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Category: News

  • PDP, Falana, Ojodu berate Lagos Govt over ‘arbitrary’ streets renaming

    The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) has faulted the  recent renaming of streets in some local governments areas of the state.

    The recent renaming of streets and public landmarks in the state has sparked angry reactions  and  protests, while others have called the move as unconstitutional, provocative, reminiscent of what they call ethnic or cultural erasure.

    Reacting in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, the PDP Vice-Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr Hakeem Olalemi, who advised the ruling party to tread carefully, alleged  the remaining targeted a section of the society.

    “The Lagos PDP is hereby rejecting in totality the renaming of streets by some council chairmen. We should erase history because of politics.

    “It is against the spirit of unity in diversity and it will certainly affect the image of the state as a cosmopolitan state.

    “We should be seen to be promoting unity and not to give the wrong impression to non-indigenes in the state.

    “We have various ethnic nationalists in our state, who have contributed immensely to the development of our state, hence the reason why some streets were named after them initially.

    “This current action by some council executives should be reconsidered. Most of the streets affected were bearing Igbo names before and this leaves  so many questions in the heart of non Indigenes,.”

    Describing the street remaining as totally unconstitutional, Olalemi said that the decision and consequent reactions showed that some leaders failed to consult widely.

    “The APC should, as a matter of fact, revert to the status quo.

    “If the steps were not reversed, the party could seek legal redress in court in order to preserve the identity of Lagos State as a cosmopolitan state.

    “We cannot erase history in the name of politics. The ruling party should know that this renaming of streets arbitrarily can lead to riot, unrest and serious chaos if care is not taken,” he said.

    Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, also recently condemned the change of street names as unconstitutional.

    In an article that is now trending in the social media, famous journalist and political scientist, Senator Babafemi Ojodu warns President Bola Tinubu to rein in on his kinsmen if does not wish to further jeopardise his chance of being re-elected in 2027.

    According him, the Tinubu administration had done much harm to itself already by the lopsided nature of appointments and distribution of development projects.

    It is also reported that residents of Ilaje community in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA in the state had  staged a protest on Wednesday, rejecting the recent renaming of their street ‘Ilaje Road’ to ‘King Sunny Ade Road.’ 

  • Faith-based groups resolve to tackle gender based violence

    Faith leaders and gender advocates have gathered in Abuja for an event aimed at equipping religious actors with the tools to combat gender-based violence (GBV).

    The programme, themed ‘Amplifying Voices and Building Capacity of Faith Actors in Nigeria,’ is also to promote gender equality.

    The event, a National Capacity Building and Development of Training Modules programme, was organised by the Faith to Action Network in collaboration with Gender Champions Nigeria.

    A statement by the organisers says the event brought together participants from various religious backgrounds to develop comprehensive training modules.

    These modules are designed to empower faith leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle key social issues, especially GBV and gender inequality, within their communities.

    Key speakers at the event included Rev. Dr Uzoaku Williams, Team Lead of Gender Champions Nigeria, who highlighted the vital role faith actors play in shaping cultural and societal values.

    “Faith actors are pivotal in shaping societal norms and values. By building their capacity and providing them with the necessary tools, we are amplifying their voices and empowering them to be agents of change in their faith and communities,” she said.

    Rev. Dr Williams also emphasised the need for continuous support and cooperation beyond the event.

    “We must remember that the work does not stop here. We will follow up with attendees to monitor the implementation of the training modules and provide additional resources as needed,” she added.

    Other notable speakers included Rev. Jessie Fubara Manuel, PhD, and Hajiya Sumaye Hamza, PhD, who both gave keynote addresses on ‘The Role of Faith Actors in Ending GBV’.

    They discussed the specific challenges faced by communities in Nigeria and shared insights into how religious leaders can drive change through advocacy and local engagement.

    Speaking, Rev. Dr Jesse Fubara Manuel anchored his contribution in scripture, stressing the principles of love and justice.

    He explained the root causes of GBV, identifying drivers such as patriarchy, communal misreading of scripture, and economic inequality.

    Fubara also outlined seven key roles faith leaders must play: social, didactic, exemplary, partnership, judicial, advocacy, and prayer.

    On her part, Dr Mrs (Hajia) Sumaye Hamza delivered a powerful keynote, presenting striking GBV statistics and declaring that gender-based violence is a human issue, not just a women’s issue.

