The Presidency has urged leaders of the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to “forget about the coming election in 2027 and focus on the 2031 polls.”

Presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, dismissed the coalition featuring political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex‑Senate President David Mark, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai as a “purely opportunistic gathering of disgruntled politicians.”

He argued: “The Presidency already rests with the region rightfully due. And that’s where it will be till 2031.”

Dare further accused the group of “political harlotry,” claiming their stated goal of “redressing injustice in the system” was false.

He added: “There is no injustice to redress—only avarice ambition to satisfy the cravings of a few for the control of the National treasury.”

Comparing the coalition to the APC’s 2015 merger, Dare said: “In 2013, the merger that birthed the APC was driven by selflessness, national interest, and strategic discipline.

The leaders at the time were willing to set aside personal ambitions for the greater good.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite commanding the loyalty of several sitting governors, chose to wait.

He bided his time, played the long game, and focused on building a viable political platform.”

He dismissed the ADC’s platform as lacking cohesion and credibility, asserting: “Today, no one in this coalition commands that kind of loyalty or trust. Not one of them could genuinely unite a ward, let alone a country. No one comes close to parading the democratic credentials of President Bola Tinubu.”

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has made it clear that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, no longer has access to the party’s platform to contest in the 2027 general election.

In a statement released on Saturday, NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, dismissed recent claims by Elder Buba Galadima suggesting that Kwankwaso would remain with the NNPP and run for president under its banner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported Galadima’s remarks, where he asserted that there was no evidence of Kwankwaso defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and encouraged Nigerians to rally behind him ahead of the 2027 race.

But Agbo Major countered the narrative, stating that both Kwankwaso and Galadima had been formally expelled from the NNPP over “anti-party activities” and, as such, no longer have any rights within the party.

“The NNPP had long expelled Kwankwaso and Galadima, and so they no longer speak for us, nor can they use our platform for any political contest,” he said.

According to Major, the party’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, was terminated shortly after the 2023 election cycle.

“Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, ended shortly after the 2023 presidential election.”

“We cannot even allow Kwankwaso, for whatever reason, to return to the NNPP fold because of the problems and internal wranglings he created for us,” he added.

He accused Kwankwaso of hijacking party structures and manipulating internal processes, including altering the NNPP’s logo during a disputed convention.

“Kwankwaso led us into unnecessary litigations and even changed our party logo to the Kwankwasiya logo, all in an attempt to hijack the leadership of the party.
It was the Court’s interventions that led to INEC changing back to our logo that they submitted after a kangaroo convention in Abuja,” Major explained.

The NNPP chairman also cast doubt on Kwankwaso’s political viability in any future contest, especially against President Bola Tinubu.

“Kwankwaso must be counting on another free ticket like he got for the 2023 presidential election, but it would not happen again.
Certainly, Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership.”

“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled, and we will not readmit them because they betrayed our trust massively. He does not have the pedigree to match President Tinubu in any contest, and so his ambition is dead on arrival,” he said.

While acknowledging Kwankwaso’s constitutional right to run for office, Major urged him to do so outside the NNPP and without dragging the party into personal feuds.

“It is Kwankwaso’s right as a Nigerian to seek to contest for any office, but he should do so without getting the party involved in any of his antagonisms against the president,” Major said.

He also revealed that the party has started receiving interest from other potential aspirants for 2027 and will ensure the next presidential ticket is awarded through a transparent and democratic process.

“Whoever will emerge as the NNPP 2027 presidential candidate will do so, following due process and constitutionality. We will no longer hand over our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust and is no longer in the party,” he added.

Agbo Major concluded by warning Nigerians not to be misled by comments from Kwankwaso’s camp, emphasizing that the NNPP is committed to constructive, issue-based politics.

“The NNPP as a party believes in constructive criticisms of issues and not against personalities or other political parties.
We advise Kwankwaso to float his own party and use it for his own agenda.
NNPP has moved on and can’t be dragged into unnecessary controversies again,” he said.

