Hon. Zubairu Hamza Masu, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing the Sumaila Constituency, has officially defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Masu announced his resignation from the NNPP in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore.

The letter was read aloud during the House’s plenary session on Monday.

In the letter, the lawmaker cited persistent internal crises within the NNPP as the primary reason for his decision.

These issues, he explained, include factional disputes and unresolved litigations that have plagued the party.

He highlighted the existence of conflicting leadership claims at both the state and national levels.

According to him, the party in Kano is torn between the leadership of Dr. Suleiman Hashim Dungurawa and Senator Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa, while at the national level, a similar struggle exists between Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and Dr. Agbo Major.

Masu’s resignation is effective from May 12, 2025.

In his statement, he expressed his commitment to his new political platform.

He pledged “full allegiance to the APC leadership at all levels.”

It will be recalled that Hon. Masu was recently among notable NNPP figures who were received into the APC by the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning the opposition party against zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to the North, a move he believes could lead to yet another electoral defeat.

Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike said it was time for the PDP to avoid repeating what he called the “mistake of 2023.”

“Why not, as a party, come out openly and say our presidential candidate will come out from the south?” he queried.

Wike faulted what he described as the party’s reluctance to adopt a clear and equitable approach to zoning.

“You don’t want to do that. You want to play the same game you played in 2023. It will backfire,” he warned.

In a further rebuke of PDP’s internal strategies, Wike said, “This smartness won’t help you. Come out now and let everybody know where you are heading. You can’t send the presidency to the north. I told them. Selfishness can kill a system.”

He added that if President Bola Tinubu wins a second term in 2027 under the APC, the ruling party will likely return the presidency to the North in 2031.

According to him, the PDP might be tempted to follow suit, a prospect he strongly rejected.

“For example, if Mr President runs and wins in 2027, by 2031 APC will send their presidential ticket to the north. PDP will do what then? You will come back then and say since APC is sending it to the north, let’s give the north our presidential ticket. What kind of smartness is that?” he asked.

Though he didn’t mention any names directly, Wike’s comments seem to target Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, who has insisted he will keep contesting.

Atiku had declared in May 2024 that he would not stop running for Nigeria’s top office as long as he remains alive and healthy.

He defended his persistence by invoking the story of Abraham Lincoln: “Even the former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, contested seven times before his eventual victory,” Atiku said.

Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade (rtd), former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State and one-time Minister of Special Duties, has passed away after collapsing during a tennis session.

The retired naval officer reportedly slumped while playing lawn tennis on Sunday evening in Apapa, Lagos, and was later confirmed dead at a medical facility.

Olubolade, who turned 70 on November 30, 2024, had also served as Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory and Minister of Police Affairs during his career in public service.

In a statement released by his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Akinadewo, and first son, Mr. Dayo Olubolade, the family recounted the events leading to his death.

“He drove himself to the facility to play lawn tennis in the evening and slumped while playing. Efforts were made by medical officers around to revive him to no avail,” the statement read.

“He was immediately rushed to Obisesan Naval Medical Hospital, Apapa where he was pronounced dead.”

The family has indicated that details about the burial arrangements will be made public in due course.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that amendments to the Electoral Act will be concluded before the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Yakubu also dismissed rumors of his removal from office, affirming his continued role as the Chief Electoral Officer of the country.

The INEC Chairman made these remarks while responding to questions from journalists after attending the inauguration of two newly appointed National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the commission has already reviewed the 2023 general elections and generated 142 recommendations, of which eight require amendments to the Electoral Act or the Constitution.

“We are here today, basically for the swearing-in of two national commissioners,” Yakubu said.

“As you are aware, the commission is made up of a chairman and 12 national commissioners drawn on the basis of two commissioners per geopolitical zone.”

He explained that the vacancies in the North West and South East zones have now been filled following the confirmation of the nominees by the Senate and their formal inauguration by the President.

“So, we have almost the full complement of commissioners of the commission. As we are aware also, about two weeks ago or so, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), may his soul rest in peace. So now, we have almost the full complement of commissioners,” he said.

On the subject of electoral reforms, Professor Yakubu stated that INEC is actively working with the National Assembly.

He disclosed that the commission recently held a retreat with the joint committee on electoral reform of the Senate and House of Representatives in Lagos.

“Thereafter, the National Assembly is going to organize a public hearing, and it’s after the public hearing that now a new bill will, at the end of the day, be submitted to the President for assent,” he said.

“So, we’re working with the National Assembly on electoral reform, but at this point, I’m not going to give you any more details.”

“You will hear from the National Assembly whose responsibility it is, but we reviewed the 2023 general elections on our own.”