    She outlined seven key action areas for faith leaders, including issuing joint statements, training religious leaders, creating interfaith structures, engaging men and boys, supporting survivors, building alliances, and strengthening collaboration.

    Meanwhile, representatives of various organisations, including Mr Onyali Gabriel from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Rev. Dr Yusuf Wushishi from the WCC Programme Office on Peace Building in West Africa, and Hajiya Sanni Rafiah, Amira of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), also spoke at the event.

    Participants took part in several training sessions, group discussions, and interactive activities designed to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas among different faith communities.

    The programme also gave faith leaders an opportunity to examine the specific problems affecting their communities and come up with practical solutions.

    At the end of the event, participants renewed their commitment to apply the knowledge gained and put it into action in their communities.

    Organisers underlined the crucial role of faith leaders in driving social change and promoting inclusive development across Nigeria.

    They described the capacity-building initiative as a major step forward in empowering religious actors to fight gender-based violence and promote gender equality, reinforcing their role as important catalysts for positive change.

  • You can’t scuttle our efforts – Nwosu dares APC, Tinubu

    African Democratic Congress (ADC), past chairman, Ralph Nwosu doubles down on allegations about attempted inducement, insisting, efforts by the  government to scuttle opposition shall fail.

    He vowed that no offer or inducement from the Tinubu administration would deter the party from opposing efforts to turn Nigeria into a one party state.

    Speaking on Arise TV Prime Time, Wednesday night, Mr Nwosu asserted, “And that is why we have audaciously, and we will continue that process, to audaciously oppose anything that will make Nigeria to become a one party system under APC. It happened in Lagos, it cannot happen nationally.” 

    Nwosu who is the founder and pioneer chairman of the ADC firmly asserted that the presidency under Bola Ahmed Tinubu had deployed various strategies to torpedo efforts of the coalition to adopt and retool the party.

    He doubled down on his previous claim that the government made offers aimed at inducing him to decline coalition efforts to use ADC as the led opposition party.

    Read Also: I was Offered Three Ministerial Slots to Decline Use of ADC as Coalition Party, ADC’s Ralph Nwosu Says

    Apart from financial inducements, he mentioned that agents of the Administration offered him ministerial slots.

    Even though he would not mention names of those making the offers, he challenged a Presidential Spokesman, Daniel Bwala who called him out for making the claims.

    “Bwala, I wish you would come out and say why Elias, Godwin and Mohammed, they are doing in big hotels, being protected by government, the people paid police.”

    He continued: “They are still carrying the cards of ADC. But the government has used them to scuttle the things we’re doing.”

    The saboteurs

    Nwosu alleged that these individuals were being used to file court cases to halt the coalition’s progress. 

    “They have used them to go to court to say that they don’t agree with the things we’re doing. Therefore, it should be stopped. And they are being protected. We have pictures and we know where they are.”

    “There are people in APC who feel that if we offer this, and they feel it’s too small, we just up it… But this time they failed,” Nwosu averred.

    Please Read: ADC Crisis Deepens as Ousted Nwosu Expels Kachikwu, Seven State Chairmen

    He alleged that some of these subterranean moves were also woven around Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

    He accused Kachikwu of receiving funds to derail the coalition. “He has been the number one agent that is collecting resources from anywhere and funding the process to derail what we are doing as far as consolidating our coalition is concerned.”

    Affirming Kachikwu’s expulsion from the party from the party, Nwosu said, “We had ADL, which our NEC organised, and we recalled those people. And in our NEC yesterday, we pardoned them of everything. But Dumebi Kachikwu… we said for him, we don’t want him anymore.”  

    Sound leadership

    Despite all the odds, Nwosu is optimistic that the party and the coalition of individuals and political parties aggregating under the ADC would wither the storm.

    He mentioned one of the sources of his confidence as the choices they have made so far in their leadership recruitment exercise. “One of the biggest call that the coalition has made, choosing someone like David Mark and Governor Aregbesola, critical,” he enthused.

    “We’re just praying that everything will continue going well.… all the ideas that the new leadership has will work out well moving on,” he concluded.

  • ADC abhors imposition of candidates, indiscipline – Sen Mark

    ADC abhors imposition of candidates, indiscipline – Sen Mark

    Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark says the party shall not tolerate candidates’ imposition, anti-party activities and other forms of indiscipline.

