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!!!

News

Fubara meets Tinubu in Aso Rock amid defection rumours

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. Our correspondent sighted the governor walking towards the President’s office at 5:01 p.m., dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap.

Minutes earlier, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had been ushered in for a separate engagement. Details of both meetings remain undisclosed. Fubara’s visit comes amid speculation that he may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress following political turbulence in Rivers State.

On December 5, 17 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC, shifting the legislature’s balance of power. The only three lawmakers considered loyal to Fubara have not resumed sitting since the six-month emergency rule was lifted on September 18, deepening uncertainty about his political future.

Months earlier, Fubara had been reinstated as governor following the end of the emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu on March 18. Nwifuru, an APC governor and former Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, has also engaged the Presidency on infrastructure and security coordination in the South-East.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday. During a site inspection about two weeks ago, Fubara had said the Assembly complex along Moscow Road would be completed before the end of the year.

He said he intended to present the 2026 budget in the new complex, noting, “I strongly believe that before the end of December, this particular place should be set. Maybe when they come in, the other side of the complex will be handled by the Speaker himself. But this major work on the site, I will make sure it is ready for them, so that we will present our budget for 2026 in the main hallowed chambers, in the dignified manner that befits us.”

Anabraba reiterated that Fubara is committed to delivering democratic dividends to all citizens, assuring residents of safety and adherence to peace.

“From December 10 to 23, the projects to be commissioned and flagged off will cover Ahoada East and West, Ogba/E

News

ADC to Obi: Make up your mind now

The African Democratic Congress has asked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to make up his mind about joining the party.

The party said that although Obi was an important political leader needed in its coalition, it would not compel the former Anambra State governor to join.

Obi had, during an interview on YouTube with ‘Advocacy for Good Governance’ on Wednesday, stated that the ADC-led coalition was unstable due to some unresolved issues, including the zoning arrangement.

The presidential hopeful said he believed in the coalition despite being a member of the Labour Party, urging the ADC to settle some “fundamentals” necessary for a credible alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite his reservations, Obi expressed confidence in the quality of leaders driving the group, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

When asked if he would stand by the coalition even if he did not emerge as its presidential candidate, Obi said he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire for national progress.

But the Peter Obi Media Office said Obi never granted the interview. His media aide, Ibrahim Umar, in a statement on Friday, said Obi had confidence in the ADC. However, the spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, while speaking, said the party was not ready to toe Obi’s line of zoning.

He said the priority of the party was to convince Nigerians that it was a credible alternative.

“We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to tell them what we will do differently. So, zoning or no zoning is not on the table now. If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.

“I understand what Peter has been saying. But I will encourage him to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not. Because the most important thing for us is how we can convince Nigerians that we represent the credible alternative, and this is without prejudice to where the candidate will come from,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson said the party wanted Obi and encouraged him to be part of the coalition.

News

FG probes report of military aircraft grounded in Burkina Faso

The Federal Government has said it is looking into the matter following reports from Burkina Faso that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso after allegedly violating the country’s airspace.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said officials were still gathering details.

“We are monitoring the situation and will issue a statement when we receive adequate information,” he told reporters.

It was earlier reported that the Government of Burkina Faso said a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying eleven soldiers was forced to land in the country on Monday after reportedly violating its airspace.

The incident occurred on Monday and was first reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.

According to the statement, the aircraft, carrying two crew members and nine soldiers, made an emergency landing while operating in Burkinabe airspace.

The statement added that an investigation by Burkinabe authorities “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”

“The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C-130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace.

“The military aircraft had two (2) crew members and nine (9) passengers on board, all military personnel,” the Sahel regional body said.

Authorities in Burkina Faso later stated that an investigation “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”

The Confederation condemned the development as a breach of sovereignty, saying it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”

It further warned that its air and anti-aircraft units had been placed on maximum alert and “were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the Confederate space.”