A sharp disagreement has emerged in Akwa Ibom State as the Ibibio ethnic group has firmly opposed the proposal to create an Obolo State from parts of Akwa Ibom, stating that they will not surrender any of their ancestral lands currently occupied by the Obolo people.

This firm stance was articulated by Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the apex traditional leadership body of the Ibibios, during the South-South public hearing on the 1999 constitutional amendment, held in Ikot Ekpene.

The session was officially opened by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Dr. Samuel Udonsak, President-General of the Ekid People’s Union, delivered the memorandum on behalf of the Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

He noted that although the Ibibio people support the creation of new states in Nigeria, they are strongly opposed to any move that would involve taking parts of their land to form the proposed Obolo State.

He said: “In the current constitutional amendment process/exercise, Ifim Ibom Ibibio notes that Nigerian people have made requests to the National Assembly for the creation of 31 additional (new) States across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“As shown in the public hearing invitation document recently published by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, we know and note in particular that there is a request for the creation of Obolo State from the present Akwa Ibom State and Rivers State of South-South Nigeria.”

Dr. Udonsak clarified that the Obolo people, who reside in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, have every right to seek a state of their own, but that right does not extend to appropriating land from the Ibibios.

“Ifim Ibom Ibibio recognizes and respects the right of the Obolo people currently living in Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State, to seek a geopolitical entity (a State) of their own.

Ifim Ibom Ibibio, however, firmly holds the position that no part, no inch of Ibibio land, in any of the 16 Ibibio LGAs shall be excised or carved out to create Obolo State, or any other State for that matter, which is not formally, legitimately and collectively demanded by Ibibio people, the owners of the ancestral lands they occupy.”

He listed the 16 Local Government Areas identified as Ibibio territories in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, including Eket, Esit Eket, Etinan, Ibiono Ibom, Ini, and Uyo, among others.

He emphasized that the April 27, 2023 gazetted map of Akwa Ibom clearly demarcates these boundaries.

“The ancestral/authentic boundaries of these LGAs are clearly demarcated and delineated in the APPROVED, OFFICIAL, AND GAZETTED (APRIL 27, 2023) MAP OF AKWA IBOM STATE.”

Summarizing the Ibibio position, Udonsak said:

“In sum, the position of Ifim Ibom Ibibio and all Ibibio people at large, home and in the diaspora, is that no village, no section, no part, no inch of any of these Ibibio LGAs shall be made part of the proposed Obolo State, or any other State.”

Citing historical claims, he argued:

“As evident from established historical facts, all the parcels of land currently occupied by the Obolo people in the Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State were leased to their forebears by the Ibibio people on a royalty-paying basis.”

While maintaining that the Ibibios seek peaceful coexistence, he stressed their opposition to any forced land concession:

“Ifim Ibom Ibibio and Ibibio people at large, have no problem with the request of their Obolo brothers and sisters for the creation of Obolo State for their separate identity.

However, the Ibibio are totally opposed to the annexture of any part, any inch of Ibibio land to the proposed Obolo State. This is our firm conclusion and position on the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Obolo people, during their presentation at the hearing, maintained their demand for a state of their own, citing marginalization within Akwa Ibom as justification.

The Nigerian Senate has stated it will not immediately recall suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until she complies with a Federal High Court directive mandating her to issue a formal apology.

Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, clarified the Senate’s position in reaction to the recent court ruling.

He emphasized that while the court acknowledged the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, reinstatement would be subject to Akpoti-Uduaghan fulfilling the court’s orders.

“The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator,” Adaramodu said.
“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended in March for six months over alleged gross misconduct.

The suspension followed her clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reportedly over sitting arrangements.

The conflict escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a national TV interview, accused Akpabio of retaliating after she rejected alleged sexual advances—an accusation the Senate President strongly denied.

Akpoti-Uduaghan subsequently filed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), challenging her suspension.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako declared parts of the Senate’s Standing Rules and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act as overreaching, especially since they lacked a time limit for disciplinary suspensions.

The judge ruled that: “The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament.”

Justice Nyako emphasized that the Senate’s suspension of the senator for 180 days, nearly the entire 181-day legislative year, effectively denied the people of Kogi Central proper representation in national affairs.

However, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt for a satirical apology she posted on Facebook on April 27, which was deemed to have mocked the legal proceedings. Justice Nyako ruled:

“After reviewing the post and the application before her instituted by the third respondent, she was satisfied that it was linked to the suspension matter before the court and therefore found the plaintiff guilty of contempt.”

As part of her judgment, the judge ordered the senator to issue a genuine apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days, and to pay a ₦5 million fine.

When asked if the Senate would appeal the ruling, Adaramodu replied:

“Which judgment are we appealing when they (court) said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members?”

He added that the Senate would only reconvene to deliberate after Akpoti-Uduaghan complies with the court’s instructions.

“The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court.”

Legal counsel to the Senate, Paul Dauda, SAN, described the ruling as a partial victory for the upper chamber, particularly regarding the contempt issue.

“The first application filed by the Senate, that no social media posts should have been made, was decided in our favour.”

“The court directed that the satirical apology be taken down and that a proper apology be published in two national dailies. Additionally, damages of ₦5 million were awarded to be paid to the court.”

Dauda also noted that the court did not explicitly order Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement but suggested that the Senate could reconsider the issue after her compliance.

“There was no relief asking for the suspension to be lifted. The judge only made what we call an obiter dictum, a non-binding remark, that the suspension may have been excessive. We will consult with our colleagues, read the full judgment, and respond accordingly.”

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has officially dispelled recent speculation suggesting he is defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke reassured his supporters that he remains firmly rooted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and continues to serve as its leader in the state.

Stressfully countering the widespread rumors, he declared:

“I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party.”

Adeleke also reaffirmed his commitment to his administration’s ongoing five-point development agenda, urging citizens to ignore the false reports and focus on the delivery of “good governance and democratic dividends.”

The Osun State PDP, represented by Chairman Sunday Bisi, also condemned the defection rumors as deliberate distraction tactics by political outcasts. Bisi asserted:

“Those peddling the lie of decamping are merely rejected politicians and agents of retrogression, who are terrified by the growing popularity and performance of Governor Adeleke, despite their continued attempts to derail the people-centred progress being made.”

He urged party members and the wider public to stay confident in the administration’s direction, emphasizing that the PDP remains united and committed to deepening its mission:

“Let it be firmly stated that the PDP remains intact, cohesive, and more committed than ever to the renewed mission of rescuing and rebuilding Osun State.”

Highlighting the government’s approach to leadership, Bisi emphasized the administration’s openness to public participation:

“The PDP administration, in line with its open-door policy, remains transparent and inclusive. The good people of Osun will continue to be carried along in all political and governance processes. Your voices are heard, your feedbacks are valued, and your concerns are being addressed with utmost sincerity.”

He added a warning to those behind the rumor campaign:

“We urge the citizens of Osun to dismiss the mischief of those whose only legacy is to plunder the resources of our dear state. The Adeleke administration, backed by the PDP, is focused on service delivery, responsive governance, and the upliftment of all communities across our dear state.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), adopted as the official platform of Nigeria’s growing opposition coalition, is actively working to attract at least five sitting governors from PDP ahead of the 2027 elections, insiders have revealed to DAILY GAZETTE

Sources say the ADC sees the ongoing crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as fertile ground to convince governors to jump ship.

Already, five PDP state leaders have reportedly resigned to join the ADC.

At a Wednesday event, prominent coalition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark—formally brought ADC into the fold as their platform for 2027.

David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola were introduced as Interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

High-profile APC defectors such as John Oyegun, Abubakar Malami, and Rotimi Amaechi were also present and have since joined the ADC.

Additionally, former PDP leaders including Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-governors Sule Lamido, Liyel Imoke, Gabriel Suswam, Emeka Ihedioha, Babangida Aliyu, and Sam Egwu, have aligned themselves with the coalition.

DAILY GAZETTE also reports more recent defections from PDP officials in Benue, Niger, Kano, Gombe, and Borno states.

But the ADC’s rallying momentum has faced scrutiny.

PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum threatened to discipline those undermining the party, asserting that it remains united.

Pro-Tinubu commentator, Reno Omokri, dismissed the ADC as a gathering of “rejected politicians and former political office holders.”

APC’s South‑East Vice Chairman Ijeomah Arodiogbu added criticism, stating:

“The coalition is already starting on a bad footing. The party they have coalesced into is already having issues.”

“Some leaders of the party said they were not consulted and that they don’t want the newcomers… The lowest common multiple of the people driving the coalition is simply desperation for power. It is not about the Nigerian people… They don’t have anything to offer.”

Arodiogbu noted the absence of serving governors in the coalition and stressed the importance of such figures for electoral success.

DAILY GAZETTE spoke with an unnamed former Katsina senator who claimed:

“Five PDP governors have given us their commitment; they are going to join us, but they want to see the end of Wike’s drama in the PDP… What people don’t know is that some of the governors, including those in the APC, are supporting us.”

Another aide mentioned that coalition leaders were in discussions with seven governors, but did not disclose specific identities:

“Why are you interested in knowing the governors we’re talking to?… But I can tell you that we are talking to seven governors, and they are from the southern and northern parts of the country.”

Former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu declined to respond when approached.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu weighed in on Friday, warning that the coalition’s efforts would fail. He accused the ADC of merely seeking to distract President Tinubu:

“The target is to distract the Commander‑in‑Chief and derail the social and economic gains that we can see and feel, but President Tinubu knows the game and will never fall for their bait.”

According to Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu’s “track record, achievements, and reform‑driven agenda” will carry him through 2027.

PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba dismissed the claims as baseless:

“Whoever told you that (PDP governors will join ADC) is hallucinating. Our governors are united… If anybody is imagining that there will be defection… it will be in the realm of hallucination.”

Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Sule Lamido, has expressed willingness to support Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election provided the Labour Party leader emerges as the flag bearer of a broader coalition.

Lamido, in a statement, said his loyalty to PDP remains intact but emphasized the need to prioritize Nigeria’s future over ethnic or regional considerations.

“If the coalition produces Peter Obi or anyone else committed to rescuing Nigeria, I will support them. But I remain PDP. We should have outgrown tribal and regional sentiments. Leadership should be about competence and vision, not geography.”

“What has the North gained from producing the most presidents if the region remains underdeveloped? I’m open to any arrangement that can confront the APC and rescue Nigeria. I’ll support those who share that goal.”

He further argued that the PDP’s zoning arrangement was originally created as a temporary mechanism to heal national wounds after the annulment of the June 12 election.

“It was meant to be a healing mechanism, a temporary measure to restore trust. But now, it has become an albatross.”

Middle Belt Forum: Obi May Be the Only Trustworthy Option

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), through its National President Dr. Bitrus Pogu, suggested that Obi might be the North’s most viable option in 2027, citing his consistency and public trust.

> “I want to say that a drowning person wouldn’t mind even holding onto a straw thinking that it will save him. So, in the situation which the North finds itself in, I do not think that their choices are many.”

He added that while the North might still consider other figures like Atiku Abubakar or even former President Goodluck Jonathan, they are unlikely to succeed:

“Getting a Northerner to contest is a problem… they may still go for somebody in the South, either somebody who will promise them like Peter Obi or somebody like former President Jonathan if it is allowed, knowing that he cannot go beyond one term.”

But Pogu cautioned:

“In spite of his pronouncement, in spite of the fact that they may extract a written agreement from him, will they faithfully carry out their support promises…? Those are the options they have, because when people lack options, of course any option is a good option.”

Former Information Minister, Ibrahim Nakande dismissed Obi’s single-term proposal as political posturing:

“For someone to say he will do only one term is political. Will the people from his zone agree with that?”

However, he acknowledged Obi’s growing support base:

“He has support everywhere, even in the North if you look at the record in the last election. There is no way he won’t have support, it depends on his proposed policies and programmes, and it is up to the greater Nigerian people to decide.”

Elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai argued that President Bola Tinubu, if re-elected, is constitutionally limited to one more term and therefore more likely to hand over power in 2031:

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is therefore in the best position to honour an agreement to hand over four years after 2027 because even the constitution is there to compel him to do so.”

President of the Arewa Defence League, Alhaji Murtala Abubakar, strongly opposed the one-term proposal, calling it a threat to democracy:

“The idea that power must ‘rotate’ artificially restricts democratic choice and is no longer tenable in a modern Nigeria.”

He argued that performance, not regional origin, should determine leadership:

“Imposing an arbitrary one-term limit on a Southern president in 2027 undermines the will of the people… Nigeria’s challenges require the best leaders, not those selected merely to fulfill a zoning formula.”

Alhaji Muhammad Salihu Danlami, Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, rejected the notion of a one-term presidency, citing past disappointments:

“The North succumbed to power of incumbency in 2011 and allowed President Goodluck Jonathan who promised Nigerians he would be a one-term president… only to seek re-election in 2015.”

He stated flatly: “The North will not accept any presidential candidates who will try to sell the idea of one term… The North will not support Peter Obi because of his type of politics of religion and ethnicity.”

From the Coalition of Northern Groups, Alhaji Jamilu Charanchi warned against blind trust in campaign pledges:

“Anyone who still believes in such promises without critical scrutiny is simply deceiving himself… Only time will reveal where the true allegiance of the North lies, not sweet words, but actions.”

Anthony Sani, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, viewed Obi’s promise as a sign of desperation:

“When aspirants pledge to do only one tenure, it makes me feel they are unduly desperate for power and not for service.”

He suggested the North may still favor President Tinubu over Obi:

“Unless President Bola Tinubu does so badly in his first term… I expect the North to prefer President Bola Tinubu… as against Peter Obi who can change his mind reminiscent of how President Jonathan changed his mind and contested in 2015.”

Bitrus Kaze, a former House of Representatives member and Obi supporter in 2023, called the one-term pledge “pacifying” but doubted its effectiveness:

“The north… may not be convinced… The law didn’t say a President can’t contest for the second term.”

Alhaji Tanko Yunusa, Global Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, expressed optimism about Obi’s growing northern appeal:

“Peter Obi’s offer to serve a single term… will undoubtedly assuage the concerns in some quarters… There is no doubt that Obi’s proposal is being well received in the North.”

He added “Only recently, the Pantami Emirate in Gombe State honoured him with a traditional title… Obi’s acceptance in the North… is far better in 2025 than what we saw during the 2023 elections”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State has kicked off the sale of nomination forms for aspirants interested in contesting the Ganye State Constituency by-election, scheduled for August 16, 2025.

Speaking on Friday in Yola, the state party chairman, A.T. Shehu, a lawyer, expressed strong confidence in the PDP’s readiness and enduring popularity in the state.

“We have received all materials needed for the primaries and have commenced the sale of nomination forms to aspirants,” Shehu confirmed.

Reiterating the PDP’s political dominance in Adamawa, Shehu stated, “Adamawa is a PDP state. From day one till now, the masses have continued to believe in our leadership on account of the party’s progressive path.”

Addressing reports of internal disagreements within the party, he downplayed their significance, describing them as part of the political process.

“Normal political rancour,” he said of the tensions, adding that “the so-called aggrieved faction has no real footing.”

When asked whether the recent defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the PDP could affect the party’s standing, Shehu was quick to reassure supporters.

“The masses of Adamawa are fully with the PDP. No party has ever truly held 100 per cent control of this state. Setbacks do not define who we are,” he said.

The by-election in Ganye became necessary following the death of Abdulmalik Jauro Musa, deputy minority whip of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, who passed away on May 24, 2024.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the vote to fill the vacant seat for August 16, 2025.