The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, became critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration because he was not selected as vice president.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike claimed that Lawal’s disappointment stemmed from being passed over for the running mate position during the 2023 elections.

“When Mr. President was to choose his vice-presidential candidate, Babachir Lawal visited me in Port Harcourt,” Wike recounted.

“He was angry because he expected to be chosen. When that didn’t happen, he lost it and turned against Tinubu.”

Babachir Lawal has recently voiced sharp criticism of the Tinubu-led administration, particularly regarding its policy decisions and leadership style.

Wike, however, dismissed Lawal’s remarks as driven by personal grievances rather than genuine concern for governance. He said Lawal’s frustrations were obvious and not difficult to interpret.

“It was very clear. We are not kids. Even an intelligent child would understand the root of his anger,” Wike said.

He also advised that if Lawal had issues with the president, he should have addressed them directly and respectfully, rather than going public with harsh criticisms.

“There is nothing wrong with expressing dissatisfaction. But there’s a proper way to do it, not through disrespect,” Wike added.

A northern advocacy group, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider any plans to run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the group, led by Dr. Dominic Alancha, emphasized the importance of religious and ethnic balance in national leadership, stressing that repeating the same religious pairing from the 2023 elections could deepen divisions and jeopardize national unity.

NENF argued that the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket sparked widespread discontent among Christian communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and rekindled fears of marginalization and religious bias.

The group warned that persisting with such an arrangement in 2027 could cost the All Progressives Congress (APC) critical support in key Middle Belt and northern states.

They specifically cited Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, the FCT, and parts of Southern Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, and Gombe regions where Northern Christians hold significant electoral influence as areas where the APC could lose ground if diversity concerns are ignored.

Despite expressing confidence in Vice President Kashim Shettima’s competence, NENF argued that his continued presence on the ticket would not be enough to address growing perceptions of exclusion.

Instead, they proposed that a Christian vice-presidential candidate from Plateau, Bauchi, or Taraba would enhance APC’s appeal while still upholding merit and competence.

The forum, which claims to represent 127 ethnic nationalities across Northern Nigeria, also voiced concern over a possible political alliance between Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, saying such a Christian-Muslim coalition could pose a serious challenge to the APC.

“As Nigeria grapples with insecurity, hunger, and growing sectarian tension, the country needs a leadership team that reflects its rich diversity,” NENF stated.

“This is an opportunity for President Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship and inclusivity. Choosing a credible Northern Christian running mate could be a defining decision for 2027.”

The group vowed to mobilize its network, reportedly over 20 million members, to support Tinubu’s re-election if a more inclusive ticket is adopted.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has announced that key strategic decisions will be taken at its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for August 28, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP said it will deliberate on a range of issues, including potential alliances, internal party structures, and the political direction it will adopt heading into the next electoral cycle.

Among the topics on the agenda are the review of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, preparations for the party’s congresses and national convention, recent bye-election assessments, and plans for a large-scale membership drive.

Responding to widespread speculation about the NNPP’s political alignment ahead of 2027, Johnson emphasized that the party remains open to multiple pathways but will prioritize its founding principles and national interest in any decision it makes.

He stated, “As we have consistently said, politics is dynamic. While the NNPP is exploring all options, our decisions will remain anchored in the values and vision that define us.”

Johnson reaffirmed that the party is considering three possible courses of action:

1. Forming a coalition or alliance with other political forces,
2. Contesting the 2027 election independently under the NNPP banner,
3. Endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election.

“These options will be extensively debated and decided upon during the NEC meeting. We urge our members and supporters to stay calm and trust the leadership to act in the best interest of the country and the party,” he added.

The NNPP also called on its members and supporters to take part in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise and prepare for a nationwide mobilization and membership registration campaign in the coming weeks.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has announced that key strategic decisions will be taken at its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for August 28, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP said it will deliberate on a range of issues, including potential alliances, internal party structures, and the political direction it will adopt heading into the next electoral cycle.

Among the topics on the agenda are the review of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, preparations for the party’s congresses and national convention, recent bye-election assessments, and plans for a large-scale membership drive.

