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Author: Femi Gbadeyan

  • Kwankwaso Receives ADC Membership Card in Kano as Obi, Amaechi, Tambuwal Attend

    Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has formally joined the African Democratic Congress, receiving his membership card on Monday afternoon at Gidan Kwankwasiyya on Miller Road, Kano, completing a political journey that began with his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party just 24 hours earlier.

    Confirming the move on his X handle moments after receiving the card, Kwankwaso wrote simply: “New Dawn. We are ADC.”

    Who came to Kano

    The event carried unmistakable weight, drawing a roll call of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures to Kano to witness the formal registration.

    In attendance were ADC National Chairman and former Senate President David Mark; ADC National Secretary and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

    The high-powered delegation had arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport earlier in the day, where they were received by the immediate past Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, who himself resigned from office last week ahead of his own expected defection alongside Kwankwaso.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, already a member of the ADC, wasted no time in welcoming Kwankwaso. “When men of conviction come together, power trembles. Welcome aboard, @KwankwasoRM,” he wrote on X.

    What Kwankwaso said at the event

    Kwankwaso described his exit from the NNPP as a difficult but necessary decision, saying the current trajectory of Nigeria’s political landscape demanded strategic realignment. He expressed gratitude to the NNPP for the platform it had provided and paid tribute to the Kwankwasiyya Movement members whose loyalty had sustained his political career across multiple parties and decades.

    The defection is not a solo move. The Kwankwasiyya Movement has directed all its members across Nigeria to proceed immediately to register with the ADC at their respective wards, local government areas, and states. “This strategic decision, as always, has been taken in the best interest of the movement, our state, and the nation at large,” the movement’s statement said.

    Kwankwaso is also expected to be joined in the ADC by key political allies, including Senator Rufa’i Hanga and the Kano State NNPP Chairman, Hashim Dungurawa.

    What the ADC now represents

    With Kwankwaso‘s formal entry, the ADC has now consolidated Nigeria’s most formidable opposition coalition in a generation. The party’s membership now includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, and now Kwankwaso, uniting figures who collectively received over 12 million votes across different parties in the 2023 presidential election.

    Kwankwaso had polled 1,496,687 votes in the 2023 presidential race, finishing fourth behind Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi. His entry into the ADC brings with it the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s deep grassroots structure in Kano and across the North-West, a region where his influence was decisive in delivering the Kano State governorship to the NNPP’s Abba Yusuf in 2023.

    The ADC is yet to announce its 2027 presidential candidate or ticket composition. All indications point toward a joint Atiku-Obi or Obi-Kwankwaso arrangement, though no official announcement has been made. The party’s next major milestone will be a national convention expected later in the year, at which its 2027 strategy will be formally unveiled. The APC has not responded to Monday’s events. RNN.NG will continue to follow all 2027 opposition developments as they unfold.

  • Toyin Abraham Unfollows Funke Akindele after Public Snub at Iyabo Ojo Premiere

    What was meant to be a milestone night for veteran actress Iyabo Ojo has been largely overshadowed by a viral moment between two of Nollywood‘s biggest names, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, after a widely circulated video showed Akindele appearing to deliberately ignore Abraham’s greeting at Sunday night’s premiere.

    The incident occurred at the premiere of Iyabo Ojo’s film, The Return of Arinzo, held at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    What happened

    Funke Akindele was seated at the same table as Iyabo Ojo and Mercy Aigbe when Toyin Abraham came over to greet them. While Ojo and Aigbe both acknowledged Abraham’s greeting, Akindele looked away and said nothing, completely ignoring her colleague. Abraham was visibly left in an awkward position and walked away from the table.

    A separate angle of the same incident shows Abraham, dressed in a purple gown, arriving at the table after the screening was about to begin, greeting those present. Akindele maintained a stern expression and did not respond.

