Category: Politics

GOMBE, Nigeria (NPA) — Supporters of former Communications Minister Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami have rejected what they described as an alleged attempt to impose candidates through a “backdoor consensus” arrangement in Gombe State, insisting that all elective positions must be contested through transparent democratic processes.

In a statement issued on Sunday on behalf of members of the Pantamiyya Movement, Professor Suleiman Mohammed said any legitimate consensus arrangement under Nigerian electoral law must involve aspirants who have duly obtained and completed their expression of interest and nomination forms.

The group argued that the reported political arrangement in the state does not conform with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and existing party guidelines.

Citing Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, the movement stated that political parties are recognised to adopt only two methods for nominating candidates — consensus or direct primaries.

According to the statement, a valid consensus process can only stand where all cleared aspirants voluntarily agree in writing to step down for a consensus candidate.

The group maintained that where even a single aspirant refuses to endorse such an arrangement, the party is legally required to conduct direct primaries.

It added that direct primaries provide registered party members the opportunity to vote directly for candidates of their choice.

While urging supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, the movement said it could not remain silent over what it described as disregard for democratic principles, party regulations, and legal provisions.

The statement also claimed that the alleged arrangement runs contrary to the position of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as directives issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The movement called on its supporters to prepare for possible direct primaries, noting that efforts were ongoing to address concerns surrounding the APC membership database in the state.

It further disclosed that its legal team was reviewing the situation and taking necessary steps over what it described as “observations and challenges” surrounding the process.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Senator Seriake Dickson, National Leader and founder of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has defended the legality of the party’s registration, while accusing political associate Dr. Umar Ardo of sponsoring what he described as a misleading campaign against the party.

In a statement on Sunday, Dickson said he was surprised by Ardo’s repeated criticism of the NDC despite what he described as years of friendship and political alliance between them.

According to Dickson, the process leading to the registration of the NDC began in 2017, long before Ardo initiated efforts to register the Alliance for Democratic Action (ADA).

He explained that the registration process was stalled after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the leadership of Mahmood Yakubu, suspended the registration of new political parties.

Dickson said the application was revived after INEC lifted the embargo on political party registration last year, adding that the NDC was subsequently listed among 171 political associations seeking recognition.

According to him, the party later received a letter from INEC declining its application on the grounds that its proposed logo — a two-finger sign — resembled the broom symbol of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the decision was challenged in court after INEC allegedly refused to allow the party to modify the logo despite an offer to do so.

Dickson stated that the court eventually ruled in favour of the NDC, declaring that its constitutional right to freedom of association had been violated and directing INEC to register the party.

He added that INEC complied with the judgement by issuing the party a certificate of registration and did not file any appeal within the legally stipulated period. “The judgment has been enforced by INEC and there is nothing to appeal anymore,” Dickson said.

He disclosed that following the issuance of the certificate, the NDC gave the required 21-day notice to INEC ahead of its first National Executive Committee meeting, which the electoral commission reportedly monitored.

The former Bayelsa governor also said Ardo was fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the registration process, claiming the two had previously discussed the challenges associated with registering political parties.

According to him, he advised Ardo to seek judicial intervention over the non-registration of the ADA after explaining how the NDC pursued a similar legal route. Dickson further stated that another political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), was also registered through a court order after facing initial exclusion by INEC.

He questioned why Ardo had singled out the NDC for criticism while remaining silent on the registration of other parties through similar judicial processes.

Dickson said the NDC was already gaining momentum nationwide, with growing membership registration both within Nigeria and in the diaspora. He added that party officials were actively mobilising support across the country while engaging politicians from different political backgrounds.

Reaffirming his personal relationship with Ardo, Dickson said he would have supported the ADA had it been successfully registered ahead of the NDC.

“I would have felt safe in calling Dr. Ardo’s party my own party and worked to build it,” he said, describing Ardo as someone he had always regarded as a political ally.

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on Saturday flagged off the construction of the Nsukka–Lejja–Aku–Ukehe road.

Highlighting the social benefits and importance of the project, Mbah described it as “a corridor that has long mattered to our people and our economy.” He noted that for the many communities along the route, the project will ease movement, reduce travel time, improve business access, and enable farmers in the axis to transport goods more efficiently, thereby boosting both individual and community economies.

The governor emphasized that his administration is focused on building infrastructure that solves real problems and improves daily life across every part of the state.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that Mbah, deliberately delivering on his Tomorrow is Here mantra, conducted an unscheduled inspection of the ongoing 44.1‑kilometre Enugu–Ugwogo Nike–Opi–Nsukka dual carriageway also project being executed by the state government.

Speaking to reporters after the tour, Governor Mbah expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on what he described as a critical socio‑economic infrastructure project for the state. “We have paid close attention to the quality because this will serve as a major highway once completed. We are equally focused on the timeline, as we have given the contractor a strict deadline,” he said.

Since assuming office, Governor Mbah has pursued ambitious development projects, earning recognition for initiatives such as the Enugu Air project, smart schools, innovation and technology hubs, and other infrastructure designed to drive sustainable growth across both urban and rural areas.

