The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, is set to dump the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following negotiations between the two camps.

The reports said talks are at an advanced stage and a final meeting is expected to be held to decide the outcome of the talks.

Musa Ungogo, the ADC Chairman in Kano State, confirmed that talks were ongoing, adding that the move was initiated by Gawuna and not the party.

“The story going round that the ADC approached Gawuna is not true. It was Gawuna who came to us. He sent a delegation to meet us and we have been in talks since then,” Ungogo added.

Ungogo said the representatives of Gawuna included former Kumbotso Local Government Chairman, Sagir Fanshekara and Hon.

The delegation met the party leadership and submitted several demands, he revealed.

One of them is the call for the adoption of Gawuna as the ADC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The delegation also called for political accommodation for some of Gawuna’s loyalists interested in State House of Assembly and National Assembly tickets.

Ungogo said Gawuna’s camp proposed a consensus arrangement, with other governorship aspirants stepping down for him.

“They came with a number of requests. One of their major demands is that Dr Gawuna should be the party’s governorship candidate. They also requested opportunities for some of their supporters who are interested in the state assembly and National Assembly tickets,” he said.

“They told us that even if the party settled for primaries, aspirants should step down for him because he is said to have political strength in several local government areas and has the capacity to lead the party to victory.

“They requested for a consensus arrangement and also requested that the other aspirants support him,” he said.

The party will take a decision after it receives a formal written submission on all the demands, the ADC chairman added.

“We asked them to give us a written document with all their requests in it. They were also required to state the positions they are seeking and the local government areas where they have interests.

“We have another meeting scheduled for today. “We will make our position known and will study the document carefully when we get it,” he said.

Ungogo said no agreement had been reached despite the ongoing talks.

Consultations are continuing. Nothing has been decided yet. “We want a solution that is acceptable to all the stakeholders and beneficial to the party,” he said.

A close aide of Gawuna also confirmed that consultations were on-going but did not give further details.

I am not his spokesman, nor am I authorised to speak on the matter. “What I can say is that the consultations are ongoing,” the source said.

This is the latest development after Gawuna left the APC and later joined the NDC with Rabiu Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement months ago.

On his defection to the NDC, Gawuna got the Kano Central senatorial ticket, while the party settled for Aminu Gwarzo as its consensus governorship candidate.

The post “Consultations Ongoing” — Gawuna Set to Dump NDC for ADC, Demands Emerge appeared first on TheNigerian.

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.

The post ADC Primary Was Rigged, I Know What Atiku’s People Did — Babachir Lawal appeared first on TheNigerian.

In a demonstration before the Federal High Court in Abuja, members of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the judiciary to refrain from being used to suppress opposition parties in Nigeria.

The protest coincides with the ongoing legal dispute between the group led by Nafiu Bala and the ADC lead by David Mark.

The demonstrators claimed that Bala’s action, which the Supreme Court remanded to the Federal High Court, was a ruse to divert attention away from the opposing political party.

Recall that in April, INEC de-recognized David Mark’s leadership of the party after the Supreme Court overturned an order from the Court of Appeal in Abuja instructing the parties to preserve the status quo ante bellum in the leadership struggle.

In a five-member panel’s unanimous decision, the Supreme Court directed the parties to return to the Federal High Court for a prompt hearing of the lawsuit brought by Nafiu Bala, a chieftain who felt wronged.

Details to come.

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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.

The post ADC: Okonjo-Iweala Not Interested in Becoming Atiku’s Running Mate — Sumner Sambo appeared first on TheNigerian.

The National Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Dr Chike Okogwu, has lambasted Nigeria’s approach to tackling insecurity, warning that military intervention alone cannot solve the country’s security crisis.

“Effective governance, accountability, justice and strong leadership are key to achieving sustainable peace,” Okogwu said in an article titled “The Man, The Rottweilers and The Marauders: Nigeria Can’t Afford to Keep Holding the Leash.”
He said despite sacrifices by security personnel fighting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, insecurity still persists, fueled by governance failures, corruption, intelligence gaps and political interference.

Okogwu compared the situation to a wealthy estate owner who refused to let his trained Rottweiler dogs loose as looters attacked his property. “Nigeria’s security forces are frequently asked to produce results while operating under severe constraints,” he said.

