It comes as no surprise that news headlines this week have been dominated by the formation of a coalition by opposition politicians plotting to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) was adopted as a platform to challenge Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC). Leading the ADC coalition is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, both runners-up in the last presidential election.

They are joined by other experienced politicians, including former Senate President David Mark, who like Atiku is leaving the PDP, along with the opposition party’s former chairman Uche Secondus, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

At the unveiling of the coalition on Wednesday, interim chairman David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country’s democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.

However, analysts said the coalition is bound to be torn apart by the ambition of some of the key political figures on the question of which part of the country should its presidential candidate come from.

Although there’s a long way to go before candidates are officially announced, political commentators are predicting that 78-year-old Atiku will have another shot at the presidency. Atiku’s supporters feel that with him being the only former vice president seeking the presidency, every other politician naturally comes second.

Aside from Atiku, Amaechi has indicated his interest in running for the country’s top job in 2027. The former minister came a distant second in the APC presidential primary in 2022, losing to Tinubu. In an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, Amaechi said he believes the power-sharing deal between northern and southern Nigeria should be respected.

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He recalled how he fought for the return of power to the North in 2015, saying he believes in power sharing between the two major regions of the country. “I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years. But after four years, the government reneged on it, and I said no, that would be unfair. That will be instability at its peak because the North will react.”

Amaechi added that in line with the power-sharing principle, he would be a one-term president if given the chance to lead the country in 2027. “I won’t do more than four years,” he said, adding that “the South must be allowed to complete its tenure. If the South is not allowed to complete its tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting it.”

Amaechi’s stance is not very different from that of Obi, who came third in the last presidential election, surprising many pundits to win in 11 of Nigeria’s 36 states and Abuja.

Obi has also declared his intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election under the coalition. Obi said the platform would offer Nigerians “a competent, capable, and compassionate” leadership.

“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 general elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first,” he said.

The former Anambra governor said he would be willing to serve for a four-year tenure if he reached an agreement with those who support his ambition. “If there is any form of agreement that will restrict me to four years in office, I will comply with the agreement and be ready to leave office by 28th May 2031,” Obi said.

Obi and Amaechi will thus hope that the ADC zones its presidential ticket to the South and that the candidate, if elected, would serve only one term before power returns to the North again. Atiku, who has tried to be Nigeria’s president since 1993, is, however, expected to challenge that belief and seek to be the ADC candidate.

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“Ultimately, the success of the coalition would depend on their establishing a level playing ground for intra-party democracy to produce the best candidate,” said Jibrin Ibrahim, a professor of political science. “If they fail to do so, their success cannot be guaranteed.”

Sectional Interests
The politics of region, geography, religion, and ethnicity is one of the major fault lines in Nigerian democracy. This was a major issue in 2010, after the death in office of President Umaru Yar’Adua, also in 2011, and again in both 2015 and 2023.

It would most certainly be the case in 2027, too.

After eight years of the Buhari/Northern Presidency, the Southern partners in the emerging coalition would naturally insist that to replace Mr Tinubu, who would have spent four years in 2027, the remaining four years must naturally go to a presidential candidate of Southern extraction.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, has given conditions based on which the Red Chamber would reinstate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Adaramodu who reacted to the ruling of a Federal High Court on the matter, made it clear that the Red Chamber would not immediately reinstate senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, until she apologises as directed by court.

Adaramodu said that the court judgment did not override the Senate’s constitutional powers to discipline its members.

In March, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged gross misconduct, following her face-off with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over the sitting arrangement.

Tensions intensified when Akpoti-Uduaghan, on national television, accused Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.

The Peoples Democratic Party senator submitted a petition to the Senate, alleging that she was sexually harassed by Akpabio, an allegation the Senate President had since denied.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, challenged her suspension in court.

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Delivering her judgment on the matter, Justice Nyako faulted the provision of chapter eight of the Senate Standing Rules as well as Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, declaring both as overreaching.

The court stressed that the two legislations failed to specify the maximum period that a serving lawmaker could be suspended from office.

Justice Nyako stated that while the Senate had the authority to discipline its members, such disciplinary actions must not strip citizens of representation in the National Assembly.

She noted that since the Senate was constitutionally required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s 180-day suspension amounted to denying the people of Kogi Central effective participation in national governance.

“The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament,” Justice Nyako ruled.

The court, however, found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27.

Justice Nyako held that after reviewing the post and the application before her instituted by the third respondent, she was satisfied that it was linked to the suspension matter before the court and therefore found the plaintiff guilty of contempt.

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The judge ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. She also imposed a fine of N5million.

Responding to a question, Adaramodu said: “Which judgment are we appealing when they (court) said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members?

“The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator.

“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action.”

According to Senator Adaramodu, the Senate would only reconvene to deliberate on the matter after Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had complied with the court’s directives.

“The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.

“The first reaction now will not be from us. The court has ruled, so once she takes the step to redress and does what the court has directed her to do, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court,” he said.

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Addressing journalists after the judgment, the Counsel to the Senate, Paul Dauda, SAN, described the ruling as a partial victory for the Senate, particularly on the issue of civil contempt arising from social media posts made during the case.

Dauda said: “The first application filed by the Senate, that no social media posts should have been made, was decided in our favour. The court directed that the satirical apology be taken down and that a proper apology be published in two national dailies. Additionally, damages of N5million were awarded to be paid to the court.”

On the substantive ruling regarding the suspension, Dauda noted that the Senate’s authority to discipline its members was not in dispute.

“It appears the court affirmed that the Senate, as an institution, has the right to discipline its members. While members are elected to represent constituencies, they are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Senate’s standing rules,” he said.

He explained that the court did not order Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement but merely suggested that the Senate could consider recalling her.

“There was no relief asking for the suspension to be lifted. The judge only made what we call an obiter dictum, a non-binding remark, that the suspension may have been excessive. We will consult with our colleagues, read the full judgment, and respond accordingly,” he added.

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Ukranian forces have reportedly captured a Nigerian national, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, who is said to have been fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In a video released by the Ukrainian Freedom of Russia Legion, Oluwagbemileke is seen being interrogated, stating that he was captured in the Zaporizhzhia region after serving with Russian forces for five months.

“Our stormtroopers have returned from a mission with an unusual trophy—Kehinde Oluwagbemileke. He was identified as 24-year-old Wang Wu. Apparently, due to a shortage of cannon fodder, Putin’s commanders are luring foreigners by deception to “defend the motherland” in far-off Ukraine,” it said.

It revealed that the man had been living in Russia for four years before his arrest on drugs related charges.

He reportedly agreed to join Russia’s military campaign in exchange for a reduced sentence, rather than serving prison term under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code.

“Nigerians deserve honesty. Peter Obi should stop pretending and tell us where he stands. We will not allow what happened in 2023 to happen again, especially if it will hurt the Igbo cause.”

A youth group, Omenuko Ndigbo United, has warned Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, against isolating himself from the current push to unite opposition forces ahead of the 2027 polls.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Benjamin Madu, president of the group, said Obi’s reluctance to engage fully in coalition talks raises concerns about a repeat of what happened in the last elections.

“We are not happy with Peter Obi. Instead of joining hands with others to rescue Nigeria, he seems to be focused only on himself. This is not the time for selfish politics,” the statement reads.

Madu accused Obi of allowing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the 2023 elections by refusing to collaborate with other opposition leaders.

He cautioned that such a move could again sabotage the chances of producing a president of Igbo extraction in 2027.

“The current president is from the South. This is the best time for Ndigbo to push for the presidency. But we need unity. If Obi leaves the coalition, it will be harder for an Igbo person to become president in 2027 or even in 2031,” Madu said.

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“Obi is not fully part of the plans, and it’s starting to look like he is playing another game. We need to know what he really wants.”He also pointed to recent criticisms of Obi by APC supporters like Reno Omokri, which, according to him, were reminiscent of 2023 tactics used to confuse the opposition and voters.

Referencing David Hundeyin, a journalist, Madu said previous warnings about avoiding fragmentation in the opposition should be taken seriously this time around.

