News

Nigeria now full authoritarian state under Tinubu— PDP

Published

3 months ago

August 8, 2026

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of turning Nigeria into a “full authoritarian state,” citing alleged erosion of democratic institutions, suppression of dissent and weakening of checks and balances.

The PDP made the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, on Saturday.

The statement reads in full, “The report by the Human Rights Foundation, in its latest global assessment, classifying Nigeria as a fully authoritarian regime is a mere global confirmation of the local reality that Nigerians have been facing under the APC-led Federal Government. The report confirms the faulty electoral process, absence of protection for dissent, erosion of democratic safeguards and the obvious collapse of checks and balances on the executive by critical national institutions.

“The report published on the foundation’s Tyranny Tracker platform, tyrannytracker.org, shows that the country performed abysmally low on all the critical pillars of its assessment, indicating a full descent into authoritarianism, which is incompatible with democratic tenets.

“It is worthy of note that the assessment parameters of the foundation align with the theoretical frameworks that have identified, analysed and condemned authoritarian regimes-being the rule by a dictator and a small group, or a single party; the absence of institutional checks and balances; loss or apprehension of freedom of speech; opposition targeting; and weak and fake elections.

“It does not take any high degree of intelligence for anybody to agree with the report, because all the indicators of authoritarianism are present in Nigeria, under this Tinubu regime.

“A few examples from the numerous anomalies experienced by Nigerians will suffice here-the recent deployment of uncivilised and uncouth media attacks by officials of the administration to attack Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Catholic Church and Christianity generally.

“This incident is one of many which eloquently attest to the absence of freedom of speech under this administration. What did the cleric say that is not the lived experience of Nigerians, except, of course, the few who are isolated from reality and their paid human megaphones?

“The complete failure of the National Assembly to offer any form of meaningful checks to the executive is not a secret-else how could an administration fail to execute the Appropriation Act for three years, and yet that administration gets commendation, instead of condemnation, from the legislature? A parliament that ignores or blatantly disrespects the country’s constitution and its own standing rules during critical legislative activities cannot offer credible oversight of the executive.

“What is left, which the administration has doubled down on, is the fact that the 2027 elections are designed as a mere formality, far from reflecting the people’s wishes through the ballot.

“We call on the Tinubu APC administration to immediately take critical steps to de-escalate the political tensions emanating from actions traceable to their officials and their proxies, in the interest of the survival of democracy.

“The continuous asphyxiation of the opposition, clear weaponisation of security agencies against real and perceived opponents, increasing signs of partisanship by the electoral umpire, and reckless deployment of combustible political rhetoric by the President and his handlers should cease.

“The President must realise that there are two contests embedded in the 2027 Presidential elections-the presidency and the country. An attempt to focus on winning the former at all costs may result in the loss of the latter; and only a free, fair, credible and peaceful contest can guarantee a win for both coveted prizes.

“We urge Nigerians to continue to demand accountability from their leaders at all levels, as this is the irreducible minimum that democracy provides.”

News

LA 2028 Olympics Race: Chelle Invites 31 Home-Based Players for Crucial DR Congo U23 AFCON Qualifiers

Published

12 minutes ago

October 23, 2026

PlateauReports

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s crucial U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the country intensifies preparations for a return to Olympic men’s football at Los Angeles 2028.

Sports247 reports that the provisional squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards drawn largely from clubs competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

All invited players are expected to report to AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 25, ahead of the two-legged qualifying encounter scheduled for November.

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13, before hosting the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Tuesday, November 17.

The aggregate winner will progress to the final qualifying round for the U23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt. The continental tournament will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Nigeria received a bye into the second qualifying round, while DR Congo advanced after eliminating Mauritania.

Sporting Lagos have five representatives in the squad, including goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Hillary Zion, midfielders Victor Samuel and Muhammad Salihu, and forward Ayoola Olaniyan.

Rivers United contribute four players, while Warri Wolves also have four representatives. Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Rangers International are among the other clubs represented.

The invitations provide an opportunity for domestic league players to demonstrate their qualities at international level. Nigeria’s men’s football team has enjoyed considerable Olympic success, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.

However, the country failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 tournaments. The upcoming qualifiers therefore represent another opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s Olympic football ambitions.

With Chelle assembling a squad dominated by domestic talents, attention now turns to preparations in Ijebu-Ode as the Olympic Eagles target a positive result against DR Congo and another step towards Los Angeles 2028.

FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers (4): Chinemerem Olughu (Nasarawa United), Clinton Andy (Rivers United), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).

Defenders (9): Gift Subi (Warri Wolves), Hillary Zion (Sporting Lagos), Emmanuel Utake (Rivers United), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers International), Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International), Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United), Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United), Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

Midfielders (8): Freeman Wuchirwe (Bendel Insurance), Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos), Umar Mohammed (Nasarawa United), Lucky Oraro (Warri Wolves), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Sani Shuaibu (Warri Wolves), Muhammad Salihu (Sporting Lagos), Jude Eventus (Warri Wolves).

Forwards (10): Junior Ikechukwu (Ikorodu City), Timothy Zechariah (Rivers United), Williams Wonah (Enyimba FC), Ayoola Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos), Chijioke Samuel (Enyimba FC), Jofrank Joshua (Nasarawa United), Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers International), Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).

News

TUDUN WADA, OTHER PLATEAU COMMUNITIES TO GET ELECTRICITY BOOST!

Published

38 minutes ago

October 23, 2026

PlateauReports

70-TRANSFORMER PROJECT REACHES 98% COMPLETION AS PLATEAU EXPANDS POWER ACCESS

There could be brighter days ahead for Tudun Wada and several other communities across Plateau State, as the state government says its ongoing 70-transformer electricity intervention project has reached 98% completion. ⚡️

The intervention is aimed at improving electricity supply and expanding access to power in communities that have experienced inadequate or unreliable electricity supply.

Among the communities listed to benefit from the intervention are Tudun Wada, Naraguta, Rikkos, Nasarawa, Agingi, Longwa, Zawan and Du, alongside other communities across the state.

💡 TUDUN WADA AMONG BENEFICIARIES

For residents of Tudun Wada, the development could mean improved power capacity for homes, businesses, shops, schools and other community activities.

Reliable electricity remains an important part of everyday life, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs who depend on power to operate equipment, preserve goods and provide services.

From barbershops and salons to restaurants, cold-drink businesses, tailoring shops, phone charging centres, printing businesses and other small enterprises, improved electricity supply could help reduce dependence on alternative sources of power.

⚡️ OLD TRANSFORMERS TO BE REFURBISHED

According to the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti, the intervention is not only about installing new transformers.

Some existing and old transformers are also being refurbished and redeployed to areas where they are needed.

This approach is expected to help maximise available infrastructure while extending electricity support to more communities.

🏘️ GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE AREAS WITH GREATER NEED

Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has also approved the relocation of some transformer units to communities considered to have greater electricity needs.

The move is expected to ensure that available power infrastructure is directed to areas where it can have the greatest impact.

With the project now reportedly at 98% completion, attention will be on the final stages of implementation and when the affected communities will begin to fully experience the benefits.

🌟 MORE POWER, MORE OPPORTUNITIES

Electricity is more than just light in our homes.

For local businesses, it can mean longer operating hours, reduced operating costs and increased productivity.

For students, it can provide better conditions for studying at night.

For households, it can bring greater convenience.

And for communities like Tudun Wada, improved electricity supply could support economic activities and contribute to a better quality of life.

💡 More transformers.
⚡️ More communities.
🏘️ More access to electricity.
📈 More opportunities for Plateau residents.

But the big question remains: