Category: News

Mukhtar Shagari, the former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is losing sleep over the escalating insecurity across Nigeria. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Shagari emphasized that the president is deeply troubled by the safety challenges facing the nation.

He pointed out that while each state has a security vote, these funds should be redirected toward establishing state police forces. According to Shagari, there can be no justification for failing to protect lives and property, as Nigerians grow increasingly anxious about their safety.

“The president hardly gets a good night’s rest because of the security situation. He is profoundly worried about the well-being of Nigerians, but security cannot be left solely to the federal government,” Shagari stated.

He urged states to take more proactive roles in supporting the president, the military, and other security agencies to combat insecurity. This, he argued, would enable citizens to travel without fear, go about their daily routines, and sleep peacefully.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has dismissed Peter Obi as a credible challenger for the 2027 presidential election. In a strongly worded statement on X, Onanuga asserted that the former Anambra State governor lacks the intellectual capacity and leadership qualities to compete with President Tinubu.

According to Onanuga, Obi has failed to exhibit original or profound thinking throughout his political career. He argued that Nigeria requires a leader capable of transcending conventional thought processes—someone who can analyze complex problems and implement decisive solutions. Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu embodies these traits, while Obi does not.

Onanuga further stated that Obi is not in the same league as Tinubu, portraying him as a politician who merely echoes ideas rather than generating them. He concluded that Obi’s inability to demonstrate strategic vision and action makes him no match for the incumbent president.

The National Secretary of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Sunday Ogini, has publicly declared the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, as incompetent. This statement was made during an interview on News Central Television on Wednesday.

Ogini argued that Amupitan’s interpretation of court orders revealed a deep-seated incompetence that could endanger Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasized that the NNPP faction he leads, under Bito Abu, has secured valid court judgments from the Federal Capital Territory High Court and the Owerri Appeal Court affirming their leadership. Yet, INEC has failed to comply.

“You don’t need a Harvard degree to know that an unbiased umpire must obey court orders and valid judgments,” Ogini said. He added that he had met with Amupitan personally to discuss the matter, but the INEC chairman showed no understanding of the legal obligations.

The NNPP scribe warned that if such incompetence is ignored, it could spell disaster for the democratic process. He called on Nigerians to take note of Amupitan’s actions and demanded that the electoral body respect judicial rulings.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially launched its National Campaign Council ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.

Party Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda presided over the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in attendance.

During the event, Yilwatda expressed appreciation to council members for taking on this significant responsibility. He voiced confidence that their combined expertise, devotion, and hard work would greatly boost the APC’s campaign efforts and lead to another triumph at the polls.

The chairman noted that the council’s formation reflects the party’s commitment to inclusivity, unity, and shared success.

Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Ismael, a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nasarawa State, has voiced apprehensions regarding the ongoing internal leadership conflict. Speaking with journalists in Lafia on Wednesday, he emphasized the need for the judiciary to maintain neutrality when adjudicating matters tied to the party’s internal affairs.

Ismael asserted that the faction backing former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola is confident in its stance, citing legal precedents that support internal party democracy. He argued that disputes concerning a party’s internal administration must be settled in line with statutory provisions and established court rulings.

“We are troubled by the unfolding events in the ADC leadership crisis, and we expect all court cases to be decided purely on legal grounds,” Ismael stated. He expressed faith in the party’s legal position and urged judicial authorities to ensure that every case is handled with strict adherence to due process.

“The Supreme Court has already set a precedent, and we trust that the courts will resolve these matters based on legal principles and fairness,” he added. He further called for transparency, stressing that justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done.

The ADC chieftain also highlighted broader concerns about the state of opposition politics in Nigeria. He underscored the vital role of opposition parties in a democracy and urged that they be permitted to function freely within legal boundaries. “This issue transcends individuals; it’s about strengthening democratic institutions and reinforcing public trust in the rule of law,” Ismael remarked.

He concluded by urging all Nigerians to back initiatives that protect democracy and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has opened up about his decision to part ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and establish a new political platform. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” program, the former Bayelsa State governor emphasized that robust opposition is essential for any democracy to thrive.

Dickson, who served as governor for two terms, noted that he is not swayed by popular opinion. He pointed out that many politicians cross over to the ruling party to gain access to appointments, contracts, and state patronage. “People join the ruling party to benefit from so-called federal might, to manipulate election results, and to use security forces to intimidate and humiliate their opponents,” he stated.

Drawing from his own experience, Dickson recalled being the first opposition governor after the PDP lost federal power in 2015. “Since then, I have borne the brunt of being in the opposition. It doesn’t scare me,” he asserted. He stressed that a vibrant opposition is crucial for holding the government accountable and ensuring the health of Nigeria’s democracy.

Dickson’s remarks come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. His new party, the NDC, aims to provide a credible alternative to the dominant political forces in the country.

Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has firmly dismissed claims that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) sells its nomination tickets to the highest bidders. However, he conceded that the party’s recently concluded primaries were not without flaws.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Dickson emphasized that the NDC is actively addressing concerns raised by members in states like Edo and Imo, where aspirants have voiced complaints about irregularities and breaches of electoral guidelines. He stated, “I have never claimed that the primary process was perfect. Far from it.”

