Category Archives: Politics

2027: Enang urges Yilwatda to reposition APC

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ita Enang, has called on the party’s newly elected National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, to take steps to reposition the party ahead of 2027.

Enang made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

NAN reports that Yilwatda was recently elected to succeed Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down from the position, citing health reasons.

Enang, a former Senior Special Assistant to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, said that Yilwatda’s leadership came at a critical time in the party’s history.

“I welcome the new National Chairman. This is a time when your experience as an engineer is most needed—to re-engineer the internal workings and political direction of the APC,” he said.

Enang acknowledged Yilwatda’s earlier role in strengthening the party in the Northern bloc, describing it as a positive start.

He also advised the chairman to critically examine the events that led to the exit of previous party leaders.

“I urge him to study the history behind the departures of Abdullahi Adamu and Abdullahi Ganduje. Identify the pitfalls, not to remove them, but to avoid them.

“Banana peels do not appear out of nowhere; they are laid when certain missteps occur. The key is to recognise them and not slip,” he said.

Read Also: APC will welcome Wike – Tinubu

The former lawmaker commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as smart and responsive leadership of both the country and the APC.

“President Tinubu is not taking anything or anyone for granted; not the party, not the coalition that brought him to power. His leadership is strategic and I commend him for that,” he said.

Commenting on the emergence of a new coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Enang said that the development offered the APC a strategic advantage.

“The APC should actually celebrate the ADC and other opposition coalitions.

“They serve as early warning systems, exposing public sentiments and opposition strategies that we can now address ahead of time,” he said.

He said that unlike the APC’s surprise emergence in 2015, which caught the then-ruling PDP unprepared, the ADC coalition had revealed its hand too early.

“If the ADC had realised they were doing the APC a favour, they would have held back.

“But by unveiling their agenda early, they have given us time to prepare and respond,” he said.

Enang further urged the APC leadership to maintain internal cohesion by acknowledging long-standing members and equitably distributing roles and opportunities within the party.

“APC must recognise that people now have options. You can not afford to celebrate only newcomers while neglecting those who sustained the party during difficult times.

“There must be a deliberate balance, perhaps a 50-50 or 40-60 sharing formula between legacy members and new entrants when it comes to power, party positions and opportunities,” he said said.

(NAN)

Peter Obi reaffirms 4-Year single-term pledge

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  • …Says It’s Enough to Deliver a ‘New Nigeria’

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, says a one-term of four years is enough for him to accomplish his ambition of a new Nigeria.

According to him, history has shown that positive legacies are in favour of leaders who stay shorter in office.

Writing on his X handle on Sunday, Obi noted that: “One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership.

“Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations.

“In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer.

“His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self.

“Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it.”

Obi said that longevity in office was not a mark of success, adding: “it is purposeful, accountable service – however brief – that defines true statesmanship.

“It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected president. And that vow is sacrosanct.

Read Also: Peter Obi denies defection to PDP, reaffirms commitment to ADC

“I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities.

“Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words-whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.

“Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term.

“One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.”

Obi said that he understood the basis of people’s distrust because most  politicians do not keep their promises.

“But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation. In my political life, my word is my bond.

“When I entered politics in Anambra , I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence.

“I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word.

“My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity,” he said.

The presidential aspirant said that if making such a promise qualified him for psychiatric evaluation, then the mental fitness of those who framed the  constitution, which clearly stipulated a four-year renewable tenure, must also be was questionable.

“I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal.

“We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances.

“Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises,” he said.

The promises, according to him, include: to sanitise governance system; tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, poverty alleviation; and catalyse small businesses as engines of growth.

He said that he would dedicate himself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, with agriculture, technology and manufacturing replacing rent-seeking and waste.

“These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.

(NAN)

North will back Tinubu in 2027 – Gov Inuwa

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Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum has declared the North’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing the administration’s fulfillment of key electoral promises to the region.

Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement organised by the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at Arewa House, Kaduna, Yahaya said the North’s strong backing for Tinubu in the 2023 election was a strategic move now delivering results in infrastructure, security, energy, and agriculture.

“When candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood before us during the 2023 campaign, he made specific commitments to Northern Nigeria. The north, believing in President Tinubu’s vision, voted strongly for him, contributing to over 60% of Tinubu’s winning votes,” the governor said.

He noted that the event, themed ‘Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity,’ was not convened for “empty rhetoric” but to honestly evaluate the performance of the federal government against its stated objectives.

According to him, Tinubu’s administration has shown steady progress despite daunting economic and security challenges.

Read Also: APC will welcome Wike – Tinubu

“Today, we gather not for empty rhetoric, but to examine those promises and assess the level of progress so far. What we find is an administration that has delivered meaningful results for our region despite facing significant national challenges. I make bold to say that the evidence of progress is visible across our region,” Inuwa said.

He cited a number of federal projects to show the president’s commitment to northern development.

These include the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, and continuation of drilling activities in the Kolmani oilfields.

“These projects promise to bring industrial growth and energy security to Northern Nigeria,” the governor said, adding that the administration’s renewed hope agenda is gradually transforming long-standing ambitions into reality,” he said.

