A newly formed coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official political platform, according to.multiple sources.

The coalition, reportedly established in March under the leadership of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has appointed Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed, former Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Northwest, to head its secretariat.

It had earlier been reported that the coalition was considering the ADC platform and was in the process of revising the party’s constitution to accommodate incoming members.

ADC National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu announced that he would step down at the party’s upcoming national convention, making way for fresh leadership to better accommodate the coalition’s objectives. 

He explained, “Before now, you were required to spend at least two years as a member before contesting, but now, as soon as you join, you will begin to enjoy the rights and privileges of membership.”

A coalition insider told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that a key meeting held Tuesday night finalized the coalition’s structure and confirmed the adoption of ADC.

“The ADC has been unanimously adopted as the coalition’s platform, and Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed will head the secretariat,” the source disclosed.

Dr. Lukman’s involvement is seen as a strategic move to weaken the APC’s grip, particularly in the Northwest, where he commands significant influence and grassroots support.

However, managing the diverse coalition has been described as challenging. The source likened it to a “polygamous family,” requiring careful handling of the competing egos and interests within the group.

“Even if the first child of the first wife is 30 years older, all first children are treated as equals. It’s about treating everyone as co-equals,” the source added.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday fixed June 25 for the hearing of a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against Prof. Pat Utomi over his alleged plan to establish what he called “a shadow government” in the country.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after DSS’s counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, moved a motion ex parte to serve court documents on Utomi at his Lagos address by means of courier service. 

The development followed the inability of the plaintiff to effect the service of the court papers on Utomi, a professor of political economy and management expert.

The security agency gave Utomi’s Lagos address as “No. 6, Balarabe Musa Crescent, off Samuel Manuwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.”

After Kehinde argued the motion, Justice Omotosho granted the application and ordered Utomi to be served by substituted means.

The judge adjourned the matter until June 25 for a hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSS, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, prayed the court to declare the planned shadow government an attack on the constitution.

In the suit, Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is sued as the sole defendant.

The security outfit, in the suit filed on May 13 by Kehinde, contended that the move by Utomi was intended to create chaos and destabilise the country.

The DSS argued that not only was the planned shadow government an aberration, but it constituted a grave attack on the constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government that is currently in place.

It expressed concern that such a structure, styled as a “shadow government”, if left unchecked, may incite political unrest, cause inter-group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which would pose a grave threat to national security.

The plaintiff, therefore, urged the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” being planned by Utomi and his associates as “unconstitutional and amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The department also sought a declaration that “under Sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is unconstitutional, null, and void.”

The plaintiff prayed the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Utomi, his agents and associates “from further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government’, ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The plaintiff, in its grounds of argument, hinged its prayers on the fact that Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria.

It added that Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

According to the DSS, Section 14(2Xa) states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government, through the constitution, derives all its powers and authority.

It contended that Utomi’s proposed shadow government lacked constitutional recognition and authority, thereby contravening the aforementioned provisions.

The plaintiff further stated in a supporting affidavit that it is the principal domestic intelligence and security agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria statutorily mandated to detect and prevent threats to the internal security of Nigeria, including subversive activities capable of undermining national unity, peace and constitutional order.

The DSS added that it is statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of Nigeria and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions.

It stated that it has monitored, “through intelligence reports and open source material, public statements and interviews granted by the defendant, Professor Patrick Utomi, in which he announced the purported establishment of what he termed a ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’, comprising of several persons that make up its ‘Minister’.

“The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government. contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“The defendant (Utomi), through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria.

“While inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet’, the defendant stated that it is made up of the Ombudsman and the Good Governance portfolio to be manned by Dele Farotimi; the Policy Delivery Unit Team consisting of Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga; and the council of economic advisers.

“Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection,” it said.

The DSS said in the discharge of its statutory duties, it had gathered intelligence confirming that the defendant’s actions pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“The defendant’s actions amount to an attempt to usurp or mimic executive authority, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), which exclusively vests governance in institutions duly created under the constitution and through democratic elections.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made several efforts to engage the defendant to dissuade him from this unconstitutional path, including statements made by the Minister of Information, but the defendant has remained defiant.”

The agency said that it would be in the interest of justice, national security and the rule of law for the court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal

…Bank charges exploitative – Customers

…Excessive deductions discourage financial inclusion – Erhirhie

…Charges necessary to offset operational expenses – Banker

A growing number of bank customers in Nigeria have voiced concerns over multiple and excessive charges on their transactions by commercial banks. BENJAMIN SAMSON reports on how the development is threatening the country’s financial inclusion drive of the government and what should be done to halt it.

Nigerians at home and abroad are lamenting their experiences in the hands of commercial banks, who they accuse of exploitative tendencies. Their concerns range from excessive deductions in bank charges for card maintenance and electronic payments to double deductions of stipulated charges.

