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No Aspirant is Stepping Down for Another in ADC-Atiku

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says no aspirant will withdraw from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential race ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, Abubakar accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate and weaken the opposition ahead of next year’s elections.

He said all qualified aspirants would “present themselves freely” when the party begins its selection process.

The former vice-president spoke amid reports that he was under pressure to step down for a southern aspirant to emerge as the ADC’s flagbearer.

Abubakar said opposition leaders rallied around the ADC to build a credible national alternative to the ruling party.

“Predictably, agents aligned with the presidency are now attempting to destabilise the ADC from the outside—issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate,” the statement reads.

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“Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort. Any call — overt or covert — for Atiku to ‘step aside’ is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.”

Abubakar stressed that the ADC remained committed to “an open, transparent, and competitive process” for selecting its flagbearer.

He said the party is open to all genuine opposition figures, noting that “inclusiveness—not coercion—is the soul of democracy”.

While reiterating that no one in the party would step down, Abubakar said President Tinubu, whose leadership, he said, has become a “national liability”, should be the one to step down.

“Disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to do this essential work without interference,” he said.

“When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu — whose leadership has become a national liability.

“Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will derail this rescue mission.

“Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight.”

He lamented that Nigerians are suffering in “an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

“True to form, this administration has not only inflicted widespread hardship but has also pursued a calculated effort to eliminate political alternatives. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state,” he added.

“Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing ‘achievement’ has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress—despite its manifest failures—standing alone by default, not by merit.”

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Hon. Lanre Oladebo Felicitates Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa on His 50th Birthday

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The Member of the House of Representatives representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Hon. Lanre Omoleye Oladebo, has congratulated the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

In a congratulatory message, Hon. Oladebo described Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa as a distinguished parliamentarian, accomplished public servant and valued colleague whose dedication to legislative duties and commitment to national development remain worthy of commendation.

He noted that attaining the age of 50 is a remarkable milestone, providing an opportunity to reflect on a life defined by service, achievements, leadership and meaningful contributions to society.

Hon. Oladebo also expressed his personal appreciation for the celebrant’s friendship, collegiality and commitment to the business of legislation, noting that his wealth of experience, intellectual capacity and dedication continue to add significant value to the National Assembly.

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The statement reads:

It is with great pleasure that I join your family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers in celebrating you as you attain this remarkable milestone of 50 years.

Your journey has been marked by dedication, resilience, intellectual capacity and an unwavering commitment to public service. Beyond being a distinguished parliamentarian, you have been a dependable colleague and a leader whose friendship I deeply value.

As you celebrate your Golden Jubilee, I pray that Almighty God grants you renewed strength, sound health, greater wisdom and abundant grace to continue your service to humanity and our dear nation.

May this new chapter of your life bring you greater accomplishments, fulfilment and lasting impact. May the years ahead be even more rewarding than those behind you.

“Happy 50th birthday, my dear Chairman and distinguished colleague. I wish you many more years of good health, happiness, peace and impactful service.”

Signed:
The Media Team
Office of Hon. Lanre Omoleye Oladebo

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Akpabio Petitions DSS, Demands Probe Into ‘Anti-north Statement’ Attributed to Him on Social Media

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate an alleged anti-north statement attributed to him and circulated on social media.

The petition to the DSS was written on behalf of the senate president by Chinedu Akubueze, his chief of staff.

According to the petition, Akubueze called for an urgent investigation into the creation and coordinated dissemination on Facebook and other digital platforms of what he described as a “manifestly false, inflammatory and dangerously divisive statement” attributed to Akpabio.

The alleged statement, circulated alongside Akpabio’s photograph and designation, reads: “Northerners, You Will Be the Ones to Suffer the Most, If You Allow Tinubu to Lose the Election”.

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Akpabio’s chief of staff maintained that the senate president “did not make this statement”.

He said no date, venue, speech, interview, video, audio recording, official statement or credible news report had been produced to authenticate the alleged remark.

“The graphic carries no identifiable publisher’s mark or verifiable source,” the petition reads.

“It appears to have been deliberately manufactured and presented as an authentic quotation for the purpose of deceiving the public, provoking regional resentment against the President of the Senate and portraying him as threatening the people of Northern Nigeria.”

According to the petition, a preliminary examination of publicly accessible Facebook records identified some of the earliest traceable accounts that amplified the alleged fabricated graphic.

It listed Abdullai Musa, who reportedly posted the graphic in a Facebook group called Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthman Group 24, and Uzoma Chilaka, whose Facebook post reproduced the graphic alongside commentary credited to Boniface Uzoma Chilaka and Engineer Ibrahim Umar Ammar.

The petition said the individuals should not be presumed guilty before an investigation but described them as “material persons of interest” because of their alleged roles in circulating the material.

“Their publication records, device communications and the provenance of the image should, therefore, be investigated in accordance with the laws,” it said.

In the petition, Akubueze urged the DSS to investigate the source of the graphic and identify its designer, original uploader, sponsors, intermediaries and network through which it was distributed.

He said the investigation was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the creation and circulation of the alleged statement and prevent further dissemination of what he described as inflammatory content.

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NFF Appoints Eguavoen as Interim Head Coach of Super Falcons

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Augustine Eguavoen has been appointed the interim head coach of the Super Falcons.

The former Super Eagles head coach will lead the Falcons for their 2028 Olympic Games double-legged qualifier against Comoros in October.

Eguavoen will be assisted by Christopher Danjuma, head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, alongside a supporting cast that includes Ayisat Yusuf, a former Super Falcons defender; Olatunji Baruwa, former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer.

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The Falcons will kick off their Olympic qualifying campaign in the second round against Comoros, with both legs taking place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13.

Nigeria had received a bye into the second round as one of the top-ranked teams, while Comoros qualified after a 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan.

Falcons must navigate four rounds of two-legged knockout ties to secure of Africa’s two slots for the women’s football event at the Olympics. A win over Comoros will advance the team to the third round in early 2027 to face either DR Congo or Morocco.

Eguavoen will be handling women’s football team for the first time in his managerial career.

His appointment comes a few weeks after Justine Madugu was sacked as Falcons’ head coach alongside his technical crew.

The dismal follows the Falcons failure to qualify for the 2027 women’s World Cup.

The first time the team will miss the World Cup since its inception in 1991.

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