The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday officially presented Certificates of Return to newly elected senators and House of Representatives members who emerged victorious in the August 16 by-elections.

The presentation took place at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja, where National Commissioners handed certificates to the winners.

Among the new senators is Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who was elected to represent Anambra South Senatorial District, and Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the Edo Central Senatorial District.

Five newly elected members of the House of Representatives also received their certificates:

Barrister Omosede Igbinedion (APC) – Ovie North East and Ovie South West Federal Constituency, Edo State

Mukhtar Rabi’u Garki (APC) – Babura/Garki Federal Constituency, Jigawa State

Fidelix Bagudu (APC) – Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Kaduna State

Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji (APC) – Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, Ogun State

Fola Oyekunle (PDP) – Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State.

A major rift has emerged within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as key leaders from Southern Nigeria have distanced themselves from a zoning summit currently taking place in Lagos.

The summit, convened by the party’s Zoning Committee at the Legend Hotel in Ikeja, is intended to discuss power-sharing arrangements within the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) ahead of the party’s upcoming convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, and to prepare for the 2027 general elections.

However, in a joint statement released on Thursday, several state party chairmen, National Assembly members and other prominent southern PDP stakeholders rejected the legitimacy of the summit, describing it as unrepresentative and exclusionary.

“Any resolutions or outcomes from that meeting are not binding on us and do not reflect the collective will of the PDP across Southern Nigeria,” the group said.

“Decisions made in secrecy and exclusion cannot represent consensus.”

The statement was signed by the PDP Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States; Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Venatius Ikem, Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka.

Others included the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, and House Minority Leader, Hon. O.K. Chinda.

Also among the signatories were Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo and Mike Ama Nnachi, along with former National Secretary Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Deputy National Legal Adviser Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha and ex-Ebonyi State Legal Adviser Barr. Mudi Erhenede.

They described the summit titled the “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit” as flawed from the start, noting that several state chairmen, national officers, and prominent PDP leaders, especially from the South-East and South-South, were not invited.

“It is deeply disturbing that such a meeting took place without informing key state party chairmen and other vital stakeholders,” the statement said.

“Even the National Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser were left out, along with several former governors and high-ranking party members.”

The group accused the organizers of acting to promote the personal ambitions of a few individuals rather than the party’s collective interest.

They also noted that the official PDP Zoning Committee has not yet submitted its report to the National Executive Committee (NEC), making any early conclusions from this summit both premature and inappropriate.

They called on the PDP’s National Working Committee, NEC, and all party stakeholders to disregard any outcomes of the Lagos summit, labeling the gathering as “illegal” and “divisive.”

“This process undermines our party’s core principles of inclusiveness and consensus-building,” the group warned.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his unwavering support for individuals and political leaders who align with and support President Bola Tinubu.

Wike made the statement on Thursday during the flag-off of Lot 2 of the Karu Water Supply Project in Abuja.

While commending key figures such as former FCT Senator Philip Aduda and Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, Wike emphasized that the Tinubu administration would prioritize support for leaders who deliver results and maintain strong ties with the federal government.

“Support those who have the capacity to bring development. Support those that government will listen to,” Wike said.

Citing Aduda’s request, Wike promised the construction of a 2km road in Karu, stating that the project would be executed promptly due to Aduda’s influence and advocacy.

“There is a road you said is about 2km. Consider it done,” Wike said. “Aduda has the government’s ear, and that’s why we’re taking action immediately.”

He praised Maikalangu for effectively utilizing his access to government to attract infrastructure projects to the area, listing completed and ongoing works including Saburi Road, Kabusa-Takushere Road, Deidei Road, and others.

“Since Maikalangu became chairman of AMAC, he has brought government presence to the people. Anything he asks for, we will do,” Wike added.

He also made a clear political statement regarding loyalty to the presidency:

“I don’t know the party he (Maikalangu) belongs to, but I know he supports Tinubu. Anybody who supports Tinubu, I will support him.”

Wike criticized past administrations for neglecting essential needs, especially clean water in Karu, contrasting them with the current government’s fulfillment of its promise to provide potable water to the community.

“We’ve had governments that stayed here for five, even eight years. Did they give you water? But this government promised and has delivered,” he said.

“You must remember those who remember you. We’ve come to fulfil our promise, you now have clean and potable water.”

Philip Aduda, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), served as Senator for the FCT from 2011 to 2023, while Maikalangu, originally elected under the PDP, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2024 and is currently seeking re-election in the February 2026 Area Council polls.

Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, has formally resigned from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the platform under which he was elected to represent Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the 2023 elections.

Wadada’s next political move is already in motion, as sources confirm he is preparing to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with plans to contest the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State.

In a resignation letter addressed to the SDP Chairman of his Tudun Kofa Ward in Keffi Local Government Area, Wadada cited persistent internal crises within the party as the reason for his exit.

“This decision has not been taken lightly,” he wrote.

“But I feel compelled to do so due to the lingering internal crisis that has plagued our party. These conflicts have resulted in serious divisions and litigation within the SDP.”

He expressed gratitude for the platform the party provided and the relationships he built during his time with the SDP, but said the time had come to “move on and explore new avenues.”

Wadada, a founding member of the APC, parted ways with the party in 2022 after what he described as unjust denial of a senatorial ticket, prompting him to contest under the SDP.

In the 2023 election, he defeated APC’s Arc Shehu Tukur with 96,488 votes, while PDP’s Musa Galadima came third with 46,820 votes.

Having maintained close political ties with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wadada recently visited the Presidential Villa to discuss his planned return to the APC.

His move is widely seen as a strategic step ahead of the 2027 elections, where he is expected to run to succeed incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Wadada previously served two terms in the House of Representatives and has remained a prominent figure in Nasarawa politics.

A senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dominic Alancha, has raised concerns over a potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi, warning that such a coalition could seriously weaken the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Alancha said both leaders, if united under a single ticket, could command over 13 to 14 million votes, potentially surpassing the APC’s performance in 2023.

“If Atiku and Obi reach a consensus and run together, it will deplete our support base significantly,” Alancha said.

“They already control a large share of the electorate.”

The warning comes after a wave of high-profile opposition leaders; Atiku, Obi, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and others adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in July as their joint political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

The coalition was formed amid growing public dissatisfaction over economic issues, including inflation and a high cost of living.

Together, Obi and Atiku polled over 12 million votes in the 2023 elections, more than four million above Tinubu’s official tally.

Alancha, who also leads the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), advised President Tinubu to reconsider the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket used in 2023, arguing it could further alienate northern Christians and cost the party vital votes in a more competitive 2027 race.

“If the same religious ticket is retained, it gives the opposition a strong advantage. The coalition is not sleeping, they’re working hard,” he said.

He stressed that early preparation is key, warning that the calm atmosphere now may not last once campaigns heat up.

The APC chieftain also commented on growing speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan might stage a political comeback in 2027.

Though Jonathan has not declared any intention to run, reports suggest quiet lobbying within the PDP and parts of the North calling for his return.

“Jonathan is around the corner. Some northern groups are forming almost a cult-like movement pushing for his return,” Alancha claimed.

He cautioned that if Jonathan joins the race alongside Atiku and Obi, the APC would struggle to justify a continued reliance on the 2023 strategy.

“In a three-horse race featuring Jonathan, Atiku, and Obi, the APC must present a more balanced ticket if it wants to remain viable,” he said.

While some view Jonathan’s possible return as a stabilizing force, critics believe it could deepen the PDP’s internal crisis, especially with recent defections and leadership crisis.