APC Induced, Used Bala To Destabilize ADC – Abdullahi

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April 6, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has revealed how the party made several offers to Nafiu Bala Gombe after change of leadership but rejected all.

He stated that he later opted to align with external political interests after allegedly receiving inducements, as the party’s leadership crisis continues to generate controversy across Nigeria’s political landscape.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Monday, Abdullahi accused the opposition of intentionally luring Nafiu Bala with offers the ADC could not match, insisting that the party is focused on saving Nigerians and not enriching political actors.

“We made efforts to pacify him, we approached him, we tried to find something for him to do within the party, but at that point he had already approached people within government who were willing to use him, and we could not match what they were offering him.

“Suddenly, this is a man we all know, and he now has a convoy of armoured cars, security details, and is living in luxury.

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi

“Where did all that come from? For us, it is clear that he got a better offer elsewhere and decided to align with those interests against the party,” he said.

Recall that the leadership crisis within the ADC intensified in early April as factional leader Nafiu Bala publicly disowned a circulating resignation letter, labeling it a forgery.

This development follows a Court of Appeal ruling that prompted INEC to de-list the rival National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.

Bala, who claims he is the rightful acting chairman as the party’s highest-ranking original officer, faces accusations from opponents of being a sponsored agent meant to destabilize the party, even as his supporters protest at INEC headquarters for his formal recognition.

Abdullahi insisted repeatedly that there was no internal confusion within the ADC, contrary to public perception, maintaining that the situation was artificially created by external forces.

“There was no confusion in ADC, except that which has been engineered by INEC, which is being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“There is no confusion whatsoever. What INEC has done is to create a situation that never existed, and Nigerians are beginning to see through it. This is not about internal disagreement; this is about external interference designed to destabilise the party,” he declared.

The ADC spokesman also challenged INEC’s authority over party leadership matters, describing its actions as unconstitutional and inconsistent with established legal precedents.

He maintained that political parties operate as voluntary associations whose internal affairs cannot be dictated by external bodies, stressing that INEC’s role is limited to supervision.

“INEC does not have the power to remove leadership of a political party. Fundamentally, a political party is a voluntary association, and if you are not a member of our family, you cannot come and remove the head of that family.

“The role of INEC is supervisory, not administrative, not to control political parties and decide how they run their affairs. What they have done goes completely against established legal principles and the very foundation of democratic practice in Nigeria,” Abdullahi stated.

Addressing the Court of Appeal ruling at the centre of the dispute, Abdullahi explained that the directive to maintain “status quo ante bellum” had been misinterpreted by INEC.

He clarified that the ruling referred to maintaining the condition of the party before the conflict initiated by Bala, a period during which the leadership under David Mark was already in place and recognised.

“The Court of Appeal ruling was very clear when it said maintain status quo ante bellum, which simply means return to the situation before the conflict started.

“Now, before Nafiu Bala went to court, David Mark was already the duly recognised chairman of the party following the NEC meeting of July 29, which INEC monitored and acknowledged.

“So how does maintaining status quo suddenly translate into removing an existing leadership and leaving the party without direction? That interpretation is not only fraudulent, it is dishonest and completely self-serving.”

NUJ To Wike: Apologise Now Over Your Threat To Shoot Channel’s Okinbaloye

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James Orji

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April 6, 2026

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has demand a public apology from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike over his remark about Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.

The minister, the magazine recalls, recently made the remark during his monthly press briefing with some select journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital, which not a few have described as a threat against the life of the popular journalist, who anchors Politics Today programme.

“If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” Wike said.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, the NUJ criticized the minister for making such remarks, which it said is capable of endangering the lives of journalists in the country, as well as affect press freedom.

The statement was signed by its National President, Alhassan Ya hya Abdullahi,

Nigeria is ranked among the countries with worst press freedom, and journalist abuse globally according to Amnesty International, AI.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists expresses its concern over the statement made by the Minister regarding a journalist. Such remarks raise important issues about the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom,” the statement said.

Adding, “The NUJ had delayed issuing this statement in the expectation that the Minister would reflect and withdraw the comment. However, the absence of such response has heightened concerns.”

The association representing Television and Radio stations in the country, the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria, IBAN had earlier directed its members to boycott press briefings by Wike until he retracts his threat to shoot the Channels Television journalists.

El-Rufai’s Mother Died Because Of His Son’s Detention By FG – Kenneth Okonkwo

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 6, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Nollywood celebrated figure-turned political actor Kenneth Okonkwo, a Barrister-at-law, has insisted that the arrest and detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai by state-backed institutions was at the heart of the death of his mother, Hajia Umma El-Rufai.

