Category: Politics

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has called on aspirants and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace consensus as the preferred mode of candidate emergence ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled to begin on Friday, 15 May 2026.

Speaking during a critical stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri on Thursday, Zulum stressed that consensus remains the most viable option for strengthening party unity. “Consensus is the best and most viable option for the party in our state. However, if we are unable to arrive at a consensus, we will go for direct primaries,” he said.

The APC primaries will commence with the House of Representatives primaries on May 15 and climax with the presidential primaries on May 23. Zulum assured stakeholders that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency, reiterating his commitment to democratic principles. He encouraged aspirants to maintain party loyalty and reflect on future opportunities, noting that those who may not secure tickets in 2027 could still benefit from appointments and other opportunities at federal and state levels.

To facilitate consultations, the governor announced the formation of zonal consultative committees: Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur for the Southern Zone, APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori for the Central Zone, and Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno for the Northern Zone.

Governor Zulum also formally presented Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the APC consensus governorship candidate, fulfilling a promise made during an earlier stakeholders’ meeting on April 25. Party leaders, including Dalori and State Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba, echoed the governor’s call, emphasizing that consensus would strengthen cohesion and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting was attended by prominent figures such as former Governor Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, alongside serving and former members of the House of Representatives, APC executives, commissioners-designate, advisers, and local government chairmen.

Governor Zulum concluded by appreciating stakeholders for their support, urging continued consultations to ensure consensus candidates emerge across constituencies. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing the APC’s unity and strengthening democratic processes in Borno State.

IBADAN, Nigeria (NPA) — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday in Ibadan declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), following a new political alliance between his political bloc and the party.

Makinde, who currently serves as governor of Oyo State, made the declaration at a Unity Rally held in Ibadan to formalise the partnership between his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM.

The governor, according to organisers, was joined by supporters and political allies at Mapo Hall where the declaration was made public.

Makinde used the occasion to call for broader opposition unity, warning against what he described as an emerging attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party political system under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He argued that the current political environment no longer guarantees equal participation for opposition parties, alleging increasing interference in the democratic process.

According to him, Nigerians must move beyond passive political engagement and take active ownership of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We must rise above being political spectators and bystanders. With collective participation of the electorate, Nigeria can achieve a historic reset in 2027,” he said.

The governor also confirmed that his preferred candidate for the Oyo State governorship race in 2027, Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, would contest under the APM platform as part of the new arrangement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the public declaration, leaders of Makinde’s PDP bloc met with the national leadership of the APM, led by its chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, at the PDP South-West secretariat in Ibadan.

At the meeting, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the political alliance.

Makinde, who was elected governor of Oyo State on the platform of the PDP in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, said the alliance marks a new political direction aimed at strengthening opposition cohesion ahead of the next general elections.

The agreement effectively means that candidates aligned with Makinde’s political structure for the 2027 elections will contest under the APM platform.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally submitted his presidential nomination forms under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the party’s presidential primary election scheduled for May 23, 2026.

Atiku submitted the forms at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, describing the move as a significant step toward what he called the restoration of prosperity and hope in Nigeria.

The presidential aspirant said his ambition represents more than a political contest, but a national movement aimed at rescuing the country from economic hardship and uncertainty.

“The march to restore prosperity and better days to the nation took a firm and decisive step forward today at the National Secretariat of our great party, the African Democratic Congress,” Atiku stated.

According to him, his aspiration is rooted in hope, renewal and the collective determination to rebuild the country.

“This aspiration is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” he said.

The former vice president also called on Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines to support his bid for the presidency.

“Together, we will restore the promise of our nation and bring good times back again,” he added.

Newspost Africa had earlier reported that Atiku purchased the ADC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms last week for N90 million.

Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has also obtained the party’s presidential nomination forms ahead of the primary contest.

The ADC is expected to conduct its presidential primary election on May 23, according to the party’s revised timetable released earlier this month.

The development signals growing political activity within the opposition party as aspirants intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SOKOTO, Nigeria (NPA) — Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, has announced the approval of major infrastructure and public service projects aimed at improving transportation, environmental management and government operations across the state.

The approvals were granted during the latest meeting of the State Executive Council held at the Government House in Sokoto.

According to the governor, the projects form part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure, enhancing service delivery and promoting sustainable development in the state.

Among the projects approved by the council is the rehabilitation of 36 roads damaged by newly developed potholes in different parts of the state.

The council also approved the renovation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, upgrade works at the Protocol Terminal of Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, and the rehabilitation of the International Conference Centre in Kasarawa.

In addition, the government approved the procurement of buses and environmental equipment to improve public transportation services and support government operations.

The governor said the council equally endorsed strategic interventions aimed at supporting infrastructure financing and ensuring effective implementation of the 2026 budget.

“These decisions reflect our administration’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, prudent management of resources, and improving the welfare of the people of Sokoto State,” Aliyu stated.

He assured residents that his administration would continue to implement projects and policies capable of positively impacting the lives of citizens across all sectors of the state economy.

The governor added that the projects are expected to contribute to sustainable economic growth and overall development of Sokoto State.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s planned fresh $1.25 billion World Bank loan request, accusing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of plunging the country deeper into unsustainable debt without improving the living conditions of Nigerians.

In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern over what it described as the continuous borrowing spree of the current administration despite worsening economic hardship across the country.

The opposition party said the latest loan move came barely weeks after the National Assembly approved another round of external borrowing worth several billions of dollars.

According to the ADC, Nigerians are increasingly burdened by rising inflation, high food prices, unemployment and business closures despite the growing debt profile of the country.

“At this point, Nigerians must ask a simple question: if this government keeps borrowing trillions of naira every few months, why are Nigerians getting poorer and why is life getting harder for the majority?” the statement said.

