The African Democratic Congress, ADC, primary elections are over and attention now turns to who will be the running mate of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku had selected the current Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as his running mate in 2019, and the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate in the 2023 polls.

Few weeks ago, Atiku emerged as the flag bearer of the ADC after winning the highest votes in the party’s primary election.

He is said to be considering a move to the South-East with names like the Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha mentioned.

In the midst of those speculations, the Director of Politics at Arise News, Sumner Sambo had said Okonjo-Iweala distanced herself from such a move saying she was not willing to abandon her current post as WTO DG for a Nigerian political contest.

On March 1, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and the first African to head the world trade organization as DG of WTO.

She was appointed director-general for her second term in September 2023, and her term expires in 2029.

But Sambo said she had passed her position directly to the Atiku’s camp.

“Okonjo-Iweala is not willing to actually leave a lucrative job as DG of the World Trade Organisation to actually consider that,” Sambo said.

“She has let it be known to them and that is understandable because she has just come back in September last year and she has got tenure that will go for a second term until 2029.”

Emeka Ihedioha

One of the names that dominated is the immediate past governor of Imo State and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Ihedioha, who is also a member of the ADC, is believed to be among those the former Vice President is quietly assessing as his likely running mate.

South South connection with Amaechi

While there are speculations that Atiku is eyeing the Southeast, there are claims that he has extended his searchlight to the South South region.

Atiku is said to be considering another presidential aspirant, the former Minister of Transportation and two-term governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.

The ADC presidential candidate met Amaechi in closed door meeting on Monday but details of the meeting were never made public.

But some think it has everything to do with the choice of Atiku’s running mate.

APC chieftain, Eli: Southeast running mate will not get Atiku votes

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sogbeye Eli, has said that picking a running mate from the Southeast will not earn Atiku many votes in 2027 due to the influence of Obi in the region.

“Atiku has no space for votes from a vice-presidential candidate from both the South-East and South-West,” he said in an interview.

Dele Momodu declares himself Atiku’s running mate

Amid the political uncertainty, a chieftain of the ADC and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu had posted a flyer on his social media page where he was portrayed as Atiku’s running mate.

Momodu wrote alongside the flyer: “The Attraction of Atiku Abubakar/Dele Momodu ticket”, “The right choice for a greater Nigeria.”

Spare tyre will not determine Atiku’s choice of running mate – Aide

Reacting to the speculations, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the ADC presidential candidate would choose his running mate based on competence and not on the usual basis of “spare tyre.”

Speaking with Shaibu said: “It is far too early to speculate on specific regions or individuals regarding the Vice Presidential slot.

“That decision will ultimately be driven by what best serves the national interest and strengthens the mission of rescuing Nigeria.

“What I can assure you is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar knows the great task of leadership. He knows that Nigeria today requires a competent, experienced and capable team.

So I do not expect the selection of a running mate to be based on symbolism or the outdated notion of a ‘spare tyre.’ Nigeria needs a governing team not a sole administrator.

“The Vice President must be someone who can make a significant contribution to governance, policy formulation, economic management, national cohesion and the overall task of rebuilding the country.

“When the time comes, Nigerians will see a decision based on merit, capacity and national interest.”

Atiku’s best option for choosing running mate is from Southeast – Lawyer

A lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, added his voice to the debate, saying if Atiku wants national cohesion and political balance, choosing his running mate from the Southeast is his “strongest option”.

Idam said Atiku may pose a serious challenge to Obi’s presidential ambition if he chooses a running mate from the Southeast.

“If the objectives are equity, national cohesion and political balance in the event of victory, then Atiku’s best choice may be to pick a running mate from the South-East.

“The South-East would need meaningful representation in his administration to make them feel included and part of the nation.

Any northern presidential ticket without a South-East representation is likely to be greeted with criticism and apathy by a large chunk of the South-East electorate.

“Further, if Atiku is serious about challenging the influence of Peter Obi in the region, choosing a running mate from the South-East could be a strategic necessity.

“Without such a move, it may be difficult to secure the constitutionally required spread of votes, including a substantial share from the region in the 2027 elections.

