🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Atiku alleges plot to exclude African Democratic Congress from 2027 elections
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has claimed there is a plot by elements within the ruling establishment to prevent the African Democratic Congress ADC from participating in the 2027 general election. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stated he received "credible information" about coordinated political and legal maneuvers to keep the ADC off the ballot. He described this as part of a broader campaign to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians a free choice for their next president. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC, warned that excluding the party would be a serious assault on Nigeria’s democracy. He urged Nigerians to resist efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to dictate which opposition parties can contest elections. Atiku also alleged a pattern of institutions being drawn into partisan disputes, with frivolous litigation and administrative actions used against opposition figures. He accused the ruling party of prioritizing political battles over governance, despite Nigeria's economic and security challenges. Atiku emphasized that the ADC's growing popularity should be met through democratic competition, not institutional interference, and called on the judiciary, Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the international community to remain vigilant. He asserted that no administration has the constitutional authority to de
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to focus on rehabilitating existing roads rather than starting new construction projects. In a post on his X handle, Obi argued that repairing critical highways would benefit Nigerians more than initiating new ventures. He stated that successive governments should restore the country’s deteriorating road network before announcing fresh projects. Obi cited the Asaba–Benin Road as an example of a vital transport corridor linking several states to Lagos, noting that large sections have deteriorated, causing persistent gridlock and hardship for commuters and businesses. He emphasized that the situation on the Asaba–Benin Road reflects the condition of many of Nigeria’s busiest highways, urging greater attention to their reconstruction and maintenance. Obi concluded that the Nigerian populace needs functional and motorable roads, not just projects for public attention or political gain.
Must ReadSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on citizens planning to protest against undocumented immigration on June 30 to do so peacefully and within the law. In a message titled “Protest is both a right and a responsibility,” Ramaphosa acknowledged public concerns regarding illegal immigration, border management, and the strain on public services. He emphasized that while the right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, it does not permit threats, intimidation, vandalism, or violence. The President stated that the government recognizes the need for immigration system reforms and is already implementing measures to strengthen border management, improve visa and asylum processes, and combat corruption. He warned that criminal acts during protests would lead to accountability and that taking immigration enforcement into private hands constitutes vigilantism, which has no place in a constitutional democracy. Ramaphosa also highlighted that many foreign nationals in South Africa are there legally, contribute positively to society, and are entitled to legal protection. Law enforcement agencies are prepared to maintain order and protect both public safety and the right to peaceful protest.
Must ReadKayode Oladele, a former member of the House of Representatives and former Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, has lauded the National Assembly's passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police. He described it as a timely and significant constitutional response to Nigeria's escalating security issues, stating it offers a historic chance to bolster the nation's internal security framework and reinforce federalism. Oladele noted that while the bill still requires approval from at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly and presidential assent, its passage by both the Senate and House of Representatives marks a major step in Nigeria's constitutional development. He argued that Nigeria's growing security challenges highlight the limitations of a centralized policing system and the necessity for reforms that bring law enforcement closer to the populace. Oladele emphasized that there can be no meaningful development without security, citing Section 142b of the Constitution. He commended the Nigeria Police Force but clarified that the call for state police is not a criticism but a recognition of the need to modernize the security framework. He believes no single centrally controlled police force can effectively police a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, asserting that the proposed state police arrangement aligns with federalism principles. The former lawmaker explained that the bill envisions a dual policing structure with a Federal Police S