A former senator and key figure in the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 campaign in Zamfara State, Kabiru Marafa, has officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Marafa, who once served as a commissioner in Zamfara State and played a prominent role in mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu across the North-West, announced his defection on Thursday following consultations with political allies.

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Mansur Haruna, the decision came after a strategic meeting with stakeholders held in Kaduna State, where the future of his political movement was extensively discussed.

The former lawmaker explained that his move to the ADC reflects a deliberate shift in political direction, driven by what he described as the need to realign with a platform capable of delivering meaningful change.

In his remarks, Marafa criticised the ruling APC, accusing it of engaging in political manipulation and actions capable of destabilising the country’s democratic system.

He also alleged attempts to misuse sensitive national data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), for partisan purposes.

He further accused the current administration of fostering confusion within opposition parties but insisted that such pressures would not deter his resolve.

According to him, joining the ADC represents a firm commitment to what he called the “liberation” of the people from political dominance and control.

Marafa’s political journey in Zamfara has been marked by longstanding rivalries, particularly with former governor Abdulaziz Yari.

Their disagreement over party structures and candidate selection led to deep divisions within the APC ahead of the 2019 elections.

The dispute eventually ended up at the Supreme Court, which nullified the APC’s victories in Zamfara due to irregularities in its primary elections, handing the party’s wins to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although Marafa and Yari briefly reconciled in 2021, their alliance did not last, especially after the APC lost the state again in 2023.

He has also been at odds with other key figures in the state, including former governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, as internal struggles for control of the party structure persisted.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has explained that the recent visit by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark was aimed at promoting unity and safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic space.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting held at Mark’s residence in Abuja, Makinde described the visit as one of solidarity, coming at a time of heightened tensions within the ADC following its leadership dispute.

According to him, the PDP delegation sought to identify ways to strengthen democratic values and ensure stability within the political system.

“We came to visit the leadership of the ADC. It is a solidarity visit. We have been observing developments within the political space, including the court processes and protests, and we felt it necessary to show support and commitment to a clean democratic process,” he said.

The meeting took place shortly after the Mark-led faction of the ADC staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging recent actions taken by the electoral body regarding the party’s leadership.

Among key figures present at the meeting were prominent opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Others in attendance included Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abubakar Malami, Aminu Tambuwal, and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi.

On the PDP side, Makinde was joined by members of a faction associated with Kabiru Turaki, including the party’s National Secretary, Taofeeq Arapaja, and spokesperson Ini Ememobong.

The ADC is currently split into two factions, with one led by Mark and the other by Nafiu Bala.

The crisis deepened after INEC suspended recognition of Mark’s leadership, citing a directive from the Court of Appeal which ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of an ongoing case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In response, the Mark-led faction has criticised INEC’s decision, accusing the commission of interfering in party affairs and undermining democratic principles.

The group has also called for the resignation of the INEC chairman, alleging bias in the handling of the situation.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has explained that the recent visit by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark was aimed at promoting unity and safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic space.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting held at Mark’s residence in Abuja, Makinde described the visit as one of solidarity, coming at a time of heightened tensions within the ADC following its leadership dispute.

According to him, the PDP delegation sought to identify ways to strengthen democratic values and ensure stability within the political system.

“We came to visit the leadership of the ADC. It is a solidarity visit. We have been observing developments within the political space, including the court processes and protests, and we felt it necessary to show support and commitment to a clean democratic process,” he said.

The meeting took place shortly after the Mark-led faction of the ADC staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging recent actions taken by the electoral body regarding the party’s leadership.

Among key figures present at the meeting were prominent opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Others in attendance included Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abubakar Malami, Aminu Tambuwal, and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi.

On the PDP side, Makinde was joined by members of a faction associated with Kabiru Turaki, including the party’s National Secretary, Taofeeq Arapaja, and spokesperson Ini Ememobong.

The ADC is currently split into two factions, with one led by Mark and the other by Nafiu Bala.

The crisis deepened after INEC suspended recognition of Mark’s leadership, citing a directive from the Court of Appeal which ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of an ongoing case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In response, the Mark-led faction has criticised INEC’s decision, accusing the commission of interfering in party affairs and undermining democratic principles.

The group has also called for the resignation of the INEC chairman, alleging bias in the handling of the situation.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is facing increasing calls to declare his intention to contest the Abia State governorship election in 2027, following fresh endorsements from political stakeholders across the state.

Leaders from Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency on Thursday threw their weight behind Kalu, urging him to join the race.

They described him as a unifying figure with the vision and capacity to reposition Abia State for growth and development.

The endorsement, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, is part of a broader mobilisation within the Ngwa political bloc, one of the state’s influential power bases.

Community leaders in the area have reportedly adopted Kalu as their preferred candidate.

The show of support came during the inauguration of the Ikeoha Movement and the formal declaration of Uzoma Ihuka to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Isiala Ngwa Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Addressing party members at the event, Kalu expressed confidence in the leadership of Bola Tinubu, noting that the current administration has helped stabilise and strengthen the APC nationwide.

He maintained that while opposition parties continue to grapple with internal challenges, the APC remains focused on governance and development.

According to him, ongoing reforms by the Federal Government present new opportunities that Abia State can benefit from.

Kalu also assured party faithful of inclusive leadership and a people-centred approach, emphasising the party’s commitment to engaging communities and addressing their needs.

Responding to the growing calls for him to contest, the Deputy Speaker acknowledged the support but stopped short of making a formal declaration.

He said he would make his position known at the appropriate time.

“I have heard your request,” he said, “but I will respond at the right time. I want it to be a collective call from across the state.”

He further stressed that any such declaration would be made in Umuahia, the state capital, in line with constitutional symbolism and the significance of the governorship office.

Kalu’s rising political profile comes amid increasing engagement with the current administration led by Governor Alex Otti.

In recent months, he has been vocal on governance issues, particularly on infrastructure, economic development, and inclusiveness.

Political observers believe his growing grassroots presence across key areas such as Bende, Obingwa, and the Ngwa axis signals early positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, Governor Otti has continued to defend his administration’s performance, highlighting ongoing reforms and developmental projects aimed at improving the state’s economy and infrastructure.

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of some of the party’s top officials from its official records.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, was triggered by INEC’s action on April 1, which saw the removal of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its portal.

In a motion on notice dated April 7, Mark, through his counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), is seeking a court order compelling INEC to immediately restore the names of the party’s National Working Committee members as they appeared before the controversy.

The application, filed under the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, is anchored on the court’s equitable jurisdiction and requests three major reliefs.

Chief among them is an order setting aside INEC’s decision to delete the names of the party’s leadership and its refusal to recognise or monitor the party’s congresses and conventions pending the determination of the suit.

Mark is also asking the court to direct INEC to reinstate and maintain his position as National Chairman, alongside Aregbesola as National Secretary, including all members of the National Executive Committee.

In addition, the suit seeks to restrain INEC from further interference with the party’s leadership records or recognising any rival claims until the case is fully resolved.

The legal action follows a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal in a dispute initiated by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Gombe.

The appellate court had directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—the condition that existed before the dispute began.

Mark’s counsel argued that as of September 2, 2025, when the suit was originally filed, Mark was the duly recognised National Chairman of the party.

He maintained that INEC misinterpreted the appellate court’s directive by removing the names, thereby creating a leadership vacuum within the party.

According to the senior advocate, the commission’s action undermines the intent of the court’s ruling and threatens the integrity of the ongoing legal process.

He further noted that the law permits the grant of a mandatory injunction at an interlocutory stage to restore a party to its previous position when such position has been wrongfully altered.

In a separate motion, also filed in April, the applicant is seeking an accelerated hearing of the case, citing the urgency and wider implications of the dispute on the party’s operations and Nigeria’s democratic process.

The request includes a call for shortened timelines for filing court processes and a day-to-day hearing schedule until the matter is concluded.

Usman warned that prolonged uncertainty over the party’s leadership could lead to the emergence of parallel factions and disrupt its internal administration and political activities.

Court documents indicate that the dispute dates back to September 2025, when the trial court declined an ex parte application by Gombe seeking to halt the activities of the Mark-led leadership.

Instead, the court directed that all parties be put on notice.

Subsequently, the Mark-led faction challenged the court’s jurisdiction at the Court of Appeal, which ordered that the case return to the lower court while maintaining the existing leadership structure.

In the substantive suit, Gombe listed the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

Nwosu, a former national chairman, had earlier stepped down, paving the way for Mark’s emergence as party leader.

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of some of the party’s top officials from its official records.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, was triggered by INEC’s action on April 1, which saw the removal of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its portal.

In a motion on notice dated April 7, Mark, through his counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), is seeking a court order compelling INEC to immediately restore the names of the party’s National Working Committee members as they appeared before the controversy.

The application, filed under the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, is anchored on the court’s equitable jurisdiction and requests three major reliefs.

Chief among them is an order setting aside INEC’s decision to delete the names of the party’s leadership and its refusal to recognise or monitor the party’s congresses and conventions pending the determination of the suit.

Mark is also asking the court to direct INEC to reinstate and maintain his position as National Chairman, alongside Aregbesola as National Secretary, including all members of the National Executive Committee.

In addition, the suit seeks to restrain INEC from further interference with the party’s leadership records or recognising any rival claims until the case is fully resolved.

The legal action follows a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal in a dispute initiated by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Gombe.

The appellate court had directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—the condition that existed before the dispute began.

Mark’s counsel argued that as of September 2, 2025, when the suit was originally filed, Mark was the duly recognised National Chairman of the party.

He maintained that INEC misinterpreted the appellate court’s directive by removing the names, thereby creating a leadership vacuum within the party.

According to the senior advocate, the commission’s action undermines the intent of the court’s ruling and threatens the integrity of the ongoing legal process.

He further noted that the law permits the grant of a mandatory injunction at an interlocutory stage to restore a party to its previous position when such position has been wrongfully altered.

In a separate motion, also filed in April, the applicant is seeking an accelerated hearing of the case, citing the urgency and wider implications of the dispute on the party’s operations and Nigeria’s democratic process.

The request includes a call for shortened timelines for filing court processes and a day-to-day hearing schedule until the matter is concluded.

Usman warned that prolonged uncertainty over the party’s leadership could lead to the emergence of parallel factions and disrupt its internal administration and political activities.

Court documents indicate that the dispute dates back to September 2025, when the trial court declined an ex parte application by Gombe seeking to halt the activities of the Mark-led leadership.

Instead, the court directed that all parties be put on notice.

Subsequently, the Mark-led faction challenged the court’s jurisdiction at the Court of Appeal, which ordered that the case return to the lower court while maintaining the existing leadership structure.

In the substantive suit, Gombe listed the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

Nwosu, a former national chairman, had earlier stepped down, paving the way for Mark’s emergence as party leader.

Prominent opposition figures on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting in Abuja shortly after staging a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis.

The meeting, hosted by factional ADC chairman David Mark at his Abuja residence, brought together key political actors from across party lines, signaling intensified consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

Also in attendance were former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde attended the meeting alongside members of the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including National Secretary Taofeeq Arapaja and spokesperson Ini Ememobong.

The gathering followed a protest earlier in the day by Mark’s faction of the ADC, which challenged INEC’s handling of the party’s internal leadership dispute.

While details of the discussions remain undisclosed, sources indicate that the meeting focused on strengthening opposition collaboration and developing strategies to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Makinde’s presence is particularly notable given his role in the G-5 governors during the 2023 elections—a group that opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy and contributed to internal divisions within the PDP.

The G-5, led by former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, included Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Okezie Ikpeazu.

Their disagreement with the PDP leadership at the time weakened party unity and was widely seen as a factor in its electoral defeat.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on broadcast organisations to uphold fairness, professionalism, and accuracy as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, emphasised the vital role of the media in protecting electoral integrity and sustaining public trust.

He noted that the increasing influence of broadcast platforms has made them central to political communication, warning that how airwaves are managed under the Electoral Act 2026 will significantly shape democratic outcomes.

“Your airwaves have become the primary infrastructure of our democracy. If they are clear, the nation sees the truth; if they are clouded by misinformation, the will of the people is endangered,” he said.

Amupitan highlighted provisions of the Electoral Act mandating equal access to media platforms for all political parties and candidates, while prohibiting the misuse of state-owned media for partisan advantage.

He stressed that media airtime must be allocated fairly and at comparable periods to ensure a level playing field.

He also cautioned against the use of inflammatory language in political messaging, noting that campaigns must not contain content capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.

The INEC chairman further reminded media organisations of restrictions on campaign broadcasts within 24 hours of election day, describing violations as offences under the law.

While acknowledging improvements introduced by the Electoral Act 2026, Amupitan raised concerns about enforcement gaps, overlapping regulatory responsibilities, and the growing influence of digital media, which he said could weaken compliance if not properly addressed.

To tackle these challenges, he called for stronger collaboration among INEC, BON, security agencies, and the judiciary to ensure accountability and adherence to electoral guidelines.

Providing a timeline, Amupitan disclosed that 283 days remain until the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while 304 days remain before governorship and state assembly polls.

He urged broadcasters to take an active role in combating misinformation and promoting civic participation.

“Fact-check in real time. Do not wait until falsehood spreads—stop it early,” he advised.

Amupitan also encouraged the media to boost voter turnout and resist the temptation to prioritise profit over ethical standards, warning that misinformation amplified through broadcast channels could pose a serious threat to democracy.

He concluded by urging broadcasters to ensure that Nigeria’s airwaves remain a platform for truth and responsible reporting as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on broadcast organisations to uphold fairness, professionalism, and accuracy as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, emphasised the vital role of the media in protecting electoral integrity and sustaining public trust.

He noted that the increasing influence of broadcast platforms has made them central to political communication, warning that how airwaves are managed under the Electoral Act 2026 will significantly shape democratic outcomes.

“Your airwaves have become the primary infrastructure of our democracy. If they are clear, the nation sees the truth; if they are clouded by misinformation, the will of the people is endangered,” he said.

Amupitan highlighted provisions of the Electoral Act mandating equal access to media platforms for all political parties and candidates, while prohibiting the misuse of state-owned media for partisan advantage.

He stressed that media airtime must be allocated fairly and at comparable periods to ensure a level playing field.

He also cautioned against the use of inflammatory language in political messaging, noting that campaigns must not contain content capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.

The INEC chairman further reminded media organisations of restrictions on campaign broadcasts within 24 hours of election day, describing violations as offences under the law.

While acknowledging improvements introduced by the Electoral Act 2026, Amupitan raised concerns about enforcement gaps, overlapping regulatory responsibilities, and the growing influence of digital media, which he said could weaken compliance if not properly addressed.

To tackle these challenges, he called for stronger collaboration among INEC, BON, security agencies, and the judiciary to ensure accountability and adherence to electoral guidelines.

Providing a timeline, Amupitan disclosed that 283 days remain until the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while 304 days remain before governorship and state assembly polls.

He urged broadcasters to take an active role in combating misinformation and promoting civic participation.

“Fact-check in real time. Do not wait until falsehood spreads—stop it early,” he advised.

Amupitan also encouraged the media to boost voter turnout and resist the temptation to prioritise profit over ethical standards, warning that misinformation amplified through broadcast channels could pose a serious threat to democracy.

He concluded by urging broadcasters to ensure that Nigeria’s airwaves remain a platform for truth and responsible reporting as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.