    Mark made this known in his remarks at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.

    The interim chairman  also pledged to serve the party with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision.

    He acknowledged the patriotism, sacrifices, and dedication of the outgoing National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and his team, who he lauded for building the ADC over the years and for relinquishing party leadership in the interest of the country.

    He also commended all party leaders and loyal members who contributed to the party’s growth, assuring them that his leadership would be fair and just.

    “I assure you that under my leadership, we shall be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges. Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra.

    “We will guarantee collective leadership at all levels. We will build a technically competent bureaucracy for the party and ensure structured financing. All members will truly own the party.

    “We shall revamp our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities. From the polling units, wards up to the national level, every organ will be re-energised,” he said.

    Mark also promised inclusion for the youth and women.

    ”Our policies, nominations, and leadership roles will reflect meaningful inclusion of youths and women and not just tokenism.

    “This is why we have reserved 35 per cent of our leadership positions for women. It is also our commitment to have youths below the age of 40 years in our leadership,” he said.

    He disclosed that the new National Working Committee (NWC) would, within the shortest possible time, raise committees to review the party’s manifesto and constitution to meet and reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

    “We shall clearly articulate what we stand for. Nigerians must know us as a party driven by unblemished ideology, progressive policies, and patriotic governance.

    “We will not leave it to the discretion of individual candidates to choose what to do with power,” he affirmed.

    Mark announced that in the coming days, the ADC would unveil a 50-member policy committee dedicated to key sectors.

    These according to him were, health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, and infrastructure, underscoring the party’s focus on achieving good governance for Nigerians.

    He urged all Nigerians to join the ADC, promoting it as the only party that guarantees equal opportunity regardless of age, gender, religion, or region.

    He also encouraged all ADC members to return to their polling units and begin working at the grassroots, rather than remaining in Abuja.

    Earlier in his remarks, Chief Nwosu highlighted the ADC’s significant growth, stating it had transformed from a “small largest party in Nigeria” to a major political force under Mark’s leadership.

    Nwosu noted the increasing number of people seeking registration in the ADC nationwide, revealing that the party’s website had crashed three times due to the influx of young people attempting to register online.

    He described the adoption of ADC by the national coalition and unveiling Mark led leadership on July 2 as the beginning of a new dawn.

    “Within one week, our membership grew from maybe 600 people who were paying membership dues to almost three million who started paying membership dues.

    “Some states have told us that we must print a minimum of two million membership cards for them,” he said.

    Nwosu urged the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other democratic institutions in Nigeria to be alive to their responsibilities in delivering their mandates.

    An ADC Chieftain, Godson Okoye, advised party members to remain hopeful, describing the ADC as a party poised to lead Nigeria towards economic prosperity.

    “This journey has just begun, let us encourage ourselves,” Okoye said. 

  • Human trafficking: Police nab 10 suspects, rescue 36 in Minna

    The Police Command in Niger, says it has arrested a 10-man syndicate in Minna suspected to specialised in international human trafficking.

    The syndicate is believed to be acting as travel agents under false pretense and trafficking of unsuspecting victims to different countries.

    This is contained in a statement by its Public Relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun in Minna on Wednesday.

    According to Abiodun, the suspects were arrested on July 18,  at about 12.30pm based on credible intelligence received on their activities along 123 Quarters, Minna.

    The suspects include: Sokou Doumbia, Thiarno Balbe, Hashimu Dauda-Kolo, Usman Doumbia, Musa Konate, Lamine Watara, Racine Diouf, Adamu Zarbu, Alhassan Konde, and Dango Aminatu.

    “They were discovered to be citizens of various neighbouring West African Countries and could basically speak French, except their Nigerian collaborator, Dauda-Kolo who provides accommodation for the syndicate in Minna and one other.

    “The operation also led to the rescue of 36 youths of different countries such as Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina-Faso and Guinea without any documents,” he stated.

    During interrogation, they claimed that they had come to Nigeria for an online business.

    The statement said all the suspects and the victims were transferred to the Interpol for further investigation and other necessary actions.

  • Notorious thuggery suspect, ‘El-Hussain’ detained by the police

    Notorious thuggery suspect, ‘El-Hussain’ detained by the police

    The Niger State Police Command says it has a notorious thuggery and robbery suspect, identified as Hussaini Usman, a.k.a El-Hussain, 23, in its custody.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Minna on Saturday.

