By Uzair Adam

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that the African Democratic Congress appears to be losing relevance following a series of defections by its members.

Akpabio made this known on Tuesday during plenary, amid continued movement of lawmakers from the party to others, particularly the National Democratic Congress and the Labour Party.

The Senate President, who presided over the session, spoke after the announcement of fresh defections, including that of Victor Umeh to the NDC.

He expressed frustration over the frequency of such announcements, suggesting that defecting lawmakers should submit their notices collectively rather than individually.

He said it was becoming repetitive for the Senate to keep announcing defections, adding that the trend gives the impression of a daily routine.

According to him, the situation reflects poorly on the ADC, which he described as practically “dead.”

Akpabio further questioned the rate at which some lawmakers switch parties, noting that while defection is expected occasionally, repeated movements within a short period raise concerns about political stability.

In a lighter tone, he referenced the movement of Enyinnaya Abaribe, who recently transitioned from the All Progressives Grand Alliance to ADC and later moved again to the Labour Party.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also recorded a significant shift on Tuesday, as at least 17 lawmakers announced their exit from ADC to the NDC during plenary.

The lawmakers, drawn from states including Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, and Rivers, cited persistent internal crises within the party as the reason for their decision.

In separate letters read on the floor, the defectors pointed to unresolved issues spanning from the national leadership to ward levels, indicating deep-rooted challenges within the party structure.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States has said it is not seeking a confrontation with Iran over tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, but made it clear it would respond forcefully if provoked.

Speaking on Tuesday, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that any attack by Iran on vessels operating in the strategic waterway would attract a “devastating” reaction from the US.

“We’re not looking for a fight. But Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway,” Hegseth told reporters.

He added, “If you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming and devastating American firepower.”

In a related development, General Dan Caine, a top US military official, said American forces are fully prepared to return to large-scale combat operations if directed.

Caine, who spoke with journalists, stressed that Washington’s current posture should not be interpreted as weakness.

According to him, US Central Command and other military units remain on standby for possible action.

“No adversary should mistake our current restraint with a lack of resolve,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global shipping route, and rising tensions in the area have continued to draw international attention.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has directed the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay N100 million in damages to two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) over a defamatory post on X.

Justice Yusuf Halilu delivered the ruling on Tuesday in a case marked FCT/HC/CV/4547/24. He held that the claimants, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, proved that SERAP published defamatory content about them on its official X account.

The dispute stems from a September 2024 post in which SERAP alleged that DSS operatives were “unlawfully occupying” its Abuja office and requested to see its directors. The claim surfaced less than a day after the organisation asked President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to reverse an increase in petrol prices.

SERAP also called on the president to direct the DSS to end the “harassment, intimidation, and attack” on Nigerians’ rights.

The DSS confirmed that its personnel visited the organisation’s office but explained that the visit formed part of a routine investigation. It rejected the allegations and described them as “malicious”, while affirming its professionalism.

In a suit filed on October 17, 2024, the DSS argued that SERAP’s claims harmed its image and that of the two officials. The claimants maintained that the publication portrayed them as acting unlawfully and damaged their standing as security operatives. They sought N5.5 billion in compensation and demanded a public apology across multiple platforms.

In his judgment, Halilu stressed that SERAP, “a prominent reputable non governmental Organisation who pushes for Transparency, accountability, and protection of economic and social rights should also take cognisance of other peoples rights”.

He noted that the organisation must exercise caution in its public statements.

“It is most necessary for care and due diligence to be taken by SERAP before tweeting or releasing any particular information with respect to the action of agency of government for public consumption,” Halilu held.

“In the exercise of their right, SERAP must equally beware of other people’s rights. The right to be able to tweet and then put information out there must correspondingly take into account the fact that other agencies, i.e. even government, have a right to be given fair hearing as it relates to any such information.

“It is not in doubt that the said publication, which has gone viral, clearly affected the claimants mentally and psychologically.”

The court also found that the officers were suspended during the period of investigation.

“…The defendants who had all the time to have retracted the said write-up failed to do so,” the judge held.

“Claimants clearly are entitled to be assuaged in damages from the antecedents of what had played out, having established that the publication by the defendant is unjustifiably labellous.

