News

Why ADC Will Collapse In Six Months — Bwala

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2025

Editor

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, says the opposition coalition formed under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will collapse within six months due to a lack of ideology and vision.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Bwala said the coalition comprises politicians without a unified agenda, describing them as “internally displaced politicians” who have failed to present credible alternatives to Nigerians.

“What I still find intriguing is that this coalition of internally displaced politicians has not been able to summon the courage to come up with alternative facts, alternative policies, or alternative programmes,” Bwala said.

He added that the coalition has relied solely on press statements and criticism without offering a roadmap to challenge the ruling party.

Bwala said, “Throughout the interview you had with Peter Obi, what I observed is that he has not been able to counter or disagree in the real sense of the word with the policies.

“They have not brought a single alternative policy to the table. The truth is, they lack vision and have not shown Nigerians they truly care.”

Bwala predicted that internal power struggles, particularly over who becomes the presidential flagbearer, would tear the group apart and cause ADC’s collapse before it gets off the ground.

“All this fantasy of coalition, we all know that once there is a phenomenon like that, we are going to have a good two to three weeks of romanticising: ‘we have ideas, we can do this.

“One of them Datti (Baba-Ahmed) has already sensed the danger ahead and said the problem of this coalition will be who becomes the president. Because right now I’m quoting him ‘everybody wants to be the president,’” he said.

“After one month, when they sit down, I am telling you on my honour, in the next six months, that coalition will not even be a conversation. They will scatter.”

He also claimed that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has effectively stepped down for Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Bwala, Obi is now struggling to secure the vice-presidential ticket and may compete for the slot with Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation.

He added that there are talks of Obi being appointed Director-General of the coalition’s campaign, with promises that Atiku would serve a single term to pave the way for Obi to contest in the future.

However, Obi recently declared his intention to run for president again in 2027, dismissing reports that he had agreed to serve under Atiku.

“Peter Obi is now a non-issue. He’s a non-starter. Already, he has conceded his presidential ambition to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

“Now he has become second fiddle, but he needs to fight for the vice-presidential ticket with Rotimi Amaechi.

“And from what we are hearing, they have convinced him that he will be director-general of the campaign to lead the movement and that when they win the election, Atiku will do one term, and then Peter Obi will return to become president,” he stated.

Recall that earlier, several opposition figures including Obi, Atiku, Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-Minister Rauf Aregbesola adopted the ADC as a platform to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

But Bwala insisted the alliance is unstable and poses no threat to the presidency.

News

UNIBEN Bans Students’ Sign-out Celebration

Published

19 minutes ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has prohibited all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The ban is contained in a circular by the university’s Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, on Tuesday in Benin.

In the circular addressed to members of the university community, the management warned that violators risk severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

Bobola said the decision was reached at a meeting on Monday, where it reaffirmed an earlier resolution of the university’s Senate banning such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” he said.

He stated that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct or unauthorised gathering during or after examinations.

“Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,” the circular warned.

According to him, unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses all through the last week of the second semester examination.

“The management also prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations.

“Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebration,” he said.

He said the management equally cautioned parents and guardians of final-year students against visiting campus premises during the final days of examinations.

“Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,” he said.

Bobola emphasised that the university’s stance was aimed at maintaining order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus.

“Members of the university community are kindly invited to note the above position for strict compliance.

“Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,” he warned.

News

Recruitment: Customs Announces Exam Date For Shortlisted Applicants

Published

27 minutes ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that the main online recruitment examination for shortlisted candidates in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres will be conducted on Thursday, 9 October 2025.

The service said the online test marks a major step in its ongoing nationwide recruitment process aimed at strengthening manpower in the middle and lower ranks of the organisation.

The exercise, according to the statement, will be held entirely online to ensure fairness, transparency and equal access for applicants across the country.

Candidates have been grouped into three batches A, B and C and are required to log in with their National Identification Number (NIN) through the official portal https://updates.customs.gov.ng, https://updates.customs.gov.ng) to check their batch, date and time of examination.

The NCS emphasised that compliance with the allocated schedule is compulsory, warning that failure to adhere could result in automatic disqualification.

Applicants have been strongly advised against the use of calculators, mobile phones or any other electronic devices during the examination.

The service further cautioned against multiple log-ins or switching between browser windows, stressing that such actions could disrupt or terminate participation in the test.

Only candidates shortlisted under the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres are eligible to participate at this stage, while those in the Superintendent cadre will be notified separately for their own phase of the process.

NCS noted that the exam represents part of the NCS’s ongoing effort to modernise its recruitment and ensure that only qualified candidates proceed to the next stage of selection.

The use of online testing, they said, allows for improved efficiency and reduces human interference in the marking and assessment process.

The NCS reiterated its commitment to integrity, transparency, and merit-based recruitment, urging all applicants to follow the laid-down procedures strictly.

It also encouraged candidates to maintain vigilance against online scammers or fake recruitment agents posing as customs officials, warning that all genuine updates would be published only through official NCS channels and its verified social media pages.