Assassination attempt: Why people want me dead – Trump reveals

United States President, Donald Trump, has shared his thoughts on why he has faced repeated assassination threats.

Newspotng reports that he spoke while reacting to a shooting incident that disrupted a media event in Washington.

The incident happened on April 25, 2026, during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held at the Washington Hilton. A gunman caused panic at the gathering, forcing security to act quickly and bringing the event to an abrupt halt.

Speaking after the situation was brought under control, Trump said he believes people who make great changes often become targets.

He linked the attack to his time in office, saying his actions and decisions have affected the country in ways that not everyone supports. He also compared such situations to past events involving well-known leaders who were attacked because of their influence.

The president referred to his past experience, including surviving an earlier assassination attempt at a campaign rally in 2024. He said, despite the risks attached to his position, he continues to live his life without fear and does not see himself as someone shaken by such threats.

He said, “I’ve studied assassinations. I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most… they’re the ones that they go after. I hate to say I’m honoured by that, but I’ve done a lot. We’ve changed this country, and there are a lot of people that are not happy about that. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life. To be honest, I’m not a basket case. A tremendous amount of love and coming together. I was ready to give the most inappropriate speech ever made.” Newspot.

2027: Opposition parties to field one presidential candidate -Ibadan Declaration

A meeting of major opposition political parties in Ibadan on Saturday has agreed to field one presidential candidate in the next presidential election.

This was one of the major decisions of the parties’ meeting which also called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan.

The declaration which was signed by all chairmen of the parties also called for the release of all politicians being detained for bailable offences.

Below is the full communique issued at the end of their meeting:

IBADAN DECLARATION

Communiqué issued at the end of Opposition Political Parties National Summit held on Saturday April 25, 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Participating Opposition Parties in Nigeria, after an extensive deliberation on the collective threats that we face and the existential challenges facing our country under the stranglehold of the oppressive and anti-democratic All Progressives Congress (APC) and given the need for urgent, collective action to rescue our nation and the destiny of over 200 million compatriots, hereby resolve as follows:

That we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.

That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027; we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.

That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.

That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis in our nation.

That the National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections and run counter to constitutional provisions.

That all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offfences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.

That we consider the recent guidelines released by the INEC as obstacles, deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties. We therefore demand that INEC extends the deadline for primaries till the end of July, 2026.

The Summit commends Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with Opposition Parties to free our nation from State capture.

The National summit of Opposition Political Parties thank the Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the epochal event.

SIGNED:

Chairmen of Participating Opposition Parties. Sunrisereporters.

FCT Minister announces imminent relocation for Apo mechanics, completion of Apo-Karshi Road

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the much-talked-about Apo-Karshi road will be completed by August this year.

The minister made the announcement on Friday during a routine inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT’s satellite towns.

Addressing the long-standing controversy surrounding the completion of the Apo-Karshi road, which was first awarded in 2010, the Minister acknowledged that the project, which he described as very important to residents and business people.

He also confirmed that the long-awaited relocation of Apo Mechanic traders to Wasa was firmly on track, saying, “We believe that before August, they will be moved to Wasa. This is the first time all promises made, including those inherited from previous administrations, are being fulfilled.”

Wike declared that the FCT Administration had successfully bridged the developmental gap between the city center and suburban areas through the provision of key infrastructure.

According to him the administration’s focus had transformed peripheral districts into vibrant, functional urban areas.

The minister’s inspection tour covered the Karu township roads reconstruction, the 13km Apo-Karshi road and the rehabilitation of the Gbazango/Kubwa road.

Wike noted that the FCTA was prioritizing projects that provide immediate relief and value to residents and commended the quality of work seen across the sites.

“This is the first time an administration is going outside the city. We have turned some of these satellite areas into cities. You don’t need to go and live in the city center before you can go to work. We are very happy because when the people are happy, it shows that governance is impactful,”, the Minister said.

Barrister Wike also expressed his satisfaction with the pace of development, noting that the influx of real estate interest in areas like Wasa serves as a testament to the administration’s successful urban renewal strategy.

He confirmed that several projects in the FCT satellite towns, including the Karu roads reconstruction and the Gbazango road project, are set for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third-year anniversary celebrations.

Regarding the logistics of the commissioning ceremonies, the Minister noted that the FCTA is coordinating with the Presidency, the Vice President, and the National Assembly leadership to manage the high volume of completed projects.

In addition to infrastructure, the Minister also addressed the critical issue of sanitation in the FCT satellite towns, revealing that the administration recently had cause to cancel existing refuse disposal contracts due to poor performance and a lack of accountability regarding waste disposal sites.

He noted that the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) has taken over operations temporarily while the administration prepares to engage more competent and reliable service providers.

“One big problem all over the world is waste evacuation. I was not comfortable with the previous contractors because they could not tell us where they were dumping the refuse. For now, the Satellite Town Development Department is managing the process directly while we finalize arrangements for new, more reliable contracts”, the Minister explained.

The Minister used the opportunity to address residents of Kubwa who had come out to welcome him during the inspection, assuring them of the administration’s commitment to continued development of the satellite towns.

One of the residents who spoke out, Prosper Onyenaucheya praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister for prioritizing projects that directly impact on the lives of the residents. National Accord.

Expedite action, Obidient Movement urges Supreme Court

By Okey Muogbo

Obidient Movement, a foremost political pressure group supporting African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential Aspirant, Peter Obi has urged the Supreme Court of Nigeria to quicken action in determining the authentic national leaders of the ADC.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the National Coordinator of the Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, it cautioned the apex court that leaving the ADC without national leaders was a major problem for members and supporters of the ADC.

“The Movement wants to remind the apex court that justice delayed in this matter is effectively democracy denied.

“The current leadership vacuum in the main opposition coalition has left thousands of party faithful in a state of flux and risks disenfranchising a significant portion of the electorate who look toward the ADC and its coalition partners as a credible alternative for national governance.

”The apex court is the last refinery of justice, at a time when the political landscape requires absolute clarity, any prolonged delay in pronouncing a final verdict on the ADC leadership crisis provides room for mischief, fuels factionalism, and undermines the preparations for a robust multi-party contest in the coming elections”

The Obidient Movement notes that the legal battle between the contending factions is no longer a mere internal affair as it has become a matter of national interest which the apex court should be conscious of in its decisions.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the voting public require a settled leadership to engage with, particularly as primary windows and coalition negotiations begin to take shape.

“We therefore like to make an urgent call to the Supreme Court requesting an expedited and definitive ruling on the leadership dispute currently paralysing the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“As the 2027 electoral cycle approaches, the continued ambiguity surrounding the party’s executive structure—following the court’s decision to reserve judgment on April 22—threatens not only the internal stability of the ADC but the broader viability of opposition consolidation in Nigeria.

“A swift and clear pronouncement from the Supreme Court will stabilise the political atmosphere and allow the ADC and the wider opposition movement to focus on the essential task of nation-building.

“We remain confident in the wisdom of the apex court and trust that the judiciary will remain the steadfast guardian of our democratic process,” the statement concluded. Sunrisereporters.

Defamation Suit: Court orders Natasha to pay Bello ₦1bn

A High Court sitting in Lokoja has ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in damages after ruling in favour of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in a long-running defamation suit.

The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim and contained in a Certified True Copy dated April 23, 2026, followed proceedings in suit number HCL/16/2023. The court held that the evidence presented supported the claimant’s case on the balance of probabilities.

In his ruling, the judge found that comments made by the senator during a November 4, 2022 interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show were defamatory and injurious to Bello’s reputation. The court noted that the statements in question included allegations describing the former governor as a murderer and individual linked to violent conduct, which it said were not justified by evidence.

Justice Ibrahim further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, her agents, and associates from making or repeating similar statements across any media platform, including television and radio.

Beyond the monetary award, the court emphasized that the defamatory remarks had caused reputational harm, thereby justifying the substantial damages granted in favour of the claimant.

The suit was initiated by Yahaya Bello, who alleged defamation of character. His legal team maintained that the case was properly filed and not an abuse of court process, countering arguments raised by the defence challenging jurisdiction.

