Tehran is prepared to respond if necessary - Iran’s parliament speaker dismisses Trump threats

The Iranian parliament speaker who is also the head negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismisses the US threats, saying Tehran is prepared to respond if necessary.

The Tehran’s delegation walked out of the talks with the US in Switzerland in protest against threats made by US President Donald Trump, Iran’s state-affiliated Tasnim news agency reports, citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team.

American President Donald Trump has threatened the Iranian officials in Switzerland that they won’t make it back to Iran if they close the Strait of Hormuz while Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu bombs Lebanon.

According to Fox News, Trump says he spoke with Iranian officials and told them, "You close the Strait of Hormuz and you won't have a country." He also told them, "You won't even make it back to your fucking country."

Despite this claim Iran has closed the Strait of Hormu adding that the ceasefire agreement must be respected by both the US and State of Israel.

Ghalibaf has said the US should be careful with its statements, warning that Iran’s armed forces are "ready to respond".

Tehran dismissed claims that an agreement has been reached with the United States on reducing its enriched uranium stockpile, insisting that nuclear issues are not part of the current round of talks and will not be discussed until Washington fulfills key obligations under the memorandum of understanding. 

Iran's Fars reported that Tehran insisted that implementation of commitments related to Lebanon, sanctions relief, maritime restrictions, and frozen Iranian assets must come first. 

Iranian officials also stated that IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has no role in the ongoing negotiations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that $6 billion frozen assets in Qatar will be returned to Tehran as part of a preliminary deal between Iran and the US. “With the start of the negotiations from today, the $6 billion we have in Qatar will also be unfrozen and returned to our country,” Pezeshkian said in statements carried by the state broadcaster IRIB.

Trump warned Iran of new powerful strikes over the situation in Lebanon. "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble"

G7 photo op: Neither I Nor Italy Ever Beg" — Prime Minister Meloni fires back at Trump

 

A G7 photo op has turned into a full-blown international spat as Italian Prime Minister Meloni fires back at Trump

US President Trump had slammed Italian PM Giorgia Meloni after she publicly sounded off, rejecting his claims that she repeatedly asked for a photo with him, calling his comments "completely made up."

 Meloni said: "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."

Donald Trump accused Meloni of wanting to be friends again after the U.S. military victory over Iran and suggesting she was trying to boost her political standing at home.

His response ended with a blunt message: "No thanks!"

“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. " As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done.

"That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation."

'In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”

Meanwhile, Iranians are just coming out of American and Israeli war more stronger than ever. American allies refused to join the war against Tehran.

Iran's negotiating team led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has left Tehran for Switzerland ahead of technical talks with the United States, which Pakistan says will start on Sunday. US Vice-President JD Vance is also expected to join them in Switzerland, CNN reported citing a US official.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also part of the Iranian delegation, according to the reports by Tehran outlets.

The team also includes Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati and Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy for international affairs at the secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei and Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Boord are also accompanying the delegation.

Following Israel's continuous bombing in Lebanon, Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.

Tehran said the move was taken in response to what it called a U.S. violation of the war-ending memorandum of understanding, ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations, continued killings in southern Lebanon, and Israel's failure to withdraw from the area.

Lebanon health ministry confirmed over 4000 killed by Israeli attacks.

Iran described the closure as only the "first step" and warned that further measures could follow if the situation continues.

The Rapture, the Capture and the Rupture of Today's Labour Party

Apagun 

On the beautiful morning of January 19th 2026, every member of the Labour Party was expecting a judgement that will make or mar the political party that has been entrenched in a long legal battle of ownership, but was greatly disappointed that the judgement had been adjourned. The atmosphere was tensed as everyone can sense prevailing danger, sniffing a tilt from the cliff of the mountain, whosoever side that received the shocks will definitely lose the locks to the national Secretariat. It was adjourned to 21st of January, as some believed it was not too bad but to some like me, I was jittery.

Then came the moment, I couldn't muster the courage to monitor it live, but moments after the historical judgement, news filtered out, it was a moment of intense pleasure, joy, or overwhelming ecstasy. A moment the supporters of the Nnenadi Usman's faction was raptured!

