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Even If Your Son Heads INEC, You’ll Be Defeated In 2027 – Dalung To Tinubu

 

A former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has warned that the next general elections will be a direct contest between Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu’s government.

During an interview on News Central, Dalung stated that Tinubu’s administration will fail in 2027, even if the president appoints his son, Seyi Tinubu, as INEC chairman.

He harshly criticized the current government for intensifying Nigerians’ hardships: “Because it is us against them.

Nigerians should buckle for 2027, because the battle line has been drawn by the government of President Tinubu, which has declared war against the Nigerian people.

“The government has weaponized poverty, hunger and hardship.”

Dalung also emphasized that no amount of political maneuvering, like appointing state governors to the APC, naming Seyi Tinubu as INEC chairman or Tinubu’s wife as Chief Justice—will secure victory in the 2027 elections:

“Like I promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even if the 36 state governors of Nigeria defect to the APC and he appoints Seyi Tinubu as the chairman of INEC and maybe appoints his wife as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, they will be defeated in 2027.”

He urged opposition figures to unite under the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition:

“The only option we have now is to align with the coalition movement to reposition ourselves and confront the government in 2027.”

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Powell Homes Rewards Realtors With Cars, iPhones At Enugu Mid-Year Feast

 

Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd has once again demonstrated its commitment to rewarding excellence and promoting hard work in the real estate industry, as it gifted five brand-new cars, iPhones, and other appliances to realtors at its 2025 Mid-Year Realtors’ Feast.

The event, held at the International Conference Centre in Independence Layout, Enugu, brought together over 1,000 realtors from across the country, in a celebration that blended recognition, motivation, and vision.

Speaking at the gathering, the company’s Managing Director, Architect Chibuikem Emmanuel Onyekachi, reiterated Powell Homes’ mission to offer professional, honest, and consistent real estate services to clients while empowering young people through opportunities in the sector.

According to Architect Onyekachi, “We started this journey with a clear sense of purpose, to transform the housing experience for both the sellers and the buyers. What we’re building isn’t just property; we’re nurturing trust, creating opportunities, and opening doors to a better future.”

“Our belief is that when people are empowered through access to decent shelter, they become more confident and productive. That’s the kind of difference Powell Homes wants to make, one home at a time.”

He went on to explain that the Realtors’ Feast, which is held twice a year, is more than just a celebration, it’s a deliberate strategy to encourage and reward those who contribute to the company’s growth.

“Realtors’ Feast, which happens twice a year, is an avenue where we gift items to our reliable and hardworking realtors, staff, and partners.”

“It is a reward mechanism and a platform for bonding and exchange of progressive ideas. Today, we are distributing 5 brand-new cars as well as other items such as iPhones, TV sets, refrigerators, and other home appliances to our active realtors, staff, and partners. We even go all out to say ‘thank you’ to those who believe in our dream and make it their own.

This year’s turnout of over 1,000 active real estate partners, who are mostly young persons, shows that many young Nigerians are committed to solving housing problems with integrity and sincerity, and we are proud to walk that journey with them,” he added.

Veteran Nollywood actress and Powell Homes brand ambassador, Mrs. Patience Ozokwo, popularly known as Mama G, was also present at the event.

She commended the company’s efforts in making home ownership a reality for many and for uplifting the real estate profession in Nigeria.

“Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd is not just another real estate company. There’s a human face to everything they do, and that’s what makes them stand out. I’ve worked with different brands over the years, but this one speaks to my heart.”

“They reward people who work hard, they don’t wait for perfection. They value the effort, the journey, and the people behind every sale and every client story.”

“This is the type of service that we want. The motivation calls for more work and I am proud to associate with them,” she said.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a car to Mr. Anikworji Chukwuemeka Joel, a 600-level student of Dentistry and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Joel, who was recognized for his outstanding contributions as a realtor, expressed both surprise and gratitude.

“Being gifted with this car feels like a dream. I joined Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd not knowing what to expect, but I found a team that welcomed me and guided me.”

“Being a student and also part of something this big is very encouraging. It shows that hard work for the company really pays,” he told reporters.

In total, over 200 realtors who had sold properties across different parts of the country received various rewards, including iPhones (models 12 and 14), refrigerators, microwaves, television sets, electric fans, and more.

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ADC Website Crashes Amid Massive Interest In New Opposition Coalition

 

The official website of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) crashed on Friday following a surge in traffic from Nigerians seeking to register with the newly launched opposition coalition.

