Category: cover

The Leader of the National Consultative Front, Prof Pat Utomi, has outlined ongoing moves to crystallise a formidable coalition to defeat the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections described as serious business.

Utomi, one of the opposition movement leaders, said several discontented members of the APC and Peoples Democratic Party were keen on joining the coalition, apart from members of five other political parties.

Speaking with The PUNCH, Utomi said huge numbers of the APC, PDP and other political parties had expressed their willingness to embrace the coalition to save Nigeria from the brink.

He noted that several movements, and parties would join the coalition and form an alliance, though he noted that there were ongoing talks on the particular platform that would be adopted for the 2027 battle.

Utomi said, “This is serious business. Nigeria is on the brink at a time of a changing global order.

“The approach we now take is to focus on core influence groups within parties.

“In this regard, there are good people who subscribe to our values and development strategy in APC and PDP who have significant following and believe there is a better way and have reached out to us.

“The Social Democratic Party that you have referred to is a work in progress. About five other parties are going through similar processes.

“Also bear in mind that huge numbers are getting ready to leave the APC and PDP and have been reaching out. But the core must be firmly fixed.”

Asked how the coalition intends to take care of the various interests joining the coalition, Utomi said the driving force was self-sacrifice and forging a party leadership where decisions would be made collectively.

Utomi’s assertion comes on the back of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with some opposition leaders, announcing that a coalition is being formed with the aim to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Among those present at the event where Atiku announced the coalition were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal; former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; a former gubernatorial hopeful in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Chief Peter Ameh and Soni Monidafe, among others.

Speaking with The PUNCH, on Sunday, Utomi stressed that the coalition “aims to redeem the collapse of culture in Nigeria as well as showing by example how a disciplined political party acts.”

The NCFront has talked about the unveiling of a mega coalition in June, noting that opposition parties and discontented members of the ruling All Progressives Congress are intensifying behind-the-scenes consultations to form a formidable alliance against the current administration.

Discussions involve key stakeholders from the North and South, including opposition parties, APC defectors, and civil society groups.

The opposition figures said the northern stakeholders, in particular, are inclined towards a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu, arguing that his administration’s policies had disproportionately affected their region.

Speaking further, Utomi said the coalition would be operating a government of national unity resolute to advance the common good in a democratic, transparent and people-centred atmosphere.

“It needs a national unity government focused on a developmental state focused on bringing progress to every nook and cranny of Nigeria, not egotists and narcissists looking for state capture to burnish bloated personal accounts around the world while their country slides into the economic abyss.

“Another point is that leadership of the new order must be collective. No more of the Buhari or “Baba sope” approach that got in the way of a collective good goal in the past iterations of rescue missions. Decisions must be made collectively. We will not be victims of groupthink anymore.

“A collective shadow team will be active shortly and, where necessary, we will turn to people power to reset the agenda of our country.

On the goals of the coalition, Utomi stressed, “It is to make democracy work for the people and to ensure a government with a people-centred focus accelerates constitutional reforms for a better working Nigeria.

“It also aims to redeem the collapse of culture in Nigeria as well as showing by example how a disciplined political party acts, especially in how more capable and values-driven people are recruited into public life.”

He added, “The change we deserve is about a core of people who are a self-sacrificing group focused on disciplined organization to move the apparatus of cooperation and state authority.

“It is also to advance the common good in an atmosphere of freedom that is democratic, transparent and people-centred because touts and criminals abound in many parties and will take money from those in power to simulate the appearance of crisis.”

Juventus FC have officially parted ways with Thiago Motta, relieving him of his duties as the Men’s First Team coach.

In a statement released on the club website on Sunday, the club expressed gratitude to Motta and his staff for their commitment and professionalism during their tenure.

The club also confirmed that Igor Tudor has been appointed as the new head coach and will take charge of his first training session on Monday, March 24.

It is titled, “Thiago Motta no longer First Team coach, Igor Tudor takes over.”

“Juventus FC announce that Thiago Motta has been relieved of his duties as Men’s First Team coach.

“The club would like to thank Thiago Motta and all of his staff for their professionalism and for the work they have carried out in recent months with passion and dedication. The club wish them the best of luck for the future.

“Juventus FC also announce that the Men’s First Team will now be led by Igor Tudor, who will take charge of his first training session tomorrow, Monday, 24 March,” it read.

PUNCH Online reports that the sacking followed a series of disappointing performances, including consecutive heavy defeats.

The club has appointed former player and assistant coach Igor Tudor as his successor.

