Category: News

In a significant development for Rivers State politics, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives screening committee has disqualified three incumbent federal lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The affected lawmakers are now barred from contesting the party’s primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 15. Meanwhile, all allies of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, have received clearance to participate.

The decision, detailed in an official list released by the APC, represents a major setback for Governor Fubara. Those disqualified include Hon. Anderson Allison, representing Okrika/Ogu/Bolo; Hon. Abiante Awaji Imombek, representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro; and Hon. Boma Goodhead, representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru. All three are known supporters of the governor.

In contrast, the screening committee approved several key Wike allies for the primaries. Among those cleared are Hon. Hart Cyril Godwin (Bonny/Degema), Hon. Blessing Chisery Amadi (Port Harcourt), Hon. Dumnamene R. Detor (Gokana/Khana), and Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Amaewhule is stepping in to replace O.K. Chinda, who purchased APC governorship nomination forms. Other cleared individuals include Hon. Solomon Bob, Hon. Uche Felix Nwaeke, and Hon. Victor Chukwuemele Obuzor. Additional allies of the minister have also been approved to replace the three disqualified lawmakers.

The All Progressives Congress has finally come forward to explain why its primary elections for House of Representatives aspirants were delayed. Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, addressed the issue during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program.

Morka clarified that the postponement was driven entirely by operational needs. He noted that the screening process for candidates had only recently concluded, and some of the committees responsible for the screenings faced delays in submitting their reports. This backlog, he explained, meant the party needed extra time to compile accurate lists of successful and unsuccessful aspirants.

According to Morka, “The change was purely for logistical reasons. We needed to ensure that every chapter where these primaries were scheduled had complete information before we dispatched the committees to conduct the elections.”

The party had initially planned to hold the primaries on Thursday but pushed them back to Saturday, May 16, 2026, as previously reported by Daily Post. The decision was met with curiosity, but Morka’s explanation underscores the party’s commitment to an orderly and well-prepared electoral process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, has officially recognized Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara as the party’s political leader in the state. However, Morka emphasized that the authority to oversee elections rests solely with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Friday, Morka addressed the current political climate, describing it as a season filled with speculation and unfounded claims. He urged stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the democratic process to unfold naturally, ensuring a credible outcome acceptable to all parties involved.

“The governor of Rivers State is our party leader in the state, just as governors lead our party across all states,” Morka stated. “But when it comes to conducting elections, the NWC holds the exclusive mandate. Governors have never managed our party’s electoral processes.”

Morka clarified that no governor has control over the party’s primary elections. Instead, all primary committees, including those established in Rivers State and other regions, operate under the direction of the national headquarters. “The party controls its own processes. Committees are diligently carrying out their assignments and reporting back to the national body,” he added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially established the Primary Election Committees and Primary Election Appeal Committees for the forthcoming National Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed this development through a statement released on Friday. He urged all members and stakeholders to ensure the process is conducted with transparency, fairness, and peace.

Earlier reports indicated that the APC had postponed its House of Representatives primary election by one day, while the timeline for other primaries—including Senate, State Houses of Assembly, governorship, and presidential races—remained unchanged.

The newly formed committees are expected to oversee the conduct of the primaries and handle any appeals that may arise, reinforcing the party’s commitment to an orderly electoral process.

Mathias Byuan, a former governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, has taken a significant political step by purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms from the Labour Party to contest the 2027 governorship election. The move signals a strategic shift in his political journey, as he aims to lead Benue State under a different party banner.

In a surprising twist, Byuan has publicly declared his continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, despite joining the Labour Party. He made this known during an event at the Labour Party’s national headquarters in Abuja, where he and other aspirants from Benue State collected their nomination papers for various positions, including Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats.

Speaking to journalists, Byuan emphasized his belief in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, praising the president’s developmental projects across Nigeria, particularly those in Benue. He argued that Tinubu deserves a second term to complete the initiatives he has started, and he urged his supporters to vote for the president while backing Labour Party candidates in the state.

Byuan’s decision to run on the Labour Party platform stems from his frustration with the current state of governance in Benue, which he described as plagued by insecurity and poor leadership. He criticized the state government for failing to pay workers’ salaries, leading to strikes by health and local government employees. He vowed that if elected governor, his administration would prioritize security, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, housing, roads, and rural development.

The former Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, had initially sought the APC ticket for governor before defecting to the Labour Party. A statement from his Special Adviser, Akange Nyagba, noted that party stakeholders at the Labour Party secretariat expressed confidence in Byuan’s ambition and assured him of their support.

Aminu Tambuwal, the senator representing Sokoto South, has clarified his decision to withdraw from the 2027 senatorial contest, stating it was not prompted by internal discord within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday, Tambuwal emphasized that his move was intended to pave the way for younger leaders, not to address any party divisions.

