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• July 10, 2025
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New Horizons Nigeria Gets Global Recognition at AFRIBIS Summit

New Horizons Nigeria Gets Global Recognition at AFRIBIS Summit

New Horizons Nigeria, the largest training organisation in technology education and capacity building, has been honored with the ‘Most Innovative IT Training and Certification Solution Brand of the Year’ award at the African Brand Innovators Summit (AFRIBIS) 2025.

This recognition celebrates 20 years of New Horizons Nigeria’s outstanding commitment to developing globally competitive digital talents across the country. With a mission deeply rooted in digital empowerment, New Horizons Nigeria has consistently pioneered innovative IT training and certification solutions tailored for students, graduates, institutions, and professionals.

AFRIBIS in her citation commended New Horizons Nigeria for the robustness of her content, the hands-on methodology in training, and the company’s focus on linking their trainees with Job opportunities through free internships work. New Horizons Nigeria is the country’s foremost ICT training and certification company that offers cutting-edge skills development in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Cloud Computing, Full Stack software development, Digital Marketing, Project Management and more. With partnerships across global IT certification bodies, New Horizons is committed to raising a new generation of tech-savvy leaders for Africa.

Pleased with the award, the Managing Director, New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano, stated that the institute aimed to equip the next generation of African leaders with globally relevant digital skills that drive innovation, boost competitiveness, and foster transformation.

“New Horizons Nigeria remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide, transforming education through technology, and creating opportunities for young Africans to become key players in the global innovation ecosystem. In its twenty years of existence, New Horizons Nigeria has empowered over two million young Nigerians. The organisation and the CEO  has won close to 300 national, Continental and international awards in technology and youth empowerment categories,” Akano said.

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• July 9, 2025
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Bloomberg: Naira Breaks Away from Oil as Confidence in FG’s Reforms Grows

Bloomberg: Naira Breaks Away from Oil as Confidence in FG’s Reforms Grows

•Appreciates to N1540/$ on parallel market

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and NumeEkeghe in Lagos with agency report

The Naira appears to be breaking away from the price of oil, the nation’s main foreign-exchange earner, a mark of growing confidence in the nation’s economy.

This was as the naira gained marginally on the parallel market yesterday to close at N1,540 to a dollar, stronger than the N1560 to a dollar it closed the previous day.

On the other hand, the nation’s currency however depreciated marginally to close yesterday at N1,530.50 to a dollar on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), compared with the N1,528 to a dollar it closed the previous day.

The naira has traded within a relatively narrow band of N1,520/$ to N1,565/$ on the official window over the past month, while on the parallel market it hovered above N1,600 for much of June.

However, since the beginning of July, the currency has appreciated, trading below the N1,600 threshold on the parallel market.

This, analysts noted, reflects a period of relative calm in the foreign exchange market, supported by improved forex  liquidity and the gradual reactivation of naira debit cards for international transactions by several commercial banks.

President Bola Tinubu’s currency reforms have marked one of the most significant shifts in Nigeria’s economic policy in recent years. Upon taking office, Tinubu moved quickly to unify the country’s multiple exchange rates, effectively dismantling the long-standing system of parallel currency markets.

According to Bloomberg, the bold step was aimed at creating transparency, improve investor confidence, and curb the arbitrage that had distorted the foreign exchange landscape for years.

In addition to unifying the exchange rate, the government allowed the naira to float more freely, letting market forces determine its value. This move, though initially leading to volatility and a sharp depreciation of the currency, was seen by many as a necessary correction to years of artificial support.

It also sent a strong signal to investors and international financial institutions that Nigeria was committed to economic reform. To support the new policy direction, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) began clearing forex backlogs, tightening monetary policy, and taking steps to stabilise inflation.

But after some initial volatility in the first half, the naira stabilised even as oil prices fell,  a Bloomberg News report said yesterday.

Analysts from Deutsche Bank AG to Cardinal Stone expect the Nigerian currency to end the year near N1,556 per dollar — its average exchange rate in the first six months of 2025 after it slumped 41 per cent in 2024. It traded around 1,530 on Tuesday, largely flat on a year-to-date basis, the Bloomberg report added.

The change in the naira’s fortunes could also be attributed to its undervaluation, higher non-oil exports and lower import demand, Chief Investment Officer at Emerging Markets Investment Management Ltd. in London,  Ayo Salami said.

The currency is trading below its fair value based on purchasing power parity, he stressed.

A steady naira will offer relief to businesses after its steep losses in the prior two years caused by the central bank’s decision to allow it to trade more freely against the dollar, Bloomberg said.

The naira’s stability has also been helped by a weakening US dollar, which is down more than 10 per cent this year, and less dependency on imported refined products.

Besides, Africa’s richest person, AlikoDangote, commissioned a 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery that turned Nigeria into a net exporter of the refined products. Foreign-exchange reforms and investors’ scramble for investments outside the US have also benefited Nigerian assets, leading to increased dollar inflows.

A Bloomberg index for local bond performance is at a record high and has returned 19 per cent this year, its best first-half performance since December 2020. The gauge for emerging-market local debt has returned 12 per cent in the period. Stocks in the West African nation are up 18 per cent this year.

“The NGN has become more correlated with global risk conditions,” said the head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered Plc, Samir Gadio stressed.

“Risk conditions have since improved materially; this has supported renewed portfolio flows into Nigeria debt even with oil prices currently below $70 per barrel,” Gadio explained.

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Damagum to Disloyal PDP Members: Leave Our Party Now

Damagum to Disloyal PDP Members: Leave Our Party Now

ChuksOkocha in Abuja

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, issued a stern warning to members involved in anti-party activities, declaring zero tolerance for disloyalty ahead of the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The warning was delivered during a certificate presentation ceremony held at the PDP FCT secretariat, where candidates for the local council polls received their official nominations.

Speaking on behalf of PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, the party’s North-central Vice Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, outlined the consequences of party disloyalty.

“Any misbehaviour, the party will no longer tolerate it. If anyone feels they are not ready for this task, they should step aside immediately so that we can replace them without delay,” he stated.

Damagum added that any member found engaging in double standards or collaborating with other parties would face disciplinary action.

“We now have functional disciplinary committees at the state and local government levels. If anyone is caught campaigning or organising with other political parties, it will be treated as anti-party activity and they will be disciplined,” he warned.

On preparations for the elections, Damagum assured the people that PDP would protect its votes.

“Nobody will tamper with our election. By God’s grace, we will be at our polling units, ensure the votes are counted, and make sure the rightful winners are announced,” he added.

Speaking at the event, also, FCT PDP Chairman, IsmailaDogara, called for unity among party members, urging leaders to put past differences behind them and work together for victory.

Chair of PDP Reconciliation Committee in the FCT, Hassan Sokedebo, took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming their internal problems are greater than those of PDP.