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National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, has said that it would be a surprise to him if the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi perform like he did in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise News, Mohammed-Baba noted that many things had changed, including Peter Obi moving to about two or three political parties.

He said the NDC presidential candidate, Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso delivered Kano State in 2023 but that he doubt if the former New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, presidential candidate in 2023 will do the same in 2027.

“What is becoming clear is that these people have been playing the politics of individuals,” he said. What is who going to be? Who is going to represent a platform etc etc.

“There is everything wrong with personal ambitions, because politics is for serving the people and so long as you are not there to serve the people, then your ambition remains what it is, personal.

“We are a nation of some 220 to 230 million, and the desires of individuals to hold positions of authority count for nothing. When you want to translate it into tangible products to the electorate, they become hollow.

“I can tell you that the average person out on the street that I’ve talked to and I talk to a lot of people, they will tell you there is nothing. They are by themselves. Only God will save them. It’s just prayers. Even knowing there are limits to prayer, prayer must be preceded by action.

“Now when you look at it, most of these parties, it’s all about people.

“Yes, Peter Obi had some gains in 2023 and he did wonderfully. But then, I think that what has happened since then has tainted his support and I will be very surprised if he delivers as much as he did in 2023, especially given the choice in the last year or so.

“He’s moved to about two or three parties so the question we ask is what does he want?”

“And then of course, you take the running mate, Kwankwaso delivered Kano State, and let’s be reasonable, there is great doubt on whether he can make the same in 2027, especially now you look at it, he has been saying the wrong things.

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Babachir Lawal, a former secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has asserted that he has proof that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election was rigged.

According to reports, he made the assertion in an appearance with the Channels Television program “Politics Today.”

Lawal claims that he observed the drill while in the field.

He asserted that the statements made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s supporters were untrue and added that a criminal would not own that he was a thief.

Remember that I served as the National Vice Chairman (Northeast). I have proof because I was on the field during the drill.

By attempting to downplay their actions, Atiku’s people are the ones who are lying. All of us are human. We are aware of their actions.

He stated, “I knew the primary was rigged at the time it was completed and the results were announced.”

Lawal, meantime, has denied allegations that he took money from Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate.

Lawal reportedly clarified this during an interview on Channels TV in response to claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s supporters that Hayatu-Deen had financial influence on him.

He maintains that he did not receive any money from the ADC candidate and claims the accusation is unfounded.

He insisted that rather than looking for help elsewhere, he could just contact President Bola Tinubu if he ever needed financial support.

The former SGF also questioned the veracity of the accusation, requesting evidence that he and Hayatu-Deen ever exchanged money. He claimed that no proof had been offered to back up the assertion.

Lawal claimed that his endorsement of Hayatu-Deen was based on the candidate’s aptitude for leadership rather than financial gain. He claimed that Hayatu-Deen’s position was informed by his competence and experience.

“I’ll call President Tinubu if I need money right now, and I’ll get it before I get home,” he declared.

Hayatu-Deen doesn’t have any money to donate. Tell me who was present when he handed me the cash. Perhaps he hasn’t delivered it yet. I’ll go get it. It’s not about money, I assure you. Hayatu-Deen was a man who offered his expertise and assistance. Atiku is not as skilled as Hayatu-Deen. They can’t even be in the same boat.

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Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso has kicked against a reported move by leadership of the party to drop some party candidates loyal to Kwankwaso.

It was learnt that NDC has replaced some of the candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya faction in Kano State, over an alleged breach of a power-sharing agreement.

A document purportedly signed by Kano State Chairman of the party, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, said the changes were made to reflect the earlier agreement on the distribution of party positions and elective tickets between the existing NDC structure and the Kwankwasiyya bloc.

The document, copied to the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, leader of Kwankwasiyya, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the party’s North-West Zonal Chairman, changed the list of both federal and state house assembly candidates.

When contacted on Monday, the Kwankwassiyya Movement’s national spokesman, Habib Mai-Lemo, dismissed the document arguing that due process was followed before aspirants from the camp of Mr. Kwankwaso became candidates.

Mai-Lemo said the Kwankwassiyya Movement will for now, treat the report as a rumour, considering that the state chairman of the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC were part of the processes that produced the affected candidates.

