Politics
Govs, APC leaders quietly supporting coalition — ex-SGF
ABUJA — The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has cautioned critics of the Bola Tinubu administration against underestimating the President’s leadership and commitment to transforming Nigeria, insisting that such critics belong to the past era with outdated ideas and failed records. “We have quality leadership today in our country. Mr. President is a digital President.
People who underestimate him are doing so at their own peril,” Ribadu warned.
Ribadu spoke on a day the African Democratic Congress, ADC, accused the Presidency of fabricating claims of an alleged plot to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration, alleging that it was a deliberate strategy to justify the repression of opposition leaders.
This is as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, yesterday, claimed that some governors and senior figures within the All Progressives Congress, APC, are quietly backing the opposition coalition.
Also, the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Ireti Kingibe said though she remains a member of the Labour Party, she had aligned with the opposition coalition on the platform of African Democratic Congress, ADC.
However, the lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Abba Moro, said he remains a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and has no intention of joining any coalition.
Similarly, leaders of the PDP in Ondo State yesterday disowned the former governorship candidates and members of the party who defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Also as a move to assert itself as a strong opposition, the PDP has dismissed claims of its declining relevance, saying it is consolidating internally and positioning itself for a strong comeback in the 2027 general elections.
Nigeria safer, better, says Ribadu
Speaking at the National Cybersecurity Conference 2025 held in Abuja yesterday, Ribadu declared that Nigeria is now safer, more stable, and increasingly attractive for investment, due to the reforms and strategic policies introduced under President Tinubu.
Ribadu dismissed ongoing criticisms from certain quarters as the rantings of “expired” political figures who felt entitled to perpetual relevance, warning that Nigerians are now more discerning and will not be swayed by propaganda.
“Niger Delta is safer than ever before. The South-East is returning to normalcy. Those fueling unrest from abroad will be tracked and prosecuted. We will not allow external forces to destabilize our progress,” he said.
The NSA lauded President Tinubu’s capacity and leadership, describing him as a “digital, enlightened and visionary leader” whose administration is charting a clear path for economic recovery and national rebirth.
“We have quality leadership today in our country. Mr. President is a digital President. He is educated and deeply informed. People who underestimate him are doing so at their own peril,” Ribadu warned.
He took a swipe at opposition figures and media commentators who, he said, remain fixated on past politics and have contributed little to nation-building.
“These are people who looted and plundered this country. Now they are shouting on television. They are outdated. Nigeria has moved on — and Nigerians are wiser,” Ribadu remarked.
He called on telecommunication companies, tech innovators, and international investors to embrace the Nigerian market, saying the country is now positioned as Africa’s digital and economic hub.
Ribadu said: “We are working with major telecom operators. Our cybersecurity strategy is strong. Nigeria is safe and open for business. Investors should know that Nigeria is the future of Africa.’’
The NSA emphasized the need for unity and trust in the current leadership, urging citizens to focus on the nation’s collective progress, rather than being distracted by “expired” voices of the past.
Presidency crying wolf over overthrow plot — ADC
In a statement yesterday, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC and spokesperson for the Opposition Coalition, warned that such unsubstantiated claims signalled a broader campaign of intimidation and repression by the Tinubu administration.
The statement came just one week after the formal unveiling of the national opposition coalition in Abuja.
Onanuga’s tweet, which sparked the controversy, read: “Just two years after Tinubu began implementing the reforms, the haters of Nigeria’s progress are banding together to overthrow an administration that has been the most focused, most transformative in our history.”
Condemning the tweet, ADC stated: “Bayo Onanuga’s tweet is a textbook example of a political dog whistle.
‘’The APC-led federal government appears to be constructing a false narrative that is designed to justify potential clampdown on dissent, and to criminalise legitimate opposition activity under the guise of national security.”
The party emphasised its commitment to democratic processes, rejecting any notion of truncating democracy.
“We are not soldiers, we are politicians. We don’t have bullets; we only have the ballots. When the time comes, we will only present our solutions and an alternative vision of the future to the Nigerian people and leave them to make their choice,” the ADC declared.
The party expressed bewilderment at the ruling party’s alleged intolerance of opposition, noting that the APC itself emerged as the first opposition party to take power in Nigeria.
“We are left to wonder why the APC government is so jittery that it is so eager to betray its own heritage. APC is the first opposition party to come to power in Nigeria. It is, therefore, a great wonder that the same party now appears to find it strange that there is an opposition at all,” Abdullahi stated.
