Politics
US House Of Reps Passes Bill That Would Ban TikTok
The United States House of representatives has voted to in favor of the bill seeking to ban social media platform TikTok) in the country.Unless Its Parent Sells Ownership Stake.
The measure, which only gained momentum in the past few days, requires TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to sell the app within 180 days or see it barred from the Apple and Google app stores in the United States.
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or get banned from the United States.
The lawmakers voted 352 in favour of the proposed law and 65 against, in a rare moment of bipartisan unity in politically divided Washington.
The legislation threatens to be a major setback for the video-sharing app, which has surged in popularity across the world while causing nervousness about its Chinese ownership and its potential subservience to the Communist Party in Beijing.
The fate of the bill is uncertain in the Senate, where some key figures are apprehensive of making such a drastic move against an app that has 170 million US users.
President Joe Biden will sign the bill, known officially as the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” into law if it came to his desk, the White House has said.
The measure, which only gained momentum in the past few days, requires TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to sell the app within 180 days or see it barred from the Apple and Google app stores in the United States.
It also gives the president power to designate other applications to be a national security threat if under the control of a country considered adversarial to the US.
The resurgent campaign by Washington against TikTok came as a surprise to the company, the Wall Street Journal reported, with TikTok executives reassured when Biden joined the app last month as part of his campaign for a second term.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is in Washington, trying to shore up support to stop the bill.
“This latest legislation being rushed through at unprecedented speed without even the benefit of a public hearing, poses serious Constitutional concerns,” wrote Michael Beckerman, TikTok’s vice president for public policy.
– The Trump factor –to
The co-sponsors, House Republican Mike Gallagher and House Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, as well as the White House, argue that the bill is not a ban of TikTok, as long as the company divests from ByteDance.
China warned on Wednesday that the move will “inevitably come back to bite the United States.”
“Although the United States has never found evidence that TikTok threatens US national security, it has not stopped suppressing TikTok,” foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, condemning it as “bullying behavior.”
Republican lawmakers approved the bill, in an unusual act of defiance against Donald Trump.
In a turnaround from his earlier stance, Trump on Monday said he was against a ban, mainly because it would strengthen Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, which he called an “enemy of the people.”
When Trump was president, he attempted to wrest control of Tiktok from ByteDance, but was blocked by US courts.
Trump denied accusations that he changed his tune because a major investor in TikTok, hedge funder Jeff Yass, is donating to his 2024 election campaign.
“I think it will die in the Senate,” said representative Nancy Mace, a Trump ally. “This is not our job to this.”
Other efforts to ban TikTok have failed with a bill proposed a year ago getting nowhere largely over free speech concerns.
Similarly, a state law passed in Montana banning the platform was suspended by a federal court on the suspicion that it violated constitutional free speech rights.
TikTok staunchly denies any ties to the Chinese government and has restructured the company so the data of US users stays in the country, the company says.
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Politics
₦30 Million Lifeline: NANS Challenges Politicians as Attajiri Empowers Youths, Women in Gombe
By Our Correspondent
In a powerful demonstration of grassroots development and youth empowerment, the Attajiri Development Foundation has disbursed over ₦30 million to 60 beneficiaries across Balanga and Biliri Local Government Areas of Gombe State, providing each recipient with ₦500,000 to boost their businesses and livelihoods.
The intervention, which targeted youths and women, has been widely applauded as a bold step toward promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth within local communities. Beneficiaries were carefully selected based on their commitment to enterprise and readiness to expand their ventures, reflecting a strategic approach to ensuring long-term impact.
Reacting to the initiative, the Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone E, Muazu Hina, commended the effort and described it as both “remarkable and instructive.” He noted that the empowerment came from Hon. Alfred John Attajiri, an individual not currently occupying any public office, making the gesture even more significant.
Muazu Hina challenged politicians holding public office to rise to their responsibilities and deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to the people they represent. According to him, Attajiri’s intervention serves as a wake-up call to elected leaders who have access to public resources but have yet to make comparable impact in their constituencies.
“This act of generosity and commitment to grassroots development clearly reflects true leadership, compassion, and a vision for community growth,” Hina stated, adding that such initiatives are critical at a time when many young Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship and limited opportunities.
The student body further called on politicians, philanthropists, and business leaders across the country to emulate Attajiri’s example by investing more in youth and student empowerment, emphasizing that national development is closely tied to the wellbeing and productivity of young people.
In a statement, Hon. Alfred John Attajiri reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that uplift lives and foster shared prosperity. He stressed that empowering youth and women remains central to building resilient communities and driving inclusive development.
“This is not just about financial support; it is about creating opportunities, restoring dignity, and encouraging productivity among our people,” he said.
The foundation noted that the empowerment programme is part of a broader, ongoing effort to deliver tangible change at the grassroots level, with more interventions planned in the future.
As reactions continue to pour in, many observers see the initiative as a model for people-oriented leadership—one that prioritizes impact, accountability, and sustainable development over rhetoric.
Politics
2027: ADC Moves to Pick Presidential Candidate by Consensus
By Our Political Reporter
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it is considering adopting a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
This was disclosed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an appearance on One-on-One, a programme on Arise TV on Saturday.
Abdullahi said the party is weighing options between direct primaries and consensus, noting that indirect primaries are no longer applicable following amendments to the Electoral Act.
“We are trying as much as possible to adopt the consensus approach because that is the least costly for us. For us, the best-case scenario is to be able to engineer consensus, and that’s what we are working on,” he said.
He further argued that the cohesion of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is largely tied to its current leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If you take power out of APC, the party may struggle to remain cohesive. Post-Tinubu, there could be significant internal challenges,” he added.
The ADC spokesperson also claimed that the ruling party is already showing signs of anxiety ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abdullahi maintained that in a free and fair election, the APC would face stiff opposition from Nigerians.
“They should ordinarily be confident, given that they are in power. However, there are indications of unease, suggesting that the political landscape ahead of 2027 may be highly competitive,” he said.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, the ADC has positioned itself as a major opposition platform through a coalition of prominent politicians. Some notable figures reportedly linked with interest in the party’s presidential ticket include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, among others.
Politics
Kwankwaso Dumps NNPP, Signals Major Political Realignment Ahead of 2027
By Our Political Reporter
A former Governor of Kano State and 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has officially resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), in a move that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
In a press statement dated March 29, 2026, Kwankwaso announced his resignation from the party with immediate effect, bringing an end to his role as the party’s National Leader.
He described the decision as a difficult one, noting the “honour and privilege” he had in serving as the NNPP’s presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections. According to him, his departure was driven by the need for “strategic realignment” in response to the evolving political climate in the country.
“Considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he stated.
Kwankwaso expressed appreciation to the party leadership, particularly the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, as well as members of the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and party executives at all levels for their support during his time in the NNPP.
He also extended gratitude to supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, acknowledging their loyalty and commitment to the party’s vision over the years.
Despite his exit, Kwankwaso emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among political actors committed to national development, expressing optimism about working together in pursuit of a more prosperous Nigeria.
Political analysts say the resignation may trigger fresh alignments within the opposition bloc, particularly as preparations gradually build toward the 2027 general elections.
While Kwankwaso did not disclose his next political destination, his statement strongly suggests an imminent move to another platform, a development expected to generate significant reactions across the country’s political space.
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