    Toyin Abraham reacts

    Abraham did not let the moment pass quietly. She unfollowed Akindele on Instagram shortly after the event and made her feelings known publicly. “I have unfollowed her. God forbid a bad thing. If I ever greet her again, that means I am a bastard,” she wrote.

    Akindele subsequently unfollowed Abraham, and both actresses are no longer following each other on the platform. Neither has issued a formal statement explaining the root of the current tension.

    The controversy has inadvertently dominated conversations that should have centred on Iyabo Ojo’s directorial debut. The Return of Arinzo, scheduled for a cinema release on April 3, attracted a star-studded audience, including Rita Dominic, Mo Abudu, Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Florence Ita-Giwa, AY Comedian, and Shaffy Bello. Many observers have noted that the viral snub clip has eclipsed the film’s launch entirely.

    The tension between the two actresses has deep roots, though its exact origins have never been publicly confirmed by either party.

    The most recent flashpoint came in early February 2026, when filmmaker Kunle Afolayan publicly criticised the use of dance skits and social media challenges as a film promotion strategy, a method closely associated with Akindele. Toyin Abraham was seen as having sided with Afolayan’s position, a stance widely interpreted as a slight against Akindele. Iyabo Ojo, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and Mo Abudu all weighed in on the debate at the time

  • Plateau Imposes 48-Hour Curfew in Jos North After Gunmen Kill Several in Angwan Rukuba

    The Plateau State Government has imposed a 48-hour curfew across the entire Jos North Local Government Area following a deadly attack by gunmen in the Gari Ya Waye community of Angwan Rukuba on Sunday evening, the latest in a string of violent incidents that have kept the state under sustained security pressure in 2026.

    Commissioner for Information and Communication Joyce Ramnap announced the curfew in a government statement on Sunday night, confirming that the decision followed a tragic security incident in the Gari Ya Waye community that resulted in loss of lives and injuries to several others. The curfew took effect from midnight on March 29 and will remain in force until April 1, 2026.

    How the attack unfolded

    Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, while residents were going about their normal evening activities. The gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, causing immediate panic and mass flight from the community.

    The violence erupted suddenly, with many residents forced to flee their homes in search of safety as gunshots rang out across the neighbourhood. The incident quickly sent shockwaves through nearby communities, raising fears of further unrest.

    The identity of the attackers and the motive for the assault had not been officially confirmed as of Monday morning. No group had claimed responsibility.

    Government response

    Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang strongly condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unprovoked. The government assured residents that all necessary measures were being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    The government statement read: “The Plateau State Government, in conjunction with security agencies, wishes to inform the general public of the imposition of a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect, commencing from 12 midnight of 29th March, to 1st April, 2026.”

    Security agencies have been deployed to key flashpoints across Jos North, with personnel operating around the clock to stabilise the situation and track those responsible. Governor Mutfwang urged residents to remain calm and cooperate fully with security agencies by providing any information useful to ongoing investigations.

    The curfew brought commercial activity in several parts of Jos North to an immediate halt, with markets and shops closed and transportation severely restricted. Movement is limited to emergency and essential services for the duration of the order.

    The University of Jos announced the postponement of all examinations scheduled for Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, citing safety concerns. Deputy Registrar Emmanuel Madugu, speaking on behalf of the Registrar, advised members of the university community to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary movement, particularly in the early morning hours, and to report any suspicious activity to the University Security Division.

    A pattern of escalating violence

    Sunday’s attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau State in recent weeks. On March 14, gunmen suspected to be bandits killed 20 people and rustled cattle from a village in Jos in a separate attack. According to the Kanam Development Association, the gunmen ambushed soldiers on a routine patrol, triggering an exchange of gunfire in which 12 security personnel and eight civilians were killed.

    The March 29 attack also comes just two weeks after the deadly bombings in Maiduguri — another reminder that northern and north-central Nigeria remains acutely vulnerable to coordinated violence against civilian communities.

