Author: Gabby

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has issued a bold warning to the incumbent Governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by displaying a red card during the party’s final campaign rally. Oluyede declared that the governor would be defeated in the upcoming election.

Speaking at the rally held in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, Oluyede likened his action to a football dismissal, stating that he had effectively sent Oyebanji out of the Government House. He described the gesture as a symbol of freeing the people of Ekiti from what he termed oppressive leadership.

Oluyede expressed unwavering confidence in his victory at the June 20 poll, arguing that the majority of Ekiti residents are dissatisfied with the current administration. He accused the Oyebanji-led government of impoverishing the state and failing to deliver on promises.

The PDP candidate called on voters to see the election as a fight for freedom and urged them to turn out in large numbers. He emphasized that every vote counts and cautioned against any form of intimidation at polling units. Oluyede advised voters to ensure ballot boxes are empty before voting and to remain at polling stations until votes are counted.

He also warned against vote-buying, describing it as a threat to the state’s future. Oluyede questioned the use of federal allocations by the state government over the past three and a half years, noting that the infrastructure and development outcomes fall short of expectations given the resources available.

In a direct appeal to the electorate, Oluyede urged them to ignore fake news and propaganda, which he described as the APC’s stock-in-trade. He positioned himself as a David ready to defeat the Goliath of the current administration, promising a better future for Ekiti under PDP’s umbrella.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has urged party members and supporters not to lose hope following a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the party. Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark described the judgment as an attack on Nigeria’s democracy and expressed confidence that higher courts would overturn it.

While hosting a delegation of ADC candidates in Abuja on Monday, Mark stated that the ruling by Justice Peter Lifu was issued illegally, as the Court of Appeal had previously ordered a stay of proceedings in the case. He emphasized that the judgment could not stand while the appellate court’s order remained in force, calling it a violation of due process.

“The ruling will be set aside because it fails the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be shielded from actions that threaten the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Mark said. He urged party faithful to stay calm and remain focused on the party’s goals, assuring them that the decision would be reversed through legal channels.

Mark further assured that the ADC would participate in the 2027 general elections. “I guarantee all our candidates, members, and supporters that this temporary hurdle will be overcome via the judicial process. We remain unshaken and trust in the rule of law,” he added. The ADC chairman reiterated the party’s dedication to strengthening democratic institutions and offering Nigerians a credible alternative in the upcoming polls.

The political landscape in Nigeria continues to heat up as a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has strongly rebuffed actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo. Okonkwo had publicly voiced his disapproval regarding the selection of former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate for Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Eze, who serves as the ADC chieftain, expressed that he was not taken aback by what he termed the “misguided and unfortunate trash” emanating from Okonkwo. Okonkwo had earlier declared his withdrawal of support for Atiku, citing the choice of Amaechi as his vice-presidential candidate. This decision reportedly followed an official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming the ticket.

Okonkwo had argued that any political arrangement for 2027 that excludes the South-East from the top two executive positions perpetuates an unpardonable injustice against the Igbo people. However, Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and a close associate of both Atiku and Amaechi, dismissed Okonkwo’s stance as the rantings of someone confused and overzealous, suggesting he treats politics like a Nollywood script.

Eze asserted that Okonkwo’s criticism is not genuinely about Amaechi but stems from his own political troubles. “He is an emerging betrayer, a man who speaks from both sides of his mouth,” Eze said, pointing to Okonkwo’s earlier attacks on Peter Obi, whom he once revered. Okonkwo now faces a N5 billion defamation lawsuit from Obi, which Eze believes has driven his recent actions.

The ADC chieftain launched a series of verbal jabs, describing Okonkwo as an “aimless, toothless, rabies-infested dog on the loose” and a “greenhorn, erratic and myopic about Nigeria’s politics.” He insisted that Atiku does not need Okonkwo’s support to win the presidency and that Amaechi’s selection is strategically sound.

Eze emphasized that Amaechi, being married to Dame Judith Amaechi from the South-East, is considered a son of the Igbo region according to local customs. He also noted that Atiku’s previous vice-presidential picks—Senator Ben Obi, Peter Obi, and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa—were all Igbo, countering claims of marginalization. Eze concluded that Amaechi’s credentials make him the best choice for the ADC and Nigeria, and he praised the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as a winning combination.

Human rights attorney Maduabuchi Idam has launched a scathing critique of ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, accusing him of sacrificing logical thinking for verbal eloquence. Idam’s remarks follow Okonkwo’s rejection of the Atiku-Amaechi presidential ticket, which he opposed due to the selection of a running mate from the South-South rather than the Southeast.

