Author: Gabby

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its senatorial primary elections in Katsina State, with three candidates emerging victorious for the 2027 general elections. Nasir Yahya Daura, the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, won the ticket for the Katsina North Senatorial District. He secured a commanding 78,394 votes, leaving his closest competitor, Ahmed Kabir, far behind with just 2,274 votes.

The Katsina North district, also referred to as the Daura Zone, encompasses 12 local government areas, including Daura, Baure, Bindawa, Dutsi, Ingawa, Kankia, Kusada, Mai’Adua, Mani, Mashi, Sandamu, and Zango. The result was announced at Daura Motel by Dr. Yakubu Maccido, the APC’s national headquarters representative, who formally declared Daura the winner. Maccido stated that Daura had garnered the highest number of votes, making him the party’s candidate for the senatorial seat.

In his acceptance speech, Daura expressed gratitude to delegates and party leaders, vowing to provide effective representation if elected in 2027. He also called for unity among APC members as the party gears up for the general elections.

Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda oversaw the affirmation of two incumbent senators as APC candidates. At the Isma’ila Isa Funtua Township Stadium, stakeholders unanimously endorsed Senator Muntari Muhammad Dandutse as the party’s flagbearer for Katsina South Senatorial District. Similarly, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua was affirmed as the APC candidate for Katsina Central Senatorial District at the Katsina Township Stadium.

Dr. Yakubu Maccido Ahmed, chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, explained that the affirmations were the result of unanimous agreements among stakeholders and aspirants in the respective zones. He noted that the process demonstrated unity, internal cohesion, and strategic alignment within the party as it prepares for the 2027 polls.

Senator Idiat Adebule has been confirmed as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections. She emerged unopposed during the party’s primary election held at the Agege Stadium in Lagos State.

The affirmation process involved delegates and party faithful from all 11 wards within Agege Local Government. Returning Officer Olugbenga Nola announced that Adebule, the current senator for the district, was returned through a direct primary as the sole aspirant, highlighting the peaceful and transparent nature of the exercise.

Former Agege Local Government Chairman Ganiyu Egunjobi, who is also vying for the APC ticket for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Agege Constituency I, commended the orderly conduct of the primary. He described Agege as a cohesive political family, noting that the exercise showcased unity and cooperation among party members.

Party leaders across the district viewed the primary as evidence of consensus-building and effective grassroots mobilization within the APC. Benjamin Olabinjo, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency, praised supporters for their peaceful participation, attributing the smooth process to internal consensus and the absence of opposition.

Ojokoro Local Council Development Area Chairman Adenike Rosiji remarked that the peaceful atmosphere reflected widespread acceptance of Adebule among party members, crediting stakeholder consultations for fostering unity before the primary. Gbenga Agoye, Deputy Chairman of APC in Ifako-Ijaiye, who oversaw accreditation, stated that officials strictly followed party guidelines during both accreditation and vote counting.

The primary drew a large turnout of delegates and supporters at Agege Stadium, with security personnel deployed to maintain order throughout the event.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has completed the screening of more than 70 governorship aspirants in preparation for the party’s 2027 primary elections. The exercise took place on Monday in Abuja, drawing candidates from states such as Adamawa, Delta, Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Bauchi, Jigawa, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Rivers.

Senator Mohamed Onawo, who represents Nasarawa South and chairs the Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, praised the screening process as both transparent and meticulous. He noted that the committee members exhibited professionalism while evaluating documents and posing pertinent questions to the aspirants.

“The committee members were professional, thorough and fair in assessing documents and asking relevant questions,” Onawo remarked. He also expressed optimism about the ADC’s prospects in the 2027 governorship races, particularly in Nasarawa State, citing his political background and what he described as increasing public backing for the party.

Among the prominent figures screened were former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (Kebbi), Senator Mohammed Jibrilla (Adamawa), Great Ogboru (Delta), Senator Mohamed Onawo (Nasarawa), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (Lagos), Dr. Shehu Ahmad Issa (Zamfara), and Retired General John Surai (Plateau). Others included Adeboyega Adegoke (Oyo), Senator Haliru Jika (Bauchi), Barrister Kashim Geidam (Yobe), Musa Ahmed (Adamawa), Nuhu Agbazu (Nasarawa), Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe (Delta), Bashir Adamu (Jigawa), Ambassador Umar Suleiman (Adamawa), Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa (Rivers), and Peter Adejoh (Benue).

Senator Ipablibo Banigo-Harry, who represents the Rivers West Senatorial District, has spoken out against her exclusion from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the same seat. During a press briefing on Monday at her ward in Obuama, located in Degema Local Government Area, she argued that as a sitting senator, she was entitled to participate in the contest.

The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State criticized the party’s decision, cautioning that the APC might lose experienced female politicians at a time when the nation is focusing on enhancing women’s involvement in governance. She emphasized the importance of fielding the best candidates for national politics to bring benefits back to the state.

Banigo-Harry urged her supporters to remain calm and called on the national leadership of the APC to look into the issue and resolve it promptly. She expressed confidence that the party would act based on equity, justice, fairness, and gender sensitivity. Noting that there are only four women in the National Assembly, she stressed the need to increase female representation, especially those with proven legislative experience who could contribute effectively in a second term.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant vying for the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency seat in Bauchi State, Godfrey Manasseh Marti, has dismissed the results of the party’s primary election conducted on Sunday, asserting that no credible process occurred in the constituency.

During a press conference on Monday, Marti responded to the results announced by Ali Ibrahim, the chairman of the electoral committee. He stated that he was unfairly excluded despite meeting every requirement to participate.