Responding to widespread speculation about the NNPP’s political alignment ahead of 2027, Johnson emphasized that the party remains open to multiple pathways but will prioritize its founding principles and national interest in any decision it makes.

He stated, “As we have consistently said, politics is dynamic. While the NNPP is exploring all options, our decisions will remain anchored in the values and vision that define us.”

Johnson reaffirmed that the party is considering three possible courses of action:

1. Forming a coalition or alliance with other political forces,
2. Contesting the 2027 election independently under the NNPP banner,
3. Endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election.

“These options will be extensively debated and decided upon during the NEC meeting. We urge our members and supporters to stay calm and trust the leadership to act in the best interest of the country and the party,” he added.

The NNPP also called on its members and supporters to take part in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise and prepare for a nationwide mobilization and membership registration campaign in the coming weeks.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally declared Barrister Bright Emeka Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) winner of the protracted rerun election in Enugu South Urban State Assembly constituency after four failed attempts.

In the initial March 2023 election, Barr. Ngene was declared the winner with 5,862 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sam Ngene, who scored 2,098 votes.

Ngene was subsequently sworn into office.

However, the election was later nullified by the Enugu Election Petitions Tribunal on grounds that the number of canceled votes exceeded his winning margin.

The court ordered a rerun in eight polling units within Uwani.

Efforts to conduct the rerun were repeatedly thwarted by issues such as missing result sheets, violence, INEC logistical failures and other administrative challenges.

In June 2024, Ngene was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison by a magistrate court on fraud charges related to a resurrected community matter from 2017. Many believed the conviction was politically orchestrated to prevent him from contesting the election.

On Saturday, August 16 2025, the much-anticipated rerun election again ended in frustration as voting failed to take place for the fourth consecutive time, despite significant voter turnout at the designated Uwani Secondary School polling centre.

Although INEC officials were present and appeared prepared, the process could not commence due to the absence of sensitive materials, including result sheets.

By 4:20 pm same day, with no voting activity in sight, the polling unit was shut down and electoral materials packed up.

PDP candidate, Sam Ngene blamed the delay on political interference, naming high-profile figures whom he accused of disrupting the process.

Responding, the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji defended his presence at the polling unit, stating:
“I’m here as the APC leader in Enugu State. I have every right to be present. The PDP knows it cannot win this election. If it’s not concluded today, we will remain here until it is.”

Meanwhile, the labour Party chairman in Enugu South LGA, Chinwuba Ngwu, expressed frustration with INEC, saying,
“We’ve been here since 7 am, but there’s been no accreditation or voting. INEC hasn’t communicated anything. It’s total silence.”

DAILY GAZETTE recall that the court-ordered rerun was billed to take place in eight polling units covering 4,618 registered voters.

Taking a decisive step, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday declared Labour Party candidate, Barr. Bright Ngene the winner of the election, ending months of uncertainty.

A former presidential aspirant of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mathias Tsado, has called on associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan to persuade him to contest in the 2027 presidential election.

Tsado made the appeal during an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, on Tuesday.

While Jonathan has not declared any intention to return to the political arena, Tsado expressed hope that the former president would reconsider.

“I am praying for a day that will come when President Goodluck Jonathan will declare and say, ‘I want to run,’” Tsado said.

“Those who have access to him should speak to him. There were rumours in 2023 that he might contest, this time, let them encourage him.”

Tsado believes Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has the leadership qualities the country currently needs.

He highlighted Jonathan’s peaceful concession in the 2015 election as evidence of his commitment to democracy and national unity.

“He is not someone desperate for power,” Tsado noted.

“Remember he once said, ‘My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.’ That statement, and his actions in 2015, still resonate with many Nigerians today.”

Goodluck Jonathan became president in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

He won the 2011 election but was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, becoming the first incumbent president to lose an election since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Despite stepping away from the political spotlight, Jonathan has remained a respected figure both in Nigeria and internationally.

Tsado remarked that Jonathan’s current status is one many politicians aspire to, saying, “He occupies a position today that most Nigerian politicians yearn for.”