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Gov Aliyu Was Not Part Of  Abia  Gov’s Team That Visited  Kanu At Sokoto Prisons  – Govt Clarifies

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Ahmed Aliyu - Sokoto State Governor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Sokoto State Government has vehemently rejected claims suggesting that Governor Ahmed Aliyu  accompanied his Abia State counterpart, Dr Alex Otti, on his visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB, at the Sokoto Custodial Centre.

The Source reports that Otti had, on November 30, 2025,  paid a solidarity visit to Kanu, barely a week after  the IPOB’S leader was convicted, sentenced to life in jail and relocated from the detention facility of the Department of State Service DSS in Abuja to the Sokoto Correctional Service facility.

Reports of the visit claimed that some Sokoto State Government officials, including the Governor, were among those who accompanied the Abia State Governor.

A statement from  Abubakar Bawa, Media aide to the Sokoto State Governor on Friday, December 5, 2025, while dismissing the claims, informed that Governor Aliyu was not even in the country as at the time Governor Otti came calling.

“For the avoidance doubt, Governor Ahmed Aliyu was in the Holy Land performing the lesser Hajj as of 30th November 2025, the day Dr Otti privately visited Sokoto state”, Bawa stated.

Alex Otti - Abia State Governor
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

The statement further noted that on the day of the visit, Governor Otti  was only received at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport by some Commissioners and Special Advisers who brought him to the Sokoto State Government House in line with protocols.

Besides, the Governor’s spokesperson emphasized that the visiting Abia State Governor was also feted with the traditional hospitality of the Sokoto people.

“As you all know, the people of Sokoto State are hospitable. We treat our visitors with utmost respect, irrespective of tribe or religion”, the statement added.

This is as the Sokoto State Government reaffirmed Governor Aliyu’s unflinching commitment to the “Nigerian project, and deep respect for constituted authorities.

“The Sokoto State Government reiterates that Governor Ahmed Aliyu holds deep respect for constituted authorities, remains committed to the Nigerian project and continues to be a peace loving and law-abiding citizen”, Bawa stated.

The State Government’s reaction  is coming against the backdrop of a plethora of both open and subdued agitations from some Federal Government officials and local stakeholders against claims that  the Sokoto State Governor was part of the visit to  Kanu, which they perceive as having the potential to undermine constituted authorities.

Kano Alleges Intimidation, As IGP Special Squad Whisks Away Fmr. Anti-corruption Commission Chairman

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Government  Friday evening December 5 , 2025 strongly condemned the arrest of the former Chairman of the State’s Public Complaints and  Anti-corruption commission, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado. The Government described the action of the police as  politically motivated.

The Source reports that  Rimin-Gado was on Friday whisked away by heavily armed police personnel who stormed his law firm on Zaria road Kano.

The former anti-corruption commission boss, on arrest,  was  first taken to the Kano State Police Command in Bompai, before he moved to Force Headquarters in Abuja.

At a Media briefing, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabir Maude, SAN, alleged  that  Rimin-Gado’s travails might not be unconnected with the investigations he is conducting into some high profile cases involving equally highly placed politically exposed persons in the state

It will be recalled that Rimin-Gado, during, and after his tenure at the Kano state Anti-corruption commission was, and still involved in the investigation and prosecution of the immediate past Governor of the State and former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Prof Hafsat Ganduje, some of his  immediate family members, and political associates on issues  bordering on alleged diversion of public funds properties, and corrupt enrichment.

He was, earlier, in the year arrested and detained by operatives from the Inspector General of Police IGP Special Squad, over the confiscation of some properties said to belong to some highly influencial APC stalwarts in Kano.

According to the Kano State authorities , Rimin-Gado was arrested by well over 40 security personnel,who they alleged invaded his law firm at about 5.30 pm on Friday.

” Up to this moment, as I stand here, the Kano State police Command has failed to provide us with a clear explanation regarding the reason(s) for Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado’s arrest, or his current condition” the Kano State AG and Commissioner for Justice stated.

Maude emphasized that this is not the first time , Rimin-Gado will be subjected to undue harassment and politically motivated arrest and detention by the police, obviously acting on the directives of some higher authorities.

The Commissioner noted that the police had, severally, in the past, invited Rimin-Gado as the Head of the Anti-corruption Commission in connection with investigations he was conducting on certain firms , including one known as Lamash.

“The powers-that-be have severally, used the police in their attempts to stop him from investigating some companies suspected of involvement in shaddy transactions.

