LIONFACE NEWS INTERNATIONAL

  What the Edo State ADC Must Do to Win the Presidential Election As Nigeria approaches another defining presidential election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State stands at a critical crossroads. Winning Edo’s votes will not happen by chance; it will require strategy, discipline, grassroots mobilization, and clear leadership. To succeed, the party must fully activate its structures, empower women and youths, ensure responsible leadership at the state level, and intelligently exploit the weaknesses and contradictions of the ruling party at the national level. The foundation of any electoral victory is a solid grassroots presence. The ADC in Edo State must strengthen its ward, local government, and senatorial district structures. Party offices should not exist only in name; they must function as mobilization and coordination centers. Regular town hall meetings, community outreach programs, and issue-based engagement will help the party connect with voters at the gr...

By Hon Daniel Asekhame  In a significant escalation of international counter-terrorism efforts, the United States military launched airstrikes against ISIS-linked militant groups in northwest Nigeria in late December 2025. The strikes, which targeted extremist positions near Sokoto State, were carried out with the approval and cooperation of the Nigerian government , marking a major moment in the decades-long fight against violent extremism in West Africa. Nigeria has faced a persistent security crisis for more than a decade, with multiple armed groups operating across its northern and central regions. Most notably, the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, while Islamic State-aligned fighters have expanded operations into the northwest. Traditional security forces have struggled to contain these threats due to gaps in intelligence, equipment, and coordination. In this context, the United States — already a partner in intelli...

A Christmas Message of Gratitude, Hope, and a Call for Peace in Nigeria As we celebrate this Christmas season, our hearts are filled with gratitude to Almighty God for the gift of life, love, and preservation. Christmas reminds us of God’s mercy and faithfulness, and as Nigerians, we are thankful that He has kept us alive and in good health despite the many challenges we have faced as a nation. We give thanks to God for sustaining families, communities, and the entire country through the year. We are especially grateful for the gift of good health to Nigerians across all states and regions. In a time when many nations are battling sickness, hardship, and uncertainty, God has remained our refuge and strength. This Christmas is a reminder that even in difficult times, hope is alive and God’s grace is sufficient. However, as we celebrate, we cannot ignore the deep concerns facing our nation, particularly the growing insecurity. In Edo State and across Nigeria, citizens continue to live in...

  A TRIBUTE OF SYMPATHY AND CONSOLATION TO THE FAMILY OF CHARLES IDAHOSA The news of the passing of Charles Idahosa in Benin City, Edo State , has been received with deep sorrow and a heavy heart. His sudden departure has left a painful void, not only in the lives of his immediate family but also among friends, associates, and all who knew him. At moments like this, words often feel inadequate. Death is a profound reminder of the fragility of life, and the pain of losing a loved one is one of the hardest burdens any family can bear. Charles Idahosa’s life, however, was one that touched people in meaningful ways, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those he left behind. To the Idahosa family, we extend our deepest condolences. May you find strength in the love you shared with him, comfort in the memories you created together, and peace in knowing that his life was not lived in vain. Though he is no longer physically present, the values he stood for and the i...

HON DANIEL ASEKHAME  Why We Cannot Wait Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. For millions of citizens, patience has worn thin, hope has been stretched to its limits, and silence is no longer an option. The growing urge to change the current government is not driven by impatience or propaganda, but by lived realities: large-scale corruption, crushing taxation, entrenched nepotism and favoritism, a failed legislature, and pervasive rot across federal ministries. Nigerians cannot wait because survival itself is at stake. At the heart of the public anger is systemic corruption. Corruption in Nigeria is no longer hidden; it is brazen and institutionalized. Public funds meant for hospitals, schools, roads, security, and social welfare routinely disappear into private pockets. While citizens struggle to afford food, transportation, and basic healthcare, public officials live in obscene luxury, insulated from the hardship their decisions create. This betrayal of trust has destroyed con...

  Hon Daniel Asekhame.  As Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential election, political strategists and ordinary Nigerians alike are already assessing which parties might triumph where, and by what margins. Among the most challenging targets for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be replicating or exceeding its presidential performance in Edo State — a state historically known for competitive, fluid political loyalties and strong turnouts for opposition parties. To put the numbers in perspective: Edo State had about 2.5 million registered voters in 2023, but total accredited voters were far lower, around 600,000. In that election, the APC secured only a small fraction of the votes — far below the aspiration of 2.5 million votes from  Edo State. In the 2023 presidential election, Edo State voters gave the Labour Party (LP) dominant support, with the APC trailing far behind. According to detailed results: APC received just 37,728 votes (about 14%). Labour Part...

Hon Daniel Asekhame. Since assuming power in 2015, the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to office on the wings of massive public goodwill. Nigerians were promised renewed security, economic prosperity, an end to corruption, and a better standard of living. Nearly a decade later, many Nigerians are asking a painful question: what went wrong? One of the biggest failures of the APC has been the economy. Inflation has risen sharply, the cost of basic food items is beyond the reach of average citizens, and unemployment—especially among the youth—has reached alarming levels. The naira has continued to lose value, while salaries remain stagnant. For millions of Nigerians, survival has become a daily struggle. Insecurity, which APC once pledged to end decisively, has worsened. Banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal violence have spread across regions that were once relatively peaceful. Farmers can no longer access their lands freely, contributing to food shortages and higher pric...

