Category: Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Ononuga has described Mr Peter Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and presidential aspirant, as “peripatetic, opportunistic and inconsistent,” following Obi’s televised remarks on his political trajectory.

Ononuga’s comments came in response to Obi’s interview with Arise Television, where the former Anambra State governor outlined his movement from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later to the ADC. Obi said he left APGA due to destructive governance by his successor, and departed PDP over what he termed “transactional politics” and entrenched corruption.

Obi argued that critics who questioned his exit from PDP were themselves complicit in the party’s failings, likening their actions to “setting fire to a house” in hopes of consuming him politically. He insisted he would not remain in any party that compromises integrity, declaring: “You cannot use the process of yesterday to build tomorrow.”

Pressed on whether he would leave ADC if corruption emerged, Obi said he would not hesitate, stressing: “I am in ADC with the same people, some of whom I left PDP and other parties, but we are going through the same process. If that process is again compromised, I will speak out.”  He added, “If I have to move, I don’t have a long time in politics. But if I have a long time, I will do it twenty times. I cannot be talking about something new while being part of the process. You cannot use the process of yesterday to build tomorrow.” 

The former Labour Party candidate said he has never been involved in rigged primaries or bribing the judiciary. “I’ve never been involved in any form of rigged election at the primary level or at the election itself.  I have never been part of paying people in the judiciary anywhere to give me judgment.” 

He added that he had no dealings with the former INEC chairman, noting, “I expected him, as referee, to do his job. But I cannot be preaching change and doing it wrongly,” he punctuated.

KAMPALA, Uganda — 13 April 2026 (NPA) — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has declared that his administration will not tolerate corruption, pledging decisive action against officials found guilty of graft.

Speaking after an evening session at a leadership retreat in Kyankwanzi, Museveni criticised leaders and members of parliament, urging them to reject bribery and uphold integrity in public service.

The president also acknowledged the contributions of government partners, including Rt. Hon. Hassan Omar of Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance, who stressed the importance of overcoming fragmented markets and policies to advance Africa’s prosperity.

“Retreats like these are important for renewing commitment to our mission of national transformation. I congratulate the MPs on the successful retreat,” Museveni said.

Despite repeated pledges, corruption continues to undermine Uganda’s governance and service delivery. In April 2026, the Inspectorate of Government announced the recovery of 335 million shillings from 62 public officials who had misappropriated funds, part of a wider crackdown on irregular use of government resources. The IGG also ordered officials in Jinja City to refund 33 million shillings after investigations revealed breaches of accountability. These recoveries highlight both the persistence of graft and the government’s intensified enforcement efforts to safeguard public resources and restore trust in state institutions.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 13 April 2026 (NPA) — Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kola Ologbondiyan has raised concerns that, just 24 hours to the ADC National Convention scheduled for Abuja, the party has yet to secure a venue.

Ologbondiyan, who serves as Media Adviser to the embattled ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said the party had formally requested approval from the Office of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, to use Eagle Square. While the letter was acknowledged, no response has been issued.

He added that repeated visits to the Ministry of Sports to secure the MKO Abiola Stadium Velodrome also proved unsuccessful, with the party denied access. To compound matters, privately owned event centers in Abuja have reportedly declined ADC’s requests, citing fears of government harassment.

Despite these setbacks, Ologbondiyan assured party members, supporters, and Nigerians that the convention will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, in line with the notice already issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“As contained in the notice to INEC, the ADC National Convention will hold in Abuja as scheduled,” he said.

As of press time, no venue has been confirmed. However, analysts note that in politics, 24 hours can be a long time, leaving room for last-minute developments.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 13 April 2026 (NPA) — Mr. Peter Obi, a leader of Nigeria’s opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a frontline presidential aspirant, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent comparison of Nigeria’s fuel prices with Kenya, suggesting Nigeria is doing better than the East African nation and others. Obi described the remark as dismissive, likening it to the biblical Pharisee who boasted of superiority to mask deeper shortcomings.

In a statement issued today, Obi argued that the comparison was baseless, noting that Kenya outperforms Nigeria across several economic and social indicators. He referenced Tinubu’s comment in Yenagoa suggesting Nigerians should take solace in being “better off than Kenya and other African countries,” warning that such rhetoric risks trivializing the severity of Nigeria’s economic crisis. Obi emphasized that credible comparisons must be grounded in verifiable data, not used as a refuge from accountability.

Obi highlighted Kenya’s stronger performance in key development metrics: security, the Human Development Index, GDP per capita, literacy levels, electricity access, and life expectancy. For example, Kenya’s HDI ranking is 143 with a coefficient of 0.630, compared to Nigeria’s 164 with 0.530. Kenya’s GDP per capita stands at about $2,200, while Nigeria’s is below $850. Poverty affects 43% of Kenyans compared to 63% of Nigerians, and Kenya’s literacy rate is above 80%, compared to Nigeria’s 62–65%. He also noted that Kenya’s inflation has remained around 4.5% in recent years, while Nigeria’s has consistently exceeded 15%.

Obi concluded that if Kenyans are considered to be suffering despite stronger figures, Nigerians are in a far more difficult situation. He urged President Tinubu to refrain from self-consolation and instead embrace humility, accountability, and a determined effort to address the structural challenges slowing Nigeria’s development.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 12 April 2026 (NPA) — Nigeria’s major opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has congratulated all newly elected State Executives and State Chairmen across the federation on the successful and peaceful conduct of their congresses.

The ADC, on Sunday, noted that the elections, carried out in line with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution, reflect its enduring commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. The party commended members and stakeholders for exercising their democratic rights with maturity, discipline, and a shared sense of purpose.

In a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, Spokesperson for the ADC, the party announced that the formal inauguration of the newly elected State Executives is scheduled to take place on 12 May 2026, or on a later date to be communicated by the National Working Committee.

“As you prepare to assume office, we urge all elected officials to remain steadfast in their dedication to the ideals and vision of the party. The task ahead requires unity, discipline, and a continued commitment to building a strong, credible alternative for the Nigerian people,” the statement read.

The ADC expressed confidence that under the leadership of the newly elected officials at the state level, the party will continue to grow, deepen its structures, and strengthen its connection with citizens across the country.

“The ADC remains confident that under your leadership at the state level, the party will continue to grow, deepen its structures, and strengthen its connection with citizens across the country,” the statement concluded.