Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • BPP tasks state govts. on effective resource utilisation to ease FG’s burden

    BPP tasks state govts. on effective resource utilisation to ease FG’s burden

    Dr Adebowale Adedokun, the Director-General, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), has charged state governments to ensure effective utilisation of available resources to ease pressure on the Federal Government.

    Adedokun made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Delta Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, at Government House, Asaba.

    He highlighted the critical link between effective local governance and national stability, noting that when states prudently managed their resources, it relieved pressure on the central government, allowing sharper focus on critical national issues like defence.

    He said “if the states function well, the Federal Government can then focus on responsibilities on the exclusive legislative list such as defence, national security, foreign affairs and national policy formulation.”

    He added that President Bola Tinubu had directed the bureau to strengthen collaboration with all thirty-six states and, indeed, with local government areas  across the country.

    “This is because we are all working with common resources, and through collaboration, we can ensure the successful delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda to the Nigerian people.”

    He, however, lauded the Delta government for its unprecedented openness and commitment to transparency, describing it as a trailblazer in sub-national accountability.

    Adedokun emphasised that Delta stood out as a progressive partner in the fight against corruption by willingly subjecting its processes to external evaluation.

    “Delta state should be acknowledged as one of those states that has opened its doors for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct peer reviews.

    “This level of receptiveness is a testament to the administration’s confidence in its governance structures and its willingness to align with global best practices in public accountability.

    “Your Excellency, I would thank God for giving us the opportunity to come to Delta  and share our experiences.

    “We are here to discuss how government procurement is being carried out at the federal level and to learn from the efforts being made in Delta.

    “We also look forward to reviewing the progress that has been made in budget implementation and project execution.”

    He assured that the bureau would work with sub-national governments to ensure best practices in public procurement.

    “I am delighted to be here today with my colleagues. We have come, first, to commend you for the good work being done in Delta.

    “We assure you that at the federal level, we are committed to continuous engagement with sub-national governments as our goal is to share best practices that can improve our systems and address any anomalies we may encounter, particularly in the implementation of capital projects.

    “We are also here to extend a hand of fellowship to our colleagues at the state level. We simply want to express our appreciation for the opportunity given to us by the Delta government to visit and engage in this peer review exercise,” Adedokun said.

    The BPP boss said that Mr President directed the agency to ensure stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments.

    “He (President) said, if states function well in the utilisation of their monthly allocations, then the Federal Government will have less work to do.

    “It is, therefore, the President’s desire that we work together with our partners, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to ensure that development is effectively delivered at the state level.

    “The President is very passionate about this objective, and that is why we are here this morning,” Adedokun said.

    Responding,  Onyeme, thanked the BPP and ICPC for coming to the state to see how the state handled its procurement duties and to guide it on how to further strengthen all areas that needed improvement to ensure more value for its resources.

    “We are particularly very happy with you and I want to assure you that the Delta  government is wholly willing to partner with both the BPP and the ICPC to ensure better governance; we will collaborate with you.

    “This government is a government that believes in value for money; it is a government that believes in the quality of jobs done.

    “If you have been following us, you will have seen on several occasions where the governor himself goes out to the field to look at the projects that are being executed, and their quality.

    “We do not tolerate shabby jobs here, and I am sure that the two-day discussion you have with us will further strengthen us to make us better,” Onyeme said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the BPP and ICPC were in Delta to deliver lectures at a 2-Day Procurement Enlightenment Workshop for Top Government officials,  organised by the  Delta State Public Procurement Commission.

    NAN

  • Tinubu’s procurement reforms reduce FEC’s role in contract approvals – BPP D-G

    Tinubu’s procurement reforms reduce FEC’s role in contract approvals – BPP D-G

    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), says procurement reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda have reduced the Federal Executive Council’s involvement in routine contract approvals.

    Adedokun, who spoke at the Inaugural Hosting of “The Procurement Evolution” in Abuja on Thursday, said the development had enabled the council to focus more on strategic policy decisions and national governance issues.

    He said the development followed the review of procurement thresholds across the Federal Public Service to reflect prevailing economic realities, inflationary pressures and changing market conditions, and the need to accelerate budget implementation.

    According to him, the upward review has delegated more procurement responsibilities to ministerial and parastatal tenders boards and accounting officers, thereby significantly reducing unnecessary bottlenecks while preserving transparency and accountability.

    “Crucially, as a direct consequence of these upwardly revised thresholds, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has been significantly unburdened from routine contract approvals.

    “The FEC rarely meets to deliberate on contract awards anymore, shifting its executive focus instead toward high-level policy discussions and strategic national governance,” he said.