He urged the former governor of Anambra to make his position known and stop the “political ambiguity”.

“Nigerians deserve honesty. Peter Obi should stop pretending and tell us where he stands. We will not allow what happened in 2023 to happen again, especially if it will hurt the Igbo cause,” he said.

On May 22, Obi assured LP’s supporters that he would still contest future elections on the party’s platform.

“I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party,” he said.

“But today, in all the parties, there are problems; these are deliberate problems caused by the system. These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity.

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“Parties will function very well because you can not have a system working without a strong opposition.”

The United States has retained its position as the world’s most powerful military in the 2025 Global Military Strength Index, published by Global Firepower.

Israel and Iran, two key players in the Middle East, were ranked 15th and 16th respectively, highlighting their continued influence in regional military dynamics amid ongoing tensions.

Published annually, the GFP index analyzes over 60 indicators including manpower, equipment strength, financial resources, logistical efficiency, and geographical advantage to evaluate a nation’s military posture.

The latest ranking reflects the global shifts in defense preparedness, strategic alliances, and geopolitical tensions shaping national security policies around the world.

According to the report, the rankings are not solely determined by the size of a country’s armed forces or defense budget, but rather a comprehensive mix of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Smaller nations with advanced technology, training, and defense infrastructure continue to challenge larger militaries in global standings.

Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa remain Africa’s strongest military powers in the new ranking, while European and Asian countries dominate the top tier.

The GFP list has become a benchmark for military observers, analysts, and policymakers in assessing global defense capabilities.

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Here is the list of 40 countries ranked in the 2025 Global Firepower Index.

1. United States
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. South Korea
6. United Kingdom
7. France
8. Japan
9. Turkiye
10. Italy
11. Brazil
12. Pakistan
13. Indonesia
14. Germany
15. Israel
16. Iran
17. Spain
18. Australia
19. Egypt
20. Ukraine
21. Poland
22. Taiwan
23. Vietnam
24. Saudi Arabia
25. Thailand
26. Algeria
27. Sweden
28. Canada
29. Singapore
30. Greece
31. Nigeria
32. Mexico
33. Argentina
34. North Korea
35. Bangladesh
36. Netherlands
37. Myanmar
38. Norway
39. Portugal
40. South Africa

A middle-aged woman has been confirmed dead in Imo State after a bomb explosion rocked Awo-Idemili, a community in Orsu Local Government Area of the South-eastern state, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES.

The woman, Ngozi Umeh, hailed from Ubaheze village in the community.

The incident happened at about 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Eke Ubaheze Market Square in the community.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, in a statement on Thursday, said the explosive was believed to have been planted by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said preliminary investigations showed that the deceased woman stepped on the explosive, which caused it to explode.

“She was critically injured and later confirmed dead at the hospital, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention,” he said.

The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, upon receiving the information, deployed various operatives, including personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, to cordon off the area and evacuate victims.

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He said the deployed operatives also swept the market vicinity to detect any other possible unexploded explosives planted in the area.

“The area has since been declared safe, and normal activities have resumed under enhanced security surveillance,” he said.

Mr Danjuma, according to the statement, has commiserated with the family of the deceased woman and prayed for the quick recovery of other injured victims.

The police chief assured the residents of Orsu and Imo State in general that the command remains resolute in its determination to root out all criminals threatening the state’s peace.

He urged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, as adequate security measures have been implemented to forestall the recurrence of such incidents.

Mr Danjuma appealed to all residents of the state to report to the police any suspicious items, persons, or movements for action.

Investigation

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Mr Okoye said the police commissioner ordered an investigation into the incident.

“The deputy commissioner of police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to commence a comprehensive investigation aimed at unmasking and apprehending the perpetrators,” he said.

Not the first time
This is not the first time a bomb explosion would rock a market in Imo State, which has witnessed increased attacks, like other states in the South-east region, in recent years

In November last year, at least two people were killed when a bomb exploded at the International Market in Umuna, a community in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

IPOB has been blamed for the worsening attacks in the region.

Security agencies and government facilities are often targeted in the attacks.

But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

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IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.