In a strategic move to strengthen opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, engaged in a closed-door meeting with Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, on Thursday.

The discussions, held in Bauchi, have sparked speculation about Obi’s potential return to the PDP.

Insiders from the Bauchi State Government House revealed that Obi’s visit aimed to align PDP governors with ongoing appeals for him and his running mate, Senator Datti Baba Ahmed, to rejoin the PDP.

Notably, prominent figures like former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are reportedly urging Obi’s return to consolidate efforts in addressing Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.

Emerging from the meeting, Governor Mohammed expressed his readiness to collaborate with Obi to challenge the current leadership.

He stated, “Obi is the leader of opposition in Nigeria, because of his position and pedigree. As a person, I am ready to work with Mr Peter Obi and to make sure we close ranks and bring good governance to the country.”

Mohammed emphasized the importance of unity among opposition leaders to “rescue and recover our country from these mediocre that are parading themselves as leaders.”

Obi highlighted the necessity of addressing critical issues such as poverty, education, and health to reduce criminality.

He remarked, “There is so much criminality in Nigeria… And I say, no, there’s poverty in Nigeria. You must deal with the issue of poverty.”

“What we are discussing in the political space are mundane things… We need to discuss hunger. We need to discuss poverty. We need to discuss education.”

DAILY GAZETTE reports that some PDP leaders, including Mohammed, are advocating for Atiku Abubakar to step aside from his presidential aspirations to facilitate a broader coalition.

Buba Galadima, an ally of NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, suggested that Atiku should “quietly step aside and assist the country to move forward.”

The Nigerian Senate has progressed a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to allow early voting for essential workers, passing it through its second reading.

This legislative proposal, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC-Katsina Central), aims to enfranchise citizens such as election officials, security personnel, journalists, and observers who are typically unable to vote on Election Day due to their professional duties.

Senator Yar’Adua emphasized that over one million Nigerians are currently disenfranchised during elections because their roles necessitate deployment away from their registered polling units.

He argued that excluding these individuals undermines the integrity of the electoral process and that the bill seeks to correct this by providing provisions for early voting.

He stated that the bill would enhance Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring all eligible citizens can participate in elections, regardless of their professional obligations on Election Day.

Following the debate, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.

The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.

The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is currently embroiled in a significant internal crisis, marked by the emergence of parallel executive committees.

This development has raised concerns about the party’s unity and its prospects in upcoming elections.

On Wednesday, a faction within the SDP convened a congress at the party’s state secretariat in Lokoja, during which they elected a new 12-member executive committee.

Hon. Ahmed Attah, a former zonal leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was appointed as the new chairman, with Alhaji Idris Sofada assuming the role of state secretary.

The congress reportedly had the participation of 3,890 delegates from all 21 local government areas of the state, and officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the proceedings.

In his inaugural address, Attah expressed his commitment to fairness and justice, emphasizing his intention to reposition the SDP for success in future elections.

He acknowledged the efforts of INEC, the planning committee, and security personnel in facilitating a successful congress, stating, “This has positioned SDP as the party to beat in the 2028 governorship election.”

Contrarily, another faction led by Moses Peter Oricha, whose executive tenure is valid until April 2026, has dismissed the newly conducted congress as “illegal, null and void.”

Oricha accused the organizers of bypassing due process and proceeding despite an ongoing court case.

He criticized the faction for their actions, labeling them as “faceless and sponsored by paymasters to cause chaos in our party.”

Oricha called on the public, security agencies, and INEC to disregard the outcomes of the congress, viewing it as an attempt to destabilize the party.

This recent development adds to the existing challenges within the Kogi SDP. Previously, the party faced internal strife when its executives threatened to expel the deputy governorship candidate, Sam Abenemi, accusing him of causing internal crises.

The state chairman, Moses Peter Oricha, emphasized that the party would not tolerate actions aimed at undermining its stability.

The emergence of parallel executives and ongoing internal disputes pose significant challenges for the SDP in Kogi State.

Such divisions could weaken the party’s cohesion and effectiveness, potentially impacting its performance in future elections.

Observers express concern that if these issues are not promptly and amicably resolved, the party’s ability to present a united front against opposition parties may be compromised.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate allegations of age falsification against the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi.

This decision was made during a plenary session held at the Assembly’s quarters in Port Harcourt.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dumle Maol, presented documents suggesting that Justice Amadi had falsified his age during his service.

Maol emphasized the seriousness of the allegation, stating, “These documents before me simply say that the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi, falsified his age in service. Mr. Speaker, that is a very serious allegation, and I do hope that this House takes legislative notice.”

In response, the House resolved to formally request the DSS to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and report their findings back to the Assembly.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule remarked, “The documents are only suggesting a case of age falsification by the honourable Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi. What it means is that there has to be an investigation to that effect.”

The motion was unanimously approved through a voice vote, underscoring the Assembly’s commitment to upholding integrity within the state’s judiciary.

This development adds to a series of recent events involving Justice Amadi. Previously, reports emerged about his suspension amid political tensions in the state.

