Headlines

Immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari has died. His death was confirmed in a tweet by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Sunday.

He died in a clinic in London aged 81.

More details later

A Nigerian government company, Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting company also known as MINT has lost the bid to print this year’s West African Examination Council WAEC examination papers, on safety concerns and unpreparedness, LeadingReporters can authoritatively report.

This comes as a result of reported perennial inefficiency of the current acting leadership of MINT.  A discreet source from the WEAC office who spoke to LeadingReporters said that WAEC management had been patronizing MINT prior to this time, but had to withdraw their patronage after what he described as the MINT management’s unreadiness to deliver on time amongst ‘other concerns’.

LeadingReporters gathered that just a few weeks before the examination, MINT could only deliver less than 50% of the total printing contract awarded it by WAEC, a situation that irked WAEC.  The contract was invalidated due to a lack of performance and ineptitude.

“We have been a MINT client for a very long time.  However, this time around, we did not get guarantees of timely delivery and efficiency.  We had a series of meetings, and they gave a lot of complaints, which bordered on internal issues.  We felt that would not be in our best interest.  So we resorted to handy alternatives.

An insider source in MINT confirmed internal wrangling and corruption as the reason why MINT’s fortune continues to decline.

“When you throw expertise to the winds and allow your thoroughbred technicians and professionals to walk away, you cannot get it right.  Most of the staff of MINT who left recently were all professionals who were trained on the technicalities of the job.  MINT is a purely technical outfit.  You do not pick technicians and currency experts on the road or from beer parlours.  These men and women have been trained and retrained for and on the job. Some of them have been trained in Nigeria and overseas, and suddenly, you are throwing these ‘assets’ away and hoping to achieve results.  No way!

The source also stated that MINT of yesteryears has gone and would only be revitalized if the right people are at the helm of affairs. The source said that there are cliques in MINT working against the CBN Governor’s plan to reposition the company for optimum performance.

“We have management team members who were picked from the back door.  Some of the Executive Directors working in MINT and claiming to pilot the affairs of the company are just busybodies who come to enrich themselves.  You can never get it right when there is no synergy, fairness between management and staff, as well as sound professionalism.  That is the bane of MINT’s growth today, as it were”.

The growing 2027 presidential ambitions of key political figures in the newly unveiled African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition are deepening divisions among supporters and stakeholders within the alliance.

Political maneuvers and behind-the-scenes consultations have sparked heated debates, particularly on social media, intensifying internal power struggles. Observers have flagged the clash of ambitions among leading contenders as a major obstacle to the coalition’s cohesion and potential success.

With less than two years to the next general election, the ADC-led coalition faces an uphill task—not only in taking on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but also in managing its internal discord.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi have emerged as the top contenders expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the APC in 2027.

Although Atiku has yet to officially declare his intention to run, Obi and Amaechi have publicly confirmed their interest in the race. Party insiders told DAILY POST that the coalition is already experiencing internal fractures, with some factions backing Atiku, others loyal to Obi, and a third bloc supporting Amaechi.

Obi Reaffirms 2027 Presidential Bid

On Monday, Peter Obi reiterated his decision to contest the presidency in 2027, dismissing speculations that he may serve as Atiku’s running mate. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, the former Anambra State governor said:

“I am going to contest for the president of Nigeria and I believe I am qualified. Nobody has discussed with me that I’m going to be A, B or C.”

Amaechi Promises One-Term Presidency

Rotimi Amaechi, who placed second in the 2022 APC presidential primary, has also declared his interest in seeking the ADC ticket. He pledged to serve only one term, citing the need to respect zoning agreements.

“I won’t do more than four years,” he said.

Why Atiku Should Be Candidate – Dele Momodu

Veteran journalist Dele Momodu, in an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, argued that Atiku is best positioned to lead the coalition.

“I said the best choice would be my candidate. Which is what I expect the ‘Obidients’ to say, which I expect those who are supporting Rotimi Amaechi to say—there is nothing wrong with that.

“I’m looking at the numbers. This game is a game of numbers. And the people who are most aggrieved today are from the northern part of Nigeria.

“He’s been running his business, investing in education and agriculture. For me, this is a good example of what a leader should be.

“In Nigeria, you will never find a thug in front of Atiku’s house. For me, these are things that are presented by him, and it is my right to say those things.

“I’ve never asked anyone not to support Peter Obi. Obi is my very good friend today. If you ask me, one of the people that I believe should lead the coalition, it will be Obi.

