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Regional Tensions Explode: APC, ADC in Fierce Tug‑of‑War for Northern Support

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the emerging opposition coalition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), are locked in a war of words over which party truly commands the confidence of the North and is better positioned to defend the region’s interests.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

ADC Interim National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark, blamed much of the North’s poverty, insecurity, and economic stagnation on the region itself, urging its leaders to stop playing the blame game and confront their internal failings.

Similarly, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and ADC chieftain, Babachir Lawal, declared that the North—through the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG)—had adopted the ADC as its preferred political platform to advance northern interests and challenge the APC’s dominance in 2027.

Both leaders spoke on Saturday during the third expanded meeting of the NPCG (North) in Abuja.

Reacting, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed their claims, insisting that the ruling party enjoys broad-based support nationwide—including in the North—and remains the best guarantor of Nigerians’ collective aspirations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In his keynote address titled “Unity and Social Cohesion as a Panacea to the Challenges Facing Northern Nigeria,” Mark lamented that the region was “bleeding,” calling for an end to internal divisions and political apathy.

The NPCG (North)—which last met on May 26—was created to unify northern political leaders and encourage them to act as a cohesive bloc, ideally under one political party.

On July 1, key opposition figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, APC’s 2023 presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai—formally unveiled the ADC as the opposition’s united platform to take on Tinubu in 2027. Since then, ADC leaders have intensified efforts to secure grassroots support in the North and other regions.

Mark urged northern leaders to accept responsibility for the region’s plight rather than scapegoating others.

“The North, as we know, is blessed with rich history, mineral resources, fertile land, diverse cultures, and immense potential. Yet we are plagued by insecurity, poverty, ethnic and religious tensions, political fragmentation, and economic stagnation. These challenges did not spring up overnight, and they will not disappear until we take deliberate, collective action. We must admit that we are the architects of our problems if we truly want lasting solutions.”

He warned that division had stunted the region’s progress, while inaction had deepened existing wounds.

“To overcome these travails, we must return to justice, equity, mutual respect, and shared purpose—the values that once made Northern Nigeria a beacon of hope and development,” Mark said.

He highlighted how banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes have devastated rural communities, displaced millions, and crippled the northern economy, noting that despite vast resources, the region remains the poorest in the country with alarming levels of illiteracy, unemployment, and failing infrastructure.

“Mistrust between ethnic and religious groups has been exploited by selfish elites, fueling conflict. Instead of uniting for progress, many pursue personal and sectional interests. Insecurity discourages investment, which deepens poverty; poverty fuels crime and desperation; ethnic divisions weaken our collective demand for good governance. This is not the North we inherited,” Mark declared.

He concluded with a call for unity:

“A brighter future is possible if we reject division and embrace our shared identity. We must tone down inflammatory rhetoric and return to the days when we saw one another first as brothers and sisters—when being a Northerner meant something greater than ethnic or religious labels.”

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The Bulldozers Are Coming! Kano Targets Azman University In Massive Illegal Property Crackdown.

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Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has dismissed recent claims by 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi regarding Nigeria’s power generation goals. During an Arise Television interview, Onanuga clarified that Nigeria’s core electricity crisis stems from structural deficits—such as gas supply shortages, a $4 trillion legacy debt owed to suppliers, and an aging national grid—rather than a lack of generation capacity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Onanuga noted that the nation already possesses an installed capacity of 13,500 megawatts, exceeding Obi’s promise to add 10,000 megawatts. He argued that the former governor lacks a clear understanding of the existing infrastructure limitations. Furthermore, Onanuga highlighted that the Tinubu administration is actively tackling these issues through the Electricity Act, which decentralizes power management, and the establishment of the Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to improve performance. He maintained that power generation has seen marked improvement since the current administration took office in May 2023.

President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, has challenged Peter Obi’s pledge to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation by 10,000 megawatts within four years. In a recent interview, Onanuga stated that Obi’s plan ignores the reality that Nigeria’s installed capacity is already 13,500 megawatts—a figure that remains underutilized due to structural failures.

Onanuga identified the country’s primary obstacles as an outdated national grid, chronic gas supply issues, and a massive legacy debt of over ₦4 trillion owed to gas companies. He asserted that the current administration is addressing these systemic problems through legislative reforms, specifically citing the Electricity Act, which allows states to manage their own power generation, transmission, and distribution. Onanuga concluded that electricity output has already trended upward since May 2023 and that the government’s focus remains on optimizing existing assets rather than merely chasing higher capacity targets.

Bayo Onanuga is pushing back against Peter Obi’s recent promise to boost Nigeria’s power supply by 10,000 megawatts. According to President Tinubu’s spokesperson, the real issue isn’t a lack of capacity, but a broken system.

Onanuga pointed out that Nigeria already has 13,500 megawatts of installed capacity, most of which sits idle due to three main roadblocks:

  • The Grid: Outdated infrastructure that cannot handle current demands.

  • Gas Supply: A crippling lack of fuel for power plants.

  • Legacy Debt: A massive ₦4 trillion debt pile-up owed to gas suppliers.

Onanuga credited the Tinubu administration with tackling these hurdles head-on, specifically through the new Electricity Act that empowers states to generate and distribute their own power. He insists that the sector is already performing better than it was in May 2023 and that the focus is on fixing the structural bottlenecks, not just expanding capacity.

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Court Orders Probe Of Leaked Video In Alleged Coup Plot Trial

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On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja initiated an investigation into the unauthorized release of a video linked to the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of conspiring to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Investigation into the Leaked Video

  • Court Directive: Following a complaint from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), regarding a video statement that surfaced on the social media platform of influencer “VeryDarkMan” despite a court-imposed restriction, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an inquiry.

  • National Security Concerns: The DPP characterized the leak as a national security risk that prejudices the ongoing judicial proceedings, noting the video had already surpassed 6,000 views.

  • Defense Stance: While defense counsel denied involvement in the leak, they held varying views on a probe; some welcomed an investigation, while others, like Sanusi Musa (SAN), cautioned against acting without formal evidence.

  • Judicial Ruling: Invoking Section 232(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Abdulmalik mandated the DSS to identify and bring any responsible parties before the court, noting that such prosecution would be handled separately from the main coup trial.

Trial Testimony and Bail Proceedings

  • Witness Testimony: A prosecution witness, an Army officer codenamed “DDD,” testified that the investigation was conducted by a multi-agency team—including the Army, DSS, DIA, and EFCC—and explicitly denied that the defendants were chained, coerced, or tortured during interrogation.

  • Defense Challenges: During cross-examination, defense lawyers challenged the interrogation process, specifically noting the absence of family members or legal representation during the suspects’ questioning; however, the witness stated no such requests were made by the defendants.

  • Bail Applications: The court heard bail arguments from the defense, which the DPP opposed; Justice Abdulmalik has reserved her ruling on these applications and adjourned the trial-within-trial for the first three defendants until June 25 and June 30.

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No Mercy! US Authorities Deport Nigerian Over “Violent Crimes” & Abuse Allegations!.

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  • Deportation of Nigerian National: A Nigerian citizen named Ayodeji Ajayi has been deported from the United States following a series of criminal convictions, which include domestic violence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • Immigration Status: According to a statement released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on their official account, Ajayi had been living in the US illegally for nearly two decades after failing to depart the country following the expiration of his student visa.

    • Criminal History: ICE reported that after abandoning his studies, Ajayi amassed a significant criminal record that includes convictions for domestic violence, trespassing, intimidation, and obstruction. Furthermore, his record includes charges involving kidnapping, rape, and family neglect.

    • Administrative Context: ICE attributed the removal of Ajayi to the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump, noting the administration’s commitment to deporting criminal undocumented immigrants.

    • Missing Details: While the agency confirmed the deportation, they did not specify when it occurred, nor did they provide additional details regarding the jurisdictions of the convictions or the current status of his pending criminal charges.

    • Policy Enforcement: This action reflects the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to intensify enforcement and increase the number of removals of undocumented individuals with criminal backgrounds across the United States.

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