Category: News

Renowned scholar and former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi, has commended Peter Obi for making what he describes as a strategic political shift. According to Utomi, Obi’s decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) was a wise move that prevented him from falling into a carefully laid trap.

Utomi pointed to the turmoil within the ADC, where notable presidential aspirants like Chibuike Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-deen publicly rejected the primary results, claiming irregularities. The academic argued that Obi, by switching parties, avoided similar chaos and positioned himself advantageously for the upcoming elections.

It was reported that Peter Obi has formally emerged as the presidential candidate of the NDC. During a weekend ceremony, he received the party’s flag and announced Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, as his running mate.

Speaking on Arise News, Utomi stated, “Even though polling suggested that Obi would defeat other candidates within the ADC, that would only hold if the main players allowed a fair process. Let’s be honest, the way these processes have been managed generally makes a complete mockery of democracy. They are mere charades, with candidates being imposed rather than democratically elected.”

Utomi further criticized the state of primary elections across political parties, labeling them as exercises in make-believe rather than genuine democratic contests. He emphasized that Obi’s timely exit from the ADC demonstrated sharp political instincts.

Amaechi, one of the prominent figures who joined the ADC coalition, had declared his presidential ambition for 2027 but lost the primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is now the party’s flagbearer. Following the loss, Amaechi rejected the outcome, alleging widespread electoral malpractice. He threatened to challenge the results but has since remained quiet after a visit from Atiku at his Abuja residence.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has declared that President Bola Tinubu will face no serious opposition in the 2027 presidential election. Speaking in an interview, Fayose argued that the fragmented opposition has effectively handed the victory to Tinubu on a platter.

Despite widespread insecurity, hunger, and economic hardship under Tinubu’s administration, Fayose insisted that the president remains unchallenged. He pointed to the recent kidnappings in Oyo State and violence in Kwara and other northern regions as evidence of the government’s failure, yet he claimed these issues won’t affect the election outcome.

Several candidates have emerged, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Seyi Makinde of the Allied People Movement (APM), Kachikwu Dumebi of the ADC, Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Omoyele Sowore. Many observers expected a fierce contest, particularly in the Southwest. However, Fayose dismissed the significance of these candidacies.

Fayose contrasted the current situation with 2023, when Atiku and Obi mounted a strong challenge, creating a three-horse race. He noted that Tinubu still emerged victorious then, and with the opposition now splintered across multiple parties, Tinubu will win even more easily in 2027. He said, “The moment they have NDC and ADC, and they were saying Tinubu was pushing for a one-party state, now there are so many parties—they have destroyed their journey by themselves.”

He urged critics to distinguish between social media noise and political reality. “Nobody is contesting against Tinubu. You may not like to hear this,” he added. Fayose emphasized that if the opposition had united under a single party, Tinubu would have faced a serious challenge, but their fragmentation has ensured his smooth path to reelection.

The Nigerian presidency has identified the followers of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi as the dominant force on social media, referring to them as ‘tigers’ in the digital space. This characterization was made by Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, during an appearance on News Central Television on Monday.

Bwala highlighted how social media has transformed the way citizens interact with public figures, enabling direct and often critical feedback online. He elaborated that the most aggressive and influential social media users are Obi’s supporters, known widely as ‘Obidients.’ According to him, many of these supporters reside abroad where internet access is free, while others in Nigeria are tech-savvy and have carried out significant manipulation of online narratives.

In his remarks, Bwala acknowledged that other political parties also have similar supporters but insisted that the Obidients stand out as the most formidable. He was responding to a question about whether he compensates individuals to defend the government online. Bwala firmly denied paying anyone, stating that if he were inclined to do so, he would have sold his family land to counter the negative agenda against him following the Medi Hassan interview.

The former Minister of Power and a key contender in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has reiterated that the party has not officially named its flagbearer for the 2027 election. Speaking in a statement released on Monday, Adelabu appealed to party supporters to stay patient and await the national leadership’s formal announcement regarding the primary results.

