Former presidential candidate and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has announced the defection of thousands of members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the NNPP in Kano State.

The political event, held at Kwankwaso’s residence in Kano on Thursday, marked a significant boost for the NNPP ahead of future elections. Kwankwaso shared the update via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

“Yesterday was a momentous occasion, as I received thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP),” he posted.

While addressing the new party members during the reception ceremony, Kwankwaso extended a warm welcome and pledged inclusiveness within the party ranks.

“Speaking during the event at my residence in Kano, I welcomed the new members into our party and I promised them equitable treatment and cooperation,” he stated.

Kwankwaso emphasized that the leadership in Kano under Governor Abba Yusuf who is also of the NNPP continues to attract people from opposition camps into the party.

“The distinguished leadership style in Kano and our political leadership keep attracting more people into our fold, and I encourage those considering joining to do so without any hesitation,” he added.

The Presidency has responded to recent comments made by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, rejecting claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has neglected Northern Nigeria.

According to the Presidency, the region is experiencing substantial federal investment across multiple sectors.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had accused the Tinubu administration of favouring the South, citing worsening poverty, insecurity, and poor infrastructure in the North.

Speaking during a constitutional stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, Kwankwaso referenced a personal experience: a road journey from Abuja to Kano due to a cancelled flight, which he said highlighted the poor condition of infrastructure in the region.

In a swift response, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the allegations as “incorrect and misleading.”

Posting on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Dare outlined several federal projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to Northern development.

He cited critical infrastructure initiatives, including:

Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway

Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway

Kano–Kongolam Road

Kaduna–Jos Road

Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway

In addition, Dare pointed to major railway projects such as the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines, and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro system.

On energy, he mentioned key developments like the 614km Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, the Gwagwalada Power Plant, and planned solar power projects in Kaduna State.

Dare also addressed progress in the agricultural sector, noting:

“The $158.15 million Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme is active in nine Northern states, and the Kolmani Integrated Development Project spans Bauchi and Gombe states.”

He added that under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative, the government is set to restore one million hectares of degraded land in the North.

Healthcare investments were also highlighted, including facility upgrades at:

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (Zaria)

University of Jos Teaching Hospital

Federal Medical Centre, Nguru

Dare revealed that over 1,000 primary health centres are currently being revitalised in northern communities.

Joining the conversation, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasised the balanced distribution of government programmes:

“The President is not playing politics with development. His footprint is visible across all zones, especially in areas historically underserved,” Alausa said.

Despite the government’s claims, skepticism lingers among residents.

In Katsina, community leader Aminu Bello voiced doubts about the real impact on ordinary people:

“These projects sound impressive, but many of us are yet to feel the impact. People are still hungry and insecure. We want to see the benefits, not just hear about them,” he said.

President Tinubu

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as Nigeria’s leader was not merely political but divinely orchestrated.

His comments came during the All Progressives Congress (APC) South East zonal stakeholders’ meeting held at the International Conference Centre in Abakaliki.

Addressing party leaders and stakeholders, Nwifuru declared that Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election surpassed political calculations and expectations because it was “ordained by God.”

“God chose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be president of Nigeria contrary to the wishes and expectations of the opposition in 2023,” the governor said.

“God ignored others who contested on religious sentiments because God sees the heart of everybody. That is why He brought Tinubu.”

He noted that no alliance formed by the opposition could undermine Tinubu’s chances of re-election in 2027, especially in the South East.

According to him, Tinubu’s courage in taking bold decisions demonstrates the kind of leadership Nigeria needs.

“Those who based their campaigns on religious sentiments were bypassed by divine design because God saw the heart of everyone,” Nwifuru added.

Describing Tinubu’s leadership as divinely inspired, the governor commended the administration’s ongoing economic reforms and their growing impact on the lives of Nigerians.

“Tinubu’s ability to take bold and sometimes tough decisions sets him apart as the kind of leader the country needs at this critical time.”

He called on the people of the South East to maintain strong support for the president, stressing that such backing would help the region benefit more from federal initiatives.

“Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is at home in Ebonyi State. We must be tolerant to divergent views and opinions and join Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to succeed and complete his tenure.”

While advocating for constructive political engagement, Nwifuru warned against divisive and narrow political agendas, calling instead for unity within the APC.

Also speaking at the meeting, the state APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, reiterated the party’s readiness to expand its reach and defeat the opposition in future elections.

He praised party members for their steadfastness and commitment and urged continued efforts to build the APC’s strength at every level.

“We remain determined to grow stronger and more united. The future belongs to APC,” Emegha said.

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious external borrowing plan for 2025–2026, which includes loans totaling $21.8 billion, €2.1 billion, ¥15 billion, and a €65 million grant.

The funds are intended to support key infrastructure and development programmes across various sectors.

In addition to the external borrowing plan, the Senate also approved a domestic bond issuance worth ₦757.98 billion.

This bond is aimed at settling outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), bringing long-awaited relief to retirees.

The approval, however, did not come without heated debate.

Lawmakers raised concerns about the sustainability of Nigeria’s ballooning debt profile, which now exceeds ₦121 trillion, with over $43 billion in external obligations.

Debt servicing currently consumes more than 90% of federal revenues.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) warned that the borrowings would burden future generations.

