The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for a Nigeria where citizens are protected rather than subjected to brutality, and young people are listened to instead of being silenced.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Obi also urged the government to uphold human rights and ensure that the exercise of public authority is guided by responsibility and respect for human life.

The former Anambra State governor made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, as he commemorated the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests and the shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020.

Reflecting on the anniversary, Obi stressed that Nigerians must never forget the incident or allow injustice to become an accepted part of society.

He also expressed confidence that Nigeria could achieve good governance and build a better future for its citizens.

In his statement, Obi described the Lekki Toll Gate shootings as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by Nigerian youths in their quest for a better country.

“Today, October 20, 2026, marks the sixth anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate shootings, a painful reminder of the price Nigerian youths paid in their demand for a better country.

“On that fateful night, peaceful #EndSARS protesters were met with gunfire. Lives were lost, many were injured, and the nation was left with questions about justice, accountability, and the sanctity of human life.

“We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice,” he stated.

The NDC presidential candidate reaffirmed his vision of a New Nigeria where citizens would be treated with dignity, young people would have their voices heard, and government institutions would respect fundamental human rights.

According to him, no Nigerian should face punishment or intimidation for demanding accountability, good governance and a better future.

Obi further called for the sacrifices of those who died during the protests to inspire renewed efforts towards building a country where such a tragedy would never happen again.

“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace. May their sacrifice strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria where this tragedy will never be repeated.

“A New Nigeria is POssible. A Nigeria where every life matters,” he added.

The #EndSARS movement was a youth-led, decentralised campaign that saw mass protests across Nigeria against police brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings attributed to the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

The protests gained national and international attention in October 2020, with the Lekki Toll Gate shootings becoming one of the most controversial incidents associated with the demonstrations.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Aliyu Gantsa, has been suspended by the Jigawa State chapter of the party over alleged anti-party activities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The suspension was announced in a joint statement issued to journalists in Dutse on Monday and signed by Ahmad Garba, Polling Unit Chairman of Primary School, Gantsa Fada Yamma; Nasiru Garba Dan Halima, Gantsa Ward Chairman; and Isyaku Muhammad Lelenkudu, ADC Chairman in Buji Local Government Area.

However, Gantsa has rejected the decision, describing it as unconstitutional and an attempt to intimidate and silence him.

Gantsa, who serves as a member of the ADC National Working Committee, was suspended for 12 months by party executives in Buji Local Government Area over allegations of engaging in activities considered detrimental to the party.

According to the statement, the suspension took effect on October 19, 2026, and is scheduled to end on October 19, 2027.

The party officials explained that the decision was taken to address concerns relating to discipline, internal cohesion and adherence to the party’s regulations.

They further stated that the suspension had received approval from the ADC Ward Executive Committee on October 5 and the Local Government Working Committee on October 16, 2026.

The statement alleged that Gantsa engaged in conduct that tarnished the party’s reputation and weakened the position of its candidates.

“Gantsa’s action was bringing the name, integrity and public standing of the African Democratic Congress into serious disrepute,” the statement read.

The party executives also accused him of openly supporting an aspirant who lost during the party’s primary election.

They argued that his alleged endorsement of the unsuccessful aspirant amounted to an attempt to undermine candidates officially selected by the ADC.

As part of the disciplinary measures, Gantsa was prohibited from attending or participating in party meetings, rallies, caucuses and other official activities at the polling unit, ward, local government, state and national levels.

He was also barred from exercising the rights, responsibilities and privileges associated with his party membership and any position he occupied within the ADC.

Nevertheless, the party stated that Gantsa could appeal the decision by submitting a formal written petition to either the Ward Executive Committee or the Local Government Executive Committee within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice.

The executives called on party members to remain calm and respect the decision, while urging Gantsa to use the suspension period to reflect on his actions.

Reacting to the development in an interview with PUNCH, Gantsa dismissed the suspension, insisting that the ward executives lacked the constitutional authority to take such action against him.

“I am a member of the National Working Committee of the ADC. The ward executive has no basis and no ground whatsoever to suspend me. Their action is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect,” he said.

The ADC chieftain further alleged that the party’s state leadership was behind the move, claiming that some leaders were uncomfortable with his growing influence within the party.

“This is the handiwork of the state leadership who are afraid of my growing influence. They are using the polling unit and ward to do what they cannot do themselves,” Gantsa alleged.

Despite the suspension, he maintained that he remained loyal to the ADC and was committed to its continued growth and development.

“I remain a committed and loyal member of the ADC. No amount of intimidation will make me abandon the party I laboured to build. I will seek redress through the appropriate party organs,” he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered a major political setback in Adamawa State following the defection of 21 local government chairmen and 226 councillors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The elected officials reportedly announced their departure from the PDP in resignation letters addressed to their respective ward chairmen. The development emerged late on Monday, October 19, and continued into the early hours of Tuesday.

According to Daily Post, most of the defectors attributed their decisions to personal reasons, explaining that they had consulted their families and political associates before leaving the opposition party.

Among those who confirmed their defection was the Chairman of Demsa Local Government Area, Akham Jalo, who said he made the decision after consultations with his family, political associates, stakeholders and residents of the area.

Jalo explained that his move to the APC was motivated by his desire to align with the political direction of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and attract more development to his local government.

“My decision to join the APC was informed by the need to align with the progressive vision of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and to attract more dividends of democracy to the people of Demsa,” he stated.

The Adamawa State APC Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, also confirmed the mass defection, stating that all 21 local government chairmen, area development administrators and 226 councillors had joined the ruling party.

“All the 21 local government area chairmen, area development administrators and the 226 councillors in the state have moved into our party,” Dogo said.

He explained that the officials decided to join the APC to align themselves with Governor Fintiri, whom he described as their political godfather.

The latest development comes months after the affected chairmen and councillors secured their positions under the PDP platform.

The officials won their party tickets ahead of the local government elections conducted on June 13, 2026, and were inaugurated two days later, on June 15.

Their defection follows Fintiri’s earlier decision to leave the PDP for the APC, a move that took place approximately four months before the council officials were inaugurated.

Since their assumption of office, there had been growing expectations that the local government chairmen and councillors would eventually follow the governor into the ruling party.

The mass defection represents a significant shift in Adamawa’s local political landscape, further strengthening the APC’s position in the state while dealing another setback to the PDP.