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Fayose Declares PDP Dead: ‘It’s No Longer a Party’

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Fayose Declares PDP Dead: ‘It’s No Longer a Party’

According to Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, the PDP is in chaos after important members defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In an interview that was broadcast on Adaba 88.9 FM in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Sunday, Fayose reportedly stated that the PDP is no longer a party.
Despite the tensions and cracks within the opposition party, Fayose stated that he would not join the APC and would stay in the PDP.

In addition, he criticized the PDP leadership for undercutting his contributions to the party’s growth, emphasizing that many of the people who had previously accused him of anti-party conduct are now abandoning the party.

The former governor believes that the PDP is in deeper danger and confusion and that the party is causing its own problems.

Fayose also foresaw a dismal future for the PDP amid the faction, cautioning that the umbrella organization might not even place in the top three in the general elections of 2027.

“So, I will never decamp,” he remarked. I’m never going to APC. Do you quit the party while your family is in crisis? No, I had better show up, fight from within, and oversee the election process. The second place will go to Mr. Peter Obi. In the general election of 2027, PDP will finish fourth.

Read Also: Salary Cuts: Lagos Doctors Embark on Three-Day Warning Strike

“Since the PDP is no longer a party, there is nothing left to destroy. I work in this party, and everyone expects a lot in return. I’ve made my PDP dues. Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, and Nasir El-Rufia were among the bulk of those in the ADC today who drew the strength of the PDP.

“Although I don’t belong to the APC, people who accuse me of being anti-party are suddenly abandoning the PDP in large numbers. The PDP issue is self-inflicted. Even worse, the party is in disarray.

“You don’t want me to back someone like Obi, who was a former governor of the PDP in his home state of Anambra, and Atiku, who was a former vice president who kept switching parties, but Wike stayed in the party and provided funding for it.”

Salary Cuts: Lagos Doctors Embark on Three-Day Warning Strike

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Salary Cuts: Lagos Doctors Embark on Three-Day Warning Strike

Due to what they say are unfair salary deductions, medical professionals working for the Lagos State Government have announced a three-day warning strike that will start at 8 a.m. today (Monday, July 28).
The Medical Guild of Lagos State reportedly announced the news at a press conference at their secretariat, when their chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, denounced what he called a “unilateral deduction” from physicians’ pay.
The conflict, according to Olugbogi, started in April 2025 when the Lagos State Government allegedly withheld money from the wages of all dentists and doctors without their consent or previous warning.

He said that the action caused a great deal of outrage and that it was first undone following “spirited intervention and strategic engagement” with the government.

Following this interaction, a six-member conciliation committee was established, with equal representation from the Guild and the government.

The status quo will be preserved while the government conducted internal deliberations, according to Olugbogi, who added that “we presented all relevant documents clarifying the calculation of the CONMESS salary scale.”

The doctors stated that if their requests are not fulfilled, the walkout will continue until Thursday, July 31.

But in July, the Lagos State Treasury Office started deductions, which the Guild chairman bemoaned as a “breach of trust” in spite of the agreements reached.

He said that although many members had at first called for an urgent strike, the Guild decided to pursue lobbying and diplomacy instead.

The July deduction has compelled us to follow this course of action. According to Olugbogi, this is a betrayal as well as a breach of contract.

The doctors’ demands reportedly include paying the honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) the full amount of the 12-month amended CONMESS arrears.

The state administration was also given a 21-day ultimatum by the Guild, which threatened to go on full-scale indefinite strike if its demands were not met.

Read Also: ADC Accuses Tinubu of Borrowing Ten Times More Than Buhari

Olugbogi disclosed the financial difficulties that physicians encounter, saying, “Let it be known that the most senior doctor in Lagos State employment does not earn up to $1,100.”

“However, in its wisdom, the government believes that the best way to inspire the health workforce is to cut this pitiful income.”

He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to act quickly to reverse what the Guild referred to as “illegally deducted funds.”

ADC Accuses Tinubu of Borrowing Ten Times More Than Buhari

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ADC Accuses Tinubu of Borrowing Ten Times More Than Buhari

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has borrowed more over ten times as much as former President Muhammadu Buhari in just two years, according to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It stated that there is no corresponding development or economic recovery to support the fresh wave of borrowing by President Tinubu, which is expected to push Nigeria’s public debt above N200 trillion before the year is out.

The party was outraged by what it calls “fiscal vandalism” by the Tinubu administration when the National Assembly approved another $21 billion in foreign loans.

