The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong warning to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, urging him to step down if he is unable to address the deepening security crisis plaguing the state.

Alhaji Kabiru Garba, the party’s chairman in Zamfara, made this call on Monday during the ADC’s “Hand Shake Day” event held at Maryam Hall in the state capital, Gusau.

Garba expressed serious concern over the unrelenting banditry and violent attacks in the state, accusing Governor Lawal of failing in his primary duty to safeguard lives and property.

“It is high time the Governor provided a lasting solution to the insecurity bedeviling the state. Otherwise, he should resign,” he declared.

The ADC leader further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent and effective measures to combat the worsening security challenges not just in Zamfara, but across the country.

He also suggested that the Zamfara government consider negotiating with armed groups if that could help restore peace and stability.

“We condemn the incessant attacks on our people and urge the government to take decisive steps. Let them talk to the bandits if that’s what will bring peace,” Garba added.

He lamented that many residents of the state were growing increasingly disillusioned with the current administration and now see the ADC as a more promising alternative.

According to him, the party has recorded impressive growth in Zamfara, with tens of thousands of new members joining its ranks.

“We have registered no fewer than 75,000 new members. The people of Zamfara have seen a brighter future in ADC,” he revealed.

“God willing, we are ready to rescue the state and Nigeria at large come 2027,” he stated confidently.

Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 International Peace Award by the Global Peace Movement International (GPMI).

The honour, according to GPMI, acknowledges Akpabio’s growing influence as a promoter of peace, diplomacy, and visionary governance on the world stage.

The award will be officially presented to Akpabio later in August 2025.

In a statement signed by Dr. Mike Uyi, President of GPMI, the group highlighted Akpabio’s instrumental role in restoring Nigeria’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) after nearly five decades of absence, a move widely seen as a pivotal diplomatic milestone.

“Senator Akpabio has redefined Nigeria’s international profile,” said Dr. Uyi.

“By reclaiming Nigeria’s seat at the IPU, he has not only revived our diplomatic relevance but also inspired a new generation of parliamentary leaders across Africa.”

The International Peace Award stands as GPMI’s top honour, given to individuals who significantly promote peace, global unity, and international cooperation.

The organisation stressed that Akpabio’s diplomatic efforts have reshaped Nigeria’s image globally and opened doors for broader regional engagement.

“His leadership on the international stage reflects a rare blend of courage, diplomacy, and commitment to peace,” the statement added.

“Akpabio’s enduring impact will be felt for years to come, both in Nigeria and beyond.”

Beyond his achievements abroad, GPMI commended Akpabio’s dedication to fostering unity and open dialogue within Nigeria.

The organisation expressed hope that his leadership style would motivate others in the continent to embrace peace-centered governance.

“Senator Akpabio has redefined Nigeria’s international profile,”
“By reclaiming Nigeria’s seat at the IPU, he has not only revived our diplomatic relevance but also inspired a new generation of parliamentary leaders across Africa.”

“His leadership on the international stage reflects a rare blend of courage, diplomacy, and commitment to peace,”
“Akpabio’s enduring impact will be felt for years to come, both in Nigeria and beyond.”

President Bola Tinubu has earmarked more than ₦1.3 trillion for the rehabilitation and construction of road and bridge projects in the South-East, according to Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The minister stated this in a press release on Monday, titled “President Tinubu Treating the South-East Region with Fairness and Equity in Road and Bridge Infrastructure Development.”

Umahi’s clarification followed the circulation of an article titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South-East Missing from the Map?” which he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distort facts.

“My attention as the Minister of Works has been drawn to a wrong and misleading statement in social media published by one Mr Linus Anagboso (D-Big Pen) captioned: ‘The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East missing from the map?’”

He accused the author of exploiting political sentiments to paint a false picture of marginalisation in the region.

“I understand that politics is now in the air, and the chosen path by some persons is to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, look good before the people as one fighting for them, and close both eyes pretentiously over the great and selfless infrastructure development which Mr President is doing all over the nation.”

