The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one of the finest politicians in Nigeria, crediting him as a major influence on his political growth.

Yilwatda made the remarks on Saturday while receiving a traditional title in Plateau State.

He was conferred with the title “Kaeh-rit,” meaning “the good seed of Ampang East,” at a ceremony held in Kanke Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking after the event, the APC national chairman said President Tinubu had played a significant role in shaping his political journey, noting that he continues to learn from the President’s leadership style and experience.

According to him, Tinubu remains one of the best politicians anyone can learn from in Nigeria, adding that his own political progress is largely a reflection of the mentorship he has received from the President.

He said his goal is to build on those lessons and contribute meaningfully to national development.

At the ceremony, Yilwatda also announced the donation of ₦10 million, along with seedlings and other agricultural inputs, to farmers in the local government area.

He said the gesture was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen food security and reduce poverty through increased agricultural productivity.

Commenting on recent political developments in Plateau State, Yilwatda welcomed the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the APC, noting that the move would enhance cooperation between the state and the Federal Government.

He said a unified political structure would help align national, state and local government resources for the benefit of the people.

He further stressed that the APC does not discriminate among its members, stating that new entrants enjoy the same rights and opportunities as long-standing members of the party.

According to him, political unity would ensure effective governance and development at all levels.

Yilwatda added that the alignment of party structures would help ensure that national budgets and grassroots governance systems work cohesively to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State.

The traditional honour marks the second title conferred on Yilwatda within two weeks, following a similar recognition by the Tiv Nation in Benue State for his humanitarian efforts.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has reportedly finalised arrangements to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and will formally declare his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the party’s platform at a rally in Enugu on Wednesday.

A senior ADC official in Abuja told DAILY GAZETTE that Obi has agreed to pitch his tent with the ADC after weeks of consultations between his team and the party leadership.

The official said preparations are in high gear for the event, which is expected to draw supporters, political figures and party faithful from across the South-East and beyond.

According to the source, Obi’s decision to align with the ADC followed intensive meetings with the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, where talks centred on the former Anambra governor’s vision for national leadership and the need for a credible platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The source added that about three weeks ago, the ADC leadership formally asked Obi to clarify his political intentions and consider joining the party to strengthen its national outlook.

Enugu was chosen for the announcement because of its symbolic status as the political nerve centre of the South-East, the source explained.

Supporters of Obi are already mobilising logistics and security arrangements to ensure the rally runs smoothly.

While no official communication has yet been received by the national leadership of the ADC, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that consultations are ongoing.

“There is no formal announcement at this time,” Abdullahi said, adding that the party remains committed to due process in all engagements.

Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said only Obi can clarify his political plans, refusing to detail any specifics regarding the imminent declaration.

On its part, the Labour Party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, has played down the defection rumours.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said leadership transitions and defections are part of Nigeria’s political reality and should not be exaggerated.

Ifoh maintained that any decision by Obi would be a personal choice and not a reflection of internal instability within the Labour Party.

He urged party supporters to remain focused on organisational strengthening as the 2027 elections approach.

In related developments, the ADC has announced plans to hold its national convention in mid-2026 as part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of the general elections.

The party plans to ratify decisions taken by its National Executive Committee and elect its presidential flag bearer during the conventions as it intensifies grassroots mobilisation and nationwide restructuring.

Confusion has engulfed Nsukka following parallel and disputed elections that have produced multiple claimants to the position of President of the Nsukka Youth General Assembly (NYGA).

At least four individuals are currently laying claim to the youth presidency, deepening the leadership crisis within the organisation.

While one faction has presented Kenneth Nnamdi Eze as the duly elected president, another group has announced Oscar Ayogu as winner of its own exercise.

A third faction insists that Hon. Ugonna Everestus Nwodo emerged president, while an earlier election conducted by a group led by an Electoral Committee headed by Malachy Omeje declared Bonaventure Chigozie Omego as winner.

The dissolved Electoral Committee had earlier announced that a bye-election was held on Sunday in Nsukka in line with the NYGA constitution.

According to the committee, out of 925 registered voters, 235 were accredited and voted, with Bonaventure Omego polling 229 votes, while Kenneth Nnamdi Eze and Ugonna Everestus Nwodo recorded two and three votes respectively.

However, the Executive Council of the Nsukka Youth General Assembly promptly disowned that exercise, declaring it null, void and of no effect.

In a public disclaimer, the NYGA leadership stated that it neither authorised nor recognised any bye-election conducted in its name, stressing that the purported electoral committee had earlier been dissolved for non-compliance with established guidelines.

The leadership further disclosed that all aspirants earlier screened for the 2025 bye-election had been disqualified, insisting that no valid process had been approved, supervised or validated by the Assembly.