ADC accused President Tinubu of going above and beyond what his predecessor had done by mortgaging the nation’s future in mountains of debt in the name of economic change, according to a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

Additionally, the party attacked the National Assembly for serving as a rubber stamp, claiming that MPs had neglected their responsibility to shield Nigerians from the effects of unmanageable debt.

What Nigerians are seeing after a new $21 billion in foreign loans were approved is nothing less than a calculated decision to mortgage the nation’s future in order to cover up today’s failures, the ADC said, expressing its deep concern over the Tinubu administration’s dangerous obsession with borrowing.

Even Nigeria’s average annual borrowing of N4.7 trillion under President Buhari raised serious concerns. However, under President Tinubu, annual borrowing has increased to N49.8 trillion.

Over the course of two years, this administration has borrowed over ten times as much as Buhari did during that same period. Nigeria’s overall public debt would surpass N200 trillion before the year is out if current trends continue. “Those in charge seem to have no brakes, believing they can borrow their way out of economic problems that require more thoughtful actions and greater fiscal discipline, and we are speeding toward a financial cliff,” ADC stated.

In comparison to Buhari’s $4.15 billion in annual borrowing, supporters of this government like to claim that Tinubu’s borrowing is smaller in dollars, at only $1.7 billion.

However, that reasoning breaks down as soon as we consider the currency rate. The government is paying significantly more for these same loans now that the naira is in free fall, once more as a result of this administration’s bad policy decisions. Compared to Buhari’s annual average of N2.2 trillion, Tinubu’s foreign borrowing totals N25.5 trillion annually when converted to naira. “What we are seeing is the expansion of a debt trap brought about by economic mismanagement and a currency collapse,” the party said.

The party went on to say that “our total public debt has grown from N12.6 trillion to over N149 trillion in 2025 since the APC took over in 2015.” The APC has borrowed more over $35 billion from external lenders alone in the past ten years. Our debt to the World Bank has tripled in just ten years, which is almost twelve times greater. The amount of Eurobonds we owe has increased tenfold. This government now wants to increase borrowing, bringing our foreign debt ceiling up to $67 billion.

Our children will be left to pay back debts they did not accrue or gain from as a result of this careless borrowing, which is done year after year without any intention of repaying it or making an attempt to spend it wisely.

Read Also: “No Northern Politician Commands Buhari’s Popularity” – Presidency

Although the debt has kept growing, infrastructure has remained inadequate, hospitals are still ill-equipped, universities are still woefully underfunded, and the electrical supply is still subpar. What precisely are these loans used for, then? Nigerians expect the National Assembly to raise this question. Rather than raising the difficult questions, requiring a strategy, or advocating for the Nigerian people, it has persisted in approving these loans.

Tinubu’s borrowing costs are already destroying the foundation of our economy, according to the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria. Credit for small enterprises is no longer available. Investors are withdrawing and losing faith. Additionally, the government is taxing regular Nigerian families more than they can afford because debt service now accounts for more than 60% of our national revenue.

“The recent devaluation of the naira should have reduced the need for external borrowing, but the government has treated it as an excuse to borrow even more,” the ADC said, echoing other nations’ efforts to cut their debts while the APC is taking out more loans.

The party has insisted that Nigerians have a right to know the conditions, interest rates, payment schedules, and ultimate recipients of all loan deals signed by the APC and the Tinubu administration during the previous 10 years.

ADC urged President Tinubu to stop this fiscal irresponsibility and instead concentrate on substantive transformation by making prudent investments and spending sensibly. It further stated that the days of borrowing to cover policy failures must end.

“No Northern Politician Commands Buhari’s Popularity” – Presidency

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“No Northern Politician Commands Buhari’s Popularity” – Presidency

Since no political figure in the North has the same extraordinary following as the late president, the presidency has said that political leaders vying for the position of late President Muhammadu Buhari may be wasting their time.

In a press release on Sunday, Senior Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties Tunde Rahman stated that he would have backed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027 if the late President Buhari had been still living.

Rahman claims that Buhari’s passing seems to have created more room for leadership in the North.

“And no Northern political leader today commands that extraordinary following as Buhari,” he remarked. Since his death, there has been a rat race for supremacy in leadership.

In some ways, President Tinubu benefits from this circumstance, even though it may be detrimental to his political standing. This does not, in any way, minimize the immense emptiness and suffering caused by the statesman’s passing.