    Jos and Plateau State have been at the epicentre of communal and inter-ethnic violence for over two decades. The city has experienced recurring cycles of attacks that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. Despite sustained military and police presence, armed groups continue to strike civilian communities, often on motorcycles and in the evening hours when security checks are reduced.

  • Apostle Chibuzor’s Autistic Son Aboy Weds Three Days after Viral Controversy

    Aboy Chibuzor, the autistic adopted son of Omega Power Ministries founder Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, got married on Sunday, March 29, in a church ceremony described by the ministry as joyful and faith-filled, just three days after a viral social media post seeking a bride for the young man ignited fierce debate about disability, consent, and the ethics of incentivised marriage.

    The groom was abandoned as a child at the gate of OPM’s headquarters by unknown parents who reportedly discovered his condition and left him in the pastor’s care. He has been raised under Apostle Chinyere’s guardianship since then, requiring full-time support with daily activities, including feeding and bathing.

    The viral post that started it

    The controversy began when Apostle Chinyere published a post on Facebook seeking a wife for Aboy and offering a package of financial incentives to any willing woman. The offer included lifetime accommodation, a monthly salary for life, a house to be built in both names, free medical care, and overseas vacations. The woman could be a single mother or older, he said, but must not be autistic.

    Chinyere explained his motivation as compassion, saying he had observed what he described as uncontrollable urges in Aboy and felt a responsibility to find a lawful and dignified solution. He said he had considered and rejected the alternatives, abandoning the young man or allowing a situation outside marriage, and concluded that a paid marriage arrangement was the most ethical path available to him.

    The backlash

    The post drew immediate and widespread condemnation across Nigerian social media. Many critics argued that women are not rehabilitation centres and that the proposal reduced both Aboy and a potential bride to transactional figures. Others said the young man needed proper autism specialist care and psychological evaluation rather than marriage, and questioned why the pastor’s widely reported healing powers had not been applied to Aboy’s condition directly.

    Faced with the backlash, Apostle Chinyere issued a public apology, stating he had not intended to demean women. “I never knew it hurt you like this. If you Google the internet, you will find many autistic men marrying normal ladies; it’s not a crime. But I am sorry to our beautiful ladies who feel embarrassed by my proposal,” he wrote. He reiterated that he cares for over 500 children abandoned at his church gate and that Aboy’s case was one of compassion.

    The wedding

    Despite the controversy, the wedding proceeded on Sunday, March 29, at OPM headquarters. Aboy married a woman described by the church as a single woman of God, with church members and well-wishers in attendance.

    The financial package announced for the couple included a ₦10 million wedding gift, a free house, an overseas vacation, and a pledge of ₦20 million after 10 years, subject to Aboy being alive at that time. Church members also made additional contributions, with one member donating ₦1 million and another ₦200,000 at the ceremony.

    A moment that moved Apostle Chibuzor

    Apostle Chinyere shared what he described as a remarkable development at the reception. For the first time since reaching adulthood, Aboy fed himself at the dining table without any assistance, something the pastor said had never happened before. “Surprisingly, for the first time since Aboy attained adulthood, he fed himself without assistance at the wedding. Already, miracles have started to happen,” he wrote on social media after the ceremony.

    While this story has generated significant public celebration, disability rights advocates have raised legitimate questions that are worth noting for readers. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a spiritual one, and individuals on the autism spectrum have varying levels of capacity and independence. Organisations that work with autistic individuals generally emphasise person-centred support, specialist therapy, and informed consent in all major life decisions, including marriage, as the global standard of care.

  • Kwankwaso Quits NNPP with Immediate Effect, Joins ADC on Monday

    Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party with immediate effect, bringing to a close his leadership of the party he contested the presidency with less than three years ago and paving the way for a formal move to the African Democratic Congress on Monday.

    Kwankwaso announced the resignation in a personally signed statement on Sunday afternoon, describing it as a difficult but necessary decision driven by what he called the current trajectory of Nigeria’s political landscape. “I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party with immediate effect. As a committed and bona fide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make. However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he said.

    ADC registration on Monday

    While Kwankwaso did not name the ADC directly in his resignation statement, his next destination is not in doubt. The Kwankwasiyya Movement issued a separate statement on Saturday directing all its members across Nigeria to register with the ADC immediately. “The Kwankwasiyya Movement wishes to formally inform all its members across Nigeria and the general public that our Supreme Leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has concluded all necessary arrangements to join the African Democratic Congress. In furtherance of this decision, he will officially register with the party on Monday, 30th March 2026, at his residence, Gidan Kwankwasiyya, Miller Road, Kano, by 12 pm,” the statement said.

    ADC National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola are expected to be present in Kano to formally receive Kwankwaso into the party. Former Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, who also resigned from office this week, is expected to defect alongside him.

    Gratitude to NNPP

    In his statement, Kwankwaso thanked the NNPP’s National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, and party members at all levels for their support during his time. “I also thank the legacy members of the party and all followers of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission. We shall continue to collaborate and work together towards charting a better and more prosperous future for our dear nation,” he said.

    The road to Sunday’s resignation

    The decision did not come without warning. RNN.NG reported on Thursday that Kwankwaso had met ADC National Secretary Aregbesola at his Abuja residence, and separately held talks with Kano-based ADC leaders the same day. On Saturday, Atiku Abubakar — who is already in the ADC — hosted Kwankwaso in Abuja in what observers described as a final alignment meeting ahead of the formal announcement.

    Kwankwaso had polled 1,496,687 votes as the NNPP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, finishing fourth behind Tinubu, Atiku, and Peter Obi. His exit leaves the NNPP — a party effectively built around his political movement — without its most prominent figure and primary source of electoral weight.

    What the ADC now looks like

    Kwankwaso’s entry completes a remarkable assembly of Nigeria’s major opposition figures on a single platform. The ADC already counts former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Aminu Tambuwal, and Emeka Ihedioha among its members. The addition of Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya movement — which commands significant voter loyalty in Kano and across the North-West — adds a critical regional dimension to the coalition’s 2027 presidential ambitions.

    A Kwankwaso Support Group has previously proposed a joint presidential ticket pairing Peter Obi with Kwankwaso as running mate, though no decision on the 2027 ticket composition has been publicly confirmed by the ADC leadership.

    Kwankwaso’s formal ADC registration is scheduled for Monday, March 30, at noon at Gidan Kwankwasiyya, Miller Road, Kano. RNN.NG will provide live updates from the event as the next major chapter in Nigeria’s 2027 political realignment unfolds.

  • APC Denies Fixing ₦200m Price for 2027 Presidential Nomination Forms

    The ruling All Progressives Congress has denied reports circulating widely on social media that it has fixed the price of nomination forms for the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as false, misleading, and not originating from the party.

    The clarification was issued on Saturday in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in response to online speculation that the APC had pegged its presidential nomination form at ₦200 million.

    What the APC said

    In the statement, Morka was unequivocal in denying the party. “The report is FAKE and did not emanate from the party. To be clear, no decision or announcement has been made on the sale or pricing of forms for the 2027 elections. The report is a mere figment of the writer’s mischievous imagination,” he said.

    The party urged its members, the media, and the general public to disregard the unverified report and to rely only on official communications from the APC for accurate information regarding its 2027 electoral preparations.

    What the viral report claimed

    The denial follows the spread of unconfirmed claims on social media that the APC had officially fixed ₦200 million as the cost of its presidential expression of interest and nomination forms — an amount that, if true, would represent one of the most expensive nomination form prices in Nigerian political history. The APC did not name the source of the report or the specific publication it was attributed to.

    The pricing of political party nomination forms has been a recurring source of controversy in Nigerian politics. At the 2022 APC presidential primary, the party fixed its presidential nomination form at ₦100 million — a sum widely criticised as prohibitive and a barrier to genuine democratic participation. The figure eventually attracted 28 presidential aspirants, including President Tinubu, who went on to win both the primary and the general election.

