Category: News

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially presented its Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, a prominent party stalwart and governorship hopeful in Niger State. This event unfolded at the party’s national office in Abuja, where Kpautagi expressed his firm commitment to tackling the region’s challenges and restoring effective governance.

A massive crowd of supporters, party members, youth groups, women, and political allies gathered at the ADC secretariat to demonstrate their backing for the aspirant. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as they cheered his arrival and the formal acquisition of the forms.

In a brief address to the press after the form collection, Kpautagi thanked his followers for their unwavering faith in his leadership. He promised that his administration, if elected, would prioritize policies that directly improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens. He pointed out that insecurity and water scarcity are among the most pressing issues affecting the state, and he intends to implement immediate, pragmatic solutions.

“It is heartbreaking to witness our brothers and sisters being abducted and murdered, while women and children spend their mornings searching for water. These problems call for strong leadership and swift action,” Kpautagi stated. He was accompanied by his spouses and key political figures during the exercise.

Kpautagi also pledged to revive the former glory of Niger State through transparent administration and efficient resource management. Notably, he previously contested the 2023 governorship primary election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. Dignitaries at the event included former legislators, ex-Deputy Speakers, party chairmen, and other aspirants running for various positions under the ADC banner.

In a move underscoring his commitment to political equity, seasoned journalist and founding figure of Nasarawa State, Ayuba Umar, has pulled out of the 2027 governorship contest. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain made the announcement via Facebook on Tuesday, citing extensive consultations and personal introspection.

Umar explained that continuing his bid would be untenable given that he originates from the same senatorial district, local government area, and constituency as the current governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule. He emphasized that genuine leadership demands consistency and justice, particularly when advocating for fair representation and zoning in the state.

“If I speak out against political imbalance when it benefits others, I must also reject it when I stand to gain. That is the true measure of principled leadership and the responsibility that accompanies integrity and accountability,” Umar stated.

Recalling a similar decision in 2018, when he stepped aside for political stability, Umar framed his latest withdrawal as another sacrifice for democratic integrity. “In 2018, I stepped aside for peace and stability. In 2026, I am stepping aside again to uphold the principles that sustain democracy. This is not surrender; it is an act of conviction, character, and integrity,” he added.

Umar recently joined the ADC after resigning from the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), where he was a prominent member.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially put behind it the departure of two of its prominent former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, according to the party’s leadership.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, made this clear during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Wednesday. He characterized the exit of the two politicians as a minor setback, emphasizing that the party has since stabilized and refocused on its core objectives.

Abdullahi stated, “The movement of Peter Obi and Kwankwaso from ADC was just a glitch. We have moved past it. The party has stabilized and is pressing forward because our ultimate goal remains unchanged: to halt the continuous decline in governance across the country and to strengthen the multi-party system.”

Recall that Obi and Kwankwaso recently left the ADC to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing internal political disputes and legal battles as their reasons for defecting. However, the ADC spokesman stressed that despite some members moving to other parties, the larger vision of building a robust opposition coalition remains alive within the current political landscape.

“While some have chosen other parties and others have stayed with ADC, the broader mission of creating a strong opposition coalition is still very much active in today’s political environment,” Abdullahi added.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the escalating security crisis in Nigeria, following the death of former lawmaker Abba Adamu while in kidnappers’ custody. Adamu, who served in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, was abducted on May 3 while traveling from Kano to Abuja along the Kaduna-Abuja highway for a political meeting. Reports indicate that he died nine days later despite efforts by his family to secure his release.

In a statement released in Abuja by his media aide Phrank Shaibu, Atiku asserted that Adamu’s tragic end underscores the administration’s failure to curb widespread insecurity. He described the situation as a clear sign that Nigeria is under siege, alleging that the government appears overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in addressing the national emergency.

Atiku questioned how a former member of the National Assembly could be abducted on such a strategic route and still die in captivity, asking what hope ordinary Nigerians have when they lack visibility, influence, or protection. He noted that kidnappings and attacks have become routine, with citizens no longer safe on roads, in their homes, or even on their farms.

He emphasized that this is no longer an isolated incident but a horrifying pattern. Atiku also criticized the persistent insecurity along the Abuja-Kaduna road despite repeated government assurances and substantial spending on security. He argued that a government that cannot secure its highways has no right to govern and has failed the most fundamental test of leadership.

The former vice president demanded accountability and questioned the federal government’s security strategy. He stressed that Nigerians are tired of condolence messages and expect concrete action to tackle insecurity.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government’s proposal to exempt candidates applying for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The union warns that this move could further erode the quality of teacher education in the country.

Audu Amba, the National President of the NUT, expressed these concerns during a teacher sensitization workshop held in Abuja. The event was organized by 21st Century in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). Amba lamented what he described as a worsening trend where colleges of education attract weaker candidates, as most high-performing students opt for universities, leaving teacher training institutions as a last resort.

He emphasized that the teaching profession should attract top academic talent, not those who couldn’t secure university admission. “Why can’t we ensure that those entering colleges of education to become teachers are among the highest scorers in UTME?” he questioned, highlighting the paradox of lowering entry standards for a field that forms the bedrock of national education.

Dr. Ronke Soyombo, Registrar of the TRCN, delivered a keynote address stressing the urgent need to reposition teachers for the digital economy. She noted that Nigeria’s educational future hinges on educators who are technologically adept, innovative, and professionally skilled to impart modern competencies.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr. Iyabo Ali, echoed this call for continuous capacity building, urging teachers to upgrade their digital and innovative skills to meet global standards. Other stakeholders, including House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas (represented by Dr. Mary Aba) and Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, called for stronger collaboration and professional commitment in the education sector.