This is as he posited that the sudden grant of bail to El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to attend his mother’s funeral remains an eloquent testimony that the Government of the day is controlling the affairs of the Judiciary in the country.

The Source reports that El-Rufai who had been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, was on March 28, 2026 granted temporary and compassionate bail to enable him participate in the burial ceremony of his mother who passed on ,on March 27 ,in Cairo Egypt.

Okonkwo who spoke in an interview with Symponi TV remained adamant that the psychological shock and trauma arising from the arrest and detention of El-Rufai killed her mother.

“I give you a good example of what happened in El-Rufai’s case. As far as I’m concerned, it was the incarceration of El-Rufai that killed his mother.

“You know when mothers get to that age (90 years) , they become so sentimental, and emotional.

“Let me tell you,there was a time that somebody told my mother that thieves burgled the residences of some her children, she felt so bad that they had to call religious preachers to come and talk to her.

“Then you can imagine the case of an aged mother who was told about the arrest and detention of her son . And may be ,some people might also have told her that her son has died. That was what killed her in my own opinion” Okonkwo stated.

Okonkwo ,a known ally of Atiku Abubakar, also pointed out that the death of El-Rufai’s mother highlighted a disturbing reality about the tight grip the All Progressive Congress -Federal Government has on the country’s Judiciary.

He expressed serious concern that the ICPC could grant bail to El-Rufai without reference to the Court that ordered his detention.

According to him, the ICPC’s gesture supposedly on the directive of the Federal Government is a clear indication that the Country’s Judiciary is under the control of the executive branch of Government.

“When the woman died that was when they remembered that they will release El-Rufai without a court order; meaning that they (Government) are the ones using the Judiciary because you can’t disobey the order of the Court just at will”, he added.

Defilement: Ondo Police To Arraign 23-Year Old Boy

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Ayodele Oni

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April 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Police Command is to arraign a 23 year old boy for defiling a 14 year old girl.

Already, the Command’s Gender-based Violence Unit has commenced investigation into the incident, which was reported at Ijebu-Owo.

The case was reported by a 14-year-old female (name withheld for confidentiality), a resident of Ijebu Owo.

According to the report, the victim alleged that on the same date, one Emmanuel Usman ‘M’, aged 23 years, forcefully dragged her into his employer’s office located along Ijebu Owo, where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

The victim further alleged that the suspect threatened her with dire consequences should she disclose the incident to anyone, an act intended to intimidate and silence her.

Despite the threat, the victim courageously reported the matter to the police, prompting immediate action.

Upon receipt of the report, operatives swiftly moved into action, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

He is currently in police custody and has made useful statements that is aiding investigation. He will be charged to court accordingly upon conclusion of investigation.

However, the victim has been taken to the General Hospital, Owo, where she received necessary medical care.

Additionally, appropriate psychosocial support mechanisms are being explored to ensure the victim’s well-being throughout the investigative and judicial process.

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Adebowale has directed that the case be handled with utmost diligence, sensitivity, and urgency to ensure justice is served.

He further reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating all forms of sexual and gender-based violence across the State.

The Command strongly condemns acts of defilement and all forms of abuse against minors and assures the public that such offenders will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Jega Asks: Is INEC Part Of Scheme To Destroy Opposition Parties?

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Ayodele Oni

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April 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Political Analyst, Mahmud Jega has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the ongoing crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) saying it is being deliberately orchestrated to weaken Nigeria’s opposition bloc.

Jega, who stated this when he featured as one of the panelists on Arise News programme ‘Prime Time”, specifically warned INEC against actions that could completely erode public trust in it, stressing that the commission must maintain its expected neutral position which should at all time be above suspicion.

Jega, who was part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president 2023 presidential campaign Media Team, noted that INEC’s handling of opposition party developments has so far raised serious concerns.

According to Jega; “A proposed platform, ADA, was allegedly stalled for two years before political actors shifted to ADC—only to face fresh hurdles.

“The impression INEC is giving is that it is part of a scheme to destroy all opposition parties,” he emphasised.

Jega therefore challenged INEC to act with caution to avoid undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

The leadership crisis leaked when INEC announced that it derecognized the David Mark led executive of the ADC citing Court ruling.

ADC has also accused INEC of taking side in the crisis insisting that it would go ahead with the planned national convention with or without presence of officials of the commission.

Jega, who was part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president 2023 presidential campaign Media Team, noted that INEC’s handling of opposition party developments has so far raised serious concerns.

According to Jega; “A proposed platform, ADA, was allegedly stalled for two years before political actors shifted to ADC—only to face fresh hurdles.

“The impression INEC is giving is that it is part of a scheme to destroy all opposition parties,” he emphasised.

