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2027: Atiku shouldn’t contest, he doesn’t believe in Southern President — Kachikwu

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Atiku Abubakar
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Former Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, on Thursday, took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him and members of ADC coalition of dividing the party.

He also faulted the purported ambition of the former Vice President to contest on the ADC platform, saying Atiku does not believe in a southern president.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Kachikwu urged the ADC coalition not to offer the party’s platform to Atiku for the 2027 presidential election. He insisted that the former VP and members of the coalition should not be allowed to hijack the party.

The former ADC presidential candidate also alleged that some state chairmen of the party were offered N20 million each to resign their positions.

He said: “This is a man whose antecedents clearly show he doesn’t believe anyone from the southern part of Nigeria deserves being president.

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“Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has shown that he doesn’t believe any other section of the country should produce the next president except himself. Atiku almost truncated Chief Obasanjo’s government. He is using charlatans to deceive Peter Obi into running as his vice-presidential candidate.

“I challenge Atiku to say that the presidency belongs to the South. I will reiterate that the ADC is not for sale. As a member of the party, I have a stake and will not allow strangers to hijack it. The so-called coalition members are not ADC members; they came to cause upheavals in the party.

“The presidency is not—and will never be—the birthright of any one section of this country, no matter how much propaganda they spread.

“There is a lot of deliberate misinformation being peddled by these agents of destabilization masquerading as a political coalition. There’s a clear difference between a political coalition and a political gang.

“The first has noble ideals, while the latter seeks power for personal gain. What we have here today is a gang, unable to survive outside political office, seeking to hijack the ADC as a means to revive their personal fortunes. They are truly on a rescue mission, but it is a mission to rescue themselves from the harsh economic realities they helped create for our nation.

“They accused me of being a paid spokesperson for President Tinubu. My response is this: It would be an honour to serve as a spokesperson for the president of the largest Black nation on earth, but unfortunately, that is not who I am.

“Political jobbers with no visible means of livelihood are always eager to tarnish others, but I remain unfazed.
“With the active support of their media cohorts, they now claim to be the ADC — but they are not. I can call myself the President of America until I’m blue in the face, but that doesn’t make it so.

“They are offering some state chairmen as much as N20 million to resign their positions, which clearly shows their intentions are not honourable.

“My question to this gang is: If you succeed in paying off all ADC party officials at the state and local government levels to resign, what next? Our constitution does not permit you to assume those offices. That is the plain and simple truth. Your money will get you nowhere in the ADC.

“If your rescue mission must be built on fraudulent misrepresentation, it only reveals your true character.

“The impostor who claims to be their spokesperson boldly declared that I am merely a former presidential candidate and not a party official. His pedestrian argument is that only party officials can comment on party affairs.

“This is the same elitist ignorance that has brought Nigeria to this point — where we believe the country belongs only to the rich and powerful.

“This fake coalition is staging events across the country where they pay poor Nigerians to claim they are decamping from other parties to the ADC. This is a typical tactic of these old politicians, and we have had enough. They need to sing a new song.

“This is most uncharitable of them. If the former Vice President insists that my assertions are untrue and claims he only wants a better Nigeria, then I challenge him today to publicly declare that equity demands the presidency should remain in the South for another six years. He can then support any southern candidate of his choice.

“He will never do this. But if he chooses to continue on this slippery slope, I reiterate that the ADC is not for sale and is not an old people’s home.

“We are a party that believes Nigeria needs fresh faces, fresh ideals, and fresh ideas.

“This current political war is a war of the old for the old — it is not our fight. In the ADC, Nigeria and Nigerians will always remain our priority.”

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AFRAA welcomes Enugu Air, strengthens Nigeria’s Domestic Aviation growth

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The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.

This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.

“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.

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“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”

Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.

“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.

“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.

Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.

The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.

As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.

Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.

The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.

AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.

The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

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Aiyedatiwa appoints 1,004 aides, picks commissioner, three advisers

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Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.

The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.

Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.

Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).

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Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.

Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.

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40 feared dead as boat capsizes in Sokoto

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41 feared dead in Zamfara boat accident
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About 40 people are suspected to have lost their lives after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident occurred while the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms.

Most of those on board were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15 years.

An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after taking off.

The village head was among those on board but he was reportedly rescued.

“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.

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According to him, the victims comprised farm owners and labourers who had been engaged to harvest rice.

“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said. (Daily Trust)

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