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2027: Martha Agba South-South APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu for Second Term

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Prominent political leader Martha Agba joined key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benin City for a high-level South-South Stakeholders Meeting, where the region formally reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the 2027 general elections. The strategic gathering brought together a formidable coalition of APC faithful, including Governors of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, and Cross River States, zonal party executives, and former governors—most notably Senator Ben Ayade of Cross River State. The President of the Senate led a robust delegation of National Assembly members from the region, underscoring growing internal unity and the APC’s preparedness to retain national leadership. Addressing the gathering, Martha Agba restated her unwavering support for President Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, pledging to continue mobilizing grassroots support for their re-election efforts. She also used the platform to encourage young women across the South-South to take active roles in politics, urging them to prepare for elective positions in 2027. “Inclusive participation is essential for a truly representative democracy,” she said. The meeting concluded with the Senate President delivering the closing remarks and reading a communiqué in which the APC South-South leaders unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their candidate for a second term. With this endorsement, the APC aims to consolidate its base across the South-South, rallying support amid a tightening race as opposition forces also mobilize nationwide.

2027: ADC Coalition Leaders Begin Grassroots Mobilisation Nationwide

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Published: July 6, 2025 | By Kamal Yalwa As Nigeria’s 2027 general elections draw closer, the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition has officially begun grassroots mobilisation efforts across the country. The coalition’s interim national chairman, Senator David Mark, and national secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, have returned to their respective states—Benue and Osun—to galvanise support from local political bases. According to sources within the party, each coalition leader has been assigned a geo-political zone for mobilisation. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will lead mobilisation efforts in the North East, Mark in the North Central, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai in the North West. In the southern regions, Peter Obi will coordinate activities in the South East, Rotimi Amaechi in the South-South, and Aregbesola in the South West. While Mark’s presence in Benue coincided with a family event, insiders say he is expected to meet local political stakeholders. Aregbesola, meanwhile, was welcomed by loyalists as he transited through Lagos to Osun State. Atiku reportedly met with ADC leaders from Gombe State in Abuja last Friday, indicating an intensifying momentum. Confirming the developments, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said coalition leaders had been directed to consult widely within their zones and would reconvene in Abuja in two weeks to assess progress. Other key politicians such as Maina Waziri in Yobe and Emeka Ihedioha in Imo have also begun rallying support in their respective states. The official unveiling of the ADC-led coalition in Abuja last Wednesday sent ripples across Nigeria’s political landscape, especially as the PDP and Labour Party remain entangled in internal leadership crises. Prominent political figures—including Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, and Senator David Mark—attended the coalition’s unveiling, signalling a serious opposition challenge to the ruling APC. While APC officials have downplayed the coalition, Senator Mark declared that the ADC alliance is committed to rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges. Political watchers are divided. While some believe the coalition’s political heavyweights still wield considerable influence, others warn the ruling party not to underestimate the opposition’s grassroots potential. Former APC Abuja chairman Sunny Moniedafe noted that widespread hardship could make the 2027 elections unpredictable, while Senator Abubakar Girei dismissed the coalition as a group of “disgruntled politicians” with no clear ideology. Still, groups like the Arewa Youths for the Sustenance of Democracy caution the APC against complacency, describing the coalition as politically savvy with nationwide reach. Responding to critics, Atiku’s aide Hon. Oladimeji Fabiyi maintained that the coalition has strong grassroots appeal and national credibility, backed by the political clout of its members. As mobilisation accelerates, one thing is clear—Nigeria’s political scene is heating up fast, and the ADC coalition is shaping up to be a formidable force in the 2027 race.

Ex-Lawmaker Demands Reversal of FCT Nomination in North Central Development Commission Over Indigeneity Concerns

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Micah Yohanna Jiba, has sparked fresh debate by calling for the reversal of Mr. Solomon Adodo’s nomination as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) representative on the newly approved North Central Development Commission board, citing concerns over marginalization and federal character violations. Hon. Jiba, who represented the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the FCT, contended that Adodo hails from Benue State and therefore cannot represent the interests of the FCT. He described the nomination as a continuation of systemic exclusion, alleging that the FCT was the only part of the North Central zone left without a native representative on the Commission. “The FCT is an integral part of the North Central zone and has nowhere else to go. Our people deserve proper representation,” Jiba said, urging the federal government to reverse the appointment in line with the principle of fairness and inclusion enshrined in the federal character framework. He referenced past instances where public outcry led to nomination reversals and called on President Bola Tinubu to act in accordance with his “Renewed Hope” agenda, which promises inclusivity and equitable representation. Jiba warned that allowing the appointment to stand could set a dangerous precedent for the continued marginalization of FCT indigenes in federal appointments. “The outcome of this matter will have significant implications for the representation of the FCT and the principle of federal character,” he concluded. The call for a reversal adds to growing tensions around equitable representation in national institutions, especially for the FCT, which often finds itself politically sidelined despite its central role in national governance.

Killings in North Central: Govt has failed us –MBF

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

The President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, has poignantly asserted that the killing of 574 persons in the North Central Zone by criminal elements in the last six months has shown the failure of governance, noting that the people must learn to defend themselves. Pogu regretted that such killings had been happening over the years. “We have lamented over and over again. We have told government over and over again what to do, how to do things, but it continues unabated. “Lately, we got some wind of relief when the DSS DG, said that the first line of defence should be community-based. “Just as we have jointly stated with our southern friends, Afenifere, Ohanaeze and PANDEF, the lamentation period is over. I think these people need to be taught the lesson they deserve. The military is overstretched, and deliberately, they have been deprived of some basic modern technology; they are even ambushed. These people use anti aircraft guns, which have farther reach than their military standard AK-47; and we see them even raiding and displacing military formations. So, the technique the military has been using since the time of former President Jonathan is staying in one place and waiting for these people to come and attack, but we told them that they have to go and fish these criminals out for us to have the ungoverned spaces free of them. “Lately, when this government came in, we thought that was going to be the case because we saw some action in the Northwest in particular, but in the Middle Belt, it has not changed. “We need to believe in ourselves as the government has failed and when there is a failure in governance, the people have to take action. “Yes, we don’t have sophisticated weapons, but just wait and see, we will defend ourselves,” Pogu said.