POLITICS
Nigerians in Diaspora Drums Support for Tinubu, Akpabio
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
A group of Concerned Nigerian professionals living in the Diaspora has rallied support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement released to Nigerians with the caption: “Let’s build on President Bola Tinubu’s and Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s impactful and exemplary leadership”, the group thanked God for the divine collaboration of the impactful President Bola Tinubu and the peaceful Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who they say have provided exemplary and purposeful leadership in the last two years.
The statement signed by its Coordinator, Princess Diana Akinmoyo, stated that with “President Tinubu’s revolutionary achievements as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999-2007 and what he encouraged his predecessors to effect in Lagos which brought it from a slum status to a decent city that is currently competing with similar commercial nerve centres around the world, one can only appreciate the fact that he is now leveraging on more efforts to move Nigeria forward.”
“Undoubtedly, we now have one of the best democratically elected governments in history, which has expanded Nigeria’s GDP by $67 billion in just two years, moving us from a ₦269.29 trillion economy on May 29, 2023, when Senator Bola Tinubu became President, to ₦372.8 trillion today, and has equally increased our national prestige by achieving the upgrading of Nigeria’s passport from the 97th strongest in the World by 2022 to the 88th most powerful passport on Earth 2025, according to the latest “Henley Passport Index,” the statement read.
It furthered that this is even as “S&P Global Ratings” has upgraded Nigeria’s economic outlook to “positive” from “stable”, citing the success of the Tinubu reforms, which, through the removal of fuel subsidy and the Tax Reform Act, have added more revenue streams to our economy.
“Moreover, the President has tamed inflation tremendously, bringing it to a three-year low of 16.o %, (from about 33% in 2023, when he took over) just as he has stabilised the economy, as affirmed by no less than the London Financial Times and a personality of Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the DG of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
“The synergy between the National Assembly and the Presidency is another vitally important factor that is promoting the image of the current Federal Government even in the international communities,” it said.
The statement added that distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio’s uncommon excellence as the current president of the Nigerian Senate and the Chairman of the National Assembly is no surprise, looking at his antecedents.
“It is believed that God really prepared him sufficiently for this new assignment; he was a two-term State Commissioner (1999-2007), Governor of Akwa Ibom State for 8 years (2007-2015), Hon Minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2015-2019), Senate Minority Leader (2019-2023 and after his re-election into the Senate, he was elected by his Distinguished colleagues as the President of the Nigerian Senate since June 2023.
“The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium he built as a Governor in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State remains the best in Nigeria, West Africa, and arguably in Africa No wonder he is actually leveraging on this rich wealth of experience to lead the Senate to an enviable level, and it is noteworthy that he’s particularly loyal to the visionary and impactful reforms of the Presidency and has been able to work with minimal friction from his colleagues.”
It concluded by encouraging all Nigerians at home and abroad to allow the “Renewed Hope Agenda” and the two wonderful and God’s choices to continue to navigate our affairs beyond 2027 so that Nigeria can grow in geometric progression and meet our dream.
Senate Condemns Bandits Attack on Kebbi School, Abduction of 25 Students
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate has condemned the deadly attack on the Government Girls School in Maga, Kebbi State, where gunmen yesterday reportedly killed the vice principal and abducted 25 students.
The condemnation of the lawmakers was sequel to a motion by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi during plenary yesterday, prompting a heated debate on the worsening insecurity across educational institutions in Nigeria.
The session which was presided over by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio later moved into a closed-door session where they furthered deliberations on the situation.
Reacting to the issue, the former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan lamented the continuing attacks on schools, warning that the country risks losing an entire generation if urgent steps were not taken.
“These children are our future. We have to do everything possible to get them back. Otherwise, the future of Nigeria will be compromised. But time is of the essence to our armed forces.”
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), in his remarks pointed out that governors must share responsibility for fighting insecurity, recalling his own experience while in office.
“Security should not only be the job of the Federal Government. I have never blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo while I was a governor. I had gone out of my way to help Anambra and other states in terms of security.”
For Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), the frequency of school attacks demands the deployment of technology and a renewed national urgency.
“This matter is what many people don’t want to discuss anymore. But it is a matter of national importance. They were taken away and are still being moved around. So we urge security agencies to deploy their technology to find them,” he said.
Senator Solomon Lalong (Plateau South) questioned the effectiveness of the World Bank–supported Safe School programme and drew parallels with the tragedy of the Chibok girls.