The sudden influx of visitors reportedly overwhelmed the party’s online platform, leading to major disruptions.

According to IntelRegion, the technical failure was caused by excessive user demand as citizens attempted to join what many are calling a “rescue coalition” aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

A social media user, Unclè Anass Dukura, confirmed the issue on Facebook, writing: “The public demand far exceeded what the platform was originally built to support.” Users reported repeated error messages and failed attempts to access the site.

The ADC has yet to release an official statement addressing the crash as of the time of this report.

This surge in public interest comes just two days after the ADC was formally unveiled in Abuja as the central platform for a broad opposition alliance.

The coalition aims to unite key political figures and parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The launch event drew notable figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Other prominent attendees were former APC Chairman John Oyegun, ex-Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Abubakar Malami, Senator Dino Melaye, former Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, media personality Dele Momodu, Senators Gabriel Suswam and Ireti Kingibe, former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, and retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The ADC, originally established in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change, was later rebranded and formally registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the African Democratic Congress.

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Atiku Hints At Running For President In 2027

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has signaled his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, vowing to crack down on corruption if elected.

Speaking in Hausa to a group of supporters in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku declared his commitment to fighting graft.

“I swear to God, if elected, whoever steals or engages in any corruption-related activities, we will declare war against them and they must be punished,” he said.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now a prominent figure in a new political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Although he has not officially confirmed his defection from the PDP, his increasing involvement with the ADC has raised speculation about his political future.

The ADC coalition recently named its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark as Interim National Chairman and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary, among others.

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Protest In Osun Community As Chief Imam Allegedly Rapes Eight-year Old

 

Protest erupted at Babasanya-Araka, Area, Ede, on Saturday after a Chief Imam simply identified as Kadiri was caught raping an eight-year-old girl (name withheld) after sending her on errand.

The Nation learnt the incident occurred around 12 noon, when the girl’s mother was looking for her daughter, who had left home and failed to return home in time.

An eyewitness, Oladele Oluwatosin, a postgraduate student of Redeemer’s University, Ede, told The Nation: “I was around the area with my colleagues of Group II for the DevComm campaign when the incident happened. We suddenly heard noise at the junction of Babasanya which attracted residents of the area.

“The mother of the girl caught the Chief Imam in a mosque around the area. The mother said her daughter was crying and she was bleeding from her private part.”

Another eyewitness Eyitayo said: “Some of the followers of the Chief Imam wanted to help him escape but angry residents resisted it. The victim was taken to Babasanya Hospital where it was confirmed that the girl had been defiled.

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Trump Signs Major Tax And Spending Bill Into Law, Celebrates With Military Display

 

U.S President Donald Trump has signed into law a sweeping tax and spending bill, cementing key elements of his administration’s agenda just ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

The signing ceremony, held Friday at the White House, followed a narrow congressional approval of the controversial 870-page legislation.

The new law includes significant tax cuts, major boosts in defense spending, and deep reductions to certain social welfare programs.

The bill also strengthens Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and repeals several Biden-era climate initiatives.

“The largest spending cut, and yet, you won’t even notice it,” Trump told cheering supporters during a South Lawn address. “The people are happy.”

Key Provisions of the Legislation:

Extension of 2017 Trump-era tax cuts

Significant reductions in Medicaid funding

Tax exemptions for tipped wages, overtime, and Social Security income for seniors

$150 billion increase in the defense budget

Repeal of Biden-era clean energy tax incentives

$100 billion funding increase for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The White House event was marked by patriotic pageantry, including a dramatic flyover by two B-2 stealth bombers accompanied by F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, the same aircraft reportedly used in a recent military strike on Iranian nuclear sites.

From the White House balcony, Trump thanked Republican lawmakers for their support in passing the bill.

Despite internal GOP opposition over its projected impact on the national debt, the legislation managed to pass both chambers of Congress.

Critics, particularly Democrats, argue the bill disproportionately benefits the wealthy while cutting essential support for low-income Americans.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries staged a near nine-hour speech in a bid to delay the bill’s final passage.

He called the legislation an “extraordinary assault on the healthcare of the American people” and read testimonies from constituents concerned about the proposed Medicaid cuts.

However, Jeffries’ filibuster-style effort only delayed, not derailed, the final vote. Once he concluded, the House swiftly moved to pass the bill.

Trump brushed aside the criticisms, instead highlighting the bill’s tax relief measures, particularly for service workers and senior citizens.

“This law ends taxes on tips, on overtime, and on Social Security for our seniors,” he emphasized, calling it a win for ordinary Americans.

