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ADC National Chairman David Mark Address At The Opposition Summit In Ibadan
ADC National Chairman David Mark Address At The Opposition Summit In Ibadan
Entire communities are uprooted, families shattered, and livelihoods destroyed. Fear has taken the place of freedom, and uncertainty has replaced hope.
Distinguished leaders of the opposition,
Protocols:
1. Our gathering here today is an urgent response to our nation’s call to patriotic duty. My prayer is that history will remember us, that when the nation cried out to be rescued, we answered, that when we heard the agonies of mothers that just buried their children killed by bandits, we answered, that when we saw the silent agonies of fathers and husbands who watched their daughters and wives raped by terrorists, we answered, that when struggling workers could not afford to transport themselves to work, we answered, that when children went to bed hungry, we answered, that when proud, hardworking citizens were turned to beggars; we answered. History will ask, what did we do? What role did we play? All of us here and millions who are with us but for one reason or the other are not here physically will answer positively.
2. The call to rescue Nigeria is not a mere opposition slogan. The evidence is there for all of us to see. Across the length and breadth of our country, insecurity has become a defining feature of daily life. From the avoidable protracted insurgency and terrorism, to the relentless banditry and mass kidnappings, to the steady rise of violent crimes in our urban centres, Nigeria faces a historic challenge.
3. The statistics are frightening. In 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded more than 12,000 conflict-related deaths. This figure exceeds those of countries who are actively at war, like Syria, Iraq and Yemen, combined. Nigeria is now ranked 4th in global terrorism index. Despite all the claims and posturing by government, the situation continues to get worse. While global terrorism deaths fell by 28% in 2025, Nigeria’s increased by 46%. At least 15 Nigerians are killed daily, while about 19 people are abducted. In the first three months of this year alone, about 1,400 Nigerians have been killed or abducted in different parts of the country. Entire communities are uprooted, families shattered, and livelihoods destroyed. Fear has taken the place of freedom, and uncertainty has replaced hope.
4. Yet, the government, whose primary duty it is to protect the citizens, carry on with a shocking indifference as if nothing is wrong. We are a nation that is constantly in mourning, a nation burying its citizens with alarming regularity, a nation crying out for leadership and protection. While these killings and kidnappings continue relentlessly, the APC led government is behaving as if all is well. The government is preoccupied with election matters and politics of self-succession.
5. The essence of democracy is to provide the people with a choice. When one government fails, like this government has woefully done, the constitution of our land grants the people the power to vote that government out. However, with what we have witnessed in recent times, the ruling party has done everything to deny the people of Nigeria this very right to seek an alternative. In the last three years, this government has launched major attacks on the opposition parties, all in a bid to deny the people the right to choose. They want to foist a one-party state on Nigeria. Institutions that should safeguard our freedom and protect the will of the people are increasingly under assault. The right of citizens to freely choose their leaders is being undermined. The independence of democratic institutions is being compromised. In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to describe what we have today as a fully functioning democracy in both form and substance.
6. Our mission to recue Nigeria is a task that must be done. When we, as members of the opposition, say that our singular objective is to rescue Nigeria, we are neither exaggerating nor engaging in political theatrics. The task before us is nothing short of a national rescue mission. It is a mission born out of necessity, compelled by the suffering of our people, and driven by the urgency of the moment.
7. I must emphasise therefore, that this responsibility is far more important than partisan sentiment, personal interest or personal ambition. What is at stake; the very survival and restoration of our country, is greater than every single one of us. It involves sacrifice by every member in the opposition. I have no doubt in my mind, that no single opposition political party, no matter how strong, can confront a system so entrenched and so determined to retain power at all costs. What we are faced with is a regime that has shown, in both words and in deeds, a willingness to weaken democratic structures and suppress opposition voices. Let’s not make a mistake about this. The move towards a one-party state is real. It has never happened before in this country, and it will not happen in our generation.
8. The government has argued that it is not their duty to help build the opposition. They are right. And we seek no such favour from them. They call what they are doing to opposition political parties ‘strategy’. I call it tyranny. But is it their duty to destroy the opposition as they have brazenly attempted to do? Can one do what they have been doing and still claim to believe in democracy, or to be a democrat? The answer is certainly NO.
9. We must not be in doubts. The forces that have sought to destabilise our various political parties will not stop. Even as we gather here, they are already scheming how to further undermine us and divide our ranks and sow seeds of discord among us. But we on our path must remember where the rains began to beat us. We must remember how we got to where we are today. We must remember what has brought us here. We must remain clear that we cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. We must be united to salvage our nation. It is for these reasons that this gathering and our dealings must be anchored on honesty and integrity. We must put all our cards faced up on the table and speak truthfully to one another. There must be no hidden agendas, no last-minute surprises, and no room for distrust. Perhaps, more than anything else, the success of our collective effort depends on our ability to build and sustain trust.