Mr. Boss Mustapha, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), responded to the statement that President Tinubu did not appoint Buhari as president in 2015 because the late president had more than 12 million votes before the election.

“Many would wonder why Buhari didn’t become president in 2003, 2007, and 2011 if he had always had a guaranteed bloc of 12 million votes and the alliance partners contributed only three million votes,” Rahman said. “That is because President Tinubu and others joined him to form an alliance that resulted in the all-conquering All Progressives Congress.”

“If the late President himself hadn’t frequently acknowledged President Tinubu’s assistance in his ascent to the exalted office, this might have been like wasting energy on a matter that would have been merely academic.”

He pointed out that Buhari had always valued Tinubu’s role in helping him become president.

“Despite the aforementioned, the former SGF’s claim offers a useful perspective for estimating the possible impact of the previous President’s passing on the 2027 election.

Read Also:Tragedy in Niger State: 13 Killed in Boat Accident

“By many standards, former President Buhari led an amazing life, and his fiery exit was equally noteworthy. He received a historic state burial from President Tinubu. President Tinubu ordered the country’s flag flown at half-staff and proclaimed seven days of national mourning following Buhari’s death in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13. When Buhari’s body arrived in Katsina from the United Kingdom, the President was present to accept it. Significantly, Buhari’s remains were interred at his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, and the Federal Government proclaimed it a public holiday.

Rahman also mentioned the dignitaries that observed the previous president’s funeral and escorted the late president’s remains on the lengthy drive to Daura under Tinubu’s leadership.

“For that late patriot, civil war hero, distinguished army general, and former President, who stood for the Talakawas, no honor would be too much,” he continued. Buhari was referred to be “Mai Gaskiya” by many Nigerians because of his Spartan lifestyle and commitment to justice and truth.

“In the lead-up to the 2027 election, some analysts liken former President Buhari’s death to a double-edged sword that can cut both ways,” he said, referring to the effect of Buhari’s passing on Tinubu’s reelection.

They argue that President Tinubu may benefit or suffer from his passing in the 2027 election. Those who believe that Buhari’s death could undermine the President’s reelection ambitions argue that Buhari was a sincere and dependable ally of Tinubu until his death and that their alliance, which was based on respect and trust, had remained solid until Buhari’s death. During his life, Buhari never criticised Tinubu or his government. According to reports, the former president praised Tinubu for having the guts to make significant economic decisions that he had found challenging to carry out.

“Given that Buhari had continuously emphasized his gratitude to the APC, which gave him the platform to become president, and Tinubu, who helped him along the way, there was no reason to believe that he wouldn’t have supported Tinubu in 2027 if he were still alive.”

Tragedy in Niger State: 13 Killed in Boat Accident

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Tragedy in Niger State: 13 Killed in Boat Accident

A boat capsized in the state’s Shiroro Local Government Area on Sunday, killing thirteen people, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
As per the agency, the incident took place on Saturday, July 26.
According to Malik Baba Suleiman, the NSEMA Deputy Public Relations Officer, 26 people were also safely saved from the tragedy.

The unfortunate incident claimed the lives of eight women, three men, and two children, all of whom were buried in accordance with Islamic customs, he said.

It is understood that the occurrence has now plunged the community into a state of grief, even though the identities of the fatalities have not yet been made public.

Read Also: CEGA Hails New Crude Routes, Says NUPRC Winning War on Oil Theft

Around 11:45 a.m., the unfortunate vessel, which was allegedly overcrowded with cargo and people, overturned close to Guni village while traveling to Zumba. Although investigations are ongoing, it is thought that water turbulence and potential overloading caused the accident.

River users are being cautioned by the Niger State Government, through NSEMA, to follow safety precautions and steer clear of crowded boats, particularly during the rainy season when water levels fluctuate.

Meanwhile, a cholera outbreak that has spread throughout six local government areas of Niger State has reportedly resulted in at least 13 fatalities and over 236 hospitalizations.

Shiroro LGA was the initial site of the epidemic on Sunday, but it quickly spread to the local councils of Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya, alarming the locals and forcing the state government to act quickly.

The state’s primary healthcare commissioner, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, reportedly acknowledged the development on Wednesday and stated that the administration has implemented a multi-sectoral strategy to stop the waterborne disease’s spread.

CEGA Hails New Crude Routes, Says NUPRC Winning War on Oil Theft

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CEGA Hails New Crude Routes, Says NUPRC Winning War on Oil Theft

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has received praise from the Centre for Energy Governance and Accountability (CEGA) for obtaining federal government approval of 37 new crude oil evacuation routes. This is part of a larger plan to reduce oil theft, increase transparency, and boost Nigeria’s oil production.

