Kenneth Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned politician, has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and some party leaders in the South-East of collecting bribes during the party’s recent primary elections.

Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was reported to have made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television.

He had said he received a “SOS message” from a House of Representatives aspirant in Anambra State alleging irregularities and bribery in the conduct of the NDC primaries.

The former Labour Party chieftain claimed that “whoever votes for Obi and the NDC in 2027 is voting criminality.

Okonkwo named the alleged whistle-blower as Obunike Ohaegbu who, according to him, sought to contest for the Nnewi North and Nnewi South Federal Constituency seat in Anambra State on the platform of the NDC.

He alleged that the aspirant complained that the candidates were duped in the process and made to pay money after they were initially told that only expression of interest forms were needed at the first stage.

The aspirants had said aspirants were assured that nomination fees would only be paid after candidates emerged, according to Okonkwo.

Okonkwo said, “The NDC aspirant sent SOS to me and said that Peter Obi is now the head of the criminality that they were scammed in NDC.

He said Kwankwaso went to his people and made sure that every constituency produced one candidate so that they are not scammed, but Peter Obi told them that all the aspirants should go into the field, and the aspirants were told that they were going to have primaries.

₦10,000,000, ₦20,000,000 Allegation of Bribery
Okonkwo also claimed that the aspirants in the South-East were later asked to pay more before the primaries.

He said House of Representatives aspirants were allegedly asked to pay ₦10m while senatorial aspirants were asked to pay ₦20m.

He said: “Remember that Dickson said once you pay for your expression of interest form, you are not going to pay any money, when you are the one who is nominated, that is when you will pay nomination fees.”

“They all ran into it then Peter Obi and leaders of the South-East, NDC caucus, went and told them that after paying for the expression of interest forms, you must pay ₦10 million bribe for Reps and Senate, ₦20 million.

They all paid, thinking they were the candidates. Then they were told to go for the primary.

Names Supposedly Written In Hotel
The ADC chieftain also alleged that while aspirants were taking part in the primaries, names of candidates were already written elsewhere.

He said Obi was in a hotel at the time when names of preferred candidates were being put together.

“Whilst they were doing the primaries, Peter Obi was in the John Wood hotel writing names of candidates,” Okonkwo alleged.

“The aspirant forwarded me the receipt of the money.”

Okonkwo did not say in the interview if the alleged receipts had been submitted to any law enforcement agency or electoral body.

At the time of filing this report Obi and the leadership of the NDC had not responded to the allegations.

The post Okonkwo Accuses Peter Obi of Bribery Involvement, Claims to Have Evidence appeared first on TheNigerian.

According to reports, Uche Nnaji, a former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is being sought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) in connection with an alleged certificate fabrication scam.

The anti-graft agency has been looking into claims that Nnaji falsified his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificates.

According to reports, the credentials were given to the Senate and President Bola Tinubu when he was confirmed as a minister in 2023.

Premium Times published a two-year study in October of last year, which was followed by the ICPC inquiry.

According to the investigation, the former minister falsified his NYSC documents and UNN degree.

According to commission sources who talked with Premium Times earlier, Nnaji might face legal action if the probe revealed that the credentials were faked.

ICPC Looks for Nnaji
According to trustworthy people with knowledge of the situation, the ICPC began looking for Nnaji after he allegedly neglected to accept invitations from the organization.

ICPC’s inquiries on the current investigation were addressed by UNN management, according to an insider who begged not to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the subject.

The former minister has been asked to be questioned on several occasions, the person continued.

The source claims that Nnaji was invited to scheduled interrogations by the commission via phone calls, emails, and WhatsApp, but he did not show up.

“The ICPC is searching everywhere for him in order to potentially arrest him, and if we are unable to locate him, we will probably declare him wanted,” the source stated.

According to a different source, Nnaji’s unwillingness to accept the invites was a tactic to be unavailable while attempting to run for Enugu State’s governorship in 2027.