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ADC: Tinubu’s Failure Behind US’ Snub

ADC: Tinubu’s Failure Behind US’ Snub

APC: ADC is  ‘Mortally Wounded’

•Mark declares party has no preferred presidential choice, pledges transparency

•Lukman: Coalition won’t handover structures to Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, others, says DumebiKachikwu long expelled

•Idris: Coalition backers bias over alleged reforms stagnation

ChuksOkocha, OlawaleAjimotokanandAdedayoAkinwalein Abuja

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said Nigeria was not invited to White House trade talks because of President Bola Tinubu’s economic failure,  stressing that under the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, the country has gone from leading the continent to being left out entirely.

ADC made the assertion in a statement by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, MallamBolajiAbdullahi.

That was as the party’s Interim National Chairman, Senator David Mark, assured that under his leadership, ADC would be “absolutely transparent”.

Similarly, former Director General of All Progressives Congress Governors’ Forum, and one of the arrowheads of the ADC coalition, MallamSalihuLukman, said the structure of the party would not be handed over to any of its members contesting the presidential ticket in 2027.

But the federal government dismissed the individuals behind the coalition against the re-election of Tinubu as elements averse to the sustained focus on the economic progress the country was recording.

APC also said there was no reason for Tinubu or the ruling party to expend valuable time and energy trying to sow confusion within ADC that was already mortally wounded by confusion delivered by its invaders.

The United States government planned to host the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal for high-level commercial talks at the White House on Wednesday, without extending the invitation to Nigeria.

In a statement by ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, the party emphasised that Nigeria’s exclusion from such high-level economic dialogue was a damning international indictment of the Tinubu administration and its sustained economic mismanagement, weak and incoherent diplomacy, and inability to project Nigeria’s strategic importance on the global stage.

According to ADC, “For years, African thought leaders have argued that it was about time that the Western world started to engage with African countries as trade partners rather than as hapless recipients of aid. Finally, an American President has emerged who is cutting aid and promoting trade. But Nigeria is not invited to the table.

“According to the Americans, the three-day meeting, which starts on Wednesday, is convened to explore commercial opportunities that could benefit both American companies and African partners. They said they have invited countries, who have demonstrated ‘the ability, and willingness, to help itself.

“What this means in plain language is that under President Tinubu, Nigeria is no longer taken seriously. Although we are Africa’s largest economy, with the largest consumer market and Africa’s most influential diaspora,  the United States chose to bypass us in favour of nations whose combined GDP is only a fraction of ours.

“With this snub, what the Americans are telling us is that size means nothing without leadership and a demonstrable commitment to efficiency, to transparency and to accountability.”

The statement added, “Only a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable that such meeting would hold without Nigeria. This only shows how low this administration has brought our country in the estimation of the world.

“To add insult onto injury, Nigeria is now being threatened by President Trump with a 10 per cent tariff because of our association with BRICS, which started in January 2025. The ADC is not opposed to BRICS, but we are opposed to Nigeria punching below its weight by playing in the small league.

“Were Nigeria able to provide the leadership that other African countries expect of us, and which we have competently provided in recent past, we would have been invited to that meeting on Wednesday in Washington, and Nigeria would have used the opportunity to push the Africa Union  (AU) position on global trade, especially given that our daughter, NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, sits at the head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

“But under this APC administration, Nigeria is no longer respected even as a regional leader in ECOWAS, as the regional body has shrunk in size and significance under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“Under this APC administration, once the acknowledged leader of the continent, Nigeria has become an afterthought, reduced to playing with back-water countries like St. Lucia, a country with less than 1% of our GDP and a population less than that of a rural local government in Nigeria.

“Yet, our president was able to spend an entire week in that country, for reasons that the government is still struggling to explain. The truth is that APC has not only stalled our economic progress, it has stripped us of the opportunity to sit at the table where real decisions, and real investments that could create jobs boost growth and improve our economy, are being made.

“This is what happens when the government at the centreprioritises politics over performance, and propaganda over progress. As a nation that has led before, and can lead again, we must reject the future the APC seeks to impose on us—one where we are ignored, sidelined, and treated as insignificant. Nigerians must demand better, because Nigeria is too big, too important, and too proud to be left out.”

ADC also accused APC of deceiving Nigerians by using the names of non-ADC members to file a suit against the party and its interim leadership.

The party alleged that the names, which APC used to file their suit were neither in ADC physically nor digital registers in Kogi or Nasarawa State.

ADC state, “It smacks of desperation that a party elected in charge of the lives of no fewer than 200 million people can engage in shopping for the names of its citizens in pursuit of Machiavellian politics.”

National Legal Support Group for ADC expressed its readiness to represent the party in the courts over the matter filed against it and its interim officers.

Making the revelation in Abuja yesterday, leader of the group, Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, said no fewer than 97 Lawyers had indicated their preparedness to stand for ADC.

Mark: ADC Has No Preferred Presidential Candidate

Interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, said under his leadership, the party would be “absolutely transparent”.

Reacting to speculations on the choice of its presidential candidate, Mark said, “The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant but has set out to first put out a platform that would be attractive and acceptable to majority of Nigerians.

“We are doing this because we do not want this great ship called Nigeria to sink because if we do not rise up, and now, they will sink all of us.” Mark stated this while addressing the stakeholders of the Kogi State chapter of ADC at a meeting in Abuja.

He stated that all the members of the party were “equal stakeholders. Equal joiners, equal owners”.

Mark stated, “I don’t own this party more than any of our members and I urge all members to prepare to show Nigerians that ADC is a different party. A different party that is ready to properly run democracy in our country. All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC.”

He urged members to put their differences aside and work as a team, adding, “We must bond together to build the party before we can talk of ambitions.”

The former senate president charged members of All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop attacking individuals but concentrate on their policy failures, which ADC had raised.

He said, “If they admitted that insecurity is bad and they promised Nigerians that they would improve on it but have made it worse, would Nigerians continue to support them? The answer is No. Let us continue to work to rebuild our nation and bring out her best in the overall interest of the future generations.”

Lukman: Coalition Won’t Hand Party over to Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Others

Former Director-General of APC Governors’ Forum, and one of the leaders of ADC, MallamSalihuLukman, revealed that the ADC structure would not be handed over to any member of the party contesting the presidential ticket in 2027.

Prominent among those believed to be aspiring for the presidential ticket of ADC are former Vice President AtikuAbubakar, former Governor Peter Obi, and former Governor ChibuikeAmeachi.

Speaking on a television programme, Jigsaw, Tuesday, in Abuja, Lukman said the plan was to build the structures of the party in such a way that the party would be strong enough and could regulate the conduct of everybody, not just aspiring candidates, but even elected representatives when they win office and assume positions.

According to him, “The coalition didn’t go into this arrangement (ADC) with our eyes closed, desperate to have a political party. We took our time. We didn’t negotiate with just one individual, we negotiated with the whole leadership.

