustainable water management, and infrastructure development.

He revealed that NiHSA has upgraded from traditional flood forecasting to a Flood Risk Intelligence Architecture, supported by a Hybrid AI-Integrated Modelling System, designed to improve accuracy, reduce false alarms, and enhance early warning lead time.

Mohammed also disclosed that the flood modelling for 2026 was conducted fully in-house, marking a strategic shift towards improving manpower development and institutional resilience.

He added that NiHSA’s Flood Dashboard has now been upgraded into a Decision-Support Geo-Intelligence System, enabling real-time visualisation of flood scenarios. The system is also integrated with a Flood Mobile App, supported by NiHSA flood marshals who respond to public inquiries.

NiMet Pledges Continued Collaboration

In a goodwill message, NiMet’s Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, acknowledged the continued devastation caused by flooding across Nigeria and other African nations.

He commended NiHSA for strengthening flood predictions and assured that NiMet would continue working closely with the agency to enhance early warnings and support national flood management efforts.

Atiku Abubakar Declares 2027 Presidential Race His Final Attempt

By: Naija prime media on April 15, 2026 / comment : 0

 

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has announced that the 2027 general election will be his final attempt to become Nigeria’s president.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Arise News, monitored by SaharaReporters, Atiku said he is fully aware of what is at stake as the next election approaches. The former vice-president, who will be 80 years old by 2027, confirmed that he has no plans to contest again after that year.

“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher because I believe that will be my last outing. So that’s incontrovertible,” he said when asked if 2027 would mark his final presidential bid.

When questioned on why Nigerians should still trust him despite his long presence in politics, Atiku argued that his experience gives him an advantage at a time the country needs steady leadership.

“I represent both the past and the future simply because we have seen various levels of leadership in the country, both young and old, and we’re experiencing them,” he stated.

He also expressed disappointment in the performance of younger leaders, noting that their leadership has not fully matched public expectations.

“I still believe that our expectations of the young leadership are below what we thought,” Atiku added, stressing that younger politicians need mentorship and direction from more experienced leaders.

Atiku explained that such mentorship is most impactful when exercised from within government.

“Sometimes you need to be [in power]. What I was able to learn from President Olusegun Obasanjo through his experience, I couldn’t have learned it outside,” he said.

His comments are expected to fuel renewed conversations around age, leadership capacity, and the growing demand for generational change in Nigeria’s political space ahead of the 2027 elections.

Lagos Court Jails Man for Life for Defiling Neighbour’s Six-Month-Old Baby

By: Naija prime media on April 15, 2026 / comment : 0

 

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has convicted and sentenced Victor Dickson to life imprisonment for defiling his neighbour’s six-month-old baby in Lagos State.

The judgment was delivered on Monday, April 13, 2026. The court also ordered that Dickson’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register, in line with Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021.

While delivering the ruling, Justice Oshodi stated that the prosecution successfully proved the charge of sexual assault by penetration beyond reasonable doubt. He noted that the circumstantial evidence presented before the court was strong, compelling, and clearly linked Dickson to the crime.

The judge dismissed the convict’s denial, describing his attempt to distance himself from the offence as unconvincing.

The court further recounted the testimony of the baby’s mother, who told the court that Dickson took the child while she was outside washing clothes, carried her into his room, and assaulted her.

Justice Oshodi described the victim as extremely vulnerable and condemned the act as “animalistic,” stressing the need for punishment that would protect society and deter others from committing similar crimes.

“You betrayed the trust reposed in you. The child cried throughout but could not call for help,” the judge said.

The court ruled that Dickson’s actions violated Section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, and consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Akpabio Claims Rising Insecurity Linked to 2027 Politics, Says Attacks Aimed at Discrediting Tinubu

By: Naija prime media on April 15, 2026 / comment : 0

 

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that the recent spike in insecurity and bomb attacks in some parts of Nigeria is politically motivated and connected to preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio stated that the incidents were part of deliberate efforts by political opponents to tarnish the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and distract his administration from governance.

Speaking during the commissioning of a major tax administration facility by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in Abuja, the Senate President urged Nigerians to view the emerging security concerns within the wider context of political activities building up across the country.

According to him, the growing insecurity is being fueled by individuals who are sponsoring unrest in order to create distractions as elections draw nearer.

“You are seeing insecurity today. It is even increasing because elections are coming,” he said.

