A lawyer in Enugu State, Aroh Dominic, has warned the national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, not to declare candidates for elective positions in the state, citing irregularities in the party’s primary elections.

It said the warning comes amid increasing controversy over the results of the NDC primaries held last week. The spotlight is now on the party’s national secretariat which is expected to come out with the final list of candidates.

Aroh, who wrote on behalf of an NDC member, Idoko Chidozie, alleged in a letter to the National Chairman of the party that no primary election was held in Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions.

Party members had gathered at designated venues in both local government areas expecting to participate in the primaries but no party officials turned up to conduct the exercise, the lawyer said.

He said there are aspirants and supporters of the party, but there are no party officials to conduct a valid primary election.

Others later organised separate exercises which officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the police and other relevant agencies reportedly said would not be recognised, Aroh also alleged.

The lawyer said if the party tries to announce candidates for the affected posts, it would be taken to court.

He also accused the party of parading candidates when it was alleged that it did not conduct primaries in the two local government areas.

It demanded an explanation from the party within 24 hours and warned of legal action in the event of the demands not being met.

Among the reliefs being sought are the refund of monies allegedly paid by aspirants, sanctions against those responsible for the alleged irregularities and an order preventing any beneficiary of the process from being recognised as a candidate.

The NDC national leadership has however not authenticated any list of successful candidates from Enugu State.

A faction of the party in the state, led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih, had earlier released a list of winners after the primaries, while another faction is led by Ibuchukwu Obetta. Neither list has received official endorsement from the national leadership.

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Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) citing alleged irregularities in the party’s just concluded primaries.

Lawal was quoted as alleging in a statement on Monday, June 1, 2026 that the primaries were heavily compromised in favour of the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar.

He said the process was rigged to produce pre-determined outcomes, undermining fairness and internal democracy in the party.

The alleged irregularities were unacceptable, said the ex-SGF, who conveyed his decision to leave the ADC.

“I am leaving the ADC because its primaries just ended were rigged at all levels in favour of Kachalla Abubakar Atiku,” Lawal said.

He also blamed party stakeholders for keeping quiet over the alleged flaws in the process.

“I sense a conspiracy of silence of which I want no part. ‘Most of the members of the party are acting like this is the normal thing to do,’ he added.

Lawal, who left the PDP, also announced his opposition to Atiku’s alleged presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said backing the former Vice-President could indirectly boost President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election.

He also asked about the political leaning of the opposition people supporting Atiku, stressing that the choice of who leads should be based on competence and national interest, not sentiment or loyalty.

Lawal said he will be taking a break from active political engagements. He said that he would consult with allies on the next direction of his political engagement.

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A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has lambasted former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, following his recent political defeats.

It was stated that Odinkalu said Omo-Agege could not have envisioned his current condition when he was tied to the contentious removal of the Senate mace in 2018.

He made the remarks in a post on 𝕏 on Sunday.

Odinkalu said Omo-Agege had suffered multiple political losses within one week, including his exit from the All Progressives Congress and defeats in senatorial primaries in two different parties.

He added, “Leadership is a voluntary thing, and there is no joy when those who do or seek it for the right reasons get denied repeatedly. But that is when they pursue it for the right reasons.

“When @OvieOmoAgege burgled the mace of @SenateNGR to prove his readiness to do anything for @OfficialAPCNg, he hardly reckoned with a week like this past one.”

The human rights lawyer stated the former deputy Senate president had been politically displaced within a short period.

“In one week, he has been constructively booted out of the #APC & lost 2 Senate primaries in 2 different parties – one to a man; another to a woman,” he said.

‘Power Is Transient’ – Odinkalu
Odinkalu, however, admitted that Omo-Agege played a vital role in strengthening the APC in Delta State.

“The irony of it all is that Omo-Agege is arguably the person who gave the APC a credible change in Delta State,” he wrote.

He stated that the development illustrated the ephemeral nature of political authority.