“What we are telling everybody in the coalition is that the structures of the party will not be handed over to aspiring candidates.

“We have to build the structures of the party in such a way that the party is strong enough and can regulate the conduct of everybody, not just aspiring candidates, but even elected representatives when they win office and assume positions.”

On how the coalition cleared all the legal crisis before the unveiling, he said, “I can tell you that we opened a negotiation with a wide range of parties. And we went through processes including conducting legal due diligence on the status of both the leadership and if there are any pending litigation that were there. And in the process, we were able to also check with INEC and get all the substantive issues.

“I can tell you, some of the issues being raised in the public about some of the litigation. There are issues which, even by INEC record, if you go there, you’ll find out that they have been resolved long ago. At a point, we even had to sit down with all the members, in fact more than once, all the members of the National Working Committee of ADC.

“So I want to make it very clear and if you check with INEC, you’ll find out that even the DumebiKachukuhu, who came out to make noise, by the record, of INEC, based on the certified true copies of proceedings of organs, legitimate organs of the ADC, DumebiKachukwu and some others, I think about 15 of them, have been expelled from the party. I can’t remember exactly when. So, we didn’t go into this blindly.

“And we were very clear that we were in a very safe ground. And proceeding further, we are not supplanting the leadership of ADC. We have accepted to work with them as partners, they are stakeholders.

“And I’m sure in not too distant time from now, the interim leadership of the party led by Senator David Mark, and Aregbesola will release possible guidelines to guide the position at the state level, and how the whole reorganisation of the structures of the party will proceed.

“So, I want to make it very clear, we are not approaching this activity based on the conventional process of just going to hijack a structure and begin organise it in such a way we produce candidate and this led me to the critical point and I think we have to continue to talk to ourselves as members of the coalition we came this far largely because we have appealed to all our leaders to please suspend expression of their ambition until we are able to build structures.”

FG Blasts Coalition Backers for Bias over Alleged Stagnation of Reforms

The federal government dismissed the power blocs in support of the emerging coalition against the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 as elements with a predilection against the sustained focus on the economic progress the country was recording. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this yesterday in a statement in light of the political discourse ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the Tinubu administration remained undeterred, focused, and committed to building a more prosperous Nigeria for all and would not be drawn into distractions engineered by those who would prefer stagnation over reform.

Idris reaffirmed that Tinubu was committed to the core mandate of his administration, which was delivering meaningful reforms and real economic growth for the Nigerian people, rather than being bogged by distraction of coalition by some political big wigs in the country.

While asserting the right of all Nigerians to freely exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association and of speech, the minister stressed that the Tinubu administration would not be provoked by politicking or political distractions.

Idris said, “The clamour in the media about the emergence of a new political ‘coalition’ is understandable, but Nigerians entrusted President Tinubu with a bold and transformative mandate, anchored in the Renewed Hope agenda.

“In just two years, this vision has already begun yielding tangible results. Crude oil theft has plummeted, investor confidence in the oil and gas sector is rebounding, inflation is easing, the Naira is stabilising, security challenges are being confronted head-on, and millions of Nigerians—households, students, artisans, small business owners—are benefitting from initiatives such as student loans, access to consumer credit, CNG vehicle conversions, and improved government services and infrastructure.”

The minister recalled that Tinubu recently signed into law four ground-breaking tax reform bills, marking one of the most ambitious fiscal overhauls in the country’s history.

He added that the reforms that were set to be implemented from 2026, would significantly boost prosperity for households and businesses nationwide.

Idris said, “Just before then, the President commissioned the single largest mechanisation drive ever undertaken in Nigeria’s history—marking the launch of the Renewed Hope Agricultural MechanisationProgramme.

“This is just one of several high-impact agricultural mechanisation programs being undertaken to guarantee food security.”

APC: Tinubu Won’t Give Valuable Time to Confusion in Mortally Wounded ADC

APC said there was no reason for Tinubu or the ruling party to spend valuable time and energy trying to sow confusion within ADC, a party it said was already mortally wounded by confusion delivered by its invaders.

National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, in a statement, said ADC was unsurprisingly trudging the beaten path of lies and deception, like opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).

Citing “credible intelligence”, ADC had claimed that state chairmen in the North-east and North-west zones of the country were summoned to a “secret meeting with officials of the federal government”, in a plot to intimidate and coerce the opposition coalition.

But Morka stated, “Beyond the rash of poorly imagined accusations, the statement did not offer substantiation of any kind. Its vague reference to ‘officials of federal government’ only belies the mischievous intent of its makers to whip up sentiments, manipulate public opinion, and distract Nigerians from the patent hopelessness of their political phishing expedition.

“Otherwise, why is it so impossible for ADC to provide Nigerians the details of the alleged secret meeting at which its senior party officers were coerced and intimidated.  Rather, the party cites nonsensical credible intelligence as basis for its devious allegations.

“Clearly, there was no such meeting, and certainly, no one could have been coerced or intimidated at a meeting that never was. This could have happened only in the warped imagination of masters of deception and marauding invaders of the ADC.”

APC said, “There is no reason for Mr. President or APC to expend valuable time and energy trying to sow confusion within ADC that is already mortally wounded by confusion delivered by its invaders. 

“The ADC needs no help from our great party to unravel as it must from its own internal dissonance, contradictions and discord of self-serving and vainglorious personalities that executed a gestapo-like takeover of the party to the chagrin of bonafide leaders and members of the party.

“The ADC’s statement is just a calculated pre-emptive excuse for its evident ill-fated future of disintegration, like Humpty Dumpty whose great fall could not be put back together again.”

Morka added that the party had placed on public display the incompetence and inability of its leadership to manage its impending internal crisis, in the same way they proved incapable of managing the internal affairs of opposition parties they had plundered serially before ADC.

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South South APC Endorses Tinubu, Govs for Re-election

South South APC Endorses Tinubu, Govs for Re-election

*Akpabio: Region no longer afterthought in national devt

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South South geo-political zone has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the four incumbent APC governors in the region as sole candidates for the 2027 general election.

This unanimous endorsement came Saturday at the APC South South Stakeholders Meeting held in Benin City, Edo State, according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media, Jackson Udom.

Leaders of the party, according to the statement, also passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Zonal Working Committee for their steadfast commitment to the growth of the party in the region.

The meeting, attended by key party stakeholders from across the six South South states, culminated in a communiqué read by the Zonal Chairman, Victor Giadom, affirming the zone’s unflinching support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The stakeholders, it added, commended the President for his administration’s inclusive approach to development,

They noted that the South South is no longer treated as an afterthought in national planning and execution.

Particular praise was extended to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for what was described as his “unalloyed support” for the Tinubu administration and “spectacular performance” in Abuja.

