As the 2027 presidential elections draw near, political dynamics in Nigeria are beginning to shift, with key figures engaging in strategic consultations.

One such move came from former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, signaling his interest in the upcoming race.

Senator Lawan, representing Yobe North in the National Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC), arrived at Buhari’s residence in Daura at 12:40 PM.

His arrival was warmly welcomed by the former president.

According to a statement released by Lawan’s media adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, the two leaders discussed a wide range of important national and political issues during their meeting.

Lawan took the opportunity to convey the greetings and best wishes of his family and constituents to Buhari.

Lawan also expressed his deep appreciation for Buhari’s leadership during his tenure from May 2015 to May 2023, recognizing the former president’s ongoing commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

He thanked Buhari for his continued support and valuable counsel.

In response, former President Buhari expressed gratitude for the visit, acknowledging Lawan’s unwavering support and dedication to the country.

The Arewa Support Tinubu group has declared that the northern region will overwhelmingly vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

This declaration was made at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, where the group passed a vote of confidence in the president.

Chairman of the group, Hon. Joseph Maiwada, addressed the media, stating that their continued support for the Tinubu administration stems from the president’s achievements over the past year.

He emphasized that the group’s backing was driven by Tinubu’s efforts to improve the security situation in the North, particularly his focus on combating terrorists and bandits.

He highlighted the significant progress made in 2024, including the neutralization of over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, the arrest of 11,600 individuals, and the recovery of more than 10,000 weapons.

Maiwada also noted the president’s commitment to national development, mentioning various projects in the North, such as the Presidential Initiative on CNG, and the successful attraction of investments like the $5 billion Bonga North deep offshore oil project.

The project, according to Maiwada, is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.

He also pointed to initiatives like the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation, which have already benefited over 300,000 students, as key accomplishments of the Tinubu administration.

These initiatives, he said, were aimed at empowering students and workers.

“On security, President Tinubu has taken bold steps, increasing funding for the military and launching community policing and conflict resolution programs,” Maiwada said.

He added that the group remains committed to supporting the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, working with stakeholders to ensure its success.

Furthermore, he praised Tinubu’s government for appointing Arewa sons and daughters to key positions, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Minister of Defense, and others.

Abdullah Gumel, the Jigawa State leader of the group, also spoke in support of the president, commending his efforts in tackling insecurity in the North.

He noted that northerners can now travel by road without fear of kidnappings and attacks by bandits and insurgents.

“We have gathered today to express our unwavering support for His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The progress we are witnessing under his leadership is remarkable. Despite challenges, including political propaganda from opposition figures, we believe the Tinubu administration is working in the best interest of Nigeria,” Gumel said.

He further declared that the group, as loyal citizens and members of the APC, was committed to supporting Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

“We are here today to pass a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and promise to vote for him again in 2027,” he concluded.

Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, the former national chairman of the Alliance National Party, has dismissed rumors of a faction within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), labeling them as false and misleading.

During a media briefing in Abuja, Shittu reaffirmed that the NNPP, under the leadership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, remains united, resilient, and a strong opposition party with its eyes set on victory in the 2027 presidential elections.

“The NNPP is expanding across all six geopolitical zones, and it is the only viable opposition with the potential to win the presidency,” Shittu declared.

He pointed to the party’s solid unity, which was demonstrated during the official presentation of its flag, constitution, and logo by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Bolingo Hotel in Abuja.

The event was attended by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), and members from across the country.

Shittu firmly rejected claims of a faction led by Anubonam, calling it “a mere distraction” and a scheme aimed at sowing division within the party.

He accused the group of using the party’s name for personal gains, urging the public to be cautious of their activities.

“The legitimacy of any political party is recognized by INEC, and it is Senator Kwankwaso’s leadership that has been officially acknowledged by the electoral body,” Shittu emphasized.

He urged party members to remain focused and not be swayed by the actions of the “outlawed faction,” assuring them that the NNPP leadership is committed to strengthening the party’s presence and structure nationwide.

Shittu also extended an invitation to Nigerians seeking a credible political platform to join the NNPP, emphasizing the party’s openness and its commitment to delivering inclusive governance.

“The NNPP is united and offers a platform for those ready to bring about meaningful change. Our sights are set on winning the presidency, state governorships, and legislative seats in 2027,” Shittu concluded.

With Senator Kwankwaso leading the charge, Shittu expressed confidence that the NNPP is poised to lead Nigeria toward progress and development.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Borno State has distanced itself from Atom Magira, its former senatorial candidate for the 2023 election in the Borno Central district, who is currently in police custody.

Magira’s personal assistant, Mohammed Yahaya, confirmed that the former candidate was detained by operatives of the Borno State Police Command on Sunday night.

The detention allegedly stems from Magira’s critical remarks against Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.

Responding to the detention, Barrister Mustapha Mohammed, the chairman of the NNPP in Borno, stated that Magira had resigned from the party over a month ago and is no longer affiliated with the NNPP.

He further argued that Magira’s actions, including referring to himself as “His Excellency” and putting up a billboard advocating for a political merger, amounted to impersonation and a violation of electoral laws.

“Atom Magira is no longer a member of our party. He left over a month ago, and there is no NNPP chieftain in police custody in Borno,” Mohammed emphasized.

Attempts to contact Magira for confirmation were unsuccessful, as both of his mobile phones were unreachable.

Magira, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in 2019, has long been an outspoken opposition figure in Borno.

He has been particularly critical of Governor Zulum’s administration.

Reports suggest that the detention is related to a billboard promoting a “YES TO MERGER” campaign, which called for a merger of political parties in Borno State.

The billboard, which displayed Magira’s image and the campaign slogan, was allegedly destroyed by unknown individuals.

Sources claim that the state government is behind the destruction, asserting that the government has historically suppressed opposition in the state.

“Since 1999, anyone opposing the government has been silenced, but Magira has consistently provided a credible opposition,” one source alleged.

As of Monday morning, Magira remains in police custody, with no clear indication of whether he will face formal charges.

Efforts to reach ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, for comment were unsuccessful.

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Ikechukwu Damian, has alerted Governor Peter Mbah about an alleged plot by Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, the member of the House of Representatives representing the Awgu/Oji-River/Aninri Federal Constituency, to remove all the elected ward executives of the party in the area.

Damian raised the alarm in a statement released to journalists on Thursday, accusing Onwuegbu of working to replace the current ward executives with his own candidates.

He claimed that the lawmaker had recently met with the PDP state chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, to seek his support for the removal of the ward executives.

“It has been noticed with surprise that Onwuegbu, whom they spent their energy and resources to deliver during the election, is lobbying the Enugu State chairman of the PDP, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, to remove and replace the ward executives with his preferred candidates,” Damian stated.

He continued, “At first when the news filtered in, we took it with a pinch of salt, but as the days passed by, it dawned on us that there is no smoke without fire.”

According to Damian, the situation became clearer when Dr. Uche Ugochukwu accompanied Onwuegbu to meet with Dr. Chukwunweike last week to further their agenda.

Damian claimed that Chukwunweike responded by saying he would consult with the Chief of Staff at the Enugu State Government House before making any decisions.

“We gathered from a competent source that the PDP Enugu State chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, in his response, told Onwuegbu and Dr. Uche Ugochukwu that he would consult with the Chief of Staff at the Enugu State Government House and revert to them,” Damian said.

He also expressed concern over Onwuegbu’s failure to engage with Oji River stakeholders, despite his election to represent them.

“The worry of the newly elected ward executives is that Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, since being elected, has not called a meeting of Oji River stakeholders or even Oji, Awgu, and Aninri people to brief them on the mandate given to him by them,” Damian pointed out.

“All his efforts and stock in trade since his swearing-in as member representing Oji River/Awgu/Aninri has been to further divide the zone into tiny groups.”

Damian argued that instead of attempting to remove the ward leaders, Onwuegbu should be guiding them for the benefit of the party.

He questioned whether Onwuegbu’s “Christmas gift” to the Oji River PDP was to destabilize the party by removing its ward executives rather than offering them tangible support, such as providing gifts like his counterparts.

