Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s bloc within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has begun searching for a southern running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, DAILY GAZETTE reports.

Sources disclosed that the group is strongly considering the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as its preferred option.

Should Obi decline, the bloc is expected to turn to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

A close ally of Atiku, Dele Momodu, confirmed efforts to woo Obi into an alliance, saying both men represent the strongest possible coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

Momodu noted that Atiku and Obi previously contested on a joint ticket under the PDP in 2019 but lost to then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2023, they ran separately, Atiku under the PDP and Obi on the LP platform, losing to Tinubu.

With Atiku now in the ADC and Obi still in the LP, Momodu believes collaboration is essential.

He blamed the delay in a possible alliance on some of Obi’s supporters, whom he accused of pushing for exclusively southern presidential candidates.

“There is no way any southern candidate alone can defeat Tinubu,” he said.

“If Obi does not take advantage of a ready-made union with Atiku, it would be very unfortunate. It would be as good as helping Tinubu return.”

Momodu warned that Atiku might ultimately settle for Amaechi if Obi declines.

“A lot of people underrate Amaechi,” Momodu said, describing the former governor as instrumental in Buhari’s rise to power.

He argued that Amaechi mobilised more aggressively for Buhari than even Tinubu did.

He maintained that time was running out: “Tinubu is already President. He is coercing and cajoling governors and senators to join him in order to create a false image of invincibility.”

According to Momodu, Atiku and Obi still communicate frequently.

The spokesman for Peter Obi and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, confirmed Obi’s readiness to contest the 2027 election.

Tanko called for clarity from Atiku’s camp regarding what type of alliance they seek.

He suggested that a joint ticket may not align with Obi’s current political direction.

“We are looking for a leader with the capacity and mobility to understand and address Nigeria’s challenges. Obi has those qualities,” he said.

Tanko argued that power should remain in the South for continuity, insisting Obi is prepared to run a single-term presidency if elected.

A principal aide to Rotimi Amaechi confirmed that the former minister is interested in the ADC presidential ticket, though he emphasised that the situation remains fluid.

According to him, the ADC is targeting strong northern support and may prefer a northern presidential candidate for strategic reasons.

However, he acknowledged that political realities could compel Amaechi to negotiate with Atiku before the primaries.

Another ally of Amaechi said accepting the vice-presidential slot might be the best option, depending on how the primaries unfold.

“We must be realistic: can Amaechi defeat Atiku in the ADC primary?” he asked.

“If not, securing a deal earlier may be wiser.”

He also noted that Obi is unlikely to contest the ADC primary against Atiku or accept a vice-presidential role, which explains his delay in joining the party.

Attempts to reach Amaechi, his media aide David Iyofor, and ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi were unsuccessful as of press time.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is reportedly leaning toward the Accord Party as his likely platform for the June 2026 governorship election, DAILY GAZETTE has gathered from multiple sources within his political camp.

The move comes amid deepening uncertainty surrounding Adeleke’s standing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and unsuccessful attempts to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Currently in the United States for what aides describe as medical reasons, Adeleke is expected to decide his political direction upon his return.

With INEC’s December 15 deadline for party primaries fast approaching, his window for choosing a platform is narrowing.

Adeleke, who won the 2022 election on the PDP’s platform, has struggled to navigate the party’s widening national leadership crisis.

The PDP is now split between two powerful blocs, one loyal to new National Chairman Tanimu Turaki and backed by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, and another aligned with Nyesom Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Adeleke’s conspicuous absence from the Turaki faction’s convention in Ibadan this month has further fueled speculation about his likely exit from the party.

Before considering the Accord Party, Adeleke allegedly explored a defection to the APC, with negotiations reportedly reaching an advanced stage.

A draft agreement allocated four of Osun’s nine House of Representatives seats to him, along with influential positions such as Chief of Staff.

However, sources say the plan collapsed at the last minute when presidential aides aligned with former Governor Gboyega Oyetola opposed Adeleke’s entry.

He was also reportedly asked to sever ties with ex–Interior, Minister Rauf Aregbesola, who supported him in 2022 but remains a divisive figure within the APC.

Despite publicly distancing himself from Aregbesola, accusing him of mismanaging civil servants’ welfare and leaving behind contentious policies, the APC leadership still rejected Adeleke’s overture.

A subsequent attempt to negotiate through the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also failed, with Adeleke reportedly viewing the party’s conditions, including deputy governor and chief-of-staff nominations, as excessive.

With both PDP and APC options shrinking, the Accord Party has emerged as Adeleke’s most viable alternative.

Members of his inner circle confirm that the party is now the frontrunner for his re-election bid.

Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a major ally and political mentor to Adeleke, reinforced the speculation during a radio interview in Osogbo.

He ruled out returning to the APC, citing unfulfilled promises and described Accord as “a fair and credible option,” noting his familiarity with its origins and founders.

He added that discussions would be concluded upon Adeleke’s return to Nigeria.

Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi said the party’s rejection of Adeleke was necessary to maintain internal stability.

“His entry would have caused disaffection. We already have a working structure, and bringing him in would destabilize the party,” he said, adding that the APC already has strong aspirants ahead of 2026.

