Tension gripped Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, as suspected political thugs set ablaze the Secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), destroying property worth millions of naira.

The early-morning attack, which occurred at the Basiri area of Ado-Ekiti, came just hours before the scheduled inauguration of the party’s executives across wards, local governments and the state.

Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums, who arrived in multiple vehicles, shot sporadically into the air to scare residents before setting the building on fire. Office equipment, sound systems, plastic chairs and canopies were all destroyed in the inferno.

A few hours later, the same group reportedly regrouped and stormed the venue of the planned inauguration, dispersing party members, journalists and guests. Vehicles and motorcycles parked at the scene were vandalised, while chairs and canopies already arranged for the event were destroyed beyond repair.

Despite the attack, ADC National Secretary and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, arrived amid tight security and went ahead with a brief inauguration of the newly affirmed executives.

Addressing journalists afterwards, Aregbesola condemned the incident, describing it as “a shameful act of political intolerance and a dangerous threat to democracy.”

“The beauty of democracy lies in freedom of association and participation without fear. What happened today is a descent into fascism,” he said.

Also reacting, former Ekiti Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, described the attack as “an act of political terrorism.”
He criticised the police for their slow response, saying security agencies failed to protect the party’s property despite early reports.

“We were let down. Two hours after we reported the midnight attack, there was still no protection. This is unacceptable,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, had ordered a full-scale investigation to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

• sends name to senate for confirmation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Dr. Bernard Doro from Plateau State as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, forwarding his name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

The nomination, announced on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, follows the elevation of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, who became the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July.

According to sources within the presidency, President Tinubu had on Monday evening met privately with close aides to deliberate on names to fill two vacant ministerial portfolios — one being the now-vacant Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Ministry, and the other, the Innovation, Science and Technology portfolio, whose minister resigned a few weeks ago.

Following the consultations, Dr. Bernard Doro emerged as one of the nominees.

About Dr. Bernard Doro

Born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Doro is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience across clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership, and community development, both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

In his statement, Onanuga described Doro as “a technocrat whose multidisciplinary background and commitment to service will enrich the administration’s vision for an inclusive and progressive Nigeria.”

Academic and Professional Background

Dr. Doro holds degrees in Pharmacy and Law, alongside an MBA specializing in IT-driven business strategy, and a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice.

He is also an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), having worked across urgent care, GP practices, walk-in centres, and hospital emergency settings.

Beyond his medical and administrative credentials, Doro is recognized for his youth mentorship initiatives and social impact projects both in the Nigerian diaspora and at home.

If confirmed by the Senate, Dr. Doro will be sworn in during the next Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and officially assume his ministerial duties.

His appointment is seen as part of President Tinubu’s broader move to strengthen technocratic leadership within his administration and inject fresh perspectives into ongoing national reforms.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has handed the Federal Government a four-week ultimatum to conclude all ongoing negotiations with university-based unions or face a coordinated nationwide shutdown of economic activities.

The warning came on Monday during an interactive session between NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and labour correspondents in Abuja, shortly after a high-level meeting between the congress and leaders of tertiary education unions at the NLC headquarters.

According to Ajaero, the NLC’s patience has been stretched thin by what he described as the Federal Government’s “habitual breach of signed agreements” and its failure to address persistent grievances in Nigeria’s education sector.

“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problems go far beyond ASUU,” Ajaero declared.

“If after four weeks this negotiation is not concluded, the organs of the NEC will meet and take nationwide action. All workers in the country, all unions in the country will be involved so that we get to the root of all this.”

Labour Slams ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy

Ajaero also took a swipe at the Federal Government’s “no work, no pay” stance, describing it as punitive and hypocritical.

“The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be no pay, no work,” he said firmly. “You can’t benefit from an action you instigated. Ninety percent of strike actions in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements. The era of signing agreements and threatening the unions involved is over.”

ASUU Strike Deepens University Woes

The fresh warning from the NLC comes amid a renewed strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike at the University of Abuja after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government.

The union said the strike became inevitable due to unresolved issues bordering on staff welfare, unpaid arrears, and non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

Government’s Response

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had earlier said that negotiations were in their final phase, confirming that the government released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment projects to be disbursed in three instalments.

But ASUU dismissed the gesture as “too little, too late,” insisting that the root issues of poor funding, welfare, and neglect remain unresolved.

NLC’s Next Move

Reaffirming its solidarity with ASUU and other academic unions, Ajaero said the NLC would convene an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council to determine the next line of action if the Federal Government fails to act within the four-week window.

“We will not watch the public education system collapse,” he said. “The NLC stands firmly with ASUU and all unions in the education sector in this fight for fairness, dignity, and national progress.”

Background

The Nigerian university system has faced chronic instability for over a decade, with frequent strike actions disrupting academic calendars and pushing many students into uncertainty.

Observers say the coming weeks will determine whether the government takes decisive steps to end the crisis or risks another round of industrial unrest.

Credit: The Punch