“I also saw on social media that some candidates are being dropped a week after the primaries were conducted,” he said.

“It wasn’t Kwankwaso who sold nomination forms, it was the party and therefore processes were followed either through consensus or primary election.

“All candidates were involved in the process from start to finish. ‘While the processes were going on we never had any complaints from anyone. We didn’t block nobody to buy the forms cause the first place we didn’t sell the forms.

“All the candidates went through due processes. “We are waiting to see if it is true or not, we don’t know where this issue is coming from as we have not seen a copy of the letter that is supposed to be signed by the State Chairman of the NDC”.

“We know the state played a part in the process. “So for now, we are treating it as a rumour. He was around on the day of consensus, even INEC was around.

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According to Sumner Sambo, Director of Politics at Arise News, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is unwilling to resign from her current role to run alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking on The Morning Show on Monday, Sambo made the statement while discussing current political rumors in advance of the general elections in 2027.

He claims that even though Okonjo-Iweala might be given the position, she is unwilling to give up what he described as a lucrative job at the WTO, where she is presently serving a second term that ends in 2029.

He went on to say that it would be improbable that she would abandon a well-secured international position for a political campaign in Nigeria, particularly one that he claimed is still dealing with political and legal ambiguities.

“Well, from what I’ve heard recently, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela may be considered and all that, but she’s not willing to actually leave a lucrative job as a DJ of the World Trade Organization to actually consider that,” he remarked.

She has informed them of this, which makes sense given that she only returned to office in September of last year and will serve a second term through 2029.

As a vice presidential candidate for a party that is currently facing legal difficulties, what will she be doing, you know? She would not consider the offer, in my opinion, since she already has a solid term there.

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Sumner Sambo, journalist at Arise Television, has said the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is not considering being the running mate of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 election.

Sambo disclosed this on Monday while speaking on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on the ongoing political speculation that Okonjo is Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate.

Sambo, however, said that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was not ready to leave a lucrative position at the WTO where she is currently serving a second term which ends in 2029.

It was improbable, he said, that Okonjo would sacrifice a secured international appointment for a political contest in Nigeria, particularly an election still embroiled in legal and political uncertainties.

“Well, from the latest I have heard Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, though she may be considered and all of that, she is not willing to actually leave a lucrative job as a DG of the World Trade Organisation to actually consider that.

“She has made it known to them, and that is understandable because she just resumed in September last year, and she has a tenure that will run for a second term till 2029.

“So what is she going to be doing, you know, as a vice presidential candidate of a party that’s still in court, facing challenges. I think she’s already got a secure term there and wouldn’t consider the offer.”

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Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has expressed doubt on the electoral strength of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with Symfoni TV, Bwala said he was worried that Peter Obi, who is expected to fly the flag of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), could attract more votes than Atiku in the next general election.

He said another possibility that worries him is the chance of Atiku finishing far behind other contenders in the race.

He said that would affect the legacy of the former vice president’s political career, especially if it’s his last run for the presidency.

It was reported that Bwala pointed to the difference between the political support base of Atiku in 2023 and the situation ahead of 2027.

He said that in the last presidential election, Atiku had the backing of several governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“But the political environment is not the same now. Atiku does not have the same support of powerful political figures,” he said.

No governor is currently standing behind the former vice president, he said, as the preparations for the next election gradually pick up.

“I fear Peter Obi might get more votes than Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election and my other fear is that he might come a distant fourth.

“If that happens, his legacy as a politician in his last attempt could be impacted.

“The PDP has some governors, senators and Reps who stood by him in the 2023 election but, as at now, there is not one governor supporting him.

“The fact is that Atiku Abubakar has never in his political career commanded more votes from the North-West.

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has warned the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi that his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso will not favour his presidential ambition.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele said Peter Obi is too desperate and cannot see beyond what he desires.

“The former Anambra governor doesn’t listen to instructions. Kwankwaso has already sold him out but he doesn’t know,” the man of God said.

“Peter Obi has fallen into the wrong hands for his ambition because he does not listen to divine instructions.

“Kwankwaso is not ready to fight for him. He will betray him one day but he does not know it yet. He’s already confused Obi’s presidential ambition,” he said.

The prophet said that whatever Kwankwaso was doing was for his own interest and nothing else.

