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Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast and hopeful as the country celebrates its 65th Independence anniversary.

In his goodwill message to the people of Delta Central, the Niger Delta and all Nigerians, Dafinone described the milestone as both a celebration of sovereignty and a moment of sober reflection on the nation’s struggles, triumphs, and enduring spirit of unity.

Acknowledging the economic hardship faced by households and businesses, he urged citizens not to lose sight of the bigger picture, stressing that meaningful reforms often come with sacrifices but ultimately pave the way for stability and prosperity.

‘As we celebrate our independence, let us rekindle our hope and strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria that works for all,’ Dafinone declared, reaffirming his commitment to advocating for the interests of Delta Central in the Senate and ensuring the voice of his people is heard.

He prayed for renewed love for the nation and a greater determination to see Nigeria succeed, concluding: ‘God bless Delta Central, God bless Delta State, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

According to him: ‘As we gather in unity to mark the 65th anniversary of our nation’s independence on October 1st, I bring you warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations. This milestone is not just a celebration of our sovereignty, but a solemn reflection on our collective journey – our struggles, our triumphs, and the enduring spirit that binds us as one people. From the industrious communities of Delta Central to every part of our great country, this is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the Nigerian dream – one built on resilience, justice, and shared prosperity.

‘I am aware that we are navigating through challenging times. The impact of economic reforms, inflation, and evolving global dynamics has placed significant strain on households and businesses alike. However, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. Let us not be disheartened by temporary hardship. Change, especially meaningful change, often comes with sacrifices.

‘As we celebrate our independence, let us rekindle our hope and strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria that works for all.

‘I remain committed to advocating for the interests of Delta Central in the Senate and to ensuring that the voice of our people is heard and respected. May this Independence Day renew in us a deeper love for our nation and a greater determination to see her succeed.’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas yesterday said that the future of Nigeria is bright.

In their messages to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence Anniversary, they urged Nigerians to exercise patience as the reforms produce results.

Akpabio said that Nigeria is moving in the right direction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.

He urged Nigerians to endure the pains of the reforms a little while longer ‘in the interest of our children and future generations’.

He said: ‘My dear resilient and wonderful people of this great nation, I wish to heartily congratulate you for witnessing Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration. At 65, we are matured and should be working for the unity of the nation and prosperity of our people.

‘We salute your resilience, patience and endurance in the last two years. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding.

‘In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘All hands are on deck for a greater Nigeria’, I urge you to continue to bear the temporary discomfort of the ongoing reforms. We are not unaware of the pains occasioned by the reforms, but I want to assure you, very soon, this will be a thing of the past because the benefits of the reforms are beginning to manifest positively.

‘Let me also congratulate our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of our dear country, Members of the National Assembly for the steadfastness in their legislative engagements, the judiciary and the Nigerian people at home and in diaspora on this auspicious occasion.’

He added: ‘I must tell you that Nigeria is not finished. Do not buy into the mischievous narrative that Nigeria is irredeemable. We are on the right pedestal and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is reshaping the country; we are growing and making progress.

‘If we all join hands together to support the reforms, Nigeria will become better and surely get to the promised land.’

Abbas urged Nigerians to look beyond the current challenges and anticipate a bright future.

The Speaker, who said God has blessed the country with immeasurable human and natural resources, called for collective efforts towards building ‘a nation of our dreams regardless of religious, ethnic and political differences.’

According to the Speaker, Nigeria remains on the right path with the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He expressed optimism that the country remains the giant of Africa, adding that it would reclaim its position as the biggest economy on the continent.

He urged Nigerians to remain undaunted by the security and socio-economic challenges.

Abbas called for more prayers and patriotism from law-abiding Nigerians, assuring that the House would provide accountable leadership, good governance and dividends of democracy, especially at the grassroots.

Wazobia FM has marked this year’s World Heart Day with a Heart Walk in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The event, tagged Heart Waka for Life, commenced at the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Participants marched through the community to Maracana Stadium, where fitness activities were held to promote healthier living.

Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Olalekan Akindipe joined the walk side by side with residents.

He described the event as an important step towards building stronger, healthier lifestyles in the community.

The energy of the walk was further boosted by Wazobia FM presenters, who brought their on-air charisma to the streets.