Unending charges

Our correspondent gathered that the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal charge introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is just one of many deductions that Nigerians face daily.

Most banks deduct between N50 and N100 monthly for account maintenance. Interbank transfers attract charges ranging from N10 to N50 per transaction. Customers are also charged between N6 and N15 per SMS alert on transactions, while using a bank’s short service code incurs a charge of N6.95.

Additionally, a N50 deduction applies to transfers above N10, 000, while ATM card replacements attract fees ranging from N1, 000 to N2, 000. Some of these charges also include a 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax, further increasing deductions.

Nigerians groan

Speaking with this correspondent, a bank customer, Mrs. Grace Ajaka, who described the idea of deducting from customers’ accounts as exploitative, said that she could not fathom why customers had to lose their money for choosing to save in banks.

She said, “From SMS alert charges to charges on automated teller machines and online transfers, to account maintenance charges and other charges that I don’t understand, all to make abnormal profits from customers’ accounts.

“Saving gives one a way out of the uncertainties of life and provides you with an opportunity to enjoy a quality life. But this is being defeated by continuous deductions of customers’ money kept in the bank. At times, one is charged for unsolicited messages received.

“All these unreasonable charges should stop. Every customer by right should know why any amount is being deducted from his/her accounts. The current administration should please look into this.”

Another bank customer, a student, Ocheneyi Oisi, said that it was frustrating that his bank deducted from his monthly pocket money, adding that he could not fathom why he had to lose his money for choosing to save in banks.

 “Why should banks who encourage people to save money be deducting the money saved? For me, as a student, these unreasonable charges are insane. How do you want me to survive? I’m considering closing my account and God help them. They put me through trouble when I want to close it, that is when they will know the agony they have been putting me through. Some of my friends are having similar experiences and are also ready to close down their accounts. We keep money in banks for safety but I don’t think it is secure any longer,” he said.

Likewise, a tiller, Mr. Olusola Lasisi, said, “The risk of keeping money in the shop or in the house is the reason I go to the bank. Otherwise, there is nothing they offer that is spectacular. I get monthly deductions by way of account maintenance charge. Then, they send another notification that they have deducted VAT on account maintenance charge.

“Please, what is it that they are maintaining in my account? Does my money require any maintenance? I just don’t understand. I used to ignore the amounts deducted, but I have recently developed interest in knowing what happens to my account. Apart from the maintenance charges, they also deduct SMS alert charges and others that I can’t remember very well. When I confronted them recently, they said it was because I was withdrawing more than three times from my account.”

Diaspora Nigerians too

Nigerians in the Diaspora have also taken to social media to narrate their experiences. A UK-based Nigerian medical doctor, Harvey Olufunmilayo @Harvey, lamented the state of banks in Nigeria in comparison with banks in foreign countries.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed a coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

El-Rufai made the confirmation while speaking on Wednesday at the Arewa TechFest event in Katsina.

He said, “Yesterday at 8 PM, there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos.”

POLITICS NIGERIA reported earlier that a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday culminated in the trio’s adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the official platform for the emerging opposition coalition. The coalition’s strategy reportedly includes a broad-based alliance aimed at consolidating support across geopolitical zones and mobilizing civil society groups, technocrats, and disgruntled political blocs.

“They have adopted the African Democratic Party as the coalition party, all of them (Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai) are working together. They came to the conclusion last night up till the early hours of this morning,” a source revealed.

El-Rufai added, “Though we will still keep Bosun Tijani, we will still keep the minister because he is doing good work.”

The alliance marks a mending of political fences between the former rivals, whose division before the 2023 presidential election was widely viewed as a major contributor to President Tinubu’s victory. Collectively, Atiku and Obi secured significantly more votes than Tinubu’s 8.7 million, indicating that a united opposition could present a formidable challenge in the 2027 race.

The development coincides with a recent remark by Chairman of ADC’s Board of Trustees, BoT, Mani Ahmed who said the ADC will be the party for the coalition.

“I can categorically inform you that the African Democratic Congress is the coalition party in Nigeria. What remains is merely dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s,” he said at a press conference

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will assess the performance of his ministers on May 29 as his administration clocks two years in office, presidency sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The scorecard review, coordinated by the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit (CDCU) under the Presidency, will present a detailed evaluation of each ministry’s achievements for the first quarter of 2025.

Sources disclosed that ministries submitted evidence of their projects and programmes through a secure portal last month, with verification now completed by the CDCU. The final report is expected to be delivered to President Tinubu before the anniversary date.

“Officials of the various ministries have uploaded the reports of their activities and projects on the portal provided by the CDCU,” a presidency insider said. “These are based on deliverables that the ministries themselves have set.”