Jega, therefore, challenged INEC to act with caution to avoid undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

His remarks come amid growing tension within opposition circles and stakeholders’ warning that any perceived bias by the electoral commission could further worsen political divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Plateau Killings: More States Rescue Students From Unijos

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James Orji

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April 6, 2026

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Following the recent killings in Plateau state some state governments have evacuated their students attending the University of Jos from the troubled state because of the proximity of the tertiary institution to where the attacks happened. The management of the institution had since shut it down.

The magazine earlier reported that some suspected gunmen, had on March Palm Sunday, March 29 attacked Angrwan Rukuba, Jos North, a community in the state killing at least 27 persons. The state government had quickly imposed curfew in the affected community, but no sooner than the curfew was lifted than the fresh killings occurred, causing people who fear for their lives to run for safety, particularly students attending University of Jos who have chosen to leave the besieged communities en masse.

According to sources who spoke with the magazine, some students of the institutions had written their various state governments to evacuate them from campus in order not to be caught up in the cross fire.

In the past one week, no fewer than five state governments have evacuated their students from the school to safety, the latest being Delta state which has successfully brought back its student to the state.

When receiving the 36 students, the State Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode, said the state government decided to move the students from the institution due to their safety, and because the management of the school has shut it down.

He expressed hopes that the students will resume school after the crisis has been resolved by the government.

Onoriode: “We believe that with God, peace will be restored. When the time comes for you to return to school, you will go back and complete your studies successfully.”

Also, 37 students from Cross River State have been successfully evacuated from the campus.

Reacting on the issue, Governor Otu’s Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Joseph-Kelvin Enyam, disclosed this in a statement in Calabar, the state capital that the students were filled with fears before they were rescued. He said the state government acted after receiving Save our Soul, SOS, message from the students.

Enyam:“Their voices were filled with fear, and reports of insecurity, killings, and uncertainty had turned what should be a safe academic environment into a zone of anxiety and survival.

“Immediately, His Excellency, our compassionate Governor Bassey Out , upon being briefed, did not hesitate. He gave a firm directive: mobilise, deploy, and ensure the safe evacuation of every Cross River student back home until normalcy is restored.”

According to him, the state government have to comb every streets, house by house, around the campus under heavy security to ensure that no student was left behind.

“We moved into high-risk areas, including Angwa Rukuba, where a number of our students resided off campus. Street by street, house by house, we located them, reassured them, and safely evacuated them under security escort.”

Apart from Cross Rivers state, Benue state had earlier withdrawn its students attending the university. No fewer than 600 of its indigenes attending the institution were evacuated few days after the killings.

Similarly, Bauchi state sent its officials to move its indigenes out of the troubled state. According to information provided by the Governor Bala Mohammed-led state, 64 students of Bauchi state were evacuated from the tertiary institution.

Meanwhile, the magazine learned that other states have concluded plans to evacuate their indigenes from the school in the next few days to save them from being caught up in the crisis.

Strike: Why Atiku Backed Resident Doctors

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James Orji

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April 6, 2026

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has backed the ongoing nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD. The resident doctors have declared strike over the federal government’s plan to stop the implementation of the revised professional allowance table, PAT.
Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD’s secretary-general, gave the order on the members to go on strike, after the association’s virtual extraordinary national executive council, NEC. The strike, he said, will commence on Tuesday.
In his reaction, Abubakar said it was wrong for the government to enter an agreement with the doctors, and not renege. He said the doctors are very important to the country because they are the ‘first line’ of defence in Nigeria’s health sector which is almost collapsing.
Abubakar: “The Federal Government signed a deal on the Professional Allowance Table, and now it wants to abandon it. This is not governance; it is betrayal.
“Our resident doctors are the last line of defence in hospitals that are already collapsing. They work gruelling hours, in impossible conditions, for pay that insults their sacrifice. And now, the government seeks to take away the little that was promised? The Tinubu administration must demonstrate commitment to the issues: 19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance arrears; promotion arrears gathering dust; a Medical Residency Training Fund stuck in bureaucratic limbo; and a government that treats its doctors as an afterthought and remains unconcerned as they flee the country in droves.
“Every doctor Nigeria loses to the UK, Canada, or Saudi Arabia is a failure of leadership, not a failure of patriotism. You cannot ask people to serve a nation that refuses to honour its own word.
“I stand with NARD. Pay what you owe. Honour what you signed. Or explain to 200 million Nigerians why their hospitals will go dark on Tuesday.”

Wike Banned By Broadcasters For Threatening To Shoot Channels TV’s Seun Okinbaloye

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 6, 2026

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike.

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has been penalised by the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) for threatening to shoot Channel Television’son Seun Okinbaloye’s over his method of interviewing his guests.

