Author: Gabby

The protracted political battle for the Kano North Senatorial District seat has been resolved following the decision of Muhammad Tijjani Gwarzo to withdraw his candidacy in favor of the incumbent, Senator Barau Jibrin. The breakthrough came after intensive negotiations involving Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, former APC National Chairman Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, and other key stakeholders.

Gwarzo, who previously served as Minister of Housing and Deputy Governor, cited the need for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as his primary motivation. He stated that his decision was aimed at fostering harmony and ensuring the party’s success across all positions in the upcoming elections.

In his announcement, Gwarzo expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf and other leaders for their mediation efforts. He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s paternal guidance throughout the process. For his part, Senator Jibrin praised Governor Yusuf’s leadership in resolving the dispute and lauded Ganduje and other stakeholders for their contributions.

Senator Jibrin reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to remaining a cohesive family in Kano State. He emphasized that the party is focused on securing victories for President Tinubu, Governor Yusuf, and all APC candidates in the forthcoming polls.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled the pricing for its nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting the total cost for presidential hopefuls at N60 million. This announcement was part of a detailed schedule released by the party.

According to the timetable, gubernatorial aspirants are required to pay N30 million, while candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats face varying fees. The party outlined that the sale of Expression of Interest forms will commence on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and close on Monday, May 18, 2026.

The statement, signed by the National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, and National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, confirmed that aspirants must undergo screening and interviews from May 19 to May 21 before they can purchase nomination forms. The nomination forms will be available for sale from May 21 to May 23, with completed forms due by May 25.

Appeals regarding the screening process will be addressed on May 25 and 26, followed by primaries for various positions on May 27 and 28. The presidential primary election is scheduled to take place in Abuja on May 29, 2026.

Governorship primaries will be conducted at the local government level, while State House of Assembly aspirants will be screened in their respective states. Screening for National Assembly and presidential candidates will occur at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The NDC emphasized that all aspirants must sign undertakings compliant with the party’s code of conduct and electoral guidelines. The party assured members of a transparent and democratic process, stating its commitment to fairness and internal democracy.

An open secret ballot system will be used during the primaries to enhance credibility. The breakdown of fees shows presidential aspirants paying N20 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N40 million for the Nomination Form. Gubernatorial aspirants will pay N10 million and N20 million respectively, while Senate candidates pay N3 million and N5 million. House of Representatives aspirants face N2 million and N4 million, and State House of Assembly aspirants pay N1 million and N1.5 million.

The party noted that its nomination fees are among the lowest charged by major political parties in the country. Additionally, female aspirants receive a 50 percent discount on approved fees, and persons with disabilities enjoy a 75 percent waiver across all categories. The NDC reiterated its dedication to fielding credible candidates for the 2027 elections.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has officially announced his candidacy for the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, setting the stage for a competitive primary within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obasa made his intention public during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Agege, Lagos, on Tuesday. He revealed that leaders of the APC in the constituency encouraged him to vie for the federal legislative position.

At the gathering, the Speaker also urged party members and stakeholders to back the ambition of Ganiyu Egunjobi, a former Chairman of Agege Local Government Council, who is seeking to represent Agege Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Additionally, Obasa endorsed Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, popularly known as Ninolowo, for the Agege Constituency II seat in the state assembly.

This development is expected to intensify political activities in Agege as aspirants ramp up consultations and grassroots mobilization ahead of the APC primaries. Supporters and party loyalists across Agege and Orile-Agege have already begun efforts to rally delegates and residents as the contest for party tickets gains momentum.

Meanwhile, APC members in Agege, Orile-Agege, and other parts of Lagos are awaiting the outcome of the ongoing screening exercise conducted by the state and national leadership of the party, which will determine who is eligible to contest in the primaries.

The Imo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that the party remains structurally sound, ideologically consistent, and under strong leadership. This affirmation came in a communique issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Macdonald Amadi, following a State Executive Committee meeting held in Owerri.

The meeting was convened to evaluate the party’s current standing, strengthen internal unity, and formulate strategies for the 2027 general elections. The statement highlighted that the gathering occurred amid recent political shifts, and the committee took the opportunity to emphasize the party’s stability, focus, and commitment to principled, issue-driven politics.

According to the communique, any suggestions of division within the party are inaccurate. To sustain momentum, the committee resolved to boost grassroots outreach across all 27 local government areas of Imo State. This effort aims to expand the membership base, encourage civic engagement, and ensure the party enters the primaries and general elections with formidable organizational strength.