“The law will not stand still whilst the rest of the world goes on, and that will be bad for good. The law is an equal disperser of justice, and leaves none without a remedy for his right. It is a basic and elementary principle of common law, that wherever there is a wrong, legal or injurious, that is, there ought to be a remedy to redress the wrong.

“It is my assessment that N100 million is a paltry sum that this court hereby awards against the defendants in favour of the claimants as damages.”

The court further ordered SERAP to issue a public apology through its website, X account, two national newspapers, and two television stations for the publication.

Justice Halilu also awarded a 10 percent annual interest on the judgment sum until full payment, along with N1 million as the cost of the suit.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to reconsider Nigeria’s bilateral ties with South Africa following renewed xenophobic violence against Nigerians.

The resolution came during plenary on Tuesday after lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent public importance presented by Donald Ojogo, who represents Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency in Ondo state.

Lawmakers expressed concern over rising hostility toward foreigners in South Africa, which has reportedly led to the deaths of at least two Nigerians in recent weeks.

While presenting the motion, Ojogo described the situation as an “alarming rate” of violence. He said Nigerians are being “selectively targeted” in the attacks.

He identified the victims as Ekpenyong Andrew and Amaramiro Emmanuel. According to him, the two incidents occurred separately. He explained that Andrew was arrested on April 19 in Pretoria after an alleged confrontation with police. His body was later found in a morgue. He added that Emmanuel died from injuries after an assault by members of the South African National Defence Force on April 20.

“Both incidents were shocking as they involved South African security personnel,” the lawmaker said.

Ojogo also described the attacks as “a demonstration of ingratitude”, in view of Nigeria’s role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

“The trajectory in South Africa is a recipe for anger and reprisals in Nigeria, and there is a need to prevent such,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, also condemned the attacks. He said Nigeria holds a “very significant position” in Africa and has supported “many nations to be stronger than they are today”.

“An attack on any Nigerian anywhere is an attack on Nigerians everywhere. It ought not to be so,” he said.

“Nigerians did not allow the apartheid masters to suppress South Africans. South Africans who are liberated should not put other Africans in their territory in bondage. These are facts.”

Following a voice vote, the motion received the support of the house.

The lawmakers urged the federal government to “review all bilateral agreements with South Africa, trade and aviation treaties, targeted economic measures, including temporary suspension of issuance of business permits to new South African companies and a review of tax incentives enjoyed by existing South African firms in Nigeria”. They said the measures should remain until South Africa takes clear steps to end the attacks, prosecute offenders, and compensate victims.

The house also directed its committees on foreign affairs and diaspora matters to work with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to set up a 24-hour emergency response desk and a legal aid fund for Nigerians facing distress.

In addition, the committees were asked to collaborate with the federal government on a detailed evacuation plan for Nigerians in volatile areas. The plan is expected to include financial and logistical support for those willing to return home.

By Usman Muhammad Salihu

In Nigerian politics, defections are no longer surprising. What is surprising now is how quickly they happen and how easily political actors move from one platform to another.

The recent defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is not just another political adjustment. It is a bold move. But bold does not always mean safe.

At first glance, the decision appears strategic. Internal crises within the ADC, legal uncertainties, and the pressure of electoral timelines make stability a priority. From that angle, shifting to a new platform may seem like a necessary step, an attempt to secure political ground ahead of a highly competitive 2027.

There is also strength in the alliance itself. The coming together of Obi and Kwankwaso brings national attention, regional balance, and an existing base of supporters. On paper, that is not just movement; it is potential consolidation.

But politics is not played on paper. It is played among the people. And this is where the real challenge begins.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress is still largely unfamiliar to many Nigerians. Beyond political circles and elite discussions, its presence at the grassroots remains limited. For a significant number of voters, especially at the lower levels, NDC is not yet a known political identity.

And in Nigerian elections, familiarity matters. Voters do not just choose candidates. They choose what they recognise. They choose what they trust. They choose what they understand. That is the gap this move must overcome.

Beyond visibility, there are emerging concerns about the platform’s stability. Reports suggest that the Nigerian Democratic Congress may be grappling with internal legal disputes. If proven true, this introduces an even more delicate risk. Moving from one troubled platform to another does not resolve instability; it simply transfers it. And in politics, uncertainty is a cost few can afford at this level.

Because this is no longer just about transferring political influence, it is about building voter awareness from the ground up within a limited time frame. That is not a small task. It is one thing to move with loyalists. It is another thing to move with the electorate. And history has shown that the two do not always align.

There is also a deeper concern. Frequent political movement, no matter how strategic, raises questions of consistency. When platforms change too often, voters begin to look beyond the movement itself and ask a more difficult question: What exactly is constant? Is it ideology? Is it vision? Or is it simply positioning?

These questions matter because today’s voter is less passive than before. There is growing awareness, scrutiny, and an expectation for clarity. So while this move may be necessary from a political standpoint, it is also risky from a public perception angle.

Because speed in politics can be a double-edged sword. Move too slowly, and you lose relevance. Move too quickly, and you lose trust. And right now, this move feels fast. Perhaps calculated. Perhaps unavoidable. But still fast.

So, is this a strategy or a survival tactic? It is arguably both. Strategy, because the timing aligns with political realities. Survival, because unstable platforms leave little room for hesitation.

From another angle, this move is not just a strategy or a matter of survival; it is a gamble. A calculated one, no doubt, but a gamble, nonetheless. It rests on the assumption that political influence can be transferred faster than voter trust can be built. And in a system where recognition often shapes voting decisions, that assumption may prove too optimistic.

But beyond both lies a more uncomfortable possibility: That this could be a leap into a platform that has yet to fully exist in the minds of the people. Because, in the end, political strength is not measured by alliances alone, but by acceptance. And acceptance cannot be transferred overnight.

So, while the move may look bold in Abuja, its real test will come far away from strategy rooms, in markets, in villages, and at the polling units. Where names are remembered, where symbols are recognised, and where unfamiliar platforms are often rejected.

And if that gap is not closed in time, what appears today as a strategy may tomorrow be seen as a miscalculation. Because in Nigerian politics, you can move ahead of the system, but you cannot move ahead of the people. And when that gap exists, even the most calculated move can quickly turn into a costly gamble.

Ultimately, this move will be judged by one metric: conversion rate. How many Obidients and Kwankwasiyya become NDC members, not just in spirit but on the ballot? If the answer is “most,” then history will call it strategy. If the answer is “some,” then it was survival. If the answer is “few,” then it was a miscalculation dressed as ambition. The voters are watching, and their silence right now is louder than any endorsement. For Obi and Kwankwaso, the real campaign did not start in Abuja. It starts the day a trader in Aba and a farmer in Gaya can point to the NDC logo and say, “That is us.”

Usman Muhammad Salihu was among the pioneer fellows of PRNigeria and writes from Jos.

muhammadu5363@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s basic education system through international collaboration, as it participates in the 2026 British Council South–South Learning Symposium in New Delhi.

The Daily Reality reports that this development was disclosed in a post shared on the Council’s official Facebook page on Monday.

Leading Nigeria’s delegation is the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Salisu Shehu, whose participation highlights the country’s growing focus on adopting global best practices to improve foundational learning, particularly in literacy, numeracy and multilingual education.

The symposium convenes policymakers, education experts and development partners from across the Global South to exchange ideas on strengthening foundational education systems and promoting the use of multiple languages in learning, especially in culturally diverse societies.

During his engagements, Shehu pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing curriculum reforms, with emphasis on improving basic education delivery and expanding the use of indigenous languages in teaching.

He noted that collaboration among countries with similar socio-cultural realities offers practical and adaptable solutions to shared educational challenges.

He also presented an overview of NERDC’s mandate at the opening session of the programme, outlining the Council’s role in shaping Nigeria’s curriculum and driving innovation in the sector.

NERDC said its participation provides an opportunity to draw lessons from countries like India, particularly in managing multilingual education on a large scale, as well as exploring emerging approaches such as technology-driven and inclusive learning models.

The Council added that insights gained from the symposium would support ongoing education reforms and enhance curriculum development in Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to improving the quality and inclusiveness of learning nationwide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, who represents Gombe Central Senatorial District, has opposed the consensus arrangement adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Party stakeholders had, during a meeting chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Sunday, endorsed a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmadu Deba, as the consensus candidate for the senatorial seat currently occupied by Goje. The development was reported by Daily Trust.