*The Rapture: When mandate vanishes into thin air*  

While we were enraptured and jubilant, some disappointed and dissatisfied political apologists quickly reconvened together watching closely as the events unfolded, switching allegiance and repositioning themselves at the highest level, mediating and negotiating positions down to the grassroots at the expense of those who sought, aligned, fought and were greatly persecuted for standing up for this today's leadership of Labour Party yesterday. I can vividly remember November 17th 2024, when we broke out of the Abure faction to declare our support for the Caretaker Committee and inaugurate the Interim Executive Committee (IEC) of the Ogun State Labour Party, under heavy security at the expense of our blood, televised and broadcasted through Arise TV, Channels TV, published by Tribune, Punch, Vanguard and several bloggers.

Hence, our invitation to the Labour House during a retreat organized by the NTC, the Labour Movement and the Caretaker Committee when the horizon was opaque and the hope was slim. We gave Obiora Ifoh, some hard nuts to crack as he was forced to be making several counter press conferences and releases against us in order to quel the political inferno that would have consumed Abure if not checkmated, while Com. Tokunbo Peters, my dear brother, the erstwhile Publicity Secretary in Ogun State was given a sleepless nights as he engaged us day after day while we continued to wax stronger. We became a nightmare to Mr.Kehinde Sogunle and Com.Lookman Abiodun Jagun who was the State Chairman.

Now, think of the state Congress as an altar after surviving threats, persecution, unlawful arrests, defamation of characters, contempts as the Patriots are being sidelines while the traitors were being rewarded as we were being misrepresented, misconceived by reason of the calculated propaganda. During the Congresses, Delegates voted, winners are called, hands are raised. That moment should be a rapture: a lifting of the people's choice into public record. Instead, the national leadership performed a surgical mutilation. Results were edited mid-air. Names of actual winners were replaced by those who did not even participate before the communique cooled. While the report by the INEC clearly shows Apagun Olaolu Samuel emerged winner as the Chairman and published by the INEC through their notice board, the falsified memo to the INEC by the national leadership of the party states otherwise, causing confusion and frictions within the state structures.

It’s like a referee blowing the final whistle, the stadium erupts, then someone in the VIP box rewinds the tape and declares a different team scored. The crowd still heard the cheer, but the scoreboard was rewritten. That’s not correction. That’s erasure. If internal democratic processes are not allowed to thrive and prevail in democratic institutions, definitely like Fela said, "Democracy can then be best defined as demonstration of crazy people".

*The Capture: Institutional hijack in slow motion* 

 

Undemocratic handling of Congress disputes is not chaos. It’s capture. When the party’s national organs treat every case emanating from the state as a threat to be managed, not a voice to be heard, in an institutional party that believes in Equal Opportunities and Social Justice, the institution stops being a platform and becomes a vault. Only those with the combination get to decide who walks in.  

 A bank built with depositors’ money, but only the manager’s cousins can make withdrawals. The structure stands, the sign remains, but the purpose has been kidnapped. The Labour Party was built as an alternative to godfather politics, and as it appears to be now, it's been captured, though not been kept under lock and keys but soonest might be turned into what it once fought.

The Rupture: What breaks when trust is replaced

Mutilating Congress results and swapping winners does three things at once:  

1. Ruptures legitimacy: If members can’t trust the process, they can’t defend the product.  

2. Ruptures morale: Volunteers who campaigned, mobilized, and voted learn that fidelity has no reward.  

3. Ruptures identity: A party called “Labour” loses its moral wage. Workers respect rules. When rules are bent, the name becomes irony.  

Just like a rope bridge. Each Congress is a plank. Replace the plank with paper board, and the bridge still looks crossable from a distance. The rupture happens only when weight is applied. Elections are weight. Democracy inside a party is not decoration. It’s diagnostics. When internal elections are mutilated, the party loses the ability to detect its own weakness. You can’t strategize if you don’t know who actually won. You can’t mobilize if members believe the game is fixed. And you can’t claim to fight external impunity while practicing internal impunity.

The Labour Party’s current crisis isn’t just about names on a list. It’s about whether the party will be a movement or a monument. Movements correct themselves. Monuments are corrected by history.

Rapture lifts. Capture holds. Rupture breaks. Today’s Labour Party is suspended between all three. What happens next depends on whether leadership restores the mandate or keeps rewriting it.

©Apagun Olaolu Samuel

Chairman, 

Ogun State Labour Party

Why A Federal High Court Ordered Deregistration of ADC, Accord Party, APP, AA, ZLP

A Federal High Court Monday ordered the electoral umpire to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Accord Party and three other political parties.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while delivering judgement in a suit instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

Justice Lifu predicated his decision on the grounds that the affected political parties did not meet Section 225 of the Constitution.

The other political parties the court directed the electoral body to deregister are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The National Forum of Former Legislators had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, prayed the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.

It was the position of the plaintiff that the five political parties listed as defendants in the matter had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

The former legislators stressed that the requirements include winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.


They told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government.

The litigants insisted that the continued existence of these five political parties as recognised political parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral system.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties.

It further urged the court to compel the commission to deregister the five political parties before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.

Beyond declaratory reliefs, the plaintiff prayed the court to restrain the five affected parties from participating in general elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries.

It also sought a court injunction restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with the parties in any official capacity unless and until they strictly comply with constitutional provisions.

The judgment may affect the chances of candidates of the affected political parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to contest the 2027 presidential poll.

Incumbent Governor of Osun State Ademola Adeleke if the Accord Party may be facing major political setback.

It's hopeful that such judgement will be challenged at the Appeal Court.

Opposition political parties have been facing disorganization, sponsored disorderliness and brutal infiltrations and attacks including using the judiciary like never before in the political history of this country under the Bola Tinubu led pro terrorists government.  The security, Sociopolitical and economy of the country remains unsafe and uncertain as more than majority of the citizens are wallowing in abject poverty in the face of insecurity already destined the incumbent ruling party to lose the 2027 general elections.

JUNE 12 RALLY: TMN , CSOs call for Nationwide improve security, justice and accountability (PHOTOS)

The Movement Nigeria (TMN) SECURITY FRAMEWORK: SIX PILLARS FOR A SAFER NIGERIA

 Secure Every School Initiative

Every public and private school in Nigeria should be protected through a coordinated national school security program.

This program should include:

* Dedicated School Protection Units.

* Security technology and emergency alert systems.

* Perimeter protection infrastructure.

* Regular security audits.

* Community-based school safety partnerships.

Schools must remain places of learning, not targets of fear.

2. Intelligence-Led Security Architecture

Modern security challenges require modern solutions.

Nigeria must strengthen:

* Intelligence gathering.

* Inter-agency collaboration.

* Real-time information sharing.

* Digital surveillance capabilities.

* Data-driven crime prevention systems.

Successful nations defeat criminal networks not merely with force, but with superior intelligence.

3. Community Security Partnership

Security cannot be achieved by government alone.

Every community must become an active partner in safeguarding lives and property.

This requires:

* Community policing structures.

* Local security volunteer networks.

* Traditional institution participation.

* Youth engagement programs.

* Early-warning reporting systems.

Citizens are often the first to notice emerging threats.

4. Economic Empowerment as a Security Strategy

Lasting peace requires economic opportunity.

Millions of young Nigerians possess enormous potential but lack access to productive opportunities.

TMN advocates:

* Large-scale agricultural empowerment programs.

* Agro-processing hubs.

* Skills acquisition initiatives.

* Entrepreneurship financing.

* Rural economic development projects.

Every young person productively employed is one less person vulnerable to recruitment into criminal activities.

5. Border Security and National Sovereignty*

Nigeria must strengthen the protection of its borders through:

* Advanced surveillance technology.

* Border monitoring systems.

* Improved immigration controls.

* Regional security cooperation.

* Enhanced maritime and land border security.

National security begins with effective control of national territory.

6. Justice, Accountability and Victim Support

Criminality thrives where accountability is weak.

Nigeria must ensure:

* Swift prosecution of terrorism financiers.

* Stronger anti-money laundering enforcement.

* Protection of witnesses.

* Compensation for victims and affected families.

* Rehabilitation support for rescued victims.

Justice must be visible, fair and effective.

PRESS STATEMENT: NIGERIA MUST PROTECT HER PEOPLE: A CALL FOR NATIONAL ACTION, COMPASSION AND SECURITY REFORM

By The Movement Nigeria (TMN)

Fellow Nigerians,

Today, we gather not as representatives of any political interest, ethnic group, religion or region, but as concerned citizens united by a shared sense of humanity and patriotism.

Our hearts are with every family currently experiencing the pain of insecurity, particularly the parents, teachers and loved ones of the school children and citizens who remain in captivity across different parts of our country.

No nation can truly prosper when its people live in fear.

No parent should send a child to school uncertain of their safety.

No teacher should be forced to choose between educating children and preserving their own life.

No community should live under the constant threat of violence, kidnapping or displacement.

The Movement Nigeria (TMN) is organizing this candlelight gathering in Oyo State as a solemn moment of reflection, solidarity and national responsibility.

We remember every victim.

We stand with every affected family.

We pray for the safe return of every person currently in captivity.

We honor the sacrifices of our security personnel who continue to put their lives on the line daily in defense of our nation.

At this difficult moment, Nigeria does not need more division. Nigeria needs leadership, compassion, courage and practical solutions.

The security challenges confronting our nation were not created overnight, and they will not disappear overnight. However, history shows that countries facing similar threats have successfully restored peace through determined leadership, institutional reforms, community participation and sustained economic development.

Countries such as Colombia significantly reduced insurgency and kidnapping through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated security reforms.

Rwanda rebuilt national security through strong institutions, local vigilance structures and national unity programs.

Indonesia weakened extremist networks through effective intelligence gathering, community engagement and targeted security operations.

Singapore continues to maintain one of the safest societies in the world through efficient policing, technology, strong institutions and strict accountability.

Nigeria can learn from these experiences while developing solutions tailored to our own realities.

*THE AGADA SECURITY FRAMEWORK: SIX PILLARS FOR A SAFER NIGERIA*

*1. Secure Every School Initiative*

Every public and private school in Nigeria should be protected through a coordinated national school security program.

This program should include:

* Dedicated School Protection Units.

* Security technology and emergency alert systems.

* Perimeter protection infrastructure.

* Regular security audits.

* Community-based school safety partnerships.

Schools must remain places of learning, not targets of fear.

*2. Intelligence-Led Security Architecture*

Modern security challenges require modern solutions.

Nigeria must strengthen:

* Intelligence gathering.

* Inter-agency collaboration.

* Real-time information sharing.

* Digital surveillance capabilities.

* Data-driven crime prevention systems.

Successful nations defeat criminal networks not merely with force, but with superior intelligence.

*3. Community Security Partnership*

Security cannot be achieved by government alone.

Every community must become an active partner in safeguarding lives and property.

This requires:

* Community policing structures.

* Local security volunteer networks.

* Traditional institution participation.

* Youth engagement programs.

* Early-warning reporting systems.

Citizens are often the first to notice emerging threats.

*4. Economic Empowerment as a Security Strategy*

Lasting peace requires economic opportunity.

Millions of young Nigerians possess enormous potential but lack access to productive opportunities.

TMN advocates:

* Large-scale agricultural empowerment programs.

* Agro-processing hubs.

* Skills acquisition initiatives.

* Entrepreneurship financing.

* Rural economic development projects.

Every young person productively employed is one less person vulnerable to recruitment into criminal activities.

*5. Border Security and National Sovereignty*

Nigeria must strengthen the protection of its borders through:

* Advanced surveillance technology.

* Border monitoring systems.

* Improved immigration controls.

* Regional security cooperation.

* Enhanced maritime and land border security.

National security begins with effective control of national territory.

*6. Justice, Accountability and Victim Support*

Criminality thrives where accountability is weak.