The Rivers State Women Association of Nigeria (RIVSWAN) has strongly condemned what it calls an “unwarranted and malicious attack” by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against Dame Judith Amaechi, former First Lady of Rivers State.

The backlash follows Wike’s recent remarks on a national television programme, where he alleged that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was disbursing ₦4 billion monthly to Dame Amaechi for the training of Niger Delta women.

In response, Ichechi Welendu, RIVSWAN’s acting president, issued a statement rejecting the claims and accusing the minister of spreading misinformation.

“The entire allegation is not only laughable but an embarrassment to public discourse,” Welendu said.

“It reflects either a gross misunderstanding of the NDDC’s budgetary structure or a deliberate effort to smear the name of a respected woman of substance.”

Describing Wike’s claims as “baseless falsehoods driven by bitterness, ignorance, and a worrying lack of self-restraint,” RIVSWAN urged the public to dismiss what it called “a concocted story fueled by personal vendetta and misinformation.”

Welendu praised Dame Judith Amaechi’s record of service and highlighted her work through the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), a non-governmental organisation focused on girl-child education and women’s empowerment across the Niger Delta.

The group stressed that the former First Lady had used her personal resources to uplift women and should not be “subjected to public ridicule based on unfounded accusations.”

They further criticized Wike’s remarks on live television, calling them a “slap on the face of Rivers women” and a “disgraceful abuse of national platforms.”

RIVSWAN went on to demand that the FCT Minister either present documentary evidence to back his allegations or formally retract the statement.

“Dame Judith Amaechi is a moral compass, a gospel preacher, and a champion of good governance,” the group declared.
“Her support for her husband, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during his era of infrastructural transformation is well documented.”

The association warned that if Wike fails to substantiate his claims, it may trigger “legitimate actions, including peaceful protests across Rivers State.”

They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order, describing his comments as “unguided utterances” and “unbecoming of a federal cabinet member.”

Reaffirming their support for Dame Amaechi, the women described her as a symbol of progress and leadership.

“Her contributions helped restore Rivers State to its cherished status as the Garden City. We stand with her,” Welendu concluded.

Human rights lawyer and civil rights advocate Dele Farotimi has stressed that any coalition of opposition parties aiming for political success in the 2027 elections will be pointless unless meaningful electoral reforms are pursued and demanded by the Nigerian people.

Farotimi made the assertion while speaking on Channels TV’s State of the Nation programme, where he underscored the urgent need for a transparent and accountable electoral process in Nigeria.

“Every coalition of opposition will work in vain, if the people fail to demand electoral reforms. The system is rigged ab initio,” Farotimi declared.

Expressing doubt over the current administration’s willingness to initiate such reforms, Farotimi questioned the sincerity of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government, which he accused of benefiting from electoral malpractice.

“I think it will be not only simplistic but exceedingly foolish when you want to expect that All Progressives Congress (APC) government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be interested in an electoral reform that would ensure transparency in the electoral process. This is a government that is beneficial of an electoral hijack,” he stated.

The activist’s concerns were also grounded in his personal experience during the 2023 election cycle.

He recounted his role in overseeing part of the election process in Lagos State, raising serious allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I was charged with the duty of collecting Form EC8A from INEC in Lagos State, and I can say without equivocation that the then INEC commissioner in Lagos State could not produce a single Form EC8A because the entire result in Lagos State was a fraud,” he alleged.

Farotimi emphasized that Nigerian citizens must not remain passive but should be bold in making demands for electoral accountability and justice, even through peaceful demonstrations if necessary.

“Power is not served; you grab it, snatch it, and you run with it. But it is the right of citizens to expect to be given the power to vote and decide who rules them,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of citizens’ voices being not only heard but respected in shaping the country’s democratic future.

“We should be making that demand very clearly,” Farotimi emphasised.

According to him, electoral reform is not merely a political issue but a civic necessity that demands the attention of all citizens, civil society, and government alike.