In response, Goje distanced himself from the outcome of the meeting through a statement issued by his aide, Barrister Saidu Muazu Kumo. The senator, who is seeking a fifth term, described the process as flawed and not inclusive.

“The purported consensus meeting involved only Governor Yahaya and a limited number of aspirants, and did not include all duly recognised aspirants within the party,” the statement read.

Goje maintained that the arrangement did not comply with the Electoral Act, which provides guidelines for candidate nomination.

“The provisions of the Electoral Act have clearly stipulated two lawful methods for the nomination of candidates by political parties for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

“These methods must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure legality and transparency in the electoral process.”

He also pointed out that several aspirants who had obtained the required nomination forms were not part of the meeting held at the Government House.

“It is further noteworthy that across the various electoral constituencies, several aspirants have validly purchased their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, and were not participants in the said consensus arrangement held at the Government House,” he added.

Kumo stressed that the party must follow due process as required by law. He said the appropriate method in the current situation is direct primary elections, which would be supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

“In accordance with the extant electoral framework, the nomination process shall be conducted through direct primary elections, which are to be duly monitored by INEC and relevant security agencies, on a date to be slated by the party,” he said.

The statement also warned against imposing candidates, noting that such action would violate existing laws.

“Any form of imposition of candidates by political parties is inconsistent with, and contrary to, the provisions of the current electoral laws in Nigeria,” the statement stressed.

The disagreement has heightened tensions within the APC in Gombe State over the adoption of consensus candidates.

Earlier, a governorship aspirant of the party, Isa Ali Pantami, rejected the endorsement of Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate. He argued that consensus can only stand if all aspirants agree to it.

“Legally, there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have obtained or completed their expression of interest and nomination forms,” he said.

Pantami cited the Electoral Act to support his position, noting that only two methods are recognised for selecting candidates.

“In Section 84 (2), political parties are restricted to only two methods for selecting candidates. The two methods are consensus, where all aspirants agree in writing, and direct primaries,” he explained.

“If even one aspirant refuses, the party must revert to a direct primary.”

He also called on his supporters to remain calm while legal options are explored.

“We will not ignore what is a total disregard for the provisions of the law,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

A former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on Nigerians to support the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as a platform committed to promoting good governance and strengthening democracy.

Kwankwaso made the appeal on Monday through his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he emphasised the importance of a credible political movement capable of delivering democratic dividends and improving the welfare of citizens.

He stated that the NDC is determined to create an environment where Nigerians can thrive and achieve their full potential.

He explained that his position is driven by a strong belief in democratic principles, noting that citizens deserve a system that prioritises their needs and aspirations.

According to him, the call is part of a broader effort to build a political structure that truly serves the people.

Kwankwaso further urged his supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians to align with the NDC, stressing that the movement represents a renewed effort to entrench accountability, expand opportunities, and reinforce democratic institutions across the country.

Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is set to inaugurate the state’s Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, on Tuesday.

The swearing-in ceremony will hold at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, by 11:00 a.m.

A statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Ibrahim Adam, indicated that stakeholders, party loyalists, and members of the public are expected to attend the event.

The Daily Reality recalls that Garo was cleared by the Kano State House of Assembly last Monday following a successful screening conducted by a 12-member committee.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Nigerian government has launched an emergency voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in South Africa following a violent wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant demonstrations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu confirmed on Monday that at least 130 Nigerians have already registered to leave, with that number expected to climb as tensions persist. The decision follows the reported killings of two Nigerians in separate incidents involving local security personnel, alongside viral footage showing the harassment of African migrants in several South African cities.

“The safety of our nationals is non-negotiable,” the Minister stated, noting that the government has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner to express “profound concern” over the deteriorating situation.

The Nigerian High Commission and Consulate are currently coordinating logistics to facilitate the return of those who feel unsafe. This surge in violence has also prompted other West African nations, including Ghana, to issue emergency safety advisories to their citizens.

While both governments have historically worked to maintain strong bilateral ties, Nigerian officials warned that the continued failure to protect foreign nationals could severely strain the relationship between the continent’s two largest economies.