Category: Politics

 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, says the party is on the path to victory in the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

 

Obi expressed optimism on Friday in Onitsha, during the campaign for the LP governorship candidate, Dr George Moghalu and his running mate, Ifeoma Okaro.

 

Addressing a gathering of party stalwarts and supporters at the All Saints Cathedral field, Onitsha, led by the state party chairman, Ugochukwu Emeh, including the party’s lawmakers, such as Senator Tony Nwoye, Obi pledged that the party would stand with the candidates.

 

He said the rally was aimed at deepening the party’s grassroots movement and reaffirming its shared commitment to equity, good governance and people-oriented leadership.

 

Obi used the occasion to clarify the reason for joining the ADC coalition, insisting that he still belongs to the LP while the coalition is for the 2027 elections.

 

He said, “I will start the conversation by clarifying some confusions, making the round, and I need to explain to you, and it is very important that I clarify this because people are saying, ‘Oh! Obi is in the ADC and also in the Labour Party.

 

“Let me put it categorically clear, I and the National Assembly members of the party are part of the coalition that has adopted ADC for the 2027 election, and other parties will join us.

 

“But today, we are members of the Labour Party. If anybody asks you which party Peter Obi belongs to today, tell them Peter Obi is in the Labour Party. If anybody asks you about the coalition, tell them the coalition is for 2027.

“Everyone has the right to run for president — I won’t stop anyone. But if anyone asks, let them know I am in the race, and no one does it better than me.

 

“It is important that they know that, and that is why we are here to initiate the campaign of the Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr George Moughalu.

 

“Our candidate is soft-spoken, focused, and an achiever. He is a product that is highly marketable, and I am confident that with him as our flagbearer, good governance and people-oriented leadership is assured.”

 

Addressing the gathering, the state Chairman of the party, Ugochukwu Emeh, said the rally is aimed at deepening the party’s grassroots movement and reaffirming its shared commitment to equity, good governance and people-oriented leadership.

 

“Let us unite with purpose and resolve to shape a brighter and more inclusive Anambra. Together, we move forward— for the people, and with the people,” he added.

 

The gathering featured addresses from the stalwarts and members of the party, including the governorship candidate, Moghalu and his Deputy, Okaro.

Representatives at both National and State Assemblies, party stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers also addressed party faithful at the rally.

 

Some members of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State on Friday opposed the idea of granting Governor Ademola Adeleke an automatic governorship ticket should he decide to join the party.

 

The party members, who wielded placards with inscriptions such as “No vacancy in APC,” “We say no to Ademola Adeleke,” and “Our party is not for sale,” staged a peaceful protest at the APC state secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital.

 

There have been speculations that Adeleke may be considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.

 

However, there has been no official confirmation from either the governor or the APC, although the rumour has continued to dominate political discussions in the state in recent days.

 

Concerned about the possibility of Adeleke being handed the APC governorship ticket if he defects, the party members, led by Taofeek Afolabi, said some aspirants had already declared interest in contesting for the ticket, and it would be unfair to sideline them.

 

Speaking to journalists during the protest, Afolabi said, “We are members of the All Progressives Congress, and we are here this morning to register our concern over the rumoured defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the APC.

“We are not saying he should not join our party. Adeleke joining the APC will certainly boost our ranks. He is the sitting governor, and having him with us will strengthen the party.

 

“However, what we oppose is the idea of giving Governor Adeleke an automatic ticket. If he wants to re-contest, he should show interest and contest for the gubernatorial ticket alongside other aspirants.”

 

Afolabi further emphasised that they are not against Adeleke’s defection to the APC.

 

“There are people who have already indicated interest in the race, and we believe it would be unfair to hand the ticket to Adeleke automatically.

 

“That is our only concern. We have no issue with him joining our party,” he added.

 

Former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu stated that Buhari remained connected and well-informed about events in Nigeria throughout his time in office.

 

In his book “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” launched on Tuesday in Abuja, Garba Shehu revealed that he invented the Villa rat invasion story to shift public focus from worries over President Buhari’s health and ability to lead.

 

During his administration from 2014 to 2023, President Buhari once responded to a security-related question in a media interview by saying, “I am not aware.”

 

This statement quickly became a defining phrase associated with him, often used by opposition figures and critics to highlight perceived gaps in his leadership.

 

However, in Chapter 6 of his book titled “The Muhammadu Buhari Persona” (page 108), Shehu noted that the former President regularly stayed informed by reading newspapers, listening to the radio, and watching television news channels every day.

 

According to Shehu in the book, “Buhari is a publicly aware person. In office, he took more than a passing interest in knowing what was happening in the country and around the globe and what was being written about his government, even if it was a paragraph in a newspaper.

“That was why he was supplied a dozen or more newspapers in the morning to start the day, even before getting to the office.

