Politics
ADC Demands Clarification on U.S.–Nigeria Health MoU Over Conflicting Framings, Constitutional Breach Concerns
By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to immediately clarify the contents of the recently signed health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States, citing sharply conflicting public descriptions of the agreement by both governments. While Abuja has presented the MoU as a technical, inclusive framework to strengthen health security and expand primary healthcare, the ADC notes that official statements from the United States introduce identity-based framing that may be in breach of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on non-discrimination, as well as discretionary termination powers that subordinate Nigeria’s interests and raise serious questions about national sovereignty.
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) calls on the Federal Government to urgently clarify the contents and implications of the recently signed health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States, following clearly conflicting public descriptions of the agreement issued by both governments.
While the Federal Government has presented the MoU as a technical and inclusive framework aimed at strengthening health security, expanding primary healthcare, and increasing domestic health financing, official statements released by the United States Embassy describe the same agreement in materially different terms. The U.S. characterisation introduces religious, identity-based framing, indicating that spending under the MoU should be targeted at health institutions backed by a particular religion only.
It is the ADC’s considered view that the Nigerian government should not enter into any agreement that is sectional or potentially inimical to Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to inclusion and national unity. We find it particularly curious that these troubling conditionalities, including those that grant the United States unilateral powers of termination, are conspicuously missing from the Federal Government’s public rendering of the agreement.
The ADC believes that this divergence is not a mere communications issue. Instead, it appears calculated to avoid public scrutiny, thereby raising fundamental questions about transparency, constitutional compliance, and Nigeria’s sovereignty. Nigerians are entitled to know which version of this agreement reflects the actual terms that were signed, and why such consequential differences exist between Abuja’s account and Washington’s.
The ADC affirms its support for foreign assistance and bilateral cooperation to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, but insists that such partnerships must respect Nigeria’s diversity and must comply with our constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion or ethnicity.
For the avoidance of doubt, Section 42(1) states: “No citizen of Nigeria shall be discriminated against on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, or political opinion.” Similarly, Sections 15 and 17 impose a duty on the state to promote national integration, eliminate discrimination, and guarantee equality of rights and opportunities for all citizens.
Therefore, any international agreement, or public framing of such an agreement, that appears to introduce identity-based distinctions into the provision of public services raises serious constitutional and national cohesion concerns. We are particularly at a loss as to why the Nigerian Government would enter into such an agreement, especially considering that Nigeria is reportedly committing more resources under the arrangement.
The MoU states that the United States is expected to provide approximately two billion dollars in grant support over five years, while Nigeria has reportedly committed close to three billion dollars in domestic health financing over the same period. It is difficult to justify an arrangement in which Nigeria bears the larger financial burden, yet decisions regarding target beneficiaries and the discretion to pause or terminate cooperation appear to rest outside the country.
Healthcare is a core public good that must remain neutral, inclusive, and universally accessible. The injection of identity considerations into health financing or security-linked performance assessments risks politicising care delivery, undermining public trust, and exposing already vulnerable institutions and workers to avoidable tension and danger.
The ADC therefore calls on the Federal Government to come clean by publishing the full text of the signed MoU, including any annexes or accompanying instruments, and to clearly explain whether the identity-based and security-linked elements referenced by the United States form part of the agreement Nigeria actually signed or exist solely within foreign policy interpretations. Nigerians also deserve a clear explanation of how this agreement aligns with the Constitution and preserves Nigeria’s sovereign authority over its public policy choices.
By Our Correspondent
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections in 28 states.
The party announced the candidates in a statement on Friday, saying the move underscored its commitment to providing Nigerians with credible leadership and a viable political alternative ahead of the elections.
Among the notable candidates are Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in Lagos State, Isa Mohammed Ashiru in Kaduna, Great Ogboru in Delta, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Kebbi.
The ADC is also fielding candidates in Adamawa, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, Ogun, Plateau, Zamfara and other states.
The party said the candidates would fly its flag in the 2027 elections, describing them as representatives of its commitment to offering Nigerians credible leadership and a “real alternative”.