    Abiodun stated, “On July 10, at about 2.30pm, based on credible information received, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Div., arrested one notorious thuggery and robbery suspect, Hussaini Usman a.k.a El-Hussain, 23, of Kuta Road, Minna.”

    He added that the suspect was caught with a long sharp knife and some suspected marijuana.

    “The suspect has been on the run for recently robbing a salesgirl at Ogbomoso Road, Minna, carting away motorcycle spare parts and usually threatened unsuspecting members of the public, robbing and snatching of phones.

    “He also engaged in street fighting, terrorising residents of Ogbomoso Street, Ungwar-sarki, and Paida.

    “However, during investigation, the suspect mentioned other members of his gang and, consequently, on July 12, at about 3am, nine other suspects were caught with dangerous weapons at Ungwar-sarki and Ogbomoso Street,” he stated.

    In another development, the command said it caught and detained an alleged illicit drug dealer and recovered two-and-a-half bags of suspected marijuana.

    Abiodun added that on July 13, at about 3.30pm, based on a tip-off, Police operatives attached to Suleja Area Command and 12PMF component in Suleja caught one Elijah Mathew of Sabon-Kaida.

    He stated further that the suspect was from Gurara Local Government Area and had two-and-a-half bags of suspected marijuana.

    Abiodun stated: “Meanwhile, in the course of interrogation, he confessed that he usually keeps such bags for one Moses Obi of Maje, Suleja.

    “The said Moses was also arrested and he confirmed that he owns the suspected marijuana and that he bought it from one Aminu of Deidei, Abuja, currently at large.”

    Abiodun further disclosed that the two suspects were still under investigation and would soon be transferred to SCID Minna, for further necessary action. 

  • An Open Appeal to Elder Statesman, Former Vice President, HE, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Wazirin Adamawa)

    An Open Appeal to Elder Statesman, Former Vice President, HE, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Wazirin Adamawa)

    Dear Sir,

    “At this point your Excellency, we need a unifying force; a symbol of national conscience. A figure that commands moral authority beyond politics. Waziri Adamawa, you are that figure. We need you. Our nation is in the ICU on oxygen existentially threatened. You have as a result promptly rallied a coalition to save her. That is really patriotic and We owe you a lot of gratitude. However, we still urge and beg you to go further and do what most men in your position have never done – suspend your personal dream to rescue a national destiny. Do not contest the 2027 presidency.“

    With the deepest sense of respect and patriotism, I write you sir—neither as a politician, because I’m not one nor as a party member, but as a concerned and distressed citizen of a nation on the brink. A nation whose people are battered by hunger in the midst of plenty, subdued by insecurity, denied and betrayed by their leaders who cluelessly watch the only country we can call ours dangerously drift to the edge of collapse.
    Sir, you certainly would not know me but I do know you very closely, having worked in the ‘80s with your Nicotes, (now Intel) Awolowo Road Lagos Office as Manager- General Services, reporting to the GM, one Mr. Balakuma- an Indian, as well as the MD, an Italian- Mr. Gabriel Volpi. I say this bit to confirm how much I knew you as a kind gentleman.

    You have been standing tall for decades in this Country as a symbol of political consistency and democratic resilience. From the North, you rose to national prominence, offering yourself time and again in service to a dear country Nigeria which I trust you do love. Your name commands recognition. You have built your legacy in the democratic space brick by brick through sacrifices and commitment to party politics. Indeed, history cannot erase your footprints on the sands of time in Nigeria’s political development journey.
    But there comes a time in the life of even the strongest of warriors when he must sheath his sword, not out of fear or weakness, but out of wisdom. That time, I believe is now.
    Your Excellency, the truth is that your country needs you now. However painful that truth is, it must be told anyways. Your dream to become President is noble, but as noble as it may be, it stands (in the current circumstances) on a crumbling foundation. Not because you are unqualified or because your passion is untrue. But because the moment requires a different kind of strength: – the strength to sacrifice self for a nation.

    Your Excellency Sir, the truth again is that you have unarguably worked hard to earn the position you occupy today but it’s also true that a thousand and one other Nigerians like you have equally worked even harder, but by no means are they anywhere near you. What then happened to them? Nothing. It’s just that success in life isn’t solely determined by skill, speed, or wisdom, but also by unforeseen circumstances and opportunities.  No wonder King Solomon in the good books says: ‘’The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”
    There exists an unspoken yet deeply entrenched understanding of power rotation between North and South—a political equilibrium that, though not enshrined in law, but has served to maintain peace, balance, and trust in our fragile union. Presently, the South holds this mandate, and only two years have passed in what is meant to be an eight-year two terms.
    Nigeria is in distress. Hunger gnaws at millions. Insecurity has turned life into fear. Our youths, brilliant but jobless roam the streets. Blood spills daily in towns and villages that should have peace, yet the ruling government, with all its failings is hell-bent on holding on through crude manipulation, propaganda, intimidation, and open disregard for the democratic will of the people.
    At this point your Excellency, we need a unifying force; a symbol of national conscience. A figure that commands moral authority beyond politics. Waziri Adamawa, you are that figure. We need you. Our nation is in the ICU on oxygen existentially threatened. You have as a result promptly rallied a coalition to save her. That is really patriotic and We owe you a lot of gratitude. However, we still urge and beg you to go further and do what most men in your position have never done – suspend your personal dream to rescue a national destiny. Do not contest the 2027 presidency.
    Your withdrawal from this contest, and an open and passionate endorsement of a credible, southern candidate who enjoys broad national acceptance, will send a shockwave across the land. It will not only awaken hope but will solidify your name in the books of history as the man who chose legacy over title, unity over ambition, and posterity over politics.
    Imagine it for a moment sir, that you are celebrated in every region, in every tongue, by every creed. Not as another politician, but as a patriot, a saviour, the father of a new Nigeria.
    We do not ask this of you just because you are capable. No. We ask because you are the only one capable enough to make such a sacrifice. You have nothing left to prove. You have already earned your place in history. But you can choose how that place will be remembered.
    Nigeria needs you in 2027, not on the ballot, but on the moral high ground.

    God bless you.

    God bless Nigeria

    Sincerely yours in hope and patriotic urgency,

    Udochukwu George-Emenike.

    08033075998

  • Epidemic of internal squabbles berths at SDP

    Epidemic of internal squabbles berths at SDP

    The acting chairman has inaugurated a 5-man committee to investigate the suspended chairman and 2 other officials

    The epidemic of partisan squabbles berths at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) this Friday as its National Working Committee (NWC) of inaugurates a five-man committee to investigate its suspended Chairman, Shehu Gabam.

    Also to appear before the probe panel are Nze Clarkson, the National Auditor and Uchechukwu Chukwuma the National Youth Leader.

    The trio were suspended by the party over alleged financial misconduct.

    The investigative committee is chaired by Abubakar Liman, while Adelewa Williams is to serve as secretary.

    The acting National Chairman of the Party, Dr Sadiq Gombe inaugurated the committee at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

    He said that the committee has 14 days to conduct the investigation and report back to the party.

    He said that the exercise was not meant to witch-hunt anyone.

    Gombe said that the exercise was rather to cleanse and reposition SDP for the immense role it must play in the up-coming elections and in the political future of the country.

    The NWC had on Tuesday announced the suspension of Gabam as the national chairman, Nze Clarkson as National Auditor and Uchechukwu Chukwuma as National Youth Leader.

    The party had alleged that the trio were involved in gross financial misconduct, including funds generated from the 2023 general elections.

    Gabam had earlier described financial allegations against him as false, saying he had nothing to hide

    But Gombe, in his remarks, urged the committee members to carry the responsibility with utmost sense of duty, transparency and fairness without fear or favour.

    He also advised the committee to show decorum, dignity and decency to the persons who appeared before them and to one another.

    “It is paramount to begin on the constitutional presumption that those accused of any wrong doing before you are innocent, until the contrary is proved.

    “Let the law, good conscience and equity be your guiding principles not political considerations.

    “Let the truth be your anchor. Obey the rule of law and observe natural justice which essentially means that no one can be a judge in his own case and you must hear both sides thoroughly before coming to a finding.

    “In discharging your duties, we implore you to be just and impartial. Let your findings speak for themselves,” he said.

    In his remarks the party National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, said that the committee was to investigate Gabam and others over alleged gross financial misappropriation and diversions of SDP funds estimated at more than N1 billion.