The party called on President Tinubu to caution his aides against making baseless allegations that could heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This manner of crying wolf where there is none does not make the president look good and only betrays a sense of panic,” the ADC warned.
It also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject what it described as underhand tactics to de-legitimise the opposition and silence alternative voices, saying “the health of our democracy depends on a free, open and competitive political environment.’’
ADC called on the international community, democratic governments, international observers, and human rights organisations to closely monitor Nigeria’s political environment.
“We call on them to hold the Tinubu administration accountable for any actions that undermine democratic freedoms or violate the political rights of Nigerian citizens,” the party noted.
The ADC reiterated its commitment to building a better Nigeria through peaceful and democratic means, emphasising its dedication to ‘’peace, participation, and the power of the people.’’
Govs, APC leaders quietly supporting coalition — ex-SGF
Lawal, who officially resigned from the ruling APC on June 29, stated that he had long worked against the party even as a member, insisting that the party had never been united and had a culture of intimidation and suppression of dissenting voices.
“We’re in a democracy; even if you’re in a political party, you can choose to support a better candidate in another political party. I’m learning a template from APC: this template of remaining in one party and working for another.
This is a script APC developed, which Wike has enhanced and grown beyond imagination. Wike is our leader in this type of politics.
“The APC has never been united; it’s been a party that has been intimidated and bullied into silence. No internal cohesion; you cannot even advise. Even advice is taken as anti-party. So, many people got frustrated that you cannot talk truth to power in APC,’’ the former SGF said.
He argued further that President Tinubu’s leadership had disappointed some of his former allies, prompting them to seek alternatives.
“A lot of us are people whose primary aim is to replace this government with a better government that serves Nigerians better. If you want to serve this country better, you need to do so from the angle of politics, policies, governance, and leadership.
“You need to replace the non-performing party. So, there’s nothing wrong if people who were hitherto in APC, allies of Tinubu, have been disappointed in the way he has chosen to run his government or allow others to run his government. There’s nothing wrong if we decide to come together to make a change,” he added.
While he mocked the recent trend of defections into the APC, the former SGF said many governors were only joining to secure their political future, not out of popular support.
He said: “It’s true the governors are decamping. Why are they decamping to the APC? Because they know the president has given himself an automatic ticket, there will be no primaries, and no other candidate will be allowed to raise his head.
“Most of the governors understand that this government is a government that wrote results to become what they are. So, they can write you out, even in your own convention in an opposition party.
“So, all these governors are moving to APC to secure their next elections. However, the governors are moving, but nobody is moving with them; the people are not.”
Dismissing notions that the coalition is a project headed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lawal said: “The coalition is not about Atiku. I’ve attended meetings tilted towards Obi, Atiku, and Amaechi. Atiku has never spoken in all our meetings, except the last meeting, where he was asked to speak.
“Before we started the coalition, we told everybody that has political ambition to lock it down in a cupboard. because the understanding is that no one person can defeat an incumbent government.
“Peter Obi understands that with his Obedient movement, he cannot win this election on a stand-alone basis. Amaechi understands, and Atiku too; we must have a coalition, get together, join forces, join ideas, and work to defeat this government.”
LP can’t win election; we’ll contest on ADC tickets — Kingibe
Reflecting on the coalition, Senator Ireti Kingibe said although she remains a member of the Labour Party, she has aligned with the opposition coalition on the platform of the African Democratic Party, ADC.
The lawmaker, who spoke on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm programme, said: “Yes, I am (still a member of the Labour Party) but I support the ADC.”
Kingibe, who was elected on Labour Party platform in 2023, warned that the party (LP) will bungle the chances of the opposition in the forthcoming FCT election, hence the choice of ADC.
She said: “Labour Party is in some sort of a quagmire. We are trying to put it together, but I do not see the Labour Party in the present way it is as a vehicle that can win any election. It has been very fractured and broken.
“We have local government elections coming. So, we needed a platform. The Labour Party would have been that platform, but it was broken. There are two factions of the Labour Party right now.
“I know the FCT can win, not on APC (All Progressives Congress). So, ADC has credible candidates, and it is that platform we are going to use to show them.”
On whether she might dump the Labour Party if the leadership crisis within the party persists, the 71-year-old lawmaker said: “Maybe, I might eventually.”
I won’t join any coalition — Senator Moro
On his part, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, insisted that he remains a committed member of the PDP and had no intention of joining any coalition.
In a video posted on his official Facebook page late Tuesday, Moro said he is a founding member of the PDP, had held different elective positions while in the party and has no intention of leaving.
“I want to make it very, very clear here, I joined the People’s Democratic Party in 1998 at its formative year, and so I think I am qualified to see myself as a founding member of the PDP. I was one of the first set of persons elected on the platform of that party.
“Precisely on December 8, 1998, local government elections were conducted across the country. I contested to be chairman of my local government, Okpokwu local government council in Benue State, and I won.
“I was eventually sworn in on May 29, 1999, as the executive chairman of Okpokwu local government and at various times, I became the chairman of the local government, either as caretaker chairman or as an elected chairman. And I was the ALGON chairman of Benue State within this period. And that is how I have come along with the PDP.”
The senator said he has never abandoned the PDP and had no plans to do so.
“I have never defected to another party. I have never joined another party. And as I am talking to you now, I have never defected.
“I am a bona fide member of PDP. I am not joining any coalition. I have not joined any coalition. I don’t intend to join any coalition.”
Moro cautioned against forming political alliances out of frustration, saying Nigeria needed serious-minded leadership.
“Quite frankly, I think we should approach Nigeria with a serious mind of electing people who are prepared to govern this country. I think politics of gang-up is not a solution to our problems. And so I think that if we are heading in the wrong direction, we should be able to trace our steps and head in the right direction,” the senator said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under criticism following its decision to alter the list of candidates that emerged from its National Assembly primaries, sparking fresh concerns over internal democracy and the credibility of its candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opposition parties condemned the move, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the ruling party of descending into confusion, the Labour Party (LP) describing the substitutions as undemocratic, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) branding the action reckless.
The APC, however, defended the changes, insisting they reflected fairness and the wishes of party members. It also urged opposition parties to focus on resolving their own internal crises rather than commenting on its affairs.
The controversy followed the APC’s directive to its state chapters to submit the final list of candidates for the 2027 elections while issuing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms for completion.
Several aspirants who were initially declared winners alleged that they were replaced after the party’s May Primary Election Appeal Commission reviewed petitions arising from the primaries.
Reports indicate that the APC National Working Committee (NWC), acting on the appeal committee’s recommendations, overturned the victories of several senatorial candidates in nine states and restored six serving senators to the party’s final list.
Those reinstated include Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Shuaibu Isa Lau (Taraba North), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), and Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North). In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Erondu.
Among those affected was former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, whose earlier victory in the Benue North-East primary was nullified in favour of incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende.
The revised list has since generated internal disagreements and raised legal questions, particularly in light of INEC’s warning that it would reject the names of candidates who did not emerge from primaries monitored by the commission.
Reacting to the development, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described the changes as evidence of growing confusion within the APC, saying the opposition would take advantage of the situation ahead of the elections.
“With the change of the candidate list, there is confusion in the APC. Let them remain in confusion so that we can take advantage of it and reclaim power. It is not our duty to advise them on how to put their house in order,” he said.
The Labour Party also criticised the substitutions, insisting that candidates who emerge from valid primaries should not be replaced.
LP National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party had consistently respected the outcome of its primaries, describing the APC’s action as a mockery of the Electoral Act and democratic principles.
“For us in the Labour Party, we have never removed the names of people who won our primaries and replaced them with those who did not. That is how democracy should be practised,” Asogwa said.
However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, argued that political parties have the constitutional right to determine their candidates through internal mechanisms.
He noted that the Supreme Court had affirmed the authority of political parties to nominate candidates and stressed the need for aggrieved members to pursue available internal appeal and reconciliation processes.
Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) defended the APC’s action. Its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the Electoral Act empowers political parties to manage their candidate selection process, including addressing irregularities through internal mechanisms.
He maintained that if a party identifies flaws in its primary process and opts to make adjustments in line with its constitution, it is within its rights to do so, while denying allegations that the NDC had imposed candidates.
The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the claim was “far from the truth” and accused “irresponsible bloggers” of deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse the public.
“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” Oyelade stated.
He urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.
The commissioner added that the Oyo State Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abductees and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated attack also claimed the life of a teacher.
The victims have remained in captivity since the attack, while the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies continue efforts to secure their freedom.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
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