The committee expressed strong confidence in the leadership of former Governor Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and former Deputy Governor Hon. Engr. Gerald Irona, noting that their experience and stabilizing influence have been crucial in keeping the party united and focused. Additionally, the committee pledged unwavering loyalty to the national leadership of ADC under Senator David Mark’s chairmanship, aligning with the National Working Committee’s vision to position the party for a decisive victory in 2027.

Finally, the committee reaffirmed its dedication to a united Nigeria founded on justice, competence, and inclusive development. It described ADC as the most credible platform to bring about the renewal Nigerians seek, urging all members to remain steadfast, ignore distractions, and commit to building a party that restores confidence in governance and delivers tangible progress to the people.

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 presidential election, the opposition landscape has become increasingly fragmented. The recent departure of prominent figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised questions about the viability of a united front against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung, the exit of Obi and Kwankwaso from the ADC was surprising and ill-advised. He argued that their move to the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) weakens their chances, as they abandoned a coalition that had the potential to unseat Tinubu. Dalung believes the ADC emerges stronger from this split, retaining key support bases from former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, political analyst Jide Ojo offers a different perspective. He maintains that the defection is a strategic move for Obi and Kwankwaso to pursue their presidential ambitions without being overshadowed by Atiku in the ADC. Ojo notes that both politicians see 2027 as their best opportunity, given age and regional rotation considerations.

Atiku’s supporters, like Dele Momodu, criticize the focus on zoning, arguing it distracts from critical issues like insecurity and economic challenges. Momodu accuses the Tinubu administration of using zoning to divide the opposition.

Meanwhile, APC chieftain Osita Okechukwu dismissed Atiku’s opposition to zoning, calling it hypocritical given Atiku’s past benefits from the arrangement. As the election approaches, the fragmented opposition faces an uphill battle against a well-entrenched ruling party.

Dele Momodu, a high-ranking member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized Nigerian politicians for relying on zoning as their primary tactic to secure the presidency in the upcoming 2027 elections. Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program on Tuesday, the Ovation Magazine publisher argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu are aware that without emphasizing zoning, their electoral success would be uncertain.

Momodu described the zoning debate as a diversion that prevents Nigerians from focusing on the country’s pressing challenges. He stated, “Politicians treat zoning as the sole qualification to become president. It is a distraction, and I confidently assert that this is not what we need right now.” He emphasized that winning elections requires strategy, not just zoning, but acknowledged the right of those who support zoning to their opinion.

Political science professor Jibrin Ibrahim has expressed disappointment over the divergence between Nigerian political realities and the principles taught in academic institutions.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Tuesday, Ibrahim noted that political parties have transformed into mere instruments for individuals to seize power.

He remarked, ‘As a political science scholar, it is disheartening to witness politics operating on an entirely different framework from what we learned in textbooks. We were raised to believe that democracy adhered to specific rules and norms, only to realize that actual practices bear little resemblance to the theories we studied.’

Ibrahim added, ‘My personal misfortune is that I studied classic political science, assuming that democratic politics would follow those established guidelines.’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially presented its Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, a prominent party stalwart and governorship hopeful in Niger State. This event unfolded at the party’s national office in Abuja, where Kpautagi expressed his firm commitment to tackling the region’s challenges and restoring effective governance.

A massive crowd of supporters, party members, youth groups, women, and political allies gathered at the ADC secretariat to demonstrate their backing for the aspirant. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as they cheered his arrival and the formal acquisition of the forms.

In a brief address to the press after the form collection, Kpautagi thanked his followers for their unwavering faith in his leadership. He promised that his administration, if elected, would prioritize policies that directly improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens. He pointed out that insecurity and water scarcity are among the most pressing issues affecting the state, and he intends to implement immediate, pragmatic solutions.

“It is heartbreaking to witness our brothers and sisters being abducted and murdered, while women and children spend their mornings searching for water. These problems call for strong leadership and swift action,” Kpautagi stated. He was accompanied by his spouses and key political figures during the exercise.

Kpautagi also pledged to revive the former glory of Niger State through transparent administration and efficient resource management. Notably, he previously contested the 2023 governorship primary election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. Dignitaries at the event included former legislators, ex-Deputy Speakers, party chairmen, and other aspirants running for various positions under the ADC banner.