Lawal (middle), Atiku (left), El-Rufai (Right)

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Babachir Lawal, has said he has no regrets supporting Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, even though he remains a member of the ruling party.

In a recent interview, Lawal addressed rising questions about the strength and prospects of a growing opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He clarified that his decision to back Obi was rooted in principle and a reaction to the exclusionary politics he observed within his own party.

On the issue of opposition defections to the APC, Lawal acknowledged that political dynamics are often misunderstood from outside.

“If you aren’t in a room, you won’t be able to know what is happening in a room. So, from outside, you begin to conjure all manner of ideas… I can tell you that anybody is free to comment. It is a democracy; nobody can ever say you can’t vote out an elected president,” he said.

Despite being a farmer, Lawal stated that he remains actively involved in the coalition’s activities.

“I would be an idiot if I leave my most important vocation to take coffee and snacks,” he remarked, highlighting his ongoing commitment to the coalition’s objectives.

He was clear that the coalition is not built solely around Atiku’s ambitions.

Citing the involvement of other key figures such as Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, he said, “I don’t see why Amaechi will waste his time and attend meetings designed to make Atiku a presidential candidate.”

According to Lawal, the coalition’s goal is to create a democratic platform for transparent leadership selection.

He explained the process: a national convention would elect a trusted leadership team, who would then oversee primaries at all levels, ward, local government, and state, and later conduct party congresses.

He emphasized that the coalition accommodates members with diverse ambitions and fosters internal democracy.

Addressing speculation about a potential Atiku-Obi alliance, he dismissed such talks as premature.

“How can he make a deal when he isn’t yet the presidential candidate? It is after the convention and somebody wins that the party can sit down and begin to say, Who do we make a vice-president?” Lawal said.

On the question of Rabiu Kwankwaso’s involvement, Lawal clarified that while he is not part of the coalition, he is also not in opposition to it.

He noted Kwankwaso might be observing the developments before making a move.

He also downplayed fears that defections to the APC could threaten the opposition’s strength.

“If I contest House of Assembly election in my local government, and I am defeated… I will quickly defect to that party, contest there and take it,” Lawal stated, pointing to the fluid nature of Nigerian politics.

Responding to reports that the coalition may adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform, Lawal said no final decision has been made.

“We have narrowed down to a few political parties and we will negotiate,” he said, explaining that technical committees are currently reviewing party constitutions and legal structures to identify the most suitable option.

Lawal ruled out using the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, citing unresolved internal issues.

He said the PDP’s management problems, including the failure of reconciliation efforts such as the Saraki Committee, made it an unstable choice.

He predicted that more PDP members would eventually migrate to the coalition.

Despite still being in the APC, Lawal reiterated that his support for Peter Obi in 2023 came from a place of conviction.

“Political party isn’t a religion. Even in religion, people proselytise; you change,” he said, emphasizing that appealing directly to voters, rather than blind party loyalty, is the coalition’s strategy.

Addressing accusations that the coalition represents Northern entitlement or harbors anti-Southern sentiment, Lawal pointed to the harsh realities in the North.

He said that despite a Southern president, the North continues to suffer from insecurity and underdevelopment.

“If you see how we are being decimated in the North, through Boko Haram, banditry, kidnappings, lack of infrastructure… We can’t even farm. There is hunger and fear,” he said, urging Southern critics to be more understanding.

He dismissed claims that the insecurity problem predates President Tinubu’s administration.

“That’s not an excuse. The president is elected to solve problems, not to allow them to fester. Before he is ready, we will be dead!” Lawal warned.

Finally, Lawal firmly stood by his 2023 choice: “I’ve no regrets supporting Peter Obi in 2023 despite being an APC man.”

He added that had he aligned with the current APC government, “I would have been the most miserable person on earth,” referencing the economic hardship Nigerians are currently facing.

He strongly criticized the APC’s decision to run a Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying it disregarded qualified Northern Christians.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket symbolises the marginalisation that we are facing. At that level, I couldn’t accept it,” he concluded.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of 21 distinguished Nigerians to lead various federal agencies, aiming to bolster public sector reforms and enhance institutional efficiency.

In a statement issued on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the new appointments, which include high-profile political figures such as former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim, ex-Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

Onanuga stated that the appointments reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to “improve government reforms and rejuvenate public institutions.”

Among the notable designations:

Ibrahim Shema has been named Chairman of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

Philip Shaibu takes over as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Sport.

Anyim Pius Anyim will serve as Chairman of the National Merit Awards.

Ken Nnamani has been appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

Full List of Appointees and Their Designations:

1. Ken Nnamani – Chairman, Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies

2. Ibrahim Shehu Shema – Chairman, Federal Capital Development Authority

3. Anyim Pius Anyim – Chairman, National Merit Awards

4. Philip Shaibu – Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Sport

5. Isa Aremu – Director-General, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies

6. Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani – Managing Director, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC)

7. Asabe Vilita Bashir – Director-General, National Centre for Women’s Development

8. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe – Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre, Abuja

9. Abubakar Umar Jarengol – Executive Director (Operations/Technical), NAIC

10. Babaranti Ayandayo Rasheed – Executive Director (Finance and Administration), NAIC

11. Professor Almustapha Alhaji Aliyu – Managing Director, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML)

12. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu – Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education

13. Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya – Chairman, Nigerian Agricultural Land Development Authority

14. Tijjani Yahaya Kaura – Director-General, Centre for Citizenship and Leadership Training

15. Abdullahi Mohammed – Executive Director (Monitoring and Implementation), Nigeria–Sao Tome Joint Development Authority

16. Mohammed Lawal Ibrahim – Executive Director (Finance/Admin), Nigeria–Sao Tome Joint Development Authority

17. Hamza Ibrahim Baba – National Program Manager, Government Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Program (GEEP)

18. Joseph Haruna Kigbu – Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission

19. Senator Jalo Zarami – Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission

20. Segun Aina – Director-General, Academic Staff College of Nigeria

21. Abubakar Adamu – Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria

The appointments come amid ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to reposition key institutions for better performance and accountability.

Prominent Nigerian cleric and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has issued a stark warning to voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a new prophecy shared during a recent interview, Ayodele cautioned Nigerians against voting for a group of high-profile politicians, stating that their leadership would worsen the country’s challenges.

He specifically named five key figures; former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

“Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Bala (Mohammed), Seyi Makinde will make things more difficult for Nigerians, even worse than what Nigerians are going through under Tinubu now,” the cleric warned.

According to Ayodele, electing any of these individuals in 2027 would lead to even greater national distress.

“Voting for any of these politicians in the next election will be more disastrous. Nigerians must never contemplate the choice of any of these politicians,” he declared.

Despite previously criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Primate Ayodele urged Nigerians to remain patient with the current government.

He believes Tinubu deserves a second term and predicted that it would bring better outcomes than his first.

“Ayodele has taken Nigeria to where it is now will also bring the nation out of its current situation in his second term,” he said, expressing optimism that Tinubu’s leadership will yield improvement over time.

The prophet, known for his controversial but widely followed predictions, claimed that his messages come from divine visions.

“I am saying it as it was revealed to me. I don’t have anything to do with Tinubu or his foot soldiers. Some people may view this as a contradiction to my earlier prophecy, but they cannot fault the efficacy and the fulfillment of these prophecies. Everything I foretold has turned out exactly the way I said it,” Ayodele stated.

He also issued a broader warning about political realignments and coalitions forming ahead of the 2027 elections.

He cited the growing alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, who have reportedly united to challenge President Tinubu.

Additionally, Primate Ayodele revisited past prophecies, including his December 2024 claim that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would be released. Despite this, the IPOB leader remains on trial for terrorism-related charges.

That same year, Ayodele predicted that economic hardship would persist for four more years under Tinubu’s presidency, asserting that the government lacked a solution to alleviate suffering.

Yet in this latest vision, the cleric now portrays Tinubu’s second term as a path toward recovery.

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Iliya Damagum, has faulted the party’s disciplinary committee for failing to act on multiple petitions that, if addressed, could have curbed the disruptive influence of some members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during an interview on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mana Hanya, Damagum said the committee received over 40 petitions but only acted on oneone, a decision he believes left the party vulnerable.

