“If You’re Kidnapped, Give Them My Number” — Oyedepo Tells Church Members

By: Naija prime media on April 24, 2026 / comment : 0

Oyedepo made the statement during a church service while speaking about past incidents of alleged abductions involving individuals connected to the church.

In a sermon that has since gone viral on social media, the cleric expressed confidence in what he described as his spiritual authority, urging members not to panic in the event of an abduction.

He recalled an incident involving a pastor reportedly linked to the church who was said to have been kidnapped, claiming he intervened by speaking directly to the abductors.

“One time one of our pastors was carried by kidnappers, I said give him the phone. I said in 24 hours if you don’t check him out you are dead. The place was vibrating on a spot,” he said.

Oyedepo further encouraged members to understand and embrace what he referred to as spiritual power, insisting that believers also carry similar authority if they are able to recognise it.

“If anybody picks you, give them my number. If he is not cut down then I am not sent by God. You carry the same force if you can only discover it. You need to discover what you carry,” he added.

The statement has continued to stir reactions online, with many Nigerians weighing in on the comments due to the country’s ongoing kidnapping crisis, which remains a major security concern.

Sowore Slams Peter Obi Over “North Is Nigeria’s Greatest Asset” Comment, Calls It Vote-Seeking

By: Naija prime media on April 23, 2026 / comment : 0

Obi had said the north holds Nigeria’s future because of its vast expanse of uncultivated land, stressing that agriculture could generate more revenue for the nation than oil if properly developed.

“Our greatest asset is in the north. The vast, uncultivated land in the north is our future. We can make more money as a country from agriculture than we make from oil, and we must begin to do that immediately,” Obi stated.

Reacting to the comment, Sowore accused Obi of making the statement for political advantage, alleging it was targeted at gaining support from northern voters.

Sowore argued that Obi’s current position contradicts actions attributed to him during his time as governor of Anambra State. He referenced reports that Obi repatriated northerners, including beggars, by placing them in buses and sending them back to the north.

“If you go to the north, yes, we can turn the north into the greatest asset, but every Nigeria can be turned into the greatest asset. Every inch of Nigeria,” Sowore said.

He further alleged that Obi’s only notable interaction with northerners while in office was the reported deportation of beggars.

“That time, he forgot that the north is the asset of Nigeria. Don’t let the hypocrite deceive you,” Sowore added.

Sowore maintained that every region of the country has economic value and deserves equal attention, insisting that Nigeria’s development should not be framed around one region.

“The north is a great asset. The south is a great asset. The north-central, the south-west, and everywhere are great assets in the country,” he said.

He concluded by stating that Nigeria’s progress depends more on effective leadership than regional prioritisation, noting that prosperity would naturally follow if the country is properly governed.

“The country is just waiting for leadership. You will be surprised that the north, south, everywhere will be churning out prosperity,” Sowore state

UK Parliament Approves Landmark Bill to Create a Smoke-Free Generation

By: Naija prime media on April 23, 2026 / comment : 0

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, approved by both chambers, would permanently ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after January 1, 2009 — meaning children aged 17 and under today would never legally be able to buy tobacco products.

Health Minister Wes Streeting described the decision as a “historic moment for the nation’s health,” saying it marks the beginning of the UK’s first smoke-free generation, protected from addiction and the long-term harm caused by smoking.

Once the bill receives royal assent and becomes law, it will also allow the government to expand smoking restrictions into certain outdoor spaces, including children’s playgrounds and areas near schools and hospitals.

The legislation further targets vaping by giving authorities stronger powers to regulate vape flavours and packaging, as well as ban vaping in locations where smoking is already prohibited.

Public health advocates have welcomed the move. Hazel Cheeseman, director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), called the bill a “decisive turning point” for the country’s health policy.

The bill follows earlier government action against vaping, including a ban introduced last June on disposable vapes, which have become widely popular among young people due to their low cost and colourful designs.

Similar laws have been introduced internationally. New Zealand passed a comparable measure in 2022, banning cigarette sales to those born after 2008, but the policy was later repealed in 2023 after a change in government. The Maldives also enacted a generational cigarette ban last year, applying it to anyone born after January 1, 2007.

According to NHS data, smoking in England in 2024 contributed to around 75,000 deaths annually and was linked to roughly a quarter of all cancer-related deaths.

Breaking: ADC youths protest in Makurdi, demand INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan resign over leadership recognition crisis. They insist INEC must reverse its stance or face continued resistance ahead of 2027.

By: Naija prime media on April 23, 2026 / comment : 0

The protest, which took place at the INEC state headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, was led by the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai.

The demonstrators marched from the party’s National Secretariat to submit a formal petition, warning that INEC’s alleged refusal to acknowledge the party’s leadership structure could undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the protest, Rufai expressed frustration over INEC’s position, claiming the commission had failed to recognise any individual as the party’s leader.

“As it is currently, the ADC has no leadership and we the youths of the country have mobilised for the 2027 election. For INEC to say that they do not at all recognise the leadership of ADC, not even David Mark, not Rauf Aregbesola, not Ralph Nwosu, is totally unacceptable,” Rufai said.

He issued an ultimatum to the electoral body, demanding that INEC reverse its decision without waiting for a court order or risk having its chairman removed.

“It is either INEC reverses its decision personally without court order, or Amupitan who has become a spokesperson of the Presidency and APC should quietly exit office,” he stated.

Rufai further accused the INEC chairman of acting without legal justification and called for a public admission of wrongdoing.

