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The federal government has vowed to clamp down on fake agricultural cooperative societies, with plans underway to reform and revamp the cooperative system for transparency and effectiveness.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, made this known at the flag-off of a national training workshop for cooperative stakeholders in the South East and South South, held at the Federal Cooperative College, Oji-River, Enugu State.
He stated that the National Council on Cooperative Affairs would soon convene to foster synergy between federal and state cooperative systems.
“Globally, cooperatives generate $2.4 trillion in turnover. Nigeria must harness this potential to combat hunger and poverty,” the minister said.
He also said the capacity building and development programme is a continuous process in the strategic blueprint for the revitalisation of the cooperative sector in Nigeria, carrying everyone along and letting them know that this government has laid down the political will to empower its citizenry.”
The planned reforms include, review of the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act (N98 LFN 2004); launch of a new National Policy for Cooperative Development and Growth (2025); establishment of a Cooperative Bank and creation of a National Regulatory Framework and SOPs for cooperative societies.
The Provost of the Cooperative College, Dr Jude Ejikeme, said the training offers a platform for intensive knowledge exchange, emphasising modern cooperative management and economic adaptability.
Highlights included the minister’s tour of the college and the unveiling of new vehicles-one Coaster bus, one 18-seater bus, and two Hilux utility vans-to enhance college operations.
[DailyTrust]
Petroleum products marketers in Nigeria have hinted that they are on track to losing billions of naira following the ex-depot premium motor spirit price reduction announced by Dangote Refinery on Wednesday.
The spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, disclosed this in an interview with DAILY POST on Thursday.
His comment comes after Dangote Refinery on Wednesday announced a fresh petrol gantry price reduction to N835 per litre.
The latest reduction is N30 when compared to Dangote Refinery’s previous gantry price of N865 per litre.
DAILY POST reports that the 650,000 per litre refinery’s latest petrol price review is the second in eight days following the renewal of the Naira-for-crude sale deal on April 9, 2025.
In a statement by Dangote Group’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejiena, on the latest price reduction, he said that petrol retail partners, such as MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Hyde, and Techno Oil, will offer petrol at N890 to N920 in Lagos, Abuja, and other parts of the country.
He said in Lagos state retail fuel prices will now go for N890 per litre, down from N920.
He also said retail fuel prices will be sold at N900 and N910 per litre in the South-West, North-West, and North-Central, from N930 and N940, respectively.
Chijiena added that in the South-East, South-South, and North-East, the retail price of petrol will be N920 per litre, down from N950.
“These price reductions reaffirm our commitment to providing high-quality petrol at affordable rates, benefiting consumers across the nation.
“In addition, we are working collaboratively with our partners to ensure equitable reflection of this price reduction.
“We anticipate that this latest reduction in PMS prices will generate a positive ripple effect throughout various sectors of the economy, providing much-needed relief to consumers and contributing to broader economic growth, particularly during the Easter season,” he stated.
Recall that upon the federal government’s commitment to the indefinite continuation of the naira-for-crude deal with other local refiners, Dangote refinery had announced an ex-depot petrol price drop to N865 from N880 per litre.
A summary of the combined reduction of the gantry price by Dangote Refinery put it at N45 per litre in the last eight days.
Reacting, Ukadike, who lauded the adjustment in the gantry prices of Dangote Petrol, however, lamented that marketers who have old stocks have to sell at losses.
“It is a good development for Nigerians; however, marketers with the old price stock will have to lose billions of naira.
“The continuation of the naira-for-crude deal, which serves as a subsidy, together with lower crude oil prices in the global market, is the game changer for Dangote Refinery,” he said.
Earlier, the president of the Petroleum Retailers Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, had kicked against the arbitrary petrol price reduction by Dangote Refinery.
He further advocated for a six-month fuel price stability plan.