They were joined by top celebrities including Korexx, Cute Abiola, Aproko Doctor, Kemen, Kaffy, Kenny Blaq, and Broda Shaggi, while Mr Macaroni and Gossip Loaded offered their support online.

General Manager for Wazobia FM, Cool FM, Nigeria Info FM, and Kids FM, Femi Obong-Daniels, explained that the Heart Walk was designed to get everyone in the council involved in fitness and health awareness.

Program Managers of the stations and some On-Air Personalities also stressed the benefits of regular walking, highlighting its role in preventing heart disease, improving cardiovascular fitness, and boosting energy levels.

Skin care brand, NIVEA, has given N46 million to BRICON Foundation to help cancer survivors.

This was announced at its R.I.S.E. Conference in Lagos.

Raised through NIVEA’s ‘You Buy | You Save | We Donate’ campaign, the funds will be channelled into microloans, training, and emotional care to help survivors live again.

Beiersdorf Nigeria’s Country Manager, Dele Adeyole, said ‘At Beiersdorf, care is more than a brand promise; it is our corporate DNA. By channelling everyday consumer choices into over N46 million lifeline for cancer survivors, we are affirming that care must touch both skin and soul,’ he said.

Marketing Director for Central, East and West Africa at Beiersdorf, Fiyin Toyo, emphasised that cancer support is a cause close to the company’s mission.

‘Most people know NIVEA for skin care, but our mission goes deeper; we care beyond skin. BRICON Foundation is doing good work to help survivors get back on their feet, and this partnership allows us to give survivors dignity.

Singer and songwriter Tems has set a historic record, becoming the first female Nigerian artist to sell more than 10 million units in the United States.

The milestone, confirmed on Tuesday by Chart Data on X (formerly Twitter), was driven by her global smash hit ‘Wait for U’ with Future and Drake, which has now surpassed the 10 million sales mark.

The achievement added to Tems’ growing list of international accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for ‘Wait for U’ and her distinction as the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.

Her meteoric rise began with her feature on Wizkid’s ‘Essence,’ which broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Since then, she has won several international honours, including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.

Currently on her 2025-2026 world tour, Tems is performing across major cities such as Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), and Los Angeles, where she will headline at the iconic Dodger Stadium.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed as false claims of persecution against Christians in Nigeria.

‘They are lying that we have religious persecution and differences. They lie all over the place that we have religious persecution.” Tinubu said at the presentation of a book authored by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, in Owerri.

The event, held at the Emmanuel Iwanyanwu International Conference Centre, which is one of the three newly completed projects earlier inaugurated by the President.

The launch of the book titled ‘A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria’ drew political heavyweights such as Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, House of Reps Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy House of Reps Speaker Benjamin Kalu, All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

Traditional rulers at the event included the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Obi of Onitsha Alfred Acbebe.

The President, who also listed his administration’s main achievements, added that those who made the allegation against the country failed to realise that Nigerians were advanced enough to engage in religious persecution.

”We are more developed, civilised and well educated. Our Muslim brothers and sisters and Christian brothers and sisters are helping us to build a nation.

”We are united, no religious persecution in Nigeria – it’s a lie from the pit of hell,’ Tinubu said.

Opening his remarks on an optimistic note, he took a jab at his administration’s critics.

‘Our critics can say whatever they want because they don’t know any better; their Arithmetic has always been wrong. We understand financial engineering and progressive methodology much better than they do. That’s why we are here.’

The President restated that Nigeria has ‘turned the corner’ and that ‘the worst is over.’

He therefore urged Nigerians to ‘stay the course’ as his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into tangible recovery.

‘I stand before you confident, yet humble enough to say that Nigeria is no longer where it was 10 years ago. Today, I can confidently tell you that the worst is over. Stay the course. Believe in us because we believe in you. We trust the future’, Tinubu said.

The President pointed out that the country is steadily regaining economic credibility, citing a rise in external reserves and improving macroeconomic indicators.

‘Today, our external reserves stand at $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019. This is the proof that Nigeria is regaining its strength and credibility in the global economy,’ he stated.

He added that in the second quarter of this year, the economy grew by 4.23 percent while inflation eased to 20.12 percent in August.

The drop in inflation rate, which is described as ”relief ” is ‘the lowest in more than three years.’

