Efforts by a coalition of opposition politicians operating under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are facing resistance as a segment of stakeholders strongly rejects Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s appointment as the party’s Interim National Secretary.

The group, led by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Musa Isa Matara, issued a statement on Wednesday condemning what they described as the “attempted takeover” of the party by Aregbesola.

“We are not opposed to coalitions. We are not opposed to reform. But we are opposed to hijack, to imposition, and to speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language,” stated the stakeholders, which include women and youth groups within the party.

Matara emphasized that without a valid, constitutionally recognized ADC National Convention or National Executive Committee (NEC) endorsement, no one possesses the legal or moral authority to speak for the party at the national level.

According to the stakeholders, key figures such as the NEC, state chairmen, youth leaders, and elected national officers were not involved in the decision to name Aregbesola as the Interim National Secretary.

They argue that portraying the ADC as the “platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group” is misleading, asserting that millions of members were neither informed nor included in the decision-making process.

They stated, “If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.”

The group further warned that those joining the party under the current coalition arrangement should proceed cautiously, citing ongoing unresolved legal disputes stemming from the 2023 general elections.

“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” they noted.

The statement added, “We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain. The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.”

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday concluded his tenure as Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Following this, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone was named as his successor.

Tinubu made the announcement during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

He said, “It has been a profound honour and privilege to lead this esteemed body, and I remain deeply humbled by the trust and support you have extended to me throughout my channel as I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency, President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone.”

“I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and of commitment for the future of West Africa.”

Before the handover, Tinubu voiced concern about the delay in activating the ECOWAS Standby Force and encouraged West African leaders to transition swiftly from planning to implementation in addressing terrorism and transnational crime.

“I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its (ECOWAS Standby Force) activation, which is taking longer than desired,” the President said in his opening remarks.

In April 2024, Tinubu initially advocated for a regional standby force and a counter-terrorism centre to curb terrorism in Africa’s most vulnerable regions.

He described the counter-terrorism centre as a central point for intelligence sharing, coordination, and capacity building across the continent.

He identified ransom-taking and illegal mining as “evil branches” stemming from “root causes” such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice, which fund and sustain terrorist operations continent-wide.

“Key to our collective efforts against terrorism is the urgent need for a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre,” Tinubu said at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja on April 22, 2024.

During the sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Ghana two months later, he noted that ECOWAS was considering alternative funding strategies for the $2.6 billion Standby Force.

In August of that year, he reaffirmed the commitment of member states to fund the force, labeling it a key solution to terrorism in the Sahel region.

However, a year later, Tinubu, reflecting on his leadership since July 2023, expressed dissatisfaction with the progress as security challenges persisted in the Sahel.

He emphasized the urgent need to make the force operational amid increasing insecurity throughout the region.

“The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired,” the President repeated.

He pointed out that the region’s threats were transnational, propelled by agile and dangerous groups that disregard borders.

“No single nation can, therefore, address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to secure it,” he said.

Tinubu highlighted key achievements during his leadership of ECOWAS.

He mentioned the completed ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, as a vital facility for supplying logistics and equipment to ECOWAS-deployed forces.

“Last February in Addis Ababa, Nigeria signed the Sixth Agreement with the African Union. With the depot’s completion, Nigeria is committing itself to sea-lift and air-lift arrangements with ECOWAS,” he said.

He expressed optimism that diplomatic efforts with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would lead to their return to the ECOWAS community.

“Under my chairmanship, I deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. I am confident that before too long, they may return to the family,” he said.

Tinubu urged for deeper economic cooperation, strengthening the private sector, and eliminating trade barriers to unlock the region’s full potential.

“Our intra-regional trade remains low, even as we possess the potential to be an economic powerhouse. We must create the enabling environment, empower the private sector, and create the conditions necessary for innovation to flourish,” he said.

He also called for rapid implementation of regional infrastructure projects, including the West African Gas Pipeline, West African Power Pool, and Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway, which he described as development and integration catalysts.

After the handover, President Bio praised Tinubu for building a strong base for regional dialogue, economic growth, and peacebuilding.

“I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” he said, acknowledging Tinubu’s “experience and leadership.”

He noted that the region faced complex challenges such as terrorism, arms trafficking, political instability, and transnational crime, particularly in the Sahel and coastal states.

“The democratic space is under strain in parts of our region. In some countries, the constitutional order has been disrupted.

“Yet, across West Africa, citizens—especially our youth—are demanding not just elections, but also accountability, transparency, and a fair stake in national life,” he said.

A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed the evidence the federal government attempted to present in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The government, through its third witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) officer, tried to introduce video and documentary materials, which included the alleged confessions of the defendant.

But Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, challenged the admissibility of the materials, arguing that the statements were obtained through coercion.

On Wednesday, the court had ordered a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily or under pressure.

Delivering his decision on Thursday, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, stated that although Kanu did not prove that the statements were made under duress and the video showed no coercion, the court could not ignore Kanu’s repeated claims of being questioned without his lawyer present.

He noted that the supreme court had previously held that a lawyer must be present when a suspect is giving an extrajudicial statement.

The judge emphasized that security agencies are required to follow the law, which mandates a lawyer’s presence for the defendant, as this is tied to every Nigerian’s fundamental rights.

Omotosho ruled that due to this failure by the prosecution, the statements could not be accepted as evidence.

He said the objection raised by the defense was valid, and the statements dated October 23, 2015, and November 2015, which had earlier been admitted, were now rejected.

FG TENDERS FRESH EVIDENCE

Following the ruling, the third prosecution witness returned to continue giving his main testimony.

The witness, CCC, identified a compact disc titled “Interview with Sahara TV” while being questioned by the prosecuting counsel, Suraj Saida.

The court accepted the disc as evidence and it was subsequently played.

In the footage, Kanu was seen describing Nigeria as a “zoo,” making accusations against several prominent Igbo personalities and threatening retribution.

He alleged that Ike Nwachukwu, a former foreign affairs minister, was responsible for the deaths of Igbos.

He also claimed that Jim Nwobodo, a former governor of Anambra, betrayed Alex Ekweme, another Igbo leader.

Kanu went on to accuse Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, of murdering Igbos and disposing of their bodies in a river.

The IPOB leader further alleged that Rochas Okorocha, ex-governor of Imo, had Islamised the state by himself.

The video also captured Kanu making threats of violence if the goal of Biafra independence was not achieved.

He said that if Biafra wasn’t granted, the devastation in Nigeria, which he again referred to as a zoo, would surpass that of Somalia.

“If they do not give us Biafra, there will be nothing living in the zoo; nothing will survive there,” he said in the clip.

“I do not see Biafra happening peacefully. There is no freedom out of a peaceful process.”

Kanu expressed support for the attack on Enugu state’s government house, stating he would back any action aimed at toppling the current corrupt system.

During cross-examination by Erokoro, the witness admitted that he did not verify the truth of the allegations Kanu made against the listed Igbo figures.

He said his job was simply to confirm whether Kanu gave the interview, which the defendant acknowledged.

The witness also said he had no knowledge of whether Kanu had later withdrawn any of the statements made in the video.

The judge postponed the trial to continue on June 13, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

KANU’S SISTER-IN-LAW BARRED FROM TRIAL

The judge also ruled that Favour Kanu, the sister-in-law of the defendant, is prohibited from attending any future court sessions.

He asked her if she was the person responsible for unlawfully livestreaming the proceedings on social media, and she admitted she was.

Despite having been warned three times to stop, Omotosho ordered her out of the courtroom and said she must not return unless she had a case to attend.

He warned that from now on, those who violate court rules would be sent to Kuje prison for contempt.