Although the defence team, led by Senior Advocate Johnson J. Usman, had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, the trial court ruled otherwise. The decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in case number CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, which dismissed the appeal as lacking merit and confirmed the trial court’s authority to hear the matter.

With the appellate court’s affirmation, the ruling has now placed final judicial weight on the decision, bringing a major legal battle between both parties to a decisive conclusion. GWG.

Nigeria’s security system has failed – Imans

Association of Jumma’at Mosque Imams in Nigeria say the security architecture and other systems have failed, prompting calls for prayer for peace and stability in the country.

Dr Yusuf Abdullahi Yusuf, Assistant Secretary of the Association, said this on Friday during a special prayer for national peace and unity held at Jos Central Mosque.

At the prayer session which drew Jumma’at Mosques imams and other religious leaders from all parts of the State, Dr Yusuf said unless Imams on the pulpit rise to the occasion to pray and guide citizens aright, the country cannot be salvaged from its woes.

He explained that the prayer session was to remind Imams to preach messages of peace, unity and truthfulness and the significance of security in the society.

According to him: “As humans, our technology has failed. Our efforts as individuals have failed. We live in a country with a security architecture, but it has failed. The country is facing serious problems of economic crisis, ethnoreligious violence, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violence.

“We have the Almighty who is willing to answer our prayers and change our condition. With prayer, Allah will guide our security personnel to do what is needed and help leaders choose the right path and make good decisions.

“The lessons of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) have to do with unity, peace, security and other virtues. We are using this session to urge Imams to make weekly congregational prayers for peace and unity mandatory. With this commitment, we hope Allah will answer your prayers.” Globalupfront.

Association of Jumma’at Mosque Imams in Nigeria say the security architecture and other systems have failed, prompting calls for prayer for peace and stability in the country.

Dr Yusuf Abdullahi Yusuf, Assistant Secretary of the Association, said this on Friday during a special prayer for national peace and unity held at Jos Central Mosque.

He explained that the prayer session was to remind Imams to preach messages of peace, unity and truthfulness and the significance of security in the society.

The Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance: Puff or Pith?

By Ugoji Egbujo

Pith. Some say wistfully that the alliance has come four years late.

Its optimistic supporters insist that a ticket promising equity, unity and prosperity is never late. It was first mooted in 2022, but bloated egos would not let it thrive. Fortunately, the last elections cleared some delusions. Perhaps the alliance has arrived at its appointed time.

After the 2023 presidential election—which Peter Obi still insists he won—it became clear and urgent that he and his supporters needed a credible inroad into the Muslim north. That north-south mathematical bridge could not be built by an idealistic neophyte, no matter how bombastic his ideas or fervent his loyalty. No amount of philanthropic projects could carve it. The negative stereotypes and ethnic suspicions accumulated over decades required political bulldozing and the reconstruction of concrete bridges.

Yet with the Obidients, an emotional bunch, Obi had to be careful. Many had threatened to abandon him if he sacrificed purity for naked expediency. They wanted a political marriage that would enhance electability, but they did not want Obi playing second fiddle to a politician with a moral hunchback. The cohesion of the Obidiency hung in delicate balance.

After the 2023 polls, the ruling party began a slow, coordinated liquidation of the opposition. Its dirty fingerprints were visible in every political crisis. Peter Obi’s Labour Party was an early target; it soon became a terribly unstable platform, riddled with moles proclaiming support for Tinubu while struggling to seize the steering wheel. Judiciary-assisted destabilisation spread across all major opposition parties. Many politicians were bullied, broken or bought. They flocked into the ruling party in droves. As the country drifted toward a one-party state, the remnant opposition needed urgent unification to resist the destructive homogenisation of political diversity. Obi and the Obidients required a marriage. They had to seek a new tent. Perhaps the gods were not slumbering after all because at some pointed it seemed Kwankwaso was a lost defected cause .

The Obidients had long bragged that Obi was different. Having left the pond for a stormy sea full of sharks, Obi’s supporters dreaded he would be swallowed by the currents and lose his moral appeal. Yet 2027, against a sitting and shrewd incumbent obsessed with total political control, would demand more than a determined solo effort. They could justify his presence in an orisirisi coalition with leaders whose characters they had once mocked. But they feared that pairing him with a perceived “contaminated” politician would damage the brand. This tension between idealism and pragmatism had to be resolved without fracture.

The best path to defeating Tinubu might have been a pairing with Atiku, but Atiku would not inspire the Obidients; to them he was simply Northern Tinubu. With Kwankwaso, they breathed a sigh of relief. They share much with the Kwankwasiyya, whose energy flows from their leader’s commitment to the emancipation of the downtrodden. Both are organic movements . Vote-laden political juggernauts that do not need to be pushed with cash and do not run on rice. Kwankwaso isn’t just a more compatible ally, the Kwankwassiyya and the Obidiency could prove a profound synergism.

On Kwankwaso’s part, 2023 must have been eye-opening, even humbling. Whatever national clout he imagined he and his Kwankwasiyya possessed outside Kano was not reflected on the electoral scoreboard. Yet with Kano still in his pocket, his beautiful bride shakara and political dreams could not be curtailed. His first recourse was Tinubu. It did not work. He never made the cabinet. But the twerking did not stop. At some point it appeared promiscuous , he began to look like a chameleon. His opportunistic ambivalence depreciated his reputation in opposition circles.

His movement seemed a private vehicle for personal ambition in Kano, with limited national vision. The bemused opposition wondered how the self-proclaimed leader of the talakawa would explain Tinubu and the spreading misery and hunger to his own suffering followers. After his protégé, the Kano governor, defected to Tinubu and was branded a Judas, Kwankwaso’s flirtation with the ruling party appeared to have outlived its usefulness. The man who had demanded an arm and a leg had lost bargaining power.

Out in the cold, with his political dynasty in peril and Kano no longer securely in his kitty, 2027 loomed. Pride could no longer obscure reality. Yet he still nursed an eye on 2031. The situation demanded urgency and clarity—a local and national strategy without Tinubu. The first step was to stop being elusive and fully commit to the opposition coalition. The second was to yield to Obasanjo and others who sought to unite the Kwankwasiyya with the Obidients. Pitching with the strongest political movement in the south and Middle Belt could prove useful now and in the future.

As that unity gains traction, the broader coalition leaders must now contend with the disastrous prospect of losing the two most vibrant movements in their fold. The Obi-Kwankwaso movement was deliberately triggered early to create its own gravitational pull before the primaries. The old coalition had an Obidiency exceptionalism problem; it had dismissed the Obidiency’s insistence on Obi as impertinent. With the Obi-Kwankwaso movement, such an outright dismissal now seems imprudent.

As Obi and Kwankwaso now attend coalition events hand in hand like partners, while their supporters sing like wedding guests, it looks almost inevitable that they will appear together on the ballot of a political party. Their brightest chances lie within the opposition coalition backed by Atiku, Amaechi and other stalwarts. Any vote-splitting would only help Tinubu, as it did in 2023. But if the Obi-Kwankwaso movement chooses to go it alone in a three-horse race, they are not necessarily doomed. Their supporters might grow even more passionate.

They would need to ignite the imagination of the youth and create sufficient deterrence against electoral theft. Will Kwankwaso stay glued to the ticket and fight electoral theft to the end? In other words, what is the degree of fidelity in this alliance? Time will tell

The Obi-Kwankwaso movement promises a new beginning. Both leaders are deeply trusted by their followers, who vouch for their character and competence. They command perhaps the most inspired political supporters in Nigeria. Time will tell whether the alliance can do the spadework required to win—and protect—a presidential election victory. To instil confidence in the electorate and break the grip of apathy, Obi and Kwankwaso must shed their reticence. The country needs a political revolution.

On election day, the electorate is unlikely to take risks for timid candidates. In the coming months, both men must show Nigerians glimpses of the bold and transformational leadership the nation desperately needs. They must lead from the front—with their lifestyles, their passion, and their defiance against every appearance of tyranny. Both bring self-propelled movements. The question is no longer puff or pith. It is whether they will now deliver the substance they have promised, before, during , and after the elections.