Addressing the gathering, Senate President Akpabio, who also serves as the South South APC leader, urged the region to unite behind Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

His speech, titled “United Vision: Advancing South-South Progress Under President Bola Tinubu,” emphasized the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, energy, education, and economic empowerment.

“Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the South South is no longer an afterthought in national development,” Akpabio declared.

“The landmark Coastal Highway Project—from Lagos to Calabar—is not just infrastructure; it is an economic game-changer for our region.”

Akpabio highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including the East-West Road rehabilitation, the revival of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway, and strategic energy investments such as the Gas Revolution Industrial Park and modular refineries in the Niger Delta.

He also cited the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a move toward greater community involvement and transparency.

He further listed federal investments in education, social welfare programs, and the roll-out of the Presidential CNG Initiative, all targeted at boosting local economies and improving the quality of life across the region.

“The South South has waited long for inclusive development.

“Today, we are witnessing it unfold. But we must not be weary in well-doing,” he said.

Calling for unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, Akpabio urged stakeholders to “support President Tinubu—not just in words, but in mobilizing our people, enlightening our communities, and defending our future.”

With the APC seeking to consolidate its influence in the South South, the meeting concluded with a resounding pledge from stakeholders to defend the party’s progress and ensure its continued dominance in the region and nationally.

“Let us ensure that the APC remains the party of progress, the party of justice, and the party of the people,” Akpabio concluded.

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Liverpool’s Diogo Jota Dies in Car Crash

Liverpool’s Diogo Jota Dies in Car Crash

Portugal and Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, has died in a car crash in Spain.
According to reports, the car he was traveling in left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another car, local police source announced on Thursday.
His brother, Andre Silva, also died in the crash.
Jota, 28, married his partner last month – the couple had three children together.
The Portuguese international was a key part of the Liverpool side that won the Premier League last season. He also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit.
Spanish state-owned TV station citing local firefighters claimed that Jota died in Zamora in northwestern Spain
Police told Reuters everything pointed to that information being correct, although they could not yet officially confirm the names.
The regional fire department of Castille-Leon, where Zamora is located, said on its website a car crashed shortly after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames, with two men, aged 28 and 26, found dead.
Jota arrived at Anfield from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions.
He made 49 appearances for Portugal, winning the UEFA Nations League twice in the process.

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IMF: FG Needs to Rework 2025 Budget to Accommodate Lower Oil Prices

IMF: FG Needs to Rework 2025 Budget to Accommodate Lower Oil Prices

•Puts savings from fuel subsidies to 2% of 2024 GDP  

•Says Nigeria’s reforms have stabilised economy, seeks action on power

•FG welcomes Fund’s findings 

• Senate applauds CBN’s mid-year policy performance

Ndubuisi Francis,  Emmanuel Addeh, James Emejo,  Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos 

International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday disclosed that Nigeria needed to adapt its 2025 budget to lower oil prices and scale up cash transfers to shield the most vulnerable segments of its population facing hunger and poverty.

In its routine “Article IV” assessment of Nigeria’s economic policies, IMF said economic growth had been steady but too low in per capita terms, with inflation remaining high. The fund predicted the country’s economy would expand at 3.4 per cent this year and 3.2 per cent in 2026.

It said as Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria was under strain from relatively low international crude prices, which traded around $68 a barrel on Wednesday. But the 2025 budget was squeezed by Nigeria’s assumption of oil production of two million barrels per day and an oil price of $75 a barrel.

“The international economic environment that Nigeria lives in and operates in is marked by the very, very large uncertainty, and in particular, international oil price volatility impacts Nigeria directly through the fiscal and the external balances as well as inflation,” said IMF’s mission chief for Nigeria, Axel Schimmelpfennig.

The complex outlook made it especially important for policymakers to build and maintain buffers while being ready to respond to shocks or seize opportunities, Reuters reported.

“Turning to our policy messages, the key challenge now is to tackle high poverty and food insecurity,” Schimmelpfennig said.

The Nigerian government had supported the poorest part of its population through direct cash transfers since 2007, but had struggled to scale them up because of lack of data on their impact and as large numbers of the population had no bank accounts.

International Brent crude futures spiked higher last month in response to tension in the Middle East, but are under pressure from a shift in policy by the OPEC+ group, of which Nigeria is a member, to regain market share rather than curtail supply.

“Achieving the government’s 2025 budget targets will require additional measures, largely reflecting the drop in oil prices compared to when the budget was approved,” Schimmelpfennig said in a briefing to journalists.

“Keeping the fiscal deficit a per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) unchanged, compared to 2024 will be important to support the fight against inflation,” he added.

IMF said recouping fuel subsidy savings and making administrative gains could mobilise some domestic revenues, but the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) needed to maintain a tight stance and a positive real rate to bring down inflation and support stability. It said savings from fuel subsidies would amount to two per cent of 2024 GDP.

Asked about the naira and Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) markets, Schimmelpfennig said reforms by the government and CBN had been far reaching and fundamental.

“When we talk to investors, they’re happy. They can invest in Nigeria, and when they want, they can bring their proceeds out,” he said. “You look at the parallel market and the official rate, they’re aligned,” he added.

IMF projected Nigeria’s fiscal deficit to reach 4.7 per cent of GDP in 2025, exceeding budget expectations, due to optimistic hydrocarbon revenue projections and declining oil prices.

It recommended a “neutral fiscal stance” to safeguard economic stability, and urged the government to speed up cash transfers to the poor, who had been hurt by high inflation.

“The 2025 budget was based on optimistic hydrocarbon revenue projections, even before the price decline since April,” IMF said. It added, “Absent policy actions, the fiscal deficit in 2025 would exceed budget expectations.”

Nigerian lawmakers approved a N55 trillion or $35.9 billion spending plan in February based on an oil price of $75 per barrel and output of 2.06 million barrels per day. Prices had since fallen below $70 and crude production had averaged about 1.5 million barrels a day.

IMF, in its report, recommended Nigeria should adopt a “neutral fiscal stance” to safeguard economic stability that cut spending and focused investment on projects that made the biggest contributions to growth and employment.

However, IMF’s mission chief for Nigeria said the finance minister was working to trim spending and boost revenue and if those measures succeeded, the country “will get back to a place where the deficit is roughly the same percentage as last year”.

IMF commended the bold economic reforms undertaken by Nigeria over the past two years, crediting them with helping to stabilise the macroeconomic environment and rebuilding investor confidence.

But it warned that persistent structural challenges from poor electricity supply and insecurity, to limited credit access, continued to weigh on the country’s long-term growth prospects.

The fund also commended the authorities for ending CBN’s monetary financing of fiscal deficits, a tight monetary stance, and improving foreign exchange market operations.

IMF stated, “The Nigerian authorities have implemented major reforms over the past two years, which have improved macroeconomic stability and enhanced resilience.

“The authorities have removed costly fuel subsidies, stopped monetary financing of the fiscal deficit and improved the functioning of the foreign exchange market.

