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Buhari, Gowon, Observe Independence Day Parade At Eagle Square

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Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Against all odds, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday observed the 58th Independence Day parade at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The last time the ceremony held at the Eagles Square was in 2010 under the administration of former President Bukola Saraki.

That parade in 2010 was marred by bomb blasts.

Since that year, subsequent independence anniversary parade were held in low key at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari, who already made national broadcast marking the 58th independence anniversary at 7am, on Monday broke the jinx and arrived the Eagles Square venue of the parade around 9.30am.

But the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara were conspicuously absent at the Eagle Square.

According to the programme circulated to guests, they were listed to arrive the venue by 9.10a.m for the event.

Saraki and Dogara have recently dumped the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Others who attended the ceremony included Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Former military leader, Oladipo Diya and cabinet members also attended the parade.

There was inspection of guards by President Buhari, which was followed by march past in slow and quick time.

There was also march past by para-military organisations, agencies and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) mounted troops.

Also on display were military equipment march past on low loaders

Police dogs displaying the trainings they had acquired also thrilled the guests while outriders also displayed their skills.

There was also aerial show by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Recalled that while training for the aerial show, there was two jets crash on Friday, which claimed the life of one pilot and leaving two wounded survivors.

Rounding off the ceremony at the Eagles Square, there were firing of volleys and 21 gun salute by the military personnel.

Before departing the venue, President Buhari signed the 58th Independence anniversary register.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the ceremony, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said “You have seen what we displayed today, we are capable of defending this nation.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, noted that the last time independence anniversary was celebrated in full was in 2010.

Read Also: Full text: Muhammadu Buhari’s 58th Independence Day address
According to him, a child born seven years would not have idea of how independence anniversary is celebrated in Nigeria.

He said that there is relative calm in the north east and checkmating of banditry in the North West and north central as a result of acquisition of more military equipment under the present administration.

He urged Nigerians to be patient and trust the leadership of President Buhari.

Shortly after Buhari and the dignitaries left the venue, some APC youths wearing black T-shirt took over the arena.

In a procession with the APC flag, they started moving around, singing songs in support of President Buhari towards the 2019 Presidential election.

Trouble however started when somebody, who infiltrated the group, stole the telephone set of one of the youth.

Rather than submit the telephone set when he was caught, he drew out dagger to scare away those who tried to get the telephone set from him.

With the thief’s supporters at the venue backing him, it almost turned to free for all fight.

They ran, pushed and pursued one another around the venue for over 15 minutes.

It got bloody when some of the thief’s gang started throwing stones, which made the youths to run helter skelter around the venue for safety.

One young boy of about 15 years was not too lucky as one of the stones landed on his head.

The boy, who was bleeding profusely, was given first aid treatment by some members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps at the venue.

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Politics

‘Purge yourself of anti-Atiku sentiments’ - Dele Momodu tells Bode George

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dele Momodu, has urged former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George to stop harbouring what he described as anti-Atiku sentiments.

In a post on X, Momodu stated that Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, has a legitimate right to pursue his presidential ambition.

He was reacting to a video interview in which George criticised Atiku for allegedly placing his personal ambition above party interests.

Recall that Atiku and George were previously members of the PDP before the former VP defected to the ADC.

George, in the interview, openly faulted Atiku’s continued presidential bid.

“There’s someone who has been bragging so much, and whom I pity so much.

“Despite elder statesmen’s efforts to make peace reign, this person insists that it’s his ambition. He keeps insisting he would run, but is his ambition greater than that of Nigeria?” George had said.

Reacting, Momodu wrote, “Baba mi sir, you know I love and respect you a lot, kindly purge yourself of anti-Atiku sentiments.

“It is his right to contest, sir, while it is your right not to support him. Atiku has never bragged to anyone about his political dreams. Never.”

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Threats won’t stop Nigerians from voting Tinubu out – ADC tells Wike

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his reported declaration of war against anti-Tinubu candidates ahead of the February 21, 2026 elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday, the party described the comment as irresponsible and dangerous.

According to the statement, it would not stop Nigerians from deciding who to vote.


The ADC said the minister’s remarks were troubling, especially at a time when the country is facing economic hardship, insecurity and political tension.

“We consider the Minister’s declaration of war against so-called anti-Tinubu candidates not only irresponsible, but dangerous in the current fragile atmosphere of our nation. At a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, insecurity, and deep political distrust, the last thing the country needs is inflammatory rhetoric from those entrusted with public office.

“Nigeria must not be turned into a ground for settling political scores; it is a constitutional democracy. Power ultimately belongs to the people, not to any President, any Minister, or anyone who wrongly assumes that holding public office means owning the country,” the statement warned.

The party said it was reminding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nyesom Wike and other officials of the administration that Nigerians cannot be bullied or pressured.

It added that any attempt to threaten or force voters into submission only shows fear and exposes what it described as growing anxiety within Wike, Tinubu and the APC over their level of public support, as well as a widening disconnect between the government and many citizens.

“If Wike, the APC and its leaders are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate.

“The ADC will not sit idly by and watch political actors truncate our democracy. Any attempt, overt or covert, to subvert the will of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every means at our disposal. We are prepared to mobilize democratic institutions, civil society partners, and the Nigerian people themselves in defense of the sanctity of the ballot,” the statement added.

“If they are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate,” the ADC said.

The party also vowed to resist any attempt to interfere with the outcome of the election.

“Any attempt, overt or covert, to subvert the will of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every means at our disposal,” the statement read.

The ADC insisted that no declaration of war or political pressure would override the voice of the electorate in the February 21 polls.

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2027: ‘Our votes must count’ – Peter Obi warns

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has declared that votes must count in the 2027 general elections, warning that anyone who attempts to undermine the process would face legal consequences.

In a statement shared via his verified X handle on Monday, Obi stressed that unlike in previous elections, Nigerians would insist that every valid vote is counted and properly recorded.

He urged citizens to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots to witness the counting and transmission of results, insisting that electoral transparency is critical to safeguarding the country’s democracy.


“Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes MUST count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria.

“I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to count and witness the counting and transmission of results. Those who refuse to allow the votes count will be made to count the full weight of the law against rigging.

“Let me reiterate: if you do not count our votes, we will count you among those who destroy our democracy, thereby destroying our future, and you must answer to the law,” Obi said.

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