    With the 2027 campaign cycle not yet formally begun, the APC has said no internal decisions on form pricing have been reached. The party’s National Working Committee is expected to convene formal deliberations on 2027 electoral preparations later in the year.

    No APC official has confirmed the ₦200 million figure, and no credible media outlet has traced the claim to a verified party source.

  • El-Rufai Freed on Compassionate Grounds as Mother Dies in Cairo

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has released former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from custody on compassionate grounds, hours after the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

    An aide to the former governor confirmed that the release was approved to allow him to participate in the burial arrangements for his late mother. The ICPC had not issued an official statement on the terms of the temporary release as of the time of this report.

    Son’s reaction

    His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the development in a post on X, expressing relief while sharply criticising the anti-corruption agency. “My beloved, great legend of a father is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is a lame excuse for a pathetic institution. Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais,” he wrote.

    Death of Hajiya Umma

    Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, said to be approximately 100 years old, died on Friday after a period of illness in Cairo, Egypt. Her death came barely a week after the passing of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, making Friday’s loss a second bereavement for the El-Rufai family within days.

    Her death was announced by her grandson and member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, who described her as a matriarch whose life was devoted to faith and family, and called on Nigerians to pray for the family. The family finds strength in her long and fulfilled life. Similar condolences came from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other political figures across party lines.

    El-Rufai’s legal battles

    Friday’s temporary release does not resolve the extensive legal proceedings El-Rufai is currently facing across multiple courts in Nigeria.

    The ICPC has accused El-Rufai of unlawfully receiving approximately ₦579 million in severance allowances on two separate occasions, in September 2020 and January 2023, far above the legally entitled sum of approximately ₦20 million. He was formally arraigned alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24, on charges of alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. He pleaded not guilty.

    The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to March 31, 2026. The ICPC has also filed a separate case against him at the Kaduna State High Court involving another defendant, Amadu Sule.

    In a third legal front, the Department of State Services has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, centred on allegations that he unlawfully intercepted phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes Act. His arraignment in that matter is scheduled for April 23, 2026.

    El-Rufai’s counter-suits

    El-Rufai has filed counter-suits challenging the authorities’ actions. In one suit, he is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC and other agencies over a February 19 raid on his Abuja residence, which he claims was unlawful, and is asking the court to invalidate the search warrant and restrain the use of any evidence obtained. In a separate action against the DSS, he is seeking ₦2 billion in damages and has asked the court to dismiss the wiretapping charges as unconstitutional harassment.

    How the detention began

    El-Rufai’s current legal saga began on February 16, 2026, when he was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦423 billion misappropriation. He was subsequently transferred to ICPC custody on February 18, where he has remained until today’s temporary release.

    El-Rufai is expected to return to ICPC custody following the completion of his mother’s burial rites, with the Federal High Court in Kaduna due to rule on his substantive bail application on March 31. RNN.NG will continue to follow all developments in his case.

  • How Three Teenagers Hid a Bomb in a Food Flask to Attack Maiduguri Hospital

    Fresh details have emerged about the March 16 coordinated bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, revealing how three teenage suspected suicide bombers disguised explosives inside a food flask and attempted to pass themselves off as relatives visiting patients at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital — a plan that was foiled by an alert security officer at the entrance gate.

    The attacks struck three crowded locations at approximately 7:05 p.m. — the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital entrance, the Post Office area, and Monday Market — at the height of the Ramadan evening rush. At least 23 people were killed, and 108 others were confirmed injured.

    How the hospital attack unfolded

    A security officer at the hospital, Ali Musa, said the three suspects arrived at the facility in a commercial tricycle, posing as relatives bringing food to patients. Musa said he had already tightened security at his post after receiving word of the earlier blast at the post office, and immediately noticed something was wrong when the suspects drove in at high speed rather than slowing down for the standard security check.