“We engaged with the stakeholders. We came up with 142 recommendations. Out of this 142 recommendations, eight require constitutional or Electoral Act amendment, and we discussed this with members of the National Assembly.”

Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration between INEC and lawmakers.

“So far so good, we are happy with our discussions with them, and we are also happy with the speed with which they want to proceed so that we’ll have some necessary amendments done to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

Addressing speculation surrounding his position, he firmly stated: “I don’t think we need to waste time so much about these unnecessary speculations.”

“As far as the law is concerned, and as far as I’m aware, I remain the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and under the Constitution, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation, and under the Electoral Act, the returning officer for the presidential election.”

Professor Yakubu is expected to step down in October 2025, after completing the maximum two terms permitted by law, 10 years in total.

His exit is already attracting attention due to the critical role his successor will play in shaping the credibility of the 2027 polls, especially as President Tinubu is likely to seek re-election.

The two new INEC commissioners sworn in on Monday are Mallam Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (North West) and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja (South East, Ebonyi State).

President Tinubu also inaugurated two new members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB): Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem (Cross River State) and retired Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure (Taraba State).

Former Governor Ugwuanyi,

Former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and several other political heavyweights were on Monday officially inducted into the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a ceremony held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The inauguration comes at a time the party is seeking to restore internal order and reposition ahead of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting later this month.

The event, confirmed in a circular signed by the PDP’s Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, was held at the NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, and began at 11 a.m.

“With reference to the subject above, please be informed that the PDP Board of Trustees has scheduled the inauguration of its new members,” the circular stated.

“The event is set to take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the NEC Hall (Ground Floor), PDP National Headquarters,” it added.

The ceremony follows an earlier report which revealed that 85 of the 127 BoT members had been inactive in party affairs, a concern that prompted efforts to reenergize the board’s role amid mounting internal disputes.

In line with Section 31(5) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), the BoT is regarded as the conscience of the party, tasked with upholding high moral standards, providing policy guidance, resolving conflicts, and safeguarding the party’s image and assets.

Section 32(1) outlines the composition of the board, which includes former Presidents and Vice Presidents, past and present National Chairmen, Senate Presidents, House of Representatives Speakers, founding members, and key leaders drawn from all states and geopolitical zones.

Per Sections 32(10–11), the BoT may hold meetings convened by its Chairman, at the request of half its members, or through a resolution of the NEC.

The current BoT Chairman, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, has led reconciliation initiatives within the party, particularly in light of ongoing disputes surrounding the position of National Secretary.

However, his efforts have faced internal resistance, with some members questioning whether a proper quorum was achieved to authorize such decisions.

According to the PDP constitution, a quorum requires participation from two-thirds of BoT members, representing at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s states.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to strengthen unity and resolve internal crises, several PDP governors and prominent stakeholders held a closed-door strategy session in Abuja on Sunday.

The meeting took place at the Abuja lodge of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Those in attendance included Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Also present were Acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, BoT Secretary and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and a host of former governors, including Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Udom Emmanuel, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Seriake Dickson, Babangida Muazu, and Adamu Muazu.

The meeting was convened to chart a unified course for the party ahead of its NEC meeting scheduled for May 27 and the forthcoming National Elective Convention.

Discussions reportedly centered on the lingering dispute over the office of the National Secretary, recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and broader electoral strategies for the future.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed former Senate President Bukola Saraki to chair a newly constituted reconciliation committee aimed at addressing internal disputes within the party ahead of its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The development followed a strategic meeting held on Sunday night at the Abuja residence of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Also present at the meeting was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, though he did not address journalists.

Governors in attendance included Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).

Former governors who participated included Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).

Also in attendance were the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, former Caretaker Committee Chairman Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the gathering was part of preparations for the NEC meeting slated for later this month.

“The invitation of the former governors was done to tap from their experiences, so they could resolve some of the internal challenges and prepare the ground for a rancour-free NEC meeting and a national convention later in the year,” the Bauchi governor stated.

When asked about the recent wave of defections from the party, particularly the departure of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his cabinet to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed said the defections would not weaken the PDP.

Instead, he emphasized, “The development would rather make them stronger.”

He added that the party was already strategizing to reclaim control in key states where it previously held power.

The PDP has been facing persistent internal crises since the 2023 general elections, worsened by unresolved conflicts, most notably the prolonged dispute between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Sim Fubara.

Despite multiple interventions by the party’s leadership, including the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, the NEC, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, these efforts have so far failed to end the rifts.

The situation escalated on April 23 when Governor Oborevwori, former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other state officials officially joined the APC.

In a similar development, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) also defected to the APC after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.