”Slowly, but surely, the effects are reaching out to our people,” Tinubu said. But he had a message for Nigerians: ”You may not feel it yet, be patient.’

Underscoring a rebound in the real sector, President Tinubu reported that Nigeria’s trade surplus rose by more than 44 percent in the last quarter, while manufactured exports surged by 173 percent.

‘These numbers speak of a Nigeria that’s producing, exporting and competing more than ever before,’ he said, adding that the Naira has steadied as foreign-exchange reforms and new investment flows ‘restore confidence in our economy.’

While insisting that the upward climb ‘has been steep,’ President Tinubu maintained that the trajectory is now durable.

‘We will continue to work slowly up, but steadily now with our hands on the plough, no looking back. We are going to get to the top of the mountain,’ he said.

The President linked today’s momentum to the political turn Nigeria took a decade ago.

‘Ten years ago, our great party, the All Progressives Congress, came into office on the promise of change. That change is being witnessed here today,’ he said.

Tinubu credited the late President Muhammadu Buhari with beginning ‘the work of stabilisation,’ noting: ‘ Many years passed, mistakes were made, but the direction of our country shifted for the better ever since we came to power.’

He framed the events in Owerri as both a celebration and a record of stewardship.

Commending Governor Uzodimma for combining governance with authorship, Tinubu said: ‘Good job, good thinking, highly progressive, a man of great vision. Well done.’

By documenting ‘the milestones and struggles of the 10 years that we’ve gone through,’ said the President, the governor had given Nigeria ‘a gift.’

‘No nation can afford to forget its own journey, and no leader should escape the duty of stewardship,’ Tinubu said.

Reiterating his faith in Nigeria’s federal structure, Tinubu said the country is seeing practical dividends of reform.

‘By true federalism, there is no state governor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is struggling to pay salaries,’ he asserted, adding that new infrastructure ‘may outlive some of us.’

On education and social mobility, the President said: ‘Today, your children are in school. No child should go to bed hungry or be excluded from being able to pass and be admitted for higher education.’

The President highlighted improvements in healthcare capacity, saying Nigerians ‘can say confidently’ that there are well-equipped hospitals able to treat critical illnesses such as cancer.

‘We are investing in the welfare of our people. Right now, this economy will work for you, not for the smugglers, not for the corrupt,’ he said.

Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their ‘resilience,’ ‘endurance,’ and ‘perseverance,’ promising: ‘You will see prosperity, you will have it.’

Calling for patriotism as Nigeria marks 65 years of nationhood, Tinubu urged citizens to stop ‘talking ill’ of the country.

‘It’s 65 years of Independence – it is not a joke. We are proud of our forefathers. that Nigerians should be one, that it must be an inclusive government, that we must take care of the elderly, we must take care of the vulnerable, we must educate our children, build welfare that will take care of our healthcare system, [and] invest in agriculture mechanisation and irrigation,’ he said.

With adequate food production, he said, Nigeria would not only feed itself but ‘export to other countries.’

President Tinubu contrasted Nigeria’s present with ‘the old way’ that ‘brought our nation close to collapse.’

A ‘break with that past,’ he said, ‘was not an option; it was the only way forward. We broke the jinx.’

He urged Nigerians to ‘look forward,’ not back, and to measure progress by steady, real-world gains: ‘That growth is with purpose, not just on paper; it is real growth.’

Tinubu also defended the nation’s intellectual and cultural confidence amid international scrutiny.

‘We learn English, but we teach English too,’ he said, invoking a broader point about Nigeria’s capacity, cohesion, and ambition.

‘The last decade was a time of change; the coming decade will be an era of renewal and stability, and in that future, together, Nigeria will win. We will win with you’, the President assured.

Turning to Uzodimma, who is also chairman of the All Progressives Governors’ Forum, the President said: ‘You are a man of great vision, and I commend you for good thinking. Well done, seeing the projects that have been inaugurated and authoring a book is a challenging feat.’

Uzodimma reflected on Nigeria’s journey under the APC from 2015 to 2025, highlighting milestones, challenges, and lessons learned.

He emphasised that the book is not just a personal achievement but belongs to the APC family and Nigerians.

The governor described the book as a product of deep reflection that explains ‘progressivism’ in the Nigerian context.

