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JUST IN: APC backs Tinubu as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai intensify coalition talks

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The 2023 presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, along with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, have announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The former Vice President confirmed this while responding to a question on behalf of the opposition leaders, during a press conference on Thursday at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

There have been increasing discussions recently on whether opposition parties should form a coalition to defeat President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku has repeatedly stressed the importance of unity among opposition parties.

In his latest remarks on March 8, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate revealed that he was working to unite opposition parties in a coalition to remove the All Progressives Congress from power.

After El-Rufai’s move from the APC to the SDP on March 10, conversations among opposition parties and leaders gained significant traction.

Atiku, accompanied by opposition leaders on Thursday, declared that the gathering marked the beginning of the coalition.

He stated, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

The former Governor of Anambra State, Obi, also supported Atiku’s statement, emphasising that the coalition aimed at the liberation of the Nigerian people.

Obi, represented by Yunusa Tanko, the Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, stated that Nigerians would see more of the coalition addressing governance issues.

He stated “Yes, His Excellency Peter Obi and former Vice President are together on this.

The idea of plans for a dialogue among the opposition is very important. It is established that we need to work together as a team; there’s no doubt about it, even the former Anambra State Governor himself has said it before.

“But the only thing he emphasised is that it must be based on a programme to emancipate the Nigerian people, and that is exactly what we have just started.

“Our democracy has been attacked morally, with indignity and a level of disdain. That was exactly what was shown in that particular pronouncement against the Rivers State government and we will not stand as democrats to continue witnessing such a bizarre show of power and an unacceptable level of disdain against the Nigerian people.

“So, Nigerians should expect to see this coalition, especially when it comes to the issues that affect the lives of the Nigerian people—issues like power supply, security, and the level of disdain with which our educational systems are moving. All of this will be issue-based.”

When questioned about the party, he responded, “It will be announced.

”Other opposition leaders present at the press conference were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ameh, and the Convener of The Alternative, Segun Showunmi, among others.

Among those involved in the coalition, but whose apologies for absence were noted, are leaders from the ruling APC, including former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu.

Ameh stated that talks about the coalition had intensified.

He disclosed that the coalition effort involved politicians from various opposition parties.

He, however, said no decision had yet been made regarding the name or platform on which the coalition would be based.

He stated “As the former Vice President mentioned, the press conference signals the birth of the coalition.

The discussions have intensified, and we will continue to engage with political leaders and parties.

“As of now, we have not yet decided on the name or platform for the coalition. However, discussions are ongoing regarding both. It will be announced once we reach a conclusion and agreement.”

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, urged party leaders to remain flexible as the coalition discussions take centre stage.

Osadolor stated that it was in the best interest of both the PDP and Nigeria as a whole to ensure the APC was removed from power in 2027.

He stated “Well, my advice to the leaders of the PDP is that they should not be too static or too rigid.

They should also learn to be flexible and accommodating because they are the big brother of all the other opposition parties in this country.

“Therefore, they should be able to shift some ground to accommodate and make the coalition a major talking point.

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Why Dantata will be buried in Saudi Arabia tomorrow

Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, is survived by three wives, 21 children and 121 grandchildren.

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Business mogul and philantrophist Aminu Dantata, is set to be buried tomorrow (Tuesday) in Medina, Saudi Arabia after he died on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.

Sources closed to the family disclosed that it was Dantata’s wish to be buried in a city he adored and where Islam’s prophet Muhammad lived and died.

Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, is survived by three wives, 21 children and 121 grandchildren.

His body was set to be transferred from Abu Dhabi, where he died, to the holy city of Medina after Saudi authorities approved his burial in their country.

Background and Wealth

He was known across Nigeria for his philanthropic activities.

Last year, he donated 1.5 billion naira ($972,000; £710,000) to victims of the devastating floods in north-eastern Borno state.

His business interests cut across agriculture, real estate, construction and manufacturing.

He first made his name in agriculture, starting trading kola nuts and groundnuts in the 1940s.

He came from a business family – his father Alhassan Dantata was once considered to be the richest man in West Africa.

Despite his riches, Dantata lived in one of the poorest areas of the northern city of Kano, like his parents before him.

His influence was also felt in politics, with politicians eager to seek his blessings before elections.

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ALLEGED DEFAMATION: ‎Court Grants Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan bail

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… As Trial begins September 2

Nigerian Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja, over alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

This is the second arraignment for similar charges, as she was also arraigned on June 19, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

‎Like in the previous arraignment, the Kogi Central Senator has pleaded not guilty to what she is being accused of.

A six-count charge against her stems from statements she allegedly made during a live television broadcast on April 3, 2025, and in a telephone conversation on March 27, 2025.

‎The Federal Government, through the Attorney General’s office accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of claiming that Akpabio and Bello conspired to orchestrate her assassination.

She is also accused of making statements regarding the alleged use of organs from a deceased individual for Akpabio’s wife.

The government contends that she made these imputations knowingly or with reason to believe they would harm the reputations of Akpabio and Bello, an act deemed to be criminal.

‎At her arraignment on June 19, she pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety. The prosecution had initially requested her remand in a correctional facility, which was opposed by her legal team.

‎At the Federal High Court, however, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been granted bail on self-recognition, being a serving Senator. The judge, Muhammed Umar, then fixed September 22 for the start of trial.

‎Similarly, Akpoti-Uduaghan has also filed a suit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate, and a ruling on that matter, along with contempt proceedings, is expected on July 4, 2025. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court is presiding over that particular case.

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NDLEA nabs drugs trafficking Ex-footballer

Investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on an Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an ex-international football player, Segun George Hunkarin, along with his business partner Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, over an attempt to smuggle a consignment of cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,(MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.

Chinedu, a frequent flyer known for transporting clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport on Tuesday, 24th June 2025.

Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, said, “A search of his carry-on bag revealed 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grams were concealed therein.

“Investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on an Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.

Further checks revealed that an accomplice, who turned out to be the former professional footballer Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him.

“Hunkarin, who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs, was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark.“

In his statement, Hunkarin claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but had never brought any to Nigeria.

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