“For many who have grown fat on the humbug of #Nigerian power, the #TinubuSystem is handing out rewards indiscriminately. It is a painful reminder of the transience of power,” Odinkalu added.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday recorded peaceful turn out as it concluded its nationwide presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries, recording what the party described as massive participation across the country.

Aspirants contested in direct primaries and affirmation exercises in several states on Thursday and Friday, which saw a large turnout of party members and supporters as part of the exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC, in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the primaries were largely peaceful, transparent and well coordinated notwithstanding initial logistical concerns caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays and transportation challenges.

The party said officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies including the Police and the Department of State Services monitored the exercise in many locations to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines and to maintain public order.

“Many of the voting centres were a festive atmosphere with chants, solidarity songs and jubilant supporters showing confidence in the party’s vision and leadership.

“The successful conduct of the primaries was another major milestone in the steady growth of the NDC as a formidable national political movement committed to democratic participation, credible leadership and national renewal” NDC said.

Reports from across the federation showed orderly voting and affirmation processes, the statement said, while stakeholders commended the conduct of aspirants and supporters during the exercise.

The party also described as a new strategy to strengthen internal democracy and increase political participation, its decision to allow aspirants to participate in the primaries before buying nomination forms.

Under the arrangement, only successful candidates that emerge from the primaries would be allowed to buy nomination forms.

The effort has been praised by observers and supporters as among the first of its kind in the country’s political process.

Supporters chanting solidarity songs and expressing confidence in the party’s leadership and vision were said to have made the mood festive at several voting centres.

The NDC leadership also described the successful conduct of the exercise as another milestone in the party’s bid to position itself as a major political force ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party said the National Working Committee would collate the results from the states and make official announcement from the national headquarter.

The turn-out witnessed in the primaries, it said showed the increasing public interest in the NDC which could further boost the party’s momentum ahead of future electoral contests.

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Osa Director, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, says no aspirant should be denied the opportunity to participate in the party’s primaries in any part of the country.

The Director who made the statement today said all aspirants that scaled through the screening process have been properly cleared and are therefore qualified to participate in the primaries.

He said any attempt by any state chapter or party official to stop a duly cleared aspirant from participating in the exercise is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

He added that the NDC continues to be a progressive and people-centred political party that is committed to the principles of accountability, transparency, fairness, and inclusivity.

The spokesman cautioned that it is not acceptable for any arm of the party’s administrative structure to act against the core values and guiding principles.

“The NDC’s Screening and Selection Committees have been informed of reports alleging that some aspirants are being prevented from partaking in the ongoing party primaries across the country.

“We want to make it clear and categorical that all the aspirants that scaled through the screening process have been cleared and therefore qualified to contest the primaries.

“Therefore, all party members and officials at all levels are directed to ensure that the primaries are conducted in a peaceful, transparent and strictly in accordance with the constitution, guidelines and regulations of the party.

“Primaries for the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections will hold in all parts of the country on May 29, 2026.

“Aspirants are further advised to note that, aside from the State Assembly primaries, which will hold within the respective constituency areas, all other primaries shall hold at the local government level as earlier communicated by the party,” the statement read.

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Some former members of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet seem to have made bold political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections but for some it is a risky gamble.

Some ministers had resigned from the Federal Executive Council after a directive from the Presidency directing political appointees with aspirations for elective offices to resign before participating in the All Progressives Congress primaries.

But some of the former ministers have now lost their cabinet posts as well as their bids to secure party tickets.

So far only two of the five former ministers who resigned have been given APC tickets.

They are former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu.

Onyejeocha and Sununu won the APC tickets in Abia and Kebbi states respectively, while Adelabu, Alkali and Tuggar lost their bids or have an uncertain political future.

Adelabu drops out of Oyo ticket
Adelabu resigned as Minister of Power to contest for the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State.

However, he was defeated in the primary election by Senator Sarafadeen Alli.

Adelabu scored 19,193 votes while Alli scored 578,143 votes.

Adelabu had earlier dismissed reports that President Tinubu was supporting Alli ahead of the primary.

“Anyone who claims they met with the president and that he endorsed someone is a liar,” he said.

The former minister said he delayed his resignation from the cabinet to meet the President, adding that Tinubu encouraged him to pursue his governorship ambition.

‘Bayo,’ he said to me, ‘it is time. It’s a time-honoured ambition. You might not be stopped. “Go and resign and start work,” Adelabu said.

“If the president was going to back anybody, it would be me,” he said.

Adelabu lost the primary and rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation and manipulation during the exercise.

Alkali Places Third In Gombe
Former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, also resigned to contest for the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State.

He lost the primary to Jamilu Gwamna, who was said to have the backing of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Later, Alkali refused to participate in the process, claiming it was neither fair nor credible.

He eventually came third in the primary behind former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami.

Pantami polled 12,120 votes to emerge first runner-up, while Alkali got 11,612 votes.

The Chairman of the election committee, Senator Abubakar Danladi, announced the results. He said the committee received written notices of withdrawal from Pantami and Alkali.

But the withdrawal letters had been received after the electoral process had started and the candidates’ names had been printed on the ballot papers, so votes were still being cast for them, he said.

Tuggar Loses Bauchi Primary
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has resigned before the deadline of March 31.

On March 30, 2026, he formally submitted his letter of resignation to the Government of the Federation via the Office of the Secretary.

“Today, I formally submitted my resignation letter as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in accordance with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the provisions of the Electoral Act,” he said.

“This resignation marks the end of a chapter of significant service,” Tuggar said.

“I appreciate the President for the trust and opportunity to serve under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and to contribute to advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy through the 4D Doctrine,” he said.

The former minister who represented Gamawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2007 and later served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 lost the Bauchi APC governorship ticket to former governor Mohammed Abubakar.

“Abubakar scored 57,517 votes while Tuggar scored 26,001 votes,” said AIG John Bassey Abang (retd.), Chairman of the APC governorship election committee in Bauchi.

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Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia has called for unity in the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging aggrieved members of the party to embrace reconciliation and work together for the progress of the state.

“There are differences within the party but unity is important for collective success,” the governor said during an interview on Arise News.

“I think every service has to go back to the people. It is the people who get you on board. “We can’t be here without the people,” he said.

He added that leaders must be accountable to citizens and carry everybody along in governance.

“It is very critical that as they are very vital in putting us in those positions, they are the government in a way and we must be listening to them. “We have to work for them and with them,” he said.

Alia admitted there are divisions within the APC in Benue State but said efforts have been made to reconcile stakeholders.

“I know it is one APC in the state but we cannot deny the fact that there are some differences. That is a fact,” he added.

He said a number of reconciliation meetings have been called involving major stakeholders to ease tensions in the party.

“As the state leader of the party, I led the way in calling and inviting all major stakeholders to be part of our reconciliatory meetings. They came, we talked,” he said.

The message during the meetings was clear, he said, urging both aggrieved and satisfied members to prioritise unity.

“Those who are wounded must let go and those who are aggrieved must show restraint so that we can move forward and support this movement,” he said.

Alia also said that unity is needed to boost the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections and governance goals in the state.

Recall that the APC governorship primary election conducted on Thursday has announced the winner as Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.

The announcement came after the conclusion of voting and collation of results from various centres across the state, with party officials confirming his victory after the exercise.

The post ‘Those Wounded Must Let Go’ – Gov Alia Speaks After Winning APC Return Ticket appeared first on TheNigerian.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Katsina State has endorsed Governor Dikko Radda as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The affirmation exercise was held on Thursday under the supervision of officials from the party’s national headquarters.

Dr Yakubu Maccido, Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the Governorship Consensus Exercise, said 160 delegates unanimously affirmed Radda as the party’s candidate.

Maccido said that in line with the provision of the Electoral Act and the APC guidelines, a sole aspirant must be affirmed by a voice vote of delegates.

He later announced Radda as the APC consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Katsina State.

The committee chairman also handed over declaration of result forms for other elective positions to party leaders.