He praised President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and role in forming the APC. He commended him for the economic progress in Nigeria.

Uzodimma told the gathering that Imo State has seen rapid infrastructure growth.

Senate President Akpabio hailed Uzodimma’s efforts in putting together a book that chronicles the APC’s achievements and his vision for Imo State.

Akpabio also commended the President for his leadership sagacity that attracts members of the opposition party to the APC.

‘Many more governors will defect to APC because of the President’s visionary leadership.”

The Obi Onitsha, who spoke for traditional rulers, also commended Uzodimma’s effort and described the book as a great service to the people.

Chairman of the IRS Group of Companies and the book presenter, Isyaku Rabiu, lauded Uzodimma for documenting the achievements of the ruling APC.

He said though not a politician, he is supporting the President for second term because of his economic policies.

Rabiu said: ‘Today, the price of a bag of rice has decreased to N50,000 due to the President’s initiatives to support farmers through fertiliser provision.’

Also, APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, described Tinubu as a custodian of transformation and a master strategist.

He also praised Governor Uzodimma for his leadership.

The governors present at the event were Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Monday Okpebholo(Edo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Francis Nwofuru (Ebonyi), Inuwa Yahaya(Gombe), Abudulahi Sule (Nasarawa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Mohammed Bago (Niger) .

Some of the traditional rulers were Cletus Ilomuanya, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abadi of Calabar, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar and Eze E C Okeke.

Others at the event are Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Budget and Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu and his Information and National Orientation counterpart Mohammed Idris.

The Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN) and the Himma Youth Farmers Association of Nigeria (HYFAN) have raised concerns that the restructuring of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) by the Federal Government could lead to a sharp increase in the prices, threatening the productivity of smallholder and youth farmers.

The groups commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his agricultural reforms and programmes aimed at boosting food security, farmer empowerment, and youth inclusion.

However, they warned that the new direction of the PFI risks undermining the progress achieved under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

‘The PFI was a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, ensuring affordable fertilizer through raw material importation and support for local blending plants. Millions of farmers benefitted from this intervention, which strengthened food production and national food security,’ Bamai said.

The farmers’ associations urged President Tinubu not to abandon the importation of raw materials until local production is capable of meeting national demand.

They also called for the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to continue managing importation, arguing that this would guarantee efficiency, transparency, and stability in the supply chain.

‘Nigerian farmers cannot afford a disruption in fertilizer supply at this critical moment. We deeply appreciate your reforms, but we appeal: do not kill the legacy of Buhari’s agricultural transformation on fertiliser access. Sustain raw material importation until Nigeria’s local capacity is ready,’ Bamai stressed.

While reaffirming their commitment to work with government, private sector, and development partners to ensure success of the restructured PFI, COFAN and HYFAN insisted protecting farmers in the short term is essential to securing long-term food security.

On Friday, last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned his gaze south-westward to the sprawling city of Ibadan. Over two years since his assumption of office, this would be the president’s first berth in Ibadan, the political and spiritual capital of the Yoruba nation. Just as Kaduna spoke to his national reach the week before, Ibadan speaks to his Southwest base. It is a return not merely to a city, but to a crucible of Yoruba identity, politics, and destiny.

Ibadan is no ordinary city. It is the heartbeat of Yoruba politics and identity, a vast urban sprawl steeped in tradition, intellect, and culture. Here, history drips from every corner – from Mapo Hall, where nationalist firebrands once roused the masses, to Cocoa House, the towering emblem of the Western Region’s prosperity and vision.

Ibadan was the capital of the old Western Region, the epicentre of progressive leadership from where Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his contemporaries presided over the affairs of the region with revolutionary zeal and pioneered free education, agricultural revolutions, and industrial transformation. To the Yoruba, Ibadan is both fortress and fountain – a city where politics is born, nurtured, and projected onto the national stage.

It is into this arena of weighty symbolism that the president arrived to witness the crowning of Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The Olubadan stool is unlike any other in Yorubaland – a uniquely structured succession line that embodies the Yoruba love of order, merit, and patience. That Tinubu stood in solidarity with the people at such a sacred moment is itself a reaffirmation of his bond with tradition and with the Yoruba nation.

