The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has concluded arrangements to formally defect to the African Democratic Congress ADC, on Monday, in what signals a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.

Senior officials within both parties confirmed that the former Kano State governor would declare for the ADC alongside key loyalists, including former Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, who recently resigned from office.

Top ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, are expected to receive Kwankwaso into the party.

The move follows months of negotiations between Kwankwaso and the ADC, during which the former governor reportedly sought assurances of the party’s vice-presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

Talks had initially stalled over the demand, but were revived after renewed engagements, including a recent meeting with Aregbesola in Abuja.

Kwankwaso’s defection also comes amid shifting political dynamics in Kano, particularly following the earlier move by Governor Abba Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress.

Sources further indicated that broader coalition talks involving Peter Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo had informed the realignments, as opposition figures intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has paid a glowing tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he clocks 74 on Sunday, March 29, 2026, describing him as a visionary and courageous leader whose love for the country has been demonstrated beyond any shred of doubt.

He said that at 74, Tinubu’s life’s journey has continued to stand as a testament to an enduring dedication to the development of Nigeria, while his leadership continues to reflect resilience and a bold commitment to reform, inclusivity, and national renewal.

A statement issued by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, on Saturday, quoted Mbah as recalling that the President had always risen to the occasion at the toughest times in the nation’s history, recalling also his days in the trenches to restore democratic rule and his tough decisions to rescue and reboot the nation’s economy.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 74th birthday is an important moment to reflect on the life of a man whose journey has been deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s democratic evolution and economic transformation.

“Courage in the face of adversity is a defining feature of leadership. The President’s life’s journey boldly encapsulates this quality.

“From his role in the pro-democracy struggle to his stewardship in public office, there has never been anything convoluted about his vision.

“He has consistently demonstrated courage, resilience, and a firm belief in the Nigerian project. His selflessness and love for country are not performative. Neither are his actions driven by a quest for validation.

“So, we are celebrating not just the man, but what he has done for us – how he has deftly pulled our nation’s economy from the precipice.

“The impacts of his policies are not mere abstractions; they are all around us. The reforms we are witnessing today are not easy choices, but they are necessary steps towards building a more resilient and competitive economy.

“We have seen macro-pressures ease, a huge rise in our foreign reserves, and unprecedented unification of our exchange rates.

“At moments of great national reform, leadership requires vision and resolve. President Tinubu has shown both, and history often vindicates leaders who have the courage to confront long-standing structural challenges.

“When the results of his reforms fully crystallise, there can be no doubt that the president is indeed a man made for this moment – a man for all seasons!” Mbah said.

Continuing, Mbah said, “For us, this milestone is also an opportunity for reflection. We owe him a measure of gratitude for the sacrifices and responsibilities he has taken upon himself in steering the country through a critical phase.”

The governor called on Nigerians to continue to support the President, noting that nation-building calls for collective action.

“But beyond celebrating the man, the most meaningful gesture Nigerians can make is to support the difficult but necessary journey of national renewal that his administration has embarked upon.

“Nation-building is never the task of one individual. It requires collective belief, shared sacrifice, and sustained support from citizens.

“So, as we celebrate President Tinubu at 74, my prayer is that he continues to be guided by wisdom and strength, and that Nigerians across all divides rally behind the vision of building a stronger, more prosperous nation,” he concluded.

Dr. Umar Ardo, Convener of the League of Northern Democrats, has predicted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will overwhelmingly win the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries if the contest is held.

Speaking on AIT’s Focus Nigeria programme on Friday, Ardo expressed doubt that a consensus candidate would emerge among the top contenders.

“If there is going to be consensus, it means that the contenders will have to step down; it would mean that Atiku, Peter Obi, Amaechi, and others would have to step down for somebody,” he said.

Ardo noted that Peter Obi may personally be willing to step down, but his Obidient Movement would strongly oppose it. He added that Atiku is unlikely to step down despite his support base possibly allowing it.

However, Ardo was emphatic that if all aspirants go into the primaries whether by delegates or direct voting Atiku would emerge victorious.“Atiku will 100 percent win the primaries even if they do it 100 times,” he declared.

The comments come as opposition figures continue realignments within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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A federal high court in Uyo has dismissed a N54 billion suit filed against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, now known as SEPNU, over an
alleged 2014 oil spill.

The court held that the action was filed outside the time permissible by law.

The case was brought by representatives of Barracks, Nditia, and Okposo 2 communities, who sought damages for environmental harm arising
from the spill.

The plaintiffs had prayed the court to treat the damage as a “continuing injury” in an effort to avoid the limitation period.

But the court rejected the argument, finding that the alleged spill was a completed act that occurred in 2014 and could not be revived more than a decade later.

A key issue in the case was whether the incident qualified as a “continuing injury” or the “continuing effect” of a past act.

Abasiemediong Etuk, counsel to the defendant, argued that a continuing injury requires repeated or ongoing wrongful acts, not just the persistence of damage after a single act.

She said the alleged spill was a one-time occurrence, adding that any lingering environmental impact did not extend the timeframe within which the suit could be filed.

“While the effects of the spill might persist, the cause of action remains fixed to the date the spill occurred,” she said.

In its verdict, the court agreed with the defence, holding that the plaintiffs’ attempt to classify the claim as a continuing injury was
misconceived.

The court found that the spill, as alleged, was not ongoing but a completed act with residual consequences.

It held that the limitation period began to run in 2014, making the suit filed in 2026 statute-barred.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Iran 2-1 in their first match of the invitational four-nation tournament in Turkey.

Goals from Moses Simon and Akor Adams gave Nigeria a slim victory over the Iranians at the Mardan Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya on Friday.

The tournament is the Eagles’ first assignment since their third-placed finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and also the continuation of the team’s pride-restoring campaign following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Iran’s participation in the World Cup is still uncertain following the country’s pulling out over the ongoing war with the US and Israel. However, there have been reports that Iran is making a potential U-turn
amid talks with FIFA to move its World Cup game away from the US.

Hence, the Iranian national team continued to prepare for the competition, but against a hurting Nigeria, their inadequacy was laid bare.

Despite the absence of Victor Osimhen and Calvin Bassey due to injuries, the Eagles maintained the solid performance that earned them a podium finish at the last AFCON.

Maduka Okoye returned to the team and the starting line-up. The other new face in the eleven was Igoh Ogbu, replacing Bassey.

The Eagles wasted no time before bearing their talon. Simon pulled the team ahead in the first six minutes. The strike was produced with the signature move of FC Paris: drifting into the opponent’s box to collect the ball, beating a defender with the drop of the shoulder, before wrapping his
boot around the ball and sending it low into the near post.

The second goal was also early in the second half. Ademola Lookman spotted a space in the Iranian defence and sensed the run of Adams into
the channel. A clean pass through, and Adams chased the ball down before toe-poking the ball underneath the goalkeeper.

Although Iran pulled one back, Nigeria held on for the victory in front of an almost empty stadium.

The Eagles will play Jordan in their final match of the tournament on Tuesday.

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Senegal coach Pape Thiaw insisted Friday that “trophies are won on the pitch” when asked about the decision to strip his team of the Africa Cup of Nations title and declare Morocco the champions.

“I am focused on my job. It is important to not be distracted. Everyone knows we are the champions of Africa,” Thiaw told reporters at a press conference in Paris, ahead of his team’s friendly meeting with Peru on Saturday at the Stade de France.

“We are going to keep working hard to try to win more trophies. It is clear in our minds that trophies are won on the pitch.”

Saturday’s game is part of Senegal’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup, when they will play France, Norway and the winner of a play-off between Bolivia and Iraq in the group stage in the United States.

The Peru match will also be their first outing since the Cup of Nations final against Morocco in Rabat on January 18.

Senegal won 1-0 thanks to Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal, but the occasion was marred by chaotic scenes at the end of normal time when many of Thiaw’s players walked off the pitch in protest at the decision to award Morocco a penalty with the score still goalless.

Some Senegalese supporters also attempted a pitch invasion, and the game was held up for almost 20 minutes before the Senegal players returned.

Brahim Diaz, who was adjudged to have been fouled for the penalty, then had his weak spot-kick saved, allowing Senegal to go on and win in extra time, with the hosts stunned.

However, Senegal were sensationally stripped of the title last week, when the Confederation of African Football announced that it had upheld an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, saying that the champions had infringed tournament regulations by walking off.

As a result, it declared that Senegal had forfeited the match, turning its 1-0 victory into a 3-0 defeat, making Morocco the champions instead.

On Wednesday, Senegal lodged an appeal against that decision to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“We deserved to be champions of Africa on the pitch and we will try to do the same thing off it,” said Senegal captain Idrissa Gana Gueye on Friday.

