Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82. He passed away on Sunday afternoon at a clinic in London.

The news was confirmed in a statement shared by his longtime spokesperson, Garba Shehu, via his personal X (formerly Twitter) account.

The statement read:
“INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN.
The family of the former president has announced the passing of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London.
May Allah accept him into Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.”

President Buhari, a retired Major General, served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023.

His legacy spans decades of influence in Nigerian politics, governance, and public service.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the Niger Delta region will strongly oppose any attempt to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general elections, asserting that the President enjoys solid support in the region.

Speaking during the grand finale of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) 25th anniversary held on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Akpabio drew comparisons to the 2015 political scenario that saw former President Goodluck Jonathan ousted.

He stated that this time, the region would not allow a repeat.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, on Sunday, Akpabio said:

“They did it before and conspired to remove our son, President Goodluck Jonathan. This time around, the entire Niger Delta region has decided to speak with one voice.”

“Let those conspiring against President Tinubu hear this loud and clear on his mandate we stand. No conspiracy formed against this government that has recognised the Niger Delta shall prosper.”

Akpabio praised President Tinubu’s commitment to the Niger Delta, citing the administration’s recent interventions and projects.

He pointed to the establishment of new institutions such as the University of Environmental Sciences in Ogoni and the Maritime University in Okerenkoko, describing them as unprecedented.

“This is the region that produces the wealth of the nation. We have the right to choose who manages our resources. People should not think anyone can just become president without consulting the Niger Delta,” he said.

The high-profile event drew several dignitaries including former President Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, Rivers State Administrator Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), federal lawmakers, ministers, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

Akpabio also expressed concern over the history of leadership instability within the NDDC, attributing stalled projects and inefficiency to frequent changes and political interference.

“Each new leadership came with fresh ideas, abandoning projects initiated by their predecessors. That’s how we ended up with over 14,700 abandoned projects across the region,” he lamented.

He recalled overseeing the long-delayed completion of the NDDC headquarters during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, a project that had been abandoned for more than two decades.

However, Akpabio praised the current management of the Commission under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, noting that the stability of the board is now restoring focus and effectiveness.

“I am satisfied with the current NDDC leadership. President Tinubu’s decision to allow the board to complete its full term is commendable and is helping the Commission fulfill its mandate,” he said.

In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan also applauded the current administration for maintaining continuity in the NDDC leadership.

He described it as a vital step toward sustained development in the region.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the President, SGF George Akume reiterated the federal government’s dedication to the Niger Delta.

He highlighted the ambitious 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which he said would complement the East-West Road and stimulate economic growth across the South-South region.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a sweeping victory in the Lagos State local government elections, winning all 57 chairmanship positions and 375 out of the 376 available councillorship seats.

The results, announced on Sunday by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), confirmed that the APC triumphed across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

However, the poll delivered a surprising twist in Ward D of Yaba LCDA, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Babatunde Dosunmu, secured a rare win, defeating his APC rival.

Dosunmu, a former APC member who recently joined the PDP, emerged as the only non-APC candidate to clinch a councillorship seat.

LASIEC reported that the elections were largely peaceful, though voter turnout was relatively low. Allegations of irregularities were raised in some wards, but officials described the overall conduct as orderly.

The newly elected chairmen and councillors are scheduled to be sworn into office later this month.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed that former Kano State governor and presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is currently in discussions with members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview, Lawal disclosed that several high-ranking political figures from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ADC have been engaging Kwankwaso with the aim of drawing him into the coalition.

He described Kwankwaso as a highly influential and respected political figure whose presence would be a major asset to any political movement.

“I am aware that people have been holding meetings with Kwankwaso,” Lawal said.

“And clearly, Kwankwaso is welcome in the ADC coalition because he belongs to the group of influential figures who can bring a large following.”

He emphasized that members of the ADC coalition are not preoccupied with party identities but are more focused on attracting influential individuals with grassroots support.

“The coalition is not about political parties, but about individuals moving into it. It is not the logo or letterhead paper that we’re after. It’s the people who make up those parties. They can come in individually or in groups. They are welcome,” he explained.

Lawal also commented on the possibility of Kwankwaso joining either as an individual or alongside his supporters, noting that the coalition is open to both scenarios.

“Whether Kwankwaso joins with just his supporters or along with the NNPP, they would be welcomed either way,” he said.

Asked whether the ADC coalition is targeting the structure of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Lawal clarified that the focus is not on entire party platforms but on people.

“It is not the logo or letterhead paper that we’re after. It’s the people who make up those parties.”