    Adedokun attributed the reforms to Tinubu’s support for due process and insistence on strict compliance with procurement regulations by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    He said the bureau had strengthened compliance enforcement, monitoring mechanisms and accountability measures to ensure adherence to procurement laws.

    Giving a highlight on the bureau’s achievements, Adedokun said the administration had introduced a mandatory 14-working-day standstill period before contract execution to allow for the resolution of procurement-related grievances.

    The BPP boss further disclosed that Tinubu had directed that all contract variations must receive BPP approval to prevent cost inflation and safeguard public funds.

    On transparency, he said MDAs were now required to publish monthly contract award information and quarterly performance reports, while the bureau had deployed price intelligence tools and a national automated project monitoring platform to improve oversight.

    Adedokun said digital transformation remained a key pillar of the reforms, with the deployment of electronic procurement platforms and the establishment of a Nigeria E-Marketplace to reduce human interference and corruption risks.

    He added that the reforms through the Nigeria First Policy were also designed to promote indigenous participation in key sectors, including infrastructure, information and communication technology, agriculture, renewable energy, textiles and automobile manufacturing.

    According to him, the bureau is implementing targeted programmes to support women-owned businesses, local communities and small and medium-scale enterprises through public procurement opportunities.

    Adedokun said the bureau had equally prioritised professionalisation through certification programmes, capacity-building initiatives and specialised procurement-related academic courses in selected universities.

    He reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to ensuring value for money in public spending and strengthening citizens’ confidence in government institutions.

    The pioneer Director-General of the BPP,  Mr Emeka Ezeh, called for greater adoption of technology in public procurement processes.

    Ezeh said procurement reform in Nigeria had reached a stage where technology should serve as the primary driver of implementation.

    He noted that delayed payments in contract execution often compelled contractors to factor additional risks into their bids, contributing to higher contract costs.

    Ezeh stressed the need for timely fulfilment of contractual obligations by all parties to improve efficiency and value for money in public procurement.

    He urged the Federal Government to designate June 4 as National Procurement Day to provide a platform for stakeholders to review and advise on public procurement as a strategic instrument for national development.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the event, with the theme “The Procurement Evolution: Honouring the Past, Powering the Future,” was organised by the BPP  to commemorate 19 years of the establishment of the BPP.

    NAN

  • BPP DG urges procurement officers to embrace AI, emerging technologies

    BPP DG urges procurement officers to embrace AI, emerging technologies

    By Alex Enebeli

    Flowerbud News/ Adedokun Adebowale, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has urged procurement officers to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and accountability in public procurement.

    Adebowale made the call on Wednesday in Enugu during the 6th National Conference of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON).

    Speaking on the future of the procurement profession, the BPP boss said technological innovation was rapidly transforming governance and business processes globally.

    He stressed the need for procurement officers to equip themselves with relevant digital skills to remain effective.

    “The future of procurement lies in Artificial Intelligence, big data and blockchain technologies. The question is, are you prepared for that tomorrow?” he asked.

    He challenged participants to enrol in courses that would strengthen their capacity to utilise technology in carrying out procurement functions.

    According to him, professional competence, leadership capacity and continuous learning are critical to sustaining reforms in the procurement sector.

    Adebowale disclosed that the bureau was advancing the development and implementation of the National Procurement Officers Management System (NAPOMS), which he described as a foundational platform for procurement officers at the federal and state levels.

    He said the system would enhance visibility, strengthen institutional protection and improve procurement management across government establishments.

    The D-G also announced plans to launch an Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system to promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in public procurement processes.

    He reminded public officers of their responsibility to publish all contract information on relevant government platforms, warning that failure to comply constituted a violation of procurement regulations.

    He called on procurement practitioners to uphold the principles of fairness, openness and due process in the discharge of their duties.

    He further stressed the need for greater professionalism within the sector, lamenting the presence of unqualified personnel occupying procurement-related positions.

    According to him, only academically and professionally qualified officers should be allowed to continue working in procurement units.

    He encouraged practitioners to pursue short-term training programmes and acquire new skills to meet the evolving demands of the profession.

    Adebowale also highlighted government efforts to promote inclusiveness in public procurement.

    He noted that, at least seven per cent of public contracts were reserved for small and medium enterprises, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises and persons with disabilities.

    NAN

  • Security guard absconds with employer’s 2 sons in Niger

    Security guard absconds with employer’s 2 sons in Niger

    By Abubakar Akote Yabagi

    A house security guard in the ‘’Brighter’’ area of Minna, identified as Sani Abdulrahman, has reportedly absconded with two sons of his employer, Umar and Anas, both aged six.