DAILY POST gathered that while the Dangote Petrol gantry price stands at N830 per litre, the landing cost of fuel imports stood at N845.70 per litre with a Brent crude price benchmark of $64.88 per barrel and an exchange rate of N1,604.48 per dollar on Monday, April 14, 2025, according to an energy bulletin released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria.
The development had placed Dangote Petrol at a competitive advantage in the country’s oil and gas downstream sector.
Meanwhile, industry watchers await the response of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to the latest price reduction by Dangote Refinery.
Currently, NNPC retail outlets sold petrol at N950 per litre as of Wednesday night.
On Monday, the chief executive officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory said that fuel importation dropped by 30 million in Nigeria owing to the increased domestic supply by Dangote Refinery.
[DailyPost]
The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the conduct of its officers captured in a viral video receiving money from a Chinese national, describing their actions as “unprofessional and unethical.”
The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage online, prompted the force headquarters to identify the officers involved and initiate disciplinary proceedings.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police emphasised its commitment to upholding professionalism and maintaining public trust.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force has taken cognisance of a disturbing video making rounds in the media space, showing police officers receiving money from a Chinese national.
“The Force has strongly condemned the conduct exhibited by the police officers in the video, describing it as unprofessional and unethical.”
Adejobi reiterated that such behaviour runs contrary to the established ethics, standards, and core values of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The actions of the officers do not represent the established ethics, standards, and core values of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Force has zero tolerance for such unprofessional behaviour and other forms of misconduct, which undermine public trust and confidence,” he said.
He confirmed that the officers involved in the incident have been identified and are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures.
The nature of the sanctions was not disclosed, but Adejobi assured the public that justice would be served.
In addition to addressing the misconduct, the Force warned individuals and organisations making use of police services, particularly escorts and guards.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby cautions individuals and organisations privileged to the services of police personnel, particularly as escorts and guards or other specialised services, to desist from any act capable of degrading the integrity of its officers and bringing the Force to disrepute,” Adejobi warned.
The development comes amid the Force’s renewed efforts to rebuild public confidence and ensure accountability within its ranks.
While calling on the public to continue supporting the police in its reform agenda, Adejobi reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to transparency and professionalism, Adejobi said “We remain resolute in our commitment to discipline and service in line with international best practices.”
The disciplinary process is expected to serve as a deterrent to erring officers and reinforce the message that unethical conduct will not be tolerated in the Force.
[Punch]
Nigeria and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in the mining sector.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, and Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s minister of mineral resources and energy, held in Abuja.
The MoU, which outlines key areas of collaboration along with implementation timelines, is part of efforts to solidify the partnership established through the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa.
Key highlights of the MoU include capacity building in geological applications using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), utilisation of multi- and hyperspectral remote sensing technologies for mineral exploration and geological mapping.
Others include sharing of geo-scientific data on strategic minerals through the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), training on mineral processing and value addition, capacity building on elemental fingerprint technology using LA-ICP-MS, and exploration of agro and energy minerals in Nigeria.
According to a statement by Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to the minister, Alake described the engagement as a milestone in deepening bilateral relations, especially in the mining sector.
Reflecting on the historical ties between the two countries, the minister acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic and economic cooperation rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for Africa’s development.
‘THE PARTNERSHIP WILL CREATE JOBS’
Alake said working together in the mining sector presents significant opportunities for driving industrialisation, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable growth throughout the continent.
“The memorandum of understanding in geology, mining, and mineral processing signed today will serve as a cornerstone for facilitating knowledge and technology transfer, investment promotion, capacity building, regional integration, and value addition,” Alake said.
He underscored Nigeria’s renewed commitment to advancing its mining industry, noting that South Africa stands to gain from Nigeria’s extensive mineral resources, just as Nigeria can leverage South Africa’s mining expertise.
The synergy, the minister said, would open doors to investment, skills development, and economic diversification.
In response, Mantashe acknowledged that South Africa, where mining is a key pillar of the economy, could benefit from Nigeria’s revitalised interest in the sector.
