The crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Tuesday as state chairmen condemned what they described as an “orchestrated political coup” led by a coalition spearheaded by former Senate President, Senator David Mark.

In a joint statement signed by forum leader Elias Adokwu and Publicity Secretary Godwin Alaku, titled “Rejecting the Political Junta by Defending ADC and Nigeria’s Democracy Against Subversion,” the chairmen called the move a “blatant and reckless subversion” of both the party and Nigeria’s democratic principles.

Among their accusations, the chairmen alleged the coalition was plotting an unconstitutional takeover of the ADC through “manipulation and backdoor dealings.”

They declared, “We unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms this desperate power grab, which represents not only an aberration of democratic norms but also a grave assault on our collective political values as a nation.”

Dismissing the takeover attempt as a cover for selfish interests, the ADC chairmen insisted it was not a genuine ideological realignment but a “civilian junta” trying to seize control outside legal and democratic frameworks.

They further described the attempted power grab as “an insult to all those who believe in and have laboured for democratic governance in Nigeria.”

The aggrieved chairmen accused the coalition of seeking to undermine the democratic process with “selfish ambition and extra-party inducements.”

Reaffirming their commitment to “democratic principles, the rule of law, ideological clarity, and peaceful political engagement,” they stressed that the ADC “would never be a platform for political mercenaries or ideological impostors.”

Challenging the coalition, the chairmen said, “We also challenge the coalition to reveal their true electoral worth,” questioning their “electoral value or ideological clarity.”

They concluded with a firm declaration: “The ADC is not for sale, not for hijack, and certainly not a dumping ground for discredited power brokers.”

The chairmen also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject any attempt to legitimize what they termed an “illegitimate junta.”

Calling on the Nigerian public and civil society to resist “creeping authoritarianism,” they demanded that law enforcement agencies investigate the unlawful effort to destabilize the party.

“We, the legitimate custodians of the ADC structure across all states of the federation, reject this illegitimate junta. We consider it our patriotic duty to defend the soul of the ADC and protect the sanctity of democratic structures in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.

In response, the ADC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed the claims as baseless, stating, “How long shall we continue to respond to non-existent issues? Who are the members of this Forum of State Party Chairmen?”

“Look, Nigerians should not allow themselves to be distracted from the real issues that face us as a people. Let us not waste our time on a gathering of a few people who are seeing that there is money to pick us from what they are doing. There is no issue that we have to respond to.”

Supporters of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), under the banner of civil society organisations, staged a protest at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, demanding that candidates of the party be included in the upcoming nationwide bye-elections.

The demonstrators, numbering in dozens, held placards and banners bearing messages such as: “INEC, who is using you against LP,” “Mahmood stop destroying democracy in Nigeria,” and “Tell INEC to obey court orders.” They reportedly began their peaceful protest around 11:00 a.m.

Despite the show of support, the Nenadi faction of the Party has disassociated itself from the protest.

In a statement issued by Ken Asogwa, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the party’s fictional National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, the party denied any involvement in the demonstration.

According to the statement, the protest organisers are “impostors” and “political impersonators.”

The party emphasized that it was not behind the protest held at INEC headquarters.

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The Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Ogbodo has called on residents, especially young people, to take full advantage of the vocational and entrepreneurial skills training programme offered by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Council, Barr. Onochie Igwesi, Hon. Ogbodo emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts by the government to tackle unemployment, empower citizens, and stimulate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the area.

“We are encouraging all eligible residents of Nkanu West to massively enroll in this important training programme. It is a great opportunity to acquire hands-on skills, become self-reliant, and contribute to the local economy,” the chairman said.

The skills acquisition registration exercise will span two days and is scheduled as follows:

Day 1: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Wards: Akegbe Ugwu 1 & 2, Agbani, Akpugo 2, Amurri, Umueze and Ozalla

Day 2: Friday, August 8, 2025
Wards: Obuoffia, Akpugo 1, 3, 4 & 5, Amodu, and Obe

Venue: Nkanu West Local Government Headquarters
Time: 9:00 AM daily

Registration Requirements:

Age: 18–40 years

Educational qualifications (with dates)

NYSC year (if applicable)

National Identification Number (NIN)

Functional email address

Phone number

Ward and residential address

The council mandates all Presidents General and Ward Councilors to actively mobilize and inform their communities about the programme.

Hon. Ogbodo reiterated that the scheme aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of building a self-sustaining economy through skills development and youth empowerment.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged a donation of ₦1 billion to support victims of natural disasters and banditry attacks in Niger State.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Minna during the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Empowerment Programme.

Senator Tinubu explained that the funds will be used to provide housing assistance and essential supplies aimed at helping displaced families rebuild their lives, secure daily income, and improve their living conditions.

This contribution aligns with the core mission of the Renewed Hope Initiative, whose motto is “Towards a Better Life for Families.”

At the event, Mrs. Tinubu disclosed that 500 women from Niger State would benefit from a total of ₦25 million in empowerment grants, with each woman receiving ₦50,000.

The broader empowerment programme targets 18,500 women nationwide and has so far been implemented in 15 states.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to empowering women, seen as fundamental to national development.

“The economic empowerment programme is designed to support women entrepreneurs, petty traders, and small business owners who work tirelessly to provide for their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities,” Mrs. Tinubu stated.

She emphasized, “This grant is not a loan but a seed of renewed hope to help women recapitalize their existing businesses. Empowering a woman is empowering a household, a community, and ultimately the nation.”

The First Lady expressed gratitude to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for their substantial contribution of ₦1 billion to the programme.

She also thanked the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, and his wife for their support.

Governor Bago commended the First Lady for her generosity, recalling her previous donation of ₦100 million to victims of a bomb explosion at a mine site in Niger State.

He highlighted how her ongoing support has positively impacted many lives.

“This generous gesture comes at a crucial time as our people are grappling with the aftermath of flooding and insecurity. We appreciate her continued care and kindness,” Governor Bago said.

He further noted that the First Lady’s benevolence reflects the progressive leadership of her husband, President Bola Tinubu.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed efforts to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for Nigeria’s presidency once again in the 2027 general elections.

According to a report by BBC Hausa, which was monitored by DAILY GAZETTE, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said that the move is part of a broader initiative to restore trusted leadership and respond to mounting public demand.

“The party is inviting Jonathan because many Nigerians are also making similar calls to the former president to come back,” Abdullahi stated.

Jonathan, who served a single term from 2011 to 2015, lost his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, PDP leaders now describe him as a model of democratic leadership and are eager to bring him back to the political frontline.

“Nigerians have realised that Jonathan was a good leader and most of the problems they blamed him for were actually not his faults,” Abdullahi explained.

He praised Jonathan for his peaceful concession in the 2015 elections, saying, “He also exhibited high level of statesmanship by not rigging the 2015 elections despite his power to do so as an incumbent president, like what his predecessors had done, but he toed the path of honour and conceded defeat to avoid bloodshed.”

Abdullahi further claimed that Jonathan has responded positively to the party’s approach, saying, “He would ponder and consult about it to make a decision.”

“Some of the conditions he gave were: to be given automatic ticket if he accepts to run, though he also said he would have to make consultations before getting back to us,” he added.

According to the report, some PDP governors have even traveled with Jonathan to The Gambia, where he recently attended a function, as part of ongoing efforts to court him for the 2027 presidential race.