The President also commended the increase in funding for border security and ICE, claiming it would bolster national safety and address long-standing immigration issues.

The legislative victory comes after days of intense negotiations and backroom persuasion efforts, including personal appeals by the president to wavering Republican lawmakers.

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Imo Oil Community Protests Alleged Exclusion From Key Agreements With Oil Firm

 

Hundreds of women, youths, and elders from Umuokoroka village in Asa community, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, have staged a protest against alleged exclusion from the signing of key agreements between Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and some town union leaders.

The protesters, visibly angry, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Give us back our land,” “Give us our rights, we are humans,” and “We need to see the FTO agreement.”

They chanted war songs and claimed they had been misled into signing documents they believed were lease agreements, which allegedly turned out to be outright land sales.

Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the oldest man in the Umuigwe kindred of Umuokoroka, Chief Celestine Azuoma Orji, accused the oil company of deceit.

He said: “The oil company, through some of its personnel allegedly colluded with some Town Union leaders to sign the Freedom To Operate (FTO) and Job Order agreements without involving the landowners or the kindred contact person.”

Orji, 80, alleged that the agreement was signed in secrecy, with no consultation or approval from the rightful landowners, while oil rigging activities had already commenced on the land.

“This action has the potential to cause unrest in the community. These oil companies deliberately act in ways that ignite violence in communities because they collude with individuals to the detriment of collective interests,” he pointed out.

Also speaking through Joel Emezuo, another community elder, Chief David Ogbuanu urged the Imo State Government, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to immediately intervene and suspend all ongoing operations until the kindred is fully included in the agreements.

He said: “The Job Order determines the authentic owners of the lands. The principal landowners cannot be short changed by few elements of Town Union leaders.”

“We call on our people-oriented and compassionate Governor Hope Uzodimma to wade in and fish out the elements from the Town Union leaders who have sabotaged the agreement of the community.”

“We cry to Government to save us from the arm twisting of the oil company and stop all processes until the principal landowners are carried along in the exercise.”

Attempts to contact the Community Relations Manager of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls, text messages, or WhatsApp inquiries at the time of this report.

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Tinubu Installs Enugu Traditional Ruler As Chancellor Of Federal University Of Kashere

 

President Bola Tinubu has formally appointed Igwe Dr. Lawrence Agubuzu, the Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, as the new Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere in Gombe State.

The installation ceremony, presided over by Professor Ibrahim Garba (Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi), coincided with the university’s combined 6th to 9th convocation ceremonies.

“By the powers conferred on me as the visitor to this university, I formally install you, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, as the Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere,” Prof. Garba declared.

“I also confer upon you all the rights, powers, and privileges pertaining to this office.”

The Vice-Chancellor of FUK, Prof. Umaru Pate, pledged his support to the newly-installed Chancellor, saying: “By the authority vested in me as Vice-Chancellor of FUK, I confer upon you, Your Majesty, the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters.”

In response, Igwe Agubuzu expressed his gratitude and praised the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu III, along with other traditional rulers, “for promoting peace and cultural continuity in the area.”

During his convocation address, the Chancellor urged the graduating students to uphold the institution’s values: “be good ambassadors of the institution, and to uphold the values, excellence, and integrity instilled in them.”

He also acknowledged that the other four individuals receiving honorary doctorates “had became part of the legacy and future of the university by virtue of their conferment.”

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the honorary degree recipients included Prof. Ali Pate (Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare), Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Dr. Kole Shettima, and Rep. Abubakar Bichi, honored “in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development and nation building.”

Kalu, one of the awardees, thanked the governing board, Chancellor, and Vice‑Chancellor for the accolade. He also commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his support to the university and “urged him to sustain the tempo.”

DAILY GAZETTE reports that Friday’s convocation ceremony saw 6,870 undergraduates receive their first-degree certificates.

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Final Constitutional Amendment Draft To Be Submitted To States Before Year-End – Deputy Senate President

 

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who chairs the Senate committee reviewing the 1999 Constitution, has announced that the final draft of the ongoing constitutional amendment will be forwarded to the State Houses of Assembly for ratification before the end of the year.

Speaking through the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, at the conclusion of a two-day southwest zonal public hearing in Lagos on Saturday, Barawu said the region’s dominant concerns; state creation, state policing, local government autonomy, judicial reform, electoral adjustments, and women’s special seats were all strongly echoed during the discussions.

