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Obidients mobilise for #OccupyINEC protest

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The Obidient Movement has said it will not back down on its planned nationwide protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting the demonstration will go ahead despite mounting tension.

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, gave the warning in an exclusive interview with our correspondent , maintaining that the group remained resolute in mobilising supporters across the country.

Tanko, however, declined to comment on the exact date agreed for the demonstration for fear of further harassment and intimidation of intending protesters.

He said, “No, we cannot reveal the date now. We also know they are planning for us. Of course, INEC is our target.

“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser and defender at the same time.

“Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.

“The people are really angry and plan to show this anger by coming out. So, we’ll expect them to come out en masse for a peaceful rally. Then we’ll just demonstrate and protest.”

He said what they demanded was for those in authority to do the right thing.

“The situation in our country is so unpredictable to the point that even those in government are no longer disturbed by rallies and protests. It doesn’t shake them. But we know something else will shake them.

“All Nigerians are asking for is not a war, but for those in authority to do the right thing,” he added.

On whether civil society organisations would be part of the planned action, he added, “Everybody should be involved in this matter. If we continue in this line, one day we will not even be able to go to the toilet in this country.

“So they have no choice but to come out and defend the interests of this country.

“We need to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria, not individuals. That’s what we are doing.”

The latest stance comes amid growing political tension surrounding the electoral body and its recent decisions affecting the African Democratic Congress.

Three days earlier, the Obidient Movement had announced plans for a nationwide protest tagged #OccupyINEC, demanding sweeping reforms and the resignation of the commission’s chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan.

In a statement issued on April 2, the group said recent developments had heightened concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the perceived neutrality of key institutions.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which should stand as an impartial guardian of the people’s will, is increasingly perceived as compromised under the present administration,” it stated.

The group warned that opposition voices were facing mounting pressure, raising fears over the future of Nigeria’s multi-party system.

“When institutions lose credibility, the will of the people is endangered. And when that happens, citizens have a duty to act,” it added.

Among its demands, the movement called for the resignation of the INEC chairman, citing “gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold the neutrality required of that office.”

It also demanded “an immediate end to political persecution, including all forms of intimidation, harassment, and targeting of opposition voices,” alongside the protection of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

The group further called for “full respect for party autonomy, ensuring that the internal leadership and integrity of political parties, including ADC, are not interfered with.”

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, INEC announced that it would no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the ADC led by David Mark or Rafiu Bala, following its review of the Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership tussle.

The development heightened tensions, as the Mark-led faction announced plans to engage foreign envoys and take its case to the international community.

It also accused the All Progressives Congress and Bola Tinubu of being responsible for the crisis within the party.

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I’m in talks with NDC, PRP leaders over my political future — Kwankwaso

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Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said no final decision has been taken regarding his political future or that of his associates.

The African Democratic Congress chieftain, however, admitted that he is currently consulting with leaders of the National Democratic Congress and the Peoples Redemption Party.

Kwankwaso made this known in a statement shared on his X account on Saturday.

He wrote, “We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party.

“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.”

He noted that the recent Supreme Court’s judgment affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee but returned aspects of the matter to the high court, leaving the party in a difficult position.

“The recent Supreme Court judgment, while affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), also remitted the matter back to the High Court. This has left the party in a precarious position,” he said.

According to him, a separate ruling by the Federal High Court had also invalidated the party’s recent convention, while the Attorney General of the Federation had applied for the deregistration of the ADC.

Kwankwaso said the challenges mirrored the legal issues that earlier forced him and his supporters out of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

“In addition, the Federal High Court has recently ruled to delegitimise the party’s recent convention. The Attorney General of the Federation has also strangely applied to a Federal High Court to deregister the ADC.

“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty,” he added.

He disclosed that consultations had begun with leaders of the National Democratic Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and others to determine the best path forward.

“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests. We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time,” he added.

On the 2027 presidential race, Kwankwaso said he had neither declared interest in contesting nor endorsed any aspirant.

He recalled finishing second in the 2014 APC presidential primary won by Muhammadu Buhari, and later supporting the winner. He also said he contested the 2019 PDP presidential primary before backing Atiku Abubakar.

He said, “On the issue of presidential candidacy, I wish to recall my consistent record as a committed democrat. In the 2014 APC presidential primary, I came second to President Muhammadu Buhari (whom I fully supported to victory), with Atiku Abubakar third, Rochas Okorocha fourth, and the late Sam Nda-Isaiah fifth.

“Similarly, in 2019, I contested the PDP presidential ticket and immediately supported the winner, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, serving as the campaign’s coordinator in the North. I have always placed national interest and party unity above personal ambition.”

Kwankwaso added that the ADC had yet to zone its presidential ticket or choose a candidate, making current speculation unfounded.

He also explained that his absence from two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments, which he had communicated to party leaders.

“Furthermore, the ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded.

“My absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments. I promptly communicated my apologies to the party leadership.

“We shall continue to engage constructively at all levels. Any definitive position on our political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time,” he said.

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Workers’ Day: ADC criticises rising living costs

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, saying it is placing increasing pressure on workers and affecting real incomes.

In a Workers’ Day statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said many Nigerians are facing economic strain as prices of essential goods and services continue to rise.

“Across Nigeria today, workers are doing more and earning less. Rising costs of food, transport, housing, and energy have reduced the value of workers’ wages,” the statement said.

The party linked the situation to broader economic and security challenges, noting that inflation, limited job opportunities, and disruptions to business activities are contributing to the pressure on households.

According to the ADC, addressing these challenges requires policies that support job creation, improve security, and stabilise prices to protect workers’ purchasing power.

The party emphasised the need for an economic framework that promotes enterprise, encourages productivity, and ensures that workers are adequately rewarded for their labour.

It also called for sustained interventions to ease the burden on citizens, particularly in areas affecting daily living costs.

“The focus should be on building an economy that works for ordinary Nigerians, where productivity translates into improved livelihoods,” the statement added.

The ADC reiterated its position that workers’ welfare should remain a priority, stressing the importance of policies that enhance income stability and economic opportunity.

 

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Buhari’s son gets automatic APC ticket to seek Reps seat

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Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.

Our correspondent  reports that Yusuf picked the ticket unopposed after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Katsina on Tuesday, April 28, unanimously adopted him as the party’s candidate.

The consensus agreement was announced by the chairman of the Consensus Committee for Daura Zone, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, a former minister of housing and urban development.

Speaking after Yusuf’s adoption, Mannir Musa, APC Chairman, Mai’adua Local Government, urged party members to accept the outcome in good faith.

“I urge all our people to be obedient and accept the consensus reached by the committee and stakeholders in good faith. We should all work together for the unity and progress of the party and our people,” he said.

He also appealed to Katsina governor Dikko Radda to support aspirants who did not get tickets so that they could continue to serve their people.

Musa urged aspirants offered the tickets through consensus to work for their constituents when elected in the secondary election.

He named other automatic candidates to include Nasir Yahaya for the Daura senatorial seat race and Mustapha Musa for the Mai’adua constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Yusuf Buhari, in a remark, thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide quality representation if elected. (NAN)

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