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Ex-Mimiko Aide Balarabe Akinwumi Dumps PDP for ADC Coalition in Ondo State

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Prominent Peoples Democratic Party chieftain Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi has joined the African Democratic Congress-led coalition in Ondo State, marking another significant defection to the opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akinwumi, a former aide to ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Oil and Gas and unsuccessful aspirant for the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, announced his political realignment alongside other high-profile PDP members who have abandoned the party for the coalition.

The coalition, according to former House of Representatives member Bode Ayorinde who leads the initiative, comprises chieftains from the PDP, Social Democratic Party, Labour Party, ADC and other opposition blocs across Ondo State.

Former governorship candidates Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi have also joined the coalition, alongside Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, former PDP chairman Tola Alabere, and ex-party spokesman Kennedy Peretei.

Speaking at a coalition gathering, Ayorinde disclosed that membership had grown from 25 members at the first meeting to over 300 participants, describing the expansion as evidence of the ruling All Progressives Congress’s failures in the state.

“I’m happy that our number is increasing; we must work together. Eyitayo Jegede, Agboola Ajayi are also part of us. It is a state coalition, we are united together,” Ayorinde stated.

Peretei claimed that two local governments in Ondo State have already collapsed their PDP structures for the ADC, declaring that the PDP no longer exists in those areas and has been replaced by the coalition party.

“If you say PDP, you say no. PDP doesn’t exist anymore. It’s ADC that exists. And you see it here,” the former PDP spokesman declared during the event.

Akinwumi, who holds degrees in law from Westminster University and an MBA from the University of Dundee, brings significant political experience to the coalition having served the state government between 2009 and 2011 as a principal aide to Governor Mimiko.

The lawyer had previously been vocal within PDP circles, criticizing opposition governors who defected to the APC and describing such moves as driven by fear and self-preservation rather than political conviction.

However, the ADC coalition in Ondo State faces internal challenges. Former ADC governorship candidate Barrister Myson Nejo has accused Ayorinde’s faction of attempting to hijack the party’s structures and impose loyalists without consulting original party members.

Nejo claimed that Ayorinde unilaterally declared himself State Coordinator during a coalition meeting and announced that the sitting state chairman would be relegated to secretary, sparking resistance from indigenous ADC members.

“We will not tolerate or accept the party being run as a one-man show. The ADC in Ondo State belongs to all genuine members, and its growth must be democratic, inclusive, and people-centred,” Nejo warned.

Despite the internal tensions, coalition leaders have expressed confidence about dislodging the APC from power in the 2027 elections, though critics have dismissed the alliance as a gathering of politicians who have consistently failed at the polls.

The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu in Ondo State described the coalition as “shadow-chasers” lacking the political strength and credibility to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election or unseat the APC in the state.

The coalition’s announcement comes as opposition parties across Nigeria explore various merger options and realignment strategies aimed at presenting a united front against the ruling party ahead of the next general elections.

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Governor Sani Commissions 35km Road Linking 76 Communities, Longest in Kaduna Since 2004

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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has commissioned a monumental 35-kilometre asphaltic road described as the longest single infrastructure project delivered in the state over the past two decades, connecting 76 farming communities across three local government areas.

The historic road, inaugurated on Monday at a ceremony attended by traditional rulers, community leaders and residents, stretches from Gadan Gayan through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction, linking Igabi, Kajuru and Chikun local governments.

A standout feature of the project is a 130-metre bridge spanning River Kaduna, providing vital access to rural populations who had previously faced isolation during rainy seasons when the waterway became impassable.

Governor Sani characterized the infrastructure delivery as a watershed moment in Kaduna’s development trajectory, emphasizing that the project reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusive, people-centered governance that prioritizes underserved communities.

The governor recalled that when construction commenced in January 2024, his administration promised to deliver a durable and efficient transport corridor, adding that disciplined planning and professional execution ensured that pledge was fulfilled within record time.

Beyond physical mobility, the road addresses critical economic needs by creating direct linkages between agricultural production zones and commercial consumption centers across the state.

“By traversing agriculturally productive rural communities across three local government areas, this road directly links farms to markets, aggregation centers, processing facilities, and urban consumption hubs,” Governor Sani explained, noting the infrastructure would dramatically reduce post-harvest losses while strengthening agricultural value chains.

The governor highlighted that agriculture remains the leading contributor to Kaduna State’s gross domestic product growth, making rural connectivity essential for sustaining the sector’s economic dominance.

Early indicators suggest the infrastructure investment is already generating multiplier effects, with new filling stations, markets and small businesses emerging along the corridor even before formal commissioning.

“This is the quiet but powerful multiplier effect of well-planned infrastructure,” the governor remarked, pointing to the organic economic revival happening in communities previously isolated from development opportunities.

The project specifically targets historical inequities in public infrastructure distribution, particularly in Kajuru Local Government Area, which had not benefited from any road construction initiative for over twelve years prior to this administration.

“This prolonged neglect constrained economic activity, and that reality was unacceptable,” Governor Sani stated, adding that his administration is deliberately reversing decades of underinvestment in marginalized communities.

The commissioned road also provides an alternative route that reduces dependence on the frequently congested Kaduna metropolis, cutting travel time and transportation costs for commuters and traders while improving emergency response capabilities.

“Emergency services will respond faster, schoolchildren will reach classrooms with greater ease, and families will enjoy improved access to healthcare, markets and social services,” the governor noted.

Managing Director of Kaduna Road Agency Abdullahi Baba-Ahmad commended Governor Sani for executing massive infrastructure projects across the state, describing the 35-kilometre road as a landmark achievement that demonstrates commitment to delivering democratic dividends to all parts of Kaduna.

Baba-Ahmad revealed that the current administration has completed over 1,300 kilometres of roads across the state, significantly boosting commercial activities, easing travel and improving productivity.

Governor Sani explained that the commissioned road forms part of a broader infrastructure programme encompassing 140 road projects totaling 1,335 kilometres across Kaduna State, with 66 already completed while others are between 60 and 75 percent completion stages.

The infrastructure push follows an earlier achievement in May 2025 when Governor Sani broke another 20-year road construction jinx in Kagarko Local Government Area, underscoring systematic efforts to end infrastructure neglect across all parts of the state.

Traditional rulers and community leaders who spoke at the commissioning ceremony described the road as transformational, with many residents testifying about revived livelihoods, revitalized local economies and communities emerging from years of isolation with renewed confidence in government.

The project’s completion within approximately 14 months from flag-off demonstrates the administration’s capacity for rapid infrastructure delivery despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment and budgetary constraints affecting many state governments.

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Wole Olanipekun, Taiwo Oyedele Urge South-West Governors to Maximise Tinubu Presidency for Regional Growth

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Senior  Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wole Olanipekun, and Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, have called on South-West governors and political leaders to fully leverage President Bola Tinubu’s administration to drive accelerated development across the region.
The duo made the call on Monday in Akure, Ondo State capital, while speaking at a public lecture organised as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Ondo State’s creation.
They stressed that the South-West must prioritise massive investments in infrastructure, industrialisation, and economic reforms during Tinubu’s tenure to secure long-term regional prosperity.
Olanipekun cautioned that the political advantage of having a South-West president is temporary, noting that President Tinubu’s tenure will come to an end after his second term in 2031.
According to him, the region must act decisively within this window to strengthen its economic base and ensure sustainable development beyond the current administration.

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BREAKING: Malami Tells Court He Earned ₦12bn+ Legitimately, Seeks Release of Seized Properties

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Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has disclosed details of his earnings while asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside an interim order authorising the seizure of 57 properties allegedly linked to him.
Malami made the disclosure through his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), in a motion on notice filed before the court. The application seeks to vacate an interim forfeiture order affecting three of the 57 properties currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the court filing, Malami stated that he had fully and transparently declared his sources of income in his asset declaration submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The document outlined multiple income streams, including:
₦374.63 million earned from salaries, estacodes, severance allowances, and related entitlements.
₦574.07 million generated from the disposal of personal assets.
₦10.01 billion recorded as turnover from private business ventures.
₦2.52 billion issued as loans to various businesses.
₦958 million received as traditional gifts from personal friends.
₦509.88 million realised from the launch and public presentation of his book titled “Contemporary Issues on Nigerian Law and Practice: Thorny Terrains in Traversing the Nigerian Justice Sector – My Travails and Triumphs.”
Malami’s legal team argued that the declared earnings sufficiently explain the source of funds used to acquire the properties in question, urging the court to lift the interim seizure order.
The matter remains pending before the Federal High Court as the EFCC continues its forfeiture proceedings.

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