Former Governor of Sokoto State and one-time presidential candidate, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, has denied reports that he has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Speaking through his media aide, Dr. Abubakar Umar, on Tuesday in Sokoto, Bafarawa dismissed the claim as false and misleading.

He emphasized that he remains inactive in politics, having previously stepped away from partisan engagements.

“I have not granted any media interview, nor am I in consultation with any group regarding this matter,” Bafarawa stated.

He urged journalists to verify information before publication and revealed that he and his associates are investigating the source of the false reports.

The former governor also used the opportunity to remind the public of the significance of Ramadan, stressing that the holy month should be a time for gratitude, charity, and helping the less privileged, rather than spreading rumors.

“This is a season for sharing food, not spreading falsehoods,” he said.

The Leader of the Udenu Local Government Legislative Council in Enugu State, Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh, has been impeached by his fellow councillors.

Odoh, who represented Amalla Ward, was removed from office over undisclosed issues, leading to a shake-up in the council’s leadership.

Following his impeachment, Patrick Ugwu was elected and sworn in as the new Leader of the Udenu Legislative Council.

Details surrounding Odoh’s impeachment remain unclear, as no official statement has been issued regarding the reasons for his removal.

The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has nullified the convention of the Action Alliance (AA) organized by Mr. Kenneth Udeze and reaffirmed Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as the party’s legitimate National Chairman.

In its ruling, the court declared that the only recognized convention of the party was the one held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which produced Omoaje as the National Chairman.

Justice Funmilola Dem-Ajayi, who delivered the judgment, granted all reliefs sought by Omoaje and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize him as the authentic leader of the party.

The court further affirmed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance, constituted on October 7, 2023, under Omoaje’s leadership, remains the lawful governing body of the party.

It also ruled that the party’s official secretariat is located at Plot 955, No. 17, Femi Otedola Crescent, off Seventh Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, warning that any attempt to operate from an unauthorized location would be deemed unlawful.

Additionally, the court declared all congresses and conventions organized by Kenneth Udeze as illegal, null, and void.

Reacting to the judgment, Omoaje called on INEC, security agencies, and relevant authorities to enforce the ruling and uphold the rule of law.

He reassured party members of his commitment to strengthening democracy, good governance, and national development under his leadership.

Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have dismissed speculations that they are planning to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Labour Party or any other political group.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, in a statement on Tuesday, debunked the rumors, describing them as baseless fabrications meant to cause unnecessary tension.

He noted that reports circulating online claim that 25 members of the Assembly are preparing to dump the APC, following a similar allegation during the recent leadership crisis, which falsely suggested that 27 lawmakers were planning to defect to the Labour Party.

“That claim was unequivocally refuted, with members reaffirming their commitment to the APC and confidence in the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms,” Ogundipe stated.

He assured that no APC lawmaker in the Assembly is contemplating defection, emphasizing that while challenges exist, they would be resolved democratically and in accordance with party principles.

“The leadership of our party is actively addressing all concerns, and any lingering issues will be resolved amicably,” he added.

Ogundipe urged the public to ignore misleading reports aimed at destabilizing the political atmosphere.

He also reaffirmed the lawmakers’ loyalty to APC’s national leader and President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly remains committed to its legislative mandate, focusing on enacting laws and policies that drive the development of Lagos State,” he concluded.

Former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Barrister John Nwobodo, has advised Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to completely shelve his 2027 presidential ambition rather than accept a vice-presidential ticket under a northern candidate.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP in Enugu, Nwobodo, who was also the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Enugu State, argued that such a move would not be politically strategic for Obi.

“I do not think it makes political sense for Obi to deputise a northern candidate in 2027. Instead of doing that, he should simply step aside,” Nwobodo stated.

He acknowledged Obi’s significant influence on Nigeria’s political landscape and dismissed the idea that the former Anambra governor was a desperate politician willing to take any position just to remain relevant.

“Obi has undoubtedly made an impact in Nigeria’s politics. I don’t believe he is the kind of politician who would run for office at all costs,” he added.

Nwobodo also cautioned that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election would require extraordinary efforts due to the party’s deep-rooted influence across the country.

“APC is well entrenched in terms of membership, spread, and its stronghold on high-net-worth individuals in the country. It will take an exceptional strategy to unseat them,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria’s leadership crisis is not about party labels but rather a lack of patriotism and a negative political mindset, where many politicians see governance as a means of accumulating power and wealth.

On how the opposition could stand a chance against APC, Nwobodo suggested that only a coalition of political parties, along with strong grassroots mobilization, could present a formidable challenge in 2027.

“The only opposition that can take power from APC is one that introduces fresh faces, promoted by a broad coalition of political parties and a well-organized citizen movement. Any arrangement that recycles old politicians is bound to fail,” he concluded.