The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent pardon of convicted drug traffickers, describing the action as a “pathetic” misuse of presidential powers and a blow to Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said granting presidential clemency to dozens of individuals convicted of serious offences such as drug trafficking, smuggling, and gun running, is “a national disgrace” and undermines the credibility of the country’s justice system.

“This act amounts to an irresponsible abuse of the power of mercy,” the party said, “especially as many of those pardoned had served less than two years for offences carrying life sentences.”

The party questioned the rationale behind such clemency, arguing that it does not meet the criteria of social utility, correction of judicial errors, or rehabilitation.

Instead, the ADC accused the Tinubu administration of setting a dangerous precedent that may embolden criminals and diminish the efforts of frontline agencies battling drug trafficking and related crimes.

“What does Nigeria stand to gain by pardoning traffickers who barely served their time?” the statement read.

“This sends a troubling message that all it takes to escape justice is to ‘show remorse’ and acquire a few vocational skills.”

The ADC reminded the public that Nigeria remains a major transit point for illicit drugs and is grappling with a serious internal drug crisis, with reports indicating that drug use in the country is at 14.4%, almost triple the global average of 5.5%.

“Our security agencies, particularly the NDLEA, have risked their lives dismantling drug networks, arresting and prosecuting offenders,” Abdullahi noted.

“Granting mass pardons mocks their sacrifices and weakens our legal and moral stance against narcotics.”

The opposition party warned that the implications of such clemency go beyond Nigeria’s borders, potentially damaging the country’s international reputation and partnerships in global anti-narcotics efforts.

“This move paints Nigeria as soft on drug crime and may be interpreted as official sympathy for traffickers. It sends the wrong message to global partners that Nigeria is becoming a safe haven for drug offenders,” the statement added.

The ADC further accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu of eroding the moral fabric of governance and trivialising serious crimes.

“With this mass amnesty for drug offenders, the Tinubu administration is dangerously redefining morality and justice in Nigeria. We are becoming a nation where even the gravest crimes come with only minor consequences—if any.”

The party concluded by reaffirming its mission to challenge what it sees as growing impunity under the APC-led government.

“The ADC remains committed to rescuing Nigeria from a ruling party that values power over accountability, and impunity over justice,” Abdullahi stated.

Over 700 youth leaders representing various ethnic nationalities across Nigeria have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

At the same time, they are advocating a major constitutional reform: a single, non-renewable seven-year tenure for all elected political office holders.

The proposal was unveiled at the 1st All Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Youth Conference, held at the Green Building of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja.

Themed “Emboldening a New Nigeria of Our Dream,” the event also marked the 30th anniversary of the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.

In his keynote address, conference convener and President of the Nigeria Youth Coalition (NYC), Aare (Barr.) Oladotun Hassan, called Nigeria’s current electoral structure unsustainable.

“We are proposing a single, seven-year tenure for all elected officials starting before the 2027 general elections,” Hassan said.

“Endless election cycles drain our economy and distract leaders from delivering on governance.”

He argued that such a reform would help reduce political tension, foster policy continuity, and give leaders time to focus on performance without being consumed by re-election campaigns.

The youth leaders unanimously endorsed President Tinubu’s second term, describing him as a “symbol of democratic continuity and a stabilising force in turbulent times.”

According to Hassan, Tinubu has shown “resilience and courage” in navigating Nigeria through tough economic transitions.

While acknowledging the inherited economic challenges, he expressed confidence that Tinubu’s reform agenda would yield positive outcomes with time and policy stability.

The event also honoured several national figures for their contributions to democracy and development.

Among them; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Maverick Hero of Democracy, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON) – Legend of Democracy Hero, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, VP Kashim Shettima and Ooni of Ife, Recognized for democratic leadership as well as Ken Saro-Wiwa (Posthumous) – Doyen of Democracy Award

The NYC also issued key demands aimed at improving national development:

• Grant crude supply and exploration licences to the Dangote Refinery to ensure cheaper fuel prices.
• Review the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to increase host communities’ benefits from 3% to 30%.
• Allocate 35% of the national budget to education, 25% to youth development, and 15% to traditional institutions.
• Establish a Federal Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs to institutionalise cultural leadership.
• Create National Agricultural Economic Development Zones to drive mechanised farming and food security.

The youth leaders firmly rejected any suggestions of a return to military rule, calling such proposals “absurdly crude and undemocratic.”

“President Tinubu, Senator Shehu Sani, and others fought for the democracy we enjoy today. We must never betray that struggle,” Hassan declared.

In closing, the youth coalition called for a New People’s Constitution to address longstanding structural inequalities and promised continued constructive engagement with the government.

“We must build a Nigeria where leadership is measured by performance, not political survival,” Hassan concluded.

“The single seven-year term will give every leader time and peace to deliver and give Nigerians hope that democracy can truly work.”

In a sweeping move aimed at fresh beginnings, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the dissolution of all its local government and ward executive committees in Enugu State.

This shake-up is part of a broader strategy to reassert the party’s presence and discipline in the state.

Dr. Ben Nwoye, appointed as caretaker chairman of the party in Enugu, made the announcement during a stakeholders meeting in the Enugu West Senatorial District held at the Golden Royal Hotel.

He explained that the nationwide directive from the APC’s National Working Committee mandates a thorough reorganisation of the party’s structure in Enugu.

“We must embrace unity and make it our watchword,” Nwoye asserted. “Nobody is bigger than the party. Whether you joined yesterday or years ago, here, we are all equal.”

The rationale behind the purge is rooted in internal conflicts.

Investigations revealed that multiple individuals were laying claim to the same party offices at both ward and local government levels, creating confusion, fragmentation, and inertia within the state chapter.