“The dogs are the security forces and the owner is the political leadership. “Sometimes men and women on the frontlines are asked to win battles with restrictions, insufficient support, conflicting directives and political interference,” he said.
Security, he said, should not be seen only as a military task but as a national challenge that must be handled through coordinated efforts of all government institutions and society.

“Security cannot be purchased with weapons. Security requires good governance, economic opportunity, trust in community, technology, intelligence and justice. “Most importantly, security needs leadership,” he said.

Okogwu also expressed concern about the devastating effect of insecurity on the PWDs, saying that attacks and displacement put them at greater risks due to their limited mobility and support systems.

“The fast acceptance of violence as a normal thing in life is a great danger to the future of Nigeria,” he said.

“The most dangerous thing in front of us is not simply the continuation of violence. “The biggest danger is that violence becomes normal, that we believe nothing can change,” he cautioned.

The ADC chieftain urged leaders at all levels to strengthen institutions, improve accountability, support security agencies and adopt a comprehensive strategy to restore public confidence and secure the country.

The post ADC Chieftain Criticizes Leaders Over Rising Insecurity appeared first on TheNigerian.

A coalition of stakeholders from opposition political parties in Gombe State has decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors, who were from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party pledged their allegiance to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and the governorship aspiration of Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna.

The group said its decision is based on a review of results of primary elections held by their former political parties.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Prof Sulaiman Dankande, Nura Abba, Abdullah Amtai, Dedan Mela and Murtala Usman Dukku, said that members resolved to join the APC and work for the emergence of Gwamna as governor in 2027.

The defectors were formally received into the APC by the party chairman in Gombe Local Government Area, Idris Saleh, it was learnt.

Saleh handed them APC membership cards and welcomed them to the ruling party.

The coalition members said their move to the APC was premised on political conviction and the need to align with a platform that could better serve the interest of the state.

They also vowed to work for the success of Tinubu and Gwamna in the next general elections.

The primary elections in their former parties, the outcome of which influenced the decision to look for a new political platform, they said.

They said the development had compelled them to review their political direction before 2027.

After wide consultations among their members and supporters, they agreed to join the APC and support its candidates at national and state levels, they said.

The defection is expected to contribute to the wave of political movements already happening in Gombe State as the parties prepare for the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, former APC National Youth Leader, Sadiq Abubakar has emerged the governorship candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State.

Abubakar announced his emergence soon after winning the party’s governorship primary election.

His victory comes just weeks after he quit the APC over economic hardship and discontent with policies of the ruling party.

Abubakar said his decision to join the NDC was born out of his desire to be part of a political platform that guarantees transparent and credible primaries elections.

He said the party gave him the opportunity to pursue his political ambition and render service to the people of Gombe State.

According to him, his move to the NDC was also in line with his commitment to contribute to the political development of the state.

The post 2027: Gombe PDP, ADC, LP Stakeholders Defect to APC appeared first on TheNigerian.

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.”

The post Babachir Lawal Explains Why He Rejects ADC and APC, Hints at Preferred Presidential Candidate appeared first on TheNigerian.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday clashed over the conduct of the presidential primaries that produced the latter.

Lawal announced his resignation from ADC yesterday, accusing Atiku of rigging the primary election.

The former SGF said the primaries were “massively rigged” in favour of Atiku and his allies in a statement.

Lawal said, “I am quitting the ADC because its recent primaries were massively rigged in favour of Kachalla Abubakar Atiku at all levels.

“I feel the conspiracy of silence I want no part of. Most of the party members are acting as if this is what they should be doing.

‘Results were written or rewritten to favour him and his coven.

“Even in places where they permitted some sort of election to be held, the new winners were merely replaced by members of his syndicate.

“In the true sense it was an embarrassing charade.”

Atiku, in his response, described Lawal as a notorious conflict entrepreneur who was entitled to his political views and decisions.

In a statement in Abuja, the Atiku Media office said that while Lawal was within his rights to resign from ADC, political parties are voluntary associations of people, and the former ADC chieftain was not entitled to cast aspersions on Atiku on the basis of false allegations.

It said accusing Atiku of religious bigotry or nepotism is one of the laziest and most ridiculous lies that someone can peddle against the former vice president.

The statement described Atiku as one of the most liberal politicians in Nigeria, and his record on that score was there for all to see.

“We are of the opinion that Babachir was describing his own character and not that of Atiku,” the statement said. The former SGF is seeking power on the altar of dividing the people on the basis of primordial sentiments.