“Generations after us will continue to pay these loans. I’ve gone through the documents and cannot find a clear repayment plan,” he said.

Supporters of the plan, such as Senators Adetokunbo Abiru and Finance Committee Chair Sani Musa, argued that the loans offer flexible terms and are tied to growth-oriented projects.

Also approved was Tinubu’s request to raise about $2 billion from the domestic market via a Foreign Currency-Denominated Instrument Local Issuance Programme.

Backed by Executive Order No. 16 of 2023, the initiative allows the Debt Management Office (DMO) to access dollar liquidity within Nigeria without increasing pressure on external reserves.

According to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko, the borrowings are earmarked for high-impact projects in infrastructure, health, education, power, water supply, and the digital economy.

Supporters say the plan prioritizes job creation, economic growth, and foreign exchange inflows, distinguishing it from past borrowing sprees.

“This isn’t reckless borrowing,” a committee member stated. “It’s a strategic investment.”

Meanwhile, the Senate has scheduled a special session to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The tribute comes after his recent passing and will reflect on his contributions to national development.

Last week, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also held a memorial session in Buhari’s honour.

In another development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed social media claims that the Constitution Review Committee had approved the creation of new states.

He clarified that although over 42 proposals had been submitted, none had completed the legislative process.

Akpabio urged Nigerians to rely on official information from the National Assembly and cautioned communities against premature mobilisation or agitation over unverified statehood claims.

Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, member representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has launched strategic efforts to strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As part of this initiative, Prof. Nnamchi recently held a series of leadership harmonization meetings with officials of both the APC and Labour Party (LP) across wards and local government areas in Enugu East and Isi Uzo.

The meetings took place at his residence in Enugu and were aimed at fostering unity, encouraging collaboration, and laying the groundwork for building a stronger APC presence in the state.

Enugu State APC officials who are indigenes of the constituency also participated in the sessions, which focused on building consensus and preparing for future political contests.

The engagement follows Prof. Nnamchi’s recent defection from the Labour Party to the APC, a move he attributed to unresolved leadership crises that had plagued the LP for over a year.

In his remarks, Chief Louis Agbo, APC State Financial Secretary and native of Isi Uzo, applauded the lawmaker’s leadership in convening the meeting.

He described it as a timely and strategic move that could rejuvenate APC in Enugu. Agbo also praised Nnamchi’s contributions in the House of Representatives, stating:

“Through his eloquent contributions in plenary, Prof. Nnamchi has elevated our constituency’s visibility in national politics.”

Similarly, Chief Sunday Nome of the Labour Party and Mr. Levi Okeke of the APC, both leaders from Enugu East Local Government, lauded the effort.

They expressed their commitment to working together across party lines to mobilize new members and position the APC as a dominant political force in the 2027 elections.

Prof. Nnamchi emphasized that the goal of the harmonization effort was to ensure a peaceful merger of interests and to build a formidable political structure capable of winning future elections.

“This is the first step in my plan to strengthen APC in Enugu East/Isi Uzo and the entire Enugu State. I believe that with unity, strategy, and grassroots mobilization, we can deliver strong results for the APC in 2027,” he said.

He urged leaders from both parties to begin joint mobilization efforts in their wards and local government areas and assured them of his continued support in repositioning the party in the state.

Newly appointed Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has promised to take bold steps to strengthen the ruling party while working to attract more opposition governors into its fold.

Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television just hours after his emergence in Abuja, Yilwatda said:

“The confidence they have in me is to make sure I take tough decisions but with gentility and teamwork for the collective interest of the party.”

He drew a parallel between his calm demeanour and that of President Bola Tinubu, noting that strength does not have to come with aggression.

“Of course, I will because that is what the president asked me to do and the members are asking me to do also,” he said.

“Look at the body language of Mr President; soft-talking, calm, gentle, but look at where he is driving the country, taking tough decisions, where people fear to even discuss.”

Yilwatda also made it clear that expanding the APC’s influence is a top priority, especially by winning over more governors from opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“My job is to unite the party, (and) to expand the party. We have 23 governors and we are still counting. My job is to bring in more. We would do legwork and bring in more,” he said.

So far in 2025, two PDP governors; Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State have defected to the APC.

The party now controls 23 states, while the PDP governs 10, and the Labour Party, NNPP, and APGA each control one state.

Yilwatda acknowledged the contributions of past APC chairmen such as Abdullahi Ganduje, Adams Oshiomhole, Abdullahi Adamu, and Mai Mala Buni, saying he would draw from their experience to guide his leadership.

“My immediate priority is that the party is united,” he said, adding that he would focus on coordinating internal structures to implement the party’s manifesto fully.

A former APC governorship candidate in Plateau State in the 2023 elections which was won by PDP’s Caleb Mutfwang, Yilwatda highlighted his varied professional background as preparation for his new role.

“I’m a politician coming in with private sector experience, university experience, administrative experience, election processes experience and now with the political experience to gear the wheel of the party,” he stated.

He also referenced his previous roles as a registered engineer, university lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, former Resident Electoral Commissioner with INEC, and most recently, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, a position he held until his new appointment.

Yilwatda was nominated as minister by President Tinubu in October 2024 before ascending to the APC national chairmanship in July 2025.