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ADC’s Okonkwo Rejects Amaechi as Atiku’s Running Mate in 2026 Presidential Race

ADC chieftain voices opposition to reported PDP decision, citing need for broader consultation among opposition parties

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ADC chieftain voices opposition to reported PDP decision, citing need for broader consultation among opposition parties

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) national leader, Dr. Obinna Okonkwo, has publicly rejected the reported selection of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Okonkwo made his position known on Tuesday in Abuja, warning that the move could undermine ongoing efforts to build a united opposition front ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to Okonkwo, the decision by PDP stakeholders to pair Atiku with Amaechi did not involve meaningful consultation with other opposition leaders or parties. He stressed that such unilateral moves risk deepening division within opposition ranks at a time when collaboration is essential to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “This kind of arrangement cannot produce the desired result for Nigerians who are yearning for real change,” Okonkwo said.

The development comes as political parties intensify alliances and negotiations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, seeking favourable ticket combinations that reflect regional interests and religious balance. With APC already consolidating its base in several states, analysts say unity among opposition blocs remains crucial if they hope to mount a credible challenge in 2026.

Okonkwo urged PDP leaders to reconsider their approach and called for an inclusive dialogue involving all major opposition parties before finalising any running mate choices. He maintained that, without broad-based consensus, efforts to unseat APC would be difficult. The PDP could not be immediately reached for comment as at press time.

As campaign activities gather pace nationwide, political observers predict further negotiations among opposition actors over joint tickets and power-sharing arrangements in the months ahead.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/888069-adc-okonkwo-kicks-against-amaechis-choice-as-atikus-running-mate.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Oshiomhole Says APC Sacked Him as National Chairman via Zoom Meeting at Presidential Villa

Former Edo governor alleges court orders and internal party moves led to his removal after 2019 electoral victories

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Former Edo governor alleges court orders and internal party moves led to his removal after 2019 electoral victories

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed that he was removed from office through a virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held via Zoom at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Oshiomhole, who now represents Edo North Senatorial District, made this known during an interview on AIT aired on Sunday, 16 June 2026.

Oshiomhole explained that his ouster in June 2020 came after he led the APC to a second-term victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and resolved leadership disputes within the National Assembly. According to him, moves to remove him began with a petition allegedly signed by eight members of his ward in Edo State, which was followed by a series of court cases and interim orders that paved the way for his suspension.

He said, “I led my party to victory under Buhari. With my colleagues in the National Working Committee, we were able to fix the leadership tussle of the National Assembly, both Senate and House of Representatives effortlessly. Our president didn’t have to run around the country; we did all the marketing and persuasion needed.” Oshiomhole alleged that after stabilising the party, aggrieved members resorted to court actions when they could not remove him democratically. “Once the system got stabilised, I was sacked through a Zoom. When people couldn’t get me removed democratically, they claimed eight members of my ward passed a vote of no confidence on me. Based on that, they went to court and obtained an interim order.”

The former Edo State governor further stated that although he appealed against the suspension order and initially won at the Court of Appeal, the same court later reversed itself three weeks later. He recounted how, shortly after this reversal, an unprecedented NEC meeting was convened virtually at the Villa where his removal was formalised.

Oshiomhole’s exit marked a significant turning point for APC leadership. The party’s NEC subsequently dissolved its National Working Committee and set up a Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to oversee party affairs amid ongoing internal divisions. His latest statements offer fresh perspective on one of Nigeria’s most dramatic recent political shake-ups.

At press time, no official response had been issued by current APC national officers regarding Oshiomhole’s account.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/i-was-sacked-as-apc-national-chairman-via-zoom-oshiomhole-reveals-2026061611445335201

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Nigeria News (Standard)

FG Approves Digital Address System for All Nigerian Buildings, Targets Rollout in October 2026

Communications Minister Tijani says initiative will boost security, curb fraud and improve service delivery nationwide

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Communications Minister Tijani says initiative will boost security, curb fraud and improve service delivery nationwide

The Federal Government has announced plans to assign a unique digital address to every building across Nigeria, in a move officials say will tackle fraud, insecurity and poor logistics nationwide. The rollout of the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System is set to begin with selected states in October 2026, according to the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

The new addressing system will see all residential, commercial and public buildings across the country assigned a distinct alphanumeric code linked to their precise geographic coordinates. Authorities say this will replace the current reliance on vague descriptions and popular landmarks—such as ‘opposite the filling station’—which often hinder emergency response, deliveries and security investigations.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the platform is being developed in partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. “This digital addressing system will provide a reliable national location framework for security agencies, businesses and government institutions,” Tijani stated at a press briefing. He added that agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, ICPC and DSS would benefit from improved ability to trace suspects and strengthen investigations involving fraud or other crimes.

Officials argue that Nigeria’s outdated addressing system has contributed to billions of naira in annual losses due to failed deliveries and inefficiencies in moving goods and services. NIPOST projects that standardising addresses will also boost e-commerce deliveries, postal services, transportation planning and access to essential government services. Responding to concerns over privacy, government representatives stressed that address-related data will be protected by existing data privacy laws.

With phase one scheduled for October 2026 before a nationwide expansion, stakeholders see the initiative as one of the most ambitious attempts yet to unify Nigeria’s national addressing framework. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment on the announcement.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/fg-to-give-every-building-in-nigeria-a-digital-address-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-and-how-it-works-2026061611321781952

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Emeka Ike Sues INEC, Wike’s Aide in Abuja Over ₦10bn Voter Data Leak

INEC and DSS launch investigations after screenshots of actor’s confidential voter records surface online, sparking privacy concerns

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INEC and DSS launch investigations after screenshots of actor’s confidential voter records surface online, sparking privacy concerns

Nollywood veteran and House of Representatives aspirant, Emeka Ike, has instituted a ₦10 billion lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, media aide to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit follows the unauthorised release of Ike’s private voter registration details online on 16 June 2026.

The controversy began when screenshots containing Ike’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) information were published on X (formerly Twitter), allegedly by Olayinka. The shared images included personal data concerning Ike’s recent voter registration transfer, which Olayinka posted while questioning the actor’s eligibility to contest for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat under the NDC platform.

Ike, visibly aggrieved by the exposure of his confidential records, described the incident as a gross violation of privacy. “Wike’s aide has no right to expose my privacy, and I am ready to take him on,” Ike said through his lawyers. Legal representatives for Ike have argued that this breach undermines public confidence in INEC ahead of subsequent elections and exposes potential risks to over 90 million registered voters across Nigeria.

Many Nigerians have expressed outrage following the leak, especially as it appeared that the records were accessed from INEC’s restricted CVR portal—ordinarily reserved for authorised personnel. The commission responded by launching an internal investigation and clarified there was no external hacking involved; instead, initial findings suggest that valid internal credentials were used to access the data. The Department of State Services (DSS) has also commenced a parallel probe into how Ike’s information ended up in public circulation.

Preliminary reports indicate investigators have traced the source of the leak to an electoral officer who allegedly accessed and shared the record before it was published online. As court proceedings commence, stakeholders are watching closely amid concerns about institutional accountability and data protection standards in Nigeria’s digital age. The outcome could set a precedent for how government agencies handle sensitive information entrusted by citizens.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/emeka-ike-sues-inec-wike-aide-voter-data-leak-case-2026061611195529722

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