Beyond legacy projects, Governor Inuwa highlighted emerging initiatives such as the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, inter-state road networks, and agriculture value chain investments specifically targeting northern states.

He also noted the ongoing expansion and upgrade of healthcare facilities as evidence of deliberate federal policies aimed at improving the well-being of northern citizens.

Inuwa further commended the federal government’s efforts in addressing insecurity, revealing that over 300 bandit kingpins and terrorist commanders have been eliminated through coordinated military operations and enhanced intelligence gathering.

Tinubu has not neglected the North, Presidency debunks Kwankwaso’s claim

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The Presidency has refuted claims by former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has sidelined Northern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso had alleged during a stakeholders’ meeting on the 2025 constitutional amendment in Kano on Thursday that the North is being marginalised, with national resources skewed in favour of the South. He cited deteriorating federal road networks in the region, recounting a harrowing road trip from Abuja to Kano after a cancelled flight.

In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, dismissed the allegations in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday.

Dare asserted that the Tinubu administration is committed to inclusive national development, highlighting several infrastructure and social investment projects actively ongoing across the North.

“The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect,” he stated. “The Tinubu administration has initiated and sustained major projects in the North spanning roads, agriculture, energy, and healthcare.”

He listed key projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, and the 614-kilometre Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline as evidence of development efforts in the region.

Read Also: APC will welcome Wike – Tinubu

Dare also pointed to the $158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain Development Programme being implemented across nine northern states, along with the Kolmani Integrated Development Project straddling Bauchi and Gombe states.

Additional programmes include the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative, which seeks to reclaim one million hectares of degraded land in the North.

In the healthcare sector, the presidency noted major upgrades at facilities including Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Federal Medical Centre in Nguru. Over 1,000 primary healthcare centres are also undergoing revitalisation across northern states.

Road infrastructure projects cited include the Kano–Kongolam Road, Kaduna–Jos Road, Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, and rehabilitation works in Borno and Adamawa states.

On the energy front, Dare mentioned the Gwagwalada Power Plant and upcoming solar power initiatives in Kaduna, while also citing ongoing work on the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines, as well as the Abuja Metro rehabilitation project.

“From critical road networks to power infrastructure, rail, agriculture, and health, the Tinubu administration has the North well covered,” Dare concluded.

PDP will not lose sleep over coalition -Damagum

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 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will not lose sleep over the recent coalition that adopted the African Democratic Party (SDP) as platform to contest the 2027 general election.

The party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum stated this at the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

Damagum said that the PDP remained the only party ready to take back power in 2027.

According to him, PDP remained the party with the structure, national acceptability, and legacy capable of bearing the weight of great nation building.

“ I must address the matter of a so-called coalition recently formed, which includes some defecting members of our party.

“On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over.

“They say, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Some persons have recently learned this truth in the most uncomfortable way.

“Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claimed they never left and merely attended a meeting, we accept their confessions without prejudice.

“Let me add that, this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone. Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated and their swift return is proof of this,” Damagum said.

Read Also: Osun senator Francis Fadahunsi dumps PDP 

The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said that the party sympathised with those, who out of impatient left the party, adding that the party door was still opened for them to return.

“This is not time for calling names. This is not time for abuses .

“We sympathise with those who became impatient and left but certainly they will understand and we will still leave the door ajar for them to come in when they wish to, within a time limit.

“We will not continue to condone indiscipline in this party, because indiscipline is what brought us these challenges.

“Definitely, the party has shown resilience, and the governors are going through a lot of challenges, just like the NWC.

“We will continue to express confidence in the organs of the party,” he said.

Mohammed commended members of the party’s NWC, who had shown magnanimity by agreeing to go earlier before the end of their tenure .

“They have shown that at least they are with us and we should always appreciate that, because if everyone becomes dogmatic, we are not going to where we want,” Mohammed said.

(NAN)

JUST IN: Yiltwada replaces Ganduje as APC National Chairman

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The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Prof. Nentawe Yiltwada, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, as the new National Chairman of the ruling party.

Yiltwada’s appointment follows the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down from the position on June 27.

Read Also: APC will welcome Wike – Tinubu

The nomination was put forward by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who also serves as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). His nomination was swiftly seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

With no objections raised, Prof. Yiltwada was confirmed as the new APC National Chairman.

The NEC meeting, where the announcement was made, is currently underway at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Details s

Amaechi vows to end Tinubu’s 2027 Ambition

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Former Minister of Transportation and South-South leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has declared his determination to thwart President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

Addressing a large crowd of supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Wednesday, Amaechi launched a scathing criticism of the Tinubu administration, accusing it of deepening the economic hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

Read Also: Tinubu promises to address diaspora issues

“I’m tired of this government,” he said. “If a rich man is spending N4 million on electricity, only God knows how you—the masses—are surviving.”

Amaechi, a two-term former governor of Rivers State, called on residents to throw their support behind the ADC, urging them to register with the party and participate actively in the political process.

“We must stop the writing of results in Rivers,” he declared. “Go and register with ADC and let’s change the system.”

The former minister’s open challenge to President Tinubu sets the stage for what could become a major political showdown in 2027, especially as discontent continues to rise over the state of the nation’s economy and governance.

