Atiku Abubakar has formally submitted his presidential nomination forms at the secretariat of African Democratic Congress in Abuja, signalling his intention to contest in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.   According to Punch Newspapers, the former vice president announced the submission on Thursday via his verified X account, describing the move as a significant step in what he called a broader mission to rebuild the country.   Atiku said the bid represents more than another campaign, framing it as a national movement focused on restoring prosperity and reversing what he described as the nation’s decline. He said the project was built on “hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair”.   The former presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party also urged Nigerians across regional, ethnic and religious lines to support his ambition, saying unity would be key to restoring the country’s promise.   His declaration comes as political activity around the 2027 general election gathers pace, with parties beginning early positioning and aspirants publicly testing support ahead of formal campaign timelines. Punch reported that Atiku’s submission took place at the ADC national secretariat in Abuja and was accompanied by his public call for a broad coalition of Nigerians to back his candidacy.

Former Peter Obi has criticised the raid by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, describing the use of teargas inside the medical facility as reckless and dangerous.   According to Punch Newspapers, Obi said on Thursday that although the EFCC has constitutional powers to carry out investigations, the operation at the Uyo hospital raised serious concerns over how some agencies exercise that authority.   The Labour Party figure said reports showed EFCC operatives fired teargas canisters within the hospital during Tuesday’s operation, forcing patients and medical workers to flee. He said the action endangered lives and disrupted healthcare delivery at a critical institution.   The raid was linked to the verification of a medical report submitted in a case before the Federal High Court in Uyo. The visit reportedly escalated into a clash, with claims that teargas and live rounds were discharged. Four hospital workers, including Professor Effiong Ekpe, were arrested, while others sustained injuries.   Obi said the arrest of a specialist surgeon in such circumstances sent the wrong message to healthcare workers already under pressure in Nigeria’s overstretched medical system. He noted that only about 80 cardiothoracic surgeons currently serve Nigeria’s population, with Professor Ekpe reportedly the only one based in Akwa Ibom State.   He argued that no official assignment justified deploying teargas in a hospital, stressing that public institutions must uphold civility and respect for citizens.   The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Ememabasi Bassey, said the EFCC team arrived without prior notice to management and without presenting a warrant. He also said the medical report being investigated was fake and suggested possible internal collaboration.   The EFCC has denied invading the hospital. Its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said officers were there on official duty. Meanwhile, medical unions at the hospital have begun an indefinite strike, demanding sanctions against the operatives involved, compensation for injured staff and repairs to damaged property.

A Anamekwe Nwabuoku-linked luxury duplex in Abuja and shares worth nearly N2 billion have been permanently forfeited to the federal government after a ruling by the Federal High Court.   The order, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, follows Nwabuoku’s earlier conviction over an N868.4 million fraud and money laundering case.   According to TheCable, the court granted an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking final forfeiture of assets traced to the former acting accountant-general.   The assets include a five-bedroom duplex in Abuja, cash worth N288 million and shares valued at N1,941,805,342 as of March 29, 2026. The court held that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activity and approved their transfer to the federal government.   Nwabuoku was sentenced in March to 72 years in prison after being found guilty on nine counts. The sentence will run concurrently, meaning he will serve the terms at the same time.   The EFCC had accused him of conspiring with companies including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited to convert funds believed to be proceeds of crime.   Justice Omotosho said the forfeiture order was based on evidence already established during the criminal trial, which resulted in the former AGF’s conviction.

Cuba has been hit by worsening nationwide blackouts after the government said its fuel reserves had run dry, triggering fresh protests in parts of the capital, Havana.   According to Channels Television, the crisis intensified on Thursday after authorities confirmed that oil shipments from Russia had been exhausted, leaving the island struggling to keep its electricity grid running.   Eastern regions of Cuba were plunged into another prolonged power outage, while dozens of residents gathered in San Miguel del Padrón, on the outskirts of Havana, to protest repeated electricity cuts and worsening living conditions.   Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told state television that Russian oil reserves had been depleted. He said the US embargo was worsening the country’s access to fuel imports, adding that Cuba was still unable to secure enough supplies to stabilise electricity generation.   The blackout crisis has become one of the most visible signs of Cuba’s economic struggles. The island has faced rolling outages for months, with many households relying on firewood for cooking as electricity failures stretch for hours each day.   Washington has continued to blame Cuba’s internal economic management for the collapse, while Havana insists long-standing US sanctions are a major cause of the shortages. The US recently announced an additional $100 million aid package for the country, even as diplomatic tensions remain strained.   The latest protests are notable because public demonstrations are relatively rare in Cuba, where the communist government maintains tight controls over political dissent. Recent outages have added to frustration over inflation, food shortages and transport disruptions.