Politics

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 ...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos is experiencing early signs of division ahead of the 2027 governorship election, following coordinated endorsements backing Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. What initially appeared to be routine political alignment has now sparked broader concerns within the party over internal democracy, candidate imposition, and the balance of power, with some stakeholders quietly expressing reservations about the process. The succession debate intensified after a closed-door meeting between Sanwo-Olu and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat reportedly declared his intention to run and received the governor’s backing. Within 24 hours, the GAC—conside...

Plans for a united opposition front ahead of the 2027 general elections have suffered a major setback, as internal disagreements over the presidential ticket have fractured the alliance formed under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The coalition, which was initially created to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, has now effectively collapsed following the exit of key political figures. The alliance, which brought together prominent leaders including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi, was formed with the aim of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, tensions began to rise over which region should produce the party’s presidential candidate and who would ultimately secure the ticket. Negotiatio...

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Sunday officially joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). They confirmed the decision during a visit to the residence of the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, where they held consultations with party leaders. Obi and Kwankwaso arrived at about 5:14 p.m. and held discussions with Dickson and other NDC stakeholders as part of ongoing political engagements. The meeting later went into a closed-door session and ended at about 6:45 p.m. Speaking after the meeting, Kwankwaso called on supporters and political associates to rally behind the NDC, urging wider participation in the party. ...

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing ongoing internal challenges and an unfavourable political environment. In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Obi described the current political atmosphere as increasingly toxic and discouraging. He noted that even within alliances, individuals often face criticism and opposition from unexpected quarters. He clarified that his departure was not due to any personal conflict with party leaders, including David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he continues to respect. According to Obi, persistent internal disputes, legal battles, and divisions within the party influenced his decision. He likened the situa...