“All his rows with people are due to his selfishness. He opportunistically panders to sentiments for his ambition. “There is no larger interest of his people or of Nigeria that informs any of his struggles.”

The statement said Lawal was not qualified to speak on what was good for Nigeria.

It said, “When Babachir said he resigned from ADC because of the so-called rigging or manipulations during the primaries, he did not tender any proof of his allegations.

“Instead of proving his allegations, he went ahead to drag Atiku’s family into the matter that was not connected to the primaries.

‘The former SGF has published so much garbage that it is clear that he has personal bitterness against Atiku Abubakar.’

The statement called on Lawal to look inward and desist from dividing and bigotry among Nigerians for his personal gains.

“There is no such thing as a Muslim and Christian party in Nigeria,” said Atiku media office. If the results of a competition are not in your favour, you should file a petition with the party to prove manipulations or rigging. But it is most irresponsible for a former SGF to become an agent of disunity.

Lawal was also taken to task by Atiku’s camp in another statement for his outburst against Atiku.

The statement condemned the former SGF for his criticism of ADC’s presidential primary, accusing him of making unsubstantiated allegations and attempting to discredit a democratic process he could not influence.

Lawal who announced his resignation from the party yesterday had accused Atiku of influencing the outcome of the party’s primaries held across the country.

The previous SGF, who questioned the credibility of the exercise, said the process was compromised.

But the Atiku camp, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused Lawal of trying to denigrate the party and its members without any evidence.

“The decision to impugn a democratic process, insult thousands of ADC members across the country and make grave allegations without presenting a shred of evidence necessitated the need to set the record straight,” the statement said.

Shaibu debunked claims of manipulation of the ADC presidential primary, saying the exercise was the will of party members across the nation.

Lawal presented no evidence to support his assertions of electoral manipulation, he said.

“The truth is plain. The ADC presidential primaries were held in thousands of wards and produced a clear and decisive result. What Mr. Lawal offered the people of Nigeria is not evidence.

He has produced no documents, no verifiable facts, no credible witnesses and no evidence whatsoever to back up his sensational allegations.

Wike: Atiku, Obi are hypocrites, cannot offer better democratic alternatives

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attacked the presidential candidates of the ADC, Atiku and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, describing them as hypocrites, who have no better democratic alternatives to offer to Nigeria.

Wike yesterday opened up the verbal onslaught at his monthly media briefing in Abuja.

“The recent primaries of the opposition parties saw an eruption of criticisms which showed the contradictions between their public posture and internal practices,” he said.

He said the controversies that followed the congresses had undermined claims that the opposition parties provided a credible alternative to the country’s established political parties.

He said the same parties and politicians who have accused the ruling party of sabotaging democracy were now being accused of the same by their own party.

“They said they are the saviours, who will come and rescue Nigeria. Wike said Now what has happened? They told Nigerians that they were the new face of democracy and the alternative platform for change.

“But what we have seen is that even within their structures there are allegations of irregularities and protests over congresses and primaries.

The minister said the developments had exposed attempts to hoodwink Nigerians with claims of moral ascendancy.

Nigerians now know that they are all liars. “They are not going to fool the people anymore,” he added.

Wike reasoned that the developments should encourage Nigerians to critically evaluate political actors on the basis of their conduct and not campaign rhetoric.

He took a swipe at Obi, saying he is running away from struggle and only likes a politics of ready food.

“In Nigeria you must be able to face challenges and not run at the first sight of trouble. “The worst type of leader is the one who sees the problem but is unable to make decisions to fix it,” he said.

The minister has argued that there was no law prohibiting him from owning a house in the United States in response to a claim by activist, Omoyele Sowore.

Wike cautioned Sowore about spreading rumors about government officials.

“So, Sowore will come and sell you all sorts of stories. Why has he not talked about the houses in Florida that he says I own until now? Till today where is it ? These are the kind of people you call the human rights activists.

You can’t start to spread rumours against government officials, it’s not right. There is no law that says I should not own a house at all. But I don’t have a house there.”

Wike also dismissed the endorsement of the former President Goodluck Jonathan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that one who has not shown interest to contest an office or accepted the nomination cannot be picked.

Wike said the only recognised presidential candidate of the party in the 2027 election is Sen. Sandy Onor.

He urged the police to arrest those projecting the candidacy of Jonathan and causing problem in the political.