The new routes and sector-wide changes aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s upstream industry for resilience and global competitiveness were revealed by NUPRC CEO Gbenga Komolafe on Tuesday during the 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja.

He said that crucial oil infrastructure has also been protected as a result of the commission’s cooperation with the military and security services.

Read Also: Ohanaeze: Obi Miscalculating, Can’t Beat Tinubu in 2027

CEGA hailed Komolafe for “translating policy into measurable results” in a statement released on Sunday, calling the accomplishment “a major milestone” in Nigeria’s decades-long battle with oil theft and revenue losses.

In an industry that loses billions of dollars every year, the sanctioning of 37 new evacuation routes represents a strategic intervention rather than merely a bureaucratic change. The executive director of CEGA, Dr. Kelvin Sotonye Williams, stated, “This action shows seriousness in addressing leaks and regaining investor confidence.”

Komolafe’s leadership at NUPRC, according to Dr. Williams, has contributed to stabilizing a regulatory environment that had been beset by opacity and ambiguity prior to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)’s enactment in 2021.

He said that with the $16 billion in investment promises made in just two years under the Tinubu administration, the effects are already showing.

“These commitments aren’t on paper. According to Williams, these are genuine inflows propelled by aggressive digitization, regulatory uniformity, and clarity of vision.

The One Million Barrels Initiative, which aims to increase daily output from the present 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) to 2.5 million bpd by 2026, was also commended by him. Launched in 2024, Komolafe said the strategy is working, bringing dormant fields back to life, speeding up project approvals, and removing bottlenecks in the upstream licensing regime.

CEGA argues that increasing output is the most obvious path to energy security and financial independence, particularly in a time when $640 billion in upstream investment is required globally each year to meet demand projections through 2030.

“Komolafe is right to caution that if supply is not invested in, stability on a global and regional level will be threatened. Oil reserves in Nigeria are a strategic resource that should be used to their full potential rather than being underutilized, according to the executive director of CEGA.

A key element in obtaining the social license to operate in volatile oil-producing areas, he added, is the commission’s HostComply initiative, which guarantees real-time compliance with host community requirements under the PIA.

It is impossible to maintain peace by words. Building trust in the Niger Delta depends on the HostComply platform’s ability to make social responsibilities quantifiable and verifiable, according to Dr. Williams.

CEGA was especially inspired, he continued, by NUPRC’s incorporation of environmental responsibility into its upstream strategies, which include backing Nigeria’s 2060 net-zero goal.

“Moving to clean energy does not imply giving up on gas and oil. Reinvesting in long-term energy security and producing in a cleaner, more responsible manner are what it entails. He said that this balance was reflected in the commission’s reforms.

CEGA urged all parties involved, including commercial and state-owned operators, to support the commission’s goals and pledge to conduct business in an ethical and climate-conscious manner.

“It is evident that the NUPRC is not happy with the current situation under Komolafe’s leadership. According to Williams, they are striving for transformation rather than just survival.

The group called on the federal government to keep backing the reforms by protecting the regulatory area from political meddling and making sure that executive orders, such those pertaining to cost-effectiveness and local content, are applied uniformly.

“The Nigerian upstream sector will not only recover, but it will be at the forefront of Africa’s next wave of responsible fossil fuel development as long as this reform momentum is maintained,” CEGA said.

Ohanaeze: Obi Miscalculating, Can’t Beat Tinubu in 2027

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Ohanaeze: Obi Miscalculating, Can’t Beat Tinubu in 2027

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, has been encouraged to drop out of the 2027 contest by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a group of the Igbo Sociocultural Organization.
In a statement released on Sunday by its deputy president general, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said that Obi lacked the political qualifications necessary to depose President Bola Tinubu.
It further stated that Obi’s interest in the 2027 election might turn the Igbo people into political lambs in Nigeria and sabotage further political endeavors.

Although the submission may be awkward, Isiguzoro continued, Ohanaeze will not back down from the harsh reality, pointing out that the Igbo people are fed up with playing opposition politics under Peter Obi’s direction.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, considers it our grave obligation and great responsibility to present Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, with a harsh and unsettling reality,” the statement says.

“With the highest regard and unwavering honesty, we must state that you do not now possess the political patience and the necessary brutality necessary to defeat seasoned politician and incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections.

