By Our Political Reporter

An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency seat, Alfred John, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that no valid primary election was conducted across the constituency on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In a formal petition addressed to INEC, the APC aspirant claimed that the party’s primary election exercise failed to hold in all parts of the constituency, describing any result that may emerge from the process as “fraudulent, unlawful, and fundamentally defective.”

According to the petition, Alfred John said he personally visited his designated polling unit early on Friday with the intention of participating in the primary election, only to meet the venue locked and guarded by security operatives.

He alleged that there were no electoral officials, election materials, delegates, accreditation processes, or voting activities at the venue.

The aspirant further stated that security personnel prevented him from accessing the location or making inquiries about the exercise.

“Upon arrival at the venue, I discovered that the location was under lock and key and heavily guarded by security personnel. There were no electoral officers present, no election materials, no accreditation process, no delegates, and no voting activity whatsoever,” the petition read in part.

Alfred John also claimed that he independently visited several polling locations within Billiri Local Government Area and found no evidence that the APC primary election took place anywhere in the area.

He added that reports from his associates and supporters across Balanga North and Balanga South equally confirmed that no election was conducted in those areas.

“It is therefore my firm position that no valid APC primary election was conducted anywhere within Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency on the 16th day of May, 2026,” he stated.

The aspirant warned that any declaration or announcement claiming to represent the outcome of the primary election would not reflect the wishes of party delegates and stakeholders since, according to him, no election was held.

He subsequently called on INEC to take “judicial notice” of the development and protect the sanctity of the electoral process and the rule of law.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership in Gombe State had yet to officially respond to the allegations.

By Our Correspondent

A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the Gombe State Students Association (GOSSA) following the decision of the Gombe State Ministry of Higher Education to distance itself from a planned national convention and election reportedly organized by a coalition of local chapter presidents.

The Ministry, in an official statement issued through its Directorate of Students’ Affairs, said it has no knowledge or approval of the proposed GOSSA Independent Electoral Committee (IEC) 2024/2025 convention, warning that the process does not follow the constitutionally approved procedures governing the association.

According to the statement, any election or activity conducted under the arrangement will not be recognized by the state government, describing such moves as null and void.

“The Ministry of Higher Education is not aware of any GOSSA IEC 2024/2025 Coalition of Local Chapter Presidents’ National Convention organized outside the constitutionally approved procedures,” the statement said.

The Ministry further emphasized that all student leadership elections and national conventions of GOSSA must strictly comply with the association’s constitution and regulations guiding student bodies in the state.

Authorities also warned individuals behind the planned convention to immediately desist from presenting their activities as official GOSSA business, noting that the required legal procedures for such events had not been followed.

The government advised students and stakeholders across tertiary institutions in the state to ignore any directives, announcements, or communications issued by individuals or groups not duly authorized by the Ministry.

Copies of the notice were also forwarded to security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, as part of efforts to prevent possible tension arising from the disputed convention.

Meanwhile, the National Headquarters of GOSSA has also responded to reports circulating in some media platforms alleging that the DSS threatened the association’s leadership.

In a press release signed by the recognized National President, Muhammad Al‑amin Bako, the association dismissed the claim as false, misleading, and unfounded.

The statement accused another student, Muhammad Al‑amin Murtala, of allegedly impersonating the office of the GOSSA National President and misleading the public.

According to the association, the individual has been parading himself as the national leader of GOSSA without constitutional backing, a development that prompted the association’s leadership to submit a formal petition to the DSS.

GOSSA explained that the security agency’s invitation to the student was not an act of intimidation, but part of an investigation into allegations of impersonation and activities carried out in the name of the association.

“The claim that the DSS threatened the GOSSA National President is baseless. The individual making the allegation is not the legitimate president of the association but someone impersonating the office,” the statement said.

The association added that the DSS invitation followed a petition submitted by GOSSA National Headquarters, as well as a condemnation letter issued earlier by the Gombe State Ministry of Higher Education, which had distanced itself from activities allegedly organized by unauthorized individuals.

The development has sparked tension within the student community, with different factions laying claim to the leadership of the association.

Observers say the intervention of the Ministry of Higher Education and security agencies is aimed at preventing parallel leadership structures and maintaining order among students across tertiary institutions in the state.

GOSSA leadership has therefore called on students and the general public to disregard statements or actions from individuals not recognized by the association’s National Headquarters.

The association also urged members to remain calm while relevant authorities address the leadership dispute.

Analysts note that how the situation is handled could shape the future leadership structure of the student body and determine the legitimacy of the next GOSSA national convention and elections.

By Our Correspondent

Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening, heightening concerns over rising political and security tensions in the Federal Capital Territory. The attack reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m., according to credible military sources who confirmed the development to Vanguard.

Witnesses said Yerima was driving when two Hilux trucks, occupied by gunmen dressed in all-black attire, began trailing his vehicle. The armed men allegedly attempted to intercept him, prompting a brief pursuit that ended with Yerima escaping unhurt.

Military insiders described the attack as “coordinated and deliberate,” suggesting the assailants had precise information about his movements.

The incident comes just days after a heated dispute between Lieutenant Yerima and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Though the details of the confrontation remain sketchy, the timing of the attack has sparked speculation and concern among security watchers.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but internal investigations are already underway to determine the motive behind the failed attack and identify the perpetrators.

Security analysts warn that the incident underscores the growing volatility surrounding high-ranking officials and the escalating atmosphere of political rivalry. They also called for a thorough and transparent investigation to prevent further escalation.

As of press time, Lieutenant Yerima has not spoken publicly about the incident, but sources confirmed that security around him has been strengthened pending the conclusion of investigations.