Author: Gabby

In a move to solidify its candidate selection process, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has finalized arrangements to formally establish its Selection Committee. This follows the conclusion of the screening for individuals vying for governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly positions in the run-up to the 2027 polls.

The announcement was made public on Monday through a statement by Osa Director Esq., the party’s National Publicity Secretary. The ceremony will be presided over by the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

According to the statement, the newly formed committee will convene on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 4:00 pm at the NDC National Secretariat. Its primary role is to meticulously evaluate the reports from the recently concluded screening exercises for both national and state legislative aspirants, as well as governorship hopefuls.

The committee, comprising 21 members, will be chaired by Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC National Chairman. It is tasked with working alongside the National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure the party fields the strongest possible candidates across all contested positions.

Emphasizing the party’s dedication to transparency and internal democracy, the statement highlighted that the committee will make critical decisions based on the screening outcomes. The goal is to guarantee that the NDC presents credible and formidable contenders for every electoral office in the upcoming general election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong rebuke to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that it will steer Nigeria away from the economic collapse allegedly caused by his administration. In a statement released on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, highlighted the escalating challenges facing Nigerians.

Abdullahi pointed to worsening hunger, soaring insecurity, widespread business closures, and growing public discontent as evidence of the government’s failures. He criticized Tinubu for launching political attacks against the opposition rather than addressing the urgent needs of citizens.

The ADC also questioned the credibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary results, which saw Tinubu garner 10.99 million votes ahead of the 2027 elections. The party described the president’s dismissive remarks about the opposition as out of touch with the harsh realities ordinary Nigerians face daily.

“It is both ironic and tragic that a government under whose watch nearly 35 million Nigerians are now projected to face acute food insecurity in 2026 would accuse the opposition of lacking ideas or vision,” Abdullahi stated. He emphasized that inflation has eroded household purchasing power, while skyrocketing food prices and persistent violence burden millions of families.

The ADC further noted that businesses are shutting down at an alarming rate due to harsh economic conditions, and farmers are unable to access their fields safely because of banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks. Reports indicate that approximately 34.7 million Nigerians could experience severe food and nutrition insecurity during the 2026 lean season, with over 2.3 million people displaced by violence.

Instead of showing empathy or accountability, the ADC argued, President Tinubu has resorted to political grandstanding. “Nigerians are no longer interested in speeches or political grandstanding. They are asking simple questions: Why is food unaffordable? Why are businesses collapsing? Why are citizens increasingly unsafe? Why are more Nigerians falling into poverty despite endless promises of reform and recovery?” the statement queried.

The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to rescuing the nation from the brink of disaster in the 2027 elections, promising to reset the country from what it described as a dangerous precipice.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election results are gradually being released, and initial figures show a clear frontrunner. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has achieved a decisive victory over his rivals, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, in the Bolewa and Potiskum regions of Yobe State.

As announced by the returning officer, Atiku secured a commanding 740 votes, far surpassing Amaechi’s 15 votes and Hayatu-Deen’s 2 votes. This landslide win underscores Atiku’s strong support in these areas.

Amaechi, who previously served as Minister of Transportation, cast his ballot at Ubima Ward in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Meanwhile, Hayatu-Deen voted in Jare, Borno State. The ADC’s presidential primary was conducted across all 8,809 wards nationwide.

Atiku, after voting in Jimeta, Adamawa State, praised the organization of the primary. On social media platform X, he expressed optimism that the primary’s outcome would be instrumental in helping Nigeria recover from its challenges.

The former Vice President emphasized the need for capable leadership, stating that Nigeria requires a leader who can govern effectively, not just one who trends online. This sentiment resonated during the primary process.

The Federal High Court in Umuahia has rejected a lawsuit initiated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that aimed to remove Dennis Chinwendu Roland, the representative for Isiala Ngwa South Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly. The PDP argued that Roland’s defection to the Labour Party in February 2025 violated the 1999 Constitution, as he was originally elected under their banner.

In its legal action, the PDP requested the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Roland’s seat vacant and organize a fresh election for the constituency. The party also named INEC and the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly as respondents in the case.