    “They were three in number — two boys and one rider of the tricycle. I think they were around 13 or 14 years old. They looked very unkempt. I suspected something was wrong with the way they drove in,” Musa said.

    When Musa ordered them to reverse, one of the suspects threw the food flask containing the concealed explosive device directly at him. Musa kicked the flask back toward them — and the device detonated. “I heard a loud explosion and immediately lay flat on the ground,” he said. A second explosion followed shortly afterwards near the hospital entrance.

    Musa sustained injuries in the blast and found his female colleague on the ground with a broken leg when he went to check on her. He also saw a young Almajiri boy lying nearby on the ground. A shop owner near the hospital entrance, speaking anonymously, confirmed the attackers’ intent. “They wanted to blow up parts of the hospital,” she said.

    The Monday Market blast

    Investigations revealed that the Monday Market explosion was likely carried out by a separate attacker wearing an explosive vest. An eyewitness, simply identified as Fati, who works near the market, said the night was unlike anything she had experienced. “I later heard that they found a boy whose body was completely destroyed. The impact on that boy was worse than on others, so they suspected he was the bomb carrier,” she said.

    Government response

    President Tinubu directed service chiefs to relocate to Borno State following the attacks. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri on the morning of Wednesday, March 18, to coordinate security operations on the ground.

    Background

    Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram and has been at the centre of Nigeria’s insurgency for over 17 years. The city had experienced relative calm since 2021 before a mosque bombing in December 2025 killed five people and raised early concerns about renewed attacks. The March 16 bombings are the deadliest to hit the city in several years. No group has formally claimed responsibility, though the Nigerian Armed Forces have attributed the attacks to Boko Haram-affiliated elements.

  • Kwankwaso Meets Aregbesola, ADC Leaders Ahead of Expected Defection

    Former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso held fresh talks with African Democratic Congress National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday, in a significant step forward in his much-anticipated defection to the growing opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Following the meeting with Aregbesola, Kwankwaso also held separate discussions with ADC leaders from Kano at his Abuja residence, signalling that the groundwork for his entry into the party is being laid simultaneously at both the national and state levels.

    A defection months in the making

    Thursday’s meetings are the latest in a series of political consultations that have positioned Kwankwaso as the most high-profile figure yet to formally complete his move to the ADC. The Kwankwasiyya Movement’s spokesperson, Mansur Kurugu, had confirmed earlier this week that Kwankwaso was in active talks with the ADC, expressing optimism that the discussions would culminate in a formal defection before the 2027 election cycle begins in earnest. “It is true that Kwankwaso is in talks with ADC and NDC, and we are optimistic that the leaders will end up adopting one of the parties before the 2027 elections,” Kurugu said.

    The latest round of discussions comes shortly after Kwankwaso hosted former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at his residence last Sunday, a gathering widely interpreted as part of opposition alignment ahead of 2027.

    Who is already in ADC

    The ADC has rapidly transformed from a fringe party into Nigeria’s most consequential opposition platform in the space of months. Peter Obi formally defected to the party earlier this year, along with his supporters, opposition legislators, and several National Assembly members. He joined a roster that already included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Abubakar Malami.

    A chieftain of the ADC, Ladan Salihu, said Obi’s entry had fundamentally altered Nigeria’s opposition landscape, describing the party as now a credible challenger to the ruling APC.

    Kwankwaso’s political background

    Kwankwaso’s move comes as his political structure in Kano State shows signs of fracture. Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, a former Kwankwasiyya loyalist, is expected to defect to the APC, a development that has created visible tension within the movement and accelerated Kwankwaso’s search for a new national platform.

    Further complicating his situation, a Court of Appeal ruling affirmed the leadership of an NNPP faction led by Agbo Major over a rival faction, deepening internal tensions within the party and prompting renewed conversations about Kwankwaso’s future.