“In Nigerian politics, a candidate is not known by body language,” Wike said. A candidate is someone who has contested an election and has won and the results are announced with a certificate of return issued.

“It is wrong to project Jonathan as presidential candidate when he has not said anything on the matter himself. I will not tolerate any breach of peace in FCT.”

Wike said only the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not anybody’s private office or bedroom, adding that the party’s official decisions can only emanate from its recognised organs and headquarters.

The post Babachir Slams ADC Presidential Primary, Calls It Disgraceful appeared first on TheNigerian.

Academic and political economist, Pat Utomi, said that former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, made a strategic and timely decision by leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as a necessary escape from a compromised political process.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Utomi said the recent controversies within the ADC further cemented fears that the internal processes of the party were already skewed. He said political manoeuvring by influential actors has increasingly undermined the credibility of party primaries in Nigeria.

“In the light of hindsight… it was almost a foregone conclusion that it was going to go in a particular direction. So it was a pretty smart move on his part,” he added.

Utomi said he was out of the country when Obi’s political realignment took place and was not aware of the plans beforehand. He said he had initially advised political actors aligned with Obi to stay within the ADC and test their strength via internal competition.

“I was out of the country when the move happened. I didn’t know about the plans,” he said, adding that he had previously argued that remaining within the party would have been the best way to challenge internal structures.

However, he said the developments within the ADC suggested deeper issues with internal democracy, which, in his view, validated Obi’s decision to exit.

“But I was also very aware of games that were being played… a very undemocratic kind of process being used to prevent a certain candidate from being on the ballot,” he said.

He added that at the time of the election, polling data indicated that Obi had good chances of winning a party ticket if a transparent process had been allowed. But power brokers often trump such results, he said.
“Party hierarchies and bosses” have turned internal elections into a “make-believe democratic process,” he said.

In the interview, Utomi also took the opportunity to underscore wider issues with Nigeria’s political system, which he said invariably stifles talent, while promoting recycled political actors without new ideas or any record of performance.

“What we have done is to continue this process within the Big Tent to do a manifesto for Nigeria,” he said, explaining that the initiative would focus on identifying credible candidates across party lines based on competence and vision rather than party affiliation.

The movement will back candidates who commit to governance reforms, regardless of their political platform, he said.

The scholar also criticised Nigeria’s political culture, saying it is too much driven by ambition for office and not service. This attitude has sapped the strength of opposition politics and helped lead to national stagnation, he argued.

“This obsession with power and public office is a disease,” he said, calling for a fundamental change in political attitudes.

On electoral reforms, Utomi said the issue of live transmission of results from polling units was an initiative of the Big Tent and not the NDC as reported in some quarters. “The plan is still being developed as part of a broader effort to strengthen transparency through multiple independent monitoring channels,” he said.

He also called for tighter regulations on political defections, saying that frequent party switching erodes accountability and weakens democratic institutions.

While criticising the system, Utomi said Nigeria still has the capacity for renewal if competent leadership is allowed to emerge through credible processes.

The post Pat Utomi Praises Peter Obi’s Decision to Leave ADC appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, erred in contesting the 2027 presidential primary on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Wike was quoted to have said that he would have advised Amaechi not to contest the ADC presidential ticket if the former governor of Rivers State had consulted him.

He said this in Abuja on Monday, during his monthly media chat.

Wike was Chief of Staff to Amaechi when he was governor of Rivers State. He said the ADC was structured in a way that the primary would not be transparent.

“I see Amaechi as my brother. I was chief of staff in his government. When I saw him running with them, I knew what would happen. If he’d rung me I’d have said, ‘Don’t go there. “It was pretty clear he was not going to get transparency or due process,” Wike said.

The minister of the FCT alleged that the arrangement of the party was meant to favour the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

He said the appearance of former Senate President David Mark as ADC chairman indicated where the primary would go.

I laughed when I saw the setup in ADC and saw David Mark there. When you’ve worked with these people, you know who’s who and what they’re capable of. “That was Atiku’s set-up 100 per cent,” he said.

Wike said Amaechi should have known better than to be in the race.

“You can’t set a trap for me. We’re politicians. Who said that kind of structure would give you transparency. “Who told you a structure like that would produce free and fair elections?” he asked.

I think my brother was wrong. He was too much in a rush. He was taken away by people shouting that this government is not doing well. “They used that to bring people in, to give them credibility,” he said.

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