Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The interim national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, announced that the party's newly formed opposition coalition has no preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election, asserting that prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi are all equal stakeholders despite internal bias complaints from Dumebi Kachikwu. This announcement comes amid a massive wave of defections to the African Democratic Congress across states like Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Ondo, involving notable politicians such as Mohammed Kumalia, Sule Lamido, Eyitayo Jegede, and Agboola Ajayi. In response to this growing political momentum, President Bola Tinubu’s aides, including Bayo Onanuga, and the All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed the coalition as a desperate gathering of failed, ambitious politicians, while Information Minister Mohammed Idris insisted the administration remains fully focused on its economic reforms. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, represented by figures like Kamorudeen Ajisafe, Abdulkadir Dukku, and Umar Damagum, downplayed the political threat, stating their party structures remain secure and that many high-profile defections lack formal resignation letters. Adding to the friction, the African Democratic Congress has mobilized a team of ninety-seven lawyers under the leadership of Mohammed Sheriff to fight a federal lawsuit filed by Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila to oust interim leaders like Senator Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi. The African Democratic Congress claims this legal challenge was deceptively sponsored by the ruling party using fraudulent plaintiffs who are not even registered members.

During the National Children’s Day celebrations, President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, joined state governors and prominent leaders to advocate for the safety and protection of Nigerian children, focusing on the theme of building a bullying-free generation. President Bola Tinubu expressed deep concern over high rates of physical and psychological aggression among school-age children, asserting that violence and neglect have no place in the nation. He emphasized the government's commitment to child protection through the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children and noted that all thirty-six states have domesticated the Child Rights Act. Supporting this vision, Oluremi Tinubu called on stakeholders to actively protect children from the lasting emotional and academic wounds caused by bullying.Across various states, leadership echoed these sentiments while outlining localized development agendas. Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa both urged parents and teachers to decisively combat child abuse, exploitation, and intimidation. In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo warned families against the dangers of cultism, while Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq highlighted his administration’s legislative actions against violence alongside advancements in basic healthcare and education. Additionally, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara validated the dreams of the state's youth, Senator Sharafadeen Alli advocated for stronger educational rights, and Nasarawa State Speaker Danladi Jatau called for an end to child labor and street begging. Political chieftain Segun Showunmi, alongside religious and foundational leaders Akinpelumi Ojo and Esther Balogun, further inspired the children to remain focused, reject despair, and stay vigilant against abuse.