“On that basis, he (Rimin-Gado) approached the Court seeking a restraining order against his further arrest, or harassment.

“But despite the restraining Court order, they have again gone ahead to arrest him” Maude lamented.

The State Government expressed serious concern over the tendency by some vested interests to resort to the use of security agencies and personnel in obstructing legitimate investigation processes ,and the wheel of justice in Kano.

While insisting that the travails of Rimin-Gado is politically motivated ,the Kano state Government urged the Police and those suspected to be behind his ordeal to refrain from undermining legitimate efforts to recover state funds and properties believed to have been looted by past state officials.

APC NWC Intervenes In Cross River Chapter Leadership Crisis

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alphonsus Eba

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National leadership of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has waded into the leadership crisis bedeviling the Cross Rivers state chapter.

The Source reports that the festering squabble on Thursday December 4 climaxed with the removal from office of the State Chairman Alphonsus Ogar Eba by the state Executive Committee of the party.

About 30 of the 32-member State Working Committee, SWC, including local council chairmen, had voted to remove Eba as the chairman after many months of open disagreement, accusations and counter-accusations by the two groups.

Eba’s traducers had accused him  of high-handedness, diversion of party’s funds and failure to remit stipends to wards and local council chapters of the party.

Reacting late on Thursday evening, Eba described his  impeachment as a “joke taken too far.”

He  also alleged financial malfeasance by his opponents to the tune of over N60 million.

According to him, the party, after several complaints of diversion of funds meant for wards and local Government Area officials, decided to adopt a direct payment system which he said never went well with some entrenched forces now claiming to be fighting him.

Eba similarly accused the local council chairmen who are  involved in the plot to remove him ,of shortchanging other party officials after receiving several millions of naira from political office holders in the state .

The National Working Committee, NWC, in a letter through the National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, dated December 4, 2025 while describing the impeachment of the chairman as illegal and unconstitutional, called for restrain by all parties.

The NWC also invited Eba to appear at the national headquarters on Monday December 8, 2025 to respond to the situation.

According to the national leadership, the meeting will afford the embattled chairman the opportunity to defend himself ,and enable the party to hear his own side of the matter.

“Foreign Powers Backing Terrorists, Bandits In Nigeria”, Sheikh Gumi Alleges

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi with Bandits in the North

By Akinwale Kasali

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, controversial Islamic Scholar, has raised concerns over the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, alleging the involvement of powerful foreign nations.

Gumi stated that the insecurity crisis in the country is prolonged, adding that some power countries are happy and comfortable with the crisis bedeviling the nation.

Gumi made this assertions while granting an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service in Kaduna State, saying that the recent patterns of attacks across the country suggest external support for armed groups operating in Nigeria.

According to him, the situation on the ground contradicts earlier signs of improvement in national security. He pointed to the Abuja–Kaduna highway—once regarded as a deadly corridor for commuters—noting that the route had become far safer in recent months before the renewed surge in violence.

The Cleric also noted that farmers in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, who had long abandoned their farmlands due to persistent threats, had gradually resumed farming activities, an indication that the security environment had shown signs of stability before the latest spike in attacks.

He insisted that the sudden reversal in progress raises questions that cannot be ignored.

Gumi urged the Nigerian Government to intensify intelligence operations, strengthen diplomatic engagements, and scrutinise all external links that may be fuelling insecurity.

Political Interference Lowering University Leadership Standard – Prof Jega

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Attahiru Jega

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, National Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has cautioned  against the continued interference in the appointment processes of University Vice Chancellors, Governing Council Members and other Principal officers.

Prof Jega, a former Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University Kano, also, expressed serious concern over what he described as  “persistent political interference in the affairs of Nigeria Universities.”

Jega, a Professor of Political Science who spoke on Thursday, December 4, 2025 while delivering the 3rd Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture at the Gombe State University, insisted that undue interference over the years has weakened governance structures, encouraged poor administrative decisions, and undermined staff morale.

According to the former INEC boss, the trend has significantly contributed to the gradual decline in the quality of higher education in the country.

Delivering a lecture , entitled, “Challenges and Prospects of Improving University Governance in Nigeria”, Jega  insisted that Universities are specialized academic institutions that require visionary experienced, and academically grounded leadership to fulfill their mandates of teaching, research and community service.

“A university is not a political platform. It is a centre of Knowledge creation and human capital development. It cannot.achieve its core objectives when leadership appointments are driven by political considerations rather than academic merit” he stated.

