The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned supporters of its presidential aspirants against insisting on a “must-be-my-candidate” mindset, warning that such divisive loyalty could undermine the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

Speaking during the virtual ADC Coalition Hours on Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, urged supporters to back all aspirants collectively, stressing the importance of unity in strengthening the party’s presidential bid.

In July 2025, the ADC became the coalition platform adopted by opposition figures seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Since then, under the leadership of former Senate President, David Mark, as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, the party has been strengthening its structures nationwide and working to gain the trust and support of Nigerians.

Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, joined the ADC in July, followed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in November, and Peter Obi on December 31, all signalling their intention to contest for the party’s presidential ticket.

Beyond these three, additional aspirants are expected to announce their candidacies in the coming weeks.

As a result, supporters of the declared ADC presidential hopefuls have expressed differing views on zoning, with many Obi supporters calling for the ticket to go to the South, while most Atiku supporters advocate an open contest.

The National Publicity Secretary disclosed that he had met with coalition stakeholders to emphasise the need for unity, focus and collective commitment to secure victory in the upcoming elections.

According to Abdullahi, “I spent time talking to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, who have indicated interest in vying for the presidential ticket of our party, as well as the likes of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to strengthen our party and unite it. The general consensus is that we have a job to do to make this country a better place.

“Our leaders are all aware of the task ahead, and every one of them is committed to ensuring that we win this election.”

Speaking on the timing of the 2027 election, Abdullahi said, “Whether the elections take place this year or next year, it will be double work for us and could also work against us. It will work against us because, as an opposition, we need time to heal wounds after our primaries, as we cannot afford to go into bruised primaries and then quickly put ourselves together for the elections. On that note, we prefer next year.

“On the other hand, holding an election now has the advantage that people are already tired of this administration. But in all of this, we are not in a position to decide when the election will hold.”

He added, “Those supporting this divisiveness among supporters of any of the aspirants should stop what they are doing because they are clearly working to the advantage of the APC and President Bola Tinubu.

“Saying it is either this candidate or nothing is not helpful because getting the ticket alone means nothing. What is important is winning the election, and we cannot carry this divisiveness and expect to win.”

Abdullahi said the party would begin efforts to reinforce cohesion and encourage ADC leaders to promote unity among themselves.

He continued, “We believe that all our aspirants are eminently qualified, and vilifying anybody or any region is not helpful and will only make things more difficult. We are going to commence the process of strengthening unity and having our leaders speak with one voice.

“We are going to ignore people creating a sense of exceptionality and focus on what we are doing because we want to win this election.

“Those shouting ‘Peter Obi or nothing’ are equally not helping him. They are preaching division, and they are not selling him. They are not providing room for people from other places to support him. They should stop making others take hard stances because everyone needs to be on board for us to win this election.”

A Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has had her nursing licence cancelled in Australia after a tribunal found she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care facility, putting elderly patients at risk.

As reported by the Daily Mail on Friday, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on January 20th ruled that Ms Okembunachi’s actions in March 2024 amounted to professional misconduct, leading to the cancellation of her nursing registration.

Ms Okembunachi, 25, began working at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, western Sydney, in February 2024. Barely a month later, she was suspended and subsequently resigned.

During the tribunal proceedings, it emerged that between March 13 and 27, she was the sole registered nurse on night shifts supervising three or four assistants-in-nursing (AINs) and about 100 residents.

On six nights, she failed to perform her duties because she slept. On three occasions, patients missed prescribed doses of morphine.

Evidence showed that during her shift on March 21–22, an AIN turned on the nurses’ station light to wake her, but she reportedly turned it off a minute later and went back to sleep.

On March 15, she told an AIN to administer Panadol to a patient, despite the assistant not being authorized, saying, “It’s okay, sister, just give it to him.”

Two nurses reported her conduct on March 27. The following day, she received a suspension email and an invitation to a meeting, but resigned 20 minutes later, declining to attend.

Born in Nigeria, Ms Okembunachi moved to Australia in 2018. She completed a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2021 and was studying medicine at Western Sydney University while working at HAC.

She told the tribunal, “These events caused me significant stress… In hindsight, I should not applied for, or accepted the position at Hardi. Working night shifts during the week was putting patients’ safety at risk.”

She added, “When I slept on night shift, I failed in supervising those staff members and the residents.”

The tribunal noted her “remorseful and contrite” attitude but ruled deregistration necessary, saying her actions “had the potential to endanger the lives of patients under her care.”

Ms Okembunachi cannot apply for review for at least nine months. She has not returned to nursing but continues her medical studies, supported by her father and a Centrelink Student Allowance.

A peaceful protest broke out on Friday in Ijebu Ode over alleged plans to impose the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

The protesters marched through Awujale Palace Road on their way to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat to register their displeasure over the development.

Recall that the Ogun State Government, on Tuesday, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, halted the Awujale selection process following a flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.

Details later…