ADC coalition members have nothing new to offer – Gov. Radda

Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, has dismissed the newly formed coalition of opposition leaders saying, most of those behind the coalition are disgruntled persons who are unhappy because they are not in government.

Mr Radda who made this claim during an interview with Channels TV said if the coalition really have something new to offer, they should come out with its agenda for the country and sell itself to Nigerians.

According to him, if they are going to bring subsidy back, let them tell Nigerians how they are going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to pay to bring about the subsidy.

Former Super Eagle Players Express Shock over the Death of Peter Rufai

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender, Godwin Opara, has urged retired national team players to speak up when facing personal challenges. Reflecting on the long, private battle late goalkeeper Peter Rufai endured before his passing, Opara emphasised that silence in the face of life’s struggles often does more harm than good.

Opara, who shared the pitch with Rufai during their playing days, paid a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate, describing him as a disciplined professional and a relentless pursuer of excellence.

On his part, Former Super Eagles midfielder, Wasiu Ipaye expressed surprise at the sudden demise of his senior colleague, Peter Rufai.

Ipaye who played for Nigeria between 1989 to 1995 has called on the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to immortalize Rufai who gave his all to Nigeria.

Also, Veteran sports journalist and broadcaster, Abayomi Abiodun Akeem Opakunle, has described the passing of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai as deeply shocking.

Opakunle expressed sorrow that, despite battling health issues, Rufai kept his struggles private—even from close friends.

He hailed the late shot-stopper as both a national and continental icon, noting that Rufai’s legacy as one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers remains unmatched.

Credit Sure 97.5fm

JUST IN: ADC releases names of all party chairmen [FULL LIST]

The coalition party, the African Democratic Party on Wednesday released the names of its chairmen across states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a post shared on social media, the ADC said the decision was made by the National Secretariat of the party.

The party also called on interested members in Akwa Ibon who had obtained the membership cards without the party stamp to visit the party secretariat for it.

Below is a list of the state party chairmen of the coalition party, ADC:

1 Hanatu Garaba — Plateau

2 Musa S. Shuaib —Nasarawa

3 Adekolu O. Moses — Ekiti

4 Patrick Obianyo — Anambra

5 Hon. Haruna Hassan —Bauchi

6 Otunba Pat. Olufemi — Ogun

7 Celestine Orbunda— Benue

8 Mohammed Bolori — Borno

9 Comrade John Ogar —Cross River

10 Austine Okotie — Delta

11 Jennifer Adibie N — Ebonyi

12 Kennedy Odion — Edo

13 Iyke Nwoka — Abia

14 Stella Chukwula— Enugu

15 Mallam Danladi Yau — Gombe

16 Duke Gabriel Dick — Akwa Ibom

17 Alh. Sanni Mohammed — Jigawa

18 Ahmed Tijani M — Kaduna

19. Ungogo Musa — Kano

20. Alh. Usman Musa — Katsina

21 Hajia Hawa Mohammed — Kebbi

18 John Adeli Udale — Kogi

19 Adebayo Akadi — Kwara

20 George Ashiru — Lagos

21 Chief Mrs Ganiyu Sidirika — Ondo

22 Auta Mohammed — Niger

23 Yohanna Shehu K — Adamawa

24 Chief Emmanuel Amushe — Imo

25 Charles Idowu — Osun

26 Alh. Yinka Adona — Oyo

27 Yusuf Tijani — FCT

28 Ode Lawrence E— Rivers

29 Hon. Umar Farouk — Sokoto

30 Adamu Hassan — Taraba

31 Alh. Kalli Umar — Yobe

32 Alh. Kabiru Garba — Zamfara

The party added, “Akwa Ibom State chapter hereby notifies all persons who obtained membership cards last week without the stamp and imprimatur of the state chairman to please present them at the State Secretariat of the Party at No. 84 Udotung Ubo Street, Uyo, for stamping and signature of the State chairman, and entry of their names in the Party’s membership register.”

INEC to Launch Voter Registration Portal in Akwa Ibom Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to reopen its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) portal in Akwa Ibom State, as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.

The newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom, Mr Obo Effanga, revealed the timeline during his first media briefing at INEC’s state headquarters in Uyo on Tuesday.