He further explained that even if Kwankwaso ultimately decides not to formally join the ADC, many of his followers may still choose to do so independently.

“Even if Kwankwaso himself doesn’t join the ADC, many of his supporters are likely to join on their own.”

In addition, Lawal noted that some local government branches of the NNPP could eventually align with the ADC, regardless of the national leadership’s stance.

He disclosed that influential politicians from across the country are already aligning with the ADC, but often doing so discreetly.

“Big individuals in the states are joining the ADC, but they are not saying they are joining us from the NNPP or the PDP. Atiku joined the ADC and he didn’t say the PDP is joining the ADC.”

Lawal reaffirmed that the coalition’s focus remains on the grassroots, where political strength is built and sustained.

“The coalition is focused on the grassroots level, where politics truly matters.”

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has publicly declared his support for the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to the Senate.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following a dispute with the Senate leadership over a controversial change in the chamber’s seating arrangement.

She alleged that the new seating order was a deliberate attempt to marginalize her.

The controversy deepened when she appeared on a national television program, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of targeting her in retaliation for reportedly rejecting inappropriate advances, an allegation that Akpabio has firmly denied.

However, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled on July 4 that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was unlawful and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

Reacting to the court’s verdict, Senator Dickson emphasized that he had never supported her suspension.

He expressed hope that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would return to her legislative duties promptly.

Opposition parties in Ebonyi State have thrown their weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their unified platform for the 2027 general elections, with a firm vow to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.

The endorsement came during an expanded one-day meeting held in Abakaliki over the weekend.

Addressing party members and political stakeholders, ADC State Chairperson, Mrs. Jenifer Adibe Nwafor, hailed the ADC as the “new bride” of Nigerian politics and described the party’s emergence as a “political tsunami” poised to reshape Ebonyi’s political landscape.

“We are not here for a rally or campaign. This is a serious rescue mission. ADC is not new in Ebonyi or Nigeria, we’ve come to stay,” she declared.

The gathering drew defectors and representatives from various political parties, including the PDP, Labour Party (LP), Action Accord (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and even some from the ruling APC.

Party loyalists from all 13 local government areas were present, along with coalition allies. In a show of solidarity, attendees passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Mrs. Nwafor’s leadership, a motion moved by Hon. Vitalis Igboke of the Ohazurumba Movement and seconded by Dr. Christopher Nwonu, Esq.

During her remarks, Nwafor also addressed internal unity, emphasizing that no parallel factions would be tolerated.

“There’s only one ADC in Ebonyi. No factions. Anyone claiming otherwise must identify openly,” she said, warning against clandestine or unauthorized membership schemes.

Several speakers at the meeting characterized the ADC’s growing coalition as a political wave causing discomfort within the APC ranks.

“This movement has sent fear into APC camps across the country. A storm is coming,” said one contributor during the deliberations.

Among those who spoke were Chuks Obiri, Orji Joseph of the Ohanivo Group Foundation, and Chinenye Ogazi, who all called for robust grassroots mobilization.

They urged members to develop structured leadership frameworks across wards and LGAs, ensure legal backing for the party, and intensify media engagement.

“This is not about money politics. It’s about rebuilding Nigeria,” they emphasized, urging the coalition to focus on educating rural and illiterate voters ahead of the 2027 polls.

The speakers also highlighted the need for transparency, accountability, and a merit-driven leadership model, calling on party leaders to close the communication gap between top officials and grassroots members.

In her closing statement, Mrs. Nwafor expressed optimism and readiness for the political journey ahead.

“We are focused. We are united. We are ready to rescue Nigeria come 2027, starting from Ebonyi,” she declared.

Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, did not show up at his polling unit on Saturday to vote in the local government elections, where candidates contested for Chairmanship and Councillorship positions.

Fashola, who many expected would arrive with his wife, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, was absent throughout the entire exercise, which ran from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This marks a repeat of his no-show during the 2021 local government election, as reported by DAILY GAZETTE.

Journalists had gathered at the polling unit as early as 8:19 am, anticipating his arrival.

While many gave up after hours of waiting, some remained at the site until voting concluded, hoping he would still appear.

The election took place at Polling Unit 002, located at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo Street, Eric Moore, Surulere, the unit where Fashola is registered to vote.

Despite the anticipation, there was no sign of the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

Voting commenced at 8:19 am, shortly after electoral officials from INEC set up for the day. The turnout at the unit was relatively low, with voters arriving sporadically throughout the day.

Of the 1,355 registered voters, only 213 individuals turned out to cast their votes.