On the revenue front, Enugu State has continued to record significant progress, driven by fiscal reforms and sustained economic diversification initiatives that have strengthened the state’s internally generated revenue. The government has set an IGR target of ₦870 billion (about $650 million) for 2026, representing a substantial part of the state’s ₦1.62 trillion budget. Authorities are also pursuing an ambitious long-term economic strategy aimed at expanding the state’s economy from $4.4 billion in 2023 to $30 billion by 2031 through investments in infrastructure, technology and innovation hubs, as well as agricultural modernization, positioning Enugu as one of Nigeria’s emerging economic centres.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Peter Obi has announced his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ending weeks of speculation over his political future, in a strongly worded statement that reflected deep frustration with Nigeria’s political environment.

In a Sunday message titled with a personal reflection following his church service, Obi described his decision as one taken after “deep reflection,” citing what he called increasing emotional strain, internal party tensions, and a hostile political climate.

He said many Nigerians, including himself, were operating under “silent pains, private struggles, and emotional burdens,” while navigating what he described as a system increasingly defined by intimidation, insecurity, and discouragement.

Obi also expressed concern over what he termed growing intolerance within political spaces, where humility and restraint are often misinterpreted as weakness.

“I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them,” he said, stressing that his political philosophy has always been rooted in service, sacrifice, and compassion.

Clarifying his departure, Obi insisted his decision was not driven by personal conflict with party leaders, naming Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he continues to respect.

He, however, pointed to what he described as recurring political interference, internal crises, and legal disputes within party structures as part of a wider pattern undermining opposition politics in the country.

According to him, similar challenges previously experienced in other political arrangements were beginning to re-emerge in the ADC, creating suspicion, division, and distractions from governance-focused engagement.

Obi further lamented what he called persistent attacks on his character despite efforts to contribute to national development, adding that even voluntary exits from political spaces were often met with hostility and misrepresentation.

He said his political motivation remains centered on national welfare rather than ambition for office, stressing that he is “not desperate to be President or Vice President,” but focused on seeing a Nigeria where citizens can live with dignity, security, and access to basic needs.

Despite his exit from the party, Obi reaffirmed his belief in Nigeria’s potential, insisting that “a new Nigeria is possible,” anchored on justice, competence, and equal opportunity.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The African Democratic Congress has released its timetable for the conduct of the party’s 2026 primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, outlining schedules for nomination processes, screening of aspirants and primary polls across all elective offices.

In a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the timetable reflects its commitment to internal democracy, orderliness and compliance with electoral guidelines.

According to the party, the sale of nomination forms will take place from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while submission of completed forms is scheduled for May 11 to May 13, 2026.

The party said screening of aspirants would hold between May 14 and May 15, followed by the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals arising from the screening exercise are expected to be heard from May 18 to May 19, while the final list of cleared aspirants will be released on May 20, 2026.

Under the primary election schedule, elections for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats are scheduled to hold simultaneously on May 21, 2026, at the ward level through either direct primaries or consensus arrangements.

The governorship primaries are fixed for May 22, while the presidential primary election will take place on May 25, 2026.

The party also scheduled a meeting of its National Executive Committee for May 26, to be followed by a Special National Convention on May 27, where final ratifications are expected to be made.

In the detailed timetable signed by Chinedu Udeigo, the party fixed the cost of nomination forms for various elective positions.

According to the document, the presidential nomination form will cost ₦100 million, governorship forms ₦50 million, Senate forms ₦20 million, House of Representatives forms ₦10 million, while State House of Assembly forms were pegged at ₦3 million.

The party said it had also introduced concessionary rates aimed at encouraging broader participation, with youths eligible for a 50 per cent discount, while women and persons with disabilities would receive a 25 per cent reduction in nomination fees. ADC urged members, stakeholders and aspirants to strictly adhere to the approved timetable and guidelines throughout the primary election process.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed reports suggesting that he and his political associates have concluded plans to exit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid the party’s growing internal and legal challenges.

In a statement released today, Kwankwaso said no final decision had been taken regarding his political future, contrary to widespread speculation about possible realignments within the ADC.

The former Minister of Defence said recent developments within the party, including court rulings and legal disputes, had placed the ADC in a “precarious position.”

According to him, the Supreme Court judgment affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee also returned aspects of the dispute to the High Court, while a Federal High Court recently ruled against the party’s convention.

Kwankwaso further disclosed that the Attorney General of the Federation had approached a Federal High Court seeking the deregistration of the ADC. He said the unfolding crisis bore similarities to the circumstances that forced him and his allies to leave the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which he described as being plagued by externally influenced legal problems.

The former governor revealed that consultations had commenced with political stakeholders, including leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and other groups to determine the best political path forward. “We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time,” he said.

Kwankwaso also addressed speculation surrounding his alleged presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that neither the ADC had zoned its presidential ticket nor had he declared interest in contesting. “I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded,” he stated.

The former presidential aspirant said his political history reflected his commitment to democracy, party unity and national interest above personal ambition. He recalled supporting former President Muhammadu Buhari after losing the 2014 APC presidential primary and backing Atiku Abubakar after the 2019 Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary.

Kwankwaso also explained that his absence from two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments, adding that he had communicated his apologies to the party leadership.

He assured supporters that any definitive political decision would be formally communicated through official channels at the appropriate time.