Former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has publicly declared that he will not be contesting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 election.

Addressing party stakeholders at a meeting held in Osogbo over the weekend, Oyetola urged all aspirants seeking the APC ticket to engage in a peaceful and healthy competition, stressing that internal unity and mutual respect are essential to the party’s success.

“You should all avoid the campaign of calumny and be your brother’s keeper. I am no longer interested in vying for the governorship ticket with you,” Oyetola stated.

Although initially rumored to be considering another run alongside figures like Senator Ajibola Basiru, Bola Oyebamiji, Senators Iyiola Omisore, Mudashiru Husain, and Omooba Dotun Babayemi, Oyetola has now made it clear that he is stepping aside for others to contest.

He expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the 2026 gubernatorial election, pointing to the growing influx of new members as proof of the party’s strength.

“You all can see that the APC remains the party to beat anytime and any day. As of today, we are receiving people into the party, and many are still coming,” he said.

“This development has further attested to our vibrancy, potency and formidability. This has always been my dream to build a virile, potent and formidable party that would return the progressives to government.”

The Minister was also optimistic about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prospects in the 2027 presidential election.

“I thank God that this is manifesting, and I can assure you that God on our side, we will win the governorship election next year in Osun State and deliver our state with massive votes for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.

“We have many justifications to send the current government packing, and we will return our party to the government next year by God’s grace.”

“We have qualified, quality, competent and people of outstanding track records as aspirants contesting for the governorship election, and this is a unique selling proposition to feast on, and we will continue to complement the federal government’s efforts on all fronts.”

Commenting on the coalition of opposition parties in the state, Oyetola dismissed it as lacking credibility and built on shaky foundations.

“Whatever builds on conspiracy, connivance and vendetta will collapse, and it is crystal clear that the coalition is drifting to collapse. This has no iota of effect on us, particularly in Osun,” he said.

“We knew this since it is the same TOP that metamorphosed to Omoluabi and later ADC. We are resolute to come victorious in the future elections, and this is incontestable.”

Some of the APC governorship aspirants present at the meeting included; Senator Babajide Omoworare and Barrister Kunle Adegoke, SAN, among others.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has completed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra State, recording a total of 168,187 new registrants.

This marks the highest number of new voters registered within a two-week period since the CVR process was introduced in 2017.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, made the announcement in a statement issued on Friday in Awka.

“The CVR, which was initially scheduled to end on July 17, was extended by three days to July 20, 2025, in response to appeals from stakeholders,” Olumekun explained.

“The turnout reflected the growing interest of citizens in the electoral process ahead of the Nov. 8 off-cycle governorship election in Anambra state.”

While noting that the current numbers were still preliminary and subject to data validation, Olumekun provided a breakdown of the demographic statistics.

Of the 168,187 registrants, 97,832 (58%) were female, while 70,355 (42%) were male.

He further revealed that young voters between the ages of 18 and 34 made up a significant portion of the registrants, totaling 90,763 or 53.97% of the new voters.

In terms of occupation, business owners formed the largest group, with 62,157 registrants, accounting for 36.92%, followed by students at 44,243 or 26.31%.

Additionally, 303 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were registered, alongside 207 individuals identified as persons with albinism.

“A comprehensive demographic breakdown has been uploaded to the commission’s website and other digital platforms for public information,” Olumekun added.

The next step in the electoral process will be the display of the preliminary voter register across the 326 Wards in the state.

This phase, scheduled from July 26 to August 1, will allow members of the public to inspect the register and raise any claims or objections.

“Once this is concluded and the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) is deployed to weed out multiple or ineligible entries, the new registrants will be added to the existing register,” he said.

“The complete list will be published on a Polling Unit basis.”

He assured the people of Anambra that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be ready ahead of the election for all those who newly registered or applied for transfers or replacements.

“With 105 days to the election, the commission is aware of the tight timelines,” Olumekun stated.

“But, we wish to reassure all new registrants in Anambra that their PVCs will be available for collection before the election.”

In a related development, INEC has concluded internal testing of a newly developed portal for political party registration, designed in-house by its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department.

“As is the case with all our Information Technology (IT) innovations, the new portal has been demonstrated before the commission and approved for deployment,” Olumekun said.

He also disclosed that the commission is currently reviewing 144 letters of intent from political associations seeking registration, with 10 new applications received recently.

Prominent politician and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has announced that the National Political Consultative Group (North) has officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

Lawal, who also serves as Chairman of the NPCG (North) and a key figure within the ADC, made this disclosure on Saturday during a press conference following the group’s 3rd Expanded Meeting held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel.

According to Lawal, the decision reflects a broad consensus among Northern political leaders to rally behind a party that they believe will champion the region’s interests and provide a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Well, the truth of the matter is that we started out as what we call a Consultative Forum for Northern politicians, but as the momentum was going on, it appears that the whole of the North has decided that they will join ADC,” Lawal explained.