Dickson noted that the party had initially planned to implement electronic voting to boost transparency but lacked the necessary time and logistics. He pointed out that direct primaries, as mandated by Nigeria’s electoral framework, significantly complicated matters, especially for a new party with many aspirants. “In many cases, there were 15 or 20 aspirants seeking the same position, which naturally created intense competition and disputes,” he explained.

Regarding allegations that party structures in some states have been captured by influential individuals controlling access to tickets, Dickson argued that no evidence supports such claims at the national leadership level. He was emphatic: “The NDC does not sell nomination forms or tickets based on wealth. Nobody has come forward with evidence that the National Working Committee or the national leadership collected money in exchange for tickets.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that financial resources play a role in politics. “In politics, resources matter. Every political party considers whether an aspirant has the capacity and resources to run a viable campaign,” he said, stressing that this should not be mistaken for commercializing party tickets. Dickson concluded that while internal disagreements exist, they are being managed within the party’s structures and should not be seen as a sign of systemic collapse.

Seriake Dickson, the former Bayelsa State Governor and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has once again spoken out against the compulsory direct primary system in Nigeria. He believes it is a key cause of infighting and numerous grievances within political parties.

During a recent interview on Arise Television, Dickson argued that requiring all parties to use direct primaries was a mistake in the Electoral Act. He said it takes away their ability to decide how to pick candidates. In his view, parties should have the freedom to choose between direct and indirect primaries. Forcing one method on everyone creates unnecessary friction.

He pointed out that the old delegate system worked better because it provided more order and control. That system reduced disagreements and limited how many people could challenge the results. Under the current system, Dickson noted, there is an overwhelming number of complaints. The reforms were meant to improve democracy, but they have brought serious logistical and administrative problems instead.

The former governor also highlighted how difficult it is for INEC to manage all the ward-level voting required by direct primaries. This is especially hard for new or small political parties. Furthermore, he explained that direct primaries allow many candidates to claim victory based on their own versions of the results. This leads to multiple people announcing wins and creating disputes. He said, “In a direct primary situation, people go into the field, gather supporters, declare themselves winners and begin to brandish results.”

Dickson acknowledged that no party is free from such problems. Still, he insisted that the system itself fuels internal battles and competing claims within political organizations. He concluded that the current rules need to be reconsidered to reduce conflict.

Senator Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Bayelsa State governor, has conceded that the party’s primary elections were not without imperfections, yet he firmly dismissed any notion of a deepening internal conflict. During an interview on Arise Television, Dickson acknowledged that certain participants expressed discontent with how the primaries unfolded, attributing some of the challenges to the direct primary system, which he noted poses operational difficulties for both new and established political organizations. He emphasized that a number of disputed results were actually decided by the party’s internal mechanisms rather than by its top leadership. This admission comes in the wake of mounting grievances from aspirants across multiple states who have alleged irregularities in the nomination process. However, Dickson refuted claims of internal turmoil, arguing that the heightened competition within the NDC is a sign of the party’s rapid growth and the increasing public interest it commands. He stated unequivocally, “There is no crisis whatsoever,” interpreting the surge of political figures and aspirants joining the party as evidence of rising confidence rather than instability. Dickson also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for what he perceives as a growing trust in the NDC, pointing to the active participation in recent party events as a clear indicator of expanding support. According to him, the intense contestation for positions should be viewed as a demonstration of political strength, not organizational fragility.

Senator Seriake Dickson has asserted that his credentials for the Nigerian presidency surpass those of prominent opposition figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, clarifying that he voluntarily refrained from pursuing the office.

During a Wednesday interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Dickson discussed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), its leadership, and the party’s connection with Obi. He emphasized that the NDC granted its platform to Obi without any financial demands, highlighting that neither Obi nor his running mate made payments to secure their nominations.

The former Bayelsa governor rejected the notion that the NDC was capitalizing on Obi’s affiliation, insisting instead that the party was providing a valuable platform to the former Labour Party candidate. He also denied reports of internal strife within the NDC, describing Obi as a valued member and affirming that both sides are collaborating effectively.

Dickson attributed any perceived tensions to certain supporters who, he claimed, undermine the party while professing loyalty to Obi. He noted that before Obi joined, the NDC had engaged with several other politicians, arguing that the party deserves recognition for its role in building an alternative political movement for the 2027 elections.

He stated, “If we didn’t like them or lack mutual confidence, we wouldn’t have provided the platform. They paid nothing—not a single naira. So if a presidential candidate paid nothing to become the sole candidate, the party can’t be accused of exploiting them. I think I deserve credit: no one is more qualified than me for the presidency, but for personal reasons I chose not to run. Don’t pretend anyone is doing me or the NDC a favor. Rather, the NDC is granting a platform, and that story must be told.”

Dickson added, “You cannot genuinely support Peter Obi while disparaging me, the party leader, or the platform itself. That is absurd. If forming a party were easy, everyone would do it. Before Obi, I hosted Binani from Adamawa and others for five months. People need to be careful. Obi is a cherished party member, and we made him our sole presidential candidate—that counts. There is no crisis; it’s these supporters who gain nothing by trashing the platform.”