Politics

As the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship election inches closer, there is open political dynamics, drama, intrigues, betrayals as Senator Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji, Najeem Salaam, others test their popularity at the polls, writes FRANCIS EZEDIUNO, our Osun reporter. Political actors are once again repositioning, reopening old rivalries while forging new alliances ahead of the decisive contest. The forthcoming poll is unfolding against the backdrop of two previous elections, 2018 and 2022 governorship elections, that reshaped the state’s political trajectory and entrenched deep divisions among the major political parties and contenders. In 2018, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, narrowly lost to then All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Adegbo...

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that the influx of governors into the party does not guarantee victory in the 2027 general election. Aregbesola made the remarks while speaking at the launch of a book written by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC. He said recent electoral outcomes in Nigeria contradict the belief that the number of governors backing a party determines its success at the polls. “There is this assertion going around which is worrisome, because those of us who are Democrats, they said because 30 governors are supporting a party, and for that reason, that party is going to win the election,” he said. According to him, historical evidence does not support ...

Former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the last election, Agboola Ajayi, has officially returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ajayi, who previously served under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, rejoined the ruling party on Tuesday at Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Addressing party members at the event, Ajayi said his decision was motivated by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the APC and to support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. He added that his return was also aimed at backing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s EASE Agenda alongside Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. According to Ajayi, rejoining the APC reaffirmed his full membe...

All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports claiming that President Tinubu will be dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima, as his running mate in the 2027 general elections. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said this in a statement released on January 26, while reacting to a recent interview the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, granted in which she warned that APC could drastically weaken its chances in the 2027 presidential election if it dropped Shettima or did not pick a northern Muslim to run with Tinubu in his re-election bid. Musawa’s comments came amid rising speculation that the ruling party might consider altering the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that powered APC to victory in the 2023 elections. “If there is n...

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi, has expressed concern over what he described as the continued recycling of elderly politicians into Nigeria’s highest office, warning that the presidency is increasingly resembling a “sickbay” rather than a hub of dynamic leadership. Sowunmi made the remarks on Monday at the inauguration of the National Youth Alliance (NYA) state chairmen in Abuja. The former spokesperson to ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Nigeria’s political system has failed to intentionally create opportunities for young leaders to rise to positions of power. He noted that the country has previously had a president who died in office and another who spent a significant portion of his tenure receiving medical treatment. “We are paying a heavy price...

Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have emerged as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections scheduled for February 21, 2026. Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the polls to fill two vacant seats in the state legislature. The affected constituencies are Ahoada-East Local Government Area Constituency II and Khana Local Government Area Constituency II. The vacancy in Khana Constituency II followed the death of the lawmaker representing the area, Dunebari Loolo, while the Ahoada-East Constituency II seat became vacant after Edison Ehie resigned amid the political crisis in the state. Ahead of the primaries, the APC conducted con...

Osborne Umahi, the eldest son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship ticket for Ohaozara Local Government Area following the party’s primary election held on Monday. Naija News reports that Osborne polled all 55 votes cast at the primary, which took place in Obiozara, after his only challenger was disqualified from the race. The exercise was conducted by the APC congress committee chaired by Alphonsus Nwali. Former aspirant Jenny Umahi was disqualified for failing to complete registration on the party’s ongoing online membership platform. With her disqualification, Osborne Umahi ran unopposed and clinched the party’s ticket with the full 55 votes recorded, confirming his status as the APC flagbearer ahead of the local go...

Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has resigned his appointment as Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development. Kwankwaso announced his resignation as a member of the State Executive Council in a statement made available posted on his official Facebook account on Monday. He expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Yusuf for the opportunity to serve in the administration. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and member of the Kano State Executive Council,” the statement read. undefined He thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him, noting that his time in office provided him ...

Abba Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that no political party or candidate can prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning re-election in 2027. Abba made the statement on Monday in Yola after receiving his APC membership card at Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Explaining his decision to join the ruling party, Abba said he was motivated by the economic and human development policies of the Tinubu administration, which he described as impactful and inclusive. He stated that Nigerians are increasingly recognising the president’s leadership qualities, noting that Tinubu does not govern along ethnic or religious lines but prioritises merit in appointments. Accord...

No fewer than 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly have officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers announced their decision on Monday, days after about 774 NNPP members reportedly crossed over to the APC in Rimin Gado Local Government Area of the state. The wave of defections follows the resignation of Governor Abba Yusuf from the NNPP, a move he attributed to prolonged internal conflicts and legal battles that, according to him, have undermined the party’s unity across the country. The governor is expected to formally join the APC on Monday. Among the defecting lawmakers are the Speaker of the Assembly, Jibril Ismail Falgore (Rogo); Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado); Majori...