The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing significant internal turmoil following its recent primaries, with aspirants in Kano, Benue, and Adamawa states rejecting the results due to alleged irregularities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Kano State: Aspirants, organized as the “Concerned ADC Aspirants and Stakeholders,” claimed the primaries lacked credibility because they were reportedly held while screening was still ongoing. The State Chairman, Musa Ungogo, refuted these claims, asserting that due process was followed and that consensus-building efforts remain in progress.

  • Benue State: At least nine House of Representatives aspirants have filed formal petitions with the party’s appeal panel. Disgruntled participants, such as Inalegwu Ejembi, described the event as a “shame,” alleging that the elections never actually took place.

  • Adamawa State: House of Representatives aspirant Ahmed Bashir has declared his intention to challenge the primary results in court. He alleged that he faced pressure to withdraw in favor of Adamu Atiku—the son of the party’s presidential candidate—and claimed he was denied access to the party’s appeal committee. Conversely, the Adamawa State ADC Secretary, Shagna Pwamaddi, defended the process, insisting the primaries were free and fair.

  Option 2: Concise Narrative

  Post-primary crises are intensifying within the ADC as candidates from three key states challenge the legitimacy of the selection process. In Kano, aspirants are demanding an investigation into the credibility of the May 21 exercise, while party leadership maintains that all procedures were conducted properly. Meanwhile, in Benue, multiple candidates have petitioned the party’s appeal panel, asserting that no real election occurred. The situation in Adamawa has escalated to a potential legal battle, with an aspirant accusing the party of forcing him to step down to benefit a specific candidate, a claim the state party secretary has firmly denied.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed that several high-ranking All Progressives Congress (APC) members, including at least five serving governors, invited him to return to the party following his recent departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC)....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lawal, who left the ADC over allegations of manipulated primary results, confirmed in a Sunday Punch interview that he has been courted by multiple political groups. However, he dismissed the possibility of rejoining the APC, asserting that the systemic issues that prompted his original exit remain unresolved. Currently, Lawal says he has stepped back from active politics to focus on his farm. Addressing accusations of betrayal regarding his exit from the ADC, he dismissed his critics and maintained that he was never politically aligned with Atiku Abubakar, warning that he remains prepared for political confrontation if necessary.

Babachir Lawal, the former SGF, is making headlines after confirming that multiple APC governors and ministers have been sliding into his DMs, hoping to lure him back to the party. After quitting the ADC—citing shady dealings during their presidential primary—Lawal says he has been flooded with offers from various political camps.

Despite the high-level attention, Lawal isn’t biting. He told Sunday Punch that the problems that drove him out of the APC are still there, so he’s not interested in going back. For now, he’s trading political drama for farm life in his village. As for the “betrayal” talk from Atiku’s supporters? Lawal isn’t having it, calling the criticism “rubbish” and insisting he was never in their camp to begin with. He’s taking a break, but he made it clear: he hasn’t lost his appetite for a political fight if provoked.

Key Points Summary

• The Outreach: Lawal claims at least five APC governors and several ministers have contacted him to discuss a potential return.

• The Stance: He has flatly rejected a return to the APC, noting that the fundamental issues that caused his initial resignation have not been addressed.

• Current Status: He has effectively retired from the current political cycle to focus on farming.

• The Atiku Connection: He denies betraying Atiku Abubakar, claiming he was never part of the former Vice-President’s political inner circle.

• Future Outlook: While he is currently enjoying his “comfort zone,” he remains defiant against his critics and ready to re-enter the fray if challenged.

Mike Ejiofor, a retired Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), has identified the absence of state police as a primary obstacle in Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism and kidnapping. In an interview with Vanguard, Ejiofor argued that the security architecture requires localized solutions to address threats effectively.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Intelligence vs. Capacity: Ejiofor rejected the notion that recent surges in violence are due to intelligence failures. Instead, he argued that security agencies often possess the necessary intelligence but lack the sufficient funding, manpower, and modern equipment required to respond decisively. He pointed to the successful prosecution of the 2022 Owo attack suspects as evidence that intelligence gathering remains effective.

  • The Case for State Police: According to Ejiofor, the current centralized policing system is flawed because officers are frequently deployed to regions where they lack familiarity with the local language, culture, and terrain—and are often transferred before they can build that knowledge. He believes state-level forces, recruited from local communities, would be better positioned to understand these dynamics and work alongside federal police to bolster national security.

  • Shifting Security Threats: Regarding the rising insecurity in the South-West, Ejiofor explained that terrorist groups are geographically shifting their operations. After facing increased pressure in the North-East and North-West, these groups have moved southward to target the South-West, an area they perceive as strategic due to its demographics. Their objective, he noted, is to undermine government credibility and incite fear through abductions and extreme violence.

  • A Call for Collective Responsibility: Ejiofor emphasized that security is a shared burden. While the government holds the primary responsibility for citizen welfare and protection, he stressed that citizens must act as the first line of defense by providing credible information to security forces. He also warned that existing local vigilante groups are ill-equipped to confront heavily armed criminals who carry prohibited weapons.