IBAN made the announcement, on Sunday, of its decision to boycott press briefings by Wike until he retracts his threat to shoot Channels Okinbaloye, and tender public apology for the threat.

IBAN is the recognised umbrella body representing the interests of all independent broadcast stations across the country.

Wike had, on Friday, April 3, 2026, during his monthly Press Interview Television/briefing said that he felt like shooting journalist Seun Okinbaloye while listening to him interview a guest:

Wike: “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

IBAN, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Alh (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Ramalan, and Acting General Secretary, Fidelis Duker said: “While the Minister has since indicated he did not intend physical harm, IBAN believes that any expression of violent intent – even hypothetical – is inappropriate for a public official. Such language can be perceived as intimidation and risks normalising hostility toward the media.

Nigeria currently ranks 122 out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index.

“Journalists already face significant challenges, including surveillance, attacks, and arbitrary arrests. Remarks of this nature from a senior government figure only worsen an already difficult environment for media professionals.”

For peace to reign IBAN gave its conditions to the FCT Minister. They are:

1. Fully retract the statement in clear terms.

2. Issue a public apology to Mr. Seun Okinbaloye and the broader media community.

3. Reaffirm his commitment to non-violence and respect for press freedom, consistent with Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended).

It directed a boycott thus:

“Should the Minister fail to meet these requests within a reasonable period, IBAN will have no choice but to advise all independent broadcast stations – whose interests this association solely represents – to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences hosted by the FCT Minister.

“This is not a step IBAN takes lightly. However, independent broadcasters must protect their personnel and uphold the principle that violent rhetoric will not be normalised or rewarded with platform access.”

IBAN emphasised its commitment to constructively engage with public officials.

It said: “We hope the Minister will take the necessary corrective action so that normal coverage can continue without interruption. The ball is in his court.”

The Minister, however, in a statement signed by Lere Olayinka, his Special Adviser said his Principal spoke figuratively and never meant that he could have shot Okinbaloye and disclosed that both the Minister and the Journalist spoke on Saturday – a day after the Minister’s tactless comment.

INEC Suspends Voters Revalidation Exercise

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 6, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the suspension of its planned controversial voters revalidation exercise across the country.

The Commission has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners to henceforth, temporarily, halt all publicity and arraignments in relation to the exercise.

The Source reports that INEC’s decision to embark on a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections had been trailed by widespread indignation and outright condemnation by individuals, religious and community leaders, political parties, particularly the opposition and other interest groups who expressed the fears that the exercise, apart from smacking of a hidden agenda, is a recipe for chaos.

The Commission which had earlier scheduled April 13, 2026 for the commencement of the exercise, however, in a notice issued by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, dated April 4, 2026 while announcing the suspension, asked all RECs to wait for further directives.

“RECs are also directed to step down all publicity and arraignments for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the Commission”, the notice partly reads.

This is as the Commission also directed the RECs to continue all other necessary preparations for the exercise, including the sourcing of personnel as well as preparing INEC Voter Enrollment Devices.

The notice, also, informed about a virtual meeting scheduled for April 9,2026 between the Commission and the RECs.

“Further to the notice of meeting dated April 3,2026, please be informed that the meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners scheduled for Thursday April 9, 2026, at 11:00 am, will now hold virtually via Zoom.

“Consequently, RECs are advised to remain in their States, and await the log-in details which will be shared once the meeting is set up”, the Commission added.

Terrorists Attack Police Area Division In Borno, Kill Four Policemen

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Ayodele Oni

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April 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

While their families were waiting for their return to celebrate Easter with them, four police officers lay dead following an attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents on a divisional police headquarters in Borno State.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the attack took place around 1:00 a.m. on April 4, 2026, revising earlier reports that suggested it occurred late on April 3.

The incident targeted the Nghanzai Divisional Police Headquarters, where heavily armed attackers reportedly stormed in large numbers.

Security sources disclosed that the assailants engaged officers in a prolonged gun battle before eventually overpowering them.

The confirmed casualties include Inspectors Samuel Ezekiel, Sanusi Mohammed, and Police Constables Bitrus Luka and Shaibu Bukar, all of whom were attached to different units.

The attack highlights the persistent security challenges in Borno, a region long plagued by insurgency linked to Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province.

In a related development, suspected insurgents also carried out a separate late-night raid on Kwapul community in Chibok Local Government Area.

Residents reported that the attackers set a Church and several homes ablaze during the coordinated assault, which lasted for hours.

Although no deaths were recorded in the Chibok incident, the attack left many residents displaced and traumatized.

Locals lamented the lack of immediate resistance, raising concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations.

The latest wave of violence comes during the Easter season, a period that has historically seen increased attacks in parts of northeastern Nigeria.