“The delivery of his newspapers early in the day was a mandatory exercise, at home in Abuja, and wherever he happened to be. A driver went on daily trips to Kano from Daura, a journey of about two hours with light traffic, to pick up newspapers for him. (Even now, out of office, that arrangement continues).

 

“He also loved listening to the radio and watching television. I had noticed his attention switching between the papers and the TV.

 

“Even then, he had a disdain for public exposure, or, perhaps, the camera-still and motion.”

 

The South-West Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Friday, distanced itself from the coalition of opposition political parties, urging all members to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind its leaders in the zone in navigating through all issues at both the zonal and national levels.

 

This formed part of the communique read by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Sanya Atofarati, after the meeting held at the PDP Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

 

PUNCH Online reports that a coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria has adopted the African Democratic Congress as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

 

The decision was made after a meeting by the opposition leaders, including former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola among others.

 

Atofarati declared that the party had resolved to intensify efforts to ensure the victory of PDP in the upcoming bye-elections in and Ogun State as well as the Local Government Council election in Lagos State.

 

The party commended and appreciated both Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke and other party leaders in the zone for their untiring roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the PDP as the prominent political party in the region.

 

He was confident that PDP, as a party of choice in the region and Nigeria at large, would record a sweeping victory in the coming elections.

The party reaffirmed its unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to the unity, stability, progress and success of the party at all levels in the zone and across the country.

 

“The caucus reaffirms that the PDP in South-West is intact and urges all organs and relevant bodies of the party to remain focused and continue to work assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.

 

It read, “The caucus states that it is not part of the reported coalition and urges all members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind our leaders in the zone in navigating through all issues at the zonal and national levels. The caucus, however, supports the position of the National Working Committee that our party remains open to working with other well-meaning, like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress.

 

“It demands that the Federal Government immediately release the withheld Osun State Local Government Allocation. The withholding of the state Local Government Allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and well-being of the people of Osun State.

 

“We express very serious concern over the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country under the APC administration. The caucus reechoes the declaration of Governor Makinde that the 2027 election will be between Nigerians and the APC, with Nigerians ultimately triumphing under the banner of the PDP.”

 

The party, therefore, urges Nigerians not to lose hope but remain resolute and continue to rally with the PDP as the party leads the charge to rescue the nation from the misrule of the current administration.

 

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has commended members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State for the successful completion of the party registration exercise, which ended last Sunday.

 

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, on Friday, noted that the seven-week exercise started on a very low pace but gained momentum that it surprised its handlers as to the huge number of people who came out to register in the 193 wards in the state.

 

“My commendation goes to all the members of our parties who came out to make this idea a success.

 

“They demonstrated boldly that they are proud members of the great PDP, a party whose platform remains the best through which good governance can be provided for the people.

“I also appreciate the young men and women who were in charge of the registration exercise, the volunteers who mobilised old and new members, the local party leaders, and others who worked day and night to ensure the process improved every day until the end. I thank all of you.

 

“Today, the Kwara PDP is perhaps the only state branch in and outside the fold in the country that has an accurate record of its membership and can therefore project its growth over the coming months leading to the election. This is a good development for us as a party.

 

“Incidentally, this is a local initiative, and it has become successful because the people wanted it and also made it possible. In Kwara PDP, we have set a good example for the other state branches to emulate. I am proud of our people,” he stated.

 

He further urged the people to keep up the spirit and take it into the 2027 elections, where they should work to win the elections and give the people a new lease of life.

 

The member representing Edo South in the Senate, Neda Imasuen, has described the Supreme Court judgement upholding the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo as a moment of renewal in the state.

 

He called on well-meaning citizens of the state to join hands with the governor as he steers the ship of the state towards greater heights.

 

PUNCH Online reports that on Thursday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, held that the Candidate of the People Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, failed to prove allegations of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and other infractions cited as grounds to challenge Okpebholo’s electoral victory.

 

In a unanimous judgment, the court ruled that based on the evidence before it, Ighodalo was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.

 

Specifically, the court noted that the PDP candidate failed to substantiate claims of non-compliance, having only challenged the results in 395 out of the 4,519 polling units where elections were conducted.

 

The panel of justices further held that the 19 witnesses called during the trial were not sufficient to help the case of the appellant in challenging the outcome of the election.

 

The panel also held that it found no reason to set aside the previous judgments of the lower courts, noting that the appellant failed to prove, without doubt, admissible evidence to the claim that the election was marred by irregularities and over-voting.

 

However, in a statement on Friday, Imasuen said that judgment not only affirms the will of the people but also reinforces the collective belief in the sanctity of democracy and the rule of law.

 

The statement read, “I warmly congratulate Senator Monday Okpebholo on his resounding and well-deserved victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday, which has finally brought an end to the long and strenuous legal contest surrounding the Edo State governorship election.

