Author: Gabby

Policy analyst Baba Yusuf has cast doubt on the viability of a Peter Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program Friday, the CEO of Global Investment and Trade Company argued that while the pair might attract significant voter numbers, their support would lack the necessary geographic spread across both northern and southern Nigeria to meet constitutional requirements.

Obi and Kwankwaso recently left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing internal party crises and legal battles as reasons for their move. Yusuf noted that although around 70 million non-voters from the 2023 election might turn out, capturing the required majority across regions would remain elusive.

He stressed that a ‘me me’ attitude would not work and called for urgent consultations. Yusuf recommended that Obi and Kwankwaso engage elder statesmen like Atiku Abubakar to negotiate power-sharing arrangements. Without such collaboration, he warned, their effort will not yield positive results.

In a significant political development, Mr. Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate, and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), have held a high-level meeting with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The closed-door meeting took place on Friday evening at Kwankwaso’s residence in the Maitama district of Abuja.

The gathering was confirmed through a statement issued by Hon. Saifullahi Hassan, who serves as a media aide to Kwankwaso. According to the statement, the discussions revolved around the current political landscape of the country, though the specifics of their deliberation were not disclosed to the public.

Notable figures present at the meeting, aside from Kwankwaso, included former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna; Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, who represents Kano Central; Buba Galadima, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); and Yusuf Datti Kura, a member of the House of Representatives for the Kura, Madobi, and Garun Malam Federal Constituency. Additionally, several other key members of the Kwankwasiyya movement were in attendance.

While the exact topics covered remain confidential, this meeting is expected to intensify speculation about potential political alignments and alliances in the buildup to the 2027 presidential election. Observers have pointed to ongoing rumors of a possible coalition between Obi and Kwankwaso, which could result in a joint presidential ticket.

Ladan Salihu, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has raised alarms over ongoing legal battles, claiming they are strategically designed to weaken the party and give the All Progressives Congress (APC) a clear advantage in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ Salihu expressed concerns about the leadership crisis within ADC as the nation approaches the next polls.

He emphasized that Nafiu Bala Gombe voluntarily resigned from his party position, and ADC possesses his signed resignation letter as evidence. According to Salihu, the court cases are part of a scheme to ambush ADC and create an unobstructed path for APC and its presidential candidate to coast to victory in 2027.

“This issue has been resolved. It’s all a setup to trap ADC and ensure that the APC and its flagbearer have a smooth ride to 2027,” Salihu stated.

He further added, “Our legal team is fully on top of this matter. The truth is that Nafiu Gombe resigned. We have his documents, his signatures, and everything. He is just a willing instrument in the hands of the APC and the government.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to reclaim Oyo State in the 2027 gubernatorial election, according to former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu. He made this assertion in a statement released on Saturday, vowing that the APC would oust the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through unity and widespread support.

Adelabu, a gubernatorial aspirant under the APC banner, emphasized that his decision to contest again stems from a commitment to transformative governance. He noted that his formal declaration, slated for Tuesday in Ibadan, will herald a fresh political chapter aimed at restoring progressive leadership to the state.

Drawing on his experience as the APC candidate in the 2019 election—where he lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde—Adelabu expressed confidence that the 2027 contest would yield a different outcome. He urged party faithful and residents to rally behind the APC to end PDP’s tenure.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan hosted Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at his Abuja residence on Friday. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two statesmen to exchange views on the current national challenges and the prospects for the 2027 general elections.

Hayatu-Deen, who recently obtained his nomination form from the ADC headquarters, used the visit to formally notify Jonathan of his ambition to contest the presidency. A statement from the aspirant’s media office on Saturday highlighted the long-standing professional relationship between both men, noting that Hayatu-Deen served under Jonathan in various capacities during the former president’s administration.

Specifically, Hayatu-Deen was a member of the National Council on Privatization and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises when Jonathan held the position of Vice President. He later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as Acting President and subsequently as President. The statement further revealed that Hayatu-Deen lauded Jonathan’s contributions to democratic governance and electoral integrity across Africa, describing him as a respected continental statesman.

In response, Jonathan greeted the ADC aspirant warmly and expressed his best wishes for Hayatu-Deen’s political journey. The media office also described Hayatu-Deen as a seasoned economist and banker with a four-decade career spanning both public and private sectors, which has contributed to job creation and institutional reforms in Nigeria. If elected, Hayatu-Deen plans to tackle insecurity, reduce the rising cost of living, and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Jonathan’s engagement with Hayatu-Deen comes amid heightened political activities as the 2027 elections draw closer, with the former president himself facing speculation about a potential return to the ballot.

