Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has said democracy has firmly taken root in Nigeria following the party’s nationwide primary elections.

Atiku made this remark in a statement signed by the Atiku Media Office and shared on X on Monday after casting his vote at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.

The ADC presidential primary was held simultaneously across 8,809 wards in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Addressing supporters, Atiku described the large turnout as a strong indication of internal democratic participation within the party.

“The large turnout of voters is a clear indication of how party members are willing to participate in the ADC internal democratic processes”, the former Vice President said, adding “I have no doubt that democracy has come to stay.”

The former vice president cast his vote amid cheers from party faithful who gathered at the polling unit.

The former vice president cast his vote amid cheers from party faithful who gathered at the polling unit. Voting reportedly commenced shortly after his arrival at the venue from Abuja, with Atiku listed among three aspirants in the race, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatudeen.

The statement added that the returning officer, Hon. Umar Jada, earlier announced that Ajiya Ward had unanimously endorsed Atiku’s

The statement said, “The returning officer, Hon. Umar Jada, earlier announced that Ajiya Ward had unanimously endorsed Atiku’s candidacy. At the end of the process, a total of 3,220 votes were reportedly cast in his favour.”

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja nullifying the timelines issued for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.

The commission on Monday, April 25, filed a notice of appeal and a motion for stay of execution of the judgement of the lower court.

Last Wednesday, a federal high court in Abuja nullified the timelines issued by INEC for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.

More to follow…

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Monday threw his weight behind the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State

Wike said Chinda has the experience and political pedigree needed to be a governor.

Speaking on Monday during an inspection tour of key projects
in the nation’s capital, Wike said, “A good product markets itself. Everybody
knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material. He is quite experienced. He has
worked with the executive and now in the legislature.”

The FCT minister added that Chinda’s political credentials and public acceptance made his emergence unsurprising.

Wike also expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of ongoing infrastructural projects across Abuja, declaring that several of them were ready for inauguration.

He said the projects reflected the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to delivering visible governance through infrastructural renewal.

“I think today is one of the happiest days. The projects we inspected, obviously, they are ready for inauguration,” the minister said.

Wike first inspected the Renewed Hope City road project in Karsana, which he said was about 98 per cent completed, commending the contractor, Lubriks Construction Company, for what he described as excellent delivery.

He also expressed satisfaction with work on the Old Keffi Road and Dei-Dei road projects, noting that asphalt work had largely been completed while installation of streetlights was ongoing.

At the Airport Road to Kuje Road project being handled by Arab Contractors, Wike described the work as “fantastic,” saying the road would significantly improve connectivity and boost economic activities in the area.

“I’m sure anybody who goes there will admire it and that is what is called governance. We are very proud of the contractors and what they
have done,” he stated.

The minister further inspected the Kuje-Gwagwalada road project being executed by Gilmor Engineering Limited, where he said infrastructure development had transformed the landscape of the area.

“You can see how infrastructure has changed the entire landscape of the Kuje area,” he said.

Wike later visited the City Gate project being handled by Julius Berger, describing the ongoing transformation as a major facelift for the capital city.

According to him, the project, initiated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, would redefine the entrance into Abuja, especially at night.

“When you have a good woman who means well for the administration of her husband, I’m talking about the First Lady of Nigeria,
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, this is her brainchild,” he said.

“I’m happy with the contractor. They promised that by the end of May or first week of June they would hand over this project and they have kept to time.

“Anybody who passes here in the night will see a different city when they are coming in. They will know they are coming to the capital of
Nigeria.”

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The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects, Onyema Okonkwo and Emmanuel Onyekachi, over the alleged r@pe and murder of a 21-year-old nursing student, Wendy Achumba, in Umuadara Umulogho, Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

This came as the traditional ruler of Umuadara Umulogho, Eze Patrick Uwalaka, alongside members of the community where the nursing school is located and where the deceased lived in an off-campus apartment, publicly denounced the killing and dissociated themselves from the crime.

Until her death last Thursday, Wendy was a student of Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School, Obowo, where she was undergoing post-basic training in midwifery.

The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said on Sunday that operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community stakeholders, arrested the two suspects following intelligence-led investigations into the incident.

Okoye disclosed that 32-year-old Onyema Okonkwo confessed to r@ping and killing the victim in an attempt to cover up the crime.

He added that the suspect also implicated 25-year-old Emmanuel Onyekachi as an accomplice, alleging that both men killed the student after she recognised them.

According to him, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.

Okoye said, “Operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community stakeholders, have arrested two suspects allegedly connected with the rape and murder of Wendy Achumba, aged 21, a post-basic nursing student of Mercy College of Nursing Science, Umulogho, whose lifeless body was discovered in her private off-campus residence at Umuadara, Umulogho, in Obowo LGA.

“The suspects, Onyema Okonkwo, aged 32, and Emmanuel Onyekachi, aged 25, both indigenes of Umuadara Umulogho, were arrested following sustained intelligence-led investigative efforts by operatives of the division in synergy with community stakeholders.

“During the investigation, Onyema Okonkwo confessed to the killing of the victim after forcibly having unlawful carnal knowledge of her on multiple occasions in an attempt to conceal his crime and further implicated Emmanuel Onyekachi as being involved in the matter.

“The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet and comprehensive investigation and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Bosso, assures the public that the matter is being handled with utmost diligence and professionalism and that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.”