He noted that his visit was intended to refine the agreements reached under the Bi-National Commission and strengthen cooperation on joint projects with Nigeria’s ministry of solid minerals development.
The ministry said both ministers committed to sustained engagement and collaboration to boost intra-African trade and deliver on the actionable steps outlined in the MoU.
“They expressed confidence that this renewed partnership would significantly enhance the mining sectors of both countries,” the ministry added.
The MoU signing was attended by Shuaibu Audu, minister of steel development; Mary Ogbe, permanent secretary of the ministry of solid minerals development; Chris Isokpunwu, permanent secretary of the ministry of steel development; alongside senior officials from both solid minerals and steel development ministries and members of the South African delegation led by Mantashe.
[TheCable]
Emomotimi Agama, the director-general (DG) of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), says the CBEX digital trading platform is not registered with the agency.
Agama spoke on Arise Xchange on Wednesday, responding to questions on the loss of investors’ funds after the recent collapse of the CBEX trading platform.
The CBEX had reportedly promised investors a 100 percent returns, before it suddenly crashed — leading to the looting of its Ibadan office on Monday.
The director-general said the commission has repeatedly warned that any investment scheme that is not registered is illegal.
He said investors must always check if schemes are registered with the SEC, noting that the ISA 2025 defines ponzi schemes and prescribes sanctions for those involved.
“For us at the SEC, our primary responsibility is investor protection, and investor protection stems out of registration and regulation,” he said.
“When a scheme is not registered with the SEC, it becomes illegal; and is important that whoever is interested in investing in such scheme must ask the question, Are you registered with the SEC?
“If that is not the case, then it is automatically stated and known that such is an illegal activity and will not be condoned even by the SEC.”
‘SEC HAS NOT RECEIVED OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING CBEX’
Agama said the commission was unaware of CBEX’s illegal operation, stressing that no official complaints were made regarding the scheme.
“Often times with schemes like this, most people will always try to keep it away from the regulator and even keep it away from their friends, except a few group of persons whom they are interested in,” he said.
“So for us, at the SEC as we speak today, at this hour, we have not received any complaints from anyone regarding CBEX.
“If we had received any formal complaint regarding CBEX, the team at the SEC will have actually swung into action trying to get who is involved.
“However, we sympathise very much with the people, the victims, because they are Nigerians, and of course, at SEC, we will commence investigation as to where these people are, and make sure we hunt them down, because the law actually has given us the power to take them down, find them, sanction them by fining, and also sending them to the prisons for 10 years, that is the provision of the law.”
‘WE’ll CONTINUE TO EDUCATE NIGERIANS
The director-general said the SEC has persistently cautioned Nigerians against investing in schemes that seem too good to be true.
He noted that the commission uses paid advertisements, videos uploaded on the SEC website, interviews, and newspaper articles to enlighten the public.
“Ponzi scheme didn’t start today, it is a global malaise. It started in the 20th century by a man called Charles Ponzi, who clearly, at that point in time, promised that he was going to give every investor 50 percent in returns, and from then on, it became a practice by so many people to defraud people from their hard-earned resources,” Agama said.
“It is very clear that the choices made by people must be dictated and regulated by the law of the land.
“The SEC will continuously educate people. We have in the process of doing that, agreed to various forms of interview.
“We’ve also launched a podcast at the SEC providing more information towards our long term goal of launching a capital market radio, we will continue, because we know that it is not enough.
“We will continue to educate Nigerians onto the last milestone to make people understand and know the value of proper investment.”
The director-general urged Nigerians who want to invest to make sure they verify the registration status of investment schemes from the SEC.
Agama reiterated that the commission has taken several actions against Ponzi schemes in the country, resulting in the imprisonment of culprits.
He added that the SEC is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to rid the country of “unscrupulous individuals who have malicious intentions towards citizens”.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu for staying in France when there are urgent national issues deserving his attention in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media office, Abubakar said the country “is in a full-blown state of emergency,” citing the killings in Plateau and Benue states and the resurgence of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.
