Aminu Tambuwal, a lawmaker representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, has withdrawn from the race ahead of the 2027 election.

Tambuwal’s withdrawal was said to have led to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) adopting the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Faruk Yabo, as a consensus candidate.

In the same vein, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, the former Deputy Governor under Tambuwal during his time as Sokoto State Governor, has emerged as the ADC consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election in the state.

Recall that ahead of the 2023 general election, Tambuwal, a presidential aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stepped down for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

In other news, Atiku recently dismissed the influence of top Northern politicians, including former governors Rabiu Kwankwaso, Tambuwal and Nasir El-Rufai.

Atiku claimed during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme that he is the most popular politician from the north.

Atiku, who reviewed the impact of important northern politicians, said no present or future leader in the region can match his political reach and support.

While the key Northern politicians are popular, none commands a wider voter base across the North than he does, the ADC chieftain claimed.

He also said Kwankwaso’s influence is still largely confined to Kano State, adding that even in the state, political support is now split between him and Governor Abba Yusuf.

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Adebayo Adelabu, the former Minister of Power, has denied rumors that he would resign against President Bola Tinubu’s wishes.

It was remembered that Adelabu quit his job to run for governor of Oyo State on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

There were, however, reports that Adelabu did not talk to the right people before he quit.

Punch says that reliable sources in the Presidency and among Adelabu’s aides said that Tinubu wanted to make the Oyo APC leader the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy after Wale Edun stepped down.

“The truth is that he (Adelabu) quit. He didn’t get fired. I can tell you that. The President really didn’t want him to go. He went to the Villa on Tuesday and talked to the President. He hadn’t seen the President in two months, so he wouldn’t have the chance to talk about quitting. A high-ranking official in the Presidency said, “That’s why he waited.”

The source says that the President sent people to tell Adelabu not to quit.

Adelabu’s Media Aide, Femi Awogboro, said in a statement that his resignation was not against Tinubu’s wishes in any way.

The former minister said that Tinubu agreed to his resignation and that the reports online are false.

The statement said, “Adelabu really got President Tinubu’s full approval and blessing before deciding to quit.” People who are spreading false rumors should stop, because these claims are not true.

“Critics don’t have anything real to say about Adelabu; they’re just upset about the huge crowd that welcomed him back to Ibadan last Thursday.”

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Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has said that there is a new plot to make him look like a criminal. He says that there are coordinated efforts to damage his reputation and keep him in jail for a long time.

His Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, made the claim in a statement on Sunday.

El-Rufai said that recent events show that “malicious orchestrations” are trying to hurt his reputation.

The statement said that the former governor talked about an event on February 12, 2026, when he was supposedly marked for arrest when he got to the Abuja airport from Cairo.

He also said that he went to a meeting with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, after which he was arrested.

El-Rufai said that on February 18, he was moved to the care of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The former governor’s most recent worry comes from a report that gunmen broke into the home of a key witness in a trial going on at the Kaduna State High Court.

One person, Mohammed Umar Karage, was quoted in the report as saying that the attack might have something to do with his role in the case and might be an attempt to silence him.

However, El-Rufai’s camp denied any connection to the event, saying that the publication was making “false imputations” against him.

The statement said, “Any objective reader would see the clear intent behind these statements: to hurt his reputation and justify his continued detention.”

The camp said that the report was made on purpose to hurt his reputation and hurt his chances of getting bail.

El-Rufai said he was innocent and that he was a law-abiding citizen with no connection to the alleged attack.

He said that his lawyers had been told to start a lawsuit for defamation against the newspaper in question.

The statement went on to say that the former governor has been the target of a long-running campaign of “innuendos and vilification” since 2023.

It warned against using the legal system in the wrong way and stressed the importance of following the law.

The statement went on to say, “El-Rufai should be given the full due process that every citizen is guaranteed by law, and the constant violation of his rights must stop right away.”

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Peter Obi’s media office has denied reports that the former governor of Anambra State asked Rotimi Amaechi to step down for him before the 2027 presidential election.

The Obi Media Office said in a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar that the meeting was part of ongoing talks with important members of the African Democratic Congress.

“Obi is known for treating everyone with respect, including Amaechi.” The statement said, “The visit was meant to bring the party together.”

The media office said that Obi did not beg Amaechi to drop out of the race.

“Obi never asked Amaechi to step down for him at any point during their conversation. “Obi told Amaechi that he was running for the ADC ticket and asked for his help,” said Umar.

He also said that Amaechi made his point clear during the meeting.

“Amaechi also told Obi that he was running for the party’s ticket. The statement said, “They agreed to work together for the good of the party and the country.”

The clarification comes at a time when there are more political talks than usual after the ADC’s national convention, which David Mark led.

Obi and Amaechi are two of the main candidates for the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections.

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Chief Michael Aondoakaa, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, has left the All Progressives Congress, or APC.

In a statement he personally signed and made accessible to reporters in Makurdi on Sunday, Aondoakaa announced his resignation.

Aondoakaa was one of the top candidates for the APC governorship in Benue State prior to his resignation, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He claimed that the resignation, which went into effect on March 28, was the result of thorough consideration and long discussions with his family, political associates, and supporters.

He clarified that while he valued the chance to help the party expand while he was a member, he had to resign due to specific current conditions.

“The current situation has forced me to take this action in the best interests of my people and democratic values, even though I am still appreciative of the opportunity to serve and contribute to the party’s growth at various levels during my membership,” he stated.

The former minister also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praising his visionary leadership and the assistance provided to Benue State when he was in office.

He assured the president of his unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and said, “I wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the visionary leadership he has continued to provide for our nation as well as for the support and attention which Benue has enjoyed under his administration.”

Aondoakaa also expressed gratitude to Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, for what he called the excellent leadership he has given the APC in Benue State.

“I assure him of my enduring respect and acknowledge his role in shaping the political landscape of our dear state,” he continued.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership and members in Ushongo Local Government Area, throughout Benue State, and elsewhere for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure in the APC.

Aondoakaa asked his allies and followers to maintain composure, peace, and steadfastness, but he did not reveal his next political move.

“In due course, we will communicate a new direction aimed at salvaging and repositioning Benue in the best interest of our people,” he declared.

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Daboikiabo Warmate, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has reaffirmed that the party will not support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

According to reports, Warmate stated in an appearance on Trust TV that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike made the personal decision to back Tinubu.

After zoning the presidency to the South, Warmate insisted that the PDP run its own candidate.

“That position to support President Tinubu is just a personal position of the FCT Minister,” he declared. It’s not the party’s stance.

“We will develop a presidential candidate from the top, according to the PDP perspective. Therefore, neither the presidential contender nor the current APC president are being considered.

“We will produce our candidate as a party. According to Wike’s stance, it is his own opinion and he has the right to hold it.

“But what PDP stands for is that, after zoning the presidency to the south and taking into account what caused this crisis, we should produce a credible candidate from the south.”

In the meantime, the PDP’s National Executive Committee is holding an emergency meeting in the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja under the direction of the Tanimu Turaki National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees, which is presided over by Adolphus Wabara.

The purpose of the conference, which is the third of its kind this week, is to settle internal party conflicts, especially those pertaining to the proposed national convention put forth by the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohamed.

Reconciliation efforts between the PDP’s opposing sections have been at the center of discussions, according to party leaders.

At a similar gathering on Wednesday, Turaki revealed that the group led by him was still amenable to reconciliation and mentioned that talks to end the conflict were making encouraging headway.

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Reports that Governor Abdullahi Sule met in secret with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the smaller Hajj have been refuted by the Nasarawa State Government.

Additionally, the administration denied reports that the governor promised financial assistance to fund campaigns to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the general elections of 2027.

Ibrahim Addra, the governor’s chief press secretary, called the report “completely false” in a statement.

“A complete fabrication, false in its entirety, and did not happen,” he said.

He emphasized that throughout the religious exercise, Governor Sule did not meet with Atiku or any of his friends.

The governor has frequently used public forums to praise President Tinubu’s leadership and reiterate his allegiance to the government, according to the statement.

It further said that Sule’s recognized political affiliation had not changed.

Unidentified political actors were accused by the Nasarawa State Government of trying to damage the governor-president relationship.

However, it stated that it was confident that such attempts would fail.

Paul Ibe, Atiku’s spokesperson, was quoted in the statement as saying he was not aware of any such meeting.

The state administration reaffirmed that governors elected on the All Progressives Congress platform are still unified in their support of President Tinubu.

In the run-up to the 2027 elections, it further stated that no amount of misinformation would erode their dedication or allegiance.

According to reports, the explanation was made soon after information surfaced on a purported encounter between Atiku and the governor of Nasarawa State in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the recent smaller hajj (Umrah).

The meeting allegedly happened on March 11, 2026, over an iftar supper during the holy month of Ramadan at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel in Mecca, according to a report published in Peoples Gazette.

The discussion, according to the report’s sources, lasted roughly two hours and was centered on political developments leading up to the 2027 presidential election.

According to the report, the meeting’s main focus was on potential political cooperation to remove President Bola Tinubu from office in the 2027 election.

Atiku, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is reportedly thinking about running for president again.

According to sources cited in the story, Governor Sule promised to assist Atiku in gaining votes in Nasarawa State and voiced support for his aspiration.

