The factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has expressed his willingness to reconcile with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark and other members of the opposing faction amid the prolonged leadership crisis rocking the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Bala disclosed this in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday while reacting to the November 5 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the David Mark-led caretaker committee.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a suit filed by Bala challenging the process through which the caretaker committee was constituted.

The court also nullified the process that led to Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate.

Reacting to the ruling, Bala described the judgment as a victory for his faction, explaining that they were waiting to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) before approaching the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update the party’s leadership records.

Despite celebrating the court’s decision, Bala maintained that his faction had no intention of engaging in a prolonged battle with the opposing camp.

He appealed to Atiku, Mark and other party stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, stressing that unity was necessary to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bala said, “This is not a fight. Allah has given us victory, but we are not enemies. We are extending a hand of friendship to them to stop being arrogant and whatever they may say so that we can strengthen the opposition and face the government.”

The ADC factional leader further insisted that anyone seeking an elective or leadership position in the party must comply with the provisions of its constitution, including meeting the stipulated membership requirements.

According to him, the party’s constitution requires members to have at least two years of membership before becoming eligible to contest for leadership positions.

Bala accused the opposing faction of disregarding the party’s membership registration procedures, alleging that Mark obtained his membership card from a former national chairman in Abuja instead of completing his registration at his ward.

He also dismissed allegations that he was being sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the opposition.

Bala maintained that his decision to approach the court was solely motivated by the need to protect his rights and ensure compliance with the ADC constitution.

He further argued that the large crowds attracted by the party during political engagements across the country should not be used as an excuse to disregard established rules and procedures.

He insisted that adherence to the party’s constitution remained essential to resolving the leadership dispute and building a stronger opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has admitted that he will need more than his punching power to defeat Tyson Fury when the long-awaited showdown between the two rivals takes place on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Joshua explained that his strategy would revolve around his boxing ability, fitness, patience and experience, noting that Fury has the ability to withstand powerful punches.

News reports that the former unified heavyweight champion secured the highly anticipated fight in July after recovering from two knockdowns to defeat Kristian Prenga by a second-round stoppage.

Speaking on the Mr Verzace Podcast, the 36-year-old described himself and Fury as “polar opposites”, highlighting their different physiques and approaches to boxing.

Joshua noted that unlike him, Fury does not have a bodybuilder’s physique or exceptional one-punch knockout power.

He said, “He is definitely not got a bodybuilder’s physique; that is quite evident, and yeah, he does not possess one-punch power, so we are polar opposites, I would say.”

The former world champion acknowledged that Fury had faced several hard-hitting opponents throughout his career, warning that relying exclusively on his knockout ability would not guarantee victory.

According to Joshua, both fighters have considerable experience dealing with powerful opponents, making it necessary for him to bring additional qualities into the ring.

He said, “I only trust myself, so how I see it is this: Tyson is used to dealing with punches. I do not think he has a problem dealing with heavy-handed fighters; neither do I. We are both experienced; we have both been around, but I am going to have to just bring more than a powerful punch to beat any man in the ring.”

Joshua further explained that his game plan would involve effective movement, controlling distance, anticipating Fury’s moves and selecting his punches carefully to gradually weaken his opponent.

He added, “I am very educated, I am calculated in the ring, I use my legs, use my hands, I use my distance, my anticipation, punch selection, like I bring a lot more to the table than just a powerful punch.

“I do not think I could only bring power to the table and expect to knock out Tyson, because I know he is better than that. So I am going to just do what I do basically, put my punches in bunches and just break him down, just chip at the tree.”

The 36-year-old also acknowledged that a knockout could happen at any point during the contest but maintained that his primary objective was to achieve the fitness and conditioning required to last all 12 rounds.

He said, “Listen, that could happen in the first one minute or the last one minute, but the main goal is to be fit and conditioned to do the full 12 rounds and get the victory.”

Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accused his successor, Monday Okpebholo, of making false allegations against him in an attempt to divert public attention from the alleged poor performance of his administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Obaseki’s reaction followed an interview in which Okpebholo accused his predecessor’s administration of mismanaging the state’s resources.

The incumbent governor also alleged that the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, brought thugs to Edo State during a visit to Benin City, the state capital.

However, Obaseki, through a statement issued by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the allegations, accusing Okpebholo of resorting to falsehood because he had no significant achievements to showcase after 24 months in office.

The former governor argued that the allegations were deliberately intended to shift public attention away from what he described as the poor performance of the current administration.

According to Obaseki, despite trillions of naira reportedly passing through the state’s coffers since Okpebholo assumed office, the governor had failed to fulfil his promises to the people.

The statement partly read, “Despite trillions of naira having passed through the state’s coffers during this period, we wish to note that it is totally disingenuous and mischievous to attempt to deflect public attention from his deplorable performance as governor by telling unconscionable lies about H.E. Godwin Obaseki and others whom he knows enjoy the goodwill of the people.

“Instead of relying on trickery to deflect public attention from the clear underperformance of his administration so far, we encourage Okpebholo to begin making an honest effort to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State during the less than two years remaining in his administration.”

Obaseki maintained that Okpebholo should focus on delivering meaningful development to Edo residents rather than making allegations against his predecessor.

He also urged the governor to use the remaining period of his tenure to fulfil his electoral promises and provide tangible benefits to the people of the state.