10. We are racing against time, and operating within a limited window. The urgency of our situation does not permit repeated mistakes. We must be willing to rise above narrow sentiments and reject petty parochialism that has historically divided the oppositions in this country. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria.
11. The record of the APC government is one of failure. What remains in its wake is an aggressive reliance on propaganda and a sustained assault on opposition voices. However, we will not engage in a contest of propaganda. We will not substitute truth with noise. Their reliance on propaganda only exposes a deeper problem, an inability to accept responsibility and a lack of integrity. Nigerians are watching, and they have seen through the smokescreen and the lies. They recognize a government that has failed to meet their expectations and shown no empathy for their sufferings.
12. This is why, as we have repeatedly maintained, the struggle before us is no longer a conventional political contest. This contest is between the ruling party APC, and the Nigerian people. APC is contesting against the mother who has just buried her child, against the father who works tirelessly yet cannot feed his family, against the young graduate who sees no future, and against the pensioner who has been abandoned after decades of service. We are on the side of the people. Therefore, the Almighty God is on our side.
13. Recent changes within the economic management team are themselves a tacit admission of failure. When a system is functioning effectively, you do not replace leadership. Reshuffling cabinet at this late hour cannot save them from the verdict of the people.
ADC National Chairman David Mark
14. Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, as I conclude, let me use this opportunity to emphasise once again, that the credibility of our democracy rests on the neutrality and integrity of its electoral institutions. When the referee clearly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams in a match he should be officiating, then the legitimacy of the entire process is undermined. In this instance, Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral body, INEC. INEC is no longer an impartial umpire. And if nothing changes, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan is about to preside over the most distrusted election in Nigerian history. The consequences are better left to imagination.
15. Leaders of our parties, let it be said loud and clear that at a defining moment in our history, when Nigeria stood at the edge of uncertainty, we did not falter. We did not allow personal ambition to override the desire of Nigerians for a better life. We did not collapse under the temptation of petty partisanship or self-satisfying ambitions. Instead, we chose unity over division, sacrifice over self, and country above all.
16. Let this summit go down in history as the moment when everything changed. Let this be the beginning of a decisive movement, a movement that will restore the dignity of our democracy, secure the lives of our people, and rebuild the foundations of our nation.
17. I am very confident that if we stand together with conviction, discipline, and sincerity, no force will be strong enough to stop the will of the Nigerian people. May history remember us for our courage, our sacrifice and our resolve to save our democracy and our country.
May it record that when Nigeria called, we answered with unwavering commitment, when our people needed us, we did not falter and we did not fail them.
18. And may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
SSANU Threatens indefinite Strike, Shuts Sokoto University Over Unpaid Allowances
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Sokoto State University chapter, has shut down services at the institution following the commencement of a five-working-day warning strike over unresolved staff entitlements.
Eereporter.com
The union warned that it would embark on an indefinite strike if the Sokoto State Government failed to address its demands before the expiration of the warning action.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, November 2, followed the expiration of a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to the state government on October 14.
In a statement made available to journalists on Monday and jointly signed by the chapter Chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, SSANU said the decision followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and engagements with relevant government officials.
The union said, “Despite repeated engagements, appeals and consultations with relevant government authorities, no concrete action has been taken to address the legitimate demands of our members.”
SSANU is demanding the payment of arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment, approval and implementation of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, annual salary increments for eligible members and the release of outstanding check-off dues.
The union said it had previously engaged the Commissioner for Higher Education, the ministry’s permanent secretary and the deputy governor in a bid to resolve the issues amicably.
It added that the government subsequently constituted a committee to engage university-based unions from Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.
According to the statement, at a meeting held on October 9, the government maintained that arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment would not be paid, while implementation of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance would commence in January 2027, subject to budgetary provision.
However, the union rejected the position, insisting that it failed to address the concerns of its members.
“Despite resubmitting our demands as requested by the Permanent Secretary, the government failed to take any concrete action before the expiration of the ultimatum,” the statement said.
SSANU
The association maintained that the 35 per cent allowance was a legitimate entitlement, noting that similar allowances had been approved for academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other categories of workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
It appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to personally intervene by approving the outstanding demands to prevent the dispute from escalating.
The union also called on traditional institutions, parents, students and other stakeholders to intervene and facilitate an amicable resolution.
Eereporter.com
Lagos Court Jails Applewood Estate Suspect for Gift Card Fraud
Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on October 30, 2026, convicted and sentenced one Hassan Usman Olamilekan for offences bordering on money laundering.