He cautioned against unverified reports of a consensus candidate, emphasizing that no individual or group at the state level has the authority to declare the final outcome. Adelabu specifically warned about lists circulating on social media, urging members to treat such information with skepticism until the national headquarters makes an official statement.

According to DAILY POST, Adelabu resigned as Minister of Power on April 30, 2026, to contest the primary alongside eight others. Widely circulated reports had indicated that Senator Sarafadeen Alli emerged victorious and was the party’s consensus choice. Furthermore, the state APC chairman, Moses Adeyemo, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos over the weekend, also proclaimed Alli as the candidate.

However, Adelabu insisted that these claims are premature. He stressed that only the national party leadership can confirm the candidate, describing any contrary assertions as efforts to mislead the public and disrupt internal party deliberations. He called for adherence to principles of fairness and internal democracy.

“At this crucial stage, no one should allow himself or herself to be misled by rumours, propaganda or premature victory claims designed to manipulate public perception, create confusion among party faithful and influence ongoing consultations within the party. Such actions are neither helpful to the party nor consistent with the principles of fairness, discipline and internal democracy that should guide our conduct as loyal APC members,” Adelabu stated.

He further advised that any purported list of candidates being circulated through unofficial channels should be treated with caution until the national leadership makes its official pronouncement.

Actor and House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja on Monday, expressing strong displeasure over the outcome of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) seat.

Ike, who recently declared his intention to contest under the NDC platform, alleged that the primary election was marred by irregularities. According to sources, the actor lost the party’s primaries.

Addressing officials at the INEC office, an irate Ike vowed to seek justice, stating that the electoral process was flawed. “We don’t have an address when the election is going on. I am an aspirant, I’m a Nigerian. You won’t go away with this. I don’t do social media activism. INEC will not escape this,” he declared.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has shed more light on his decision to quit the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He cited a manipulated primary process that he claims was rigged in favor of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the primary reason for his departure.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Lawal explained that long-standing suspicions within the ADC suggested the party was being positioned to serve Atiku’s presidential ambitions, despite assurances of a fair primary. He noted that efforts to reach a consensus candidate collapsed when major contenders insisted on being the sole beneficiary, forcing the party to hold primaries.

Lawal alleged that Atiku’s supporters compromised the exercise, doctoring results and altering outcomes to favor the former vice president. He expressed dismay that many party members were willing to accept the irregularities in the name of peace, calling such acceptance unacceptable. He argued that reconciliation is impossible when the process has been deliberately manipulated.

The former SGF further questioned Atiku’s suitability for the presidency, asserting that his knowledge of Atiku’s political record convinces him that an Atiku administration would be worse than President Bola Tinubu’s current government. He declared that he does not want to find himself regretting a decision to work against Tinubu’s re-election.

In his words: “Surprisingly, across the board, Atiku and his team compromised nearly everyone, and results were falsified. Where primaries occurred, they were tampered with. Where outcomes didn’t favor them, they fabricated results.”

He added: “Everyone in ADC knows that primary was manipulated, massively rigged, and the results were falsified. What worries me is that everyone acted as if it was normal. I was shocked.”

Lawal concluded: “I know Atiku. I know his history and capabilities. I realize his presidency would be worse than Bola Tinubu’s. I don’t want to end up in a situation where I regret not opposing Bola Tinubu.”

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has leveled serious allegations against Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, claiming that the recent abduction of school children in Oyo State was a staged event designed to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.

According to Fayose, the kidnapping incident, which occurred on Friday in several local government areas, was orchestrated by the Makinde administration as a political maneuver. He pointed out that the governor failed to take any immediate action following the abductions, only visiting the affected families after his nomination and that of his candidates were finalized.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Fayose stated, “In Oyo State, I strongly believe this might have been orchestrated. The governor had his nomination and that of his candidates in the face of this abduction. He did not take any action; no steps were taken until after those nominations.” He further asserted, “I sometimes believe that the abduction at the Oyo school was orchestrated by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President Tinubu.”