Nigeria must ensure:

* Swift prosecution of terrorism financiers.

* Stronger anti-money laundering enforcement.

* Protection of witnesses.

* Compensation for victims and affected families.

* Rehabilitation support for rescued victims.

Justice must be visible, fair and effective.

*A NATIONAL CALL*

We call upon all levels of government, security institutions, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, faith leaders, labour unions, professional groups and citizens to work together in confronting insecurity.

The safety of Nigerians must remain above politics.

The protection of lives must remain our highest priority.

The future of our children must remain our greatest responsibility.

We therefore demand every lawful and necessary effort toward securing the immediate and safe release of all persons currently held captive by criminal elements anywhere in Nigeria.

We also call for sustained reforms that address not only the symptoms of insecurity, but its root causes.

Nigeria possesses the resources, the institutions, the talent and the people required to overcome these challenges.

What is required is collective resolve, strategic leadership and national unity.

The Movement Nigeria remains committed to working with labour organizations, professional bodies, educational institutions, community leaders and patriotic Nigerians to develop practical policy solutions capable of restoring security, prosperity and hope to our nation.

Through initiatives such as the Labour Institute, LabourDirect.com and other national development platforms, we will continue to contribute ideas, policies and partnerships aimed at building a safer and more productive Nigeria.

Let this candlelight gathering not only honor the victims of insecurity but also renew our collective determination to build a nation where every citizen can live, learn, work and prosper in peace.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sir Dele Abiola

South-West Coordinator

*For: The Movement Nigeria (TMN)*

WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE: Unveiling of Arc. Peter Agada Presidential Campaign, Labour Institute, LabourDirect.com, TMN Candlelight Vigil for Kidnapped Oyo School Children & Teachers, Bandit Captives in Kwara, Niger State, Borno

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL OF ARC. DR. PETER AGADA

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL

Cyrus Group Place, Plot C22 Cyrus Group Drive, Behind Gilmore Engineering Maityard, Katampe-Dawaki Extension, Abuja.

Phone: 08034633717

Email: pappcnigeria@gmail.com

Website: peteragada2027.ng

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE

Unveiling of Arc. Peter Agada Presidential Campaign, Labour Institute, LabourDirect.com & the Peter Agada-TMN Candlelight Vigil for Kidnapped Oyo School Children & Teachers, Bandit Captives in Kwara, Niger State, Borno

Being Press Statement by Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, 2027 Presidential Hopeful & TMN National Support Network, Delivered Today Monday June 8, 2026 in Abuja FCT

Fellow Nigerians,

Representatives of the national executive council of Young Progressives Party (YPP) present,

Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Civil Society Organizations present,

Officials of The Movement Nigeria (TMN),

Gentlemen of the Press.

On behalf of the various esteemed interest groups with mutually connected political, union based and civil society initiatives captured in the heading of our conference paper, I warmly welcome you to this very important media conference.

To foster proper understanding of the various bodies described above and the meeting point of their objectives, indulge me to explain the core of each subject matter in as brief yet illuminating depth as possible.

1. The Movement Nigeria (TMN):

TMN is a nationwide congress of patriotic Nigerians, civil society groups and peer leaders from every walk of life. Membership of TMN cuts across tribes, religions, professions and the labour unions of Nigeria.

In many ways, therefore, TMN is a mother canopy which warehouses scores of social-political organizations of like-minded Nigerians, home and abroad.

These broad-based groups spread across entire Nigeria believe in me as a man whose time has come to invest his enormous accomplishments, decisive leadership strength, energies and steel of a youthful paragon into the race for the President of Nigeria; a faith that coincides with my own deep inner conviction a long time ago that I have more than what it takes to fix our country and stun the world with the brand new story of a brand new Nigeria. Today, I feel both honoured and challenged by such depth of trust to justify to our country their immense vote of confidence by vying for the highest political office of our land.