“Under your leadership, it would be devastating and a serious threat to our collective life to allow the Igbo people to be seduced into poorly planned political conflicts. We might be used as political pawns in such a situation, solidifying the reputation that we are Nigeria’s most vulnerable group if you fail in your election campaign.

Read Also: Senate Debunks Claims of Internal Rift Between Akpabio and Bamidele

It is crucial to stop and consider the difficult query: why are the Igbo people in Nigeria so often treated with contempt? Can we really understand how a tribe that was once respected and revered—that had notable ancestors like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, and Dr. Jaja Wachuku—has been reduced from a position of prominence to one of insignificance and is now categorized as a majority within a minority? Our immediate and complete attention is required in light of this sobering reality. It’s clear that our current situation is largely the result of political miscalculations by individuals like Mr. Peter Obi. We must not be afraid to express this harsh reality: the Igbo people are tired of sluggishly enduring opposition politics for over ten years under Mr. Obi’s leadership.

In response to three Northern organizations’ questions about the possible resuscitation of the Eastern-Northern Alliance of the First Republic and their worries about Mr. Obi’s ties to Southeast secessionist activists, we would like to make our stance clear. Any agreement that would allow Igbos to operate their lawful enterprises without being subjected to discriminatory state regulations or unfairly singled out as an endangered community is still welcome by Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We reiterate our commitment to Nigerian unity, pledge our adherence to the Nigerian Constitution, and extend our full support for all lawfully elected positions, including the presidency currently occupied by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

We must be open about our concerns with the second question from Northern leadership about Mr. Peter Obi’s ability to protect and preserve the geographical integrity and dignity of Nigeria as a single entity, as well as his reliability with political authority. There are serious doubts about Mr. Obi’s capacity to keep Nigeria united in light of his deeds and inactions. The entire foundation of our country may be threatened if he were elected president, and it might even become divided into three separate countries.

As the crucial elections of 2027 draw near, we urge all parties involved to carefully consider the ramifications of their political decisions. A strong commitment to unity and wise decision-making are essential to the future of our wonderful country.

Senate Debunks Claims of Internal Rift Between Akpabio and Bamidele

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Senate Debunks Claims of Internal Rift Between Akpabio and Bamidele

Reports of an altercation between Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senate President Godswill Akpabio at a recent executive session have been denied by the Senate.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, called the allegations false and deceptive in a statement released on Sunday.
The reports, he maintained, distorted ordinary parliamentary procedures as evidence of internal strife.

“Our attention has been drawn to various media reports that state that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele fought during an executive session recently held to discuss whether the Senate should proceed on annual recess,” the statement said.

“There is not a shred of truth in the reports. All together, they misrepresent long-standing customs and practices in parliaments around the world, where members, irrespective of their political inclinations, use the tools of parliamentary debates, questions, or interpellations to discuss every initiative in a decisive and diverse manner prior to approval or authorization.

The Senate spokeswoman said that heated debate is still a feature of parliamentary democracy and does not reflect a lack of unity among members.

As the highest legislative body in our nation, the Senate is not any different. Every bill, motion, and proposal is examined closely in our Chamber virtually every day, just like in other parliaments.

Read Also: “Coalition Members Acknowledge Error in Aligning with ADC – Dumebi Kachikwu”

“This calls for vigorous discussions in which members examine and evaluate each proposal that comes before the Senate solely for the benefit of more than 230 million Nigerians,” he stated.

Whether in plenary or committee meetings, Adaramodu emphasized that the discussions should not be interpreted as private disputes or indications of disunity among Senate leadership.

He came to the conclusion that policy debates, whether in a chamber or a committee room, should not be interpreted as disputes between members or as indicating a weakness in the leadership.

“Coalition Members Acknowledge Error in Aligning with ADC – Dumebi Kachikwu”

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“Coalition Members Acknowledge Error in Aligning with ADC – Dumebi Kachikwu”

According to Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2023 election, several coalition members now regret joining up with the ADC.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and former All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman John Oyegun are reportedly among the coalition leaders.
Other notable figures include former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, former Ebonyi Governor Sam Egwu, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal,, and former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke.

Kachikwu said in an interview with The Volume Pod that the opposition coalition is headed in the wrong direction and will eventually collapse.

Kachikwu contested the coalition’s validity, pointing to ongoing legal battles over ADC leadership.

He asserted that Ralph Nwosu had no power to hand over leadership of a contentious alliance to chosen individuals after his tenure as ADC national chairman ended two years ago.