However, the Rivers State Judiciary refuted claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had sent the Chief Judge on annual leave to impede an alleged impeachment plan, labeling such allegations as “malicious, misleading, false, and baseless.”

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has acknowledged Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, as Nigeria’s foremost opposition leader and expressed his readiness to collaborate with him to enhance governance in the country.

This development emerged following a private meeting between the two leaders at the Government House in Bauchi.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, praised Obi’s political approach and vision for Nigeria.

He emphasized the importance of unity among opposition figures to challenge the current administration effectively.

Peter Obi reciprocated the sentiment, highlighting the necessity of addressing critical national issues such as poverty, education, and infrastructure.

He underscored the potential of agriculture to transform Nigeria’s economy and called for investments in essential sectors to alleviate poverty and reduce criminality.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North and serving as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), has declined the Northern Youth Leaders Forum’s (NYLF) invitation to run for president in 2027.

In a statement, Kalu emphasized his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The NYLF, a coalition of 40 influential groups, had recently met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, advocating for a reshuffling of the presidential ticket.

NYLF President, Comrade Eliot Afiyo, proposed Senator Kalu or Labour Party’s Peter Obi as potential presidential candidates, with Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State or Umar Fintiri of Adamawa State as possible running mates.

However, Kalu dismissed the proposal, stating that his political agenda remains focused on supporting the current administration.

He declared, “The presidency in 2027 is not on my agenda. I have every right to choose my path, and I have chosen to stand firmly behind President Tinubu.”

George Maduka, speaking on behalf of Senator Kalu’s Media Office, highlighted the need for political stability and economic continuity.

He quoted Kalu as praising Tinubu’s ambitious economic reforms aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s economy.

Kalu stated, “Since the return of independence, no leader has shown the boldness to overhaul our economic framework as Tinubu has. For the sake of our nation’s prosperity, we must let him complete the transformative work he has begun.”

Kalu’s message also served as a caution to political opponents, urging them to focus on their own campaigns rather than attempting to involve him in conflicts.

His declaration of support for Tinubu is to ensure that the current administration’s reforms are not disrupted by political distractions as the nation approaches the 2027 elections.

Additionally, Kalu appealed to all political stakeholders, calling for unity and a focus on long-term national interests over short-term partisan battles.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated contempt proceedings against key figures in the Nigerian Senate, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging non-compliance with a court order.

The Federal High Court in Abuja issued a notice of disobedience, warning that Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, could face imprisonment for their alleged defiance.

The court’s notice, issued pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, highlighted that the defendants were duly served with the enrolled order on March 5, 2025, yet have “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded its binding directive, proceeding with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of this Honourable Court.”

The enrolled order, dated March 4, 2025, granted Akpoti-Uduaghan leave to serve the Senate with originating summons through substituted means.

It also issued an interim injunction restraining the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with an investigation against her for alleged misconduct related to events at the Senate plenary on February 20, 2025.

The court directed the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted, restraining them from proceeding with the investigation without affecting her privileges as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution, the Senate Standing Orders 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

Despite these directives, the defendants have allegedly continued their actions, prompting the court to caution that such disobedience renders them liable for contempt, which may result in imprisonment unless they comply with the order.

This development adds to the ongoing tensions within the Nigerian Senate, following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension for alleged misconduct, a move she contends is linked to her previous allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

The Senate maintains that her suspension is unrelated to those allegations.

Nenadi Usman, 

The Labour Party (LP) has rejected any alliance or transaction involving former Finance Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this clear in a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, dismissing Usman’s attempts to engage with the party as illegitimate and unwelcome.

According to Ifoh, Usman, who was previously a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had unsuccessfully tried to position herself within the Labour Party despite not being a registered member.

He accused her of attempting to “auction” the party to her political mentor, El-Rufai, who recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“We have repeatedly said that the Labour Party is not a merchandise that can be bought over the counter. It baffles us how some persons continue to engage in a futile enterprise whose end is already foretold,” Ifoh stated.

The party emphasized that Usman never held a legitimate position within LP, describing her as an “unregistered member” who forcefully assumed an “illegal and ill-conceived” role as transitional chairman.

Ifoh further noted that her alleged involvement in court cases against the party, including an unsuccessful bid to dissolve its leadership structures, exposed her true intentions.

“She was barely two years old as a non-card-carrying member when she went to court seeking to sack all LP executives from the ward to the national level—and she lost in both the lower and appeal courts,” the statement read.

Labour Party also criticized Usman’s presence at El-Rufai’s SDP defection event, labeling it an “anti-party” move.

Ifoh questioned her claims of merely attending at the invitation of SDP members, arguing that no other opposition party leaders were present.

“If she was truly in LP to reform it, what was she doing at the SDP event, sitting by El-Rufai’s side? Why wasn’t the leadership of other opposition parties invited? Her motives are now fully exposed,” Ifoh asserted.

Dismissing speculation about alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, Labour Party maintained that it is not in any discussions regarding a coalition, merger, or alliance with any party or individual.

Ifoh warned that any attempts to “transact” with LP without proper authorization would be resisted.

“Transacting with the Labour Party in this manner is clearly criminal, and it must be resisted,” he concluded.