In a pointed statement, Idam suggested that Okonkwo’s vocal opposition might stem from personal ambition rather than genuine regional advocacy. He hinted that Okonkwo may have envisioned himself as Atiku’s running mate, a notion Idam dismissed as unrealistic given Okonkwo’s limited electoral appeal. Idam argued that a politician who cannot attract votes beyond his immediate circle is hardly a valuable asset for a major presidential bid.

The lawyer also speculated that Okonkwo’s next political move could be toward the APC, alleging that his recent stance aligns more closely with that party’s interests. Furthermore, Idam referenced a rumor that Okonkwo’s fallout with Peter Obi occurred because the NDC candidate failed to provide a duplex he desired. Idam used this to question the depth of Okonkwo’s political convictions, suggesting that loyalty can be bought with material incentives.

Concluding his critique, Idam warned the public to watch for a potential party switch by Okonkwo, asserting that his sharp tongue could easily be used to deny past statements. Idam emphasized that true political principles are tested when comfort is not guaranteed.

In a striking revelation, the head of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has declared that Peter Obi stands alone among presidential contenders for openly detailing his campaign expenditures. During a Tuesday interview on Arise Television’s ‘Day Break’, Tanko highlighted Obi’s unique commitment to financial transparency.

Tanko recalled witnessing Aisha Yesufu and Peter Obi hire an independent auditor to scrutinize their campaign funds. He emphasized that Obi and his team provided a comprehensive breakdown of all campaign costs, challenging other major political parties like the APC and PDP to match this level of openness.

According to Tanko, Peter Obi’s dedication to accountability and transparency set him apart, as he practiced the very principles he preached throughout his campaign. Tanko further noted that these financial records are now public documents, accessible to all who wish to examine them.

Former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad has strongly criticized the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for selecting Mustapha Kwankwaso, son of the party’s vice presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, as its deputy governorship candidate in Kano State. Ahmad described the decision as a serious political misstep.

In a post on X, Ahmad argued that it is strategically flawed for a party to have a father as its vice presidential candidate while his son simultaneously serves as the deputy governorship candidate in the same election. He called the move politically unwise and miscalculated.

Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Kwankwaso, who was recently named the NDC’s presidential running mate for the 2027 elections. The party’s gubernatorial candidate in Kano is former deputy governor Aminu Gwarzo, who secured the position through a consensus process led by Rabiu Kwankwaso in May.

Gwarzo had previously resigned from the administration of Governor Abba Yusuf due to disagreements, which led to his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC.

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential aspirant, has voiced strong criticism against a Federal High Court decision that ordered the deregistration of five political entities, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party. He views this move as a calculated effort to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Kwara-born politician expressed that the ruling poses a significant challenge to Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system. He noted that the judgment aligns with concerns he has raised since 2024 regarding a systematic drive to curb opposition influence before the upcoming elections.

Olawepo-Hashim pointed to various political maneuvers that seem designed to minimize electoral competition, such as pressuring opposition governors to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and fueling internal conflicts within opposition parties. He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of operating an electoral schedule that contradicts the 2026 Electoral Act, failing to implement necessary changes despite pending litigation.

The former candidate emphasized that this court ruling represents a severe blow to opposition politics and democratic engagement. He stressed that Nigeria’s democracy relies on multiple parties and called on all stakeholders—including citizens, civil society, and pro-democracy groups—to actively defend democratic institutions and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Prominent legal practitioners on Tuesday confronted Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court regarding his decision to proceed with a case against the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) after having issued an order on Monday that effectively dissolved the party. The lawyers argued that by deregistering the ADC the previous day, the party ceased to exist legally, making it impossible for the court to adjudicate on any matter involving it.

During the tense proceedings, Dr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, representing David Mark; Realwan Okpanachi, counsel for Rauf Aregbesola; and Kalu Agu, attorney for Nkemakolam Ukandu, insisted on a clarification of the party’s status before continuing. They maintained that a party already declared dead cannot be brought back to life by the same judicial officer. Their stance was based on the Monday ruling that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strike five political parties, including the ADC, from its register.

The lawyers emphasized that without a clear statement on whether the ADC was still a viable entity, they would either leave the courtroom or remain to represent their clients. However, Justice Lifu inquired whether the lawyers had obtained and reviewed the certified copy of his earlier judgment. Upon learning they had not, he instructed them to study the verdict, noting that the deregistration matter was distinct from the leadership dispute.

In a related development, Justice Lifu rejected a request by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola for him to step down from the case. In his ruling, he described the recusal application as baseless and lacking merit, stating that the allegations of bias and prejudice were unsupported by credible evidence. He accused the defendants of attempting to delay the proceedings, which the Supreme Court had directed to be expedited, and vowed not to yield to intimidation or blackmail. The judge imposed a fine of N500,000 each on Mark and Aregbesola, payable to the plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe. The next hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026.