“So now the distinction between what the National Political Consultative Group is and the ADC has blurred. So our people have encouraged us, have directed us, and have mandated us to organise ourselves in the manner that we deliver whatever we want through the ADC.”

Lawal said the gathering focused on identifying and addressing the deep-rooted challenges facing the Northern region, ranging from insecurity to economic neglect, and on preparing a united political front for the future.

“It’s a meeting of Northerners, specifically to discuss as a family the problems of the devil in the North and how to look for solutions to it, how to prepare for the oncoming future, to see to the fact that our interests, we elect only somebody who has the interests of the North at heart and who will address the challenges facing the North,” he said.

Criticising the current administration, he stated:
“Because as it is, we are of the opinion that this government has no interest in solving problems confronting the North, be it infrastructure, be it economy, be it security. So we have to take the ball in our hands and work towards achieving solutions to our problems.”

The decision comes in the wake of the July 1 public unveiling of the ADC as a coalition platform for several high-profile political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai.

As part of its restructuring, the party appointed former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

Lawal said the bloc aims to actively spread its message and mobilize citizens, especially in Northern Nigeria, to form a strong and united voter base.

“There’s insecurity, there’s economic deprivation, there’s marginalisation, there’s everything that is designed to humble us, designed to disintegrate us, designed to underdevelop us. But, we have resolve to enlighten our people and get needed support to tackle these challenges.”

He expressed confidence in the democratic values of the ADC, noting that internal processes such as congresses and conventions would be held to elect credible candidates.

“The ADC as a political party is a party that is founded on democratic principles. And it is our party. We are going to go to conduct congresses and conventions to elect our representatives at the election.”

“And whoever emerges, be it North, South, Central, West whoever emerges at either the congresses or at the convention, ADC will support it, and the Northern Political Consultative Group will support that decision.”

Addressing concerns about electoral transparency, Lawal was optimistic that the 2027 elections would be credible.

“I don’t believe no one in ADC leadership or rank and file believes that votes do not count. Votes do count. And we are going to make sure that votes do count. This election, votes will count,” he assured.

He concluded with a message of determination and readiness to challenge the ruling party:
“I tell you, forget about this fear that votes will not count. APC is a party of Nigerians. ADC is one. Whatever techniques, whatever malicious activity they throw at us, we’ll counter it effectively. And we’ll counter and defeat them at it.”

A group of young political actors under the aegis of the Enugu Citizens Coalition (ECC) has launched a grassroots mobilization campaign aimed at reshaping the political narrative in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE, the convener of the coalition, Chizoba Ugwuagbo, a journalist and political advocate based in Enugu, outlined the group’s vision, mission, and departure from traditional political posturing.

“We are not angry with anyone. We are not out to criticize or condemn. We are not activists demanding good governance or youth inclusion. We are not for or against anyone.”

Instead, the coalition presents itself as a collective of politically conscious individuals determined to prove their competence and readiness to lead.

“We did not come to play hide and seek or pretend to be what we are not,” Ugwuagbo emphasized.

“We are politicians, young, determined and confident that we can do a better job than many of those currently occupying elective positions.”

According to Ugwuagbo, the Enugu Citizens Coalition intends to go beyond rhetoric, taking its message to all corners of the state from markets and schools to offices and rural communities.

“We have come together to articulate a clear vision and communicate it directly to the custodians of the people’s mandate, the voters,” he said.

“With practical, workable plans, programs, and policies, we aim to win their hearts, their love, their trust, and ultimately, their votes.”

He noted that the coalition’s objective goes beyond winning elections.

“Most importantly, we will never betray their trust or confidence. Our goal is not just to win political power, but to genuinely do a better job when entrusted with it.”

Ugwuagbo announced that the Enugu Citizens Coalition has now officially launched what it calls “The Enugu Conversation”, a statewide dialogue and movement focused on accountability, performance, and people-driven leadership.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that since the emergence of ECC, political discourse across Enugu State has intensified.

Whether the group can translate its grassroots appeal into electoral success remains to be seen, but its message of competence and transparency is already gaining attention.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition has intensified efforts to galvanize support across Northern Nigeria in a strategic campaign to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The 3rd expanded meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (North) convened on Saturday at Continental Hotel, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, ADC Protem National Chairman, Senator David Mark, highlighted insecurity, extreme poverty, and ethno-religious conflicts as some of the most pressing challenges afflicting the North.

Describing the North as a region blessed with rich history, vast mineral resources, fertile agricultural land, and a vibrant cultural diversity, Mark affirmed that the ADC is the only political vehicle capable of leading the North out of its current predicament.

In his keynote address titled “Unity and social cohesion as a panacea to the challenges facing northern Nigeria,” Mark expressed deep concern over how banditry, terrorism, insurgency, and communal clashes have ravaged villages, displaced millions, and crippled the economy over the past decade.

Despite its abundant resources, he lamented, the North remains the poorest region in Nigeria, plagued by high levels of illiteracy, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure. He attributed these woes to poor governance.

Mark urged Nigerians in the North to learn from the legacies of the late Premier of the North, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and the leader of the Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU), Malam Aminu Kano, emphasizing the need for unity to restore sustainable development.

He stressed, “As leaders, as politicians or just as ordinary citizens, all of us must consider it our sacred duty to be bridge-builders, not dividers in our local communities.”

“Too often, as politicians, we exploit ethnic and religious differences to win elections, and thereafter, we leave our people hopelessly divided.”

He added, “The destructive weaponisation of ethnicity and religion we saw in the last election is unacceptable. This is where the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will make the difference. For us, politics is about service and not manipulation.”

Mark identified marginalization as the primary source of division in Northern Nigeria, saying, “We must ensure fairness in appointments, resource allocation, and opportunities. Resentment grows when any group feels excluded. But when all see themselves as equal stakeholders, peace flourishes.”

He warned, “Ignorance is the biggest enemy of unity, social cohesion and development. We must invest in education that teaches our children the value of diversity.”

“Let our schools, churches and mosques preach tolerance. Let our media promote stories of cooperation. For as long as we continue to treat investment in education with levity and frivolity, for that long shall we continue to reap poverty and insecurity.”

On the security situation, Mark stated, “Our security challenges are self-inflicted. We cannot continue to expect solutions from elsewhere. Northern Nigeria used to be the safest part of Nigeria.”

“There were no armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism or fraudsters, but today the story in the North is different.”

He recalled, “The Native Authority, the precursor of today’s Local Government Area, used to have an effective community policing infrastructure where villagers protected each other. We have to find a way to reorganise our people in their villages to return to these age-old and tested practices.”

On conflict resolution, Mark appealed, “Wherever conflicts arise, we must choose dialogue over inflammatory rhetoric, peace mediation over mutual annihilation, repentance and forgiveness over vengeance. Too much blood has been shed in our land. It is time to make peace.”

Notable members of the coalition attending the meeting included former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has boldly stated that he faces no serious opposition in the upcoming November 8 governorship election, dismissing his rivals as mere fundraisers rather than actual contenders, DAILY GAZETTE reports.

Speaking at an endorsement rally held in Awka by stakeholders from the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Soludo accused those vying against him of entering the race only to solicit money from influential politicians.

“They are not contesting, they are doing fund raisings. I hear they have been going around begging top politicians, ministers that ‘you know I’m contesting for governor, please support me’,” Soludo remarked.

This event marked the second major endorsement of Soludo’s re-election bid, following a similar show of support in Otuocha, Anambra East, where stakeholders from the Anambra North Senatorial Zone described his candidacy as a consensus ticket for the state.

During his address, the governor emphasized the importance of maintaining Anambra’s political zoning arrangement, stating it would be unfair to truncate the system that has fostered peace and equity in leadership rotation across the zones.

“A few weeks ago a rally like this happened in the North Senatorial Zone, and all the stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers, youths, students, all declared that our ticket is a consensus for Anambra,” he said.

“Today too, you (Anambra Central) are here to declare that this ticket is the consensus ticket for the 2025 election.”

Soludo reiterated his plan to hand over power to the Central Zone after completing his second term, arguing that electing anyone else from the South, where he hails from, would distort the zoning cycle.

“I want to remind you people that we have zoning system in Anambra. It started with Central Zone with Peter Obi. When he finished, everyone agreed that for there to be order, fairness and equity that zoning be institutionalised.

“After then it went to the North and for eight years Obiano was governor and after that it went to South (where Soludo hails from) and South is going to have it for eight years, after that it would be central again,” he explained.

“I don’t know who else is contesting in this election, but we heard that some people are contesting but we don’t know who they are. But I want to assure you that after South, power will shift to Central. Any one coming from South to contest against me wants power to stay in the South for 12 years.

“If anyone else from South gets to power, he will stay for eight years and that will delay the turn of the central. So, four more years for Soludo is better than eight years by anyone else, so that central can take their turn.”

The governor claimed that many of his so-called opponents are not genuinely running for office but are seeking personal gain through political fundraising.

“We have not started our campaign and have not constituted a campaign council. We are not contesting the election with anyone. Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra. All Progressives contesting against me know what they are contesting for and not for governor, and they know. In Anambra, progressives are working together,” he said.

“We are targeting to win at least 90 percent of all the electoral wards in the Central Senatorial Zone.”

Governor Soludo also revealed that he has moved into the newly completed Anambra Light House City (New Government House).

“We will continue to work for Anambra people. Let me announce to you that I have officially moved into the Anambra Light House City (New Government House). I moved there officially yesterday and I slept there last night, woke up this morning and simply strolled to this venue. You have not seen anything yet, we have more in line for Anambra people.”

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the rally featured endorsements from political leaders, student representatives, and market and community leaders.

Notable figures like Osita Chidoka and Okey Muo-Aroh also addressed the gathering.

The event concluded with Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, reading a formal communiqué of support from the Central Senatorial Zone.