Ambassador-designates to South Africa and Mexico, Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri, have firmly stated that the presidency should not shift to the North in 2027. In a joint declaration issued on Saturday, the two appointees argued that Northern Nigeria already enjoyed two complete terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, which was supported by the South. Therefore, they believe the South should retain power until 2031 to maintain balance and honor the informal pact that has guided Nigeria’s Fourth Republic since 1999.

The statement emphasized that the South’s current hold on power is not random but a deliberate outcome of the power rotation arrangement. They described any suggestion of returning power to the North after just one term from the South as unpatriotic and harmful to national unity and stability. The duo specifically backed President Bola Tinubu’s second term, noting that Tinubu was instrumental in returning power to the North in 2015.

According to the ambassadors-designate, the gentleman’s agreement that ushered in the Fourth Republic after 16 years of political turbulence requires a balanced rotation between North and South. They warned that disrupting this arrangement could undermine the country’s progress and cohesion. Their comments come amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections, with some northern leaders reportedly eyeing a return to power.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Imo State have jointly rejected reports claiming that pensioners are required to turn in their personal documents to the Secretary to the State Government’s office to receive gratuities.

In a combined press statement, NLC State Chairperson Uche Chigemezu Nwigwe and NUP State Chairman JB Ugochukwu labeled the news as fraudulent and deceptive, designed to trick unsuspecting members of the public.

Both labor organizations stressed that the report is unauthorized and did not come from either union.

“Discussions with the state government regarding the next round of gratuity payments are ongoing, and Governor Hope Uzodinma remains committed to fulfilling his promise,” the statement read.

“We urge all pensioners to ignore this fake news and not fall prey to scammers or unauthorized individuals demanding money or personal information related to gratuity payments.”

Pensioners seeking reliable information and official updates about gratuity are advised to contact or visit the NUP office or the NLC secretariat.

The organized labor leadership reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the interests and welfare of workers and pensioners at all times.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong appeal to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), urging them to spearhead a widespread campaign to safeguard migrant workers from escalating xenophobic violence in South Africa. In a letter dated May 7, 2026, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed deep concern over recent attacks that have resulted in deaths and the destruction of businesses owned by African migrants.

Ajaero attributed the violence to deteriorating economic conditions and misguided government policies, emphasizing that workers across the continent should not be pitted against each other. He stated unequivocally that fighting for workers’ rights cannot coexist with allowing any segment of the working class to be targeted as prey.

The labour leader called on COSATU to undertake extensive educational initiatives within communities, unions, and workplaces to dispel the false narrative that migrants are responsible for job losses and poverty. He urged a definitive end to the racist belief that a fellow Black African from a neighboring country is an enemy.

The NLC also criticized South African security forces for their inadequate response, alleging that authorities have failed to provide necessary protection for migrants and their enterprises. Ajaero demanded full security mobilization to prevent further bloodshed, along with the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. He further called on the South African government to ensure compensation for victims and their families.

Warning that xenophobia undermines labor solidarity across Africa, Ajaero noted that such divisions weaken collective bargaining power against employers. He proposed an emergency meeting of African labor organizations under the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation and the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity to develop coordinated strategies for migrant worker protection.

Concluding his remarks, Ajaero cautioned that unchecked xenophobic violence in South Africa could spread like a cancer across the continent, urging decisive and immediate action to halt its progression.

The Abia State Ministry of Environment has issued a directive for an immediate halt to all sand dredging operations at the Umuadele River, located in the Okpulo Umuobo area of Osisioma Local Government Area. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, during an unannounced inspection of the site.

This decision comes as a response to mounting concerns over environmental damage and reports of unauthorized activities along the river. During his visit, the Commissioner instructed all individuals involved in sand dredging, including operators of tippers and loaders, to report to the Ministry for a thorough verification of their licenses and documentation.

Mr. Ogbonna expressed strong disapproval of the rising trend of illegal dredging in the region, noting that over a decade of unchecked soil mining and sand extraction has led to severe degradation of the area. He emphasized that continued unregulated dredging would only worsen the already critical situation.

The Commissioner underscored the need for sand dredgers to align their operations with state regulations. He described the visit as both an enforcement action and a call for voluntary compliance, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring environmental order and enforcing ecological laws across Abia State.

Amnesty International has strongly denounced a midnight assault on Ngbra-Zongo village in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, which left 12 people dead. The victims included pregnant women and young children, with at least 10 others hospitalized for gunshot injuries.

The organization labeled the attack as “horrific,” stating that attackers allegedly trapped families inside their homes before methodically murdering them. This incident underscores the escalating insecurity in the region.

Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to take immediate action to protect citizens and prevent further bloodshed. The group emphasized that such violence must not go unpunished and urged authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.