The assessment follows Tinubu’s directive during the November 2023 Cabinet Retreat, where he made it clear that ministers would be held accountable based on performance.

“If you are performing, nothing to fear. If you miss the objective, we’ll review it. If no performance, you leave us,” the President had said.

Insiders say some ministers, particularly in critical sectors, are already under scrutiny as Tinubu prepares to make informed judgments on his cabinet’s effectiveness.

Immediate reshuffles are, however, not expected

The Federal Government has released the names of the seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, following a jailbreak that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed that the escape was triggered by a heavy downpour, which compromised a section of the facility’s perimeter fence. Authorities say the breach allowed the inmates to break free under the cover of darkness.

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Security around the prison has since been tightened. When our correspondent visited the scene on Tuesday afternoon, armed personnel from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were visibly stationed at strategic points around the premises.

An officer who spoke anonymously disclosed that the damaged part of the fence has been repaired. “We’ve fixed the breach and have heightened surveillance. All agencies are now working together to prevent a recurrence,” he said.

In the wake of the incident, a manhunt has been launched to track down the escapees. However, the Osun State Police Command said it had yet to receive a formal complaint from the Correctional Service.

Speaking with journalists, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said: “It is our duty to go after all criminals within the nooks and crannies of Osun State. If you are asking specifically about the inmates, we are still waiting for the Correctional Service to make an official complaint at the nearest police formation. We are fully prepared to act once that is done.”

Meanwhile, the NCoS has released the names and details of the escaped inmates as part of ongoing efforts to mobilize the public for support in their rearrest.

FULL LIST OF ESCAPED INMATES:

Kabiru Oyedun

Offence: Murder

Case Year: 2021

2. Eze Nweze

Offence: Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2023

3. John Michael

Offence: Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2023

4. Olalekan Ajofoyinbo

Offence: Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2021

5. Ninalowo Yusuf

Offence: Breaking In and Stealing

Case Year: 2025

6. Matthew Ogunjimi

Offence: Illegal Possession of Firearms and Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2018

7. Tobi Akin

Offence: Illegal Possession of Firearms and Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2018

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised serious concerns over what she describes as clear bias by the Nigeria Police Force in the handling of multiple petitions she filed against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

In a formal letter dated May 19, 2025, and addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the senator, through her legal counsel, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, accused the police of showing preferential treatment towards Akpabio while neglecting her own petitions.

“Our client submitted numerous petitions to the Nigeria Police against Senator Akpabio,” the letter reads. “These petitions were clearly stated and submitted between March and April 2025, yet no meaningful steps have been taken to impartially investigate them.”

According to the letter, the petitions include a March 25 report alleging threats to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s life, a March 31 complaint over the sudden and unauthorized withdrawal of her police security detail, and an April 4 petition accusing Akpabio and Yahaya Bello of conspiracy to assassinate her.

All three petitions, the letter noted, were acknowledged by the police between March 26 and April 5. However, her legal team says that since then, the police have failed to invite witnesses, conduct interviews, or move the investigations forward.

West-Idahosa pointed to the high-ranking political position of Senator Akpabio as a likely factor in the apparent reluctance to act. “It is obvious that this unwillingness to thoroughly and impartially investigate the petitions may be due to the high political office occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio,” he said.

The letter also emphasized that Yahaya Bello, no longer a sitting governor, is not protected by constitutional immunity and should be fully subject to criminal investigation.

What has heightened concerns for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her legal team is the contrast in how quickly the police responded to a counter-petition filed by Akpabio. On April 3, Akpabio accused her of making false allegations, criminal defamation, and incitement. Within days, Akpoti-Uduaghan was invited by police investigators, made a statement under caution, and reaffirmed her claims—providing names of witnesses and submitting supporting documents.

Yet despite her cooperation, West-Idahosa said her original petitions and evidence were not included in the case file regarding Akpabio’s complaint. He further revealed that her legal team was recently informed that the police had already concluded their investigation into Akpabio’s petition.

“Our client is concerned that investigations into her petitions have been severally and unjustly stalled in what appears to be a discriminatory executive action,” he said.

The letter described the police’s actions as a breach of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutional rights and called for immediate intervention from the Attorney General. Her lawyers are urging him to invoke Section 105(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which empowers the Attorney General to request case files from the police for review.

The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has called on President Bola Tinubu to listen to people who are invested in the good of the country.

Zulum said that the president should do the right thing by listening to those who would always tell him the truth about the ongoing fight against insurgents in the Northeast.

Speaking on News Central on Tuesday, the governor said the leadership of the Nigerian Army knows exactly what to do to end the terrorism in states across the region.