“This is a moment of renewal, and I urge all well-meaning sons and daughters of Edo State to join hands with the Governor as he steers the ship of our great State towards greater heights.

 

“The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement not only affirms the will of the people, but also reinforces our collective belief in the sanctity of democracy and the rule of law.

 

“By dismissing the petition and holding that the claims against the election lacked substance, the apex court has now drawn a clear line under the matter, allowing us to fully focus on the task of governance and development.”

 

Imasuen said that the victory is not just personal to Governor Okpebholo, but a triumph for the entire people of Edo State who deserve peace, stability and purposeful leadership.

 

He stated that the time for politicking is over, adding that it is time for healing, unity, and rebuilding trust in the promise of democracy.

He added, “As the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, I restate my unwavering commitment to working hand-in-hand with Governor Okpebholo to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. T

 

“Together, we must channel our collective energies into the pursuit of good governance, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, education, security, and economic progress for every Edo citizen.

 

“Once again, congratulations, Senator Monday Okpebholo. The victory is for all of us.”

 

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said that former President Muhammadu Buhari would not have won the 2015 presidential election without the crucial support of Tinubu and the Action Congress of Nigeria.

 

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday night, Onanuga dismissed recent claims by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who argued that the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress in 2013 contributed only three million votes to Buhari’s eventual win.

 

The parties involved in the merger were the Congress for Progressive Change, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Nigerian Peoples Party.

 

Mustapha on Wednesday had said that Buhari already commanded a consistent base of over 12 million votes before the merger, suggesting that the CPC’s alliance with ACN and ANPP played a minimal role in his victory over former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

However, Onanuga countered the claim, stating that while Buhari had a strong northern following, he lacked the national spread required to win the presidency on his own.

 

Onanuga said Buhari, despite his millions of votes, was “nowhere” in the South and needed ACN for the electoral “spread” necessary to win the presidential election.

 

The presidential spokesperson asserted that ACN got Buhari the “important votes” in the south.

“It was clear to ACN, a very strategic arm of that alliance, that without additional support, there was no way Buhari could have won the election.

 

“Yeah, he was getting 12 million votes if you put all the 19 states together, but in the south, Buhari was nowhere. Buhari needed the spread. ACN had six.

 

“Buhari got the votes he needed in those six states. They may not be in millions, but there were important votes.

 

“He won in all those six states, and he got more than 25 per cent. At the end of the day, he won in about 25 states, more than the constitutional requirement of 24 states,” he said.

 

Onanuga further stressed that the former president remained grateful for Tinubu’s role in making the 2015 victory possible.

 

He said, “Buhari never forgot the help that Tinubu rendered to him. He wouldn’t have become president without Tinubu’s assistance.”

 

The Presidency has dismissed allegations that President Bola Tinubu is behind recent disruptions faced by opposition parties in the country, calling the claims unfounded and politically motivated.

 

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this during an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time on Thursday night.

 

Onanuga denied reports that the President was interfering with meetings or activities of opposition coalitions, particularly the new alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and others under the African Democratic Congress.

 

“There is this tendency in Nigeria to scapegoat Tinubu for everything. People face challenges and the first thing they say is, ‘It’s Tinubu.’ But it’s not true. He wasn’t even in the country when some of these events happened,” Onanuga said.

 

Opposition leaders had alleged that venues booked for political events were suddenly cancelled, and that members of the ADC coalition had to walk long distances to reach the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja to avoid attracting security attention and risking a blockade.

 

Onanuga rejected claims that the current administration is suppressing dissent or stifling opposition voices.

 

“This government allows freedom of speech. I’ve heard people say this government is against freedom of speech. That’s baloney. This government allows freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and freedom of the press. If a hotel cancels an event booking, does that mean Tinubu owns the hotel?” he asked.

Speaking on the emerging coalition between Atiku and Obi, Onanuga argued that political mergers do not guarantee electoral success.

 

“Atiku has been in the presidential race more than anyone – more than Tinubu, more than Obi. Each time, he fails at the gate. Buhari failed several times too, but he eventually succeeded—with Tinubu’s help,” he said.

 

He added that Atiku’s political strategy in 2023, which relied heavily on northern sentiments, was rejected by voters in the South. “If he tries that again, how will he get southern support? Even with Obi as a running mate, it doesn’t guarantee that Obi’s 2023 supporters will follow him again,” he said.

 

Speaking further, Onanuga maintained that Tinubu still commands support in the North, citing key appointments and policies as proof of goodwill toward the region.

 

“This president is doing a lot for the North. He has appointed people from the North-West and North-East into top positions. In politics, a good turn deserves another. The noise does not match the reality. People are benefiting,” he said.

 

He concluded that at the appropriate time, the President would draw on the goodwill generated by his administration’s actions across the country.