The All Progressives Congress (APC) has restated its Devotion to expanding opportunities for women in politics and governance, with National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Basiru urging Nigerian women in the diaspora to play a central role in mobilising support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the APC Diaspora/Global Women Summit in Rome, Italy, Basiru described Nigerian women abroad as one of the nation’s greatest strategic assets. He noted their achievements in diverse fields such as medicine, law, engineering, entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and technology, stressing that their contributions through remittances, investments, philanthropy, and advocacy remain vital to Nigeria’s development.

“The APC acknowledges that diaspora women are not mere supporters of government programmes but strategic partners in the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Basiru said. He added that their international connections and technical expertise could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s democratic and economic institutions.

Basiru emphasised that gender inclusion is a core pillar of the APC’s political philosophy. He assured that the party would continue to encourage women’s participation in leadership, policy formulation, party administration, and electoral mobilisation.

“As a party, we are committed to increasing opportunities for women within the structures of the party and in public governance. We believe inclusive leadership achieves better governance outcomes,” he said.

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He also highlighted plans to strengthen collaboration with diaspora chapters through structured platforms for engagement, policy dialogue, investment promotion, and leadership development.

Basiru tied the call for women’s mobilisation to President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms. He pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy, increased crude oil production, and fiscal reforms as measures that have created space for infrastructure and social investments.

He cited major projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Lagos-Sokoto Superhighway, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road reconstruction as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development. He also noted that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen to over $51 billion, the highest in 17 years.

Basiru further praised women serving in Tinubu’s administration, saying their contributions have been central to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, Basiru urged diaspora women to foster civic engagement, counter misinformation, mentor young women, and expand the party’s global outreach. He stressed that their involvement would help consolidate democratic governance and ensure continuity of reforms.

“You are ambassadors of Nigeria, promoting our democratic values and serving as a bridge between Nigeria and the international community,” he said.

The APC’s renewed emphasis on women’s inclusion reflects broader efforts to strengthen its political base ahead of 2027. By positioning diaspora women as strategic partners, the party seeks to harness their influence, resources, and expertise to reinforce its governance agenda and electoral prospects.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged a fresh plan to block the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from participating in the 2027 general elections. He warned that such a move would represent a grave assault on Nigeria’s democracy and undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.

Atiku, who is the ADC’s presidential candidate, claimed he had received credible information suggesting that elements within the ruling establishment were coordinating political and legal manoeuvres to keep the party off the ballot.

According to him, the alleged plot is part of a broader campaign to weaken opposition parties and limit Nigerians’ electoral choices. “We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative,” he said.

Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to determine which opposition parties should contest the election. He argued that if the APC was confident in its popularity, it should not fear competition from the ADC.

He described the alleged strategy as a recurring pattern where neutral institutions are drawn into partisan disputes, frivolous litigations gain momentum, and administrative powers are selectively deployed against opposition figures.

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“The pattern has become all too familiar. First, institutions that ought to be neutral are drawn into partisan contests. Then, frivolous litigations suddenly gain unusual momentum. Administrative powers are selectively deployed. Political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Before long, democracy itself becomes the casualty,” he said.

Atiku criticised the ruling party for focusing more on silencing opposition voices than addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges. He pointed to hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power as issues that require urgent governance attention.

“The obsession with silencing the opposition has become so consuming that governance itself has taken a back seat,” he noted.

Insisting that the ADC’s growing popularity should be met through democratic competition, Atiku said elections must be decided by voters, not through legal or administrative suppression.

“The proper response to a popular political movement is not suppression. It is to present superior ideas before the electorate. Democracies are won at the ballot box, not in back rooms, not through manipulated court processes, and certainly not through the abuse of state institutions,” he declared.

Atiku urged the judiciary to resist political pressure and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, and the international community to remain vigilant against actions that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

“No administration has the constitutional authority to determine which political party Nigerians are permitted to vote for. Sovereignty belongs to the people—not to those who temporarily wield power,” he said.

The statement comes amid heightened political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi have adopted the ADC as a platform for building a coalition aimed at challenging the APC.

Recent months have seen both the ruling party and opposition groups trade accusations over attempts to weaken rival platforms through litigation and internal crises.

As of press time, neither the Presidency, the APC, nor INEC had responded to Atiku’s allegations.

Saudi Arabia’s football leadership has been shaken following the resignation of Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, after the Green Falcons’ disappointing performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H with two points, drawing against Uruguay and Cape Verde but suffering a heavy 4–0 defeat to Spain. The early exit ended hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

Al-Misehal announced his resignation on Sunday, stating he bore full responsibility for the team’s failure. “The failure of the national team to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result that falls short of all our ambitions, and I bear full responsibility for it,” he wrote on X. He added that stepping down was necessary to open a new chapter for Saudi football.

Al-Misehal had led the federation for seven years and played a key role in securing Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup. His tenure coincided with the kingdom’s massive investment in football, part of its broader economic diversification strategy.

Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia spent nearly $2 billion in recent years to elevate the domestic league, attracting global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema. The Saudi Pro League has since become one of the most lucrative competitions worldwide.

The resignation follows a turbulent period for the national team’s technical bench. French coach Hervé Renard was dismissed earlier in March after poor friendly results, ending his second spell in charge. Renard had returned to replace Italian Roberto Mancini, but neither coach managed to deliver consistent success.

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The federation now faces the task of rebuilding both leadership and technical direction ahead of future competitions, including preparations for the 2034 World Cup on home soil.

Analysts say Al-Misehal’s exit underscores the pressure on football administrators in countries investing heavily in the sport. Saudi Arabia’s ambitions extend beyond domestic success, with the 2034 World Cup seen as a global showcase of its sporting and economic transformation.

The resignation also highlights the challenges of balancing high-profile investments in star players with the performance of the national team. Despite the influx of talent into the Saudi Pro League, the Green Falcons have struggled to translate domestic growth into international success.

The federation is expected to announce interim leadership soon, while discussions continue on long-term reforms. For Saudi Arabia, the focus will be on strengthening grassroots development, stabilising coaching structures, and ensuring the national team can compete at the highest level.

Al-Misehal’s departure marks the end of a significant era in Saudi football administration, but it also opens the door for new leadership tasked with delivering results that match the country’s global ambitions.