Category: News

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has categorically denied reports suggesting that former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso acquired 69 nomination forms in an attempt to take over the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

It would be recalled that Abdulkadir Musa Giza, who claimed to be the chairman of the PRP North-West Stakeholders Forum, had alleged that Kwankwaso has taken over the party’s structure.

However, during a press briefing on Monday, PRP Secretary Alhaji Musa Maigari dismissed the claim as entirely false, stressing that Kwankwaso never purchased any nomination forms and has no official ties with the party.

Maigari stated: “As it stands, all positions in PRP have been filled. Primary elections are over, and every political party has concluded its primaries.”

He also cast doubt on the accuser’s credibility, noting, “The man making these allegations is not even a member of our party. It is absurd that at a time when primaries are finished, someone is still talking about primaries or nomination forms.”

The party secretary further clarified that the so-called North-West Stakeholders Forum is not recognized by the PRP, and there is no evidence that Kwankwaso or his representatives obtained nomination forms from the party.

He described the timing of the accusation as questionable, since the party has already completed its primary elections for the upcoming electoral cycle.

He urged the public to disregard what he termed baseless rumors and to rely solely on information disseminated through the party’s official channels.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2026 Ekiti State election, Dare Bejide, has formally rejected the outcome announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, Bejide characterized the electoral process as fundamentally flawed and lacking in integrity.

Bejide described the atmosphere on election day as tense, comparing some polling units to war zones. He claimed that the ruling party engaged in widespread vote buying, using both cash and food items to influence voters. According to the ADC candidate, this behavior indicated a lack of confidence in the government’s performance record.

“I reject the result in its entirety because the election was not credible,” Bejide asserted. He noted that even his own polling unit experienced an intimidating environment. He further alleged that political appointees and a sitting senator brought thugs and security personnel to disrupt the process.

The ADC candidate accused the ruling party of spending enormous sums of money at polling units. “Bags of money were brought to polling units,” he said, adding that such actions would have been unnecessary if the government had performed well. Bejide described the election as a sad day for democracy in Nigeria.

Bejide stated that he had not yet personally reviewed the full results but had seen reports on social media. His team is currently collating results from polling units across the state. After analyzing the data, the party will decide on the next steps. In the meantime, he urged his supporters and all Ekiti residents to remain calm and peaceful.

According to Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the outcome of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election is a clear indicator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) strength ahead of the 2027 general elections. This was disclosed in a Sunday statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The governor noted that the high voter turnout and peaceful atmosphere during the poll demonstrate the continued support of residents for the APC and its policies. He emphasized that the election was conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner, truly reflecting the will of the electorate. Governor Yusuf commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for successfully organizing the exercise and lauded security agencies for maintaining order throughout the process.

The governor asserted that the conduct and outcome of the election have boosted public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system. He congratulated the APC candidate on his victory and urged him to focus on providing effective representation for the constituency. According to Yusuf, the result confirms that the APC remains a formidable political force in Kano State and is well-positioned for future electoral successes.

In his remarks, Governor Yusuf took aim at the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for failing to field a candidate in the by-election, labeling the party as “a mushroom political movement lacking visible grassroots support.” He argued that the NDC avoided the contest out of fear of defeat and lack of the necessary backing to challenge the APC. The governor maintained that the by-election laid bare the fragility of opposition groups in the state and highlighted the growing embrace of the APC among Kano residents.

He reassured citizens that his administration would continue to implement projects and programs aimed at improving their lives. Additionally, Governor Yusuf extended congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, on what he described as the party’s success in recent by-elections nationwide.

According to Sam Amadi, the Director of the Abuja School of Social Thought and Politics, political candidates in the upcoming 2027 presidential election are focusing their campaigns on Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) rather than the current president, Bola Tinubu. Amadi described the election as the most absurd in Nigeria’s history.

In a post on X, Amadi stated that all contenders are positioning themselves against Obi, not Tinubu. He criticized the situation, calling it illogical and noting that even self-proclaimed intellectuals and technocrats are participating in this irrationality.

Peter Obi, who ran under the Labour Party in the 2023 election, is set to contest again in 2027. His opponents include incumbent President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who are among the leading candidates.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has hailed the party’s recent electoral victories as a resounding endorsement of its governance approach. He specifically cited Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s comprehensive win in the Ekiti State governorship race and the party’s dominance in bye-elections across Nigeria as clear signals that voters appreciate tangible results.

Speaking through his media aide, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda emphasized that these outcomes show Nigerians can look beyond immediate economic hardships tied to reforms and instead recognize the lasting benefits of responsible leadership, economic transformation, infrastructure upgrades, and institutional strengthening that the APC champions at both national and state levels.

According to the APC chief, the results confirm that citizens value administrations focused on development, accountability, stability, and public welfare. He stated that Ekiti voters have once again proved that effective governance is the strongest campaign asset. Governor Oyebanji’s reelection, he noted, rewards visionary leadership, inclusive policies, sound financial management, and clear developmental progress across the state.

Yilwatda further remarked that the Ekiti election has become a benchmark for the nation. It demonstrates that when governments deliver on infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth initiatives, security, and social programs, the electorate responds with renewed confidence and overwhelming support. He argued that this victory underscores that governance, not rhetoric, is the path to political legitimacy.