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Jupiter Ltd. has been charged by the Federal Government of organizing a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.

According to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the purported action was intended to deceive the international community about the termination of certain mineral licenses and undermine ongoing reforms in the mining industry.

Segun Tomori, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development’s Special Assistant on Media, denied allegations that Nigeria had taken control of a British lithium project while it was under armed guard in a statement released on Sunday, March 15. He called the accusation untrue and deceptive.

Tomori emphasized that Nigerian mining regulations prohibit foreign firms from directly holding mineral titles and stated that the Federal Government had no legal or contractual link with any company such as Jupiter Lithium.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has learned that Jupiter Ltd., a struggling mining company, intends to launch a campaign of defamation against the Federal Government of Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom,” the statement said.

“Earlier this week, in a publication headed ‘Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard,’ Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, wrote a response to what we called a tissue of lies sponsored by Jupiter Ltd.

“In Nigeria’s Mining Sector, The Law Is No Respecter of Persons,” our answer, detailed the actions of Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose mining business ultimately faced the full force of the law.

According to the government, the dispute started after Basin Mining Ltd., a Nigerian business connected to Australian Steve Davis, had its mineral titles revoked.

The government claims that the company’s failure to fulfill its statutory financial requirements under Nigeria’s mining legislation was the reason for the revocation.

According to Tomori, Basin Mining Ltd. lost the titles for not paying ₦2.494 billion in mandatory annual service fees for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML were covered by the unpaid payments; these titles were revoked after the corporation was given due notice in accordance with current regulations.

Additionally, the ministry denied allegations that the licenses were transferred to a Chinese company, characterizing them as a fabrication meant to deceive the public and the global community.

Additionally, it claimed that Davis owned stakes in a number of Nigerian mining firms, such as Comet Minerals Ltd., Basin Mining Ltd., Range Mining Ltd., Northern Numero Ltd., Sunrise Minerals Ltd., and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

According to the ministry, speculators frequently exploited these methods to obtain mineral titles without actually conducting mining operations. The government also claimed that this practice has led to dormant mining licenses and illicit mining activities in the nation.

Tomori declared, “The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company.”

“We are steadfast in our resolve to make the mining industry a significant contributor to the GDP of the country.”

According to reports, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been invited by Charles III to visit the United Kingdom on March 18 and 19, 2026. The Nigerian leader would be hosted at Windsor Castle.

Strengthening diplomatic and economic links between the two nations, particularly collaboration in commerce, investment, security, and migration, is anticipated to be the main goal of the visit.

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According to Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, millions of Nigerians are changing their political affiliations out of simple need, stating that their main priority is to survive.

When Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku’s statement was issued by his media office.

The increasing number of governors from the opposition joining the ruling party was condemned by him.

The Bola Tinubu administration is using state institutions to harass rivals in an effort to push the nation closer to a one-party system, according to Atiku, who said that the wave of defections is more a result of political intimidation and growing pressure than of true support.

Using rising food prices, growing poverty, declining security, and mass unemployment as evidence of inefficient economic management, Atiku insisted that intimidation methods could not divert attention from the dire economic realities facing the populace.

“Ordinary Nigerians are switching political parties because they are struggling to survive, while certain governors may do so to safeguard their personal interests.

“Governors may defect in order to protect themselves. Because they want to survive, millions of Nigerians are defecting, according to Atiku.

He questioned what the APC will run on in 2027 and asked people not to confuse political cross-carpeting with popularity.

“In 2027, would the APC run a campaign focused on hunger or hardship? Desperation? He enquired.

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The impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, will proceed as scheduled, the Rivers State House of Assembly announced on Friday.

At the resumed plenary on Friday, the parliamentarians unanimously decided to look into the claims of egregious misbehavior against Fubara and his deputy.

They concurred that the accusations made against them need to move on to the following stage of inquiry.

According to reports, Speaker Martins Amaewhule presided over the meeting.

In accordance with the resolution, the legislators demanded that the state’s chief judge form a commission to look into the claims of egregious misconduct made against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Amaewhule said, “This voting clearly shows the decision of the House,” and he urged the state’s chief judge to form an investigative panel.

At a press conference earlier on Friday, four lawmakers who had previously withdrawn from the impeachment process accused the governor of violating the 1999 Constitution and claimed that the parliament had no choice but to exercise its legislative authority by removing him from office.

They also said that Fubara lacked the trust necessary to deal with the state’s crisis and accused him of extortion.

They claim that by their actions thus far, the Governor and his Deputy have indicated that they are not interested in a peace process but rather wish to scare the Assembly into abandoning the impeachment procedure while they carry out their acts of impunity.

As a result, they ruled that the impeachment procedure had to proceed as scheduled.

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