A fight broke out on Sunday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe.

Top party officials, including the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the North-East Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, were forced to leave under tight security.

The clash started after Salihu publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Soon after his speech, delegates began shouting and threatening Salihu, prompting security officers to rush him out of the venue.

When Ganduje later took the stage, he also failed to acknowledge Shettima in his 10-minute speech.

His remarks, which praised President Tinubu’s leadership, further worsened the mood in the hall.

Angry APC members began to boo and jeer him, with some seen dragging at his blue Agbada.Security operatives quickly surrounded Ganduje and helped him out of the meeting before the crowd could get violent.

Attempts by other party leaders to calm the situation did little to stop the chaos.

The event, which was meant to project unity ahead of the 2027 elections, ended abruptly as tempers could not be brought under control.

The incident has added fuel to growing rumours that the APC might replace Vice President Shettima with a Christian Northerner in 2027 to balance religious representation on the ticket.

Former House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, is reportedly being considered, although no official announcement has been made.

The party now faces the task of managing internal divisions as it prepares for another round of national elections.

• * Ribadu, DG SSS speak on security challenges, media’s role

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is set to hold its Biennial National Convention in Enugu from June 26 to 29, 2025, with a theme ‘’Building A Secure And Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion And The Media.”

In a statement signed by its President, Mr Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the NGE said that the convention will bring together over 400 editors, including prominent figures such as Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Presidential Spokesman; Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY/Arise News Channel, and Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television.

The convention will be declared open by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi.

The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, will serve as the Chief Host, while Dr. Momoh will chair the convention.

Prince Amuka-Pemu, Chief Osoba, and Chief Ugochukwu have been assigned roles as Fathers of the Day.

The Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, will deliver the keynote address, titled ‘’Nation’s Security Future: Harnessing Diversity for Peace/Stability and the Media’s Role.’’

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, will also be at the national convention as Special Guest.

On the importance of the theme, the NGE emphasized that a nation’s security and stability can be enhanced by leveraging its diversity, and that the media plays a crucial role in promoting this goal.

The Guild noted that diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation, and that inclusive governance ensures that all segments of society are represented and included in decision-making processes.

The NGE highlighted the media’s social responsibility in promoting diversity, tolerance, and understanding, while also highlighting the importance of national security and stability.

‘’The media can achieve this by highlighting diverse perspectives and experiences, combating hate speech, misinformation, and stereotypes, and fostering dialogue and understanding among different groups’’, the statement added.

The three-day convention will also witness the election of new executives who will pilot the affairs of the professional body for the next two years.

A globally recognized women-led non-profit organization, the Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has organised a conference for men, with the theme: “The Dear Men”,which focuses on the struggles and silence of men after facing some sort of emotional bullying/trauma.

The event was held on the 14th of June, 2025 in Lagos State.

According to the convener, Halima Layeni, Founder & Executive Director, the group aims to create a more inclusive and supportive global community where the well-being of men is prioritized and supported.

First speaker: Paul Oyewusi (Founder of Circle Men)

He spoke on “Understanding Trauma in Men”.

He said, “though the society has made the men not to speak up about their daily trauma and emotional stress, but it is imminent for such men to start speaking up and stop being shy. He said, no man planned the trauma they pass through while growing up, which has made most men to live the way are currently living.

He however urged such men to man-up, speak up and change the narrative, instead of bottling up the anger, the hatred and the negative character which was born out of their life experience.

Second speaker: Samuel Joseph

He spoke on how Drug and substance abuse affects mental health.

He said “the use of hard drugs and other substances are a major reason why most men are subjected to suicide. He said such drugs affects their mental health and drain them to the state of being unwanted. He also urged the men to speak up whenever they are in such state.

Third Speaker: Shola Adigun (Founder of Father Figure Initiative)

He spoke on Healing the father wound, understanding the impact of an absent father.

He urged the men to fix the issues fathers face in life. Issues which includes backlash from their father, mother or step-father and step-mother which has gravely affected their life as they advance in life.

He also joined other speakers to urge such men to man-up, speak up and change the narrative, instead of bottling up anger, hatred and negative character.

Fourth Speaker: Mustalpha Adeyemi (President KB Club)

He spoke on Emotional Vulnerability in Men.

He stressed that men should open up, engage with someone, explaining what they are going through. According to him, the men are seen as super humans who hardly show their feelings, which makes the society feel they are less vulnerable.

Mustalpha also said, at least 40 percent of men face series of maltreatments but are shy to speak up due to condemnations or being seen as a weakling.

Fifth Speaker: Barr. Dare Asobele, Founder and coordinator of Anti Suicide prevention squad.

He addressed the men on Toxic Masculinity and Healthy Masculinity.

He encouraged the men not to allow trauma take the best part of them. In his words, he said: “do not bottle your emotions”, Find a safe space to take, get help, do regular exercise, find an enabling environment, seek a therapist, do not allow trauma to define who you are, let go of the past, forgive yourself, forgive your parent or whomever that have caused you trauma, and see how you can become a better man in the society.

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