2. Departure from Labour Party

In their faith in me, the TMN network worldwide freely contributed millions of naira to back their conviction. When the party leaders approached me to support the enormous financial cost of its national convention, they emphatically made it clear to me that there was no encumbrance to anyone who wished to contest the presidential ticket of the party. After that clarification, the TMN facilitated my picking the presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for the ticket of the Labour Party. I was subsequently screened by the party for the presidential race on May 6, 2026, precisely eight days after its national convention at Umuahia, Abia state.

I need to emphasize that before the convention, combined with seducing persuasions by the Labour Party's national leadership to the effect that they would support me for the party's presidential ticket, I jointly funded the national convention of the party which held as scheduled at Umuahia, Abia state, on April 28, 2026.

I spent considerable funds to commence building my nationwide presidential campaign structures after a successful screening on May 6, 2026, an exercise which affirmed my impeccable qualifications to run for the highest office in Nigeria under the platform of the Labour Party.

All of these expenses went down only for the Labour Party to suddenly wake up from a memory loss on May 28, 2026, only one day to its presidential primary, to send a letter to me stating that they had disqualified me from the presidential ticket because I was from the Middle Belt of Nigeria. They claimed that the presidential ticket of the party had been zoned to the South, which was of course, a brazen cruel lie. Acknowledging this lie, the party's own screening committee report set up after the Umuahia convention affirmed and advised the leadership of the Labour Party that there is no provision in the party's constitution for zoning.

3. The Journey from Labour Party to YPP

I went into this detail for three reasons. First, it is for my large supporters in the Labour Party nationwide and Nigeria at large to understand why I left the party in search of another political party which reflects my beliefs, principles and commitment to truth and justice. Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to inform you that I have now found all these qualities in the Young Progressives Party. I pray that this will continue to be so in our journey together to the future.

The second reason I have taken time to explain my betrayal and exit from the Labour Party under its present leadership, which is evidently steeped in incredible insincerity, tribal myopia and repression, is this: I need to publicly put on record, without leaving the smallest iota of doubts in the minds of the TMN movement nationwide, that I was transparent and blameless in the temporary loss of their hard-earned financial contributions to my nascent presidential project.

The third reason for this detail is that as a justice and good governance advocacy body, the board of trustees and leadership of TMN nationwide has determined to leave no stone unturned in lawful efforts to recover their collectively contributed funds from the Labour Party. To prove my innocence relating to the missing funds before their eyes and sundry funding support stakeholders, I am constrained to cooperate with TMN and to proceed above suspicion by conceding to their lawful right to interrogate the swindled funds in court. To this end, court proceedings bordering on fraud and obtaining under false pretense has been served today at the instance of the TMN on the Labour Party and the party's felony confederates.

For further clarification which you may need on this, I will leave one of the operational leaders of TMN, who is here with us, to take your questions at the appropriate time during the conference.

4. LabourDirect.com

This is a ready-made, cross-sector digital platform which translates labour ideology to tangible development expectations and policy manifestos to manifestation of concrete, people serving social-economic end goals. This will be achieved by integrating policy, budgeting, and infrastructure planning for all 23 sectors of the Nigerian economy on one map, with one set of governing rules.

For brevity of this paper, I will crave your indulgence to elaborate on this during the question and answer interlude.

5. Labour Institute

The proposed Labour Institute of Nigeria is a non-partisan policy, research and leadership development institution to be established by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). It is conceived to institutionalize the ideologies of the global labour movement within Nigeria's democratic framework.

The Labour Institute shall provide an ideological baseline similar to "The Republican Institute" of the Republican Party and "The Democratic Institute" of the Democratic Party of the United States of America. The vision is currently in the pipeline for discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its sister labour centre, the Trade Union Congress (TUC). When established, it shall be the unions' ideological substation and finishing house for designing and implementing the multi-sector digital platforms, programmes and policy blueprints of the LabourDirect.com policy curriculum.

Similar to the Labour Institute discourse, I will also crave your indulgence to elaborate on this during your question and answer break.

6. Candlelight Vigil for Kidnapped Oyo School Children & Teachers, Other Victims Throughout Nigeria

It is saddening that since May 15, 2026, 46 Nigerians involving tender school children and their teachers, in front of whom one of them was beheaded in horrendous bestiality, including a 19months old baby, little Christiana Akanbi, have been kidnapped by terrorists.