Why our party rejected Adeleke’s alleged defection plans, by Osun APC

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The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims made by the leadership caucus of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the alleged plans by Governor Ademola Adeleke to defect to the APC.

In a strongly worded statement signed by the state APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, and released on Tuesday, the party dismissed the communique issued by the PDP caucus, signed by Governor Adeleke and 27 other chieftains, as deceptive and misleading. The APC insisted Adeleke was never accepted into the party because he was identified early on as “a trojan horse,” “a political liability,” and a potential threat to the integrity of the party.

“The Osun public knows that it was the fear of a looming defeat in the 2026 election that drove the governor to seek asylum in the APC. His approach was treated with the caution it deserved,” the statement read.

The APC accused Adeleke of presiding over what it described as a decaying PDP structure in the state, alleging that the party has lost its moral compass since the governor took office. It also claimed that credible politicians had continued to defect from the PDP to the APC in protest against what it termed the “brutal hijack” of the party by the Adeleke dynasty.

Read Also: APC will welcome Wike – Tinubu

The statement further challenged the PDP’s claim of popularity in the state, asking whether the party consulted students of the University of Ilesa, who are reportedly being charged N1.5 million per session, or the general public, whom it claimed are angry over the government’s alleged N13 billion expenditure on luxury vehicles for political aides, instead of improving public infrastructure.

The APC also cited the case of over 32,000 job applicants who were allegedly duped under the guise of teaching recruitment, accusing the Adeleke administration of mismanaging close to N1 trillion within 30 months.

Lawal questioned why the PDP would expect the APC to accept individuals allegedly under investigation by the EFCC and ICPC for misappropriating local government funds, or those allegedly involved in the killing of APC members during the 2023 elections.

“Those who rejected Adeleke’s defection bid saw it for what it was: a desperate move to escape the people’s wrath in 2026. You cannot abuse President Bola Tinubu publicly in Osun and run to Abuja pretending to be his ally,” the statement continued.

The APC also took a swipe at Adeleke’s economic policies, accusing him of hoarding resources instead of using increased federal allocations to improve healthcare, agriculture, and public welfare in the state.

The party praised the people of Osun who, it said, came out in large numbers to celebrate what it called “the blocking of Governor Adeleke’s unholy attempt” to join the APC.

“This is payback time from Osun people, who have endured misgovernance, high-handedness, and corruption,” Lawal stated. “Let Governor Adeleke stop complaining and await the people’s verdict in August 2026.”

The development marks a deepening of tensions between the two leading political parties in Osun as the state gears up for what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2026 governorship election.

NNPP denies members’ defection to ADC in Katsina

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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), says no any of its Chairmen across the 34 local government areas in Katsina State has defected to the coalition ADC or any party.

The NNPP State Chairman, Alhaji Armaya’u Abdulkadir, stated this in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.

According to the NNPP chairman, their local government chairmen have not defected to any party in the state.

He said that their attention has been drawn to some publications made in some media organisations and circulated in the social media.

Read Also: Osun senator Francis Fadahunsi dumps PDP 

Abdulkadir said, “The attention of the NNPP Katsina chapter has been drawn to some publications made in some media organisations and circulated in the social media.

“The publication revealed that 34 NNPP local government chairmen have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The defection, as it was reported, was through the former Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa in Katsina State.

“It is on record, however, that some of our chairmen, after the 2023 presidential elections, defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“Thus, these same people are the ones that defected to the ADC from the APC. Therefore, their defection was from APC, not from NNPP.”

(NAN)

Obidients beg Atiku to step aside for Obi in 2027

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Supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, popularly known as “Obidients,” have appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his reported ambition for the 2027 presidential election and instead support Obi to secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The appeal was made during a massive birthday rally held in honour of Obi’s 64th birthday across several towns in Abia State, including Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia, and Uzuakoli. The event, described as a “one million man march for Obi,” attracted large crowds of supporters who praised Obi’s leadership qualities and called for national unity around his candidacy.

Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili, the Abia State Chairman of the Organising Committee and one of the Obidient coordinators in the state, urged Atiku to make a personal sacrifice in the interest of national development by stepping aside and supporting Obi’s presidential bid in 2027.

Read Also: Abure-led LP gives Peter Obi 48 hours to leave party over coalition

Obiesili acknowledged Atiku’s long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey but insisted that Obi has the national appeal, integrity, and capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges swiftly. He emphasized that Obi’s clean track record and reputation for transparency make him the ideal candidate to lead the country out of its current socio-economic struggles.

While commending Atiku and other opposition leaders for forming a coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s expected re-election bid, Obiesili urged the coalition to zone its presidential ticket to the South and rally behind Obi, whom he described as the candidate with the best chance of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stated that Obi’s consistent advocacy for the downtrodden and his leadership style have won him massive support across religious, ethnic, and political divides. According to Obiesili, Obi represents hope for millions of Nigerians and has become a symbol of integrity in Nigerian politics.

He added that the birthday rally was not sponsored by any politician but was a voluntary show of love and support for a man many Nigerians believe can bring meaningful change.