“What has the girl child done to Nigeria? What is wrong with the Safe School programme funded by the World Bank, because I was also a part of it? This is the same fate that befell our Chibok girls. It should be treated as a matter of national security before it turns into another Chibok experience.”
Reacting to the contributions, Senate President Akpabio condemned the attack and called for a coordinated national response.
He said, “The Senate condemns this dastardly act, especially violence against our children. We urge the FG and security agencies to apprehend these criminals and rescue our children without delay.”
He also raised questions about the logistics used by the attackers and disclosed that senators’ inputs would feed into the forthcoming national security summit.
“When we talked about these students being abducted, what did they use to convey them? But it is important to get the views of Nigerians to be compiled for our security summit,” he added.
Akpabio then directed the chamber into a closed session after lawmakers observed a minute’s silence.
“After this, we will go for a closed-door session to discuss more. Let us also spare a minute’s silence in honour of the school vice principal and those who died defending the students,” he added.
Nigeria continues to grapple with repeated armed attacks on schools, a disturbing trend that has persisted for more than a decade.
These incursions — often carried out by bandits or insurgent groups — have resulted in killings, mass abductions, and prolonged disruption of learning across the North.
Recall that gunmen had stormed Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in the early hours of Monday, killing a vice principal and abducting several students with a guard also injured.
Renewed Hope Group raising 10m Volunteers to Enlighten Nigerians on Tinubu’s Policies
From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
A socio-political group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors have reiterated its efforts of raising 10 million volunteers to enlighten Nigerians on the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu and its impact on the nation.
Speaking with newsmen at the group’s Southwest Summit held in Osogbo, the National Convener, Dr Oke Idawene lamented that many Nigerians are not aware of the President’s reforms and the positive impacts it is yielding on the country’s growth.
The Summit tagged ‘Transforming Nigeria’s Economy, Policies, Progress and The Path Ahead for Continuity’, he noted that Tinubu needs collaboration not castigation by any ethnic or religious groups, including President Donald Trump.
“We urge Nigerians to support good governance by backing President Bola Tinubu. We currently have 5.3 million members nationwide, and we are consolidating to increase the number to 10 million members, so that the election can be a walkover for our president.
“Anyone that dislike Tinubu is an enemy of Nigeria. So, we that are of like minds come together to propagate his good deeds, we launch the consultation in Southwest to tell the people that he meant well for the country and that his policies have human face and it’s impacting on the economy positively.
“Also the issue of insecurity, the President is doing well, I want to call on everyone that we need collaboration not castigation”, he added.
Similarly, the Deputy National Chairman Southwest, Omole Oluwasegun, asserted that “Nigeria has problems, President Tinubu has identified it and the solution lies with him that is why we are saying that Nigeria should support him to ensure that we live fine.
“The entire residents of this country should demonstrate their unalloyed support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term ambition for him to continue his good work for the betterment of all and sundry, I assure you that, Baba will not let us down as he has been tested without any disappointment”, Omole stressed.
The Osun State Coordinator of the group, Olamilekan Mustapha, affirmed that the sensitization will also help the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state to win the 2026 gubernatorial election, adding that the group has no preferred governorship aspirant but will mobilise for the party as a whole.
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By Julius Tambaya, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Peter Agada, has pledged to usher in a fresh era of transparent, technology-driven governance if elected President of Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.
Agada, a former Director of Finance for the Obidient Movement in the 2023 elections, voiced strong optimism about defeating his political rivals.
He made the commitment while unveiling his bold policy roadmap tagged “Labour Direct” , a people-centered agenda designed to tackle Nigeria’s most pressing challenges head-on.The YPP presidential flag bearer who, spoke in an exclusive interview with DAILY ASSET, stated that his administration would be anchored on an “open-network governance” model, emphasizing total inclusivity, accountability, and direct citizen engagement through the ‘Labour Direct’ framework.
He further stressed the urgent need to align skills development with current market demands. He further called for a complete overhaul of the public service, advocating for a merit-based recruitment system to replace favoritism and mediocrity.
“As an accomplished professional architect with vast international experience, I will approach national security through a smart blend of community-based intelligence and cutting-edge technology,” Agada noted.
He also highlighted massive job creation plans, with a strategic focus on agricultural industrialization and the solid minerals sector—two areas he believes hold the structural key to absorbing Nigeria’s teeming youthful population
On the alleged politicization of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the current administration, Agada revealed ongoing, high-level international collaborations aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s electoral process.
“We are already working with corporate development partners and the governments of the United States and China to build and deploy a robust, technology-based system,” Agada declared. “This will ensure prompt, transparent, and tamper-proof transmission of election results.”
