Politics

Desmond Elliot Faces Setback as Bola Tinubu Opposes 4th Term Bid President Bola Tinubu has reportedly declined moves by Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliot to secure a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly. According to sources within the Presidency, Tinubu rejected repeated appeals from influential figures who attempted to lobby on Elliot’s behalf. The efforts were said to have been unsuccessful despite involving prominent intermediaries. Reports indicate that party stakeholders in Surulere have instead thrown their support behind Barakat Odunuga-Bakare as a preferred replacement, signaling a shift in local political backing. It was further gathered that Elliot made several attempts to gain the President’s approval through different channels, including high-profile allies...

Enyinnaya Abaribe Defects from African Democratic Congress to Labour Party Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, has officially resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and joined the Labour Party (LP). In a statement released on Monday, Abaribe attributed his decision to ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding the ADC, including multiple court cases and conflicting judgments. He clarified that his departure was not due to any fallout with the party’s leadership or members, noting that he still maintains a strong relationship with them. Abaribe explained that leadership sometimes demands tough choices, especially in uncertain circumstances, and expressed appreciation to ADC members for their support during his time in the party. ...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly endorsed former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the state’s governorship. George is expected to run under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to sources, the decision followed a closed-door meeting held in Port Harcourt on Monday, where Wike met with key political stakeholders to assess the state’s political landscape and map out strategies for strengthening influence before the next election cycle. The meeting reportedly included notable ex-militant leaders such as Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom, highlighting the level of consultation tha...

Suspected political thugs on Monday disrupted the state congress of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) held in Enugu, causing tension and forcing an initial halt of activities at the venue. The congress, which took place at Aborigene Hall in Enugu, was reportedly underway when delegates and party members gathered for the exercise. The incident comes less than 24 hours after former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were received into the NDC during a ceremony in Abuja. The new entrants were formally welcomed by the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, alongside top party executives. Trouble reportedly began at the Enugu congress when a motion was raised calling for the dissolution of the protem State Work...

Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, has agreed to step down from his ambition to contest for the Cross River North Senate seat in the 2027 general elections, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement issued on Monday, Ayade revealed that he was recently summoned to Abuja for a high-level consultation with the Presidency, where the instruction to withdraw from the race was given. He said although he has complied with the President’s request, the decision has left him deeply hurt. Ayade added that he felt compelled to honour the directive despite expressing disappointment over what he described as unfair treatment. The former governor also pointed to his contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South re...

A former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has been selected as the consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections. The decision followed nearly three weeks of consultations and internal screening conducted by party leaders and stakeholders across the state. The process included all 11 aspirants who had initially shown interest in securing the party’s ticket. Prominent party figures participated in the deliberations, including former governor Samuel Ortom, Senate Minority Leader Patrick Abba Moro, and members of the state working committee led by Ezekiel Adaji. Lawmakers, alongside influential party blocs such as the G-14 and G-9 elders, were also part of the process....

Former Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and the 2023 APC governorship candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, are reportedly preparing to exit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Their planned move follows recent political shifts involving Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, who were seen in a viral video receiving NDC membership cards, signalling their entry into the party. The development reportedly came shortly after both leaders held a closed-door meeting with key figures of the NDC at the Abuja residence of the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson. Sources close to the Kano politicians confirmed that Gwarzo and Gawuna are finalising plans to officially announce their defection. Gwarzo’s camp indicated that his decisio...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadlines for the sale and submission of the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms ahead of the 2027 general elections. This was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. Morka said the party also adjusted its screening schedule to accommodate the revised timeline. According to the APC, “the sale of forms has been extended to midnight on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, while the submission of completed forms will now close at midnight on Thursday, May 7, 2026.” The party said, “The screening of aspirants will take place from Friday, May 8, to Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with the publication of screened aspirants scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026.” The ruling party fixed its pr...

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chille Igbawua, has dismissed claims that the party is being positioned as a special vehicle for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Igbawua insisted that no individual within the party, including Atiku, has been given preferential treatment. His remarks come in response to recent political shifts, particularly the defection of former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). According to Igbawua, the ADC remains committed to a transparent and open process in determining its presidential candidate. He stressed that internal decisions are not skewed in favour of any aspirant and tha...

The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has postponed its planned state congress, originally scheduled for the election of party executives. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the party’s Director-General of Social Media in Kano, Adam Said Adam. According to the statement, the decision was prompted by the recent influx of high-profile political figures joining the party. The State Chairman, Hon. Husaini Isah Mai Riga, explained that the development necessitated broader consultations and improved preparations ahead of the congress. Mai Riga noted that the party requires additional time to properly integrate the new members and ensure that the exercise is conducted in a transparent, inclusive, and orderly manner. He emphasized that proceeding ...