Akpabio further expressed confidence that the attacks would reduce after the election season, noting that the incidents would likely fade shortly after the polls.

He also maintained that Nigerians remained solidly behind President Tinubu and would continue to support him despite what he described as politically-driven distractions.

The Senate President argued that Tinubu’s growing acceptance across political parties, especially through his economic and fiscal policies, has unsettled opponents ahead of 2027.

Akpabio noted that the President’s revenue reforms and financial support for sub-national governments had attracted more governors and political stakeholders into Tinubu’s political influence, increasing tensions in the political environment.

“With less than 18 governors at a time, he now has close to 30 or more under his influence,” Akpabio said.

He also openly backed Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that the President remained crucial to Nigeria’s future development.

“Nigerians cannot do without you in 2027,” he stated.

Akpabio added that despite criticisms and opposition efforts, the Tinubu administration’s reforms and infrastructure projects were already visible, stressing that the government had delivered numerous projects in less than three years.

He defended major economic decisions such as fuel subsidy removal and tax restructuring, describing them as necessary steps to stabilise the nation’s finances and reposition the economy.

The Senate President assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to support Tinubu’s policies, while calling on citizens to remain patient as the reforms begin to yield results.

Credit: Vanguard

Diri Backs Single Six-Year Tenure for President, Governors, Endorses Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election

By: Naija prime media on April 15, 2026 / comment : 0

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again expressed support for a single tenure of six years for both the President and state governors, insisting that a four-year term is too short to properly evaluate a leader’s performance.

Governor Diri made this known on Tuesday while receiving members of the pro-Tinubu support group, City Boy Movement (CBM), led by its Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga, during a courtesy visit.

The governor also declared his support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Diri recalled that during his time in the National Assembly, he advocated for a constitutional amendment that would provide a single six-year term for the President and governors, explaining that it would reduce distractions caused by re-election campaigns.

According to him, a six-year single tenure would enable leaders to focus fully on governance, development, and delivering meaningful progress without spending excessive time and resources pursuing a second term.

He further noted that democracy should allow citizens to freely express themselves, stressing that speaking up should not translate into insulting elders or attacking the government in power.

Governor Diri also urged opposition parties to contribute constructively by presenting solutions rather than spreading misinformation under the guise of propaganda.

Speaking during the visit, CBM Director-General, Oluwatosin Shoga, said the group remained committed to mobilising and empowering young Nigerians, while positioning them as key stakeholders in governance and national development.

Credit: Daily Trust

Court Grants El-Rufai ₦200m Bail in Federal Case, Kaduna High Court Adjourns Separate Bail Hearing to April 21, 2026

By: Naija prime media on April 14, 2026 / comment : 0

 

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, while a separate bail application before the Kaduna State High Court has been adjourned to April 21, 2026.

The two bail proceedings took place on Tuesday during separate sittings—one at the Federal High Court and the other at the Kaduna State High Court—both connected to ongoing legal matters involving the former governor.

At the Federal High Court, El-Rufai secured bail under strict conditions. The court granted him bail in the sum of ₦200 million, with two sureties. One surety is expected to present a Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the second must be a respected elder in Kaduna State, to be verified by the Kaduna State Council.

In addition, the court ordered that El-Rufai and his legal team must refrain from granting media interviews until the conclusion of the trial. He is also required to report to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the first day of every month, and must deposit his international passport with the court.

Meanwhile, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court did not reach a conclusion, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned the hearing on the bail application to April 21, 2026.

Security was significantly tightened at the Federal High Court on Tuesday, as El-Rufai appeared for the ruling on his bail request. The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, recorded restricted movement around the premises, with security operatives stationed at key locations.

Earlier in the day, El-Rufai had first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court at about 9:00 a.m., but the hearing was postponed.

The ICPC had on Monday arraigned El-Rufai before Justice Khobo at Kaduna State High Court 5 on a nine-count charge involving allegations of advance fee fraud and money laundering. The arraignment followed an amendment of the original charge filed by the Commission.

ICPC counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, explained that the amended charge separated El-Rufai’s case from that of his co-defendant, Amadu Sule, whose absence in court was attributed to a reported medical condition.

The court approved the amendment and allowed the prosecution to proceed with El-Rufai’s arraignment independently.

El-Rufai was subsequently arraigned on nine amended charges relating to alleged violations of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, the Kaduna State Penal Code 2017, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law 2017.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.