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Even If All 36 Governors Join APC, It Won’t Affect Coalition’s Momentum Says Babachir Lawal
Even If All 36 Governors Join APC, It Won’t Affect Coalition’s Momentum Says Babachir Lawal
Even if all 36 governors join APC, it won’t affect coalition’s momentum says Babachir Lawal. Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), has described the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by some governors as “immaterial”.
Lawal spoke in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday.
On May 22, all 22 state governors in the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Lawal, a member of the coalition of opposition leaders looking to displace the ruling APC, dismissed the governors’ influence.
He said the coalition is “targeting” voters, not political officeholders.
“Look, the way we are going, eventually, it is to voters at the polling booth that we will appeal, not any political party,” he said.
“Let the governors continue to defect, we don’t care. If we wake up one morning and heard that all the 36 states governors and the FCT are in APC, we don’t care.
“It is immaterial. They have only 37 votes; maybe we can add their families. Maybe you get 1000 votes. The voter is what we are targeting, and the voter is the victim of the system we are against.”
Lawal added that the coalition is “very serious” about its chances of upsetting the APC in 2027 and will soon announce its plans.
“I have been hooked up in this town for the past five months, participating in this. If I knew it wouldn’t succeed, I would be on my farm. I started farming since the season, but I stayed back. So, I must be an idiot if I leave my most important vocation to take coffee and snacks,” the former SGF said.
“Whoever says we aren’t serious doesn’t know who the people are, because they don’t know who they are, because we don’t take photographs. We don’t take minutes of meetings. We take time to make sure that information on strategies doesn’t leak.
“I am sure that is the reason for all the speculations. But I can tell you that the coalition is very serious; we are experienced and we know what we are doing. At the appropriate time, we will go public with what we are doing.”

Political Parties
TheCable had reported that opposition leaders are finalising plans to adopt the African Democratic Party (ADC) as the platform to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, on Saturday, said he would contest the next election on his party’s platform, dealing a blow to the coalition’s plans.
News
EFCC Arraigns Man For Issuance Of N16.5m Dud Cheque
EFCC Arraigns Man For Issuance Of N16.5m Dud Cheque
The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Oluwabusayo Ekundayo before Justice A.S. Adepoju of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Gwagwalada, Abuja for issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N16, 650,000 (Sixteen Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only).
He is being prosecuted on a two-count charge.
Eereporter.com
Count one reads: “That you Oluwabusayo Ekundayo sometime in 2022 in Abuja, within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being the CEO/Chairman of Orion Surgical and Satures, did obtain from one Clara Onwumere the sum of N4,650,000.00 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), by means of cheque which when presented within three months, would be dishonoured on the ground that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 1(1)(b) of Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(1)(b)(i) of the same Act.”
Count two reads: “That you Oluwabusayo Ekundayo within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being the CEO/Chairman of Orion Surgical and Satures, did obtain credit from one Clara Onwumere in the sum of N12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million Naira only)

EFCC
Which when presented within three months, would be dishonoured on the ground that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 1(1) (b) and punishable under Section 1(1)(b) of Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(1) (b) (i) of the same Act.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, prompting prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu to request a trial date.
Trial has since commenced in the matter.
News
Nigeria Advances Diaspora Engagement, Migration Governance At IMRF 2026 In New York
Nigeria Advances Diaspora Engagement, Migration Governance At IMRF 2026 In New York
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening protection for its citizens abroad while strategically harnessing diaspora contributions for national development.
He made this known while serving as Co-Chair of Roundtable 3 on Diaspora Engagement at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s diaspora remains a critical partner in driving inclusive growth, contributing significantly through remittances, investment, skills transfer, and innovation. He emphasized that the Federal Government is actively repositioning its engagement strategy to better integrate diaspora contributions into national development frameworks.
Eereporter.com
According to the Honourable Minister, “platforms such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit and diaspora-focused financial instruments are being leveraged to promote investment and facilitate skills transfer.”
He explained that, these initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that diaspora engagement translates into measurable socio-economic outcomes.
Dr. Doro further stated that “these efforts reflect a strategic shift towards recognizing diaspora communities not merely as beneficiaries of protection systems, but as active partners in development.”
He added that, Nigeria’s experience, alongside those of other countries, provides valuable entry points for strengthening systems, improving coordination, and scaling impact across migration governance frameworks.
The Minister underscored the importance of moving beyond fragmented approaches to humanitarian and migration interventions, calling for more coordinated, systems-driven responses. “This roundtable provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can collectively strengthen preventive protection mechanisms, deepen partnerships, and adopt innovative approaches that bridge policy commitments with practical implementation,” he said.
He also urged stakeholders to engage actively in shaping forward-looking solutions, noting that “As we begin our discussions, it is important to share concrete experiences, identify scalable solutions, and contribute to building a more proactive, inclusive, and development-oriented migration system.”
The Honourable Minister reiterated that Nigeria’s position aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusive growth, strengthened global partnerships, and expanded opportunities for all Nigerians, including those in the diaspora.

Diaspora
He concluded by expressing optimism for the outcomes of the Forum, stating that Nigeria remains committed to building a more inclusive, coordinated, and development-driven migration system that safeguards its citizens and maximizes the potential of its diaspora for national transformation.
The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026) is held from May 5–8, it is a primary intergovernmental platform for reviewing progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).
The Forum brings together Heads of State, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector to advance global cooperation on migration and adopt a Progress Declaration to guide future actions.
Signed:
Janet MCDickson Director, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
News
NAF Hercules C-130: The Strategic Workhorse Powering Operations, Saving Lives
NAF Hercules C-130: The Strategic Workhorse Powering Operations, Saving Lives
For decades, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Hercules C-130 has remained a formidable symbol of strength and resilience, serving as one of the most critical operational assets of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Renowned globally for its versatility and reliability, the aircraft has consistently delivered rapid airlift capabilities across diverse and challenging environments.
From transporting troops and military hardware to sustaining frontline operations, as well as conducting humanitarian missions, aeromedical evacuations, delivering relief materials, and saving lives, the C-130 has played a central role in enhancing military operations while supporting the civil populace across the country.
Eereporter.com
Its ability to operate from austere and semi-prepared airstrips has made it indispensable in counter-insurgency campaigns and support missions across various theatres of operation.
The aircraft equally proved its strategic value while supporting Nigerian contingents deployed in Liberia and Sierra Leone, reinforcing Nigeria’s military reach and contribution to regional stability through sustained strategic airlift operations.

NAF
Beyond combat operations, the C-130 has remained a vital humanitarian and national response platform. The aircraft has airlifted hundreds of thousands of kilograms of relief materials to disaster-stricken communities, supported flood relief operations, evacuated displaced persons from inaccessible locations, and conducted life-saving aeromedical evacuation missions for wounded personnel and critically ill patients.
During national emergencies and public health crises, it has consistently remained at the forefront of rapid response efforts, transporting medical teams, equipment, and essential supplies across the country.
Through its enduring operational impact and humanitarian contributions, the Hercules C-130 continues to embody the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment to national defence, humanitarian service, and the protection of the Nigerian people.
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