“The Nigerian people are the victims of gross abuse of power and process,” he concluded, reaffirming their right to demand a fair and credible electoral system.

Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu has formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship of Oyo State in the 2027 general election.

The announcement came during consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and stakeholders across the Ogbomoso and Oyo zones of the state on Friday.

Speaking at the residence of a key APC leader, Ayoade Adeseun, in Ogbomoso, Adelabu revealed that the visit was part of ongoing efforts to build consensus and rally support for his bid.

“I’m here to tell you that I want to contest for governor of Oyo State in 2027. I’m ready to put to test all experience I’ve gathered from the past two elections,” he said.

Adelabu, who was the APC governorship candidate in 2019, sought to ease concerns about internal party imposition, assuring stakeholders that the race would be open and competitive.

“I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious,” he asserted.

Addressing past grievances within the party, he urged aggrieved members to bury the hatchet and unite behind the goal of reclaiming the state in 2027.

“I’m not against other zones becoming governor of the state, all I know is that God’s time is the best,” he added.

“Ogbomoso is very important in this state election, I’m here to seek for your support and backing, I’m happy to see that all the factions in Ogbomoso are now one.”

Adelabu also emphasized the significance of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election for the continuity of Yoruba leadership at the national level.

“This is another turn of Yorubas to serve their two terms as President of Nigeria. Nigeria has a lot to benefit if Tinubu is re-elected,” he said.

In Oyo town, he reinforced his commitment to inclusive governance and equitable representation.

“I will run all inclusive government where everybody will be involved in governance of the state and no one will be left behind if I become governor of the state in 2027,” he promised.

“I’m here for people to know that no one can impose anybody, I want to work and prove to our party members that I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.”

Adelabu described Oyo as a personal political base, expressing gratitude for the continued loyalty of his supporters.

“Oyo is like a second home to me, my supporters, followers, associates and allied are all here, they have been supporting me in the past and they are ready to support me again,” he said.

“I will give what is due to Oyo. Oyo zone deserves better treatment because it is symbolic, Oyo is historical, symbolic and blessing to the entire state.”

Also speaking at the event, Adeseun and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, son of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, urged APC members to unite ahead of the 2027 elections and work collectively to ensure the party’s return to power in the state.

The Federal Government has expressed its willingness to negotiate the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but emphasized that such discussions should not be tied to political bargaining or regional support.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made the statement on Friday night during an interaction with journalists in Lagos.

Dismissing suggestions that the South East had made Kanu’s release a precondition for supporting President Bola Tinubu, Umahi said:

“Somebody asked me about Nnamdi Kanu, and I said his matter is not a condition for the South East to support the President.
We are willing to negotiate his release, but no one should make it a condition because the President did not put him there.”

The minister praised President Tinubu’s performance since assuming office, describing him as a responsive and reform-driven leader.

Umahi expressed optimism that a resolution to Kanu’s detention would be achieved, but stressed that it must happen through non-confrontational means.

“President Tinubu may not be perfect, but he is doing most things right.
Look at where he picked up the economy from.
The international community has confidence in his reforms.
That is why we are getting support for our projects.”

Umahi affirmed the South East’s support for President Tinubu and indicated the region’s readiness to back his re-election in 2027.

He pointed to various ongoing infrastructure projects in the region, many of which he said had been long abandoned—as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to development.

“Let those criticising the President show us what they have done for the country,” he added.

Responding to concerns over alleged marginalisation in federal appointments, Umahi dismissed the claims and argued that the current administration had done more for the South East than many of its predecessors.

He urged political unity in the region, regardless of party affiliation, and commended even opposition governors for cooperating with the Tinubu-led government.

Regarding his own political future, Umahi addressed rumours of a potential presidential bid in 2027:

“I will not run. I will work for my boss, President Tinubu.
APC is the path to achieving what we want.
The South East now has a voice at the centre.
We will not return to Egypt.”