It is sickening that since then to date these innocent Nigerians have been sleeping in the jungle bush under the rains at night and hoping against hope of rescue during no less frightful excruciating hours at day.

It is necessary to rally our nation together to aggregate much more tangible and sustainable efforts to ensure that these innocent young children and their teachers are safely rescued and re-united unhurt to their suffering families. This should be the case, not only for the Oyo saga but for similar victims of abduction in Niger, Kwara, Borno and everywhere else throughout Nigeria against whom terrorists and bandits have continued to perpetuate this extreme level of human rights abuse. This is why TMN is holding this candlelight vigil in Oyo state this Wednesday June 10, 2026.

Finally, I wish to thank the NLC, TUC, YPP, civil society representatives and other well-meaning Nigerians for their partnership in the solidarity vigil for our abducted children and compatriots.

Thank you.

Long live, The Movement Nigeria (TMN). Long live, Young Nigeria Progressives Party (YPP). Long live, Workers and Labour Unions of Nigeria. Long live, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ARC. DR. PETER AGADA 2027 

Presidential Hopeful

Young Progressives Party (YPP)

The GRAVITY, the CAVITY, and the CAPTIVITY OF THE NIGERIAN POLITICAL SPACE

As the Nigerian political space is being unnecessarily and increasingly overheated, political timetable compressed by INEC, electoral guidelines being changed abruptly amidst the game, and fulfillment of all electoral activities being swiftly runned by political parties in the wrong directions as petitions, rejoinders, counter petitions and court papers are flying here and there bore testimony to lack of adequate preparation and information dissemination from the electoral body and political parties. Several factions are shooting out dailies from political parties as the incumbent are not left out as they tarried long enough in some states awaiting the ruling party in such a state to cave in to the official party of the incumbent government.

Nigerian politics no longer lives only in Abuja conference rooms. It lives on X, in Nollywood skits, in Afrobeats lyrics, in WhatsApp broadcast lists. It pulls like a magnet, echoes like an empty hall, and traps like a cage. Gravity, cavity, captivity. Three forces shaping every election, protest, and debate. From 2023 till now, Nigerian politics moved from handshake deals at the grassroots and communities to hashtag wars, the space became a stadium, gravity pulls everyone in through social media, cavity left us shouting in the void, captivity kept the doors locked and the last four years has proven that.

*The Gravity: Why does everyone get pulled in*  

Gravity is mass and pull/attention, Nigerian politics has both now in record amount, though it is likely to decline as some of first timers weakling politicians and social media influencers are no longer operating at the level they did in 2023, political godfather's and electoral management officers taught them lessons they will not forget so soon.

1. Culture and Ethnicity is the campaign*: Prevalent ethnicity turn by turn and the new cultural trend of Influencers forming public opinion is generating more of the gravitational force than reasonable blueprint of redemption for Nigeria. From Fela’s yabis to Burna’s "Monsters You Made", music does what manifestos can’t. A single tweet from Wizkid or Davido shifts more votes than a party rally in some states. "Soro Soke" from 2020 EndSARS became the campaign language in 2023. Peter Obi’s movement was powered less by party structure and more by Afrobeats fans, skit makers, Twitter spaces. Davido, Falz, Aisha Yesufu became de facto campaign managers. For the first time, a candidate’s Spotify playlist mattered as much as his party manifesto.  

2. Youth are the mass: 70% of Nigerians are under 35.. That’s not just a demographic. It’s a gravitational field. "Obidients", "Soro Soke", "No gree for anybody" Apagunmanians, in the Ogun State Labour Party fast spreading across the southwest— these weren’t party slogans. They were cultural movements that dragged politics into everyday talk. They were not bought, or sought, they were pulled by the force of gravity, they organically sprouted as a movement beyond party boundaries to fill in the political cavity..

