NEWS
Who is Afraid of the Coalition?
By Jibrin Ibrahim
The “owners” of political power in Nigeria appeared to have entered panic mode on Wednesday when the platform of the opposition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was to be launched. A few hours before the event, the organisers got a rude shock when the hotel abruptly cancelled a fully paid reservation.
The Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja, said they had to cancel the event due to an unspecified “internal compliance matter. ” The very late cancellation could only have meant some powerful people wanted to stop the inauguration of the coalition because they were afraid. Nonetheless, it was very strange behaviour because the reality of Nigeria is that you cannot stop the opposition from meeting.On numerous occasions over the past few months, the police have been sent to stop Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meetings or occupy their offices. It was essentially the concern of opposition parties that the government is crossing red lines in interfering with their structures that created the impetus for unity. Clearly, the Fourth Republic might be facing an existential risk if the government seeks to destroy opposition parties.It is interesting that immediately after the inauguration, the Presidency launched a scathing attack on former President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees, who have joined the opposition coalition that is organising to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to President Tinubu on media and strategy, criticised some opposition members for their alleged personal ambitions and lack of ideology.Some of those mentioned by Mr Onanuga include: Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, who Mr Onanuga claims “lost interest” in the party after losing the presidential primary to Mr Tinubu in 2022; Abubakar Malami, a former attorney-general, said to have become estranged from the APC when President Tinubu assumed leadership and once he (Malami) lost the governorship bid in Kebbi; and Hadi Sirika, a former aviation minister facing trial for contract splitting and other allegations, which Mr Onanuga claims has compromised his integrity.Finally, there is Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor and internal affairs minister under President Buhari, who Mr Onanuga says was expelled from the APC for anti-party conduct during the last Osun election. If these people have been divorced from the ruling party, why would they not seek new companionship in an opposition platform.The key political problem facing the country has been the expectation that President Tinubu would use his vast political networks in every nook and corner of Nigeria to establish an all-inclusive government in which all sections of society would have a sense of belonging. What happened was the emergence of a clannish government with a strong ethnic marker. That was a key characteristic of the preceding Buhari administration and there was deep concern that the same problem had been replicated. Precisely because the key sentiment about the current administration is its lack of inclusiveness, it is no surprise that opposition to the government is blossoming.The response of the government has been to apply slash-and-absorb tactics to opposition parties by actively encouraging factional crises within them and enticing key members to abandon ship and join the ruling party. This is not a sustainable tactic because there are limited positions within the ruling party, and giving the new entrants many goodies would mean depriving those within the party of these, which would become a crisis generating mechanism for the ruling party itself. As the saying goes, “their turn will come.”This was indeed the context that encouraged opposition parties to strategise towards the establishment of a unified mega opposition platform to face the APC in the 2027 elections. We now know that the said platform is the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which was launched on Wednesday. In a swift move, the existing leadership of the ADC stepped down to enable the new entrants take over control, an action that will no doubt be contested by surrogates of the APC.The new leadership includes former Senate President David Mark as national chairperson; ex-Osun State governor and former Tinubu ally, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary; and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, as spokesperson. The coalition is mostly composed of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and some APC members. The opposition coalition includes prominent politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bukola Saraki, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, amongst others.By making opposition parties ungovernable, the ruling party has created the need within them to opt out and seek unity in another platform. Let us not forget that the APC itself was born from a merger of opposition parties in 2013, culminating in its historic victory over the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.One of the hopefuls for the presidential candidate of the coalition, Peter Obi, has declared that the platform would offer Nigerians “a competent, capable, and compassionate” leadership. As he put it, “our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 general elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first.” This is easy to say. There are many others within the coalition with the same ambition and the success of the coalition would depend on their establishing a level playing ground for intra-party democracy to produce the best candidate. If they fail to do so, their success cannot be guaranteed.A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development.NEWS
Plateau PDP Cautions Members Against Obtaining Nomination Forms From Pro-Wike Faction
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Plateau State chapter of the party has caution it’s members against obtaining primary election nomination from the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In an advisory obtained by the Daily Asset Newspaper, the Plateau PDP declared that loyalists of the FCT Minister parading as leaders of the party have already been expelled and their expulsion validated by the High Court and Court of Appeal.