“Investor confidence has strengthened, helping Nigeria successfully tap the Eurobond market and leading to a resumption of portfolio inflows. At the same time, poverty and food insecurity have risen, and the government is now focused on raising growth.”

It added, “Agriculture remained subdued, owing to security challenges and sliding productivity. Real GDP is expected to expand by 3.4 per cent in 2025, supported by the new domestic refinery, higher oil production and robust services.

“Against a complex and uncertain external environment, medium-term growth is projected to hover around 3.5 per cent, supported by domestic reform gains.

“Gross and net international reserves increased in 2024, with a strong current account surplus and improved portfolio inflows. Reforms to the fx market and foreign exchange interventions have brought stability to the naira.”

To lift Nigeria’s growth trajectory, IMF urged decisive action on multiple fronts tackling insecurity, removing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and closing infrastructure gaps, particularly in power supply. It also stressed the urgency of unlocking private credit to support economic expansion and job creation.

On the monetary side, it endorsed CBN’s tight monetary policy and urged it to be sustained until inflation eased further.

Reacting to the IMF report after the Article 1V Consultation, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, expressed appreciation for the fund’s recognition of the federal government’s ongoing reform efforts and the tangible progress achieved over the past two years.

In a statement issued by Director, Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, the minister said the reforms had contributed to notable improvements in Nigeria’s fiscal and external positions, bolstering investor confidence and strengthening the resilience of the economy.

He welcomed the release of the IMF findings on Nigeria, following the conclusion of the Article IV Consultation in April 2025.

Edun also welcomed “the fund’s acknowledgement of advancements in the agricultural sector, particularly increased food production, which has contributed to moderating inflation”.

He added, “As of May 2025, headline inflation eased to 22.9 per cent, while food inflation declined to 21.4 per cent – both improvements from the higher levels recorded during the IMF mission.”

Edun underlined IMF’s positive outlook, which affirmed that Nigeria’s economic reforms had positioned the country to better withstand external shocks.

In response to the downside risks highlighted in the IMF report, particularly uncertainties in the global economy, the minister reaffirmed the government’s proactive stance.

He emphasised that the implementation of the 2025 budget was being carried out with a focus on safeguarding reform gains and ensuring economic stability.

The statement said, “The government continues to monitor developments in the international oil market and global trade environment and is taking responsive measures to mitigate potential risks, while maintaining momentum toward inclusive growth.”

Similarly, the senate yesterday commended CBN for the progress in Nigeria’s financial and monetary sectors over the past six months.

The red chamber, through its Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, gave the commendation during a statutory engagement with CBN Governor, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, in Abuja.

The committee is chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).

In his opening remarks, Abiru emphasised the importance of such engagements, stating that CBN plays a critical role in maintaining macroeconomic stability and fostering a sound financial system.

He said the session was vital for enhancing transparency, ensuring adherence to statutory mandates, and improving policy communication.

According to Abiru, key economic indicators have shown noticeable improvement since the committee’s last meeting with CBN in December 2024.

He stated, “Since our last engagement, we have observed encouraging trends, including a moderation in the inflation rate, which declined to 22.97 per cent in May 2025, from 23.71 per cent in April.  We’ve also seen a gradual increase in external reserves and relative stability in the exchange rate, with a notable convergence between official and parallel market rates.”

Abiru attributed the positive trend to CBN’s reform measures, including the introduction of FX Matching System and FX Code, which had improved transparency and discipline in the foreign exchange market.

The committee also lauded the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN for maintaining the Monetary Policy Rate at 27.5 per cent during its February and May 2025 meetings. Abiru stated that this marked a shift from the aggressive rate hikes of 2024 and signalled a more measured approach to balancing inflation control and economic growth.

The senate committee further commended CBN’s regulatory flexibility in granting limited forbearance to Deposit Money Banks amid the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.

According to Abiru, the policy reflects a pragmatic approach to easing transitional challenges for banks without exposing the system to undue risk.

He also praised the renewal of the bilateral currency swap agreement between Nigeria and China.

Abiru said the agreement strengthened local currency trade settlements and supported efforts to diversify Nigeria’s external reserves away from overreliance on the U.S. dollar.

Other notable initiatives acknowledged by the committee included the launch of Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) framework.

The senator said the move enhanced Know-Your-Customer (KYC) protocols and improved access to banking for Nigerians abroad, while promoting financial system integrity.

However, Abiru stated that some areas still required attention and would be discussed during an executive session with the CBN governor.

Earlier, Cardoso outlined key achievements of the bank over the period, linking them to the broader national goal of achieving a $1 trillion GDP by 2030.

He emphasised the importance of the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation, describing it as a strategic move to strengthen the financial system and drive economic growth.

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Mark: Opposition United to Rescue Nigeria, Rebuild Country

Mark: Opposition United to Rescue Nigeria, Rebuild Country

•Amaechi dumps APC, doubts Tinubu’s capacity to govern 

•Malami  exits ruling party, joins ADC 

•Faction rejects Aregbesola’s appointment, Dumebi Kachikwu kicks

•Keyamo: Coalition’s adoption of ADC flawed in law

•Omokri mocks Mark, Aregbesola, Bwala ridicules new political group

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh, Alex Enumah and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Former Senate President and new National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, yesterday, upon unveiling the party and its interim executives, said the opposition had only united to rescue the nation, rebuild her and return power to the people.

Also, yesterday, a former Attorney General of the federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)and joined the ADC under Mark.

In the same vein, a former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dumped his erstwhile party, the APC, expressing his doubt over President Bola Tinubu’s ability to effectively govern Nigeria.

But there already seemed to be some storm brewing within the ADC as a few stakeholders of the party have denounced Tuesday’s appointment of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s Interim National Secretary.

Another stakeholder and former 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has publicly rejected the appointment of Mark as the interim national chairman of ADC.

However, the immediate past national chairman of ADC, Ralph Nwosu, disclosed that he resigned for Mark to take over the position, adding also that other executive members under his leadership had decided to resign and support Mark.

But the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that the opposition coalition’s adoption of the ADC was flawed in law and has therefore strengthened the standing of the ruling APC.

This was as a former presidential aide and now a major  defender of the APC, Reno Omokri,  teased both Mark and Aregbesola, saying the youth could never trust someone who once said “telephones are not for the poor’, and another, who as governor allegedly caused religious crisis in Osun by forcing Christian Missionary schools to merge with schools they had no affiliation with.

In his acceptance speech at the event held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Mark said, “We are gathered here this afternoon in pursuit of our shared mission to rescue our country and save our hard-won democracy.

“We address you formally, today, on the operational focus and structure of the new political coalition that brings together Nigeria’s diverse opposition groups, political parties, youth organisations, the civil society and other patriots from all corners of our vast land, committed to saving the very soul of our Republic.