In Ibadan, tradition met power. Serving Southwest governors showed up from Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo. Former governors and political heavy weights also showed up. The Sultan of Sokoto and very prominent Yoruba first class monarchs from the Alaafin to the Soun and of course Oba Elegushi of Lagos.

Politics without bitterness: Tinubu and Ladoja

The crowning of Rasheed Ladoja as Olubadan carries a personal resonance for President Tinubu. Two decades ago, when then President Olusegun Obasanjo orchestrated Ladoja’s illegal impeachment in 2003, using only a handful of lawmakers, it was Tinubu – then governor of Lagos – who stood against that brazen assault on democracy.

Ladoja, hounded from his office by Obasanjo and denied justice, found sanctuary in Lagos. President Tinubu not only gave him refuge but also lent him the courage and political cover to resist. Against the odds, with President Tinubu’s backing, Ladoja fought his way back through the courts, and the judiciary eventually restored him to power.

This bond, forged in the fire of political persecution and resilience, now finds symbolic closure in Ibadan. Tinubu did not arrive merely as president; he arrived as an old ally, standing with the Olubadan Ladoja on the day of his ultimate elevation to the Olubadan throne.

At the event on Friday at the historic Mapo hall, President Tinubu made remarkable revelation reminiscent of the Abeokuta ‘Emilokan’ declaration. He described the ascension of Oba Ladoja to the throne of his forebears as another ’emilokan’ moment. The message was not lost. Just as the comparison was obvious. His journey to be Olubadan took him 33 years to climb on the long succession ladder just like the President’s journey to the Presidency: the fight for democracy, the sacrifices, the people he built, the many twists and turns and eventually now, the Presidency.

Ibadan was also significant on the coronation day. From the hills of Mapo, President Tinubu delivered a powerful political message of renewed hope. ‘Today, I am honoured to bring the cheering news that our economy has turned around and there is now light at the end of the tunnel.’ Coming from the Commander-in-Chief, the man who knows and calls the shots, it was an important message. It was a validation of the reforms mantra of this administration and the positive impacts of the reforms.

The political capital of the Yoruba Nation

Ibadan represents more than just politics; it is spirit and identity. It has produced poets, warriors, intellectuals, and statesmen whose reach extended far beyond Yoruba land. In every era, Ibadan has stood as the Yoruba voice in Nigeria’s political orchestra. From the days of Adegoke Adelabu’s fiery ‘penkelemesi’ populism to the statesmanship of Lam Adesina and the reformist zeal of governors like Ladoja himself, Ibadan has set the rhythm of Yoruba political expression.

President Tinubu’s presence at the coronation of Olubadan therefore carried the weight of cultural affirmation. It told a people that their heritage matters at the highest levels of power, and that the leader of the nation stands not above tradition, but within it.

Politics of bridges, not walls

Like Kaduna in the north, Ibadan has been the crucible of alignments and re-alignments in the southwest. It was here that old rivalries found resolution and fresh alliances were born, shaping the destiny of the Yoruba within the federation. The president’s return to this theatre of history is a reminder that politics is not about conquest but connection; not about drawing lines, but building bridges.

For the Yoruba political elite, Tinubu’s presence is validation – proof that the son of Lagos remains attuned to the heartbeat of his cultural kin, even as he governs the entire federation. For ordinary Ibadan people, it is a reassurance that their president, despite the burdens of national office, has not forgotten the city that remains the Yoruba axis of history and destiny.

The city of Ibadan was on lock down. The streets lined with excited Oyo citizens and Nigerians welcoming and cheering on President Tinubu. To Mr. President, Oyo State Resounded Loud and Clear- ‘Ekaabo o’.

Ibadan’s genius has always been its ability to marry tradition with progress, culture with politics, history with modernity. Its monarchy is as revered as its intellectual traditions. Its politics, though fiercely competitive, has often found equilibrium in Yoruba solidarity. President Tinubu’s visit, then, was not just ceremonial. It is a subtle but profound embrace of this heritage – a signal that his politics remains grounded in the values of loyalty, patience, and cultural continuity that the Yoruba hold dear.

The significance of the moment

In Kaduna, Tinubu broke myths and dissolved doubts, receiving resounding political validation. In Ibadan, he affirmed cultural solidarity, paid homage to tradition, and consolidated his role as both President of Nigeria and a proud son of the Yoruba nation. The crowning of Rasheed Ladoja as Olubadan provided the perfect canvas for this: a celebration of continuity, loyalty, and unity.