The APC leader highlighted Ekiti as one of Nigeria’s most impressive governance success stories under Oyebanji, citing investments in roads, rural development, human capital, healthcare, farming, workers’ welfare, and business-friendly policies. He noted that the administration has built broad political consensus while focusing on measurable results, fostering stability and rapid progress.

Yilwatda also placed the election victory within the broader context of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, which he said is laying the groundwork for a stronger, more productive, and globally competitive economy.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has declared his intention to teach Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde a political lesson in the run-up to the 2027 elections. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Fayose accused Makinde of betraying trust and undermining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West.

Fayose claimed that Makinde destroyed the South West PDP and appropriated his political structure. He warned that those who show him disrespect will face the consequences, emphasizing that he should not be taken for granted. According to Fayose, Makinde’s presidential ambition was his downfall, as he failed to remain loyal to party agreements.

In his remarks, Fayose also made a cryptic reference to deities, alleging that Makinde had stolen their land and that they would reclaim it. He stated, “We will teach Makinde a political lesson. If you respect me, you will get all my values and support, but if you disrespect me, you will get the downside of Fayose.” He added that elections are approaching and that the time for reckoning will come.

The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly refuted recent statements made by Governor Abba Yusuf concerning the party’s choice to sit out the just-concluded Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election.

Governor Yusuf, through his spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, had earlier asserted that the NDC’s absence from the poll indicated a lack of strength and predicted an easy victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

In response, NDC’s Kano Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mai Riga, dismissed the governor’s comments as cheap political point-scoring. He emphasized that the party remains undeterred and is channeling its efforts into building a robust, grassroots-oriented structure across all 44 local government areas of Kano State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mai Riga underscored that the NDC is a party built on strategy and discipline, and skipping a single bye-election is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of focus on the larger objective. The party is intent on strengthening its base, uniting members, and fielding credible candidates who can earn the trust of Kano residents in 2027.

Drawing lessons from political history in Kano and Nigeria, the chairman noted that the NDC will not squander resources on contests that do not advance its long-term vision. Instead, the party will prioritize mobilization, political education, and policy formulation aimed at tackling unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

Mai Riga expressed confidence that with the backing of Kano’s populace and the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement within the party, the NDC will triumph in the next governorship race.

He called on NDC members to remain calm, avoid provocation, and engage in lawful political activities. He also appealed to security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure a level playing field as political activities heat up.

The Kano NDC chapter reiterated its dedication to democratic principles, issue-based politics, and the delivery of good governance to the people of Kano State.

Sumner Sambo, the Director of News and Political Editor at Arise Television, has declared that opposition political parties need to demonstrate their capability as the 2027 general elections approach. During his appearance as a guest on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Monday, Sambo cited the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election as a case in point.

He noted that the opposition’s performance in the Ekiti election was lackluster, highlighting a need for them to intensify their efforts. According to Sambo, the election results should prompt a critical evaluation of the opposition’s strategies.

He questioned why the outcomes from this election differed significantly from the intense races witnessed in 2018 and 2022. Sambo emphasized that opposition parties must show they can mount a serious challenge, rather than merely relying on past performances.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed profound gratitude to the people of the state for their overwhelming support that led to his re-election in the June 20 governorship election. In a message of appreciation, Oyebanji acknowledged the collective effort of Ekitikete in securing a renewed four-year mandate and ensuring a peaceful electoral process across all 16 local government areas.

The governor, in a statement issued by his media aide Yinka Oyebode, noted that the election set a benchmark for peaceful elections in Nigeria. He praised the conduct of citizens before, during, and after the three-month electioneering period, emphasizing that the peace was sustained by leaders and stakeholders from all walks of life.

Oyebanji extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), inviting them to collaborate in building a more prosperous Ekiti. He specifically thanked traditional rulers, political party leaders, religious bodies, and former governors Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Engr. Segun Oni, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi for their support and commitment to unity.

The governor also commended the security agencies, including the Army, Police, DSS, and paramilitary units, for their professionalism and inter-agency cooperation. He expressed gratitude to his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for their dedication and magnanimity in victory, as well as to labor unions, workers, teachers, journalists, youth, market women, and transport unions.

Oyebanji acknowledged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a significantly improved electoral process, attributing it to staff dedication and the new Electoral Act signed by President Bola Tinubu. He reaffirmed his commitment to working harder to deliver greater democratic dividends in his second term, thanking God for the achievements of his administration over the past three years and eight months.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed that Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, be taken to Kuje prison. This decision was handed down on Monday by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar.

Justice Umar issued the remand order while awaiting the hearing of Sowore’s motion for a stay on the earlier revocation of his bail and the bench warrant. The judge also dismissed a separate application requesting his recusal from the case, citing allegations of bias.

The case has been adjourned to June 24 for the hearing of the stay application, which was filed by Sowore’s new legal representative, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Sowore arrived at the court accompanied by supporters displaying placards. The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting him over claims that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal in posts on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

Justice Umar had earlier revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16 after the defendant failed to appear in court. A bench warrant was also issued at that time following an oral request by the DSS counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN.