Ireti Kingibe Hospitalized After Political Thugs Attack during ADC Primary in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has publicly detailed a harrowing violent attack she and several party officials endured during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Assembly primary elections in Abuja, an incident she has labeled a “premeditated ambush” . The lawmaker, who sustained acute head trauma , is now warning that political thuggery must not be allowed to replace democracy in Nigeria.

The chaos unfolded on Thursday at the ADC State Secretariat located in the Gudu district of Abuja, where Senator Kingibe had arrived to monitor the sorting and distribution of election materials for the party’s legislative primary contest. What began as a calm administrative process quickly descended into brutal violence when a politician identified as Tijani Mubarak arrived at the scene accompanied by a group of aggressive men.

According to Senator Kingibe’s detailed public account shared over the weekend, the situation spiraled out of control the moment the electoral committee chairman attempted to address the arriving team. The lawmaker recounted that “the moment he introduced himself, the Chairman asked if he was the individual who had been calling earlier in the day. Instantly, Mubarak became aggressively rude.” When the committee chairman refused to tolerate the rowdy behavior, the confrontation turned physical, with Kingibe stating that Mubarak “violently slapped the Chairman of the Committee” .

As violence erupted inside the secretariat office, a female aspirant seeking a legislative ticket attempted to document the breakdown of order using her mobile phone. However, her efforts were met with immediate force. In a disturbing update to her account, Senator Kingibe revealed that the female aspirant was violently grabbed and lifted entirely off the ground while the thugs wrestled her for the phone. Infuriated by her attempt to record the assault, Mubarak allegedly ordered his men to seize the device. The female aspirant was severely manhandled and only released after surrendering her phone, sustaining injuries to her hands during the struggle.

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The physical violence soon reached Senator Kingibe herself as the thugs took control of the administrative room. Recounting her own ordeal, the lawmaker stated that “one of Mubarak’s men turned on me… grabbed me, and flung me violently against the wall, hitting my head with severe force.” Following her rescue from the compound, Kingibe initially returned home and took painkillers, but her condition worsened dramatically, with symptoms including blurred vision and severe migraines. Medical doctors at Wuse General Hospital later confirmed that she had sustained acute head trauma from the impact against the wall.

To prevent any immediate rescue or intervention from outsiders, the invading group deliberately blocked all exit routes and locked the internal stakeholders inside the secretariat room. Senator Kingibe explained that “realising he was losing control of the room, Mubarak ran to the exit door, locked it, and trapped us inside with himself and his armed thugs.” The trapped party officials and the Senator remained imprisoned inside the locked office until an intense confrontation broke out on the building’s exterior. Outside supporters, recognizing the danger, launched a counter-offensive to breach the barricaded entrance and successfully rescued the injured occupants. Even after escaping the room, supporters had to shield Senator Kingibe and another woman, Dr. Fatima Goya, behind heavy furniture for their protection while violence continued outside the building.

However, a contradictory account has emerged from the accused politician. Ambassador Mubarak Ahmad Tijjani (also identified as Tijani Mubarak) has denied all allegations, claiming instead that he was the actual victim of the attack. In a statement released on Sunday, Tijjani insisted that he did not arrive with thugs nor did he attack anyone. He further alleged that the incident did not occur at an official ADC secretariat but rather at Senator Kingibe’s constituency office in Gudu, Abuja. Tijjani accused Kingibe’s camp of moving sensitive electoral materials to a private office instead of distributing them to designated ward centres, leaving delegates waiting for hours. “I happen to be a senatorial aspirant, and I went there to defend my mandate as a party member and as somebody who respects the law. Unfortunately, this is what came out of it,” Tijjani said. He added that he was treated at Cairo Hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and has submitted medical reports to both the police and party leadership.

In response to the attack, Senator Kingibe has formally escalated the matter to both party authorities and federal law enforcement, filing a criminal complaint at the Apo Police Division in Abuja. Demanding immediate state action against the perpetrators, she issued a strong appeal to top security chiefs, stating, “I call upon the Inspector General of Police and the FCT Police Commissioner to immediately order the arrest, thorough investigation, and swift prosecution” of all those involved.

Senator Kingibe also used the opportunity to strongly criticize the rising trend of targeted hostility against women in politics , asserting that “the barbaric manhandling of a female aspirant and the physical assault on my person will not be swept under the carpet.” Despite the severity of her head injuries and the trauma of the experience, the lawmaker maintained that she remains “unbowed” by the intimidation.

This violent episode follows a significant legal victory for Senator Kingibe just days prior. On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja struck out a suit seeking to prohibit the Senator from ADC activities following an alleged suspension by ward executives. Justice Peter Odo Lifu dismissed the case as “frivolous, baseless and unfounded,” imposing a N10 million fine on the plaintiffs. Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement reconciling the conflicting claims from both parties, and investigations are reportedly ongoing.

Ireti Kingibe Hospitalized After Political Thugs Attack during ADC Primary in Abuja

ADC Dissolves David Mark-Led NWC, Picks Kachikwu as Presidential Candidate

A fresh leadership crisis erupted in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Sunday as a faction loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu dissolved the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and declared him the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dramatic moves were taken at the faction’s national convention and presidential primary in Abuja, where delegates endorsed Kachikwu through a voice vote in what supporters described as a decisive push to reclaim the party’s direction amid deepening internal divisions.

In a sweeping restructuring that underscored the widening split within the ADC, the faction immediately announced a new set of national officers to replace the dissolved leadership.

The newly constituted executives include Kingsley Oggah as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Abdulkadir Bashir as National Chairman, Johnny Derek as National Secretary, Kennedy O. Odion as National Treasurer, Chief Amirigoye as National Financial Secretary, alongside Dr Chris Ugwu as National Legal Adviser and other officials.

Receiving the party’s flag amid chants from supporters, Kachikwu painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current realities, saying the country was drifting dangerously under the weight of insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and deep social discontent.

He said the worsening conditions had forced many Nigerians, especially professionals and young people, to flee abroad in search of survival and dignity.

“The mass exodus of our middle class is indicative of those who have chosen not to be part of this hardship anymore,” Kachikwu declared.

According to him, the ADC must rise as a credible alternative capable of restoring hope and rebuilding confidence in governance.

He also warned against what he described as the capture of the nation by a privileged few, insisting that Nigeria belongs to all citizens regardless of status or political affiliation.

Earlier, Chairman of ADC State Chairmen, Kingsley Oggah, described the convention as a turning point for the party, saying members had remained steadfast despite prolonged internal turbulence and mounting pressures.

He said the gathering demonstrated the resilience of party loyalists determined to keep the ADC alive amid the ongoing power struggle.

Also speaking, the newly elected National Chairman, Abdulkadir Bashir, appealed for calm and unity, urging members to respect the party’s constitution and avoid actions capable of worsening the crisis.

“No individual is bigger than the party,” Bashir said, as he called on aggrieved members to return and help strengthen the ADC ahead of future elections.

The latest development further exposes the widening crack within the opposition party following the emergence of another faction aligned with former Senate President David Mark.

Mark’s bloc emerged from the political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections after the former Peoples Democratic Party stalwart joined the ADC in 2025 as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The coalition gained momentum in July 2025 when ADC founder and former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, stepped down alongside members of the party’s NWC and endorsed Mark as interim national chairman — a move that triggered fresh tensions within the party.

2027: President Tinubu Accepts APC Presidential Ticket, Vows to Deepen Reforms

ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu on Sunday officially accepted the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, pledging to consolidate ongoing reforms, deepen national development, and push for the creation of state police as a matter of national emergency. Tinubu spoke in Abuja while delivering his acceptance speech after emerging as the APC presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general elections, where he polled 10,999,162 votes to defeat his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, in the party’s nationwide direct primary election held on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The formal acceptance took place as party leaders, governors, National Working Committee members, and lawmakers gathered at the APC National Secretariat to affirm the President’s candidacy.

President Tinubu opened his acceptance speech by celebrating what he described as a proud moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. “Today, we celebrate another proud moment in our democratic journey, a history not defined by any individual, but by our collective resolve,” he told the gathering. The President recalled how he emerged as the party’s candidate in 2022 and later became President with the support of party members and Nigerians. “Today, I return as your incumbent President, humbled by your enduring support and encouraged by your continued confidence,” Tinubu said. He emphasized that the task before the party was to sustain continuity, consolidate reforms, and strengthen the foundation of a modern Nigeria. “I accept, with humility and profound gratitude, the nomination of our great party, the APC, to stand again as its Presidential candidate,” he declared. The President thanked party leaders, governors, the National Working Committee, lawmakers, and members for sustaining the unity and strength of the APC.

President Tinubu also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for supporting what he described as the “difficult but necessary path of reform” embarked upon by his administration. He acknowledged that the reforms had brought temporary hardship but insisted they were essential for long-term national prosperity. The President’s acceptance followed earlier comments he made after casting his vote in the primary, where he stated: “Democracy is not sustained by noise, speculation, or borrowed platforms. It is sustained by citizens who show up, party members who believe, institutions that endure, the grassroots, and a political family rooted in the people.” Speaking at his ward in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he and his wife Oluremi Tinubu cast their votes, the President described the primary exercise as proof of the APC’s democratic credentials.

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Highlighting his administration’s achievements in education, President Tinubu announced that the government had established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to remove financial barriers to higher education for Nigerian youth. “We promised to remove the financial barriers to higher education for our youth. Today, we have established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,” he said. According to the President, over N282 billion had been disbursed to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries under the student loan scheme, providing access to tertiary education for thousands of Nigerian students who would otherwise have been unable to afford it. The scheme represents one of the largest direct interventions in educational financing in Nigeria’s history.