‘’Let it be known to all, that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

‘’Today marks the beginning of what we believe would be a long, difficult and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland.’’

Continuing, he said” ‘’It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming to power, it has hijacked all democratic institutions, and sent our country on a creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship.

“The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective, to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options in 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party state.

‘’We have never seen a government so much at home with corruption, a government that disdains accountability in all ramifications. A government more concerned with the next election rather than the survival of the ordinary Nigerians. A government so totally consumed with politicking that governance is abandoned, while the majority of our people wallow in hunger and poverty.

‘’We have never seen this level of insecurity across the length and breadth of our nation. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will and on daily basis. Yet, this ongoing tragedy has not moved the government to any action that would stop these mindless killings and stem the tide of needless bloodshed.

“Indeed, the Nigerian people deserve a government that protects them and make them feel safe in their own homes,’’ the new chairman of ADC said.

According to Mark, ‘’Equally disturbing, is the total emasculation of the legislative institution. Never in our history have we witnessed a National Assembly where legislators, the trustees of the very bastion of our democracy, saddled with the sacred duty to protect Nigerians from misuse of executive power, are reduced to cheerleaders and praise singers of the president, head of the executive arm.

‘’Without doubt, the transformation of Nigeria’s National Assembly to a mere appendage of presidential authority is a dangerous conspiracy against the Nigerian people. It is the reason why the government is able to get away with various whimsical, unconstitutional policies and actions or inactions that have reduced more Nigerians to abject poverty and widened the boundaries of insecurity and fear.

‘’It is imperative to state that our democracy has a history, which is the reason why we all affirm that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Today, the labour of our heroes is under vicious attack and our Republic faces a mortal danger.

“This coalition is therefore for all Nigerians who share in our belief that all of us, the young and the old, man and woman, rich and poor, living with disabilities or not, town dwellers or villagers, we all have the patriotic duty to save our country.

‘’To all suffering Nigerians who are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet; for whom the next meal is not guaranteed, this coalition is for you. To all those citizens who believe that Nigeria’s democracy is worth fighting for, this coalition is for you.

‘’To all youths who face an uncertain future and have questioned the value of their education and their certificates, this coalition is for you.

‘’To all our brothers and sisters in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Edo, parts of the South East, South West, South-South who live under constant fear of violence and terror, who have lost a father, a mother, a child, a husband, a wife, this coalition is for you.

‘’To all our citizens, who believe that they deserve better, who have been promised much and given so little, for whom renewed hope has turned to renewed hopelessness, this is your coalition and we welcome you all to join us and be a part of this historic rescue mission.

‘’This coalition is determined to offer Nigerians a path to security, prosperity, peace and progress. Coming from various party affiliations, we are united in our resolve to present a constructive alternative to the hardship, insecurity and waste that has become the hallmark of the current APC government.

‘’As we proceed this day, we acknowledge the practical implications of imminent bye-elections and one state governorship election for some of our coalition partners in their respective legacy political parties. However, all of us remain firmly united under the ADC banner for the 2027 general election and beyond.

‘’After extensive deliberations, and discussions, which spanned several months with deserving platforms, the coalition has decided to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the vehicle for this historic journey.

“Having adopted the ADC, we commit ourselves to building and transforming it into a strong political party, not merely as another electoral vehicle but as a fortress and platform of our revived democracy.

“It will be the harbinger of democracy where members of the party will reign supreme. A party that obeys its rules and constitution in the best democratic traditions. A party of equal stakeholders, equal joiners and equal owners.

‘’It is the great house into which all patriots are invited. A party that recognises the experience of the old and the energy of the youths. To all Nigerians, we say here is the new big tent into which all patriots are invited.

“Here, the North shall hold hands with South, the youth shall find equal footing with the elder, women will be equal partners with men, the farmer and the technocrat shall labour side by side, not for the triumph of one party over another, but for the triumph of Nigeria herself,” he stated.

Mark further said, ‘’This is the bold new path we declare today; a path of unity over division, service over slogans, action over excuses, compassion over inhumanity, transparency over opacity, inclusion over nepotism, real progress over endless rhetoric, performance over empty promises, rule of law over impunity, and, justice over inequity.’

‘’Our mission transcends any electoral calendar. It is a commitment to rebuild the guardrails of our democracy, to anchor power once again in the will of the people, and to hand to our children a nation worthy of their talents and their dreams.

‘’So, stand with us. Join this house. Let history record that when our democracy faltered, we rose, not in fear, but in faith. Let it be known today, across Nigeria and beyond: The opposition is united, the platform is ADC. The time is now. The mission is clear: Rescue Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people,’’ he stated.

Also, the  outgone national chairman of ADC, Ralph Nwosu, said the entire ADC leadership at all levels has resigned, to provide a platform for the coalition to rescue Nigeria.

He also disclaimed any body or group (s)  that claimed that they were not part of the new ADC, insisting that they were not part of the reinvigorated ADC.

Speaking at the unveiling of the ADC as the coalition party ahead of the 2027 general election, Nwosu said the opposition coalition was not about seeking power, but moving Nigeria to “global reckoning”.

He stated: “ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. This journey started about 18 months back and we have over 12 NEC meetings.

“When we were consulted, we said we have also been consulting because we are a party that believes in coalition.

“A day like this shows that we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria. We don’t have any doubt in the man, we all have decided to resign.”

Those who attended the event included the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar; his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi; former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; and ex-Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.

There were also a former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola; former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; and ex-Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Also present were a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun; former governor of Kwara, Abdulfataye Ahmed; former governor of Adamawa, Jibril Bondow; former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara; former deputy national chairman of PDP (North), Senator Suleman Nazif; and Senator Dino Melaye among others.

Amaechi Dumps APC, Doubts Tinubu’s Capacity to Govern

A former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday dumped his erstwhile party, the APC, expressing his doubt over President Bola Tinubu’s ability to effectively govern Nigeria.

He accused the APC under Tinubu of destroying the country, accusing the current administration of colluding with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hijack the forthcoming elections.

“I have never believed that Tinubu is a material to govern the country, I have never. This is because now people want (Muhammadu) Buhari to come back. What happens in Nigeria is that when a new government takes over, it becomes worse than the previous government that makes people say let the previous government come back.

“People are asking for Buhari because things were better during Buhari’s administration. Dollar was N460 to N500. Now a dollar is one N1,580, that  is more than 100  per cent (increase),” he stated during an interview after the unveiling of the interim executive of the ADC in Abuja.

According to Amaechi, things have become so bad that Nigerians cannot afford to eat as there is no money to buy food. Besides, he stated that inflation is currently at its peak.

He said: “Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat. People can’t buy food. There’s no money to buy food. Everything is gone. Inflation is at its peak. And the federal government is busy going around trying to hijack the election. INEC is helping them to hijack the election.