Senator Moro raised alarms about the dilapidated state of Nigeria’s education system, noting that over 70% of schools lack adequate learning and teaching facilities. He warned that the widening gap between teachers and their working environment poses a serious threat to the country’s educational foundation and future development.

Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, has sounded the alarm over what he views as a serious financial crisis facing Nigeria’s Federation Account. He asserts that substantial revenue deductions and under-remittances are undermining the nation’s economic health.

In a statement on X, Agbakoba highlighted that many citizens do not fully grasp the role of the Federation Account, which was established under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution to pool and redistribute revenues across federal, state, and local governments. He described the account as the country’s financial core, now threatened by revenue leaks and escalating debt.

According to Agbakoba, key indicators reveal the depth of the problem. In 2025, a massive N14.94 trillion—nearly 40% of total federation revenues—was diverted before reaching the account. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) withheld N500 billion out of the N1.1 trillion due in 2024. A current FAAC investigation is probing allegations of $42.37 billion in under-remittances from 2011 to 2017. Last year, debt service consumed 69% of federal revenue, far exceeding the IMF’s recommended 30-40% threshold. Nigeria’s total public debt now stands at N159.27 trillion.

Agbakoba characterized this as borrowing against funds already generated but not reaching the Federation Account. To address the crisis, he has proposed a policy reform aimed at strengthening Executive Order 9, which he intends to submit to President Bola Tinubu. He called for a national conversation on restoring the financial heartbeat of the federation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed satisfaction with the conclusion of the 10th session of the France-Nigeria Business Council, which took place at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. He noted that both nations are now shifting their focus toward executing signed business deals and investment initiatives.

According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, on May 12, 2026, bilateral trade between Nigeria and France reached $4.7 billion in 2025. Nigeria continues to be the top destination for French investments in sub-Saharan Africa.

The meeting featured Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, alongside France’s Minister Delegate Nicolas Forissier, as well as prominent business leaders from both countries.

Tinubu praised Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede, Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, for organizing the event, which attracted major private sector representatives from both nations. The statement further acknowledged the presence of business magnates like Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, and Wale Tinubu, along with executives from TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, Danone, and Accor.

The President specifically welcomed the partnership between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform. He emphasized that this is the type of collaboration Nigeria seeks, highlighting that the country is open to investments that foster development, generate capital, and create job opportunities.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing the business climate, supporting investors, and continuing economic reforms to attract more foreign capital.

The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association, a Fulani group, has voiced strong opposition to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent directive for security forces to use lethal force against individuals caught damaging farmlands. In a statement released Wednesday, the organization urged the governor to withdraw what it describes as an excessive order that could worsen the state’s security situation.

Governor Mutfwang issued the command during a security meeting on Tuesday, instructing law enforcement agents to take harsh action against criminals, particularly those targeting farming communities and destroying agricultural resources. However, the Fulani association argued that this approach is one-sided and discriminatory.

National President Dr. Muh’d Hussaini Buzaye criticized the governor for focusing solely on farmland destruction while failing to address attacks on herders and their livestock. He claimed that the state government has shown indifference toward the safety of Fulani residents, pointing to incidents of cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, and killings of herders that remain unchecked.

The group called for equal application of justice, insisting that any security measure must be enforced impartially across all communities. They emphasized that comparable actions should be taken against those involved in stealing cattle, poisoning animals, blocking roads unlawfully, assaulting innocent people, destroying military posts, and other violent acts threatening peace.

Buzaye highlighted the persistent loss of life and property suffered by Fulani members, noting that many herders are attacked while going about their daily routines. He described the recurring theft and destruction of livestock as a grave humanitarian and security crisis that demands immediate government intervention.

The association also expressed alarm over increasing hate speech, ethnic incitement, and divisive rhetoric within communities, which it says fuels tension and distrust. They demanded that anyone engaging in such behavior be held accountable, regardless of their background.

In conclusion, the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association reaffirmed its dedication to peaceful coexistence and called on all stakeholders in Plateau State to collaborate with the government and security agencies to tackle insecurity, rebuild trust, and foster unity among all communities in the state and across Nigeria.

Rufai Oseni, a prominent anchor on Arise News, has sharply criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, labeling his behavior as deeply hypocritical. During a segment on Arise Television, Oseni argued that Atiku embraces the principle of zoning only when it works in his favor but quickly dismisses it when the circumstances shift against him.

Oseni pointed to Atiku’s past actions, recalling how the former VP took legal action against then-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 to enforce the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) zoning formula. He questioned why Atiku now calls zoning self-defeating when it doesn’t align with his ambitions. Oseni noted that courts, while declining to rule on the matter, acknowledged the existence of zoning agreements within the PDP during those litigations.

The anchor further referenced Atiku’s departure from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, suggesting that Atiku’s stance on zoning has been inconsistent over the years. Oseni’s commentary comes as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, with zoning emerging as a contentious issue among political contenders.

A prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide a detailed public account of the promises he made during the 2023 presidential campaign. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Ulasi urged the President to directly address Nigerians, outlining which commitments have been fulfilled, which are still in progress, and the rationale behind any delays.

Ulasi emphasized that citizens are entitled to transparency regarding the administration’s performance since taking office. He noted that while the reality of governing may differ from public perception, elected officials must still answer to the electorate when promises remain unfulfilled.

The PDP chieftain expressed concern over what he described as a troubling trend of public resignation to poor governance. He argued that many Nigerians have lowered their expectations of the government’s ability to deliver essential services, leading them to prioritize personal survival strategies outside state systems. “Citizens have become genetically accustomed to non-performance,” Ulasi stated, adding that most people now focus on alternative means of income rather than relying on government provision of water, food, or even teacher salaries.

He called for a national broadcast where Tinubu would be held accountable for his campaign pledges, insisting that Nigerians cannot afford to abandon their fate to fate alone. “Our problems are many, but we must not leave them to chance,” he concluded.