Last week Everton midfielder Gueye, 36, said he was ready to “hand back the medals” to Morocco if it eases tension between the two countries.

Gueye was also part of the Senegal team which won the Cup of Nations title for the first time at the 2022 edition in Cameroon.

“Nothing can replace the emotions that we have experienced,” Gueye added on Friday, pointing out that his team have won two titles in the last three editions of AFCON, having also reached the 2019 final which they lost to Algeria.

“We didn’t steal those results. A whole country put in the work, a nation which gives everything on the field and off it.”

AFP

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has slammed the
National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Army Staff, COAS,
Waidi Shaibu, for allegedly referring to repentant terrorists as “my friend”
and “my son,” respectively.

A viral video had captured a moment the COAS made reference
to some surrendered terrorists as his sons.

The comment has attracted criticism from netizens, who
accused authorities of romancing criminal elements.

However, it is understood that the repentant
terrorists are called some decent names to avoid stigmatization.

Reacting, ADC, in a statement issued by its Publicity
Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said that such comments “reflect a dangerous
mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it.”

The statement reads, “First, the NSA referred to terrorists
as his brothers. Now, the Chief of Army Staff is referring to terrorists as
sons.

“These rhetorics reflect a dangerous mindset that
accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it.

“When a government begins to frame terrorists in familial
terms, it blurs the moral and legal lines that must remain clear in any serious
security response.

“With this mindset, it is easy to understand why the current
approach has struggled to protect lives and decisively end the killings.

“This must not be allowed to continue. Under an ADC
government, there will be no ambiguity. Bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists
will be treated the same as all enemies of Nigeria.

“We will establish special terrorism courts to ensure swift
prosecution.”

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Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Germany, Femi Fani-Kayode, has strongly opposed the idea of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi ever becoming President of Nigeria, declaring “God forbid” without providing specific reasons.

In a recent interview with Nigeria Today News Network, Fani-Kayode stated: “I look at someone like Peter Obi… God forbid Peter Obi should be President of this country. I won’t go into why I said that, but God forbid.”

The former Minister of Aviation also urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his presidential ambitions to allow others to contest.

“I have respect for our former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, but I also believe that it’s time for him to simply say ‘let others continue the work’,” he said.

Fani-Kayode dismissed the existence of any meaningful opposition in Nigeria, arguing it has effectively collapsed due to internal divisions and lack of direction.

He particularly criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it not as a serious opposition party but as “an association of people who are desperate for power” individuals he called “discredited” with “no hope in hell of moving this nation forward.”

He added: “The opposition has collapsed in Nigeria. There is no opposition because they don’t even know how to be in opposition. How can they keep the Government on its toes when they are busy bickering amongst themselves, fighting amongst themselves and they are fast asleep in bed snoring!”

Fani-Kayode contrasted the current opposition with the All Progressives Congress (APC) during its time in opposition, which he said was strong enough to defeat the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Can you compare the APC that was in opposition to the jokers we have today that call themselves opposition?” he asked.

The comments have sparked reactions online, reflecting ongoing debates about Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.

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Courts across Abia State have been shut down as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment of accumulated leave allowances dating back to 2018.

The industrial action, which has lasted about two weeks, has completely paralysed judicial activities in the state.

Speaking with journalists, the Secretary of the Abia State JUSUN chapter, Comrade Pastor Chibuzo Nwachukwu, said the unpaid leave allowances are part of several unresolved issues between the union and the state government.

He listed other grievances, including the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and the failure to harmonise judiciary workers’ basic salary structure with that of other public servants in the state.

Nwachukwu stressed that salary harmonisation is crucial because most benefits and allowances are calculated based on workers’ basic salaries.

He clarified that the outstanding leave allowances were not incurred solely under the current administration of Governor Alex Otti, who assumed office in 2023, but also accumulated during the tenures of former governors Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu.

Dismissing claims that the strike may be politically motivated, Nwachukwu described the allegation as baseless and “laughable.”

“We are agitating because the government is paying other workers while excluding judiciary staff,” he said.

“Our action is informed by the government’s refusal to honour agreements reached on this matter. We served 20-day, 14-day, and seven-day notices, but there was no response.”

He added that the government had not denied responsibility for the payments, noting that several reconciliation meetings were held before the union resorted to strike action.

Nwachukwu rejected reports suggesting that the state government claims the leave allowances have been incorporated into workers’ salaries, insisting the allowances remain unpaid.

The strike will continue indefinitely until all the union’s demands are fully met.

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