His words, “The President should listen to those who can tell him the right thing and I had a meeting with the Cheif of Army Staff, he said that he doesn’t want a kobo to be given to him in terms of equipment, he said let the Federal Government deal directly with other nations so that equipment would be procured government to government.

“Our problems are one; sycophancy, people don’t say the right thing, they stay in their comfort zones trying to give misinformation and miscommunication,” Zulum said.

The governor said it is also important for President Tinubu to have discussions with the Army on the way forward on ending insurgency in Nigeria.

According to him, there is a need to eliminate the bureaucracy in the process of procurement of military equipment and other hardware.

He said, “The Army knows what it takes to deal with the insurgents, the president should also listen to them and have a meeting with them, I’ve seen zeal and commitment from them as well as from the intelligence community.

“That is one option, then secondly, we should remove democracy from the procurement of military hardware and software.

“Finally, both sub-national and the national government would come together pull resources together and buy the technology equipment that will end this insurgency,” the governor said

President Bola Tinubu has said that no part of Nigeria can thrive in isolation.

The president said every region of the country has its specific role to play in national development.

Speaking on Wednesday, May 22, at the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo, the president said food security and regional economic inclusion are Nigeria’s gateway to long-term stability.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president said investment in agriculture is of vital importance to Nigeria’s economic growth.

“Food sufficiency is the first currency of national stability. This is why we have prioritised agriculture as the anchor of our national strategy,” Tinubu said.

He further commended the governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, for his vision in creating an environment for development.

“Our ultimate awakening as a nation begins with this realisation that no part of this country can thrive in isolation.

“What Taraba offers the nation is more than its breathtaking mountains or fertile valleys; it is a strategic contribution to our shared prosperity,” he said.

Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected killer of the final-year student of Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, on Wednesday confessed before the court to killing his Facebook lover for money rituals.

The suspect, who also claims to be an Islamic cleric, said he carried out the act alone.

Bello, who said he killed Lawal because he needed human hands for money rituals, regretted that if only he had known another way to source the needed ingredient, he wouldn’t have killed her.

Meanwhile, a police witness, Inspector Ayodele Azeez, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the state Police Command, showed up at the hearing.

The Police Inspector narrated that: “On 14th February 2025, a case of murder and rape was transfered from C Division Oja-Oba to State CID.

“The 1st defendant, Abdulrahman was found with the following exihibits; one axe, cutlass, table, charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, Tecno phone, iPhone, iPhone XR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers and after the case has been accepted at the state CID, it was later reffered to anti-homicide and anti-robbery sections.

“The case was assigned to some team of Police officers led by ASP Dada Segun who directed me to obtain statement from the suspect and I took him to a conducive environment in a room.

“I asked him which language he preferred to speak and he settled for English and I asked if he had any relative around the police command or any lawyer to witness how his statement would be recorded,” the police witness recalled.

He added that: “He said No! I asked if he needed the service of a lawyer and he agreed that I should get him one but he added that he didn’t have money to pay for legal service. I told him not to worry about the money.

“I eventually got him lawyer A.O. Ahmed in whose presence he wrote his statement. After writing his statement under caution, he signed it after recording everything in his own handwriting.

“I told him to cross-check again in case there was any omission or need for addition, he confirmed that there was no problem and he signed the statement.

“After checking the statement, my team leader, ASP Dada Segun requested that the lawyer endorse the statement which he also did, while I also signed my column too as an IPO. ASP Dada Segun also requested me to also do video recording of how the suspect signed his statement.

“I also used my Android Phone to do recording and I transferred it to my laptop and later to a compact disc with certificate of compliance,” he narrated.

He stated further that Insp. Azeez, on February 16th 2025 and his team led by ASP Dada Segun, went to the scene of the crime at Olunlade and found a pair of earrings belonging to Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal.

He however confirmed all the exhibits tendered before the court as items recovered from Abdulrahman Bello’s house.

Barr. Agbede, who held brief for the counsel to the 1st defendant, objected to the admission of the compact disc, stressing that the suspect was coerced into making his statement while counsels to other defendants raised no objection.

Justice Hannah Ajayi however admitted the disc as an exhibit and ordered that it be played in the courtroom.

The police witness further hinted that: “when the investigation started, Abdulrahman’s call log revealed that the remaining defendants were on his regular call list before the day and the very day he perpetrated the evil act.

“All of them were tracked and arrested. When we took them before Abdulrahman Bello, it was discovered that they know each other, and the 2nd defendant happens to be the teacher of Abdulrahman, the 3rd defendant is also a student of the 2nd defendant while the 3rd and 5th defendant are his closest friends.

“We carried search on their houses, but nothing was recovered, and we returned them to the station,” he stated.

At the time of filing this report, the court was on recess.