He said that he does not hate Obi or any politician but he is not mature to hold the presidential position.

“Kwankwaso is doing everything for his personal interest and that is all. I wish I could make Obi see what is happening all around him, but he cannot. “I love Peter Obi and his courage but he is not yet matured for the position he seeks. I don’t hate Peter Obi.

“But Kwankwaso’s plans will soon be revealed but it will be too late for Peter Obi because he has gone very deep into it,” he added.

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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has intensified his attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.

Lawal was said to have claimed that the exercise was rigged and that he had evidence to support his claim.

On Tuesday, the former ADC North-East Vice Chairman told newsmen on a television interview that the results declared by the party did not correspond to the votes cast in many places.

“It was rigged in the first place,” Lawal said.

In the documents he has, Mr Lawal said there are discrepancies between the results collated at the local level and those eventually sent to the party’s national collation centre.

“I have evidence. “I have data from a primary, for example, local government, the return of election was Hayatu-Deen with 20,000 votes and Atiku Abubakar with 1,000 and something votes,” he said.

“But the result that was sent to Abuja was reversed, turned upside down.

The former SGF also stated that some officials involved in the collation process had privately expressed concern about the handling of results.

The change, a state returning officer said, was justified as it would be embarrassing for Atiku to lose in his home state.

Lawal also queried why it took several days for results from Adamawa to get to Abuja allegedly.

“It took our own returning officer almost three days before he could submit the results in Abuja. “”What did they do with the results?” he asked.

Lawal said; “It is on principle and not out of personal hatred that I am opposed to Atiku.

“I will kill myself supporting Atiku, campaigning for him, if I believe he won free and fair and square,” he said.

“Nigeria cannot produce quality leaders if the process of emergence of leaders is flawed,” he said.

“If the process of emergence is fraudulent, defective, the chances of producing good leaders will not be there,” he added.

The former ADC chief also stuck to his earlier comments that drew flak for their ethnic and religious overtones.

Asked if he would take back the comments, Lawal said: “I will not.

He told of his experiences of discrimination as a Christian of the Kilba ethnic group in Adamawa State that he said he had endured.

He expressed his support for Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, stating that he was the most qualified among the aspirants for the presidential ticket.

He said, “None of the three, by all standards, comes close to Hayatu-Deen as the Nigeria that we want to bequeath to another leader today.”

He praised the economist’s corporate background and professional achievements, saying that competence should be the main criterion in choosing national leaders.

The former SGF said he had effectively retired from active partisan politics and was still undecided on who to support in the next presidential election.

I have now retired from politics. “I’m not out knocking on doors for votes for anybody,” he said.

I have one vote of my own, and I keep it to myself. “I may vote for Omoyele Sowore.

Lawal said that he had not taken a decision when asked if he would support a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Lawal also said he had ruled out support for both APC and ADC, while waiting for other candidates that may come up ahead of the 2027 election.

He said, “I’m waiting still. So far. At least I have made a choice. I threw APC out. Now I’ve thrown ADC out. “Waiting for other people to put forward their candidates.”

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Former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Jude Imagwe, has described his principal as not power-hungry or power-drunk.

Imagwe made the statement in an interview with News Central Television.

This was in response to Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, naming Jonathan as its presidential candidate ahead of the next year’s general elections.

There is no evidence to suggest that Jonathan collected, filled or submitted any nomination papers in connection with a 2027 presidential bid, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has said.

Certain is one thing.” The fact is, I don’t believe former President Jonathan is power-hungry or power-drunk.

“If he wanted power he would not have relinquished power in 2015. I do not think President Jonathan is desperate to go back to Aso Rock because obviously he has not forgotten anything there.

“I know very well that Jonathan is where he is today because of many sacrifices, because of commitment, because of discipline, because of resilience and above all because of humility.

“But the sad thing is that some people, who have pretended with dangerous ambition to stay in the airspace of public conversation about 2027, have started dragging an innocent gentleman’s name, who, for reasons too, has not said anything about it.

“What is clear is that nobody collects a nomination form and that is not signed by him or her and such instances are ceremonial.

“There are no pictorial evidences that indicate that any of these documents were done by the former president,” he said.

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