Meanwhile, Eze Uwalaka and members of the community on Sunday gathered at the village square to condemn the killing and invoke traditional sanctions against the perpetrators.

The monarch said the community had no involvement in the incident and reaffirmed that Umulogho remained peaceful and safe for residents.

He also urged anyone with prior knowledge of the crime to come forward and speak up.

“We, the people of Umulogho, are here to denounce this wicked act. We know nothing about it, and we exonerate ourselves and the land from any repercussions. Let the gods deal with the perpetrators.

“Our land is safe, and we are good people. If anyone has prior knowledge of this act, such a person should come forward before the wrath of the deities,” the monarch said.

Also speaking, the president of Umulogho Youths, Chidiebere Iweajunwa, commended the role played by the community youth body in aiding the arrest of the suspects and called for speedy prosecution.

“The arrest of the suspects, which was aided by the community youth body, is a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation, and we call for speedy prosecution and justice for the deceased student,” he said.

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A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu on Sunday dissolved the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and formally declared him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The decision was taken at the faction’s national convention and presidential primary held in Abuja, where delegates adopted Kachikwu as the sole candidate through a voice vote.

The faction also immediately constituted a new set of national officers to replace the dissolved NWC.

The new executives include Kingsley Oggah as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Abdulkadir Bashir as National Chairman, Johnny Derek as National Secretary, Kennedy O. Odion as National Treasurer, Chief Amirigoye as National Financial Secretary, and Dr Chris Ugwu as National Legal Adviser, among others.

Speaking after receiving the party flag, Kachikwu said Nigeria is at a critical juncture and requires strong, purposeful leadership to tackle pressing challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, economic hardship, and national division.

He lamented the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country, noting the mass exodus of middle-class Nigerians in search of better opportunities abroad.

“The mass exodus of our middle class is indicative of those who have chosen not to be part of this hardship anymore,” Kachikwu said.

He stressed that Nigeria belongs to all citizens and must not be controlled by a few privileged interests.

Earlier, the Chairman of ADC State Chairmen, Kingsley Oggah, described the convention as a defining moment for the party, highlighting its resilience despite internal challenges.

The newly elected National Chairman, Abdulkadir Bashir, called for unity, respect for the party’s constitution, and the return of aggrieved members.

This development is part of the ongoing realignments and factional disputes within the ADC ahead of the 2027 polls.

The party has been split between different factions, including one associated with former Senate President David Mark.

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Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is the Biafra the South-East has been looking for.

Umahi noted that Tinubu has integrated the entire South-East into the mainstream.

Speaking during the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary in Ebonyi State, the minister said the President gave the South-East what he described as juicy appointments.

He said: “Tinubu is the Biafra we have been looking for, a man who has integrated the entire South-East.

“A man who has given us juicy appointments and a man who has
given us very important infrastructure. Bola Tinubu on your mandate we shall
stand.”

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Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by Mohammed Bello Doka, Special Assistant on Media to Malami.

According to the statement, Malami’s emergence followed consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters across the state
ahead of the 2027 elections.

Malami, in the statement, expressed appreciation to party leaders and supporters for the confidence reposed in him ahead of the election.

“I sincerely appreciate the confidence and support shown by leaders, stakeholders, and supporters of the African Democratic Congress, ADC,
in Kebbi State ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The statement also announced other candidates endorsed by the party for various positions, including retired Major General Aminu Bande
for the Kebbi Central Senatorial District, retired Deputy Comptroller General
Ibrahim Muhammad Mera for the Kebbi North Senatorial District, and Garba
Danjuma Limi for the Kebbi South Senatorial District.

Doka said the ADC remained committed to promoting good governance, justice, security, and sustainable development in Kebbi State and across the country.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to face incumbent Governor Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 governorship election.

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Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has stated why the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, should have three senators like every other state in Nigeria.

Speaking at a grassroots mobilization event, Yesufu said in terms of population, the FCT is more populated than 10 states and in terms of land mass, it is bigger than eight states.

According to her, there is no reason FCT cannot have three senators and at least six House of Representatives members.

“The FCT has gone passed the stage where we have to struggle for one Senator. FCT should have three senators. It will be for the betterment of Abuja as a whole.

“With this, the good people of Abuja will have more representatives and their voice will be heard. Instead of one person, you will have three persons speaking at the red chamber of the National Assembly for the
FCT people.

“This is one of the things I will push for as a Senator.
It’s not going to be easy but it’s doable,” she said.

Recall that Yesufu is running for the FCT senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

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The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has ordered its directorates to suspend services to 11 domestic airlines.

The NCAA also placed them on its updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list over unpaid statutory charges owed to the regulator.

An internal memo by the agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, ordered all departments to withhold regulatory and
administrative services from the affected operators until they clear their
outstanding debts or agree on repayment plans.

According to the agency, at the centre of the dispute are the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge, funds collected by airlines on behalf of the NCAA to support safety oversight, personnel training and economic regulation within the aviation sector.

The memo also directed all directorates to suspend services to the affected airlines pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.

The memo was circulated across the authority’s regional offices and copied to the Director-General of Civil Aviation and other senior officials.

According to the memo, airlines affected by the directive include “Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle, Max Air Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air and ValueJet.”

“We have directed that no directorate should render any service to the above airline without financial clearance from the director of finance and accounts,” NCAA said.

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