Prof Jega warned that the increasing politicization of such appointments poses a serious threat to academic standards, institutional autonomy, and the future of higher education in Nigeria.

He urged the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to entrench merit, competence and integrity as the guiding principles in the appointment of leadership across Nigerian universities.

This is as he emphasized the imperatives of transparency, competitiveness and merit in the selection processes of University leadership.

According to him, the selection processes should also be anchored on clear criteria, academic record, leadership experience and professional credibility .

Insulating universities from undue political influence remains an essential ingredient for the restoration of confidence in the system ,as well as repositioning of Nigerian universities for the purpose of competing favourably at the global level, the former BUK Vice Chancellor added.

Prof Jega, therefore, warned that failure to reform university governance would continue to erode the capacity of the system to produce graduates who  are innovative, globally competitive, and capable of driving sustainable national development.

APC Screening Committee Disqualifies Fmr Nat. Sec., Omisore, Five Others

By
Ayodele Oni
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Iyiola Omisore

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the governorship election in Osun state next year, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified a former National Secretary of the party, Iyiola Omisore; former Deputy Governor, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi; and four other governorship aspirants.

The disqualification is coming ahead of the party’s primary slated for December 13, 2025.

Other disqualified aspirants are Dotun Babayemi; Akin Ogunbiyi;  Babajide Omoworare; Kunle Adegoke (SAN); and Babatunde Oralusi.

The seven man screening committee headed by Barrister Obinna Uzor, in a report submitted to the party’s organization department on Friday, cleared  Mulikat Adeola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji for the party primary.

The cleared aspirants were found to have fulfilled regulatory requirements as stipulated by the party guidelines, the Constitution, and the Electoral Act

The Committee, however, refered the disqualified aspirants to the National Working Committee (NWC) for final clearance before they can proceed for the shadow election.

In the six-page report signed by all the members, the committee claimed it received a petition from Osun APC Renewal Group, urging the disqualification of the two aspirants, who were identified as falling short of the mandatory nominator requirements prescribed under the APC Constitution and the Party’s Guidelines for the Governorship Primary.

It further said that “upon careful review, the Committee found the issues raised in the petition to be weighty, substantial, and germane to the integrity of the screening process.

“In the interest of fairness, transparency, and uniform application of the Party’s rules, the Committee resolved that the concerns highlighted should not be applied selectively.

“Accordingly, the Committee extended the same scrutiny to all nine (9) aspirants, ensuring that every sponsor (nominator) of an aspirant was assessed on the basis of compliance with Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and paragraph 6(c) of the Guidelines.

“This approach guaranteed a level playing field and upheld the principles of internal party democracy.

“Upon conclusion of the two-day screening exercise, the Committee found that two (2) aspirants, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji, satisfactorily met all constitutional and guideline requirements of the APC, including proper nomination by the requisite number of fully registered, financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area.”

The Committee also observed that the six aspirants: Sen. Iyiola Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Mr. Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle, and Sen. Babajide Omoworare-failed to meet the mandatory nomination requirement of being sponsored by five fully registered and financially up-to-date members from each Local Government Area contrary to Articles 9.3(i) of the APC Constitution and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution as well as Paragraph 6(c) of the APC Guidelines for the 2025 Governorship Primary.

Meanwhile, the Screening Appeal Committee, headed by Senator Tola Odebiyi, will sit on Saturday in Abuja to attend to petitions and appeals from the disqualified and any other aggrieved stakeholders.

Borno Spends N100bn On Security- Gov

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Professor Babagana Zulum
 
 
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that his administration has spent close to N100 billion this year on security operations across the state.
 
Zulum disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the Emir of Uba, Ali Ibn Mamza, at his palace in Uba town, Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
 
The state is one of the epicenters of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP insurgency in Nigeria’s North East region. 
 
The level of insecurity in the state was recently heightened following the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba by the terrorists, who shot him on the head, and shared the gory murder on the social media for Nigerians to see.
 
According to Zulum, the funds spent on security in the state could have been used finance to provide social development such as, education, health, and other infrastructure for the people.
 
He stressed that contractors are refusing to do projects in some parts of the state due to insecurity in those place, saying road construction has been mostly affected.
 