@Ugoji Egbujo

Reactions as Kenya’s President Ruto hits back at Tinubu, mocks Nigerians

There have been reactions as Kenyan President William Ruto criticised Nigeria’s economic conditions and English usage, pushing back against comments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that in terms of economic conditions, Nigerians are better off than citizens of other African countries, especially Kenya.

The exchange followed remarks by Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State, where he inaugurated key infrastructure projects and defended his administration’s economic policies despite rising fuel prices.

“It is very important that we are honest with our people. Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let us thank God together, that you are better off. Listen to them in Kenya and other African countries and what they are going through. We will not look back. We will continue to fine way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable,” Tinubu had said.

In a now-viral video response, President Ruto dismissed the comparison, pointing to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, particularly its persistent power supply issues, and taking a swipe at its English usage.

“Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak the best English in the world. If you listen to a Nigerian speak English, you’ll need a translator. We’ve the best human capital anywhere in the world,” Ruto said, using humour to defend his country’s standing.

The remarks come amid broader economic pressures across Africa, including rising fuel prices linked to global supply disruptions, partly driven by tensions in the Middle East and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

The exchange has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users criticising both the comparison and the tone of the remarks.

On X (formerly Twitter), a user, Bureau-39, wrote, “Let’s not drag the whole country into this shit between two incompetent mad corrupt politicians. Both the countries speak good English, Kenya leans toward a clearer, more British-influenced style, while Nigeria mixes it with rich local flair and pidgin that can sound like its own dialect.”

Another commenter, Frank Bryant, questioned the basis of the debate, saying, “Why should Africans be competing over who speaks the colonial masters language very well?”

Xave added, “and you think they would listen to you the only thing Africans are good at is fighting amongst themselves.”

Obiridike commented: “They will do that Ghanaians and South Africans say all Nigerians are thieves and drug peddlers.”

Similarly, Michael James echoed: “They will do that Ghanaians and South Africans say all Nigerians are thieves and drug peddlers.”

While Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest oil producers, it continues to grapple with inflation, currency instability and erratic electricity supply.

Kenya, on the other hand, has positioned itself as a regional hub for finance and technology, though it also faces economic challenges, including rising debt and cost-of-living pressures.

Globalupfront

U.S. Justice Department moves to expand execution methods, reintroduces firing squad option

The United States Department of Justice has announced new measures aimed at expediting federal death penalty cases, including the reintroduction of firing squads as an approved method of execution.

In a statement released Friday, the department said it is reinstating policies from President Donald Trump’s earlier administration, including the use of lethal injection protocols and the expansion of execution methods. The move also includes efforts to streamline internal procedures to shorten the time between conviction and execution.

The Justice Department noted that the updated framework is designed to reinforce enforcement against individuals convicted of the most serious crimes, including terrorism and violent offenses. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the changes reflect a renewed commitment to enforcing existing laws and delivering justice for victims.

The development marks a shift from policies under the previous administration, which had scaled back federal death penalty practices. The latest measures signal a return to a more assertive approach in handling capital punishment cases at the federal level.

Newspot.

Corps member beaten to death by Benue vigilantes

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, identified as Ben Agir, has allegedly been beaten to death by members of a community vigilante group in Buruku Local Government Area, Benue State.

The incident happened Sunday night between 11 p.m. and midnight at Anibros settlement near the LGA secretariat, during a night patrol by the vigilantes.

A local source said Agir was stopped on suspicion of motorcycle theft.

“From what I gathered, they said they caught him and suspected he was a bike snatcher. Before he could explain himself and present his ID card, one of the leaders started beating him, claiming he was not telling them the truth,” Aondoakura said.

“They beat him to a coma. Seeing his condition, they took him to a hospital that night, and he died.”

The Buruku LGA Chairman, Raymond Sunday said the suspects have been arrested and handed over to the police. He added that the council has suspended vigilante operations in the area pending regulation.

“We confirmed that the deceased was a serving corps member,” Aondoakura stated.

However, NYSC Public Relations Officer in Benue, Mrs. Veronica Ogwuche, said preliminary findings indicate the deceased was not serving in Benue.

“He may have been serving in Gombe State,” she told reporters.

Attempts to reach Benue Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. The ConclaveNG