Motta’s tenure, which lasted approximately eight months, saw Juventus struggling to maintain their traditional dominance in Serie A. https://punchng.com/thiago-motta-named-new-coach-of-juventus/

The team suffered significant losses, notably a 4-0 home defeat to Atalanta, marking their worst home loss since 1967.

These setbacks have left Juventus fifth in the league standings, jeopardising their qualification for the next season’s UEFA Champions League.

According to Football Italia, Tudor, who previously served as an assistant coach at Juventus and has managerial experience with teams like Marseille and Lazio, returns to Turin with the immediate objective of stabilizing the team’s performance.

His appointment is initially set until June 30, with the potential for extension based on the team’s progress and achievements

Armed bandits attacked Baidi community in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday, killing one person and injuring two others.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the village in broad daylight, shooting at residents before fleeing.

The victims were rushed to Tangaza General Hospital, where one later died.

Local sources said this was the third attack in a week, with the attackers arriving on motorcycles in groups of three.

They are reportedly not affiliated with the Lakurawa bandits, who were previously driven out of the area by security forces.

“This is the third attack since the Lakurawa bandits were driven out,” a resident lamented. “Just recently, bandits struck Layinna village, killing one person, injuring several others, and rustling livestock.

They also invaded Aliya village, preventing residents from accessing the only well in the area for water,” the source said.

Efforts to reach Tangaza Local Government Chairman, Isah Salihu Kalenjini, were unsuccessful, but reports indicate he visited the injured victims at the hospital.

The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, told PUNCH Online on Sunday that the attack was reported by the community leader, prompting a swift response from the police and local security forces.

“The leader of the community alerted the Nigerian Police about the attack, and we mobilised immediately to the scene with the support of the state community guard corps.

“Unfortunately, before our arrival, the attackers had already shot three people. We rushed them to the hospital, but one did not survive,” he said.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists in separate operations and recovered firearms along with other incriminating items.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were made during intelligence-led patrols across the state.

He said, “On 22nd March 2025, police operatives attached to the Obosi Division on intelligent-led patrol along the Obosi/Nkpor Road arrested one Kosiso Okonwko ‘M’ and recovered one Berreta pistol.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of Aye Confertanity.”

He added that in another operation, officers from B Division, alongside Mobile Police personnel from the 29 Squadron, intercepted a tricycle along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Amansea.

He said the tricycle “with Reg No. BBG 767 QH, driven by one Augustine Okafor ‘M’ wearing Army Camouflage trousers.

“During interrogation, the suspect could not provide a satisfactory answer, which caused the operatives to search him and recover one Berreta pistol, seven live ammunition, cash N15,600, substances suspected to be hard drugs and charms.”

Following the arrests, Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the command’s tactical unit for further investigation.

“The CP further notes that the Anambra police operatives are more motivated and have been actively working to combat crime and ensure public safety in the state,” he added.

A joint security operation involving the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the military has rescued a kidnapped naval officer, Lt. Cynthia Akor, attached to the Defence Headquarters and two civilians abducted from Mpape, Abuja.

The victims were taken on March 21, 2025, when armed men attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting them.

The kidnappers later contacted their families, demanding ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the civilians, according to FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday.

“The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer, along with two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja, on March 21, 2025.

“At approximately 7:35 pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.

“Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians,” Adeh said.

Following a distress call, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Isyaku Sharu, coordinated a rescue operation involving the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the military, the Department of State Services, and local hunters.

“Upon receiving the distress report, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilised a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising personnel of the Nigerian military, DSS, hunters, and members of the local Hunters’ Group,” Adeh said.

She added that the search-and-rescue mission covered Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, extending into Nasarawa State.

“An intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State,” she said.

Acting on intelligence, security operatives stormed a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.

“Acting on credible intelligence, between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.

“Additionally, the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects,” Adeh stated.

She noted that the rescued individuals are receiving medical care at the Nigerian Army Clinic and are in stable condition.

“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.

“Security deployments have also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences, as members of the public are advised to go about their daily activities without any apprehension,” she added.

Pope Francis greeted and thanked the faithful from a balcony of Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Sunday, the first time the 88-year-old has been seen in public since his admission on February 14.

“Thank you, everyone,” a weak-sounding Francis said into a microphone, as he sat in a wheelchair waving gently to hundreds of people gathered below, doing a thumbs-up sign.

26-year-old Nigerian travel content creator, Alma Asinobi, attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents in 60 hours has travelled across six continents and is closer to the end of the journey.

