Politics

The national leadership of Accord has distanced itself from reports endorsing Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The party also denied claims that it had directed its Abia State chapter to align with the ruling Labour Party in the state. In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Joseph Omorogbe, Accord said the individuals who recently visited Governor Otti at the Government House in Umuahia and declared support for his re-election were not recognised members of the party. According to the statement, Professor Christopher Imumolen and members of his group were expelled from Accord in 2024 over alleged anti-party activities and therefore lacked the authority to act or speak on behalf of the party. Naija News report...

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Prof Usman Yusuf, says Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso dumped the African Democratic Congress, ADC, because former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is stronger than them. Yusuf made the remark in an interview on Trust TV, where he wondered what Obi and Kwankwaso contributed to the ADC while they were part of the party. He said: “Atiku was stronger than Obi and Kwankwaso, that’s why they ran away. What did Kwankwaso bring to the ADC, nothing. But there has to be legal process that everybody feels they are included in the process and that is how mature politicians behave, not running away and giving numbers that they did this and that. “There is a process to go through and the government is trying to thwart that pr...

Fresh defections hit the House of Representatives on Thursday as five lawmakers dumped the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party for the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the African Democratic Congress amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.‎‎Among the defectors was the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Muhammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency.‎‎The younger El-Rufai defected from the APC to the NDC, a move seen by political observers as a major signal of the widening crack between his father and the ruling party.‎‎Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read the lawmakers’ letters of defection during plenary on Thursday.‎‎Muhammed El-Rufai’s exit came months after speculations over his politica...

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said contesting Nigeria’s presidency is “not a computer game” as he reacted to calls by youth groups urging him to contest the 2027 election. Jonathan spoke on Thursday while receiving some youth groups who visited him at his office in Abuja to press him to return to the presidential race. Responding to the appeal, the former president said he would consult widely before taking any decision, stressing that leadership required careful consideration. “You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” he said. The former president commended the youths for showing interest in the country, describing patriotism as essential to nation-building. ...

The national leadership of the Accord Party has announced that it will not present a governorship candidate in Abia State for the 2027 elections. The party also directed its members and executives in the state to support the re-election bid of Governor Alex Otti. The decision was disclosed on Wednesday during a visit by the party’s National Chairman, Christopher Imumolen, and National Secretary, Mukhtar Abdullah Djungo, to Otti’s residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area. Imumolen explained that the party’s endorsement was based on Otti’s performance in office, noting that opposition parties should not only criticise governments but also recognise effective leadership when it is evident. According to him, the governor’s achievements in Abia State convinced the ...

Fresh political tension is brewing within the Nigerian Senate following recent amendments to the chamber’s standing rules, a development believed to be shaping the contest for the leadership of the next National Assembly. At the centre of the unfolding power play are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Senator Osita Izunaso, and former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole. The controversy followed Tuesday’s amendment of the Senate standing rules, which introduced stricter eligibility requirements for senators seeking presiding and principal offices. Under the revised rules, only lawmakers who have served continuously in the Senate for at least eight years can contest for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President. The changes also...

Former Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC). He cited alleged marginalisation and unfair treatment of his people. Nyame revealed his decision while addressing members of his support group following a Federal High Court verdict in Jalingo. This was contained in a video circulating on social media. The former governor said he consulted with supporters and stakeholders from Zing Local Government Area before deciding to leave the APC in search of another political platform through which he could continue to serve the people. He explained that he was joining forces with like-minded individuals committed to the development of the area, adding that years of loyalty and contributions to the APC had not translated into fair treatment ...

Dele Momodu has expressed the view that Peter Obi would have been better off remaining in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to test his political strength, rather than defecting. The Ovation International publisher made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, May 6, while reacting to the recent defection of Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). According to Momodu, Obi missed a key opportunity to demonstrate his influence within the ADC structure. He argued that internal party mechanisms such as consensus arrangements or direct primaries would have provided a fair test of Obi’s popularity, noting that in direct primaries, all registered party members participate in voting. Momodu also suggested tha...

The Nigerian Senate has approved the appointments of Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power and Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The confirmation follows a request submitted by President Bola Tinubu, which was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Both nominees underwent screening by the Senate in line with constitutional requirements before being cleared for their respective roles. Tegbe’s nomination came after the resignation of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to contest for an elective position. Meanwhile, Enikanolaiye’s appointment follows the elevation of Odumegwu Ojukwu to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, after previously serving as Minister of State in the same ministry. Prior to his nom...

The Minority Whip of the Senate, Tony Nwoye, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, has officially defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Nwoye made his decision known in a letter presented during plenary and read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In the correspondence, he cited ongoing internal disputes and legal challenges within the ADC as the primary reasons for his exit. According to the lawmaker, persistent divisions and multiple court cases have destabilized the party, affecting its unity and coalition strength. He noted that recent rulings at the Federal High Court have further complicated the party’s situation. Nwoye’s move comes just a day after fellow senators Victor Umeh and Rufai Hanga also defected...