News

Bolsonaro shocks Lula as Brazil heads to run-off

Published

15 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro pulled off a surprise first-place finish ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Sunday’s election, which heads to a run-off in three weeks as neither clinched a majority.

In a result that defied opinion poll projections showing Lula in the lead, Flavio Bolsonaro scored 47 per cent of the vote to the incumbent’s 45 per cent.

If Bolsonaro triumphs in the October 25 election, the Latin American powerhouse will join a steady rightward march in the region in recent elections, a trend championed by US President Donald Trump.

The election results included a series of landslide wins for the right in parliament in a massive setback to Lula, who, at almost 81, is seeking a fourth term in office to cement his legacy.

“I admit I was convinced I would win in the first round. The game is about to start. In extra time, we will win over the Brazilian people,” the 80-year-old said.

The veteran leftist has branded the election a battle between democracy and “barbarism,” warning voters that Brazil’s sovereignty was at stake in the face of US pressure.

Flavio Bolsonaro was a little-known senator a few months ago when his father anointed him his political heir, unable to run himself as he serves a 27-year sentence for an attempted coup after losing a 2022 election bid.

However, his father’s powerful name won over the country’s conservative base, and he slid past Lula despite a campaign marked by scandals and mudslinging.

“I am truly happy with the result,” Flavio Bolsonaro said after results came through, hailing the “very real possibility” of a run-off victory.

Voters in the deeply polarised nation were jaded by familiar choices, and few voted with conviction.

Oscarina de Oliveira, a 62-year-old caregiver, told AFP she had planned to vote for Lula, as she always has. But “when I got there, I switched to Bolsonaro. Just to see what happens, to see if anything changes.”

Carolina Botelho, a political scientist at the Rio de Janeiro State University, told AFP that the leading candidate in the first round has won every election in Brazil since the end of the country’s military dictatorship in 1985.

– Bolsonaro dynasty –

With 56 million votes, Flavio Bolsonaro’s first-round performance outdid that of Jair Bolsonaro in 2018, when he was elected, and 2022.

It emerged during the campaign that Flavio Bolsonaro was under investigation for corruption over the financing of the biopic “Dark Horse” about his father.

For many voters, this did little to move the needle.

“Things are truly terrible. As far as I’m concerned, the left just doesn’t work anymore,” said tech worker Joao Batista, 36, in the Rocinha favela, saying he was fed up with the “horrible” expense of basic goods.

Flavio Bolsonaro highlighted Sunday that as President he will have the possibility of appointing four justices to the powerful Supreme Court — which convicted his father and has been at the centre of key political and criminal scandals.

The elections proved a triumphant comeback for the Bolsonaro family after Jair Bolsonaro lost a re-election bid in 2022, leading to violent riots in the capital and his conviction last year for attempting a coup.

Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and another one of Jair Bolsonaro’s sons, Carlos Bolsonaro, both secured seats in the Senate.

Jair Bolsonaro’s youngest son Jair Renan, 28, was elected as a federal lawmaker.

Flavio has cast himself as more “moderate” than his firebrand father, but his critics were concerned.

“Flavio is a danger to Brazil; he represents a step backwards. We can see everything his father did…He really destroyed Brazil,” said Anderson de Almeida, a 45-year-old doorman.

– Trump watching –

Trump had said he was watching the election “very closely,” but did not endorse Flavio Bolsonaro.

The US president has wielded tariffs and sanctions to pressure Brasilia over complaints ranging from the trial against his ally Jair Bolsonaro to alleged unfair trade practices.

Lula repeatedly warned him not to “meddle” in the elections.

Revered for social welfare programs that lifted millions out of poverty, Lula made a dramatic comeback to office in the 2022 elections after being jailed on a corruption conviction for 18 months.

The charges, thrown out on procedural grounds, have continued to haunt him.

In his third term, he oversaw a drop in inflation and unemployment, but voters complain about a high cost of living and as in many Latin American nations, citizens are fed up with high levels of crime and violence.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 43

News

PHOTOS: Six missing, over 70 rescued as boat carrying mourners capsizes in Benue River

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

More than 70 passengers have been rescued while six others are still missing after a boat capsized at the Buruku crossing point on the Benue River in Benue State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 11am on Saturday, 3 October 2026, when a boat conveying passengers from Gboko Local Government Area who were travelling across the river for a burial ceremony reportedly capsized after its engine failed.

The Chairman of Buruku LGA, Mr Raymond Zege, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said the boat was overloaded and that many of the passengers were not familiar with navigating the water, leading to panic when the engine failed.

He said efforts were made to bring other boats to the scene to rescue the passengers, but the weight of the boat and strong waves made the boat capsize.

“Yes, there were people from Gboko LG. They went for burial across the other side. On their way, they overloaded a boat but the issue was that the engine of the boat failed,” he said.

“Most of them are not conversant with the water side, so they panicked and struggled with their movement. So before they could get them to the boats they were bringing to rescue them, because of the weight and the water waves, the boat sank.

“As I am speaking with you, we don’t know the exact number of people that are still missing. We have rescued over 70 people and we have not seen about six people.”

He lamented people’s resistance to existing maritime laws, saying: “People can be very difficult. There is a law, and we have provided life jackets for every commuter crossing that route.

“When they come and the maritime workers try to enforce the law, some commuters complain that there are sicknesses all over the place and that they do not want to share life jackets,” he said.

“We have provided the jackets, and the state government is also supporting efforts to ensure that maritime safety regulations are enforced.”

He urged the people to cooperate with the maritime officials to ensure the safety and protection of their lives.

In a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Benue State, Mr Denis Iyaghigba, said he had received preliminary reports of an unfortunate boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point.

He assured members of the public, particularly families of those who may have been aboard the boat, to remain calm and await verified information from the appropriate authorities, saying no effort will be spared to ensure their safety.

He said preliminary information available to him was that the boat was ferrying passengers when a strong water current swept it into an abandoned barge at a corner of the river, as a result of which the boat tumbled.

“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation. Further details will be communicated as the rescue operation progresses,” Iyaghigba said.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 23

News

Zulum denies ordering arrest of ‘TinubuMustGo’ protesters

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has denied ordering the arrest of “Tinubu Must Go” protesters in the state, emphasising that his threats were particularly for criminals threatening the peace and stability of the state.

The governor’s clarification was in response to a statement issued on Sunday by the African Democratic

Congress Presidential Campaign Council, which demanded an explanation from Babagana Zulum over a viral video in which he allegedly ordered the arrest and detention of anyone found expressing the slogan “Tinubu Must Go”.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the council said the reported directive was particularly troubling because Zulum had recently denied ordering the arrest of people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts in the state.

In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the campaign council said the governor should explain the video’s contents and reconcile them with his earlier denial.

In response, the governor’s spokesman Dauda Iliya, in a statement on Sunday night, described the ADC allegations as “unprofessional”, insisting that the party had misrepresented the governor’s remarks.

The statement reads, “We read with dismay the recent statement by the Presidential Campaign Council of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), which made impulsive remarks about the administration of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.”

Illiya expressed disappointment in the ADC’s reliance on what he described as an “unprofessionally written news report” which accused the governor of threatening opposition politicians with arrest.

“The party’s press release is poorly thought out and a product of political desperation, which any keen observer would see it as a case of self-indictment.

“It was regrettable that the party relied on an unprofessionally written news report to accuse the governor of threatening opposition politicians with arrest,” he noted.

The Spokesman clarified that Zulum’s remarks were made during a media chat with journalists in Maiduguri where he addressed several issues, including a recent spike in social vices and crimes threatening the state’s peace and stability.

“As any responsible Chief Executive would, he emphasised that his administration would not stand by while social urchins and criminals plunge the state into violence. He referred to young men moving around wearing shirts emblazoned with knives and clubs, portraying violence.

“In the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency, Borno State recorded a rise in gangsterism, the kidnapping of underage girls, illegal abortions, phone snatching and other social vices. To address this, the state government set up an Anti-Vices security outfit” he added.

“Since the outfit began operating, Maiduguri and its environs have become safer, with a sharp drop in social vices and criminal activity.

“Media outlets with a track record of ignoring ethics and professional standards seized that part of the governor’s statement and crafted a narrative to portray him as heavy-handed, since they cannot question his achievements.

He, however, noted that the ADC’s response to the governor’s statement showed that the party is taking responsibility for the crimes committed by these groups across the state.