The kidnapping, which saw school children and teachers taken by unknown gunmen, prompted President Tinubu to dispatch a high-powered delegation to the affected areas, promising a safe return for all abducted individuals.

Fayose’s remarks have sparked controversy, with some questioning the basis for his allegations. The Oyo State government has yet to officially respond to the claims.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has declared that President Bola Tinubu is making his utmost effort to tackle Nigeria’s escalating security situation. Speaking during a Channels Television interview, Fayose attributed the current crisis to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fayose argued that Tinubu inherited a broken system and is being unfairly targeted through insecurity as the 2027 elections approach. He stated, ‘Tinubu may not be flawless, but he is giving his all. At the close of Buhari’s term, things were far worse. Tinubu essentially rescued the government by stepping in after Buhari.’

The former governor added, ‘As a principled man unwilling to abandon the north, he took on the burden and worked to repair the damage left by the previous administration. Similarly, when Goodluck Jonathan was exiting office, insecurity was used to blackmail him.’

The Kano State Special Taskforce on Illegal Structures has taken decisive action against several commercial properties, including plazas and hotels, as well as other edifices across the state for non-compliance with building codes. The operation was spearheaded by Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, who also heads the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), and his 11-member committee conducted the enforcement on Monday throughout various parts of the Kano metropolis.

During the exercise, Sani reported that approximately 14 buildings were sealed in diverse areas such as Gandu Industrial Layout, Dangi along Zoo Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Hadeija Road, and Sokoto Road. He noted that two plazas in Gandu Industrial Layout were closed, and an unfinished hotel project along Sokoto Road was also halted. Additionally, work on another hotel was stopped, and multiple other structures, residences, and cafes were shut down for lacking proper permits.

Sani emphasized that the committee, recently formed to address unlawful constructions, found that some buildings had no approval documents at all, others had lapsed permits, and some had been converted from residential to commercial use without authorization. He also pointed out that in certain cases, the constructed buildings did not match what was originally approved, constituting a serious violation. The taskforce boss stressed that the enforcement aims to protect public safety and prevent potential disasters like building collapses. He warned property owners to regularize their documents and adhere strictly to regulations, as the taskforce will continue its operations to ensure compliance. This crackdown is part of the Kano State Government’s broader initiative to bring order to urban development and guarantee that all constructions meet necessary safety and planning standards.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, describing his recent outbursts as baseless and full of falsehoods fueled by substance abuse.

In a statement released by his media office, Atiku said he would have ignored Lawal’s rantings, which he called the ramblings of a man under the influence, but felt compelled to correct the record. He emphasized that while Lawal had every right to resign from the ADC, as political parties are voluntary associations, he had no right to tarnish his reputation with blatant lies.

The statement read: “The Atiku Media Office has noted the unwarranted and vicious attack on the character of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election.” It further clarified that accusing Atiku of religious bias or nepotism is one of the most absurd and baseless allegations anyone could make against him.

According to the statement, Atiku is one of Nigeria’s most progressive politicians, with a track record that speaks for itself. “In our view, Babachir was merely projecting his own flaws onto Atiku. The former SGF is a man who seeks power by exploiting ethnic and religious divisions. His conflicts with others stem from his selfish interests, not the welfare of the nation,” the statement added.

The response also noted that “a notorious conflict entrepreneur like Babachir Lawal is in no position to lecture Nigerians on what is good for the country.” It pointed out that when Lawal resigned from the ADC citing manipulation during the primaries, he offered no evidence to support his claims. Instead, he diverted attention by dragging Atiku’s family into the matter, which had no relevance to the primary process.

The statement concluded: “It is clear from the heap of garbage released by the former SGF that his attacks are driven by personal vendetta against Atiku Abubakar.”