And just as Kaduna reminded Nigeria of northern political sophistication, Ibadan offered the world a lesson in Yoruba resilience, heritage, and leadership. In Ibadan, loyalty met tradition, politics embraced culture, and history came full circle. And in that convergence, Tinubu’s leadership was reaffirmed once more – not by force of power, but by the enduring power of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice and heritage.

Singer Qdot has narrated a frightening ordeal of being robbed at gunpoint in his home alongside his official DJ, DJ FAYA.

The incident, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. on September 28, left the artist deeply shaken and traumatised.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Qdot described the shock and fear he experienced during the attack, revealing that the robbers carted away all his valuable possessions.

Despite the losses, he expressed gratitude for escaping with his life, saying he considers himself blessed to have survived the incident.

Qdot wrote, ‘On the 28th of September, around 2:00 AM, I was robbed at gunpoint in my own home, alongside my official DJ (DJ FAYA).

‘It was the most terrifying experience of my life. At that moment, I genuinely didn’t know if I would make it out alive. But by the grace and mercy of God, I’m still here.

‘I’m alive and for that, I’m eternally grateful. They took everything valuable I owned, down to the last pin. But they didn’t take my life, and that alone is a blessing I don’t take for granted. I won’t lie, I’m still in shock, traumatised, and deeply shaken by what happened. But I want you all to know: I’m okay. I’m safe now. I’m surrounded by love and support as I begin the long road to healing from this nightmare’.

Qdot thanked his supporters for their messages, calls, and outpouring of love, stating that their support means the world to him.

‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the messages, calls, and outpouring of love. Your support means more than words can express. I love you all and I’ll be back, stronger and wiser’. he added.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Moh. Lukman has raised concerns that internal struggles for control of the party’s structures could undermine its effectiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Lukman expressed fears that unless the drift is addressed, the ADC may be unable to provide a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

The former member of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) acknowledged the progress made in forming a coalition and adopting the ADC as its political platform.

However, he cautioned that some leaders appear to be working at cross purposes for personal interests rather than collective goals.

Reflecting on the journey so far, Lukman said he remains grateful to God for the coalition’s successes but urged party leaders to realign with the ADC’s primary purpose to ensure its relevance in the next electoral cycle.

‘Unfortunately, instead of working to build the party, we are setting ourselves to produce a party whose business will be limited to presenting candidates for elections. People with ambition to contest elections have become restless and want to dominate the process of developing the structures of the party to the exclusion of their opponents.

‘The madness of controlling the structures of ADC is the biggest threat before us. For whatever reason, those of us who want the ADC to be an equal opportunity party are being condemned. Sadly, some of our leaders, instead of providing fair leadership, are taking sides with strengthening aspiring candidates for the 2027 elections across the state to the exclusion of others.

‘I want to use the opportunity of this independence anniversary to appeal to all of us to stop this madness of trying to take over structures of ADC and control it to the exclusion of so-called opponents.’

Lukman, who was particularly concerned about the leadership rat race in the Kaduna State chapter of the party, cautioned that the development, if not quickly checked, is capable of tearing apart the party in the state, even before the general elections

He said, ‘If ADC is to emerge as a strong party capable of defeating the APC in Kaduna State, we must agree to work together. Anybody who is not ready to work as part of a united opposition in Kaduna State is consciously or unconsciously working for the APC.

‘I am making this strong appeal with a very deep feeling of disappointment that we are recklessly mismanaging an opportunity to provide the needed leadership to our people. In particular, I want to appeal to Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, Mal. Jaafaru Sani and Alh. Bashir Saidu, as an opposition leader in Kaduna State to please stop encouraging the madness of aspiring candidates seeking to take over structures of ADC to the exclusion of so-called opponents.’

Calling for unity among party members, the former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) emphasised that, ‘It is only if we are united in ADC that we will be able to unite our people in the state to defeat the APC in 2027.

‘We must bear in mind. It is not just about defeating APC but more about producing a government controlled by our party (ADC) based on collective leadership. We need to put an end to the era when we produce emperors as governors. Anything short of producing a government managed by collective leadership under ADC will be unacceptable.’