On power reforms, President Tinubu detailed significant investments in the electricity sector, stating that the administration had supplied 2.5 million electricity meters and established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to Generation Companies (GENCOs) and Gas Companies (GASCOs). The Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Plan, approved by Tinubu and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council in August 2025, authorized the issuance of government-backed bonds to settle verified arrears. “Under our administration, power generation sometimes peaked at 6000MW, 50 per cent higher than we had inherited,” Tinubu said. Industry data confirms that Nigeria recorded a peak generation of 6,003MW on March 2, 2025 — the highest in the country’s history. The integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant, rehabilitation of thermal plants, and grid-strengthening efforts under the Presidential Power Initiative contributed to this achievement.

President Tinubu reiterated that his government had removed fuel subsidy, unified exchange rates, and initiated reforms to strengthen macroeconomic stability and investor confidence. He described the previous subsidy regime as “monumental corruption” and insisted that Nigeria now enjoys greater stability as a result of these difficult decisions. The administration has prioritized infrastructure projects in transportation, power, housing, irrigation, and digital connectivity to drive inclusive growth and industrialization. “We are building concrete, durable roads and superhighways along the coast and on the Sokoto-Badagry route that will last for over 100 years,” the President said. Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians still faced economic hardship and rising living costs but assured citizens that the government remained focused on delivering lasting solutions. His position has received backing from party leaders, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma — Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum — declaring that APC governors were united in support of Tinubu’s second term ambition.

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Addressing the country’s security challenges, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to restoring peace and strengthening national security architecture across the country. He urged the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments to allow the establishment of state police across the federation. “We also expect the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of State police as a matter of national emergency,” the President declared. This marks the latest in a series of calls by Tinubu for decentralized policing. Speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast with senators at the Presidential Villa in February 2026, Tinubu had stated that Nigeria is “extremely challenged” by terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, stressing that decentralized policing is needed to secure forests and protect citizens. In a subsequent meeting with members of the House of Representatives, Tinubu urged lawmakers to ensure that any constitutional amendment creating state police includes safeguards to prevent misuse by governors. Constitutional amendment would require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.

The President outlined his administration’s continued focus on industrialization, energy security, food sufficiency, infrastructure development, and democratic consolidation. “Our mission remains clear: To build a Nigeria where every life is secure, where enterprise thrives, and where young people find opportunity,” Tinubu said. He called for national unity and urged Nigerians across political, ethnic, and regional divides to work together for the country’s progress. Tinubu pledged to build a more inclusive government and continue serving Nigerians with sincerity, commitment, and renewed determination. “I pledge to build an even more inclusive government, one that listens, learns, and leads with the best interests of all Nigerians at heart,” the President said.

President Tinubu emerged as the winner of the APC presidential primary election with 10,999,162 votes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, who secured 16,504 votes nationwide. The results were drawn from direct primary elections conducted simultaneously across all 8,809 wards in the country on Saturday, May 23, 2026. According to state-by-state results, Tinubu’s strongest showing came from Lagos State, his political base, where he polled 814,988 votes — his highest single-state tally. Adamawa State delivered 644,149 votes, Kaduna State followed with 618,914 votes, Imo State gave him 582,960 votes, and Kano State, Nigeria’s most populous northern state, delivered 500,852 votes for the President. In Abia State, Tinubu secured 161,005 votes to defeat Osifo, who polled 1,007 votes — the highest secured by the challenger in any state. In Edo State, Osifo’s home state, the President polled 131,096 votes while the challenger managed just one vote. In Gombe State, Governor Inuwa Yahaya announced that out of 550,516 registered APC members, President Tinubu secured an overwhelming 450,516 votes, while Osifo recorded zero votes. In the Federal Capital Territory, Tinubu also secured substantial victories across all wards.

President Tinubu’s landslide victory in the APC presidential primary effectively clears the path for his re-election bid in the January 2027 general elections. With the ruling party presenting a united front behind the President, the opposition will now have to coalesce around a single candidate to mount a credible challenge. The President will now face off against candidates from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Labour Party , and other opposition platforms, in what is expected to be a fiercely contested election. President Tinubu is expected to kick off his re-election campaign in the coming weeks, focusing on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure development, security sector reforms, economic transformation, and social investment programmes. As the APC prepares for the 2027 general election, party leaders have emphasized the need for unity and continued engagement with voters to explain the benefits of the administration’s reform agenda. The President will now proceed as the APC’s flag bearer for the January 16, 2027, presidential election, seeking a second and final term in office.

2027: President Tinubu Accepts APC Presidential Ticket, Vows to Deepen Reforms