Barawu emphasized that the public hearing was not merely a formality but a “constitutional requirement to ensure that the people have a say in the preparation of a document that governs them.”

He stressed that the review should be taken seriously, as it aims to “redefine good governance and strengthen the country’s democracy.”

He highlighted previous successes achieved under similar amendments, noting that “some issues which were hitherto in exclusive list were taken to concurrent list for the state government to oversee.”

He further pointed out that “electoral reforms … have begun to make Nigerians’ votes count.”

Barawu explained the process: “The essence of what we have done within these two days is to give Nigerians the chance to participate so that their elected representatives will not sit in Abuja and begin to tamper with the constitution.”

He added, “Our founding fathers … made it so difficult for anyone to just wake up and begin to tamper with the constitution, that’s why we are going through all these processes.”

He continued, “Even after the National Assembly would have done its job, we still need the support of 2/3 of the State House of Assembly before it could become an amendment.”

Barawu reaffirmed that real change would come: “We have heard Nigerians very loud and clear, and we are going to Abuja to file our report and conclude this process.”

He pledged, “Before the end of the year, a final notification as a proposal will be sent to the State House of Assembly so that we can round up the process without further delay.”

He urged stakeholders to “carry along the elected representatives so as to be on the same page and not be working at cross purposes.”

He also praised the state lawmakers for aligning with the National Assembly’s vision and encouraged them to exercise due diligence during ratification.

At the hearing, the Southwest Speakers’ Conference affirmed its support for the region’s demands.

Ogun State Speaker Daisi Elemide remarked, “We stand by autonomy for the Legislature… and we stand in support of the state police… we also stand in support of the state police, too.”

He added that traditional rulers’ constitutional roles and reserved seats for women embodied in the “He for She” initiative would also be advocated.

Representing labor interests, Nigeria Labour Congress (Lagos State) Chairperson Agness Funmi Sesse warned, “The removal of Labour provision from the exclusive to the concurrent will allow many state governments … we can then begin to imagine if the labour provisions are now made part of the concurrent list.” She vowed that “Nigeria workers … are prepared to resist this internal colonialism with the last drop of our blood.”

On legal reform, NBA representative Dr. Babatunde Olatunji, SAN, argued that judicial appointments need clearer rules.

He insisted that current provisions allowing a lawyer admitted for 10 years to become a judge are “too weak and subject to manipulation” and cautioned that “if the process for the appointment of judicial officers is not right, the Judiciary will also not be able to perform up to expectations.”

Other proposals included the creation of new states; Oke Ogun State (with Agunrege as capital) and “New Oyo State” (with Ogbomosho as capital) presented by professionals and stakeholders from youth and women’s groups.

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Mandatory Military Training Needed For Nigerians, Says Ex-Army Chief Ihejirika

 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.), has advocated for the introduction of compulsory military training for Nigerians, starting with participants in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He said this would help instill discipline, promote national unity, and build resilience amid mounting security and social issues.

Ihejirika made this call on Friday evening during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Course 18 Alumni Association in Abuja.

Recalling his formative years in the military, he spoke about the strong bonds built among officers and the crucial role military discipline played in shaping their lives and careers.

“Given the current situation of things in our country, I believe it’s time we start thinking about mandatory military training for our citizens,” Ihejirika said.

“We can start with the National Youth Service. This will help us build a generation of Nigerians who understand sacrifice, responsibility, and patriotism.”

He also commended the recent reinstatement of the old national anthem by the federal government, describing it as a powerful reminder of shared identity and unity.

He stated, “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” highlighting the significance of those words in the context of national service and cohesion.

The retired general expressed disappointment that the anthem has become a formality at official gatherings, rather than a meaningful expression of national loyalty.

“It should be a daily reminder of our oath of allegiance. It must return to schools, communities, and national ceremonies,” he said.

Reflecting on his life, Ihejirika spoke about growing up in a rural village in Abia State and how the military system transformed him, attributing much of his success to the support of colleagues and mentors.

His journey eventually led to his appointment as Nigeria’s 22nd Chief of Army Staff.

Ihejirika also applauded the current leadership of the Armed Forces, describing the present crop of officers as some of the most experienced and capable the country has produced.

“Many of the officers leading today served in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other conflict zones. They have earned their stars through real battle experience and are doing remarkably well,” he added.

He concluded with an appeal to leaders across Nigeria to prioritise unity and peace above political interests.

“No office or position is sustainable in the absence of national unity,” he warned.

The event was attended by high-ranking officials including the Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and representatives of the various military services.

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