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Following the demise of the state’s entire Social Democratic Party (SDP) into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former governor Nasir El-Rufai praised what he termed “a spirit of unity and foresight.”

At a high-level coalition meeting, he described the development as a “major realignment” in the state’s political landscape.

The meeting was presided over by El-Rufai, who brought together key stakeholders and political leaders across party lines, according to a statement from the coalition’s Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah.

During a strategic coalition meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2025, the statement partially read, “The entire Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kaduna State chapter, has officially collapsed into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The statement further stated that members of the SDP State Working Committee, former commissioners, political stakeholders, and representatives from the PDP were among those present at the historic gathering, which was led by El-Rufai.

El-Rufai, who is widely regarded as one of the most powerful political figures in the North, praised the merger as a bold move to establish a formidable front ahead of upcoming political contests.

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“I have to applaud the bravery, wisdom, and foresight shown here today. He claimed that what we are seeing is more than just a coalition of party structures.

According to him, political leaders must put aside narrow interests and work together for the common good before Kaduna State can achieve progressive governance and inclusive development.

He continued, “We will sustain us tomorrow because of the spirit of unity that has brought us here today.” Politics should not be about division; it should be about providing our citizens with collective service. We must keep forming this coalition and offer a credible, people-centered, and truly progressive alternative to the people of Kaduna State.

The North-West ADC Vice Chairman, on his part, applauded the SDP’s leadership for “putting the people first” and supporting a larger political platform.

“Kaduna politics have a new dawn,” the statement read. The SDP leadership’s courage to align with the ADC demonstrates a vision and commitment to offer our citizens credible alternatives. We are gathering not just to bolster politics, but to rekindle confidence in the government, Sani said.

In accordance with Patrick Ambut, the leader of the Kaduna State ADC, who formally welcomed the defectors into “the ADC family,” promising that the new members would be fully integrated into the party’s structures and activities.

El-Rufai’s claim that its entire structure had collapsed into the ADC has been quickly refuted by the Social Democratic Party’s Kaduna State chapter.

El-Rufai’s claim was “spurious, misleading, and politically mischievous,” the SDP claimed in a statement signed by its State Chairman, Adamu Idris, on Monday in Kaduna.

He claimed that the SDP remained in Kaduna and had no intention of dissolving into the coalition led by the former governor, contrary to El-Rufai’s claim.

The former governor was charged by the SDP chairman with trying to create division within the organization for political gain.

He claimed that “His brief but significant stay in our party was marked by division and crisis.” Peace has returned since his departure, and the party has been positioned for avowed opposition politics.

The SDP is “committed to democracy, good governance, and the protection of the Nigerian people’s true interests. We won’t allow our vision to be stifled by the antics of individuals with storied track records. &nbsp,

Authorities claim that a recent flash flood that ravaged several Yobe State communities affected no fewer than 4, 521 households.

At least seven people were reported killed in the incident.

This came in response to the state’s recently experienced windstorm and flood disaster.

Mohammed Goje, the executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), made the disclosure while giving a press release about the state’s flood status.

He disclosed that rapid needs assessments, temporary shelters, medical assistance, and wet food for displaced families were all implemented.

“On August 15, a flash flood in the Potiskum LGA impacted 21 settlements spread over five wards, causing the displacement of 1, 261 households (12, 470 people)” He stated that within hours, emergency measures were in effect, including rapid needs assessments, temporary shelters, medical assistance, and wet food for displaced families.

Families quickly received aid from reintegration assistance, medical care, and relief supplies despite the fact that 85% of homes were mud structures and severely damaged.

Similar to this, SEMA sent field teams and volunteers to assist 550 households (2, 937 individuals) on August 17 in the Nangere LGA as a result of distress calls from Garin Kolo and Ajim communities. To prevent disease outbreaks, emergency measures included sandbagging, embankment construction, food aid, safe water supply, and sanitation kits.

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He acknowledged the partners’ support, but he noted that no single government could, on its own, deal with humanitarian emergencies, and that victims’ support was a priority.

He added that the organization was working diligently with other state-specific organizations, particularly the Yobe State Geographic Information (YOGIS), to stop the number of people constructing homes along the waterways.

In addition, the government has implemented a real-time river flow monitoring system along the Yobe, Komadugu, Katagum, and Hadejia rivers, distributed climate forecasts from NIMET and NIHSA, and implemented a digital Kobo-based community reporting system linked to a live Power BI dashboard for instant flood alerts.

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the party’s chief executive, claims that the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) made a “big error” by approving the zoning decision.

“I’m not saying that they didn’t do it by majority,” I say. By a majority, they succeeded. It was surprisingly democratic. The party’s organs were chosen in total. However, he claimed, “it made a significant error.”

He warned that it constituted an endorsement of Bola Tinubu’s reelection campaign.

Former presidential candidate Olawepo-Hashim issued the warning on Monday, shortly after the party’s meeting in Abuja’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

He called the action “unprecedented” in the party’s history.

Bola Tinubu’s return is the default campaign’s goal, according to Bola Tinubu. Because those who are launching this zoning campaign are the same people who are saying, “We are in PDP, but we work for President Tinubu,” he said on Monday on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

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Olawepo-Hashim claims that the decision effectively reduces the PDP’s chances of developing a viable presidential candidate.

He noted that the party has never forbid any region from running for president, citing recent conventions as examples.

“These people don’t want the PDP to have a viable candidate in their hands,” the party’s default campaign. This is a subdued campaign to support Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

“The PDP has never previously zoned the presidency.” Alhaji Rimi from northern Nigeria and some other candidates, including Alex Ekwueme, were in a fight in 1999, against former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who was then General Obasanjo.

President Obasanjo had to compete with Alhaji Rimi from Kano and Chief Barnabas Gemade from Benue in the presidential election of 2003. He claimed that the party never “closed the door” to any particular zone.

Olawepo-Hashim further reacted by warning that the zoning decision could lead to a constitutional crisis by claiming that it violated constitutional rights.

The Nigerian Army’s operations against crude oil theft have increased significantly across the Niger Delta, with major successes notably the seizure of more than 32 000 litres of petroleum products.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, the troops deactivated nine illegal refining sites and made 69 arrests within two weeks.

According to the statement, several interceptions of security forces’ joint operations between August 11 and August 24th, 2025, including those in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.

In Sapele, two trucks carrying more than 15 000 litres of illegally refined diesel were intercepted, and additional seizures were made in Nana Town and One Man Village in Warri North.

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Troops detained three suspects in Rivers State, demolished illegal refining sites in Degema and Okrika, recovered more than 7, 000 litres of stolen goods, and made three arrests.

Additionally, over 1,500 litres of products were seized at Izuoma Community in Oyigbo and wooden boats loaded with stolen condensates from Omoku.

Additionally, investigations into illegal activities in Andoni and the Imo River axis, including the destruction of refining facilities, boats, and other items.

A raid on an illegal refining site in Bayelsa State at Biseni in Yenagoa resulted in the discovery of two crude reservoirs weighing more than 7, 000 litres.

Similar to how troops ruled the area in Akwa Ibom, effectively stifling the movements of oil thieves.