In the advisory issued by Dr Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary, the chapter maintained that any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.
Part of the statement reads: “Our great party under the strategic leadership of Miskoom Raymond Dabo, hereby issues a formal advisory grounded in extant judicial pronouncements regarding the purported sale of nomination forms for the 2027, general elections led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu acting as National Secretary.
“Pursuant to binding judicial determinations, this advisory is issued, including:- The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 9th March, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on 12th January, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the Peoples Democratic Party.
“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.
“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of 29th March, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.
“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny, and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.
“The principle of law remains unequivocal: No valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.
“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.
“Implications for Aspirants: Non recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);
“Exposure to pre election litigation leading to disqualification;
“Post election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.
“The PDP Plateau State, chapter strongly advises all aspirants, and stakeholders to exercise due diligence, and avoid engagement with any processes that are unstable with the vision, and mission of the founding fathers of our great party, which to a great extent are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”
End
NEWS
Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities
By Laide Akinboade Abuja
Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer Chief Obiageli Okwubanego, on Wednesday, commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road in Orumba South Local Government Area.
Sh gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
She said residents in that area testified that the project has transformed transportation, agriculture and economic activities across the axis.
Okwubanego described the road project as a major infrastructure breakthrough that has drastically reduced travel time and eased movement for motorists and residents within the affected communities.
She recalled that the appeal for the road was first made in 2019 when Soludo attended the funeral mass of her mother, Chief Mrs. Agnes Igwenagu Okeke.
According to her, the deplorable state of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and guests attending the burial ceremony.
“When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown,” she said.
She noted that the newly completed road has reduced travel time by about two hours and now serves as an alternative route to the traffic-prone Umunze Roundabout.
Travellers heading towards Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu areas of Imo State, now use the route to avoid traffic congestion.
“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Okwubanego described the project as part of Soludo’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation agenda across Anambra State.
According to her, the road has enhanced the movement of goods and services within the communities and improved economic activities in the area.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has positively impacted our communities and brought remarkable transformation to the entire Orumba South Local Government Area,” she said.
She further noted that residents of Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.
“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she added.
Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities in the area, especially palm oil production.
She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in Orumba South Local Government Area.
“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.
On tourism potential, she said the road would also increase access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and commercial activities.
“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her emotional attachment to Nawfija community, saying her passion for the people inspired her continuous commitment to their welfare and development.
“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally pleaded with His Excellency to give us this road. My passion for the community will always push me to look out for their welfare,” she said.
NEWS
Ekiti Church Attack: CAN Demands Action Over Killing, Abduction of Worshippers
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, condemned
the attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, where gunmen reportedly killed a Pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.
This was stated in a statement issued by
President, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.
The Christian body demanded for immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits and rescue of those kidnapped.
He described this latest attack as a brutal assault on shared humanity and the sanctity of life.
And it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
He mourned with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State
The statement reads, “We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.
People had gathered peacefully to worship God, and they were met with violence. This is not just an attack on a church; it is a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life.“We mourn with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release.
“This latest tragedy comes amid a disturbing pattern of attacks. Only recently, gunmen struck communities in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting residents including clergy, their families, and other community members. These repeated incidents underscore a deepening security crisis that can no longer be ignored.
“This attack further heightens concerns about the safety of lives and the protection of communities. No one should have to live in fear, and no place of worship must ever become a hunting ground for criminals.
“We must be unequivocal: the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. We call on the authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently. Those responsible for this atrocity must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay. Every necessary effort must be made to rescue those abducted unharmed.
“We also urge the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks”.
He noted, “At the same time, we must all speak out firmly. The killing of a Pastor and the abduction of worshippers gathered to commune with their Creator is deeply troubling. It reflects a grave disregard for life, for faith, and for the moral fabric of our society.
“We have a duty to communicate these concerns clearly, firmly, and without equivocation to the appropriate authorities. Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge.
“May God comfort the bereaved, protect those in captivity, and restore peace and security to our land”.