“And as a Democrat, I’m appealing to them. I hope they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say, ‘Oh, they forced one person on them.’

“Let them all go to the fields. Let all Obidients campaign for Obi. Let all those for Atiku and Amaechi also campaign.”

Amaechi Has a Chance – Eze

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP and ally of Amaechi, told DAILY POST that the former governor has a real shot at the ADC ticket.

“Amaechi has the chance of securing the ticket depending on how the presidential delegates of ADC decide and vote. Let us just wait and exercise a little patience in this regard.”

Obi Better Placed to Emerge – Yunusa Tanko

Dr Yunusa Tanko, former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation and Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, also spoke to DAILY POST. He insisted that Peter Obi remains the best candidate to lead the coalition.

“That’s what democracy entails. This is not a one-man show. In democracy, people have the right to show interest just as Peter Obi has the right to show interest.

“We believe that Obi’s candidature will be a unifying candidature that will unite this country.”

Tanko also dismissed tensions within the coalition as part of a healthy democratic process:

“It’s just trying to get the best out of the system. When people give reasons why a candidate is better than others, they are purely doing what democracy entails.

“It’s not a secret cult. It’s somebody who will meet the people, who has the capacity, who can debate, who can move from point A to B, and who can show compassion, credibility, and passion to make this country work.

“And that is the reason why, from all our assessments, we have seen that Mr. Peter Obi fits that particular vacancy.”

Asked what happens if Obi does not emerge as the coalition’s candidate, Tanko responded:

“When we reach that bridge, we will cross it. At the moment, we haven’t reached that particular bridge. We are so sure that, by the grace of God, Peter Obi will emerge and run for election come 2027.”

Supporters Clash on Social Media

Meanwhile, the internal wrangling has spilled onto social media, where supporters of the three aspirants are engaged in heated debates. Over the weekend, platforms were awash with exchanges between loyalists defending their preferred candidates.

Pro-Obi groups argue that the coalition cannot make meaningful impact unless Obi emerges as its flagbearer, while Atiku’s supporters cite his political experience and broader appeal across regions.

Analyst Warns of Supporter Dynamics

Public affairs analyst and communication scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Dr Nduka Odo, told DAILY POST that the supporters of the top contenders could either strengthen or destabilize the coalition.

According to Odo:

“The supporters of the three top aspirants can be a blessing as well as a curse. Parties are built not mainly by the political aspirants but by the citizens who buy into the ideologies or sensations of the leading proponents.

“Currently, ADC is like an arranged marital union. The spouses are like strange bedfellows. Creating the union is where the ambitions of the fellows will be tested against their desires for a Nigeria different from the one led by Tinubu.

Most of them have worked together in the recent past: Atiku with Obi in 2019 under PDP; El-Rufai, Amaechi, and Atiku in 2015 under APC. Once they settle up there, supporters of most of the aspirants will easily fall in line.

“Amaechi’s support base is currently weak compared to Obi and Atiku, who flew their party flags in 2023 and performed well. So, supporters of Amaechi won’t post challenges to ADC.

“Atiku’s support base are traditional politicians—people who survive by being in the corridors of power. They’ll support any candidate, as long as their interests are served.

“But the supporters of Peter Obi—largely young, independent, and reform-driven—pose a different kind of challenge. Obi is not in control of his supporters; rather, his supporters are in control of the movement.

“If ADC fails to field Peter Obi in 2027, it will lose the Obidients—and not even Obi himself can convince them to support another candidate.

— DAILY POST

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Anwukah, has revealed that Nigeria currently ranks second on the global malnutrition index, making it the worst-affected country in Africa.

Anwukah made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking at the ongoing National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Nutrition.

Her remarks were reinforced by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Chike Okafor, who noted that malnutrition is costing Nigeria an estimated $1.5 billion annually.

Anwukah said the Federal Government is addressing the crisis through the N-774 initiative, which focuses on tackling malnutrition at the grassroots level. She noted that the initiative has been endorsed by both the National Council on Food Security and the Nigerian Governors Forum.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday announced the replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

During plenary, Akpabio named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new head of the committee, effectively ending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure amid her suspension from the Senate.

Although no official reason was given for the change in leadership, the decision is believed to be linked to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing suspension.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had earlier ordered her reinstatement, directing her to issue a formal apology to the Senate for her conduct. However, the Senate has stated that it is yet to receive a certified true copy of the court ruling, while Akpoti-Uduaghan has not tendered the required apology.