Eereporter.com
Olamilekan was convicted following his arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of money laundering, contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The count reads:
“That you, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, sometime in 2026 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly disguised the origin of the sum of $800 (Eight Hundred United States Dollars) in gift cards, which sum forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, the facts of the case were reviewed by an EFCC operative, Ebuka Abanga. The court subsequently found him guilty and convicted him accordingly.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced to a fine of N200,000 and ordered him to remit the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is to remain in the Correctional centre pending the payment of the fine and restitution.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 mobile phone, being items recovered in connection with the offence.
Investigation revealed that Olamilekan, 18, who claimed to hail from the Republic of Benin but was born in Nigeria, was involved in lottery scams and operated several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zangi and iMessage.
He reportedly met his victim, one Gary Brewer, a United States citizen, through the Zangi application, where he impersonated a white American woman identified as Julie Leach.
Olamilekan told the victim that he had won a lottery prize of $250,000,000 and needed money to activate the winnings before he could claim the prize. He subsequently persuaded the victim to send him gift cards through the Zangi application.
EFCC, Court
The defendant admitted selling the gift cards through the Cardsonic application, converting them to Naira and transferring the proceeds to his grandmother’s OPay account. He confessed to benefiting from a total of $800 from the fraudulent scheme.
Olamilekan was among the 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State, on October 26, 2026.
Eereporter.com
2027 Elections: Akpabio Urges APC Candidates to Embrace Unity, Reconciliation
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will overcome all obstacles and secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Eereporter.com
Governor Eno made the declaration during a special dedication service for the APC 2027 Election Campaign Council and candidates at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, where he committed the party’s campaign and electoral aspirations to God.
The Governor explained that the decision to commence the party’s campaign activities with a church service was a demonstration of its recognition of God’s supremacy in human affairs.
According to him, the service was organised to dedicate the Campaign Council and all APC candidates contesting various positions in the forthcoming elections to God’s protection, guidance and direction.
“We deliberately chose to begin this journey in the House of God because we understand that there is a God who rules in the affairs of men.
“We may have our plans, strategies, structures and human credibility, but ultimately, it is God who directs the affairs of life and determines the outcome of every endeavour,” he said.
Referring to Proverbs 3:5-6, Governor Eno said the party’s prayer was for God to direct its path, go before its candidates and establish their steps throughout the electoral process.
The Governor, who is seeking re-election on the APC platform, stressed that the dedication was not merely an attempt to seek divine blessings for the party’s plans but a total surrender of its political ambitions to God.
Speaking on the theme of the service, “We Are Well Able”, drawn from Numbers 13:30, Eno expressed confidence that the APC would successfully deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, all its National Assembly candidates, himself as Governor and candidates for the State House of Assembly.
“We are well able because God is able. We are well able because we are trusting Him to lead us, strengthen us and direct our steps,” he declared.
He recalled that he dedicated his first-term campaign to God four years ago, a decision he said culminated in electoral success, assuring that the party would return to the church for a thanksgiving service after victory in 2027.
Eno urged members of the Campaign Council and all candidates to approach the assignment with humility, unity, discipline and a genuine commitment to service.
He cautioned party members against self-aggrandisement, internal disagreements and other distractions capable of undermining their collective responsibility.
The Governor maintained that the welfare of Akwa Ibom people must remain central to the party’s political aspirations, stressing that every ambition should be connected to the development and future of the state.
He also appreciated the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, alongside other stakeholders, for attending the dedication service.
The Governor further acknowledged the contributions of religious leaders to the peace and development of the state, assuring them of his administration’s continued collaboration.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Governor Eno for his leadership qualities and efforts in promoting peace and unity across Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio described the Governor as a special gift from God to the state, noting that his leadership style had been exemplary and deserving of commendation.
He called on APC candidates, members of the Campaign Council and party faithful to embrace unity, warning against divisions that could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Senate President urged members to prioritise wisdom over arrogance, reconciliation over resentment and service over self-glorification.
Earlier, Archbishop Emma Isong, in his exhortation, commended Governor Eno and his team for dedicating the 2027 campaign to God.
He identified commitment to God, courage, fearlessness, unity and total dependence on divine guidance as essential principles for achieving victory.
In his welcome address, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Christian Nyong, praised Governor Eno for being a worthy ambassador of the Church and for choosing to begin the 2027 campaign with a dedication service.
Nyong also commended Christian leaders in the state for their cooperation and support for the Governor, assuring him of their continued commitment to promoting peace and unity.
Umo Eno, Akpabio
Similarly, the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, represented by the Dean of the National Ecumenical Centre, Rt. Rev. Ini Ukpuho, also an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, described Governor Eno as a Christian icon and a worthy ambassador of the Church.
He appreciated the Governor for honouring CAN during its 50th anniversary and prayed for greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
The high point of the service was the dedication of APC candidates and members of the 2027 Campaign Council to God, with prayers led by Archbishop Isaiah Isong and Bishop John Aya, respectively.
Eereporter.com
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