Speaking under the banner “Unlawful Denial of Right to Participate in the PDP Primary for Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency,” Marti emphasized that he purchased the necessary nomination and expression of interest forms, submitted all required documents, and paid the fees within the stipulated period. However, his name was mysteriously removed from the list of cleared aspirants without any justification.

“I satisfied all constitutional and party prerequisites to contest. Yet my name was arbitrarily struck off the final list of cleared aspirants,” he stated.

Marti also alleged that no screening report was provided to explain his exclusion, calling it a violation of the PDP Constitution, the party’s electoral guidelines, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the right to political participation.

He argued that this incident reflects a deeper pattern of exclusion within the constituency and urged for reforms to enhance fairness and internal democracy. The aspirant demanded an immediate reinstatement as a cleared contestant and called on the PDP National Working Committee to conduct an independent investigation into the screening and clearance process for the constituency.

Marti appealed to the party’s national leadership, including the National Working Committee (NWC), the Bauchi State PDP leadership, and the Board of Trustees, to intervene urgently, warning that unresolved issues could erode confidence in the party’s internal processes.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, stressing that his actions were intended to strengthen the party, not weaken it. “This is not a fight against the party, but for the party. If we abandon our own rules, we lose the moral authority to lead,” he added.

Political gatherings in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area recently culminated in the endorsement of Senator Wasiu Eshilokun by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their consensus choice for the Lagos Central Senatorial District in the upcoming 2027 elections.

During the party’s senatorial primary election held at Evans Square in Ebute Metta, Eshilokun, who currently holds the senate seat for Lagos Central, received the affirmation from party members. The event witnessed a robust turnout of supporters and security forces ensuring a calm and orderly proceeding.

Adisa Gbangbala, the APC Electoral Officer for Lagos Mainland, addressed attendees, commending the peaceful demeanor exhibited. He explained that Eshilokun’s selection came after thorough discussions and unanimous consent among key party figures and local government stakeholders.

Gbangbala also underscored the party’s dedication to inclusive governance and persistent democratic advancement for the community.

Kazeem Omolaja, the APC candidate for Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, speaking at the event, highlighted that the overwhelming show of support for Eshilokun underscores his widespread approval and appeal within the party ranks.

Omolaja, who secured victory in the House of Representatives primary on Saturday, expressed gratitude to party members for their enduring confidence in APC’s leadership.

He stated his pleasure in demonstrating solidarity with Senator Eshilokun and the people of Lagos Mainland for entrusting the party with their electoral mandate.

The senatorial primary concluded without incident, with party leaders and supporters voicing confidence in APC’s strategic preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has delivered a fiery ultimatum to his political mentor turned rival, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, threatening to expose damaging secrets if the verbal attacks persist. In a widely shared video, the governor expressed exasperation with Kwankwaso’s repeated references to him as a ‘boy,’ a term he finds deeply disrespectful given their ages—Yusuf is 63, while Kwankwaso is 69.

Yusuf stated emphatically, ‘Tell them that they are talking too much. Enough is enough. If they don’t stop, I will open my mouth and it will smell like hell.’ This marks a significant shift for the governor, who had previously urged restraint among his supporters when it came to attacking his former godfather on social media. Since defecting to the All Progressives Congress, Yusuf had maintained a policy of silence regarding Kwankwaso.

The governor’s outburst signals an escalation in the ongoing political rift in Kano, which could intensify as both men vie for influence. The ‘boy’ remarks have clearly struck a nerve, and Yusuf’s warning suggests he is ready to retaliate if provoked further. Observers view this as a sign of more intense political maneuvering ahead.

Students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife have been instructed to return to campus and resume their studies starting Tuesday, May 19, 2026. This decision was confirmed through an internal memo issued by I. B. Aronkola, the Principal Assistant Registrar of the Senate Division, which was sent to all Faculty Deans.

The directive follows the conclusion of a three-week mid-semester break that was earlier approved by the university’s Senate. According to the memo, the break was put in place to allow the administration to resolve issues stemming from a recently introduced transportation system on campus.

During a special Senate meeting held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Senate reviewed the situation that led to the suspension of academic activities. It was noted that the three-week pause was necessary to give the university leadership sufficient time to address the concerns raised by the new transport arrangement.

The Senate further acknowledged that all matters linked to the transportation issues had been satisfactorily resolved following discussions with key stakeholders. This development prompted the decision to resume academic activities immediately after the break.

In the memo, it was stated: “Senate agreed that students should resume on Tuesday, 19th May, 2026, and all academic activities would commence immediately.” The university community is now expected to return to normal operations as scheduled.

Daniel Bwala, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, has indicated that the recent elimination of a high-profile ISIS figure marks the beginning of a series of coordinated operations between the United States and Nigeria. Speaking in an interview with CNN, Bwala stated that increased military activities involving both nations are expected in the near future. He emphasized that such missions will become more frequent as the countries deepen their security collaboration.

The operation targeted Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). US President Donald Trump confirmed the killing on Friday, revealing that al-Minuki had been hiding in Nigeria. Bwala lauded the success, attributing it to the robust intelligence-sharing framework between the two countries. He noted that local intelligence forms the bedrock of such operations, while American military assets complement Nigeria’s capabilities.

When asked about the specific roles of US and Nigerian forces, Bwala explained that the partnership thrives on mutual strengths. “The foundation for intelligence is local,” he said, “but the US provides hardware that we currently lack. Our discussions have focused on leveraging these resources to combat terrorism effectively.” He added that the collaboration is expected to yield more victories against terrorist elements.

The interview has drawn attention to the growing security alliance between Washington and Abuja, with many analysts viewing it as a model for counterterrorism efforts in the region. Bwala’s comments come amid heightened vigilance against insurgent groups operating in the Sahel and West Africa. He reiterated that the government remains committed to rooting out terrorism through both national efforts and international partnerships.