    The 2027 picture

    Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso finished second, third, and fourth, respectively, in the 2023 presidential election. Their potential convergence under one platform represents a significant consolidation of the opposition vote, which was widely split in 2023 — a split that analysts say handed Tinubu a more comfortable victory than he might otherwise have achieved.

    Kwankwaso’s name has featured in opposition calculations as a potential running mate on a joint ADC ticket, though negotiations on the ticket’s composition remain unresolved. His absence from a recent high-profile ADC event drew scrutiny, with analysts suggesting that while public alignment has begun, the private negotiations over structure, roles, and candidate selection are still ongoing.

    The APC has not commented on Kwankwaso’s reported plans to defect. The NNPP has not issued a formal statement on the matter as of the time of this report.

    A formal announcement of Kwankwaso’s defection to the ADC is expected imminently, with sources close to the process suggesting it could come as early as this weekend. RNN.NG will provide live updates when the announcement is made.

  • Osimhen to Wear Arm Splint on Return from Surgery, Targets Late April Comeback

    Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to return to action wearing a specialised forearm protective splint after successfully undergoing surgery for a fractured right arm, adding a second piece of protective armour to a career already defined by resilience in the face of serious injury.

    Galatasaray confirmed on Monday, March 23, that the procedure was carried out by club physician Dr. Yener İnce at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul. The club described the operation as successful and expressed optimism about the Nigerian striker’s recovery.

    How the injury happened

    Osimhen fractured his right forearm during an aerial collision with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté in the first half of Galatasaray’s 4-0 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg defeat at Anfield on March 18. Despite being in visible pain with his arm strapped up on the pitch, the 27-year-old showed remarkable determination to complete the first half before being replaced at the interval on medical advice.

    Galatasaray’s official statement confirmed a fracture of the right forearm, with a cast applied immediately after hospital examination following the match.

    The protective splint

    With his forearm unlikely to be fully healed by the time he returns to the pitch, Osimhen is expected to wear a forearm protective splint  a specialised device designed to immobilise the forearm and wrist, support the bone during the healing process, reduce pain, and prevent further damage by restricting unnecessary movement. The device typically features adjustable straps for compression and breathable padding for comfort. Galatasaray will need to work with medical staff to produce a custom design that ensures maximum safety without hindering his performance.

    Osimhen is already familiar with wearing protective gear during matches, having donned a facial mask since a 2021 cheekbone fracture. The arm splint will become a second piece of protective armour on the pitch.

    Osimhen’s reaction

    The striker has refused to let the injury dampen his outlook. Speaking on a social media livestream before his surgery, Osimhen drew comparisons to the 2021 head injury that gave him metal plates in his face. “I’m not new to this kind of thing; I have gone through much worse,” he said. “I have metal plates in my face as a result of a previous collision. Compared to that, this current fracture is a minor case.”

    Osimhen also disclosed that Konaté reached out after the match to check on his well-being, a gesture he said helped clear any tension from the incident.

    Recovery timeline

    Osimhen is targeting a return to action within six weeks — approximately four weeks for the bone to heal and a further two weeks to regain match fitness. If that timeline is met, Galatasaray could have their star forward back before the end of April, in time for crucial Süper Lig fixtures.

    His absence will be felt at a critical stage of the season. Galatasaray are pushing for a domestic double, and the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26 is among the matches he could miss.

    His season so far

    Despite battling hamstring and ankle problems earlier in the campaign, Osimhen has been directly involved in 26 goals this season, contributing 19 goals and seven assists across all competitions before the injury.  He had been one of the most clinical forwards in European football in the weeks leading up to the Liverpool clash.

    Super Eagles impact

    Osimhen’s injury ruled him out of the Super Eagles’ March international window. He was absent from coach Eric Chelle’s squad for the friendly matches against Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey, this week. The striker also missed out on a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Nigeria were eliminated in a playoff by DR Congo, meaning the Galatasaray season represents his most significant stage this year, making a full recovery all the more important for both club and country.