However, Justice S. B. Onu, who presided over the matter, dismissed the suit due to the PDP’s failure to diligently prosecute the case. The judge noted that neither the plaintiff nor the defendants appeared at the last court session, despite proper notifications being sent to all parties. This lack of interest led to the dismissal of the PDP’s prayers.

Roland represents the constituency of Governor Alex Otti, adding political significance to the case. The court’s decision effectively allows Roland to retain his seat in the state legislature.

Civil society organizations have sounded the alarm over significant gaps that could jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State, scheduled for June 20, 2026. Under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two programme, these groups presented a pre-election assessment in Ado-Ekiti, highlighting multiple areas of concern regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s readiness. According to their findings, as of mid-April 2026, INEC’s preparedness across all 16 local government areas stood at just 34 percent. Issues such as delayed election funding, dilapidated infrastructure, insufficient operational vehicles, and problematic collation centers were flagged as critical. Additionally, the report identified vote buying, political thuggery, misinformation, and the potential for excessive security forces as major threats. Specific local governments—Ado-Ekiti, Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje—were categorized as high risk, while Efon, Ikere, and Oye were deemed medium risk. The groups also pointed out that despite 13 political parties participating, not a single party fielded a female candidate, and persons with disabilities were similarly excluded from the race. They urged INEC to urgently enhance its preparation, strengthen the BVAS and IReV technologies, and intensify voter education efforts. The report was jointly endorsed by CEMESO, ElectHER, IPC, NWTF, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre, and Yiaga Africa.

Former Minister of Transportation and prominent ADC presidential aspirant Chibuike Amaechi has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the party’s presidential primary held in Ward 8, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State. He described the exercise as free, fair, and transparent after casting his vote.

Amaechi, who previously served as Rivers State governor, addressed journalists and assured party members and Nigerians of an inclusive leadership style should he emerge as the ADC flagbearer. He emphasized that competence and character should guide voters’ choices in the upcoming election, rather than ethnic or religious affiliations.

The former governor is contesting the ADC presidential ticket alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. His call for merit-based politics underscores his rejection of divisive ethnic considerations.

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has officially severed ties with the All Progressives Congress (APC) after failing to secure the party’s governorship ticket in Nasarawa State. His resignation, tendered to ward executives in Makama, Lafia, marks the end of his membership with the ruling party.

During a gathering on Monday, Adamu addressed party officials, explaining the procedure for leaving the party. He noted that just as he joined through his ward, he was now departing through the same channel. The former IGP submitted a formal resignation letter to the ward chairman, citing recent internal developments as the catalyst for his decision.

In his correspondence, Adamu emphasized that the conduct of the governorship primary election in Nasarawa contradicted his principles of internal democracy, fairness, and transparency. He stated that these ideals are fundamental to any democratic political party and that the party’s actions made it untenable for him to continue his political activities under its banner.

Adamu disclosed that he had consulted with his supporters, political allies, and family before making this move. He expressed gratitude to APC members at all levels for their past support and cooperation. Notably, Adamu had previously accused the party’s leadership of bias, especially after Senator Aliyu Ahmed-Wadada was selected as the governor’s preferred candidate for the 2027 elections.

The former police chief’s exit comes amid a backdrop of internal strife within the APC, with several other prominent members also defecting to other parties. Adamu now plans to pursue his political ambitions through a different platform, signaling further shifts in the political landscape ahead of the next general elections.

An African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, has issued a stern warning about the party’s ongoing presidential primary. He made it clear that if the process is not conducted with integrity and transparency, he will take action to contest the outcome.

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Amaechi emphasized that his acceptance of the results hinges entirely on the fairness of the election. He described the voting at his location as celebratory, with a large turnout, INEC officials present, and the process running smoothly.

“I monitored the situation across the country from where I was,” Amaechi stated. “I hope the system nationally reflects what we saw in my village. If it is transparent, I will accept the result. But if it is not free and fair, many of us will react.”

He further clarified that while he would work with the eventual winner if the process is credible, any deviation from fairness would provoke a strong response. Amaechi’s remarks underscore growing tensions within the ADC as the party moves closer to selecting its flagbearer for the upcoming general election.