By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has affirmed and recognized Sadiq Dasin as the Interim Chairman of the party in Adamawa State.

There has been a leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party, with three individuals claiming to be the interim chairman of ADC.

The division pitted loyalists of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal against those of Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, while the incumbent chairman, Shehu Yohanna, insists he remains the substantive leader of the party.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had, on October 8, approved the establishment of Interim Executive Committees to manage the affairs of the party in the state.

Subsequently, the Adamawa chapter of the party, in a process supervised by the National Vice Chairman for the North East, announced Sadiq Dasin as the Interim Party Chairman.

While Lawal’s bloc backed Sadiq Dasin, Binani’s group threw its weight behind Saidu Komsiri. Yohanna, however, maintains that he remains the duly recognised Adamawa ADC chairman.

Stepping into the matter, ADC’s national secretariat in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the process that produced Sadiq Dasin was in “line with the NWC approval and guidelines”.

The statement encouraged all party members involved in a separate arrangement to reconsider and “follow the path of reconciliation”.

It also urged the new Interim Chairman to “extend the hand of fellowship to all and address genuine grievances.”

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The senate will screen the newly appointed service chiefs today, having brought forward the exercise earlier scheduled for next week, saying the change was necessary to enable the military chiefs to assume their duties immediately.

The senate took the decision yesterday, shortly after the Senate President, Godwill Akpabio read a letter from President Bola Tinubu during plenary, seeking the confirmation of the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

According to the letter, President Tinubu urged the senate to give expeditious consideration to the confirmation of the military brass with a view to ensuring effective coordination of the nation’s security apparatus and continuity.

Tinubu who charged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by promoting professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces believes the new appointments, once confirmed, will reinforce inter-agency coordination and bolster the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security challenges nationwide.

Akpabio however referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation, and that would hold during plenary today.

The development comes barely 48 hours after Tinubu met the new service chiefs behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja—his first formal engagement with the military hierarchy since last Friday’s sweeping reshuffle.

The Presidency had said the shake-up was “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government to strengthen the national security architecture.”

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”

The rejigging, according to presidential aide Sunday Dare was due to “the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture”.

“All appointments take immediate effect,” he wrote.

But critics have faulted rejigging of the military hierarchy, with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) asking President Tinubu to come out clean on the reason for the move.

“Our position remains, therefore, that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened,” the ADC wrote in a statement by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi.

 “As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy. In the light of developments in our neighbourhood of Chad and the Sahel States, we are gravely concerned.”

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume has commissioned the state-of-the-art auditorium of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council North Central Zonal Office with strong emphasis that the North Central region of Nigeria has a vast economic potential that can transform the country into greatness.

He maintained that the region is rich in mineral deposits of commercial quantity and strong in agricultural base which gives it a strategic advantage in driving national economic diversification of the country.

The SGF stated this on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Auditorium at the North Central Zone Coordinating Office of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council in Jos, Plateau State capital.

According to him, “With improved logistics infrastructure, this region can become a key driver of Nigeria’s diversification agenda,” he said.

According to Akume, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has made remarkable footprints in strengthening Nigeria’s logistics and maritime system in Nigeria.

“This edifice is not just a building; it is a statement of vision, a testament to commitment, and a reflection of the renewed energy driving Nigeria’s port and logistics system under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu

“Across the world, economic progress is built on solid infrastructure, adding that efficient ports, roads, railways, and dry ports are the arteries through which the lifeblood of commerce flows.” He stated

The SGF reiterated that the Federal Government is prioritizing investment in critical transport and trade infrastructure across all regions to boost connectivity and competitiveness. “We are building an economy that thrives on connectivity. An economy where a farmer in Benue can ship produce seamlessly to Lagos Port, and an exporter in Jos can access global markets without unnecessary bottlenecks,” he stated.

Akume lauded the Shippers’ Council for its role in promoting fairness, efficiency, and innovation in the maritime sector. He praised the Council’s effort in bridging the gap between seaports and inland regions through the development of Inland Dry Ports and zonal coordination offices.

The SGF also called for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, development partners, and host communities to sustain the gains of infrastructure development.

“Government cannot achieve this vision alone, let us view infrastructure not merely as government projects, but as national assets that require protection, maintenance, and innovation.” Akuma stated

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council Jos, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima in his welcome address pointed out that the choice of Jos for the project is deliberate noting that the North Central Zone remains a critical trade corridor, rich in agricultural produce, solid minerals and entrepreneurial potential.

According to him, “By situating this facility here, we aim to bridge the gap between hinterland commerce and maritime trade, ensuring that the benefits of the Blue Economy extend beyond coastal states. This Auditorium therefore stands as both a symbol of federal inclusion and a platform for economic empowerment.

“It will host dialogue that connect our farmers, miners, manufacturers, and traders to the logistics system that drive export and industrial growth,” Ukeyima emphasized

The 250 capacity state-of-the-art auditorium named after Senator George Akume was commissioned by the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda represented Chief Emmanuel Eneukwu the APC Deputy National Chairman South, with a charged to the management to make good use of the facility for the upliftment of citizens of the lives of citizens of the zone.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Deputy Ngo Josephine Piyon assured of his administration commitment in creating an enabling business environment that will catapult citizens to prosperity by sustaining the various initiatives under his administration and exploring new ones.

“Let me assure you that the Plateau State Government will continue to collaborate closely with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other relevant stakeholders in advancing the Federal Government’s agenda on trade facilitation, logistics modernization, and export promotion.

“We are committed to creating an enabling environment that encourages enterprise, reduces bottlenecks, and supports sustainable economic growth,” he stated.