“What must happen here is that we must start not just a party, but a movement. It must be a movement that brings in Nigerians to, on their own, take over the government, not us,” Amaechi argued.

Stressing that he tendered his resignation from the APC on Tuesday night, Amaechi stated that he has warned the party never to extend any invitation to attend any meeting to him, accusing the party of being a club of thieves.

He argued that any government that does not take into consideration the welfare of the people is doomed, quoting President Tinubu as previously saying he’s not “here to make Nigerians happy.”

Amaechi stated that Nigeria is in a state of total collapse and urgently needs a complete overhaul.

Malami Dumps Ruling Party, Joins ADC

Former Attorney General of the federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, has announced his resignation from the ruling APC and joined the ADC.

In a letter dated July 2, 2025, Malami who served President Muhammadu Buhari for eight years said the economy was in shambles with too much insecurity in the country, adding that Nigeria was bleeding.

Malami, a member of Buhari’s Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), in his letter of resignation addressed to chairman of his ward in Kebbi State, said, “After wide consultations and deep personal reflection, I hereby announce my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and my decision to align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party of choice for our coalition — a coalition driven by the urgent need to rescue our country from further decline.

‘’This is not a decision made out of anger or ambition, but one inspired by love for our nation and concern for the hardship our people are facing daily.

‘’Nigeria is bleeding. Insecurity has taken over our homes, especially in the North. Banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism have become part of our lives while the government prioritises politics over the safety of its citizens.

‘’Our economy is in shambles. Prices of basic food items have tripled. The poor can no longer feed their families. Jobs are disappearing. Young people are hopeless. Instead of focusing on real solutions, the government is consumed by propaganda and political distractions.

‘’Governance has been abandoned. Appointments, projects, and policies are now guided by political loyalty and not national interest. I cannot remain part of a system that watches in silence as Nigerians suffer and die.

“This is why I am joining the ADC — a platform built on the values of justice, inclusion, competence, and national renewal. I believe that through this coalition and with the support of Nigerians, we can chart a new course for our beloved country.

‘’To the people of Kebbi State, I remain your son and servant. I will never abandon you. This move is to amplify your voice, protect your interests, and restore hope to our future.

‘’To every Nigerian, I urge you to join this movement. Let us rise above fear and reclaim our nation. Nigeria belongs to all of us,’’ Malami stated

Faction Rejects Aregbesola, Alleges Hijack

Some ADC stakeholders have denounced Tuesday’s appointment of former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s Interim National Secretary.

The aggrieved  members of the ADC adopted by the coalition, described  the process that produced the former minister of interior as an imposition devoid of legitimacy and purely undemocratic.

In a hard-hitting press statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC,” the party’s youth and women leaders, ward coordinators, and state executives categorically rejected Aregbesola’s appointment.

The statement signed by Dr. Musa Isa Matara IQAM, National Publicity Secretary of what he termed the “Original ADC,” accused a faction within the party of attempting to hijack its structures for personal and elite political gain.

At the heart of the protest is the claim that Aregbesola’s emergence as interim secretary was not sanctioned by any legally recognised organ of the party.

“Who appointed Aregbesola? Which organ of the ADC ratified this appointment? Was the National Executive Committee (NEC) involved? Were state chairmen, youth leaders, and elected national officers consulted?” the statement queried.

According to the stakeholders, the answer to all those questions was a resounding no. Consequently, they asserted that the appointment was “null and void.”

Kachikwu Dismisses Mark’s Appointment

The 2023 presidential candidate of the ADC, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has rejected the appointment of Mark as the interim national chairman.

Kachikwu, who stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja,  dismissed the appointment of Mark as “illegitimate, unlawful and politically motivated.”

He described the move as an attempt to hijack the party’s structure by what he termed “geriatrics and yesterday’s men,” whom he accused of treating political parties as tradable commodities.

“Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord?” Kachikwu asked, while rejecting the legitimacy of the purported leadership change.

According to Kachikwu, the group behind Mark’s appointment colluded with the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, whose tenure, he insisted, expired on August 21, 2022.

He further noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had verbally acknowledged the expiration of Nwosu’s tenure but had refused to officially respond to letters requesting approval for a special national convention to elect new leadership.

Keyamo: Coalition’s Adoption of ADC Flawed in Law

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that the opposition coalition’s adoption of the ADC was flawed in law and has therefore strengthened the standing of the ruling APC.

In a relatively long statement, Keyamo wrote: “What happened earlier today (yesterday) with the movement of the so-called ‘coalition’ into the ADC is the greatest factor that has strengthened the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. Let me explain.

“By law, you cannot operate from, or belong to, two or multiple political parties, so it is safe to say that their open declaration for ADC today is a clear abandonment of their previous parties. In fact, belonging to two political parties is a ground for disqualification in an election.

“Therefore, the emergence of ADC as presently constituted marks the formal dismemberment of the PDP, hitherto Nigeria’s strongest opposition Party. Majority of the old guard in the PDP (who have apparently lost control of the Party) have been pushed out of the party by the Younger Turks within the PDP.

“That is why the gathering today was a conglomerate of ‘former this’ and ‘former that’ of the PDP. No matter how you look at it, this is just Atiku’s faction of PDP in desperate search for the 2027 Presidential ticket – nothing more, nothing less.

“The other addition to the so-called ‘coalition’ is a sprinkling of APC members who actually worked against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last election and one or two APC leaders who lost their constituencies to opposition parties in 2023.

“Their movement therefore takes nothing away from the APC. It is actually better for the APC because it is just a case of totally extracting the germ that was eating the cola nut from within.

“The person who the old, cunning guards want to take for a ride in all of this is Peter Obi. They want his votes, but don’t want to give him their Presidential ticket, because this is Atiku’s show simpliciter. That is why David Mark is the interim Chairman.

“Those who know politics know what I am saying. But if you do not give Peter Obi the Presidential ticket, you lose his supporters. It is as simple as that. And how can you make someone who won two regions in the last election (South-East and South-South) a running mate to the person who won only one region (North-East)?

“Therefore, when the dust settles, you will discover that PDP and the Labour Party have lost something, the ADC have only gained something like a caricature, but the APC has lost absolutely nothing.

“What this all means is that since the 2023 elections, the APC has become stronger, whilst the opposition parties have been fragmented and have become weaker.

“Those who have defected to the APC since 2023 (the Governors, Senators, Honourable members, etc) put side-by-side with a small handful who have left the APC, who would you rather have in your ranks? That is where lies the key to the whole analyses.

“For now, let us face governance and allow them exercise their constitutional right to associate and assemble.”

Reno Omokri Teases Mark, Aregbesola

A former presidential aide and now a major defender of the APC, Mr. Reno Omokri, yesterday teased both Mark and Aregbesola as unfit to attract the youth population.