Despite the disclaimer, fresh confusion emerged as other factions announced separate outcomes, naming Kenneth Nnamdi Eze, Oscar Ayogu and Hon. Ugonna Nwodo as president through what were described as parallel elections, each conducted by different interest groups.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called on the people of Remoland to deepen cooperation with their Ijebu counterparts in order to actualise the proposed Ijebu-Remo State, stressing that unity and peaceful coexistence are critical to the success of the aspiration.

Akpabio made the call at the 2025 Remo Day celebration held at the Akarigbo Pavilion in Sagamu.

The event was themed “One People, Diverse Cultures, One Identity.”

Commending the Remo people for their industrious and enterprising nature, the Senate President noted that their culture of collaboration and strong industrial base would play a decisive role in the quest for a new state.

He urged the people to sustain peace and harmony, noting that Remoland is home to many hardworking industrialists, which accounts for the high concentration of industries in the area.

According to him, close cooperation between Remo and Ijebu communities would accelerate the realisation of Ijebu-Remo State, assuring that the National Assembly would lend its support to the process.

While declining to comment on the proposed location of the state capital, Akpabio said such a decision must ultimately favour a peaceful environment.

Beyond the cultural celebration, Akpabio described Remo Day as a platform for reflection, unity and strategic planning for community development.

He said his presence at the event underscored Nigeria’s unity across ethnic and cultural lines, adding that diversity should be embraced as a strength in nation-building.

The Senate President also expressed optimism that the country’s security challenges would soon be overcome, assuring Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working diligently to address insecurity.

He praised the President for taking bold decisions to reposition the nation despite prevailing challenges and pledged the Senate’s continued cooperation with the executive.

Akpabio further applauded Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for infrastructural developments across the state, describing the Gateway International Airport as the best airport in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Governor Abiodun described Remoland as a land richly endowed with notable sons and daughters who have contributed significantly to the growth of Ogun State and the nation at large.

He said the large turnout at the event highlighted the power of culture in fostering unity, warning that societies that abandon their cultural roots risk losing their identity.

The governor listed major projects executed by his administration in Remoland, including the Sagamu–Iperu–Ode–Sapaade Road.

He also announced that international cargo operations would commence at the Gateway International Airport next month, noting that the development would boost logistics, create thousands of jobs and position Remo as a major agro-processing and export hub in West Africa.

Earlier, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said Remo Day was established to celebrate, preserve and project Remo culture globally.

He noted that Remo indigenes have excelled in various fields of human endeavour and reaffirmed the people’s commitment to sustaining their cultural heritage.

Oba Ajayi also pledged Remo’s continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders toward the creation of the proposed Ijebu-Remo State and thanked Governor Abiodun for partnering with the community to construct the palace pavilion, which will host major cultural and civic events.

The second edition of Remo Day attracted dignitaries from across the country and featured colourful masquerade performances, cultural displays, homage-paying by age grades and associations, as well as the ceremonial unveiling of the palace pavilion.

Seventy-four Peoples Democratic Party candidates risk disqualification in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections due to unresolved leadership disputes within the party.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has been entirely excluded from the contest, having no candidates on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on September 22, 2025.

The FCT Area Council elections, slated for February 21, 2026, cover 68 elective positions, including six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions across Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali.

Although the PDP submitted a full slate of 74 candidates, 12 for chairmanship and vice-chairmanship positions and 62 for councillorship seats, the legitimacy of these nominations is now under legal challenge.

The Labour Party’s exclusion is linked to a prolonged leadership tussle between the Julius Abure-led faction and the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, supported by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

INEC has refused to recognise the national convention held in Nnewi, which re-elected Abure, citing the expiration of his tenure.

Despite a court order directing INEC to provide access codes for candidate submission, the commission has maintained that it only engages with leaders legally recognised, effectively leaving the LP without representation in the FCT elections.

Within the PDP, a leadership crisis has pitted the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, elected as national chairman at the controversial convention in Ibadan on November 15–16—against a rival faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Both factions have suspended one another and filed multiple court cases over control of the party structure.

Legal experts warn that should the courts rule that the faction which conducted the PDP primaries was illegitimate, all nominations submitted under it, including chairmanship and councillorship candidates, could be nullified.

A similar scenario occurred in the 2019 general elections, when the Supreme Court invalidated APC votes in Zamfara State and PDP votes in Rivers State due to irregularities in candidate selection.

In the FCT context, such a ruling could eliminate all 74 PDP candidates, leaving the contest without representation from a major opposition party.

Auwal Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, cautioned that the exclusion of opposition parties risks voter apathy and a lopsided election.

“If parties fail to resolve their internal disputes, the ruling party may become the only viable option, reducing voter choice and discouraging participation. Politicians must resolve internal crises to ensure free and fair competition,” he said.