News

Coalition Of Protest Groups Outlines Way Forward For #EndSARS Campaign

Coalition Of Protest Groups has set in motion plans to nominate representatives to spearhead engagement with government

As the #EndSARS protests wind down and normalcy begins to come back to the streets of the major cities in Nigeria, the Coalition Of Protest Groups have put out a statement outlining the next phase of action.

Lagos, the epicenter of the protests has been under state-wide curfew imposed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu after the peaceful protests were hijacked by hoodlums. Prior to that, Soldiers attacked peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate shooting live ammunition at unarmed protesters.

In a statement put out by the Coalition Of Protest Groups, “For the sake of the wellbeing of our comrades and ordinary citizens being adversely affected by this, we will deprioritize the physical protests, for now”

The identity of the people behind this coalition has become a talking point bearing in mind that their has been a vehement refusal by majority of the protesters across the country to put up a leadership structure around the movement.

The people behind this coalition remain unknown though their line of action look in tandem with the demands of the protesters. They have outlined seven objectives in the next few days and are proposing the nominations of leaders and representatives to meet with different protest leaders/blocs across the country/states, and consolidate on a vehicle for continuous demands and engagements with government.

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Read the full Statement the Coalition Of Protest Groups Below:

1. Clean Up
During our protests, we made a conscious effort to clean up the venues and keep our environment safe for everyone. Following the condemnable vandalizations that took place since the curfews began, we are volunteering efforts towards the clean-up and rebuilding of the state.
2. Online Protest
We will continue to intensify online publicity and protest of the issues and demands made. We will be hosting conversations, sharing articles and amplifying voices of thought leaders in that direction.
3. Offline Community Engagement
We will continue grassroot mobilization and civic education of the masses, providing tools for education to enable them to understand the scale and scope of what is at stake.
4. Timelines
We are putting a timeline together to track actions taken to meet our demands. This way, we know what has been done, what is being done, and what can be ticked off our list. This way, we know if and when the government defaults, and we can decide if a return to the streets is necessary.

Also Read: Lekki Massacre: Prominent Voices From Around The World Condemn Shooting Of Protesters

5. Strategy
We are building short, medium- and long-term strategies to sustain this momentum and keep this fire that has been ignited by the actions of young people across Nigeria burning. The strategies are pillared on and geared towards Education, Voter Registration, Political Consciousness and Representation for Young People in government.
6. Structure
We will create a structure to strategically consolidate demands, formalize the coalition, galvanize the continued online protest, develop standards for monitoring and evaluation, and continue the mobilization and education of the citizens.

7. Representation
The leaderless nature of this protest but consistent oneness in demands have been part of our unique strengths. As we move towards consolidation and negotiation, it is now pertinent we put forward a diverse group to represent the different coalitions; from celebrities to activists, legal minds to strategists, journalists to entrepreneurs, etc. We consulted far and wide, to come up with these names, and while this may not be exhaustive, it offers us an interim basis to begin the negotiation and consolidation.
The nominees will meet with different protest leaders/blocs across the country/states, and consolidate on a vehicle for continuous demands. They will also track actions of the Government, represent our demands and provide feedback to us regularly.

They are:
Names of Nominees at the Federal level:

Click to Vote: https://forms.gle/6jNg5npm4UpbxcGJ7

Names of Nominees at the State level: (Lagos)

Click to Vote: https://forms.gle/btKtvJitkJNKq7eK8

Advisory:
Due to the decentralized nature of this movement across the country, we nominate a team with experience in leadership and diplomacy, to assist in advisory and other support. This team will be consulted from time to time within the process. The criteria are people with integrity, people who have a vast experience in national issues, and who have a track record of being pro-young people.

Nominees for Advisory Board

Click to Vote: https://forms.gle/kJbAm7Ukp2j9ATMZ7

All nominations are provisional. If there are people you think should be on the list, people who have been critical in the success of these protests and can work towards the actualization of our demands, and the ultimate mission — a better government/future for Nigeria, please nominate.
In conclusion, these protests have never been politically motivated. It is not about ethnicity or tribalism. The young people across the country are demanding justice, good governance, accountability and reforms. These protests have no sponsor nor agenda other than what we have stated repeatedly; better governance, accountability and an end to brutality.
To everyone who has lost someone or something, we stand in solidarity with you.
To all our heroes that died before and during these struggles, we say Rest in Power! Your deaths will not be in vain.
It is NOT finished!
On behalf of the Coalition.
Please Share this with a friend. SHARE THE WORD!!!

