Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress engaged in aggression war of words after the party blamed President Bola Tinubu for the economic hardships facing Nigerians. Nyesom Wike mocked the newly unveiled opposition coalition led by an interim team featuring David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, arguing that prominent figures like Rotimi Amaechi and David Mark failed to develop the country when they held power. African Democratic Congress National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi hit back, stating Nyesom Wike was terrified of the coalition because the current government has forced citizens into poverty and neglected infrastructure. The ruling All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and presidential aides Sunday Dare and Daniel Bwala also attacked the movement, calling it a dead-on-arrival gathering of opportunistic politicians. Meanwhile, internal divisions plague the opposition alliance. Former African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu promised legal action, alleging that the new leadership was deliberately engineered to secure the 2027 presidential ticket for Atiku Abubakar rather than a southern candidate. Furthermore, the Peoples Democratic Party National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, clarified that his party has not taken an official stance on joining the alliance, while a Labour Party faction led by Obiora Ifoh threatened to expel its former candidate Peter Obi for aligning with the movement. However, Eluma Asogwa, representing the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party caretaker committee, quickly dismissed the ultimatum, affirming total support for Peter Obi’s efforts to build a strong political alternative.