Dr. Nwoye affirmed that the decision aligns squarely with his caretaker mandate and is in APC’s best interest.

He also announced that the party will soon rollout an e-registration drive to modernize its operations, a push expected to be inaugurated by the national chairman in Owerri, Imo State.

He urged members to actively participate in this digital transition.

Fidelia Njeze, a member of the caretaker committee and former Minister of Aviation, called on all loyalists to rally around the reorganization process.

She emphasized that cultivating unity and openness is critical for the APC to reclaim relevance and coherence in Enugu.

“We must welcome all who are committed to progress,” she said.

In a unifying gesture, stakeholders used the occasion to formally endorse President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid for 2027.

They also signaled their support for Governor Peter Mbah to defect to the APC.

In a communique, they applauded the National Working Committee for dissolving the party’s leadership in Enugu and installing Dr. Nwoye as interim chairman and Eugene Odoh as interim secretary.

Former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has described Governor Peter Mbah’s reported exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the final signal of the party’s decline in the South-East.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Enugu, Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Mbah’s move represents a defining political shift and underscores the PDP’s complete collapse in the region.

“This marks PDP’s fall from grace, from controlling all five South-East states in 1999 to holding none in 2025,” he stated.

Okechukwu hailed Mbah’s defection as a “pragmatic, rational, and inevitable” decision, arguing that the PDP had long abandoned principles of equity and internal justice.

He cited historical grievances, including what he described as the party’s betrayal of zoning arrangements and marginalisation of the South-East in recent leadership disputes.

“Dr Chuba Okadigbo once said that the PDP pays good deeds with bad coins. Mbah’s exit proves that point,” he added.

He pointed specifically to the 2023 presidential election cycle, accusing the PDP of ignoring the South-East’s legitimate claim to the presidency and later sidelining the region in key party decisions, including the battle over the National Secretary position.

“This wasn’t just neglect, it was deliberate marginalisation. Mbah’s defection is only the latest consequence of the PDP’s consistent failure to reward loyalty and uphold fairness,” Okechukwu said.

Dismissing suggestions that Mbah might have considered joining another party, Okechukwu remarked:

“He couldn’t possibly join the ADC, which has been hijacked by the same elements who disrupted the PDP.”

He concluded that Mbah’s move to APC marks the final chapter in the South-East’s disillusionment with the PDP, a party he says has consistently failed the region.

The APC had announced a grand reception to welcome Mbah and other high-profile defectors from the PDP on Tuesday at Okpara Square, Enugu.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the South-East region must wait its turn in the race for Nigeria’s presidency, insisting it is not yet the region’s time.

In an interview monitored by DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday, Umahi emphasized that President Bola Tinubu, who hails from the South, must be allowed to complete his eight-year tenure before discussions about South-East presidency can be realistic.

“We, the 17 Southern governors, agreed in Asaba before the 2023 election that the next president should come from the South, regardless of party. Tinubu emerged, and he represents the entire South,” Umahi said. “It would be unfair for the South-East to claim it’s our turn now. Tinubu must finish his term. Only after 2031 can the South-East justifiably make a case.”

While acknowledging that the South-East has never produced a president, Umahi maintained that equity and fairness demand that Tinubu’s tenure be respected.

He noted that both the South-East and North-East can justifiably seek the presidency in future elections.

On the issue of marginalization, Umahi admitted that the South-East has experienced unfair treatment in the past, which partly explains the APC’s poor performance in the region during the 2023 elections, securing only 5.85% of the total votes.

However, he praised President Tinubu’s administration for treating all regions fairly and delivering significant infrastructure projects in the South-East.

He cited N350 billion worth of road projects including Enugu-Onitsha, Port Harcourt-Aba (86 km), Aba-Umuahia (56 km x2), Umuahia-Lokpanta (6 km), Lokpanta-Enugu (61 km x2), N193 billion Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe road under Dangote tax credit, Dualisation of Enugu-Abakaliki road (N183 billion), Trans-Saharan highway from Ebonyi to Benue boundary (N456 billion) and Repairs on damaged bridges and flyovers in Enugu and other areas.

“The Minister of Works portfolio I hold is equivalent to several top-level appointments. More importantly, what we’re achieving under this government far outweighs past promises,” he added.

Umahi urged the South-East to recognize present realities, appreciate the president’s efforts, and remain patient for their turn.

“We have qualified sons and daughters, and when the time is right, we will contest. But for now, we must acknowledge the progress being made under President Tinubu and support his administration,” he concluded.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant an interim order sought by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aimed at stopping the party’s scheduled meetings and national convention.

The application was brought by Austine Nwachukwu, PDP chairman in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, chairman of the Abia chapter; and Turnah George, south-south secretary.

The trio, believed to be allies of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), asked the court to block PDP’s upcoming NEC meeting on October 18 and its national convention set for November 15–16.

Justice James Omotosho rejected the plaintiffs’ ex parte motion, declining to issue an interim injunction against the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The judge ruled that all parties must now be served with the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

In their suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025), the plaintiffs also urged the court to:

– Prevent the PDP from holding any meetings, congresses, or conventions without due notice and democratic procedures;

– Stop INEC from attending or monitoring PDP’s leadership meetings;

– Restrain INEC from acting on any 21-day notice issued by PDP officials regarding the upcoming convention.

The court was further asked to bar PDP from holding any leadership meetings, including those scheduled for October 15, until the main case is heard.

Although the judge refused to issue the interim order, he directed that all parties should refrain from taking any action that could affect the outcome of the pending application.

“Any step or decision that renders the court’s eventual ruling ineffective will be considered null and void,” Omotosho warned.

The matter was adjourned to October 14 for hearing of the motion on notice.