In a post titled: “ADC Coalition And Their Military Era ‘Telephone Is Not For The Poor’ Mentality”, Omokri said, “David Mark is 77 years old, and Rauf Aregbesola is 68. And these are the people who will lead the new coalition party.

“Can you, as a Nigerian youth, have any hope in such a gerontocratic party, headed by a man who inspired the headline, ‘Telephones Are Not For The Poor’, and another, who as Osun Governor caused religious crisis in his state by forcing Christian Missionary schools to merge with schools they had no affiliation with, which led to religious violence in Osun?

“What is their purpose for coming together? They have stated it clearly. It is not to make telephones affordable for the poor, but to simply take power from President Bola Tinubu. This is not a pro-Nigerian coalition, or a union to fight poverty, or even a coming together to address the issues that affect the ordinary person.

“This is an anti-Tinubu party whose manifesto is to get Tinubu out of power so they can restore the fuel subsidy that made the elites richer without benefiting the poor.

“They are not happy that Nigeria is no longer the biggest importer of refined petrol in Africa and is now the biggest exporter of fuel in West Africa. This has not been funny for them because there is no more easy money, which is why they found harmony to go against their enemy.”

He, however, concluded that, “It is in Nigeria’s best interest to support President Bola Tinubu until he completes his eight years. Then, power will go to the North, and Nigeria will continue to enjoy political stability, which will lead to economic prosperity.”

Bwala: Coalition on Wild Goose Chase

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has taken a swipe at the newly adopted political party by the opposition coalition, the ADC and dismissed the group as a futile enterprise driven by disgruntled politicians.

In a formal reaction to the unveiling of the ADC’s new leadership in Abuja on Wednesday, Bwala in his verified X handle, @BwalaDaniel, described the political realignment as “a dead on arrival party,” populated by what he called an “association of wild goose chasers.”

The presidential spokesperson wrote in the post: “Association of wild goose chasers, consisting of internally displaced politicians forming a dead on arrival party; better described in the words of @PeterObi as ‘structure of criminality”.

Although he never named individuals, Bwala’s remarks seem to target the architects and promoters of the newly rebranded ADC, which has been adopted as the platform for a broad coalition of opposition politicians aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.

The “internally displaced politicians” jab is widely seen as a reference to former members of the PDP and APC who have defected amid internal party disputes or personal ambitions.

Bwala, himself a former PDP chieftain who defected to the APC in 2023, has of recent  become a vocal defender of President Tinubu’s administration and a prominent critic of opposition figures.

The adoption of the ADC by the coalition has been touted by its promoters as a “third force” in the nation’s political landscape.

However, Bwala’s post suggests the ruling party is unshaken by the move.

Referencing Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi’s oft-repeated phrase, Bwala characterized the coalition’s platform as a “structure of criminality,” deepening the rhetorical war between the government and opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abdullahi Sule: Coalition’s Adoption of ADC Vindicates Tinubu

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Abdullahi Sule, has described the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the coalition of opposition political parties, as a good omen for democracy, stating that the move vindicates President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Sule, who spoke on Wednesday night as guest on Arise News Night, also claimed that the coalition is not a threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Instead of scaring us, it will make us to get up and work harder”, the governor said while reacting to observations that a lot of political heavyweights from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC, amongst others were moving to the ADC, to grab power from the APC and Tinubu in 2027.

According to him, the emergence of the opposition coalition was something that was expected by the president who has consistently denied pursuing a one party state agenda.

Meanwhile, he expressed desire for the return of the position of APC national chairman to the North Central Zone of the country, following the recent resignation of former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on health grounds.

According to him, the return of the position to the zone would bring about equity and guarantee the tradition of the APC.

Recall that former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu had resigned as APC chairman in 2023, leading to the appointment of Ganduje.

“All of us will work and pray it returns to the place it came from in the first place. We are very interested in ensuring that the position comes back to the North Central”, he said.

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Atiku-led Coalition Has Bought ‘Bad Market’, Says ADC 2023 Presidential Candidate, Kachickwu

Atiku-led Coalition Has Bought ‘Bad Market’, Says ADC 2023 Presidential Candidate, Kachickwu

• Says leadership of Ralph Nwosu, which the coalition aligned with, ended in 2022

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADC) in the 2023 presidential election, Dumebi Kachikwu, has said that the Atiku Abubakar-led coalition has bought “a bad market” from the factional chairman of the party, Ralph Nwosu, a man he said represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.

Kachickwu stated this in a statement issued Wednesday while reacting to the ‘purported takeover’ of the party by the Atiku-led coalition.

He said he was amused as the Atiku-led group announced their takeover of the national leadership of ADC.

He wondered why the Atiku-led group was in some form of alliance with the former leadership of the party led by Nwosu.

Kachickwu’s statement read: Dear ADC family and fellow Nigerians. It is with the greatest amusement that I watched the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led group announce their takeover of the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress. As is expected I have been inundated with a lot of calls and messages seeking my reaction to the unfolding dramedy.

“The facts of the matter are as follows:
The Atiku led group are in some form of alliance with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. “The tenure of the Nwosu led executive lapsed on August 21, 2022, and his continued parade of himself as the chairman of the party was the subject of various litigations in different courts across the country.

“From the foregoing, I want to then pose the following questions: Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord?

“These yesterday’s men who represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past have bought a bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.

“Nigerians have watched in amazement as this group of mostly geriatrics shopped around for a party to prosecute their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition.

“This further cements the opinion most hold that political parties in Nigeria stand for nothing and will fall for anything.

“They have told us that they are fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians and that they are on a rescue mission but what is confusing to the Nigerians they want to rescue is that these men made up of a former vice president, former governors, ministers and political office holders are the same people who have presided over the affairs of this nation for the past four decades.

“We have nothing to show for their decades of leadership other than being seen as a nation divided by tribe and religion and thriving in mediocrity. We are a nation lacking in the basics whose majority are poor but here we are watching those who set our nation on fire saying they are the fire brigade.

“No, you are not; you are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birthright. You stand for nothing other than your interests and will pay any price to hold political office.

“Nigerians are tired of your generation and reject everything you have to offer which is nothing. Nigerians yearn for new names, new faces, fresh ideas and progressive ideals.

“We yearn for a new Nigeria that thrives on meritocracy and deemphasises tribe and religion. We dream of a nation that works for all Nigerians irrespective of region or religion. We want a nation whose laws and opportunities are equal to all men.

“We desire inclusiveness for all and social protections for the weak amongst us. Nigerians have never asked for much other than a leadership that truly cares. You have failed us and stand rejected by us.

“If you seek to be a part of the ADC, do the proper thing and come through the front door. We are a party of decent and well-behaved people. Our brand of opposition is one that not only opposes but proposes, something that your group is not conversant with.

“I strongly suspect that you will be shopping for another party very soon and as you do that, we the members of the African Democratic Congress wish you Bon Voyage.”