PUNCH reports that as the youngest and only Black solo record attempt in this category, she is determined to challenge and transform the narrative surrounding passport inequality.

Her attempt, dubbed #AlmaChasingContinents and #7in60 seeks to break the current record of 73 hours set by Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Dr Ali Irani using only her Nigerian passport.

In the course of her attempt, Asinobi has been vocal about the numerous visa and travel setbacks she encountered due to her Nigerian passport.

Unlike travellers from countries with better passport privileges, she noted that she has had to navigate complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and flight cancellations that threatened to derail her record attempt.

Following a delay from the initial scheduled date of March 15, her journey officially began on March 20 from King George Island, Antarctica, where Asinobi boarded a flight that kickstarted the countdown.

Visiting one continent after another, her journey has taken her from King George Island in Antarctica to Chile in South Americ, the Dominican Republic in North America, Spain in Europe, Egypt in Africa, Dubai, UAE in Asia, and Asinobi’s final stop is Sydney in Australia, which will mark the completion of her journey.

Her record-breaking attempt has drawn the attention of many as supporters track her journey in real-time through a provided live location tracker.

Beyond attempting a world record, Asinobi’s journey which is now trending on X.com has sparked conversations about passport inequality and the barriers that travelers from developing nations face.

She also used her platform to highlight how expensive and complicated travel can be for citizens of countries with limited visa-free access.

“I don’t even know if it’s because of the Heathrow fire thing, but the bigger issue is that the only other flight to Europe is to Madrid, and it’s full. The worst part is that the next flight to Europe is on Monday.

“Even if I don’t break the record, I just want to finish what I started. I want to prove that limitations are not denials,” she shared during one of her challenging moments.

“My village people free me naaaaaaaa! We have a whole lot of work to do for our passport and our spot in the world. It feels like as I am chasing continents, my village people have started chasing me.

“I just wanted to help someone out there with low-mobility passport like mine dream beyond all the restrictions. I just wanted conversations to start so my fellow Nigerians can enjoy the beauty of access that developed countries enjoy. I didn’t want the dreams of my people to be restricted because of the colour of their passport,” she added.

Giving further updates, Asinobi posted when she departed Europe, “Cairo here we comeeee. For a lirru context, I was supposed to head to a different African country but I wasn’t allowed to check in online because of my passport and check in closed but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade and sell the t-shirt.”

Upon arriving in Egypt, Asinobi wrote on Saturday, “Made it to my continent! So bummed I couldn’t go to my home country, Nigeria. I won’t lie, I’m missing the jollof, the puff, and all our sweetness… but don’t worry I’ll be home soon. Let’s bring this home.”

“Tired but not defeated! Continent 5 done and dusted, let’s chase 6 shall we? Dubai, UAE! We are going to Asia – Continent 6! The visa processes for UAE are not very favourable for Nigerians right now, but… here we comeeee. I hope that through this movement, things like this can change,” she continued.

Asinobi’s next and final stop is Australia, which will mark the completion of her journey.

She wrote on X.com on Sunday, “I was just denied boarding on my flight to Perth, Australia for my final leg of the trip. Due to visa issues.

” I was put on standby for confirmation from Australia till boarding closed and the gate agent had to rebook me on the next flight to Australia. He asked me to choose between Brisbane and Sydney, and I chose Sydney since it’s the Australian city I’ve always wanted to visit anyway.

“I was tempted to cancel the flight altogether and just head home to where I’m loved, but I’m not one to start something and not finish. This journey has taught me way more than I set out to learn. I’m taking the sweet with the sour and hoping that one day – hopefully in my lifetime – we see change.

“From where I’m standing, we’re nowhere close to that day, but I know it’s possible. Hanging my boots here for now, till I land in Sydney, on my last continent, and recover from all the humiliation and stress I’ve taken in huge doses within the past 56+ hours. I’ve cried, I’ve run, I’ve met new people along the way, and now I’m nearing the finish line.

“Right now, my final mission is to fly our Nigerian flag on the 7th and final continent and bring it home. I cannot wait to be home, and I cannot wait to see you when we come out in solidarity to sign this flag.”

“Dear green passport, all the hardships we’ve faced so far on this journey, I hope it counts for something. You won’t believe all the privileges, access, and options that were available but not to me, because of the colour of my passport.

“The things I missed, the routes I couldn’t take, the extra checks I was subjected to, the delays I experienced just because of my passport. Me and my passport have seen shege promax in the last 52+ hours.” She wrote in a separate post on Instagram.