    The spokesperson of the Niger Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

    Abiodun said that the whereabouts of the suspect and the two children have remained unknown since Sunday.

    According to him, the suspect allegedly told the family that he was taking the children out to celebrate the Sallah festival in town.

    ”However, neither the suspect nor the children has returned three days after.”

    He said the police had commenced an investigation and intensified efforts to locate the children and apprehend the suspect.

    NAN

  • Niger women affairs commissioner marks Children’s Day with orphans

    Niger women affairs commissioner marks Children’s Day with orphans

    By Mary Aliyu

    Mrs Hadiza Kuta, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development in Niger, on Monday marked this year’s Children’s Day with orphans drawn from across the state.

    Kuta, while addressing the children, said that the event, earlier scheduled to hold on May 27, had to be postponed because of the Eid-el Kabir festival.

    She expressed appreciation to the state government for providing the resources needed to cater for vulnerable children and improve their well-being.

    “Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive, fulfil his or her potential and contribute positively to the society,” she said.

    She said that the celebration was aimed at building a renewed commitment to child welfare and development.

    Kuta described children as the future of the society and stressed the need to support them.

    She said that special attention was given to children from orphanages to make them feel loved, valued and included in society.

    “Many of the children here are orphans, and everyone knows that losing one’s parents at a young age can be heartbreaking and traumatic.

    “That is why we make every effort to bring them together, show them love and make them feel valued.

    “We want these children to know that the government cares about them, recognises them as an important part of society and is committed to giving them a promising future,” she said.

    The commissioner said that all the children under the care of the state government were enrolled in schools and were being adequately catered for.

    According to her, the government remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable children are not neglected and have access to opportunities that would enable them realise their full potential.

    She particularly commended Gov. Mohammed Bago and his wife, Mrs Fatima Bago, for their support towards the welfare of children in the state.

    Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), Kuta said the celebration provided an opportunity for the children to interact, have fun and feel appreciated.

    “As you can see, the children are happy. They are dancing, interacting and enjoying themselves.

    “There is plenty of food, drinks and other refreshments for them. Moments like this help them feel loved, appreciated and included,” she said.

    The commissioner urged children to remain God-fearing, disciplined, committed and focused in order to become responsible citizens and future leaders.

    She also appealed to parents, guardians and members of the public to show more love, compassion and care to orphaned children.

    According to her, children who receive adequate support and guidance, are more likely to grow into responsible and productive members of society.

    Kuta reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the welfare, protection and development of children across the state.

    NAN

  • Association decries unfair treatment of Christian aspirants in Niger Association

    Association decries unfair treatment of Christian aspirants in Niger Association

    Flowerbud News/ The Niger Christian Voice in Politics and Governance (NCVIPG), has decried the unfair treatment meted at Christians aspirants in the ongoing political party primaries across the state.

    The Coordinator of the association, Habila Diko, made this known while briefing newsmen at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat on Wednesday in Minna.

    “We want to draw the attention of the Niger Governor, Muhammad Bago, and the APC leadership to the unfair treatment meted at Christian aspirants vying for various positions at the ongoing party primaries.

    “We have noted with great concern the deliberate and systemic exclusion of Christian aspirants under the guise of consensus and zoning. Thereby leaving Christians with no representation in the state vying for various positions.

    “For the records, there are fillers that Christian aspirants vying for the State Assembly are currently being pressurised to withdraw or step down. We strongly condemn this action resulting from zoning or consensus.”

    Diko therefore, called on the party leadership to clear its name as it was being peddled that they were the people behind the call for Christian aspirants to step down or be screened out.

    This, he claimed they intended to do, by reviewing and correcting the outcome of the primaries where genuine complaints and irregularities had been raised for fairness, equity and justice.

    He also used the opportunity to appeal to the governor to reconsider this disturbing development in the interest of equity, peace and balanced political representation.

    “This is because systemically, this current act of consensus and zoning has led to the exclusion of Christian aspirants.

    “Furthermore, we want to use this medium to call on other political parties in the state not to toll this same line or undermine Christian aspirants vying for positions but ensure fairness and total inclusion.”

    The Coordinator also used the opportunity to appreciate the governor for his move to institutionalise zoning by pushing to gazette the zoning system to ensure power rotates among all the twenty five Local Government Areas.

    This move according to the governor, was aimed to propose a maximum of eight years for any area that benefited from the arrangement.

    The aim was also to prevent the dominance of single areas and ensure fair representation across the state.

