Alausa, Hamzat, Abiru, Muri-Okunola, Ambode in Beauty Parade in Lagos Festus Akanbi
As the 2027 general election approaches, the race for the Lagos State governorship seat
has begun with the former Governor Akinwumi Ambode; the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; the senator representing Lagos East,
Tokunbo Abiru; the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat and President Bola Tinubu’s Principal Secretary, Hakeem
Muri-Okunola, as the likely contenders, THISDAY has learnt. Continued on page 5
Alausa
Hamzat
Fuming Trump Issues Fiery 48-hour Ultimatum to Iran over Strait of Hormuz… Page 8 Sunday, March 22, 2026 Vol 31. No 11305
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Soludo Backs Tinubu’s Re-election in 2027, Says APGA Won’t Field Presidential Candidate
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has declared his support for
the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, stating
that he has no regrets about his position. Soludo made the remarks
during a television interview in Awka, where he described the president as a friend and
trusted ally and advised
Continued on page 5
US Boosts Nigeria’s Anti-terror War With Drones, 200 Troops Stationed Bauchi Ejiofor Alike with agency report The United States has deployed multiple MQ-9 drones operating in Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide training and intelligence support to the military, which is fighting Islamist militants across the north, US and Nigerian officials told Reuters. The troops, who are going to be operating assets from the airfield in Bauchi State, are not integrated within Nigerian units on the frontline. The drones are to collect intelligence and not carry out airstrikes, Reuters quoted officials from the two countries as saying. A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), last Thursday stated that while the military had made progress and
was not overwhelmed, it continued to face operational challenges, including limited manpower and equipment relative to the vast terrain of the North-east. “I don’t see that the insurgency is overwhelming the troops. We are okay, but we need more enablers such as drones and additional platforms. The landmass is enormous, and troops are widely dispersed,” Buratai reportedly said. However, the US deployment, which follows US airstrikes targeting militants in North-west in the late 2025, shows the US getting involved in tackling Islamic State and al Qaedalinked insurgencies that are spreading across West Africa. Reuters reported that the US military previously had Continued on page 5
Two Suicide Bombers Still on the Loose in Maiduguri, Gov ZulumWarns Residents... Page6
WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS…
L-R (Sitting): Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna; and Chief Executive Officer, King’s Trust International, Will Straw. (Standing) Co-Chair, King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board and Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Co-Chair, King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Assistant Private Secretary to HM The King, Tom Hartley, during the signing of partnership agreement between Access Bank and King’s Trust International in London, UK…recently
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