Author: Gabby

Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communication, has expressed concerns about the potential performance of Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 presidential elections. During an interview on Symfoni TV, Bwala shared his apprehensions, suggesting that Obi, the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), might secure more votes than Atiku Abubakar.

Bwala, who previously worked under Atiku, highlighted a dual fear: that Obi could either surpass Atiku in vote count or finish as a distant fourth. He warned that if Obi ends up in fourth place, it could tarnish his political legacy, especially as this might be his final electoral attempt. Bwala noted that unlike the 2023 election, where Atiku enjoyed support from numerous governors and legislators, he currently lacks backing from any governor.

Furthermore, Bwala pointed to Atiku’s historical weakness in the North-West region, stating that he has never garnered significant votes from that area. This analysis suggests that Obi’s appeal might resonate more strongly with voters, potentially shifting the electoral landscape.

A senatorial hopeful from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has publicly accused the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, of forcing candidates on the party. The allegation was made during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ program on Friday.

Agbonayinwa claimed that despite winning the senatorial primary election, Dickson is now planning to hand the ticket to a different individual. He expressed frustration over the delay in announcing primary results, noting that the elections took place on May 29, but as of June 5, the party has yet to release the outcome.

Referencing a protest by activist Aisha Yesufu at the NDC national secretariat, Agbonayinwa said, ‘Dickson is imposing candidates in the NDC. Look at what Aisha Yesufu did at the NDC national secretariat.’ He added, ‘Dickson disappointed me totally. He told me to get the NDC Senate ticket, and I won the primary. The same Dickson is now saying the party will do affirmation for one Ijaw lady instead of going with the primary election result.’

With political parties wrapping up their governorship primaries, the race to succeed Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in 2027 is beginning to crystallize. Though five contenders have emerged from the leading political parties, analysts point to three major candidates who are drawing the most attention: Yakubu Adamu of the All Progressives Movement (APM), former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Senator Shehu Buba Umar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Other hopefuls, such as Haliru Dauda Jika of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Usman Adamu Sufi representing the PDP faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, remain in play but lack the widespread party infrastructure needed to challenge the top three.

Yakubu Adamu enters the contest with a significant edge: the explicit backing of Governor Bala Mohammed. As the immediate past Commissioner of Finance, Adamu is riding on the governor’s incumbency apparatus and growing demands for a power shift to Bauchi North, a zone that has not produced a governor in years. His candidacy received a major boost when Bala Mohammed defected to the APM, bringing along a substantial portion of his political network, including elected officials, party executives, and grassroots mobilizers across all 20 local government areas. For many observers, Adamu’s strength lies less in the APM itself and more in the formidable political machine behind him. Bala Mohammed, still one of the state’s most influential figures, is expected to leverage his extensive connections to rally votes for Adamu. Additionally, the push for zoning—arguing that power rotation promotes equity and inclusion—could resonate widely across Bauchi. However, Adamu faces hurdles: an ongoing EFCC investigation and, more critically, Bauchi’s historical pattern where no outgoing governor has successfully installed a chosen successor since 1999. Former governors Ahmadu Mu’azu and Isa Yuguda both failed to pass the baton to their preferred candidates, a jinx Bala Mohammed will try to break in 2027.

Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar’s emergence as the APC flagbearer has laid bare deep fractures within the party. The governorship primary triggered a wave of defections, including that of Senator Shehu Buba Umar, and left many members disgruntled over allegations of unfairness, candidate imposition, and lack of internal democracy. Key figures such as Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri, Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, and Hon. Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye have abandoned the APC, citing irregularities and unjust processes. Some groups accuse Coordinating Minister of Health Muhammad Ali Pate and former governor Isa Yuguda of orchestrating Abubakar’s nomination. Without urgent reconciliation, the APC might struggle to remain competitive. Abubakar and Pate are expected to lead efforts to heal the divisions, as the party’s electoral prospects hinge on restoring unity among aggrieved members.

Shehu Buba Umar stands out as a formidable contender due to his grassroots appeal, bold political moves, and rising influence in Bauchi South—the state’s most populous senatorial district. His defection from the APC to the PRP and subsequent victory in the PRP primary injected new energy into the race. Unlike many politicians who rely heavily on party machinery, Shehu Buba’s strength comes from his personal brand and deep connections with ordinary voters. His strong foothold in Bauchi South, where a commanding performance could tip the scales, is a major asset. He may also draw protest votes from APC members unhappy with the party’s primary outcome, positioning himself as a credible alternative for those seeking change without backing the ruling APM. His role as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence has raised his profile and equipped him with national connections. Nevertheless, Shehu Buba faces obstacles. Opponents are likely to revive unsubstantiated allegations linking him to banditry during his political feud with Governor Bala Mohammed, though he has consistently denied them. More critically, the PRP must build a statewide organization capable of matching the APM and APC in grassroots mobilization and voter turnout. Turning popularity into an effective electoral machine remains his biggest test.

Baba Yusuf, a well-known political strategist, has voiced deep concern over the escalating security crisis in Nigeria. He pointed out that the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that ordinary citizens are now pleading with terrorists to spare their lives. Speaking during a Friday interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time program, Yusuf highlighted that the nation has been grappling with multifaceted security challenges for 17 years, leading to a severe erosion of public trust in the country’s leadership.

Yusuf urged the government to initiate a thorough investigation into why substantial funds allocated to security have not yielded the expected results. He emphasized that citizens have lost confidence in their leaders and are now forced to align with terrorists out of desperation. According to him, the National Assembly, under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 constitution, possesses the authority to probe any matter. He noted that their current oversight is more reactive than proactive, which has contributed to the persistent insecurity.