    In his remarks, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Musa Sarkinkaji, stated that the party was a national party and that as such, it doesn’t discriminate against any religion, tribal or geographical affiliation.

    He stated further that Politics was not about religion, ethnicity or tribe but simply about number, which is why it’s a game of number.

    “So, Niger in the first place, it’s not a Muslim state neither is it a Christian state.

    “So, for an individual, a group or an association to claim that the party and its leadership are sidelining them from getting the party’s ticket is not true. They are just fabrications.

    “So, as far as we are concerned, we don’t deny anybody from getting what she or he wants in the party. It’s all about the most popular and credible aspirants that we are sure can defeat any opposition.”

    He added that in APC there was no need to segregate since the party was not formed based on any personalities or religious inclination that the association claimed.

    NAN

  • Etsu Nupe Foundation provides free medicare to 600 indigents in Niger

    Etsu Nupe Foundation provides free medicare to 600 indigents in Niger

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    No fewer than 600 indigent persons in Bida and surrounding communities in Niger on Thursday, benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach featured free cataract surgeries and medical consultations for patients suffering from various eye-related ailments.

    The exercise was organised by the foundation established by the Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers in collaboration with the Near Foundation Abuja and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the outreach in Bida, Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, said the initiative was informed by the increasing number of people suffering from sight-related challenges in the community.

    He described healthcare as a critical component of human development and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of vulnerable persons, particularly those unable to afford medical treatment.

    The royal father said the foundation would continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant organisations and stakeholders to expand access to quality healthcare services and alleviate the sufferings of the people.

    According to him, the gesture reflects his commitment to humanitarian service, community development and the promotion of healthy living among the populace.

    He added that restoring the sight of affected persons would not only improve their health conditions, but also restore hope, dignity and economic productivity among beneficiaries and their families.

    Also speaking, Alh. Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, the Managing Director of the National Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) pledged the organisation’s commitment to community development and improved healthcare delivery.

    Sadiq-Yelwa stressed the need for strategic collaboration between the commission and the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation to enhance the provision of quality healthcare services to rural communities.

    He commended the Etsu Nupe for his foresight, compassion and sustained efforts toward improving the living conditions of the people, describing the royal father as a symbol of peace, unity and humanitarian service.

    The N-HYPPADEC boss assured that the commission would continue to support programmes capable of positively impacting the lives of the people, especially in the areas of health, education and youth empowerment.

    In his remarks, Dr Murtala Bagana, the Niger State Commissioner for Health, commended the foundation for complementing the efforts of the state government toward improving access to quality healthcare services.

    Bagana described the initiative as timely and impactful, particularly at a period when many vulnerable persons were facing challenges accessing specialised medical care.

    He noted that the outreach aligned with the state government’s commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare delivery for all citizens.

    The commissioner urged well-meaning individuals, organisations and development partners to emulate the gesture by supporting programmes aimed at improving the health and welfare of the people.

    In their separate remarks, the Vice Chairperson of Bida Local Government Council, Hajiya Hawawu Adamu, the Secretary of the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation, Alhaji Musa Ladan, and health officials involved in the exercise, acknowledged the increasing prevalence of eye-related problems within the community.

    They called for collective efforts among government institutions, traditional authorities, development partners and philanthropists to address the growing healthcare challenges confronting rural dwellers.

    Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation and its partners for the intervention, noting that the free medical outreach had restored hope to many families.

  • Revised bidding document boosts transparency, accountability in MDAs- BPP D-G

    Revised bidding document boosts transparency, accountability in MDAs- BPP D-G

    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), says the revised Standard Bidding Document (SBD) has improved transparency, accountability and compliance in Nigeria’s public procurement system.

    Adedokun stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said the reform had also enhanced bidders’ confidence, introduced standard operating procedures and made monitoring of procurement activities easier across government institutions.

    “One of the key successes of the revised Standard Bidding Document is that everyone now understands that failure to use the approved document renders the contract invalid.

    “It has improved transparency, enhanced visibility, strengthened bidders’ confidence and introduced standard operating procedures into procurement activities,” he said.

    The BPP boss recalled that before the reforms, many government agencies conducted procurement processes without following uniform procedures.

    He said some contractors even prepared their own bidding documents, making it difficult to assess compliance, specifications and performance.

    The D-G said the current reforms had made it easier to track procurement activities and ensure compliance with extant laws and guidelines.

    “Today, it is easy to ask any government agency which procurement document it used and whether it complied with the laid down procedures.”

    He added that the bureau had intensified enforcement and sensitisation to ensure all procurement entities comply with the approved standards.

    Adedokun added that the revised SBD had become an important tool for capacity building among procurement officers.