The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, for lacking in merit.

Ighodalo had sought to nullify the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, alleging widespread irregularities, including over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

However, the apex court ruled that there was no justification to overturn the earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had both declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the valid winner of the election.

The court held that the appellant failed to present credible and admissible evidence to substantiate his claims

The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has emerged as a central figure in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, as both opposition leaders and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) intensify efforts to win his allegiance.

A source within the NNPP told reporters on Sunday that prominent political figures from the northern region are actively pressuring Kwankwaso to join the ADC opposition coalition.

“Kwankwaso is being pressured to join the coalition. Tinubu’s allies are also engaging with him, but it’s clear many are distancing themselves from the current administration,” the source said.

“As things stand, our leader has not made a final decision on whether to align with the coalition or the ruling party. However, his inclination appears stronger towards the coalition. The APC is no longer seen as a viable political force.”

The source added that as the 2027 election cycle approaches, Kwankwaso’s next political move will become clearer.

“Kwankwaso is currently the ‘new bride’ because Kano State is one of the country’s major voting blocs.

Both the APC and the opposition coalition understand that securing his support could mean securing Kano,” the source added.

Speaking with reporters, the NNPP Chairman in Kano State, Hashimu Dungurawa, reiterated the party’s loyalty to Kwankwaso, saying members are prepared to follow him wherever he chooses to go.

“We are his blind followers. Wherever he takes us, we will follow. We don’t have a problem with that,” Dungurawa stated.

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his developmental reforms in Lagos State and across Nigeria.

In an open letter shared on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Dangote specifically commended President Tinubu for addressing ocean surges and flooding in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He also lauded the administration for initiating the development of a new Atlantic city and for undertaking major infrastructure projects, including the simultaneous construction of the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways.

Full content of the Letter is shared below!!

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA

AHMED TINUBU GCFR: APPRECIATION

Your Excellency, I would like to express my deep appreciation to you for your visionary leadership and farsightedness on the Bar Beach Land Reclamation project in Victoria Island, Lagos State. Through this project, a process has begun that has transformed a coastline that was once prone to incessant floods into an emerging new district with a defining skyline and a receptacle for direct investment and socioeconomic growth ever since its conception in 2008.

Asiwaju of Africa, your foresightedness is even more visible in view of the tragic incident in Kerr County, Texas, USA, where over 100 lives have sadly been lost to flash flooding. In the case of the Eko Atlantic City project spawned by you, a modern city spanning 1,000 hectares, protected by an 8.5-kilometre-long sea wall, protecting Victoria Island from coastal erosion, and giving birth to a dwelling constructed from new land created through sand dredging from the Atlantic Ocean.

Your Excellency, this success story, which is now being used for residential, business, and recreational purposes, is amongst your many legacies, and those of us who live in Victoria Island are much better off for it.

I applaud your exemplary intervention in ending the era of ocean surge and in continuously tackling the issue of perennial flooding affecting areas such as Ahmadu Bello Way, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street, Amodu Ojikutu Street, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, and Karimu Kotun Street, among others.

Mr. President, you added another feat by kickstarting the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, significantly enriching the country’s stock of infrastructure while improving the national road network linking Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The latter of the two is a resurrection of a 48-year-old project, and both are being handled by a first-rate construction and civil engineering firm, Hitech Construction Company Limited.

Indeed, Your Excellency, your inspired move recalls a similar methodology in a land reclamation process in Zeeland, Netherlands, where submerged land was transformed into usable, dry land, primarily for agriculture and settlement. This practice, which was applied to combat flooding, is a testament to the Dutch ingenuity and perseverance in managing water resources and creating a habitable landscape in a challenging environment. The same ethos resonates in the Bar Beach project, for which I salute you!

For all of us at Dangote Industries Limited, as we commiserate with the families of those who died in the Texas flooding incident, we are also grateful for your compassionate and visionary leadership, which has provided huge, consistent support for our businesses and enabled a more prosperous nation for the collective good.

Our dear nation has also suffered significant losses in lives and property due to rising sea levels and incidents of flash flooding. In honour of your vision, the Aliko Dangote Foundation will soon be announcing plans to contribute to a climate fund that will target those vulnerable parts of our country that are susceptible to this natural disaster.

Your Excellency, I pray that the Almighty Allah (S.W.T.) would continue to increase your wisdom, burnish your vision, and inspire you to greater heights of success for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Thank you very much, Asiwaju!