To counter these claims, Umahi said he had directed regional directors of the Federal Ministry of Works to return to project sites nationwide and compile reports on both ongoing and inherited projects.

This, he said, would provide transparency and allow Nigerians to appreciate the scale of federal investment in infrastructure.

“I have directed all the regional directors of the Federal Ministry of Works back to sites in all the regions across the country to compile all inherited but ongoing projects and all new projects in all the regions so that Nigerians will appreciate the huge works that Mr President is doing in all the regions irrespective of those who voted for him and those who did not.”

He reiterated that President Tinubu is promoting national unity through balanced infrastructure development.

“Mr President is using the fair distribution of infrastructure to reunite Nigerians and renew their hope.”

Umahi cited several key federal projects in the South-East, particularly within the President’s third legacy project, which cuts across six states, including three in the South-East.

“In addressing specifically this misleading information and for the records, Mr President has four legacy projects, and they cover the six geo-political zones with the South-East region well captured within the third legacy project of Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja, totaling 465km x 2 with South-East covering 231.64km x 2 and 231.64km x 1 for N445.8bn already awarded and work is going on. Mr President has already paid N108bn.”

He explained that the Federal Executive Council’s July 31 meeting was focused on reviewing this corridor.

“What happened in the Federal Executive Council on July 31, 2025, was a review of that corridor from 118km x 1 to 231.64km x 1 for N445.8bn. This misleading writer chose to change the narrative of my press briefing after the Federal Executive Council of Tran Sahara Section 1 (Ebonyi State to Benue border – 123.64km at N445.8 billion but deliberately chose to call it Oyo-Benue border road to deceive and incite unsuspecting members of the public.”

He demanded a correction of the misinformation, though he did not insist on an apology.

“Under his (Tinubu’s) administration, 90 per cent of abandoned projects, some awarded as far back as 2013, were all revived, and all are now ongoing. It is noteworthy to mention that there is huge ongoing work on the 2nd Niger Bridge access road 2A in Delta State which is valued at N146bn and 2B in Anambra State which is valued at N176bn, the Enugu-Onitsha road – 208km (MTN Tax Credit which is valued at N202bn and CBC completing the remaining section at N150bn of which N45bn was released last week), the Enugu–Port Harcourt road in four sections, the Enugu-Abakaliki, the Afikpo (Ebonyi)–Abia–Imo road, the Onitsha–Owerri–Aba road, the Aba–Ikot Ekpene road, the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road etc.”

Umahi closed by urging South-East citizens to stand with the President, citing his equitable treatment of the region as evidence of goodwill.

“I request the South-East people to rise in support of President Bola Tinubu because he has demonstrated unwavering love and fairness to the people of the South-East. We must not be deceived again. Mr President must have the votes of the South-East up to 90 per cent to cement this relationship.”

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on former lawmakers from Nigeria’s northern region to throw their weight behind Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.

His appeal was made during the 2025 Dialogue Session of the Northern Caucus of the National Forum of Former Legislators, held in Abuja.

Gbajabiamila emphasized the importance of political continuity and national unity, arguing that the president has governed with fairness and inclusion.

“President Tinubu is not just a Southern leader; he is a national leader who has carried every region along,” Gbajabiamila said.

“From critical infrastructure to policy reforms, the North is benefiting from a government that believes in equity and shared prosperity.”

He pointed to various development initiatives in northern Nigeria especially in infrastructure and agriculture as proof that Tinubu’s administration is committed to nationwide progress.

Following the session, the Northern Caucus issued a communiqué co-signed by Coordinator Rufai Chanchangi and Secretary Atiwurcha, formally endorsing Tinubu’s re-election.

The group said backing a Southern presidency in 2027 aligns with the North’s long-term political interest and supports the principle of rotational leadership.

Nnanna Igbokwe, National Chairman of the forum, praised the endorsement as a significant gesture of unity.

“This resolution by the Northern Caucus is a significant statement of statesmanship. It shows leadership that transcends personal or regional interest,” he remarked.

“I am confident that more zones will follow this example in the spirit of unity and continuity.”

The forum also called on the federal government to strengthen efforts to tackle security challenges across key northern states including Zamfara, Katsina, Plateau, Benue, and Niger.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai pose a threat to the peace, unity, and progress of Nigeria.

This accusation comes amid growing political tension, with the APC claiming that both men are conspiring to hijack the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a bid to undermine the country’s established power rotation principle.

In a statement issued on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said their alleged actions are part of a broader plan to install Atiku as the next presidential candidate despite it being the South’s turn to lead.

“It is now clear to all Nigerians that el-Rufai and his cohorts in ADC are on a mission to upend the presidential rotational principle designed to promote national unity and cohesion in the country through the imposition of Atiku as presidential candidate of ADC in the middle of a southern presidency turn,” Morka stated.

He blamed Atiku’s actions during the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the party’s collapse in that election cycle.

“It was Atiku’s selfish and obdurate refusal to respect the rotation principle during the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election that directly resulted in PDP’s ‘virtual cremation’,” Morka said.

The statement was in response to el-Rufai’s recent remarks at a meeting in Sokoto, where he criticized the Tinubu administration as being “incompetent, clannish, and undeserving of a second term.” APC dismissed el-Rufai’s comments, describing him as a disgruntled figure lashing out.

The ruling party defended Tinubu’s government as visionary and committed to national transformation.

It emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda had begun repositioning the country for long-term growth and development and expressed confidence that Nigerians would renew their support for Tinubu in 2027.

Meanwhile, the Presidency also took issue with Peter Obi’s recent one-term pledge.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate for what he called historical inaccuracies in justifying his vow.

“Peter Obi, the aspiring presidential candidate of the fledgling opposition party, must have flunked history in school,” Onanuga said in a statement titled ‘Peter Obi and His Wrong Examples’.

Obi had earlier promised to serve only four years if elected, referencing the leadership of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela to support his claim.

But Onanuga pushed back “In justifying his so-called ‘sacrosanct’ pledge to serve only one term of four years, he cited Abraham Lincoln, JFK and Nelson Mandela as leaders he wanted to emulate.

A simple fact-check by a politician, who always challenges his gullible and unthinking mob to verify his statements, would have revealed that he quoted the wrong examples.”

Onanuga elaborated further “Lincoln had already won re-election and was in his second term when he was assassinated in 1865, while JFK was killed before completing his first term.”

As for Mandela: “Mandela served as the first President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He declined a run for a second term on account of his age… Mandela’s example might be more appropriately recommended to Obi’s rival for the opposition ticket, who will turn 81 by 2027.”

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has stated that while the South-East region of Nigeria will eventually produce the country’s president, it will not happen in the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Umahi emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has treated all regions, including the South-East, fairly.

He pointed to the revival of 90% of previously abandoned road projects, some of which date back to 2013, as proof of inclusive governance.

Among the major infrastructure developments highlighted by the minister is a multi-state highway project stretching from Cross River through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa to Abuja.

This route includes a 231.64km stretch within the South-East, awarded at a cost of ₦445.8 billion.

Umahi noted that despite a recent review of the corridor length to 231.64km, the contract cost remains unchanged.

Other significant federal road projects underway in the South-East include:

Second Niger Bridge Access Roads:

Section 2A in Delta (₦146 billion)

Section 2B in Anambra (₦176 billion)

Enugu-Onitsha Road (208km):

Funded by MTN Tax Credit (₦202 billion)

Remaining work awarded to CBC (₦150 billion)

Enugu–Port Harcourt Road, divided into sections covering:

Enugu-Abakaliki

Afikpo-Abia-Imo

Onitsha-Owerri-Aba

Aba-Ikot Ekpene

Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene

Mr Umahi praised South-East governors for backing federal initiatives and encouraged the region’s citizens to continue supporting the Tinubu-led government.

He reassured them that the current administration’s policies reflect equity and national unity.

While acknowledging the region’s aspirations, Umahi made it clear:

“One day, the South-East will produce the president of Nigeria, but not in 2027.”

He reaffirmed his dedication to countering misinformation and ensuring the South-East population is well-informed about federal efforts.