Full list of ADC governorship and deputy governorship candidates
Abia: Kalu Kalu Agu — Governor; Alozie Ogadinma Darlington — Deputy Governor
Adamawa: Modibbo Hammantukur Ribadu — Governor; Aguwa Kevin Iliya — Deputy Governor
Akwa Ibom: Akpanudoedehe John James — Governor; Nsien Mkpombuk Tommy — Deputy Governor
Bauchi: Senator Halliru Dauda Jika — Governor; Sama’ila Mohammed Kabir — Deputy Governor
Benue: Rt. Hon. Herman Iorwase Hembe — Governor; Abba John Abba — Deputy Governor
Borno: Babagana Buhari — Governor; Mamman Dauda — Deputy Governor
Cross River: Nkoyo Toyo — Governor; Okwoche Andrew Adagbor — Deputy Governor
Delta: Chief Great Ogboru — Governor; Afiari Gloria — Deputy Governor
Ebonyi: Ukpai Mba Udeh — Governor; Onwe Daniel Ede — Deputy Governor
Enugu: Ocho Obodoeze Chukwuma — Governor; Eze Arinze Christopher — Deputy Governor
Gombe: Bala Bello — Governor; Bala Sani Isa — Deputy Governor
Jigawa: Sabo Mohammed Nakudu — Governor; Musa Ya’u Balarabe — Deputy Governor
Kaduna: Isa Mohammed Ashiru — Governor; Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku — Deputy Governor
Kano: Ibrahim Ali Amin — Governor; Shehu Abdulkadir Bari — Deputy Governor
Katsina: Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita — Governor; Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed — Deputy Governor
Kebbi: Abubakar Malami — Governor; Zagi Musa Mohammed — Deputy Governor
Kwara: Zakari Mohammed — Governor; Olawuyi Julius Olayide — Deputy Governor
Lagos: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour — Governor; Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere — Deputy Governor
Nasarawa: Nuhu Angbazo — Governor; Ahmed Yusuf — Deputy Governor
Niger: Dr Mohammed Kpautagi — Governor; Musa Mamman — Deputy Governor
Ogun: Biodun Collins Ogundipe — Governor; Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi — Deputy Governor
Oyo: Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke — Governor; Wahab Adeniyi — Deputy Governor
Plateau: Brig. Gen. John Sunday Sura — Governor; Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus — Deputy Governor
Rivers: Gabriel Pidomson — Governor; Okumgba David Amapakaye — Deputy Governor
Sokoto: Manir Mohammad Daniya — Governor; Isah Bello Ambarura — Deputy Governor
Taraba: Abubakar Umar Tutare — Governor; Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan — Deputy Governor
Yobe: Kassim G. Gaidam — Governor; Kori Lawan Mohammed — Deputy Governor
Zamfara: Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf — Governor; Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal — Deputy Governor
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The unveiling comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the ADC positioning itself as a major alternative to the established political parties.
Politics
INEC Moves To Support JAMB with Biometric Verification Technology ….As Agencies Strengthren Ties
By George Mgbeleke
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indicated its readiness to assist the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology, as part of deepening collaboration between the two federal agencies.
This followed a courtesy visit by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, and members of his management team to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday 4th September, 2026.
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Aina said his team had approached INEC in its capacity as a sister agency with proven experience in biometric verification, noting that JAMB was seeking to strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.
He said JAMB understood that INEC possessed biometric verification machines that may no longer be in active use, and appealed to the Commission to consider making the equipment available to support JAMB’s efforts to enhance its own verification systems.
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, welcomed the JAMB delegation and commended the Board’s statutory role in national development, describing it as central to the education and advancement of Nigerian youths.
The INEC Chairman was joined to receive the delegation by the National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru, the Directors of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Human Resources Management, and Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), as well as the Chief Press Secretary to the Hon. Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
Prof. Amupitan cited the Commission’s recent conduct of the Anambra, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye elections across the country as evidence of INEC’s growing technological capacity, noting that both exercises were widely commended by observers, including the National Security Adviser’s Office and the United Kingdom High Commission, for their credibility and peaceful conduct.
He directed the Commission’s Director of ICT to review the request and determine, through a proof-of-concept assessment, the availability and suitability of INEC’s biometric verification equipment for possible use by JAMB.
The INEC Chairman described the visit as a reflection of the growing synergy between government agencies, stressing the importance of institutions working together to advance national development.
He assured the JAMB delegation of the Commission’s willingness to explore further areas of cooperation between the two agencies.
Prof. Aina, in turn, expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and management for the warm reception accorded his team.
By Our Correspondent
A coalition backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election has activated plans to deploy a nationwide, issue-based campaign structure ahead of the polls.
Operating as National Movement for Tinubu–Shettima 2027 — Forward Nigeria, the group said it is building more than “another support club” — it wants a disciplined national platform to drive voter mobilisation and policy conversations.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the Interim National Coordinating Committee led by Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, National Coordinator; Dr. Bassey Rekpene, National Coordinating Secretary; and Ardo Zubairu, National Media Coordinator.
The Committee said September 1, 2026 was earlier pencilled for the public unveiling, but wider consultations forced a shift, adding that a new launch date would be announced soon.
According to the leadership, the groundwork is already set with two key documents finalised: a Mandate Document outlining the Movement’s philosophy, structure and strategy, and a National Covenant stating why it is backing Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima under the APC.
The group argued that 2027 will be a defining moment for Nigeria’s economy, security and stability, and voters deserve more than rhetoric.
“The 2027 election must go beyond personal issues and propaganda. It should provide Nigerians an opportunity to assess competing visions, evaluate national progress and make informed choices,” the statement read.
To deliver that, the Movement said it has drafted a programme of action covering consultations, stakeholder engagement, public messaging, and grassroots mobilisation across all states, adding that its communication backbone is also being upgraded — with an official website, email system, WhatsApp channels and dedicated phone lines.
The Committee said outreach to members at home and in the diaspora has begun to test commitment and assign responsibilities, stating: “We are engaging members nationwide and beyond… The response has been encouraging.”
After the formal launch, it said Forward Nigeria would roll out structured mobilisation down to local government areas and community levels.
The Committee warned against complacency, saying: “Elections are not won by enthusiasm alone. Organisation, communication, mobilisation, commitment and responsible civic participation remain indispensable.”
It urged supporters to deepen community engagement and prepare for tasks in the coming political season.
The Movement said its goal is to build a broad-based, credible and nationally representative force to deliver the Tinubu–Shettima 2027 project, under a larger vision of “a stronger, more prosperous, secure, stable and forward-looking Nigeria.”
It called on Nigerians who believe in continuity, development and national cohesion to join the emerging mobilisation.
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