“Does it mean that the Christmas gift Engr. Onwuegbu has for the Party in Oji River LGA is to remove the ward executives instead of giving them bags of rice like his counterparts?” he asked.

Damian also reminded Onwuegbu that the same ward executives in Oji River were involved in electing the current local government executives, as well as the state party leadership under Dr. Chukwunweike.

He emphasized that if Onwuegbu refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Oji River Local Government ward executives, he would be rejecting the wider party structure.

“Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu (Omeiheukwu) should be informed that the same ward executives of Oji River LGA participated and elected the newly elected OJI RIVER Local Government executives. They also participated and voted for the current executive chairman of Oji River LGA, Greg Anyaegbudike. The same way they also participated and voted for the current PDP Enugu State executives under the leadership of Dr. Martin Chukwunweike,” Damian stated.

“If he does not recognize the Oji River Local government ward executives, he should also reject the Zonal and State excos of PDP in Enugu State.”

He continued, “The law says that once you identify with the whole, you have already identified with the parts.”

Damian urged Governor Mbah to pay attention to these undemocratic actions, which he warned could undermine the party.

He called on the state party chairman to resist any efforts to destabilize the party and disrupt its unity.

“We bring the attention of the governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Barr Peter Mbah, to these undemocratic tenets, which would not augur well for the party,” Damian said.

“We also call on the state party chairman to resist these destabilizing plans by those who do not mean well for the party and the state in general.”

Damian also cautioned Dr. Uche Ugochukwu to distance himself from any actions that could harm the party.

“For Dr. Uche Uzochukwu, our advice to him is to make hay while the sun shines by dissociating himself from things that will destabilize the party,” he said.

“Anybody taking any action that will throw the party into confusion is engaging in anti-party activities and should be so guided.”

As of the time of this report, efforts to get a response from Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu had not been successful.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former spokesperson and ex-Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, has argued that the South, not the North, should produce the next president in 2027.

Okupe made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, asserting that fairness demands that the South complete its eight-year term, similar to the North before the emergence of President Bola Tinubu.

Although he acknowledged that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, is highly qualified to run in 2027, Okupe said that geopolitical factors would make it inappropriate for him to succeed Tinubu.

“Atiku failed in 2023 not because he was unqualified, but because many believed a northern Muslim should not succeed another northern Muslim after eight years,” Okupe explained.

“If Atiku contests in 2027, he has the right to do so, and he is one of the best we have, but geopolitics is a factor,” Okupe added.

He emphasized that after eight years of a northern presidency, it is only fair for a southerner to take over for the next four years, even though this is not stipulated in the constitution.

“The North cannot now terminate the tenure of the South in 2027. It is not going to work,” he said.

Okupe also acknowledged that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, could run for president in 2027, given that he is from the South.

However, he expressed skepticism that Obi could unseat Tinubu, given the current president’s progress in office.

“Obi can contest. He is dynamic and ambitious, but geopolitics matters in a country that has not achieved full unity. Tinubu, a southerner, is doing well. It’s going to be an uphill task for Obi,” Okupe stated.

When asked about potential alliances in the 2027 election aimed at unseating Tinubu, Okupe expressed doubts about their success, citing past failures of political coalitions.

“I have been in this game for over 40 years, and I’ve seen many alliances crumble because we lack the maturity to make necessary concessions,” Okupe explained.

He added that even in private business, most partnerships fail within the first three years, and political alliances are no different.

Reflecting on the alliance that helped elect former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Okupe highlighted Tinubu’s crucial role in its success. “Tinubu made significant concessions to make the alliance work.

He had grown beyond selfishness and naivety,” Okupe said.

He doubted that opposition leaders such as Atiku, Obi, and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso would be able to show similar maturity in 2027.

Commenting on President Tinubu’s leadership, Okupe praised the president’s clarity of purpose and direction.

“Nigeria is fortunate that Tinubu won the 2023 election. He has a clear vision and the determination to move the country forward,” he said.

Drawing a comparison to Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew, Okupe emphasized the importance of progress over politics.

“It took Lee Kuan Yew 31 years to build Singapore into a first-world country. We must choose whether we want to move Nigeria forward or continue playing politics at the expense of our children’s future,” Okupe concluded.