 
“In this year alone, what I spent on security is about N100 billion. If there was peace, the money would have gone into development in education, health and other sectors,” Zulum said 
 
 

Wike: Amaewhule, 16 Rivers Lawmakers Did Not Inform Me Of Their Defection 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike
 
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the ruling All All Progressives Congress, APC did not inform him about their decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
 
The minister, however, said the defecting lawmakers have the right to make their political choice, saying he will continue to work with the 10 lawmakers who remained in the PDP.
 
Wike spoke on Friday while addressing journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction of an interchange bridge connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
 
His remark comes barely hours after 16 lawmakers in the Assembly, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule dumped the PDP for the APC. 
The Speaker, is a close ally of the Minister, and not a few insist that the defection has the imprimatur of the minister, who is currently working with the APC.
 
Reacting, Wike blamed the defection on the leadership crisis in the PDP, saying the factionalisation in the opposition party made it possible for the lawmakers to defect.
 
He urged the party to put its house in order or lose entire, adding that he would continue to work for the progress of the party.
 
 
Wike: “Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said that everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised. And the requirement of the Constitution is that when a party is factionalised, they are allowed to leave the party.
 
“You will see that it’s not everybody who has left. I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27. We still have a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together. They never told me, but they have a right.
 
“I’m still in the PDP. So those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together. And I have said to the party, put your house in order. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that will lose.
 
“And we still ask the party to work together to see how the remaining members will be a relevant opposition. But they chose not to. So for me, those who have left are free. But those who remain in the party, we will continue to work together.”
 
Those watching developments in the oil bearing state, informed the magazine that the lawmaker’ defection is a prelude to the minister and Governor Siminalayi Fubara defection to the ruling party.
 
“It’s a matter of time” a political analyst said on Friday.

Fred Chukwuelobe, You Are Wrong On Imo Summit

By
The Source
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Fred Chukwuelobe and Oguwike Nwachuku

By Oguwike Nwachuku

This morning, I read on the Facebook page of my brother, friend, and colleague, Chief Fred Chukwuelobe, a piece I considered was ill- conceived on the two- day Imo Economic Summit holding in Owerri- December 4 -5, 2025.

Fred, a very senior colleague, was once the Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State, and possesses enough experience to analyse and comment on matters of public interest.

And he does that from time to time, occasionally descending on those in power who do not share the same political or leadership sympathy with him.

On several occasions I had called him to share some insight with him on his pieces, commended him when he got it right and flayed him when he wrote from where he appeared. So, I would say we enjoy friendly cum brotherly cum professional relationship, hence this intervention.

The subject matter that drew the ire of Fred is the ongoing Imo Economic Summit. He hid under the subject matter to express his disdain for former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, one of the guests, to call the Summit a wild goose chase and a jamboree.

Yes, I have the feeling Fred has a beef with Boris Johnson or leaders in his mould who are often engaged by countries or institutions for one event or the other as guest speakers, and as a way of leveraging their experiences while in office to advance the course of societal change.

Contrary to Fred’s thinking that the Summit was a wild goose chase and a jamboree, it has gone down well in the history of Imo State in particular, and Nigeria at large, that the Summit is one of the best ever to be organised by a sub national in the Country.

In case Fred does not know, the list of leaders, national and international that graced the Summit opening is too long.They are personalities who have made their marks in their chosen areas of human endeavour – politics, oil and gas, banking, ICT, health, education, commerce and industry, to name but a few.

They include but not limited to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria (represented), President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, President Amina Akim of Mauritius, Prime Minister Americo Ramos of Sao Tome and Principe, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki- Moon, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Mr. Wale Edun, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governors of Edo (Monday Okpebholo), Ekiti (Abiodun Oyebanji), Ondo (Lucky Aiyedatiwa), Yobe (Mai Mala Bumi), former Africa import -export Bank CEO, Prof Benedict Oramah, among others too numerous to mention.

Obviously, it must have been in bad light that Fred decided to pick on Boris Johnson and Ban Ki- Moon as former public office holders and portrayed them as leaders who attended the Summit because they were paid.

“Johnson is part of world leaders bankrolled by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State on a wild goose chase and jamboree called Imo State Economic Summit 2025,” Fred had mischievously written.

Like I said earlier, except Fred has an outstanding issue to iron out with Boris Johnson and he saw in his Imo State visit the opportunity, I do not think it was reasonable for him to lampoon a man of that calibre who, regardless of what he must have been told about the security situation in Nigeria, to come and see things for himself.