Celebs

Ayra Starr’s Much Anticipated Album To Drop in 2026

Ayra Starr has sparked a whirlwind of anticipation across the global music landscape. Following her meteoric rise, the Mavin Records superstar and Roc Nation signee has stirred excitement among fans by hinting at her forthcoming project.

Featured in Spotify’s “Our Frequency” zine issue 033, the ‘Celestial Being’ shared insights into her personal and professional aspirations, including a tease that her next album could land in 2026. This disclosure emerged within Spotify’s platform dedicated to celebrating Black artists and their creative narratives, with the recent edition spotlighting Starr’s journey of growth and artistic evolution.

Spotify’s “Our Frequency” initiative offers artists a space to reveal intimate details about their lives and craft. In the Spotify feature, Ayra Starr reflected on her formative years and how diverse environments shaped her distinctive sound and personality.

The 23-year-old drew interesting parallels between cultures, noting that, “Growing up in Benin and Nigeria, it was two different vibes.” She likened the energy of Nigeria’s commercial hub to a global city: “Lagos is almost like New York.”

In stark contrast, the 2026 Grammy nominee described her experience in the Benin Republic: “Benin Republic has more like a beach vibe. Everywhere is, like, calm. Everybody is quiet, so I can’t put it into, like, a few words. It’s made me who I am.”

It was within this context of personal evolution that Ayra Starr dropped the major album news, offering insight into her 2026 goals: “In 2026, I’m looking forward to learning how to cook more known Nigerian food, and my album, Amen.”

This deliberate pacing suggests a strategic shift towards quality control following her management deal with Roc Nation in July 2025, which handles her global brand strategy and touring

News

Atiku urges the Senate to amend electoral act to prevent 2027 election rigging

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Nigerian Senate to urgently review and amend the Electoral Act 2022, warning that loopholes in the law contributed to alleged irregularities during the 2023 general elections.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, Atiku highlighted that the existing legal framework made it “nearly impossible for petitioners to advance their cases in the courts,” creating conditions that allowed for what he described as “brazen rigging” in 2023.

He stressed that correcting these flaws is essential to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 elections, urging lawmakers to ensure that any amendments are passed in time to govern future polls.

“At a time when the mistakes of the 2023 elections are still fresh, the legal instrument for the conduct of the 2027 and subsequent elections must be reviewed,” Atiku said.

He expressed concern that the Senate appears determined to delay or frustrate the passage of the amendments, citing a recent report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) as an indictment of legislative inaction.

“The credibility of the 2027 general elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill,” Atiku warned. “It is imperative that the Senate finalises the amendments and ensures the updated law governs the conduct of the 2027 elections. Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast.”

Below, the statement is reproduced in full:

“A major setback to the 2023 elections is the loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022 that paved the way for the brazen rigging of that election, and the near-impossibility of petitioners to advance their cases in the courts.

“It is imperative that if the mistakes of the 2023 election are to be corrected, the legal instrument for the conduct of the 2027 and subsequent elections needs to be reviewed.

But as things stand, it has become obvious that the Senate is determined to frustrate the passage of amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act.

“The recent report by FIJ serves as both an indictment of the Senate and a timely call for legislative responsibility.

“The credibility of the 2027 general elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill.

“It is, therefore, imperative that the Senate finalises the amendments and ensures the updated law governs the conduct of the 2027 elections.

“Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast.

News

CAF Vows To Take ‘stern action’ after chaotic AFCON final scenes

African football’s governing body CAF, said Monday “appropriate action” would be taken against “those found guilty” after chaotic scenes marred the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. CAF did not attribute blame to either Senegal or Morocco. On Sunday’s final, most of the Senegalese players walked off in protest when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded hosts Morocco a penalty deep into time added on of normal time, with the match tied at 0-0.

A group of their fans fought with Moroccan security personnel at the other end of the stadium in Rabat. Once the players returned to the pitch, Senegal’s keeper Edouard Mendy saved the spot kick, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time.

“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night,” read their statement.

“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.

“CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.”

The Senegal players eventually returned after former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, one of the few of his team to remain on the pitch, remonstrated with them to do so.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who had originally won the penalty, then sent his spot kick into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal went on to win the final with a brilliant goal from Pape Gueye in extra time.