    Agunloye said that the committee would also investigate alleged submission of “fraudulent audited financial reports” with several abnormalities to INEC by Gabam without the knowledge of the NWC members.

    He alleged that upon observations into SDP financial bank statements from First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank PLC, the NWC noted multiple breaches of the SDP 2022 Constitution as amended, especially Articles 13, 17 and 19.

    He further alleged that there were no presentations or submissions of any incomes or expenditures to NWC from 2022 to 2025, but only three members out of 12 NWC members were aware of any details of the party’s incomes and expenditures.

    He said that NWC observed that there were no due processes or internal audit procedures followed the disbursement of N100 million of SDP funds.

    The Terms of Reference of the committee according to Agunloye were to: fact-finding the truth regarding the allegations of breaches of the SDP constitution

    “Examine the state of the accounts of the SDP. Determine the circumstances surrounding the production and submission of audited accounts submitted to INEC in the name of the SDP

    “Recommend appropriate remedies and generally, advice on better ways to manage the finances of the SDP to prevent abuse and breach of our constitution,” he said.

    He noted that the suspension of the three officers had been communicated to INEC; Inter Party Advisory Council, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    The SDP National Labour and Civil Society Secretary, Mrs Rosemary Effiong, said that the suspension had nothing to do about coalition of political parties.

    She alleged that only Gabam receives alerts on the party’s bank transactions, while the party national treasurer had also raised alarm of her signature being forged to withdraw money.

    Effiong also said that since she joined the party’s NWC, the committee had never discussed the party financial status.

    Also the SDP National Welfare Secretary, Judith Shuaibu said it was not that the NWC had been manipulated or quite for long over the development in the party leadership.

    Shuaibu said that the NWC had explored all the internal mechanism to resolve the issue before the suspension of Gabam. 

  • Coalition against Tinubu’s re-election dead on arrival – Shehu Sani

    Coalition against Tinubu’s re-election dead on arrival – Shehu Sani

    A former Senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, says the opposition’s coalition targeted at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 is dead on arrival.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Eighth Senate, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said even though it’s within the democratic rights of Nigerians to organise themselves into a coalition, the credentials of those championing the present coalition course had shown very clearly that the move would be in a total fiasco.

    `Yes, any country or government without opposition can easily slide into a dictatorship or one-party state.

    “If everyone goes into one political party and there is nobody to challenge the government or hold the government to account, our government could be run aground.

    “We need a coalition and we need a credible opposition; a credible opposition should not be a canopy of frustrated and angry people, whose interest is not the country or the people, but their own selfish interest.

    “There are people in this coalition whose presence will give you ghost pimples. Someone like former governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai.

    “He is not a clean political figure that came out of the trenches; he is not someone who has never been in government.

    “Nigeria just celebrated 26 years of democracy and El-Rufai was the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises for four years, minister for four years, governor for eight years, and so why did he not achieve all those things he is saying now while in office,” he queried?

    Sani said that if one had been in the office for almost 20 years and the person is in his mid-sixty, such a person should be thankful to God because millions of people wanted to get what such person was taking for granted.

    He said though former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, one of the opposition figures, had the constitutional right to contest, he should not contest the 2027 presidential election.

    Sani said that Atiku should allow a southerner to contest and serve out the turn of the South, saying by doing that, he would have the moral right to seek the support of the south in 2031.

    “As someone who has been in the political realm more than many other politicians, he should know that there are consequences for contesting elections every other time and losing.

    “Atiku should not allow himself to be seen as a face of failure. He should rather be a good mathematician and a good hunter who knows when it is right to contest elections.

    “When you have someone from the north who spent eight years in office and a southerner just spent four years in office, and you are in the opposition, you have to present someone from the south as your party’s candidate.

    “You don’t build an opposition on the foundation of frustration and non-inclusion. All those things El-Rufai is saying about Tinubu is because he failed the ministerial test.

    “If he was made a minister today, he would have been one of the vociferous attackers of anyone who says anything against Tinubu.

    “Now he has reached a point whereby his utterances lack decorum, no restraint, and you can see anger, frustration and even desperation on his face.

    “He has moved away from pinpointing areas where the government is not doing well to personal attacks on Mr President, and when one has reached such a level, it is more of exhibition of anger than playing opposition roles,” he said.

    The former senator said that for Atiku venturing into contesting yhe 2027 presidential election, he would be greeted with a lot of controversies.