    According to him, many procurement officers previously lacked adequate knowledge of the document and its application because enforcement was weak.

    He said the bureau has intensified training and sensitisation to ensure procurement officers understand and apply the document.

    “We are now educating procurement officers on the proper use and issuance of the SBD. Both the end users and the operators, let us all be on the same page.

    “Our goal is to ensure law and order in procurement processes through standardisation and strict compliance.”

    The D-G stressed that only the BPP was authorised to issue the official SBD, warning that any other version in circulation was illegal.

    “There is only one Standard Bidding Document originating from BPP. Any other one being circulated is illegal.”

    Adedokun explained that the SBD is the official legal document issued by government agencies to contractors seeking to bid for projects.

    According to him, the document contains all requirements bidders must comply with, including technical specifications, standards and evaluation conditions used in determining successful bids.

    Adedokun added that the SBD is one of several instruments guiding procurement processes in Nigeria, alongside the Public Procurement Act 2007, which is the principal document used to manage procurement.

    Other instruments, he said, include procurement regulations and manuals, executive orders and government circulars.

    NAN

  • Hon. Onwubiko Attends NDC National Congress as Party Zones 2027 Presidency South

    Hon. Onwubiko Attends NDC National Congress as Party Zones 2027 Presidency South

    Flowerbud News/ Hon. Thomas Victor Onwubiko Attends NDC National Congress as Party Zones 2027 Presidency to the South

    Maritime expert and political figure, Hon. Thomas Victor Onwubiko, on Friday joined top leaders and stakeholders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the party’s National Congress held at the Los Angeles Events Centre, Abuja, where the party officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.

    The congress, which attracted thousands of party faithful, delegates, youth groups and political supporters from across the country, marked a significant moment in the evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

     

    The event was attended by several high-profile political leaders, including NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

    Also present were members of the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, whose supporters filled the venue in large numbers, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and renewed opposition coalition politics.

    The congress witnessed passionate speeches by party leaders who stressed the need for national unity, inclusive governance, economic reforms and a new political direction capable of addressing Nigeria’s mounting social and economic challenges.

    A major highlight of the congress was the official announcement zoning the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a decision party leaders described as necessary to promote equity, fairness and national balance.

    Speaking during the gathering, Senator Seriake Dickson said the decision reflected the party’s commitment to justice and power rotation, insisting that the South deserved the opportunity to continue leading the country after years of political imbalance and growing national tensions.

    According to him, the NDC remains committed to building a broad-based national coalition capable of rescuing Nigeria from insecurity, unemployment, economic hardship, and deepening political divisions.

    Peter Obi, who received loud cheers from supporters at the congress, reiterated the need for competent and accountable leadership, urging Nigerians to remain hopeful despite current economic difficulties.

    Obi stressed that the 2027 elections would not only be about political parties but about the future survival of Nigeria as a united and prosperous nation.

    Similarly, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso called for stronger collaboration among opposition forces, warning that division among progressive political movements could weaken efforts to provide credible alternatives for Nigerians.

    Observers at the congress noted the increasing political cooperation between the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, especially after the recent alignment of key political actors under the NDC platform.

    Supporters carrying banners, party flags, and campaign materials repeatedly chanted solidarity songs as leaders addressed the gathering on the future direction of the party.

    Hon. Thomas Victor Onwubiko, while interacting with party supporters at the venue, reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots development, youth empowerment and quality representation.

    He noted that the congress demonstrated the growing strength of the NDC across the country and expressed confidence that the party would emerge as a major force in the 2027 elections.

    According to him, Nigerians are increasingly demanding responsive leadership, economic reforms and people-oriented governance.

    He also commended the leadership of the party for successfully organising what many described as one of the largest opposition political gatherings in recent times.

    Political analysts believe the congress may signal the beginning of a broader opposition realignment ahead of 2027, particularly with the increasing involvement of influential political blocs and youth-driven movements.

    The presence of supporters from different regions of the country also reflected growing efforts by the NDC to position itself as a truly national platform capable of attracting politicians, professionals, youths and civil society groups dissatisfied with the current political structure.

    Security was visibly tight around the Los Angeles Events Centre throughout the congress, with security operatives maintaining order as delegates and supporters trooped into the venue.

    Several party leaders from the South-East, South-South, North-Central and South-West also used the occasion to reaffirm their loyalty to the party and their commitment to building a united opposition coalition.

    The congress eventually concluded with a communique endorsing the zoning arrangement and calling on Nigerians to support the party’s vision for national transformation, economic recovery and democratic consolidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.