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.

Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, a senatorial aspirant for Edo South under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has voiced strong criticism against the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, alleging that Dickson imposes his will on the entire party. Speaking on Arise News on Friday, Agbonayinwa argued that the NDC’s main problem is the concentration of power in Dickson’s hands, which he described as undemocratic.

Agbonayinwa, a former member of the House of Representatives, is among party members frustrated with the leadership’s handling of primary elections. He claims he won the party’s ticket for the senatorial district during the primaries held on May 29 but has been denied the opportunity due to Dickson’s influence. The NDC has yet to officially announce results for Senate, House of Representatives, and state-level primaries, fueling discontent.

During the interview, Agbonayinwa stated, “One man cannot dictate for the whole NDC. You have a national leader, a national chairman, a secretary, and other officials—all wonderful people—but one man cannot decide the future of NDC members.” He emphasized that democracy means allowing the people to choose their representatives. “I won the senatorial seat; there’s no two ways about it. What stops them from announcing the result? The primary was on May 29, and now it’s June 5—what are they hiding?”

Agbonayinwa also criticized Dickson’s alleged plan to impose a female candidate to ensure gender representation, arguing that primary winners deserve their slots. “You can’t just decide that a lady must be a senator after primaries. Those who won should be given the opportunity,” he asserted. He called on the party to uphold democratic principles and release the election results promptly.

In a significant blow to illegal petroleum operations, the Nigerian Navy has confiscated 92,660 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel along the Rivers–Bayelsa border. The operation, conducted under the banner of Operation Delta Sentinel, targeted hidden storage sites used by criminal networks.

Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH acted on credible intelligence to search the Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State. Aerial surveillance and ground patrols led to the discovery of 138 sacks filled with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), cleverly concealed under foliage and along waterways.

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, confirmed that the recovered products were handled according to regulations, effectively preventing economic saboteurs from benefiting from their illicit trade. The Navy reaffirmed its dedication to intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing crude oil theft and illegal fuel distribution across the Niger Delta.

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has publicly criticized First Lady Remi Tinubu for her response to the abduction of students in Oyo State. Speaking to a group of women on Friday, the cleric accused her of failing to act as a mother figure during the crisis.

According to Ayodele, the First Lady’s lack of urgency in demanding the safe return of the kidnapped schoolchildren could have severe political consequences. He warned that her behavior might lead to President Bola Tinubu losing the 2027 general elections.

“Remi Tinubu, you will make Tinubu lose the 2027 election. You did not behave like a mother at all. You should have done what Jonathan’s wife did,” Ayodele stated. He emphasized that instead of protesting and calling for the children’s release, she was distributing cars for political campaigns.

It is worth noting that the First Lady recently donated vehicles to women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in five opposition-controlled states. This occurred during the launch of the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB), a pro-Tinubu support group, at the State House banquet hall in Abuja.