“We are telling you that the same way he came out to say he does not recognise the leadership arbitrarily without recourse to any court, the same way he should come out on national television and tell Nigerians that he did this thing in error and the ADC has a leader,” he added.

The youth leader also raised concerns over alleged plans to manipulate the political space ahead of the 2027 elections, warning against what he described as attempts to impose a single presidential candidate.

“They are saying Tinubu will be sole candidate in 2027 and we are saying no, we will not accept that. Amupitan must go,” Rufai declared.

The protest underscores rising tensions between the ADC and INEC over leadership recognition, an issue that could affect the party’s preparations and participation in the next election cycle if not resolved.

As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not released an official response to the allegations.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the ADC vowed to intensify its campaign against Professor Amupitan, announcing plans to submit petitions to foreign governments, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other relevant institutions.

In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC insisted that the INEC chairman should resign immediately, citing what it described as “incontrovertible digital evidence” that allegedly casts doubt on his neutrality.

According to the party, the controversy followed a report linking a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweet made in 2023 to Professor Amupitan, a development the ADC described as a serious threat to public trust in Nigeria’s electoral credibility.

The party warned that the legitimacy of any electoral process depends not only on institutional independence but also on public perception of fairness, insisting that any compromise could weaken confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.

“Lagos Family Enlists Police, DSS as Kidnappers Demand ₦60m Ransom for Abducted Woman”

By: Naija prime media on April 23, 2026 / comment : 0

The family of Mrs. Olanike Ogundare, who was abducted from her home in the Oke Agaye area of Ijedodo, Lagos State, has reached out to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify efforts toward securing her release.

Mrs. Ogundare was reportedly kidnapped around 1:00 a.m. from her residence at No. 1 Olufemi Ogundare Street by armed men believed to be kidnappers.

Eyewitness accounts from residents in the neighbourhood indicate that the attackers carried out a well-organised operation, allegedly holding the security guard at gunpoint before forcefully taking the victim away to an unknown location.

Following the incident, community leaders and local security stakeholders have also joined in the rescue efforts. Among those contacted is the leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams.

Sources familiar with the case disclosed that the abductors have contacted the family twice, demanding a ransom of ₦60 million for Mrs. Ogundare’s release.

The sources further revealed that the kidnappers reportedly used the victim’s phone line to place calls, which were received by a man identified as Mr. Dapo Adeola, said to be serving as an intermediary between the family and the abductors.

Although the ransom demand was initially stated in naira, it has now reportedly been changed to United States dollars. Investigators believe this may be a deliberate move to make tracking and monitoring of any potential payment more difficult.

It was also gathered that the victim’s husband has already transferred ₦5 million to Adeola, though it remains unclear whether the money has been converted to dollars or delivered to the kidnappers.

Security sources maintain that Mrs. Ogundare is believed to still be in captivity, while efforts continue to trace communications and monitor any financial transactions connected to the case.

A source close to the investigation confirmed that the kidnappers’ demand remains the equivalent of ₦60 million, now requested in dollars, raising suspicion of a more organised kidnapping network attempting to avoid traceability.

The source added that authorities are focusing on tracking communications, monitoring financial movements, and ensuring that any further negotiations are carried out under strict supervision.

“Listening to Peter Obi Privately Will Restore Nigerians’ Hope — PDP Chieftain Dan Ulasi”

By: Naija prime media on April 23, 2026 / comment : 0

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dan Ulasi, has said Nigerians would regain confidence in the country’s future if they had the opportunity to engage with former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, in a private conversation.

Ulasi made the statement during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he described Obi as a leader with clear ideas and a practical understanding of how to move Nigeria forward.

According to him, Obi’s private discussions reveal a strong sense of direction and commitment to governance.

“If you listen to Peter Obi one-on-one, you will have hope for this country. You will have tremendous hope that somebody has a concept of what he wants to do and how he will do it for the overall benefit of our people,” Ulasi said.

The PDP stalwart also revealed that Obi has visited his residence four times in 2026 alone, with the most recent visit coming shortly after Obi’s appearance at Coal City University in Enugu.

Ulasi explained that Obi gave him only about 30 minutes’ notice before arriving, prompting him to invite a few prominent Southeast leaders who were available at the time.

“He just gave me about 30 minutes’ notice that he was coming. And I called a couple of my friends, some top Southeasterners who were in town. And they came,” he stated.

While Ulasi did not confirm any formal political alliance with Obi, he noted that their relationship goes back many years, dating to when he served as chairman of the National Republican Convention, during the period Obi first contested for the Anambra governorship.

Ulasi, however, expressed serious concerns about the current state of the PDP, describing the party as divided and unable to produce a credible candidate capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

He argued that the party’s internal contradictions, especially the influence of Nyesom Wike, have weakened its structure and public trust.

“I don’t see how a candidate with credibility will emerge to stop Tinubu. And the process Wike is going through also will not help the system,” he said.

Ulasi further stressed that the PDP, as it is currently organised, cannot effectively challenge Tinubu if Wike continues to be viewed as the party’s national leader.

He warned that unless the issues within the party are properly addressed and explained, he may consider leaving the PDP.

“These are part of the contradictions, which if I’m not properly informed and explained to, I will leave the party. And I want to be quoted accurately,” Ulasi added.

His comments come amid increasing dissatisfaction among some party stakeholders, as debates continue over the PDP’s ability to present a strong opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.