BREAKING: I Have No Reason to Return to APC – Aregbesola; Three Herders Killed in Plateau

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I Have No Reason to Return to APC – Aregbesola

Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has dismissed speculations that he plans to return to the All Progressives Congress, insisting that he has no reason to rejoin the party. Speaking during an African Democratic Congress stakeholders’ meeting in Ilesa, Aregbesola accused the ruling party of abandoning the vision on which it was founded and worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians. He urged members of the African Democratic Congress to remain committed ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Aregbesola declared, “I am not planning a return to the APC. Such information is just a figment of their imagination. I have no reason to join the party again.” The party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam, also promised to tackle unemployment, poverty and housing challenges if elected, while party leaders expressed confidence that the African Democratic Congress would emerge victorious in the upcoming poll.

Three Herders Killed in Plateau

At least three herders were reportedly killed in separate attacks on Kopk, Katako and Sabon Layi communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the attacks occurred on Saturday, with victims including Abbas Shehu, Muhammad Hassan and Musa Adamu, who were allegedly shot by gunmen in different locations.

The incidents reportedly created tension across several communities, forcing many residents to flee their homes, while security personnel were deployed to restore calm in Barkin Ladi town. The attacks are coming amid worsening insecurity in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local government areas, where repeated killings and destruction of property have been recorded in recent days.

Fubara displeased with poor reception after APC screening

Siminalayi Fubara reportedly left the All Progressives Congress governorship aspirants screening exercise dissatisfied after what was described as a poor reception at the event. The Rivers State governor spent less than 20 minutes before the screening committee and declined to speak with journalists afterwards, fuelling fresh uncertainty over his political future within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, avoided confirming or denying details of Fubara’s appearance before the panel, stating that the committee would issue its report after concluding the exercise. Meanwhile, another aspirant, retired Commander Yilchini Jan Bida, praised the process as transparent and expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the Plateau State governorship primary.

US need only two weeks to hit all Iran targets — Trump

Donald Trump has claimed that the United States would need only two weeks to strike all remaining targets in Iran, insisting that the country had already been “militarily defeated” following the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28. In an interview aired on Sunday, Trump said about 70 per cent of the intended targets had already been hit, adding that any further action would merely be “final touches.”

The U.S. president also criticised NATO, describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” and accusing allied nations of failing to support Washington during the campaign against Iran. His comments came as reports indicated that Iran had responded to the latest U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries.