Popular Anambra-based cleric, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, widely known as Odumeje, has announced his intention to contest for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027.

The controversial preacher made the declaration during a church service, insisting that the country needs a youthful, technology-driven leader rather than what he described as “old cargoes.”

Odumeje’s announcement, which quickly went viral on social media, was met with excitement from his congregation.

However, he did not specify the political platform under which he plans to run.

“The leaders we have had, both past and present, have failed to transform Nigeria because they lack vision and digital knowledge,” he said.

“Nigeria needs a leader like me—someone who is young, strong, and understands the modern world.”

Nicknamed the “Indaboski Bahose” and “The Liquid Metal,” Odumeje is known for his theatrical preaching style, blending spirituality with music and entertainment.

His declaration of interest in the presidency has sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a serious ambition while others see it as another of his dramatic performances.

During his sermon, he further engaged his congregation, asking if they were ready to support his bid for office.

“Are you ready for me? Odumeje for president! I know what you need. I know what you want. I will build a road called Citadel for you. I will bring digital transformation to this country,” he declared, drawing cheers from his followers.

Odumeje, founder of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry in Onitsha, has often found himself in the spotlight due to his unconventional approach to ministry.

He has been involved in several controversies, including disputes with traditional religious leaders and allegations of financial impropriety.

In 2022, his church was partially demolished by the Anambra State government over reported zoning violations, a move he strongly opposed.

Despite these controversies, he has remained a beloved figure among his supporters, many of whom see him as a fearless spiritual leader.

His presidential aspiration has triggered a wave of discussions online, with some Nigerians applauding his confidence and others dismissing it as another of his signature acts.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suffered another major setback as former Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hafsat Mohammed Baba, announced her resignation from the party.

In a letter addressed to the APC chairman and accompanied by her membership slip, Baba cited the party’s deviation from its founding principles as the key reason for her exit.

“I was part of the negotiations that led to the formation of the APC as the then National Woman Leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria. We joined the merger with the hope of entrenching democratic values and justice in the political system. Unfortunately, the party has lost its direction,” she stated.

Expressing disappointment over the APC’s trajectory, she emphasized that its current state contradicts her core beliefs.

“As someone committed to justice and political order, I can no longer remain in a party that has strayed from these ideals. My future political steps will be taken in alignment with like-minded individuals who share these values,” Baba added.

While she did not disclose her next political move, her resignation comes on the heels of the defection of former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The recent exodus of prominent figures, including former senators and House of Representatives members, suggests a growing shift in Kaduna’s political scene.

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging his removal from office.

Anyanwu is seeking to overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which upheld the Federal High Court’s decision that ousted him and recognized Sunday Udey-Okoye as his replacement.

Through his counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN), Anyanwu filed a ten-ground appeal, urging the apex court to set aside the lower court’s decision.

The appeal, marked SC/CV/82/2025, lists Aniagu Emmanuel, the PDP, National Chairman Ambassador Iliya Damagun, and High Chief Ali Odefa (National Vice Chairman, Southeast Zone, PDP) as the first to fourth respondents.

Anyanwu argued that the Court of Appeal erred by ruling on a matter concerning the internal affairs of the PDP, asserting that leadership and membership issues within a political party are non-justiciable and beyond judicial review.

He also contended that the lower court failed to determine whether the plaintiff had exhausted the PDP’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before filing the suit.

Additionally, he challenged the court’s decision to grant the plaintiff the legal standing (locus standi) to bring the case.

Anyanwu further questioned the lower court’s interpretation of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, insisting that he neither resigned nor was removed from his position.

He maintained that the PDP constitution provides a four-year single term for executive officers, and the courts had no legal basis to conclude that he vacated his office.

During the hearing, all parties adopted their processes, except for the PDP and its National Chairman, Damagun, who did not file any documents.

Counsel for the respondents, referencing the case of Ali Modu Sheriff vs PDP, urged the court to reconsider its previous stance that political party leadership matters fall outside judicial jurisdiction.

He insisted that Anyanwu had resigned, and the trial court had already ruled on this point.

“The lower court held that he resigned because the constitution mandates resignation for anyone seeking to contest an election,” the counsel argued.

However, the Supreme Court questioned whether it had the authority to determine who holds office within a political party.

In his submission, Njemanze maintained that the lower courts lacked jurisdiction over the case, as it was an internal party matter.

