Category: Politics

The Labour Party has denied reports suggesting it is celebrating Peter Obi’s declaration to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform. In a statement released on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party clarified that such claims are “erroneous, inaccurate, and do not reflect the position or mood of the party.” The statement reads, in part: “I was quoted out of context, and the impression conveyed by the media report is misleading. While we are not opposed to any individual seeking the Labour Party’s ticket in the 2027 general election, it must be made categorically clear that the party has an established process for selecting its candidates. An automatic ticket is not one of those routes.” Ifoh reminded Nigerians that the party had previously rescinded its 2024 National Convention decision, which erroneously granted automatic tickets to its 2023 presidential candidate and the only Labour Party governor. He further expressed concern over Obi’s recent appearance at a pro-coalition meeting in Abuja, noting that it was done without the knowledge or consent of the Labour Party leadership. “This is confusing, and it appears that Peter Obi has not fully clarified his intentions for the 2027 presidential race,” Ifoh stated. The Labour Party reaffirmed its stance against any form of coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general election, describing Obi’s continued involvement with coalition activities as “distasteful, unacceptable, and an affront to party leadership.” Ifoh concluded by reiterating that the Labour Party’s presidential ticket remains open to all aspirants: “We are letting Nigerians know that the presidency for 2027 is open to anyone who wants to run under the platform of the Labour Party.” The development adds a new twist to the evolving dynamics within the party ahead of the next general election.

Abuja, Nigeria — May 25, 2025 | The ongoing crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced his withdrawal from all previous agreements reached within the party. In a detailed statement released on Sunday, Wike accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of being the “chief architect” of the party’s internal turmoil, citing breaches of trust and dishonesty among key stakeholders. Wike, who has been a major figure in the PDP’s internal wrangling since the 2023 general elections, revealed that efforts to stabilize the party through a series of high-level reconciliation meetings have been sabotaged. According to him, a critical meeting of the G5 Governors held in Lagos ended with a resolution to move forward, but these agreements were not upheld. He particularly fingered Makinde and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for allegedly orchestrating moves to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, despite a Supreme Court judgment affirming Anyanwu’s position. Wike further alleged that a scheduled PDP Zonal Congress in Jos was aborted because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to attend, citing an invalid invitation signed by the Deputy National Secretary instead of Anyanwu, in violation of legal and procedural norms. “It is disheartening that even before the Bukola Saraki-led Reconciliation Committee could begin its work, the gentleman’s agreement we reached was already being violated,” Wike said. He added, “I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.” The former Rivers State Governor expressed his disappointment in PDP leaders, noting that he had worked tirelessly for the party since 1998 and had contributed to the electoral successes of several governors, including those now undermining him. Wike’s decision is likely to deepen the crisis within the PDP, coming at a time when the party is grappling with leadership disputes and internal factionalism, particularly in the build-up to upcoming elections in Anambra and the North-Central region. The PDP is yet to officially respond to Wike’s latest statement.

In a no-holds-barred interview, fiery activist and opposition figure Omoyele Sowore has unleashed a stinging critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, branding it as worse than Buhari’s and declaring that elections in Nigeria are “rigged and irrelevant.” Sowore, speaking ahead of Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations, dismissed the occasion as meaningless, stating: “There’s nothing to celebrate. Tinubu has done irreparable damage—economically, socially, politically. Buhari killed Nigeria in eight years; Tinubu came, in two years he is burying it.” He described Nigeria’s current system as a “shambolic democracy” where the ideals of free speech, credible elections, and freedom to choose have been “completely destroyed.” On the controversial proposal by the House of Representatives to make voting compulsory, Sowore scoffed at the idea, arguing: “If you have to force people to vote, democracy is dead. It’s not about participation; it’s about cooking up numbers to create fake legitimacy.” Responding to critics who label him as “too radical,” the former presidential candidate shot back: “I don’t think I’m radical enough. Every meaningful change came through radicals. I will not water down my convictions to please people who want me to fit into a box.” Sowore also took a swipe at the so-called opposition, saying most of them are “political mercenaries” with no ideology, just waiting to jump ship for the right price. “There’s no real opposition in Nigeria. They’re all fighting for a share of the loot, not to serve the people,” he stated. On whether he plans to run in 2027, Sowore replied with characteristic defiance: “I’ve never stopped running. But the ballot system is a scam. The only thing that can change Nigeria is rebellion—an uprising, not another sham election.” He ruled out any political alliance with Labour Party or Peter Obi, insisting: “The alliance I care about is with the oppressed. The 50 million voters who don’t show up at the polls—they’re my alliance.” Sowore also blasted Tinubu’s much-touted economic reforms, warning Nigerians not to be fooled: “They say removing fuel subsidy and floating the naira is the ‘hard road to prosperity.’ I say it’s a road to destruction. Prices are rising, the naira is crashing, and the suffering is unbearable.” On former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Sowore dismissed his relevance in Nigerian politics, saying: “Atiku’s time has passed. He’s just hanging around, hoping to be President. That’s all he cares about.” Sowore’s message to Nigerians? “Forget about 2027 elections. Organise, mobilise, and resist. That’s the only way forward.” As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, Sowore’s blistering critique serves as a stark reminder of the deep political discontent in the country—and a warning that without systemic change, the cycle of dysfunction and decay will continue.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has endorsed the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, lauding his performance and affirming he would retain his ministerial role if a new opposition coalition succeeds in removing President Bola Tinubu in 2027. El-Rufai made the statement during the second edition of the Arewa Tech Fest in Katsina, where Tijani delivered the keynote address to a gathering of tech innovators, investors, and policy stakeholders. El-Rufai, a central figure in the emerging opposition alliance, explained that his late arrival at the event was due to a late-night political meeting focused on building a broad coalition to challenge Tinubu’s leadership. “We will still keep Bosun Tijani because he is doing good work,” El-Rufai stated, adding that the coalition’s goal is to “send Tinubu back to Lagos” in the next general election. Having reportedly defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in March, El-Rufai is positioning himself as a key opposition strategist. His comments underscore intensifying political realignments and growing momentum among opposition blocs ahead of the 2027 elections.

LAGOS, MAY 22, 2025 — Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly refuted claims that he met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome to discuss a ₦225 billion debt linked to Fidelity Bank, calling the allegations baseless and malicious. In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi condemned what he described as a growing wave of blackmail targeted at tarnishing his image, particularly by those who profit from spreading disinformation. He noted that even his spiritual visit to Rome had been twisted into “yet another blackmail campaign” orchestrated by individuals allegedly paid to fabricate negativity around him. “One such individual, whose entire life revolves around blackmail, falsely claimed that I went to Rome to have a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Obi said. “These claims are not only baseless and malicious but entirely false.” Clarifying the circumstances of his recent trip to Rome, Obi stated that he only had a brief encounter with Tinubu during a public event. “Let me categorically state that I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office, except for about a one-minute exchange of greetings at Saint Peter’s Basilica during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV,” he explained. According to Obi, he had been in Rome on May 9 to attend the lying in state of Pope Francis and departed directly from Vatican City to London, before returning to Nigeria. He also addressed long-standing rumors that he owns Fidelity Bank. “Throughout my career, I have served as Chairman or Director in three financial institutions, including Fidelity Bank, but I do not own it,” he clarified. “Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders with no majority stakeholder. This blackmail is an attack not just on me, but on these hard-working Nigerians.” Obi concluded his statement with a message to those propagating falsehoods: “May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding to know that we came here with nothing and will go with nothing—that you cannot profit from evil.” The Labour Party leader’s comments come amid increasing online attacks and allegations tied to his public and private dealings, most of which he has consistently denied.