“The committee was handed over 40 petitions that needed attention, but it only chose to act on that of the national secretary. If the committee had acted on those petitions, maybe we would not be here today,” he said.

He disclosed that there were strong grounds to remove Wike and others from the PDP but lamented that action was not taken.

“We advised them that the five of them should be expelled from the party, but nothing was done until the elections came and gone.”

“They succeeded in setting the party back with the things they did. Now that I am leading the party, they are putting pressure on me to expel him.”

Damagum also reflected on his personal dynamic with Wike, attributing their frosty relationship to the collapse of Wike’s ties with others in the party.

“Before I knew him, many of those people had known him and had a relationship with him. They were enjoying his magnanimity. My only sin to them is that I came at a time when their relationship had collapsed.”

He stated that Wike’s disruptive role was evident well before the 2023 elections.

“We advised them that the five of them should be expelled from the party,” he repeated, stressing that their actions harmed the PDP at a critical moment.

While some are urging him to take punitive measures, Damagum signaled a more reconciliatory approach.

“I want peace in the party. By the time you keep expelling members rather than peaceful resolution of issues, one day you will wake up and no more people in the party.”

On Wike’s sway within the party, Damagum offered a striking example: “When the FCT minister single-handedly brought the embattled Rivers State governor as the candidate of the PDP, nobody asked him how he did it. Now, there is a problem between them. How do you expect the party or me to come in?”

He went on to accuse some top figures in the PDP of failing in their duties, contributing instead to the crisis through selfish or divisive actions.

According to him, “these influential figures act as though they are untouchable, effectively holding the party hostage through their behaviour.”

Damagum, a PDP member since 1998, reaffirmed his loyalty, saying, “I have political discipline and principles. I cannot jump from one party to another. I don’t have any reasons to do that.”

He acknowledged recent defections but downplayed their significance, maintaining that the PDP would emerge stronger.

“It is going to make the party come out better and stronger than what it is now,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2027, Damagum dismissed the idea that party switching would determine electoral outcomes.

“It is not the number of defections that will make the APC win the 2027 general elections; it is the electorate, Nigerians who will cast votes to elect a president. In 2027, it is President Bola Tinubu versus Nigerians, not the APC.”

Damagum also hinted that some defectors were driven by self-interest.

“Those leaving the party have one or two things to hide, looking for safe landing from possible persecution or maybe looking for more money in their bank accounts.”

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Iliya Damagum, has faulted the party’s disciplinary committee for failing to act on multiple petitions that, if addressed, could have curbed the disruptive influence of some members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during an interview on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mana Hanya, Damagum said the committee received over 40 petitions but only acted on oneone, a decision he believes left the party vulnerable.

“The committee was handed over 40 petitions that needed attention, but it only chose to act on that of the national secretary.”

“If the committee had acted on those petitions, maybe we would not be here today,” he said.

He disclosed that there were strong grounds to remove Wike and others from the PDP but lamented that action was not taken.

“We advised them that the five of them should be expelled from the party, but nothing was done until the elections came and gone.”

“They succeeded in setting the party back with the things they did. Now that I am leading the party, they are putting pressure on me to expel him.”

Damagum also reflected on his personal dynamic with Wike, attributing their frosty relationship to the collapse of Wike’s ties with others in the party.

“Before I knew him, many of those people had known him and had a relationship with him.”

“They were enjoying his magnanimity. My only sin to them is that I came at a time when their relationship had collapsed.”

He stated that Wike’s disruptive role was evident well before the 2023 elections.

“We advised them that the five of them should be expelled from the party,” he repeated, stressing that their actions harmed the PDP at a critical moment.

While some are urging him to take punitive measures, Damagum signaled a more reconciliatory approach.

“I want peace in the party. By the time you keep expelling members rather than peaceful resolution of issues, one day you will wake up and no more people in the party.”

On Wike’s sway within the party, Damagum offered a striking example: “When the FCT minister single-handedly brought the embattled Rivers State governor as the candidate of the PDP, nobody asked him how he did it. Now, there is a problem between them. How do you expect the party or me to come in?”

He went on to accuse some top figures in the PDP of failing in their duties, contributing instead to the crisis through selfish or divisive actions.

According to him, “These influential figures act as though they are untouchable, effectively holding the party hostage through their behaviour.”

Damagum, a PDP member since 1998, reaffirmed his loyalty, saying, “I have political discipline and principles. I cannot jump from one party to another. I don’t have any reasons to do that.”

He acknowledged recent defections but downplayed their significance, maintaining that the PDP would emerge stronger.

“It is going to make the party come out better and stronger than what it is now,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2027, Damagum dismissed the idea that party switching would determine electoral outcomes.

“It is not the number of defections that will make the APC win the 2027 general elections; it is the electorate, Nigerians who will cast votes to elect a president. In 2027, it is President Bola Tinubu versus Nigerians, not the APC.”

Damagum also hinted that some defectors were driven by self-interest.

“Those leaving the party have one or two things to hide, looking for safe landing from possible persecution or maybe looking for more money in their bank accounts.”

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, has declared his intention to run again in 2027 under the same party.

In a video that recently went viral on social media, Obi addressed his supporters and confirmed his continued allegiance to the Labour Party. When asked about his platform for the next election cycle, he responded: “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, also pointed fingers at the Nigerian government for fueling the current crisis rocking various political parties, including the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He responded to a concerned youth who questioned his apparent detachment from the internal issues facing his party.

“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere,” Obi said.

Reflecting on a past experience, he cited an example from the era of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua “We had a problem in our party before, in the past. Yar’Adua was the President. I went to him then; he called the INEC chairman (Prof. Maurice Iwu) and told him I don’t want any problem in any party. We were forced to fix it.”

He further emphasized that the dysfunction within parties today is no coincidence.

“But today, in all the parties, there are problems; these are deliberate problems caused by the system. These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity. Parties will function very well because you can’t have a system working without a strong opposition.”

Encouraging Nigerians to be more engaged in the electoral process, Obi urged voters to protect the integrity of their votes.

He explained that even with party agents in place, the power ultimately lies with the electorate.

“Because even if agents are paid by political parties to look after their interests, the ultimate decision about whether the people’s votes count rests with voters,” he stated.

Addressing the youth and broader electorate, Obi acknowledged the resistance faced by those pushing for reform: “Positive change will also be resisted by those who are beneficiaries of the old order.”

He also touched on the issue of age in leadership, suggesting a cap on the age of politicians vying for office. With the 2027 elections in view, Obi noted “By the time the 2027 election holds, I would be 65 years old,” adding, “I would not want to be contesting for elections in my 70s.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly denied allegations that its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, held a secret meeting with a sitting governor and a former governor just two days before they defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The denial follows claims made by Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during a recent television interview. Ibe had alleged that both the EFCC chairman and the Solicitor General met with two governors—one serving and one former—from the South-South region, 48 hours before they switched political allegiance to the APC.

According to Ibe, the meeting took place at a government lodge in a South-South state. However, he did not name the governors involved.

Responding to the claims, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale issued a statement on Friday categorically denying the allegation and defending Olukoyede’s impartiality.

> “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is outraged by the unfounded claims of Mr. Paul Ibe, spokesperson to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, alleging that Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman, held a secret meeting with an unnamed politician.”

Oyewale emphasized that Ibe’s statements were speculative and lacking in substance.

> “Ibe, who was a guest on Seun Okinbaloye’s Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, May 22, 2025, bared his mind on sundry theories, conjectures and assumptions relating to opposition politics and defections.
However, his allegations of the Executive Chairman EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede and Solicitor General of the Federation’s alleged meeting with an unnamed governor forty-eight hours before his defection to the ruling All People’s Congress, APC, are patently fabricated and in bad taste.”

He reiterated that Olukoyede remains politically neutral and committed to the nonpartisan mission of the EFCC.

> “Olukoyede has stressed at several fora that he is apolitical and the EFCC totally wired against partisan tendencies.”

Oyewale urged the public to disregard the claims, asserting they have no factual basis.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reports that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, both defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April. Additionally, the governor of Akwa Ibom has declared his intention to leave the PDP for the ruling party.