By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he will back whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 election, even as he dismissed concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could derail the party’s plans.

Speaking in an interview with DW Hausa, Atiku alleged that vested interests were targeting the ADC because of its growing popularity across the country. He also rejected INEC’s recent decision to cease communication with the party’s leadership and not monitor its April 14 national convention, a move the ADC has criticised as a misinterpretation of a court ruling.

“We will support and endorse whoever emerges as the flag bearer,” Atiku said, noting that the ADC’s presidential aspirants are only three or four, compared to more than ten in his former party, the PDP.

The former vice-president described the ADC as youth-friendly, saying young people already dominate its tickets for councillor, state assembly, and national assembly positions. “Our role is to create the opportunity and hand it over to them,” he said.

Asked whether he could support a young presidential candidate, Atiku replied: “Yes, why not?” He added: “Allah has done everything for me. I have brought my sons and grandchildren home. What will be their future and that of their children?”

Atiku expressed confidence that Nigerians are ready for political change, citing worsening economic and security conditions. “They are being pushed to the wall and are prepared to do even more than they did in the previous elections,” he said.

He linked rising insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria, to youth unemployment and poor access to education. “When you go round the region, you see that education is not receiving the attention it deserves. It has been relegated,” he said, adding that even graduates find no jobs or business opportunities. “I have never witnessed a period like this in Nigeria.”

The former vice-president also accused the government of tolerating corruption. “There is embezzlement on the part of government, and corruption is rampant. The government has turned a blind eye because it is involved,” he said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the nation’s largest labour union, has directed workers in states that have not fully implemented the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to mark May Day 2026 on the streets, suspending all indoor or official celebrations.

President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on July 29, 2024, raising the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The amendment to the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 followed tripartite negotiations between the government, labour unions, and the private sector.

May Day, observed annually on May 1, honours workers and labour movements worldwide. This year, the NLC is calling for both a reflection on the state of workers’ rights and a celebration of the collective efforts that continue to build the wealth of nations.

In a statement signed on Friday by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union condemned several state governments for persistently violating the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

It accused them of refusing to implement key provisions, including consequential adjustments for senior workers, regular and timely payment of the new wage, and the extension of coverage to local government staff, primary school teachers, and health workers. The NLC described these violations as not only a breach of the law but an assault on the dignity of Nigerian workers.

Consequently, the NLC directed all its State Councils in jurisdictions where full implementation has not been achieved to ensure that no May Day ceremonies take place inside government houses, banquet halls, or any enclosed venue hosted by or in collaboration with defaulting state governments. All official receptions have been suspended.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The leadership crisis engulfing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensified Friday as state chairmen of the party announced plans to take control of the opposition party’s national structure, citing the electoral commission’s recent decision to derecognise the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee.

Temitope Ogga, Chairman of the ADC state chairmen and also the Kogi State Chairman of the party, disclosed the move in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, describing it as necessary to prevent a leadership vacuum and protect the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general election.

Ogga said the National Executive Committee — comprising the state chairmen — will meet on Tuesday to select a Caretaker Committee that will steer the party’s affairs while legal disputes are resolved.

“After the NWC, we are the next highest decision-making organ of the party,” Ogga stated. “We are the NEC, all the state chairmen are members of the NEC, and it is the most powerful organ of the party.”

The crisis follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision on Wednesday to remove the names of the ADC’s NWC — led by Mark — from its official portal, complying with a Court of Appeal order. INEC said it would maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The ruling stems from a protracted leadership battle within the ADC, with rival factions led by Nafiu Bala Gombe and Senator David Mark both claiming authority over the party’s national structure.

Ogga insisted the state chairmen are legally positioned to assume leadership. “Now that the court has said that it does not recognise the NWC as the party authority, they did not disband the state chairmen and their executives, so we are the next in line to take over the party, according to the party’s constitution.”

He added that the party would formally notify INEC of the transition. “The committee will be in acting capacity, and we are going to write INEC to inform them of this new development. We will submit the names of the members of the committee to INEC after our meeting on Tuesday.”