According to Mr Effanga, the online pre-registration portal will go live on 18 August, allowing eligible voters to begin the process from the comfort of their homes.

In addition to the online option, physical registration will commence on 25 August at INEC offices across all local government areas in the state.

Mr Effanga encouraged those who have already started the online process to visit their local INEC office to complete biometric data capture, including fingerprints and photographs.

The CVR exercise will also cater to individuals who:

- Need to correct personal details such as name or address 

- Wish to transfer their registration to a different polling unit 

- Have not yet collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)

Mr Effanga issued a strong warning against multiple registrations, noting that such actions could invalidate a voter’s record.

He emphasised that the process mirrors the system used prior to the 2023 elections, combining digital convenience with in-person verification.

Mr Effanga urged all eligible residents of Akwa Ibom to take advantage of the registration window to ensure their voter information is accurate and up to date ahead of the 2027 polls.

Ancelotti Gets Jail Term for Tax Evasion but Will Not Go to Prison

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to a year in prison by a Spanish court for tax evasion but he will not have to serve time in jail.

The former Chelsea and Everton boss was accused of failing to pay 1m euros (£830,000) in tax on his salary during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015.

He will avoid prison but does have to pay a fine of 386,361.93 euros (£333,045.92).

Under Spanish law, any sentence under two years for a non-violent crime rarely requires a defendant without previous convictions to serve jail time.

Earlier this year, Ancelotti said he "never thought about committing fraud" as he testified in court.

Ancelotti said he was offered a net salary of 6m euros (£5.1m) by Real and that he left the structure of it to his financial advisers.

Ancelotti, 66, ended a second spell with Real at the end of last season and took the Brazil job.

Governor Diri Condoles with Oyo Government, Ibandan Indigenes over Demise of Late Oba Olakulehin

                                 
Governor Douye Diri, has commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the passage of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

In a statement issued by Mr. Daniel Alabrah, his Chief Press Secretary, today, the Bayelsa Governor also commiserated with indigenes of Ibadan land, describing the foremost monarch as a bridge builder, unifier and father to all.

Governor Diri recalled the conferment of the Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadan, MOFI award on him by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes in May this year; an honour presented to him by the monarch through Senator Rasheed Ladoja, the Otun Balogun and former governor of the state in Ibadan.

He said the late paramount ruler cemented the bonds of unity between his people, Oyo State and the government and people of Bayelsa.

He also stated that the royal father’s support, guidance and peaceful, albeit brief, reign engendered an environment for the growth and development of Ibadan land and Oyo State in general under the focused leadership of Governor Oluseyi Makinde.

While mourning the passing of Oba Olakulehin, Governor Diri urged Ibadan indigenes and people of the state to be comforted by the exemplary life and ennobling legacies of the late nonagenarian monarch.

He equally prayed God to grant his subjects, the governor and people of the state the fortitude to bear the loss.

JAMB Set 150 as Cut-Off Mark for Universities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has set 150 as the cut-off mark for admission into universities in the country.

JAMB made the decision today during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

It said the cut-off mark for colleges for nursing is 140, colleges of agriculture 100, and colleges of education 100.

The annual policy meeting sets guidelines for the conduct of admissions into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the coming academic session.

In another development, the Federal Government has formally set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education announced this today during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board held in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa, while declaring the meeting open, emphasised that the age benchmark is now official and non-negotiable. He warned that any admission carried out outside the Central Admissions Processing System, CAPS would be considered illegal.

The minister further stated that heads of institutions found culpable of admission fraud or circumventing CAPS would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The annual policy meeting sets guidelines for the conduct of admissions into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the coming academic session.

Fedral Government Rejects Claims of Water Release From Lagdo Dam

                 

The Federal government has dismissed claims of water release from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

There were reports that water from the dam had been released into Nigeria.

In a statement, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of water resources and sanitation, said after his communication with Mr. Ahmad Bivoung, the manager of the dam, it was relayed that the dam is currently at a low level of 2.06 metres and that no discharge has taken place.

Prof. Utsev noted that the ministry is in constant communication with Cameroonian authorities and would promptly notify Nigerians when an official release occurs.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to flood management and infrastructure development along the Benue trough, including proactive reservoir operations of dams on its tributaries to avoid panic releases.