Alhaji Datti Garba, the APC Zonal National Vice Chairman, lauded party members for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the consensus.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir said Katsina is one of the states where a consensus option was adopted without a crisis.

Former Katsina Governor Aminu Masari called on party faithful and aspirants who could not achieve their aspirations to support Radda and work for the unity and victory of the party.

Also speaking, Chairman of Reconciliation Committee, Masari, urged the governor to carry all stakeholders along in the administration and affairs of the party.

He described the process in Katsina as successful and exemplary when compared to what obtained in some other states.

The former governor called on APC stakeholders across the state to start mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the mobilisation was necessary to ensure the victory of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Radda and all APC candidates during the elections.

He also called on all residents of the state to come out en masse to vote for APC, describing Katsina as a stronghold of the party.

In his acceptance speech, Radda thanked Almighty Allah for sparing his life to see the event.

He thanked party leaders, stakeholders and members for giving him the opportunity to seek re-election without a contest.

Radda assured party faithfuls that he would justify the confidence reposed on him and work tirelessly for the success of APC at all levels.

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The conduct and results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives and Senate primaries in Kogi State have been called a major embarrassment by supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly.

According to reports, Senator Natasha’s media adviser, Samuel Idoko, said in an interview with reporters in Abuja that the voting process was unruly and badly run.

Idoko emphasized that the post-primary turmoil had revealed the ruling party’s disarray and lack of readiness to continue governing the country.

“The irregularities seen during the APC primaries, from the House of Representatives elections down to the Senate primaries, are a huge embarrassment to a party that claims to be the ruling party,” he declared. Nigerians and Kogites have witnessed a lack of internal democracy, confusion, and manipulation.

Citing ongoing corruption proceedings with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Idoko also called the APC screening committee’s decision to allow former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to run for the Senate unexpected and unsatisfactory.

“The most shocking aspect is the clearance granted to former Governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently facing serious corruption cases with the EFCC, to contest for Senate,” he said. It seriously undermines the APC’s credibility and demonstrates the party’s disregard for responsibility.

Idoko, who is running on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform for a seat in the Kogi State House of Assembly, claimed that his party’s prospects in the state had improved due to growing discontent within the APC.

He pointed out that the PDP was prepared to run for important seats in the State House of Assembly and the Senate, and that it was gathering support at the local level in Kogi East and Kogi Central.

“The PDP benefits from all these developments,” he continued. The populace is eager for change and is worn out. The PDP is well-positioned to win elections in Kogi East and Kogi Central, including seats in the State House of Assembly and the Senate.

Idoko emphasized that the PDP was dedicated to saving the state from poor leadership and political injustice, and he asked party members and citizens to stick together before the elections.

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A former contestant for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Mahmud Sadis Buba, popularly known as Abin Al-Ajabin Zazzau, has stepped down.

It was reported Saturday that Buba announced his withdrawal in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

The statement was titled, “Re: Voluntary Withdrawal from Race for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, House of Representatives.”

Buba said the decision came after consultations with family members, political associates and party stakeholders.

“Accept this letter as formal notification that I am withdrawing from the race for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, with immediate effect,” he said.

“This was a hard choice. But it was accelerated by the reconciliation efforts of our stakeholders and leaders of our party.”

The former aspirant said his withdrawal was intended to strengthen unity within the All Progressives Congress ahead of the general election.

He said, “I want to thank the leader of our party, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, CON, and the leadership of the party in Kaduna State for the opportunity I have had to participate in the nomination process.

He asked his supporters to stay calm and back the party’s eventual candidate.

“I appeal to my supporters to remain calm, united and throw their full weight behind the party’s decision and whoever emerges as the party’s candidate,” he said.

His withdrawal comes amid public debate over allegations of age falsification involving conflicting documents circulating online, although no official indictment has been made against him.

Buba recently appeared before APC screening officials, where he said he was 30 years old, the firstborn of nine siblings, and joined the race after calls from his community to serve.

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