Tambuwal had earlier stepped aside from the race, leading to the emergence of former House of Representatives Speaker Faruk Yabo as the ADC’s consensus candidate. He dismissed speculation about cracks within the ADC, asserting that the party remains unified. ‘There are no cracks in the ADC,’ Tambuwal said. He further explained that he would actively participate in the party’s campaigns in Sokoto State and work to ensure a robust election process, adding that his goal is to promote younger individuals and improve leadership recruitment.

The lawmaker’s withdrawal comes after his earlier bid for the presidency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, which he abandoned in favor of Atiku Abubakar. Now, as a key figure in the ADC, Tambuwal reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s success and his role as a leader in Sokoto, planning rigorous campaigns to convince voters to support the ADC.

In a recent political revelation, Senator Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto South has suggested that the departure of prominent political figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was motivated by a desire to test their electoral strength. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday, the former Governor of Sokoto State dismissed notions of internal conflict within the ADC as the reason for their exit.

Tambuwal asserted that the move by Obi and Kwankwaso to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was not indicative of any fractures within the ADC. Instead, he characterized it as a strategic decision by the politicians to explore new political platforms and assess their appeal among the Nigerian electorate in the lead-up to the general elections.

The senator elaborated that both individuals, after spending only a few months with the ADC, chose to transition to the NDC to better position themselves for the 2027 elections. According to Tambuwal, this was a calculated move to gauge their popularity rather than a reaction to any disagreements or dissatisfaction within their former party.

He emphasized, “I do not believe it was because of any crack. I believe they wanted to move to another platform to possibly test their popularity with the Nigerian people during the general elections.”

This development has sparked discussions among political analysts regarding the shifting dynamics in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential race. The comments from Tambuwal provide insight into the motivations behind the party-switching actions of two of the country’s most influential political figures.

Electioneering materials promoting Rotimi Amaechi as a contender for the 2027 presidential race have emerged in various parts of Bauchi State. The posters, featuring the slogan “Amaechi for President 2027: Move Nigeria Forward,” also display the emblem of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

These promotional materials were spotted at key points across the Bauchi metropolis, including busy thoroughfares like Ahmadu Bello Way, Awalah Roundabout, Wunti Flyover, and Jos Road Roundabout. Other locations include the Bauchi Club area, Nasarawa Gate Roundabout, and the vicinity of the Emir’s Palace. Additionally, the posters were placed along Railway Road, Sabon Titin Karofi, and Kofar Dumi Street.

The presence of the posters has drawn significant attention from both pedestrians and motorists, many of whom paused to look at them, especially near Awalah Roundabout. Amaechi, who holds the traditional title of Dan Amanar Kasar Hausa of Daura, has a notable political background. He previously served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of Transportation. He also contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022, where he finished as the runner-up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has verified that all 22 officially recognized political parties in Nigeria have turned in their membership registers, as required by the Electoral Act of 2026, to prepare for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Friday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who chairs the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, made this announcement. He emphasized that this step is mandatory under the law to ensure transparency in the electoral process.

The submission deadline was initially set for April 21, 2026, but after discussions during a meeting on March 24, 2026, INEC granted an extension. The new cutoff date was moved to May 10, 2026, aligning with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable for party primaries.

Remarkably, all political parties met the requirement ahead of the extended deadline, delivering their registers by May 8, 2026. This early compliance, two days before the final date, demonstrates a collective effort to adhere to electoral regulations.

INEC also outlined that party primaries are scheduled to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Crucially, membership registers must be submitted no later than 21 days before a party holds its primaries. The submitted registers will now undergo a thorough verification process to confirm their accuracy and legality.

The commission reiterated its dedication to organizing free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections in 2027, with this verification being a key part of that commitment.

The ongoing legal battle between the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Wema Bank over prime real estate in Banana Island, Lagos, has created apprehension among banking customers across the country. NDIC lodged two new lawsuits at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, seeking the return of 12 upscale properties estimated at N125.38 billion and challenging an unauthorized payment of N401 million.

These cases, brought under the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act, are part of NDIC’s broader initiative to retrieve assets tied to defunct Gulf Bank, whose license was revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria earlier this year. According to NDIC, the disputed assets were obtained through companies linked to Gulf Bank prior to its collapse.

In response, Wema Bank issued a statement on Friday asserting that it took control of the properties because the former management of Gulf Bank defaulted on a N1.2 billion debt. The bank emphasized that the companies involved are distinct from Gulf Bank, contradicting NDIC’s assertions. Wema Bank categorically rejected the claims, labeling them as false and intended to mislead the public. However, critics note that the bank did not explicitly deny any connection to the defunct institution or the contested assets.

This dispute has unsettled depositors, raising concerns about the security of their funds and the stability of the banking sector. Uju Ogunbunka, President of the Bank Customers’ Association of Nigeria, stated that he could not immediately determine the controversy’s impact on customers. The legal tussle continues to unfold, leaving many Nigerians in a state of uncertainty.