“My Lords, this court has consistently ruled that leadership issues within political parties are non-justiciable. The lower courts had no jurisdiction over this matter,” Njemanze stated while urging the court to allow the appeal.

Following his submission, the five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, announced that judgment had been reserved, with a date to be communicated to the parties later.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court struck out Anyanwu’s motion for a stay of execution after Njemanze applied to withdraw it.

With no objections from the respondents, Justice Abba-Aji ruled, “The application for a stay of execution, filed on February 5, was withdrawn without any objection from either party.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other respondents to file their defense in a suit brought by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the directive on Monday after confirming from court records that all parties had been duly served with the case documents.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed an ex-parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) against the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.

The lawmaker is seeking an order preventing the Senate committee from proceeding with an investigation into her alleged misconduct during a plenary session on February 20, following a Senate referral on February 25.

She argues that the investigation violates her legislative privileges.

On March 4, Justice Egwuatu granted her request, ruling that any action taken while the suit was pending would be null and void.

He also permitted Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the defendants by substituted means, including publishing the court documents in two national newspapers.

At Monday’s hearing, legal representatives for the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senate President Akpabio claimed they had not received the legal documents.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), refuted this, stating that affidavits of service were already before the court.

Upon reviewing the court records, Justice Egwuatu confirmed that all defendants had been properly served.

Following this, Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), requested an adjournment to allow all legal processes to be properly filed and harmonized.

Other defense counsels supported the motion, arguing that it would help expedite the case.

Justice Egwuatu granted the request and ordered all parties to ensure their filings were completed before the next hearing. The case was adjourned to March 25 for further proceedings.

The development comes days after the Senate, in a session presided over by Akpabio, suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following a report by the Ethics Committee led by Senator Imasuem.

The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed the impact of former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), insisting that the party remains unshaken.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, recently announced his departure from the party, citing its deviation from its progressive ideals and accusing the current leadership of hijacking the party and abandoning internal democracy.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Monday, El-Rufai expressed disappointment over the APC’s trajectory, stating that the leadership had disregarded good governance, democracy, and development.

He called on Nigerians who share his vision for progressive governance to join him in the SDP.

“I, therefore, call on all our supporters and other persons concerned about our country’s future to join us in the SDP in the journey towards making Nigeria flourish as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race,” he said.

However, responding to the defection, Kaduna APC Secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, dismissed any concerns about El-Rufai’s move, stressing that the party remains focused on securing victory for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.

“We are unperturbed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to another party. Our main focus in Kaduna is to deliver the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in the next election,” Baba-Pate said.

He further stated that the APC in Kaduna continues to grow, noting an increasing number of politicians joining the party.

“The APC in Kaduna State is expanding daily, with high-profile politicians streaming into the party. So, we are not concerned about anyone leaving. Based on our governor’s inclusive governance, we remain confident in our strength,” he added.

Baba-Pate emphasized that the APC is not losing sleep over El-Rufai’s exit and remains optimistic about its future in the state.

Emerging reports indicate that former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi are engaged in discussions to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as opposition forces work toward forming a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources also reveal that former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, and several former ministers from the Muhammadu Buhari administration—along with discontented members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—are considering defecting to the SDP.

This development comes amid ongoing discussions among opposition parties seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

A proposed coalition reportedly includes Atiku Abubakar’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi’s faction of the Labour Party (LP), and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP.

Sources suggest that opposition leaders are exploring the possibility of consolidating their forces under an already registered political party.

However, if disagreements arise over the choice of platform, they may ultimately align with the SDP as their preferred vehicle for the 2027 elections.

Former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan recently hinted at significant progress in opposition merger talks.

Speaking on AIT’s Focus program, he expressed confidence that opposition leaders would soon present a viable alternative that offers Nigerians renewed hope.

According to Ologbondiyan, with the strategies being developed, defeating the current administration in 2027 could become a realistic possibility.

Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has hinted that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may be considering a move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following his father’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The speculation arose from Bashir’s response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by a user, @Freedom42602077, who suggested that SDP would struggle to defeat the APC in the 2027 elections unless it aligns with Obi.

“Bro to bro, if Peter Obi is not in that party, they can’t win presidential. APC will have it again!” the user wrote.

In reply, Bashir simply stated: “He is coming.”

His cryptic remark has since fueled widespread discussions about potential