According to the source, if the former minister won the election, he would gain immunity from criminal prosecution.

After failing to win the 2023 Enugu governorship election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, Nnaji reportedly quietly switched to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ahead of the 2027 general election, Nnaji reportedly became the governorship candidate of a PDP faction supported by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike in late May.

Additionally, it was alleged that he was considering running for governor in part to benefit from protection from prosecution.

Whether it would declare the former minister sought has not yet been made public by the ICPC.

The post ICPC Hunts Ex-Minister Nnaji, Considers Declaring Him Wanted appeared first on TheNigerian.

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.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, is accused of threatening to leave the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), however the movement has addressed this.

Habibu Mohammed, the party’s spokesperson, stated in a statement that Kwankwaso has never threatened to quit the party over the candidates’ replacements.

The group called the conjecture “rumors.”

“Kwankwaso never made an NDC exit threat. The Kwankwasiyya Movement and its leader are not complaining, according to the statement.

According to reports, the Kwankwasiyya Movement would leave the party if loyalists who had previously been selected by the bloc were removed.

Recall that the rumors surfaced after the group substituted a number of candidates, allegedly violating an earlier power-sharing agreement. Mohammed denied the accusations.

The group’s spokesperson said that the winners were confirmed the same day and that the party primaries were held on May 29 in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC regulations.

He claimed that the NDC members and stakeholders had previously decided on a consensus model when needed, adopted candidates in accordance with it, and presented the list without internal disputes.

Kwankwaso had not expressed any complaints to the party regarding the initiative, he continued.

The post Kwankwasiyya Movement Dismisses Alleged Kwankwaso Threat to Quit NDC appeared first on TheNigerian.

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.

The post 2027: I’ll Be Surprised If Peter Obi Repeats 2023 Performance — Mohammed-Baba 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.

The post ADC Crisis: David Mark Faction Protests at Federal High Court appeared first on TheNigerian.

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.

The post 2027: Kwankwassiyya Movement Reacts Strongly as Crisis Rocks NDC appeared first on TheNigerian.

The full list of candidates for the upcoming June 20, 2026, by-election in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District has been made public by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Four candidates have been confirmed to run for the district’s open Senate seat in the list released by the electoral body.

Halilu Onda Enyulu-Uza of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maku Labaran of the Labour Party (LP), John Paul Aaraneshi of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are among those who have been cleared by INEC.

The final round of by-election preparations begins with the release of the final list, and political parties are anticipated to step up their campaigns in each of the five local government districts that comprise the senatorial district.

In accordance with the Electoral Act and established electoral standards, INEC had previously promised stakeholders that it would carry out a free, fair, and credible poll.

Akwanga, Wamba, Nassarawa Eggon, Kokona, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas are all included in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

Now that the final list has been released, focus is turning to the campaigns and the June 20 election.

The post INEC Releases Final List for Nasarawa North Senatorial By-Election, Clears Four Candidates appeared first on TheNigerian.

Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has been accused of hijacking party structure in the North West

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the party’s Northwest Vice Chairman Mohammed Rabiu Serina and Kano State Chairman Hussaini Isa Mariga, respectively.

They accused the former Kano state governor of barring non-Kwankwasiyya members from contesting for elective offices on its platform.

The duo stated that they are pioneer members of the party, appointed by the party’s National Leader, former Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, before the party was registered and subsequently confirmed as substantive officers at congresses and the national convention.

Serina and Mariga also said they helped build the party structures across Kano State and the North West before Kwankwaso and his supporters joined the party.

“The problems started when Kwankwaso wanted to take over the party structure in Kano State in the state congresses.

“The disagreement led to the intervention of the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson who convened a meeting and brokered an agreement which gave Kwankwaso and his supporters 60 per cent control of the party structure in Kano while the party retained 40 per cent,” the party officials said.

The post NDC Accuses Kwankwaso of Hijacking Party Structure appeared first on TheNigerian.