The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said he unveiled Ask AA, an information and citizen-engagement portal that gives Nigerians a direct opportunity to ask him questions about his political agenda, record in public service and plans for the country.

According to him, the portal goes live at 8:30 p.m. today, 15 October 2026.

“The free-access platform allows Nigerians to submit questions on issues including the economy, security, technology, job creation and Atiku’s plan to make life more affordable. Atiku will respond personally to questions, while his media team will also help provide answers”

“Powered by technology, Ask AA is designed to help bridge the information gap between voters and the ADC presidential candidate by making it easier for citizens to engage with him and access information about his positions and proposals”

“The objective of this initiative is to bring Atiku Abubakar closer to the electorate through a practical, problem-solving platform,” said Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

Shaibu added that the initiative reflects Atiku’s commitment to using modern technology to make government more efficient, secure and effective.

For communities without internet access, the campaign plans to make the platform accessible through a radio interface.

In announcing the initiative on his social media accounts, Atiku said he conceived Ask AA because he believes that “leadership is a two-way conversation.”

He said: “For too long, governance has felt distant—locked behind walls of bureaucracy. But our country’s greatest resource isn’t oil or land; it is our people. If we are going to build the Nigeria of our dreams, we must start by tearing down the walls between leaders and the people.

“That is why I am launching Ask AA—a direct citizen-engagement platform built for transparency, accountability and dialogue. No filters, no intermediaries.

“Whether you want to question my economic record, discuss my policy plans for technology, security and job creation, or share your own recommendations for national progress, nothing is off the table. I want to hear your questions, your policy critiques and your best ideas.

“Beyond answering questions here, I will personally call selected citizens who leave their contact details so I can hear directly about their experiences and the issues affecting their daily lives.

“A transparent, technology-driven government is not a promise for tomorrow. It begins with how we listen to you today.

“I’m logged in and ready. If you could ask me one question, what would it be?”

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Onatayo Pelumi for money laundering involving funds totalling about ₦132 million.

Pelumi was convicted by Justice Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on five counts bordering on the retention of proceeds of unlawful activities in bank accounts domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Zenith Bank.

The charges alleged that the convict retained various sums of money in the accounts between January 2023 and June 2026, knowing that the funds formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine, on count One. On counts two, three, four and five, he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine on each count. The terms of imprisonment are to run concurrently.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of two properties and ₦8 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The ₦8 million is domiciled in the convict’s Zenith Bank account

The forfeited properties are:
Half plot of land at No. 23 Michael Ayorinde Street, Abule-Egba, Lagos.
Half plot of land at No. 1 Yisa Street, Meiran, Lagos.

The court further ordered the convict to undertake seven days of community service in connection with the sentences.

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has closed Orenda and Opal Schools over alleged victimisation of learners and violation of the Benue State Government’s policy on textbook reuse and purchase.

The Executive Secretary of BEQAEB, Dr. Terna Francis, led officials of the Board’s Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance to the schools, where a court order authorising the sealing of the premises was served on the proprietor before the facilities were locked.

The Executive Secretary expressed concern that, despite repeated sensitisation and directives by the Benue State Government, through the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and BEQAEB, some school proprietors continued to disregard established policies designed to protect parents and learners from unnecessary financial burdens and unfair treatment.

In a statement issued by the Board’s Information Officer, Jeffrey Adzam,

BEQAED boss explained that the government’s textbook policy, “allows parents to reuse textbooks by passing them from older children to their younger siblings. Parents are also permitted to obtain textbook lists from schools and purchase the required books from bookstores outside the schools”

He posited that the affected schools insisted that, “learners purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to the government’s policy”

Francis said there were reports that some learners whose parents had paid their school fees but could not purchase the prescribed textbooks were subjected to punitive treatment, “including having their homework left unmarked”

The parent-petitioners further alleged that parents who had already purchased the prescribed textbooks from external bookstores and appealed to the school management to allow their children to use them for the current academic session were dismissed.

According to the complaints, the management insisted that the parents either purchase new textbooks directly from the schools or withdraw their children and enrol them elsewhere.

The parents also reported that textbooks purchased outside the schools were not permitted in classrooms, leaving some learners demoralised and withdrawn.

Francis described the alleged practices as unacceptable and inconsistent with the protection of learners’ rights and welfare under applicable laws in Benue State and Nigeria.

He explained that the government’s policy was intended to provide flexibility for parents, promote the reuse of textbooks where appropriate and prevent schools from imposing unnecessary restrictions that undermine the interests of learners and their families.

The statement further stated that the Board had invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to address the complaints, but they failed to honour the invitation, “Consequently, BEQAEB, through the Attorney-General of Benue State, approached the court and obtained an order authorising the sealing of the school premises”

Francis alleged that, despite having been served with the court order, the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, led members of staff in a violent attack on the Executive Secretary and his team, “The incident reportedly involved verbal assaults against the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the Board”

The Board expressed concern over the alleged assault, stressing that, “compliance with lawful court orders and the peaceful resolution of disputes are essential to the rule of law and the effective regulation of educational institutions”

It maintained that, “disagreements with regulatory authorities should be addressed through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation”

Francis stated that the schools would remain sealed until the proprietors and administrators satisfied the conditions set by the Board and demonstrated a commitment to complying with government regulations, respecting court orders and safeguarding the rights of learners and parents.

The Board urged parents and guardians whose children experience similar forms of alleged victimisation or violations of government education policies to submit formal petitions to BEQAEB, accompanied by relevant evidence, assuring the public that such complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law.