“Unfortunately for the ADC, its rash statement reads as self-indictment. Governor Zulum never mentioned the #TinubuMustGo group, ADC, or any opposition group; he spoke only about security, peace, and order. By issuing that statement, the ADC appears to be taking responsibility for the crimes committed by these groups across the state.

“As a responsible government, Prof. Zulum’s administration will not allow the state’s hard-earned peace to be truncated; for without order and stability, no party can campaign for any election. In fact, Gov. Zulum did not mention any opposition party or political group in the media engagement,” he said.

Illiya called on critics to exercise restraint and responsibility when commenting on issues affecting the state, considering its over a decade of insurgency experience.

“Even in campaign seasons, there ought to be restraint and responsibility. Considering where Borno has come from, the least one would expect from the ADC is to join the call to ensure that nothing tampers with the recent peace and stability achieved under the administration of Gov. Zulum. It is a record-low time to play politics on the subject of peace and security, especially in Borno,” the statement said.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 32

News

SERAP to Tinubu: Probe alleged N94.4bn unremitted oil funds

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been charged to direct an immediate investigation into more than ₦94.4 billion in petroleum-sector funds allegedly diverted, unremitted, unaccounted for or irregularly spent.

The charge came from a Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), through its letter dated October 3, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the president.

SERAP arrived at the call consequent upon findings contained in the 2024 Volume 2 Annual Report of the Auditor-General for the Federation, published on August 7, 2026.

The human rights organisation declared that the audit findings cover various periods between January 2023 and December 31, 2024, and raise concerns about the management of petroleum revenues, natural gas sales proceeds and gas-flaring penalties by the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

SERAP also urged President Tinubu to order relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the findings and prosecute anyone found culpable where sufficient admissible evidence is established.

The group further demanded the recovery and remittance to the Treasury of all public funds found to have been improperly withheld, diverted, misapplied or otherwise unaccounted for.

SERAP said the Auditor-General reported that the MDGIF failed to remit ₦26.549 billion in revenue from the sale of petroleum products between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024.

According to the anti-corruption group, the Auditor-General had reportedly expressed concern that the money may have been diverted and recommended its recovery and remittance to the Treasury.

SERAP referenced ₦12.480 billion in gas-flaring penalties for 2023, which the MDGIF allegedly failed to remit and report.

In the audit findings cited by SERAP, the NUPRC equally allegedly failed to remit ₦38.610 billion in gas-flaring penalties collected and due to the MDGIF.

Another ₦12.940 billion in revenue from 2024 natural gas sales, according to SERAP, was allegedly not collected and accounted for by the MDGIF.

The human rights group further referenced ₦3.518 billion reportedly paid by the MDGIF to a consultant to recover gas-flaring penalties without presidential approval, adding that the Auditor-General allegedly found no evidence of due process or due diligence in the engagement and expressed concern that the funds may have been diverted.

The findings as contained in the audit report equally included ₦261.852 million allegedly spent on Transaction Advisors without evidence of work executed, as well as another ₦65.8 million paid to Transaction Advisors in August 2024 in circumstances the Auditor-General said may have violated public procurement procedures.

The amounts cited by SERAP total approximately ₦94.4 billion.

The human rights group prayed to President Tinubu to direct the MDGIF to submit and publish its audited financial statements for 2022, 2023 and 2024 and ensure that the documents are forwarded to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.

SERAP requested that the MDGIF and NUPRC should also publish a clear schedule showing the amounts due, collected, remitted and recovered, including the dates of transactions, institutions, or officials responsible and the accounts into which the funds were paid.

The organisation insisted that every naira identified in the Auditor-General’s report should be properly accounted for, just as it argued that the alleged failure to account for petroleum-product revenues, natural-gas sales revenues and gas-flaring penalties could undermine public confidence in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.

SERAP warned that unremitted gas-flaring penalties could affect funds available for environmental remediation and create risks for communities affected by environmental hazards.

The group tasked the President Tinubu-led Federal Government to implement the recommended measures within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter.

SERAP issued a warning that failure to receive a response within the period could lead it to consider legal action and other lawful measures to compel the government, MDGIF, NUPRC and other relevant authorities to act.

The rights group further invoked provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Section 15(5), which requires the State to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.

Source: tribuneonlineng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 45