On April 2, Tinubu departed for France on a two-week “working visit”.
The presidency said during the “short working visit,” Tinubu will review his administration’s achievements so far.
But the opposition has knocked the president over the trip and asked him to return home to address the spiralling insecurity in the country.
Earlier on Wednesday, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, asked the president to suspend his France retreat amid the worsening insecurity back home.
The former Anambra governor described Tinubu as a “retreating president” and said the nation is facing a wave of violent crimes without visible leadership.
Also, in his statement, Abubakar said the president’s “working visit” in France is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon, describing it as a “dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale”.
“On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flew out to France. Had this absurd announcement come just a day earlier, Nigerians would have dismissed it as an April Fool’s joke. But sadly, it’s no prank — just another insult to a nation pushed to the brink by a presidency that treats its citizens like fools,” the statement reads.
“The official excuse? A so-called “working visit.” But Nigerians aren’t buying the spin. The presidency scrambled to clarify that it wasn’t a medical trip — how noble. But even if it’s not medical tourism, what justification is there for gallivanting across Europe while Nigeria bleeds? What kind of leader borrows billions only to blow scarce funds on vanity trips abroad? It’s not just irresponsible— it’s contemptuous.
“Let the facts speak for themselves. By the time Tinubu struts back from this latest escapade, he will have racked up a staggering 59 days in France since assuming office. “See Paris and die?” No — see Paris and abandon your country.
“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity and despair.
“This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.
“If Tinubu had even a shred of empathy, he would cut his trip short and return immediately. A leader with an ounce of patriotism wouldn’t need to be begged to show up in times of crisis. The constitution says the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. But under Tinubu, that sacred duty has been trashed.
“Let’s be honest: there is absolutely nothing Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t do in Lagos, or even in Iragbiji. This so-called “working visit” is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon.
“Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain — this is a national collapse. So when, exactly, will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency
Nigeria is grappling with a growing breast cancer crisis, as cases have surged by a staggering 296 per cent and related deaths by 223 per cent over the past three decades.
Stakeholders at the Roche Breast Cancer Summit 2025, held in Lagos on Wednesday, sounded the alarm, citing rising treatment costs, limited healthcare access, and widespread misinformation as key drivers behind the escalating epidemic.
A Professor of Surgical Oncology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Emmanuel Ezeome, in a sombre address, described breast cancer as a public health emergency. Quoting data from the British Medical Journal, Ezeome noted that breast cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa has risen by 247 percent in 30 years, with Nigeria accounting for a significant portion of that increase, adding that the country’s age-standardised breast cancer incidence rate jumped from 24.9 to 38.2 per 100,000, while mortality increased from 19.3 to 26.9 per 100,000.
This disease is not only more prevalent but also more deadly,” Ezeome said, highlighting Nigeria’s mortality-to-incidence ratio of over 51 percent, one of the highest in the world. He attributed this grim statistic to late diagnoses, limited access to effective care, and high out-of-pocket costs, which consume over 40 percent of the annual income for 90 percent of patients.
He decried Nigeria’s inadequate radiotherapy capacity on infrastructure, with only 14 centres nationwide, of which just eight are functional. He also lamented the underutilisation of breast-conserving surgery, which could benefit up to 30 percent of patients if early diagnosis and adequate care were available.
The professor called for a unified, multi-sectoral approach to curb the crisis, stressing the need for collaboration between government, health professionals, civil society, and development partners. “Operating in silos has only worsened outcomes. We must align our efforts if we are to reduce mortality and improve survival,” he urged.
He emphasised the urgent need for broader cancer education, equitable access to care, and stronger infrastructure while recommending integrating cancer education into school curricula, expanding routine screening, and countering harmful misinformation, especially from religious and traditional institutions, through community-led awareness campaigns.
With only 10 percent of Nigerians covered by health insurance, Ezeome called for mandatory coverage for all employees and deeper public-private partnerships to create more affordable treatment models. This is necessary to boost survival rate as national survival rates remain dismal (just 25–27 percent) over five years, compared to over 80 percent in high-income countries, Ezeome averred.