Speaking on the opposition leaders’ alleged bribery of ADC state chairpersons to support their adoption of the party as an alliance platform, Kachikwu stated that only the court has the authority to determine the ADC’s future.

Read Also: Joshua Balogun Of UK Charterhouse School Visits Ophanage That Rescues Killing Of Twins, Donates Items

They are travelling along a pretty slick path that leads to failure, he said. Nothing can be built on top of nothing.

“The decision by two courts in two distinct jurisdictions that this man’s [Nwosu] tenure had ended was correct.

Therefore, there is nothing that they [ADC] would do that would be rational. No national executive committee (NEC) or convention has been held since Nwosu’s term ended two years ago.

“The American Drug Club has been attempting to have a convention. INEC really refused to recognize the two conventions they conducted.

“That’s the party’s problem. We [ADC] are dealing with unique situations that our constitution never intended to cause a rift inside the party.

“All of these men are now realizing that they were wrong to come to this party without addressing these problems, as they are contacting me through multiple individuals.”

Joshua Balogun Of UK Charterhouse School Visits Ophanage That Rescues Killing Of Twins, Donates Items

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Joshua Balogun Of UK Charterhouse School Visits Ophanage That Rescues Killing Of Twins, Donates Items

A United Kingdom based Charterhouse School student, Mr Joshua Oluwadamilola Balogun, has visited Vine Heritage Home, Kuje, Abuja, where he donated relief items and share experiences with them.

Balogun, a twin, said he sees his coming to the orphanage as a duty to associate with the children and also feel their pains.

Vine Heritage Home is a private charity home, established in 2004 and is dedicated to bringing succour to not just twins, but other children set to be killed or abandoned before its intervention.

Others were willingly brought to the centre by their parents or relatives, who could not provide for them for reasons of poverty, death and outright lack of interest in parental care.

As at November 2022, the Vine Heritage Centre has 175 children, among whom are 22 sets of twins.

Balogun, during his visit played football, basketball and table tennis with the children.

He said as a twin, he could have ended up like one of the children in the orphanage home but was lucky and therefore, saw the need to identify with them

He said, “I know I am very lucky to have the things I have, I am also a twin like alot of these children here, so, I know that I could have ended up just like them, and honestly, even, at first I didn’t believe it but unfortuntely, it’s the sad truth.

“I just wanted to do my own part to help as well because I know that this children were just like me, they could have been in my position. I feel obligated to help, i feel it’s my duty, my responsibility as I have the ability to help.

This visit is to help the children play basketball. I also feel if you have the ability to help you should help and thanks to God, he gave me the ability to do the things I can, and I feel like he wants me to help the children, so, I just want to do that in the best way I can.

“So, I wil try my best to reach out to as many orphanages that I can and I will try my best to help as many that I can. I just think the more I try, the better the outcome will be and I want to do my best to make a positive impact in this world”.

Founder of Vine Heritage Home, Pastor Steven Olusola, said it’s been so far, so good since the home was established.

According to him, “men and women of goodwill, just as Mr Balogun is doing today have been supporting us”.

He described the visit as a memorable one which the children will remember for a long time.

Pastor Olusola said, “Well, it’s a memorable one in the sense that we have people from within and outside Nigeria coming to visit the ophanage home to support what we are doing. It goes a long way to strengthen our hearts to do much more for the children God has given us to care for.

“In the last 10 years, we have seen people coming to know what we are doing. With the help of good people within and outside Nigeria, it has lightened our burden because it would have been a bigger burden, if we are to rescue, nurture and do everything all alone without any body supporting us, no matter how rich and powerful you are, I don’t think you would have done this alone.

Well, for me, it’s not just a motivation, it’s a calling. It’s a calling of God because it was God that pointed to me what was happening in the rural community and gave us an instruction to go and save them, and for me it has been a world wide venture, because when you see someone like Wonder boy that you picked 4 hours after birth, Wonder boy is now 21 years old. You were there when he was a baby, toddler, go through primary and secondary school. now, if I am not here, he is doing exactly what I am doing today, he speaks on behalf of the home, when I am not here, he can attend to people, he can lead people to the community and say this is what my dad is doing, so for me, whenever I look at this children it gives me joy.

“These are children that would have been killed and forgotten but you can see them lively. Some of them are in higher institution, some are in secondary school, so, if we have not been doing what God called us to do, they would have been forgotten.

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