  An been, an aide to Atiku Abubakar. Rather, my political history places me firmly among those who stood with Peter Obi in 2018, when Ndi Igbo collectively met with Atiku Abubakar in good faith. Everything that was said on that historic occasion—including the tears shed by Professor Ben Nwabueze in the pursuit of justice, equity, and national balance—cannot and must not be in vain. Today, many justify their political positions on the simplistic ground of “the turn of the South,” including the very “WIKES” who wished to become Atiku’s Vice-Presidential candidate in 2023. For my part, I have not seen, and I still do not see, anything “Southern” about the current Asiwaju-led APC Federal Government, either in composition, philosophy, or practice. More fundamentally, no one so far has clearly, credibly, or convincingly explained the strategy for winning the North, nor identified the political partner capable of delivering the North, so as to avoid the dangerous illusion of ...

Hon Daniel Asekhame .  As Nigeria moves steadily toward the 2027 general elections , the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faces both a historic opportunity and a formidable challenge. Public dissatisfaction with dominant political parties, rising youth political awareness, and growing demand for accountable leadership have created space for alternative platforms. For the ADC to convert this opening into electoral victory, the party must take deliberate, strategic, and people-centered steps. Unity remains the backbone of electoral success. The ADC must prioritize internal cohesion by resolving factional disputes early, enforcing party discipline, and promoting inclusive decision-making. A transparent internal democracy—especially in candidate selection—will help prevent defections and post-primary crises that have weakened many parties in the past. Winning elections in Nigeria is impossible without a solid grassroots base. The ADC must move beyond urban visibility and establish fun...

  Hon Daniel Asekhame.   Nigeria’s political landscape has long been dominated by a few major parties, most notably the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) represents a growing desire among many Nigerians for alternative political platforms capable of addressing persistent governance challenges. Since its formation, the ADC has gradually carved a space for itself in Nigeria’s evolving democratic experiment. The African Democratic Congress was founded in 2006 as a reform-oriented political party aimed at promoting good governance, social justice, and inclusive development. Initially operating at the margins of national politics, the party focused on building grassroots structures and presenting itself as a credible alternative to the dominant political forces. Its ideology emphasized internal democracy, rule of law, and people-centered leadership—values that resonated with ...

  The Edo State House of Assembly has received the 2026 Appropriation Bill from the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who presented a ₦939,850,000,000 (Nine hundred and thirty nine billion, eight hundred and fifty million) “Budget of Hope and Growth” aimed at consolidating gains recorded in 2025 and accelerating development across the state. Governor Okpebholo thanked the Speaker and lawmakers for their cooperation, noting that strong collaboration led to improved performance in the 2025 Budget, including increased Internally Generated Revenue through blocked leakages and stronger revenue systems. He highlighted key achievements in security, revealing that his administration tackled rising cultism, kidnapping and robbery through a stronger anti-cultism law, procurement of 80 patrol vehicles and 400 motorcycles, and the recruitment of 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, efforts he said have significantly reduced crime. In healthcare, the Governor announced the rebuil...

  By Lasisi Olagunju  (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday 15 December, 2025). General Sani Abacha was a great teacher. He pioneered the doctrine of consensus candidacy in Nigeria. He founded a country of five political parties and when it was time for the parties to pick their candidates for the presidency, all the five reached a consensus that the man fit for the job was Abacha himself. Today, from party primaries to consensus candidacy; from setting the opposition on fire, to everything and every thing, Abacha's students are showing exceptionally remarkable brilliance. Anti-Abacha democrats of 28 years ago are orchestrating and celebrating the collapse of opposition parties today. They are rejoicing at the prospect of a one-party, one-candidate presidential election in 2027. Abacha did the same. So, what are we saying? Children who set out to resemble their parents almost always exceed their mark; they recreate the parents in perfect form and format. Abacha was a de...

  A chieftain of the ADC in Edo State, and two term Owan West LGA Chairman of Owan West, Hon Daniel Asekhame, has commiserated with the family of the two, just-graduated students of the Ambrose Alli University, who got involved in a fatal accident in Ekpoma yesterday. The unfortunate incident happened along  the Benin - Auchi road in Ekpoma. The students, who were  celebrating their graduation from the University, collided fatally with a stationery truck on the road.  Hon Asekhame, who himself is a graduate of the Ambrose Alli University, said he empathises deeply with the parents of the students, one of whom have been confirmed to have passed on, while the other one is in critical condition at a hospital. He acknowledged that they will almost be inconsolable at this point, but urged them to take heart and submit to the situation they have found themselves in at this time. He prayed that God would grant them the courage and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. The...