Yes, insecurity is a challenge in Nigeria, but there is no where on the surface of the earth where there are no pockets of insecurity. Boris Johnson is not an ordinary person who should not be allowed to think for himself. Or is it because he was the guest of Governor Hope Uzodimma who, probably Fred does not like his face, that the insinuation of inducement became a sine qua non for the Summit he attended to be rubbished?

Why is Fred annoyed that Boris Johnson said he couldn’t see the reason for the politically hyped insecurity in Imo when he attended the Summit? Whatever happens to the popular axiom, “seeing is believing?” He came, he saw and he spoke out. He said he feels safe in Nigeria and you are angry, why? If mere miscreants who stumbled on money can fly around on chattered flight, why should someone of the social standing of Boris Johnson be denied the opportunity if he can afford it? Even if it was paid for, do people no longer get paid for services they render? If the whole idea was not to cause public dissaffection why should the flight Boris Johnson flew on rankle with him? Again, what is wrong in people making a living from public speaking if the ideas they market are impactful?

Away from Boris Johnson, who wouldn’t want to have former UN Secretary General, Ki-Moon grace his event whether it is politically or economically primed?

I cannot believe that Fred, in good conscience, described an event where these calibre of national and global icons in politics and business attended as a wild goose chase and a jamboree.

If only Fred knew that since the creation of Imo State, barely 50 years ago, no such Summit on how to unlock the economic potential of the State had taken place, he would, without delay, apologise to the Government and good people of Imo State for insulting their sensibilities.

Not a single Imo indigene, including non indigenes who are familiar with the State,

is saying something against the well-organised and well-attended Summit except Fred Chukwuelobe.  Why?

Part of the problem Fred is having is that he has not bothered to find out what has been happening in Imo State since Hope Uzodimma mounted the saddle about Six years ago. He prefers to believe rumours on social media platforms and those that emanate from eateries and Bar spots

(even though he is not a frivolous person) to carrying out his own independent investigation about what governance in Imo has become under Governor Uzodimma.

The reason there is jubilation in Imo over the Summit is not just that economic and business eggheads gathered to brainstorm, but because the Governor has laid a solid foundation upon which the Imo State of our collective dream can rest upon if successive governments coming after him build and follow through on the already laid solid foundation for economic sustenance stability.

When we say “Imo has risen” it is because the government of the day has done a lot to keep it on the rising mode till now. The necessary infrastructure to align with the dream of the Summit are available. The security situation is good and will keep getting better. The pool of resourceful human capital is available. The will of the people to have Imo become their home, with all they need to be happy in Nigeria is also available.

Imo people are happy with the good road network that is connecting them together. They are happy that they can generate their own electricity, courtesy of the efforts of the government of the day, they are excited about the efforts to take their teaming unemployed youths off the labour market using the Skill-Up Imo Programme that has prepared the youths for public service and private sector employment, among others.

The worst thing that can happen to the dream of the people is the negative evaluation of the real situation of things in Imo the way my friend Fred has done.

If one of the benefits of the Summit is the promise made by President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to invest hugely in any area the government and people of Imo State deem fit is a wild goose chase and a jamboree, then let the wild goose chase and jamboree continue.

I really think that what may be giving Fred concern is the fact that Imo State has been brought to the global economic and business limelight by Governor Uzodimma, the man many love to under rate his capacity.

But the deed has already been done, hence there is nothing anybody can do about the risen Imo.

Nwachuku wrote from Owerri

Hirelings at It Again: Obi Never Granted Any Interview to Talk about  ADC

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) once again feels compelled to refute false and malicious claims circulating about an interview purportedly granted by Mr Peter Obi.

POMR, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, said it “categorically disclaims any news suggesting that Mr Obi granted such an interview or made remarks against the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In fact, Peter Obi has expressed significant confidence in the ADC under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark.”

It continued: “The narrative claiming that Peter Obi made statements “against” the ADC is directly at odds with his documented actions and public statements, which emphasise cooperation and partnership with any group aiming to strengthen our democracy and create the Nigeria of our dreams.

“In his recent public engagements, Peter Obi has consistently highlighted the importance of unity in addressing poor governance and economic hardship, rather than attacking or criticising the ADC. His primary focus is on forming a coalition to combat hunger and bad governance.

“We urge the public, particularly the leadership of the ADC, to regard these publications as fake news and recognise them as the work of political hirelings intent on distorting facts and distracting the opposition from the vital goal of ending bad governance.”

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