LONDON – Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82, his family announced on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The statesman passed away in a London clinic, according to a statement released by his former aide, Bashir Ahmad, via X.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, having also led the country as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985. His family has not disclosed the cause of death but stated that details regarding burial arrangements, in accordance with Islamic rites, will be shared in due course.

The announcement has prompted an outpouring of condolences across Nigeria and beyond, with tributes highlighting Buhari’s contributions to national development and security. The presidency and other officials are yet to issue formal statements.

This news follows recent misinformation about Buhari’s passing, including a false video in early July 2025 that was debunked as unrelated. Authorities urge the public to rely on verified sources for accurate information.

Abuja, July 4, 2025 – In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, has ordered the Nigerian Senate to immediately recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, from her six-month suspension. The court declared the suspension, imposed on March 6, 2025, as “excessive” and a violation of due process, stating that it effectively barred the senator from fulfilling her legislative duties for nearly 180 days, equivalent to a full legislative cycle.

The judgment came in response to a suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) challenging her suspension by the Senate, which stemmed from a February 20, 2025, plenary session altercation. The senator was suspended after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of inappropriate advances and speaking from an unassigned seat, actions the Senate deemed as misconduct. Justice Nyako upheld the Senate’s authority to discipline its members but criticized the length of the suspension, noting it deprived Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of representation. The court further dismissed claims that Akpabio acted improperly in denying her the right to speak during the plenary, as she was not in her designated seat, a procedural requirement.

In a related ruling, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for violating a prior gag order issued on April 4, 2025, which barred all parties from making public statements about the case. The senator had posted a satirical apology to Akpabio on her Facebook page on April 7, 2025, which Justice Nyako described as contemptuous. The court fined her N5 million and ordered her to publish an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days to purge the contempt

While the contempt charge was initiated by Akpabio, the court declined to grant any relief directly in his favor. The ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal and political dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership, with the senator’s supporters calling the contempt charge politically motivated, while Akpabio’s allies view it as a victory for judicial order.

The court’s decision clears the way for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to resume her legislative duties, potentially reshaping dynamics in the

Abuja, Nigeria – July 2, 2025 – A coalition of prominent Nigerian opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The unveiling, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, marked a significant step toward consolidating opposition forces but was overshadowed by internal dissent within the ADC.

The coalition, described as a “united front” to prevent Nigeria’s descent into a one-party state, saw the entire ADC leadership, led by outgoing National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, step down to facilitate the transition. Former Senate President David Mark was appointed interim National Chairman, with ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola named interim National Secretary. Mark accused the APC-led government of fostering a “crippling democratic dictatorship” and vowed that the coalition would restore transparency and inclusivity to Nigerian politics.

The event, attended by political heavyweights like former APC National Chairman John Oyegun, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, highlighted the coalition’s ambition to unify diverse opposition groups. Nwosu emphasized that the ADC’s adoption followed 18 months of consultations, framing it as a “patriotic sacrifice” to reposition Nigeria.

However, the coalition’s launch was marred by strong opposition from a faction within the ADC, led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu. Kachikwu rejected the coalition’s adoption of the ADC, calling it an “elitist attempt to hijack the party” and labeling coalition leaders as “enemies of Nigeria” with no fresh ideas. He claimed the coalition aligned with Nwosu, whose leadership tenure allegedly ended in August 2022, rendering the transition illegitimate. Kachikwu argued that the ADC belongs to its members and demanded a constitutionally backed national convention to resolve leadership disputes.

Another faction, including state executives and youth leaders, echoed Kachikwu’s sentiments, asserting that the coalition’s move lacked grassroots consultation. They appointed former Senator Patricia Akwashiki as chair of a caretaker committee to steer the party, signaling a deepening rift.

Aisha Yesufu, an ally of Peter Obi, clarified that the ADC did not merge with other parties, distancing some coalition members from the narrative of a full takeover. Meanwhile, Primate Elijah Ayodele, a prominent cleric, predicted that Atiku Abubakar would emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate for 2027, adding a prophetic dimension to the unfolding drama.

The ADC, founded in 2005, has a history of serving as a platform for coalitions, notably in 2018 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement adopted it. While the coalition’s backers see it as a chance to rebuild opposition politics, critics like Kachikwu argue it recycles the same political elite responsible for Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity and economic hardship

As the coalition moves to formalize its leadership and select a consensus candidate, the internal crisis within the ADC threatens to undermine its unity. Nigerians await clarity on whether this coalition can deliver the transformative change it promises or if it will falter under the weight of factionalism and skepticism