The party noted that Nigeria’s total public debt has risen to about N159.28 trillion, while many citizens continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, weak purchasing power and deteriorating economic conditions.

The ADC alleged that the Tinubu administration was operating what it termed a “Ponzi economy,” where new loans are constantly acquired to service existing debts and cover fiscal shortfalls.

“This is why the ADC says the Tinubu administration is running a Ponzi economy, where new loans are constantly being taken to service old debts and cover fiscal failures, while ordinary Nigerians are left to carry the burden,” Abdullahi stated.

The party also referenced projections that Nigeria could spend about $11.6 billion, estimated at over N15 trillion, on debt servicing in 2026 alone.

According to the ADC, resources that should ordinarily be invested in roads, healthcare, education, electricity, agriculture and job creation are increasingly being channelled toward servicing debts.

The opposition party further criticised the pace of borrowing since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, alleging that multiple external loan facilities had been pursued under different economic programmes without a corresponding impact on citizens’ welfare.

“Each time they want to borrow money, this government invents a new acronym. From ARMOR to RESET, HOPE or SPIN, these are merely different labels for the same pretext to continue borrowing without measurable impact on the lives of Nigerians,” the statement added.

The ADC argued that despite major economic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, naira devaluation and electricity tariff increases, Nigerians have continued to face severe economic hardship rather than the promised recovery.

It maintained that a responsible government should utilise borrowing to drive industrialisation, strengthen power supply, improve transportation, expand exports and create jobs capable of stimulating economic growth.

According to the party, Nigerians are yet to see visible improvements that justify the scale of debts accumulated by the current administration.

The ADC also accused the National Assembly of failing in its oversight responsibility by approving major borrowing requests without sufficient scrutiny or resistance.

“The National Assembly, which should serve as checks on executive excesses, has been reduced to a mere rubber stamp,” the party alleged.

It warned that continued borrowing could mortgage the future of younger generations and worsen the burden of inflation, unemployment and declining living standards already facing citizens.

The party said Nigeria requires leadership focused on production, security, industrialisation, agriculture, stable electricity supply, support for local businesses and sustainable job creation.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Promoter of the proposed African Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, has defended the party’s registration effort and faulted Wednesday’s Federal High Court ruling dismissing its case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show monitored by our correspondent on Thursday, Ardo said the court decision was based on a preliminary objection filed by two individuals who joined the suit.

“Yesterday, the Federal High Court dismissed our case on the basis of a preliminary injunction by those two guys who joined us. We will look at it and test it with the veracity of the law,” he said.

Ardo, a political strategist and convener of the League of Northern Democrats, insisted that the ADA project was not solely targeted at the 2027 general elections but aimed at providing a long-term political alternative for Nigerians.

“We are not registering ADA just because of the 2027 election. Elections will always come and go. We believe ADA is the right alternative,” he stated.

The former presidential aspirant also addressed criticisms surrounding his opposition to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a political party recently registered by INEC and associated with former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

Ardo argued that his position against the NDC should not be interpreted as opposition to coalition efforts or other opposition parties.

“It is not factually true that because you oppose NDC, you are opposing all opposition political parties,” he said.

He alleged that the NDC did not properly follow the registration process before securing approval from INEC, describing the development as misleading.

“I opposed the NDC to correct what I consider a national fraud. NDC misled the court into registering it,” Ardo alleged.

The ADA promoter further claimed that he had engaged political figures close to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and personally spoke with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, urging them not to align with the NDC.

However, Ardo did not provide specific details regarding the concerns he claimed to have raised about the party.

His remarks come amid growing disagreements among opposition figures and coalition groups ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly over the emergence of new political platforms and alliance-building efforts.

The National Publicity Secretary of the proposed ADA had earlier criticised Ardo’s perceived hostility toward other opposition parties, accusing him of undermining broader coalition efforts.

Meanwhile, Senator Seriake Dickson, founder and national leader of the NDC, had previously accused Ardo of sponsoring what he described as a misleading campaign against the party.

Dickson, while defending the legitimacy of the NDC registration process, said documents in the party’s possession showed that its registration efforts began in 2017 before the process was temporarily halted.

“When party registration resumed last year, we revisited and updated our earlier application,” Dickson said.

He added that the party had documentary evidence, including records of its logo search and earlier correspondence linked to the registration exercise.

According to the former governor, political projects of national significance often attract distractions and opposition.

“These are all parts of the terrain that we are used to. I therefore urge Nigerians to discountenance and ignore such propaganda about the NDC or any of its leaders and remain focused on the bigger picture,” he said.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The first batch of 343 pilgrims from Lagos State has departed for the holy city of Makkah, continuing their spiritual journey for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. The pilgrims, filled with devotion and gratitude, left Madinah after four days of intense prayers and worship at the Prophet’s Mosque, marking a significant phase of their sacred exercise.

According to a statement from the Lagos State Government, the second and third batches of Lagos pilgrims, who arrived in Madinah on Sunday, have embarked on Ziyyarah — visits to some of the most revered historical sites in Islamic tradition. These visits, it noted, offered deep reflection on the sacrifices of early Muslims and provided spiritual enlightenment as the pilgrims prepared for the major Hajj rites in Makkah.

Among the notable sites visited were Masjid Quba, the first mosque built in Madinah; Mount Uhud, the site of the historic Battle of Uhud; Masjid Qiblatain, where the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was divinely directed to change the Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah; Jannatul Baqi, the resting place of many companions of the Prophet; and Sab’ah Masajid (The Seven Mosques), known for their connection to the Battle of the Trench.

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board expressed satisfaction with the smooth coordination of the pilgrimage so far, noting that all arrangements for accommodation, transportation, and welfare have been effectively managed. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every pilgrim experiences a spiritually fulfilling and well‑organized Hajj.