Positioning himself as a bridge between competence and compassion, the YPP candidate promised a government that works for every citizen, irrespective of tribe, religion, or political affiliation.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the claims by a rival group of uploading presidential nomination details to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, describing it as false.
Consequently, the party has urged INEC to investigate what it described as forgery and unauthorised use of documents it purportedly issued.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, said it was not true that a group, led by Nafiu Bala, uploaded names of presidential and other candidates into the INEC nomination portal.
According to him, INEC cannot issue nomination portal access or nomination codes to a leadership it does not officially recognise under the Electoral Act.
He said that the commission would not issue separate nomination portal codes to different groups claiming leadership of the same registered political party.
“The claim is a blatant lie. INEC does not issue nomination portal access or nomination codes to a leadership it does not recognise,” Abdullahi said.
He challenged those making the allegation to provide credible evidence showing that an unrecognised group successfully accessed and uploaded nominations on the commission’s portal.
The spokesman said the party had formally notified INEC of what it considered apparent forgery and unauthorised use of documents bearing the commission’s identity.
“We trust that the commission will investigate this matter and take necessary steps to correct this blatant misrepresentation,” he said.
Abdullahi declared that ADC was not factionalised, insisting that INEC recognised only one leadership which had completed its nomination process lawfully.
He said the party had already uploaded details of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, on the INEC portal.
“Our focus remains firmly on presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative that can restore security, revive the economy and create jobs in 2027,” he said.
The spokesman urged party members, supporters, the media and the public to disregard contrary claims and rely only on official communications issued through authorised ADC channels.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday, upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a ruling that has deepened the party’s internal leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a split two-to-one decision, the appellate court affirmed the April 29, 2026 judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, which barred the caretaker leadership from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s duly elected state executive committees and prevented INEC from recognising any state congresses conducted under the caretaker arrangement.
Delivering the lead majority judgment, Justice Okon Abang held that the power to conduct state congresses resides with the party’s elected state executive committees and not the national caretaker leadership. He ruled that the ADC violated Section 223(1)(a) of the Constitution and breached its own constitution by appointing a caretaker committee to conduct state congresses while the tenure of elected state executives remained valid.
Justice Abang, who delivered the judgment supported by Justice Donatus Okorowo, held that once constitutional violations are alleged, disputes within political parties cease to be mere internal affairs and become justiciable. He stressed that judicial intervention was necessary to safeguard democratic principles and prevent anarchy.
The appellate court consequently dismissed the appeal filed by the ADC, upheld the restraining orders issued by the Federal High Court, and awarded N10 million costs against the party in favour of the plaintiffs.
However, the Presiding Justice, Abba Mohammed, dissented, maintaining that the dispute was an internal affair of the party beyond the jurisdiction of the courts. He argued that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before instituting the suit and described both the trial court’s judgment and the majority decision as erroneous.
The suit was instituted by aggrieved members of the ADC, who challenged the constitution of committees by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership to conduct state congresses. They argued that only duly elected party organs recognised by the party’s constitution possess such powers. The Federal High Court agreed, nullifying all processes initiated by the caretaker leadership in relation to the state congresses.
Despite the setback, the ADC dismissed suggestions that the judgment could affect its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted that the judgment dealt solely with congresses for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees and had no bearing on the direct primaries through which the party’s candidates emerged.
He announced that the party had commenced the process of appealing the judgment at the Supreme Court, describing the Court of Appeal’s decision as legally unsustainable while expressing confidence in the dissenting judgment.
“The judgment has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the party’s candidates have emerged at all levels,” Abdullahi said, urging party members and supporters to remain calm and focused on the party’s mission of providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also sought to reassure supporters, saying the ruling did not invalidate the ADC’s primary elections or the emergence of its candidates for the 2027 polls.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described reports suggesting that the judgment had nullified the party’s presidential ticket as misleading propaganda.
According to him, the appellate court ruled only on the legality of the party’s state congresses and the tenure of state executives, stressing that congresses for electing party officials are legally distinct from statutory primary elections conducted to nominate candidates under the Electoral Act.
He maintained that only issues placed before a court can be determined and insisted that any attempt to interpret the judgment as invalidating the party’s primaries amounted to a misrepresentation of the law.
Atiku affirmed the party’s decision to approach the Supreme Court and urged supporters not to be discouraged, insisting that the ADC remained committed to pursuing its political objectives through constitutional and legal means as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
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