Echoing these concerns, the general manager of Roche Nigeria, Dr Ladipo Hameed, described the current state of cancer care as one marked by “unmet needs” while underscoring the dire outcomes for Nigerian cancer patients, citing persistent challenges with late diagnosis and limited treatment options. “We have made significant advancements in research and drug development. But the key to saving lives lies in accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment, and guiding patients through the healthcare system,” Hameed said.
Roche recently launched the Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), a programme aimed at transforming outcomes for African women. The initiative sets ambitious goals, including diagnosing 60 percent of cases at early stages and reducing diagnosis times from six months to just 60 days.
Hameed emphasised that focusing on breast cancer, Africa’s most common and emotive cancer, could catalyse improvements across the oncology landscape. “If we build expertise and infrastructure around breast cancer, the ripple effect will strengthen care for other cancers like colorectal and liver,” he noted.
He lauded recent government investments, including new radiotherapy equipment and the anticipated opening of three treatment centres by mid-year. “Not long ago, the country had just one or two functional radiotherapy machines. Now, we’re seeing encouraging growth,” he said. Hameed also praised financial support mechanisms like the National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which aim to lessen the financial burden of cancer treatment. “Mandatory health insurance is a step in the right direction. It brings hope to millions who previously faced catastrophic out-of-pocket costs,” he added.
In a swift move to check the influx of internet fraudsters to Niger State, the Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 40 suspected internet fraudsters in Bida and Minna the state capital.
LEADERSHIP gathered that they were arrested with charms and pants of women with three cars in an operation that started on Tuesday and ended yesterday in Minna.
The zonal director of the commission in Kaduna Bawa Usman Kaltungo, recently visited the state and described the state as a safe haven for internet fraudsters.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the Commission, Dele Oyewale , confirmed the incident, saying that they were arrested following credible intelligence that linked them to suspected fraudulent internet activities.
Oyewale said, “Items recovered from them include three cars, eight power generating sets, one Hisense air conditioner, two power stabilisers, 10 motorcycles, eight laptop computers, four Bluetooth speakers and 60 Android phones”.
“Also recovered were fetish items that included three calabashes, adorned with feathers, traditionally made soap and sponge, a bottle of hot drink, 20 cowries, a waist bead and four lady’s underwears,” he added.
He said they would be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Tuesday launched an enforcement operation at Utako Market in Abuja, sealing shops allegedly involved in the fraudulent rebagging of local rice into premium foreign brands such as Mama Gold and Stallion, among others—brands that, according to the Commission, are no longer officially sold in the Nigerian market.
The raid was led by FCCPC’s director of surveillance and investigation, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka was based on what she described as “credible intelligence” from brand owners and market sources.
“These traders are deliberately deceiving consumers by putting cheaper or unknown-quality rice into branded sacks,” Adeyinka said during the operation. “They pass these off as trusted, premium brands to profit significantly. It’s a deceptive and unfair trade practice.”
She added that the Commission views the scheme as a coordinated cartel operation aimed at exploiting consumer trust and demand for imported rice despite an official halt in selling such brands within the country.
“For example, Mama Gold stopped selling rice in Nigeria in 2015. Yet, traders are repackaging local rice into these foreign-branded bags to deceive consumers who still crave imported rice,” Adeyinka said.
According to her, this practice not only cheats consumers but also threatens legitimate businesses trying to compete fairly in the market.
She warned that those found culpable could face prosecution under the FCCPC Act, which prohibits misleading representations and other unfair market practices.
“The owners of these brands have publicly notified consumers that they no longer bring these rice products into Nigeria. Despite this, cartels flood the market with repackaged local rice in foreign-branded sacks,” Adeyinka added.
She emphasised that consumers deserved value and safety for their money and stressed that rebagging local rice into premium brand sacks amounts to criminal misrepresentation and could endanger public health.