    “Atiku has a lot of good political credentials. For instance, when, as activists, we were in prison in the 90s, he was in touch with us.

    “I happened to share the same prison at Kirikiri, Lagos with the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua who was Atiku’s mentor and Uba Sani was the contact between us and the outside world at that time,” he recalled.

    Read Also: 2027: David Mark may lead coalition battle against Tinubu

    According to him, the strategies being employed by the coalition cannot fetch those behind it any result.

    “For instance, the coalition ought to be looking at sectoral performances of the government in order to win support from the masses; rather, they are attacking the government aimlessly.

    “Unfortunately, El-Rufai as a governor in Kaduna left with bad records.

    “He treated the people from Southern Kaduna viciously, sacking thousands of teachers without paying them, sacking thousands of civil servants, disobeying court orders and arresting journalists and activists, and imprisoning them.

    “El-Rufai left mountain of debts and series of uncompleted projects, among other infractions and yet, coming now to preach about good governance, sanity and peace,” he said.

    On his recent endorsement for Senate in 2027 by members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, he said that if local political mathematics favoured him, he would contest for the Kaduna Central senatorial district election again in 2027.

    “Contesting elections, for someone who has been there and is not a novice, you will be experienced on how to navigate the landmines there.

    “Such a person won’t be a poster politician who is going to paste his posters everywhere and start visiting markets and be eating foods in the restaurants.

    “If you have been there once, you will know the truth and the deception, the falsehoods, the possibilities and the risks.

    “Whoever you see emerging as a candidate of a political party is a product of a local political mathematics, influences and consultations.

    “So if that favours me, certainly, I can offer myself for that in 2027,” Sani said. 

  • Extreme heat grips Europe, Spain hits June record of 46 degrees

    A new national heat record for June was set in Spain at the weekend, with temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius in the town of El Granado near the Portuguese border, as a broader early-summer heatwave grips parts of Portugal, France, and Greece.

    The Spanish state weather agency AEMET confirmed Saturday’s record-high temperature. Spain’s previous June high of 45.2 degrees was set in Seville in 1965.

    Dozens of towns and cities across Spain reported maximum temperatures above 40 degrees, while neighbouring Portugal also sweltered. In the country’s southern Algarve tourist region, highs reached around 40 degrees.

    On Spain’s holiday island of Mallorca, temperatures climbed to nearly 35 degrees.

    Overnight conditions offered little relief.

    In southern Spain, night-time lows remained above 30 degrees – a level of sustained heat that experts say can pose serious health risks.

    Locals are accustomed to coping with extreme temperatures by limiting outdoor activity during peak heat, wearing light clothing, and hydrating frequently.

    However, the combination of scorching heat and intense sun is rapidly drying out soil and vegetation, sharply increasing the risk of wildfires.

    Meteorologists warn that such heatwaves are becoming more frequent and arriving earlier in the season due to human-driven climate change.

    According to AEMET, only two heatwaves were recorded in June between 1975 and 2000.

    Between 2000 and 2024, that number rose to nine.

    This year, temperatures approached August levels as early as late May.

    France is also sweltering under the heatwave, which is expected to last through the middle of next week. On Monday, temperatures above 35 degrees are forecast across much of the country.

    By Tuesday, Paris could see highs of 40 degrees, according to the national weather agency Météo France.

    Wildfires have broken out in southern France amid the ongoing heat, possibly caused by a barbecue.

    A section of the A61 motorway was closed, and a campsite in Bizanet was evacuated, according to the local prefecture based in Carcassonne.

    A total of seven fires were reported after a person was transporting a barbecue with still-smouldering embers in a trailer, local civil protection chief Christian Pouget told broadcaster BFMTV on Sunday.

    In the small municipality of Bizanet alone, more than 150 firefighters battled the flames. Firefighting helicopters were also deployed, according to authorities.

    The fires affected 400 hectares of land.

    Experts note that directly linking individual wildfires to climate change is challenging.

    In Greece, strong winds brought an abrupt end to a three-day heatwave, with temperatures dropping from around 40 degrees to 30 degrees within hours, the national weather service reported.

    Despite the cooldown, the combination of heat and wind has prompted Greece’s civil protection agency to declare the highest fire danger level for large swathes of the country.

    Major wildfires have already broken out this European summer south of Athens and on the island of Chios.