INEC said over 37m voters collected PVCs before 2023, and most were 18-34. That’s gravity. TikTok explainers on BVAS got more views than NTA debates. In 2027, that mass is older, more cynical, and already organizing on WhatsApp communities and X Spaces before parties even pick candidates.  

3. Outrage is the orbit: Bad news travels faster than policy. One viral video of police brutality or failed infrastructure pulls more attention than a 50-page budget. Once you’re in orbit, silence feels like betrayal. My daughter engaged me on social media visibility and wishes someone will drag her, particularly someone whose followers runs to millions, which will advertently rubbed on her media visibility, but having a media visibility without a matching ground structure sometimes make a political party fizzle out in the shortest period of time. Imagine the "Ikeja City Mall protest", "Obidients" Twitter trends, even APC's "Emilokan clips" ---these pulled more national conversation than traditional rallies. If it didn't trend, it didn't exist. Contents creators and campaign strategists are already being engaged rather than the ward coordinators for 2027 elections .

The Cavity: The empty space inside the noise*  

Cavity is the hollow part between sound and substance, the 2023's noise and the 2027's risk.

2023 has already exposed the influence of the social media in shaping public opinion, but that of 2027 will surely deepen it. For all the noise, the center is often empty.  

1. Sound over substance: We debate vibes, not data. "He’s young" vs "He’s experienced" replaces "Here’s his plan for power". Hashtags trend for 48 hours, then vanish. We spent months arguing BVAS, IReV, "upload issues". Huge noise, but little post-election deep-dive on electoral reform from citizens. The trend died after the Supreme Court judgment. Sound came, substance left.  

2. Performance over policy: Politicians now campaign like influencers. Photo ops with less town halls meeting and engagement with electorates at the grassroots. Dance videos greater debt profiles. The stage is full, but the script is thin. Slogans beat policies: "Renewed Hope", "Take Back Nigeria", "Emilokan". Catchy, yes. But ask 10 voters to explain the actual policy difference on power or FX and the room goes quiet. 2027 is already shaping up with early slogans before white papers.  

3. Amnesia over accountability: Each scandal resets the conversation. We remember the outrage, forget the follow-up. The space echoes, but nothing solid stays inside.Lekki tollgate, cash scarcity protests, subsidy removal pain. Each dominated feeds for days, then vanished when the next viral video dropped. No sustained pressure, no scorecards. The hall echoes, but nothing sticks to the walls

 

The Captivity: How the game keeps us locked?

Captivity is the cage both leaders and citizens built.  

1. Party structures: Godfather politics, delegate buying, zoning formulas. New voices enter, but the rules don’t change, hopes are raised when new leaders are being ushered in, but before you blink your eyes twice, you realize that a well known devil is better than an imaginary angel. You can shout, but you still play by their playbook. Even shouting is an offense, and if you fail to shout, how will you be heard?. In order for them to secure their offices, they replaced a lawful and legally backed state Congresses up to twenty one state in the case of my political party with a stroke of pen in a lofty office in Abuja against the will of the people who lined up under a scorching sun to vote whom the knew, want and believed in 

2. Clout incentives: For citizens, speaking up brings likes but also risk. Cancel culture, EFCC threats, "they will come for you". So we perform activism instead of organizing it.  

3. Fear as bars: Fear of the past. Fear of "the other tribe". Fear of wasting your vote. That fear keeps voters choosing "lesser evil" instead of "better idea". Everyone knows the cage exists. Few test the lock.

Can we break the pattern?

Gravity won’t disappear. Culture will always pull people into politics, and that’s good. But a space can’t survive on gravity alone. The cavity needs filling: with policy literacy, with local organizing, with attention spans longer than a trend. The captivity needs testing: by new candidates, by issue-based voting, by citizens who move from tweets to wards.

Nigerian politics is loud, magnetic, and stuck. The question isn’t whether we feel the pull. It’s whether we’ll fill the hollow, and find the key. 2023 gave us the loudest political pop space Nigeria has ever seen, 2027 will decide if we use that noise to build something solid, or just turn the volume up again. 

*Apagun Olaolu Samuel*

Chairman 

Labour Party, Ogun State