“This practice is not just unethical—it’s exploitative,” she said. “It undermines the economic interests of consumers and erodes public trust in the marketplace.”
During the operation, the FCCPC seized large volumes of repackaged rice and shut several shops allegedly linked to the scheme. Adeyinka said the Commission intends to trace the entire supply chain to identify the key producers and suppliers behind the rebagging network.
“We will continue to evacuate and remove these deceptive products from the market and hold perpetrators accountable,” she added.
She urged consumers to avoid purchasing rice from unverifiable sources or compromised packaging.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has said that the suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not tried to seek forgiveness, which Wike identifies as a crucial step before contemplating reconciliation.
Wike, through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, responded to calls from Niger Delta ex-militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, who urged Wike to set aside his grievances and forgive Fubara, his former political ally.
In a recent statement regarding the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, Tompolo stressed the importance of unity and restraint, suggesting that Wike should “calm down for the good of all” and engage in dialogue to resolve their differences.
“And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems,” Tompolo remarked. “We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and Fubara will return to his seat.”
The minister, however, firmly countered the appeal, stating he has not accused Fubara of any personal wrongdoing but has only called for a commitment to sound governance principles.
He emphasised that for reconciliation to occur, an offender must first acknowledge their missteps.
“There is no offence. It is only when someone offends you personally that forgiveness becomes necessary. As Christians, let’s even assume that Fubara has offended the Minister. Do you forgive someone who hasn’t come to seek forgiveness?
“The person must first acknowledge in his heart that he has done wrong. Has Fubara come to seek forgiveness? I’m not saying there is an offence and that forgiveness is required, but he hasn’t even made that move.
“Fubara should govern according to the rule of law and not abandon those who risked their lives and resources to make him governor. That’s not too much to ask. He should consider apologising to the President instead.
“You’re begging a doctor to provide medicine for someone who is sick, but you’re not asking the sick person to take the medicine. So what happens then?” he stated
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Upset by the stance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he and members of the coalition would adopt any platform that ensures good governance in their bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku, a PDP presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, made the declaration on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation of young Nigerians under the name National Opinion Leaders.
The former vice president’s stance comes three days after PDP governors distanced themselves from his opposition coalition movement ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku, Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) have been leading prominent politicians in a political coalition against President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
El-Rufai, who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has been wooing members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to join the coalition.
The presidency has dismissed the antics of the coalition movement ahead of 2027.
Equally, the chairman of the ruling APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed the coalition’s chances of success, citing the overriding personal interests of its leaders.
PDP governors, rising from their meeting on Monday, also distanced themselves and the party from the coalition movement.
The PDP Governors’ Forum issued a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, read by its chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed.
The communiqué stated the forum had resolved not to join any coalition or merger.
The PDP acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and other party leaders were also present at the meeting.
However, they expressed readiness to welcome any individual, group, or party willing to join the PDP in 2027 to wrest power and enthrone good leadership.
Subsequently, two PDP governors, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, declared their support for President Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 election.
The PDP governors’ stance was a clear indication that the main opposition party would not align with the Atiku-led coalition movement.
However, in a video of the meeting shared on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Atiku assured that the “coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades.”
While addressing the youth-dominated delegation of National Opinion Leaders, Atiku urged them to remain focused and not be swayed by short-term inducements.
“Don’t be disrupted by people giving you pennies or kobo here and there, and naira here and there, and then abandon your future and your children’s future,” he said.
“Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned—APC, PDP, Labour and others—have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa ‘Sabuwar tafiya’, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria.
“And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon we will announce, and we hope—and we appeal to you all—to be part of this movement.”
The former vice president said the primary objective of the coalition was to ensure good governance.
“Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance for the future of our children and grandchildren, that is the vehicle we are going to ride on,” he declared.
He concluded by urging the delegation to start planning and mobilising support.
“Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway,” he told them.
PDP Governors Playing Tinubu’s Spoiler Game – Opposition Coalition
Meanwhile, the opposition coalition has lambasted PDP governors for wittingly or unwittingly handing advantage to President Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, and expecting Nigerians to take them seriously.
The coalition said this in reaction to the PDP governors’ resolve not to join any coalition or merger before the 2027 polls.
On Wednesday, Salihu Lukman, the coalition’s chief strategist, said the alliance was a viable option to defeat the APC and President Tinubu and rescue Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.
Lukman said that even though the PDP governors and some party leaders opposed the idea of joining the coalition, the movement extended its hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country, to join it in rescuing Nigerian democracy.
“All we have seen of the PDP governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the party’s organs (PDP). This is wrong. It is also a clear demonstration that, if left alone, the PDP governors will only continue destroying democratic institutions in the country.
“As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognise that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of its leaders operating as Trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government.
“It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC government or undercover supporters. Otherwise, how can anyone justify how the PDP and its leaders are mismanaging themselves and practically putting themselves in self-destruction and political irrelevance?”
He went on to espouse the mission of the coalition.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigeria’s democracy. Leaders of the coalition recognise this and, more importantly, identify all the challenges ahead.
“Resolving these challenges and building the confidence of Nigerians is about restoring the value of political negotiations as critical and fundamental to guaranteeing the survival of democracy. Over the years, both the PDP and APC have demonstrated contempt for political negotiations and, to that extent, disrespected agreements in various ways,” he said.
According to him, since the PDP has been out of power for more than ten years, Nigerians had waited for the party to provide a viable opposition.
“Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC finally found a willing undertaker to put it to rest. The governors know that the virus that afflicts the PDP has no cure. They are only grandstanding. They know that Nigerians cannot accept this PDP as the alternative because it is clear to all discerning Nigerians that the ruling party has hijacked its soul,” he said.
Lukman noted that Nyesom Wike is the untouchable super minister in the APC government not because of the sterling job he is doing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu in 2027.
“However, with the growing coalition, that mandate has been adjusted recently. The new agenda is to revive the PDP to stand as a counterforce to the coalition and present a candidate that would split the vote in 2027.
“This PDP Governors’ Forum is wittingly or unwittingly playing Asiwaju’s spoiler game, and it expects Nigerians to take it seriously.”
Lukman further stated that the survival of Nigeria and the future of democracy largely depend on how political actors seek to reverse this ugly reality, and that the coalition leaders were working hard to finalise negotiations to unveil the coalition, its structure, and programme of action for rescuing Nigeria.
Lukman added that Nigeria was in dire need of rescue.
“The future of our republic depends on the courage and clarity of its opposition leaders and institutions. We call on all true democrats across the political spectrum to set aside ego, ambition, and party barriers and commit to building a coalition for national salvation,” the former APC national vice chairman added.
CPC Bloc Pledges Loyalty, Commitment to APC, Tinubu
Over 20 leaders and members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 election, have reaffirmed their unwavering loyalty to the ruling party and expressed strong solidarity with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
They said recent misleading narratives suggesting defection or discontent among CPC stakeholders are baseless, mischievous, and should be disregarded, stressing that they remain a vital part of the APC, fully committed to its leadership and vision.
The CPC bloc made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by prominent leaders, including former Nasarawa and Katsina state governors Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, and former education minister Adamu Adamu.
“We categorically state that we have neither left the APC nor intend to leave. The CPC bloc remains one of the APC’s foundational pillars, and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals.
“As a legacy party within the APC, we take pride in the sacrifices made to build a platform that fosters national unity, justice, and development. We will not allow individuals to dismantle the party we helped build through years of tireless dedication.
“Attempts to sow disunity within the party and the country do not reflect the will or position of genuine CPC core members and are wholly unacceptable,” they said
With the rising uncertainties due to the ongoing tariff wars, Nigeria and other emerging economies who are reliant on commodity exports are likely to experience budgetary pressures, the president of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga has cautioned.
Speaking during a virtual briefing ahead of the 2025 World Bank/ International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, Ajay noted that the budgetary challenges may arise as global trade tensions escalate and economic growth slows.
The World Bank president warned that ongoing trade wars between major economies are injecting uncertainty into global markets, with uneven effects expected across developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In response to question on growth projections for emerging economies in Sub-Saharan Africa particularly in Nigeria due to the ongoing trade wars, he said: “Definitely there’s uncertainty and vulnerability; you will get reductions in global growth.
“I think the impact on different countries will be different. It’s a little difficult to predict exactly where that will go, country by country right now, because, for example, if you’re exposed to commodity exports, and if the prices of commodities come down because of a reduction in global growth, then you will have a challenge with the budget of that country.
“On the other hand, if you’re a smaller emerging market or a market that isn’t as well integrated into the system, or your domestic consumption is a higher percentage of your of your GDP than your exports, and therefore different balance of growth in your country, then it’s a different impact.
“We’re kind of going to have to work our way through that over the coming weeks, depending on how this uncertainty plays out, but overall, for the global economy, certainly uncertainty will lead to a slower growth than it was a few months ago.”
He also noted that uncertainty and volatility are contributing to a more cautious economic and business environment.
“I think that’s going to affect our governments and businesses make their investment decisions right now.
“Developing economies are playing a far more central role in global trade than they did, say, two decades ago. And in that time, global trade has nearly quadrupled in nominal terms, and that share of the developing countries in that trade has nearly doubled from what a fifth to almost two fifths. And again, half of the exports now go to other developing countries. Time back in 2000, that was just one quarter. I think this shift brings both an opportunity and exposure.
“Countries with export led growth models, particularly those reliant on commodities or manufactured goods, they’re much more vulnerable to disruption, but they also have policy levers to help manage the uncertainty and position themselves for a longer term resilience,” he said
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maraban Rido, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have cried out to Nigerians for help amid the country’s hardships.
The IDP Camp Commander, Maraban Rido, Comrade Sule Adams, who spoke to journalists on Wednesday on the challenges of the IDPs, said that life is becoming unbearable for them.
According to Adams, most displaced persons cannot afford the necessities of life like food and clothing.
He appealed to Nigerians to assist the IDPs with food and educational materials, which he said would greatly improve their lives.
He, however, explained that the IDPs are currently observing the Lenten fast, urging Nigerians to show them love despite their difficult conditions.
“Many of them were displaced from their homes in Chikun Local Government Area due to persistent attacks by bandits and kidnappers and are now struggling to survive in new communities”.
One of the displaced persons, who identified herself as Mrs Grace, called on the government to intensify efforts to tackle banditry so she and her children can return to their village and continue farming.
“Life in the city is too expensive. We want to return home”.
Also, the District Head of Maraban Rido, Mallam Auta Alkali, praised the efforts of corporate organisations and civil society groups to support banditry victims.
He also thanked the Kaduna State Government for its continued assistance to the IDPs and urged them to do more.
Atiku Reacts To Arsenal’s UCL Semifinal Victory, Says It’s Lesson For Nigeria’s Opposition Ahead 2027
AFOLABI
Opposition leader and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday night, reacted to the semifinal victory of English club Arsenal over Spanish side Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), saying it symbolised the essence of unity for the Opposition in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Gunners were through to the semifinals of the UCL after beating trophy holders Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in their quarterfinal match to advance to the semifinals on Wednesday night.
Atiku, reacting to the outcome of the derby shortly after, took to his social media handles with a cryptic post emphasising the need for a coalition to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Bola Tinubu.
The former Vice President wrote: “Arsenal just taught us a lesson in consolidating our strengths in a coalition vehicle. Victory is assured when we stand united ?.”
LEADERSHIP recalls that the governors elected on the platform of Atiku’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Tuesday rejected any possible merger or coalition arrangement with any group or political parties for the purpose of contesting the presidency in 2027 general election