From the PDP side, state chairman Bisi Sunday downplayed the crisis, expressing confidence that the party would resolve its internal issues before the primaries.

“PDP will survive this moment. A day in politics is long, and we still have time,” he said.

A political science scholar at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Dr. Lanre Sikiru Nurudeen, said the national PDP crisis has complicated Adeleke’s chances of running under the party.

He noted that Adeleke faces limited options and may need to consider reconciliation with Aregbesola, though such a move carries political risks.

“The governor is in a tight corner. The coming weeks will determine his political future,” he said.

Nurudeen added that the Presidency might still intervene, cautioning that the APC would prefer to avoid a scenario where Adeleke aligns with Aregbesola, given the latter’s political influence in Osun.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only political party capable of steering Nigeria out of its current economic and security challenges.

Atiku made the remarks during the inauguration of the ADC’s new office in Jalingo, Taraba State, following his official defection to the party on Monday—just 17 months ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the former VP, his experience across multiple political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealed that none of them had the capacity to address Nigeria’s pressing problems.

“We have tasted other parties, and they brought insecurity, hunger, poverty, and unemployment,” Atiku said.

He also urged residents of Taraba to participate actively in the ongoing continuous voter registration, emphasizing that the process is crucial for achieving change.

“ADC will win Taraba State and Nigeria as the only reliable political party,” he added.

Before joining ADC, Atiku had been a prominent member of the PDP, leaving the party in July due to irreconcilable internal differences.

In response, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North and former APC National Chairman, challenged Atiku’s assertion, claiming the former VP lacks the ability to fix Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oshiomhole argued that Atiku’s long struggle to stabilise the PDP undermines his claim.

“If Atiku, as a former vice president under PDP, could not strengthen or lead his own party, how can he claim he can fix Nigeria?” Oshiomhole questioned.

He also noted that Atiku’s exit from APC was prompted by his failure to secure the party’s presidential ticket, adding that his inability to build PDP demonstrates he cannot fix the country.

The event also saw the presence of ADC National Chairman and former Senate President David Mark, who, along with other party officials, welcomed Atiku and highlighted the party’s growing influence nationwide.

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, following the earlier submission of three nominees.

The new list includes former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former presidential aide Reno Omokri (Delta), former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), and former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.

In a statement on Saturday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the nominations were sent in two separate letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Fifteen nominees are designated as career ambassadors, while seventeen are non-career appointees.

The statement further noted that four women are on the career ambassador list, and six women are on the non-career ambassador list.

Among the non-career nominees are Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia), Erelu Adebayo (former Ekiti First Lady), Nkechi Ufochukwu (Anambra), Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), Lola Akande (former Lagos Commissioner), Grace Bent (former Adamawa Senator), Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (former ambassador to the Holy See, Benue).

Career ambassador and high commissioner-designates include Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun), Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara), and Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

According to the statement, the nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains strategic and strong bilateral relations, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as to permanent missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.

All postings will be finalized following Senate confirmation.

Last week, Tinubu submitted three nominees—Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun)—for screening, with postings likely to include the UK, USA, or France.

Onanuga added that more ambassadorial nominees will be announced in the coming weeks, reflecting a staggered strategy to fill key positions critical to Nigeria’s foreign policy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after he sent the first batch of three names.

In two separate letters to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu asked the Senate to consider and confirm expeditiously 15 nominees as career ambassadors and 17 nominees as non-career ambassadors.

There are four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six women on the non-career ambassadors’ list.

Among the non-career ambassador designates are Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta), former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Others are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State and former deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator from Plateau; Otunba Femi Pedro, a former deputy governor of Lagos State; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister from Osun State; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State are on the nomination list.

Also on the list are former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, former governor of Abia, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman, lawyer and Senator from Ondo State, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State.

Among the nominees for career ambassador and high commissioner-designates are: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

The other nominees are Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah(Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kawara) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

The new nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains excellent and strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. All the nominees will know their diplomatic assignments after their confirmation by the Senate.

Last week, President Tinubu sent three ambassadorial nominees for screening and confirmation. The nominees were Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). All three are in the pot for posting to the UK, USA, or France after their confirmation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said more nominees for ambassadorial positions will be announced soon.

Joe Igbokwe, a senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources to the Lagos State Governor, has refuted claims that he was kidnapped on the Lagos Expressway.

Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters on Thursday, Igbokwe dismissed the circulating reports as “fake news.”

He confirmed that he was safe at home and enjoying himself.

“That’s fake news. I’m at my house now drinking champagne. Nobody kidnapped me; it is fake news,” he said, laughing off the rumours.

The reports, which spread widely across social media earlier in the day, alleged that armed men intercepted Igbokwe’s vehicle on the expressway and abducted him to an unknown location.

Igbokwe firmly denied these claims, emphasizing that he had not been attacked, kidnapped, or involved in any confrontation.

He urged the public to ignore the false stories and warned social media users against sharing unverified information that could cause panic.

“Please ignore them. I’m at home, relaxing,” he added.