Politics
2027: ALLEGED PLANS TO RESTRAIN OPPOSITION PARTIES RECIPE FOR CRISIS — GROUP
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State has disowned the list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing those named as imposters with no mandate of the party.
The state chairman of the party, Dr John Ogar, who made the position of the party known in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar at the weekend, alleged that the individuals on the list emerged from what he called illegal congresses and an unconstitutional convention.
“The individuals listed for Cross River do not represent our party. They are imposters belonging to a rogue faction whose actions fundamentally contradict the principles and values the ADC stands for,” Dr Ogar alleged..
According to the statement, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal had nullified the processes that produced the disputed candidates and awarded costs against the faction.
He further alleged that rather than pursue reconciliation, the faction filed for a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal and has been seeking adjournments to delay hearing, while withholding information from the “Legacy ADC.”
The chairman traced the crisis to a breach of the 30/70 percent integration agreement and the imposition of what he described as “an unelected Caretaker Committee system” in violation of the ADC Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the 1999 Constitution.
Dr Ogar explained that the matter has been taken to the Supreme Court to “rescue the democratic process and protect innocent citizens who may have been misled.”
He further alleged that the faction may be working with external interests to frustrate opposition politics in the state.
The chairman warned members of the public and party supporters against dealing with the group.
Citing the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, the constitution and subsisting court judgments, he alleged that the “David Mark-led group” lacks the legal authority to submit candidates to INEC for the 2026 general elections.
“We promised the people of Cross River that we will fight political impunity, and we remain fully committed to that promise,” Dr Ogar added.
The ADC expressed confidence that INEC would comply with subsisting court judgments and the anticipated decision of the Supreme Court.
BAYELSA APC PROMISES WOMEN GROUP INCLUSION, COLLABORATION
The Bayelsa State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Warman Ogoriba, has expressed the party’s readiness to collaborate with the state chapter of the Business Women of Influence for Renewed Hope Agenda (BWIRHA) in the area of inclusivity and the promotion of the ideals of the association which are in tandem with the policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
Hon Ogoriba stated this when the state and the local government areas executives led by Comrade Peace Fekumo Sinclair paid Him a courtesy visit at the APC secretariat in Yenagoa.
Describing the APC as one big indivisible family that is always ready to accommodate people and associations that resonates with the policies of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, as well as acknowledging the vital role of women in politics, the chairman expressed confidence in the capabilities of the group to deliver APC in the state in the next general election.
Hon Ogoriba described the group as exceptional in its vision, mission and purpose, urging them to stay focused to the promotion of the goals of the association, just as he advised them to ensure they have their PVCs and APC membership cards ahead of the elections.
Earlier, the state coordinator of the Business Women for Renewed Hope Agenda, Comrade Peace Fekumo Sinclair, said the reason for the visit was to formally introduce the association to the state leadership of the APC, adding that the membership of the association cut across all walks of life in the thirty-six states of the Federation.
She explained that the state chapter of the association, with a membership of over five thousand women, is into community development, grassroots mobilization among others across all the local government areas in Bayelsa State.
She sought the recognition and integration of the association into the APC Women structures in the state, noting that the association was fully poised to give necessary support and help the APC achieve victory in the forth coming elections.
The highpoint of the visit was the promise by the state party chairman to attend to the demands of the association, which he demonstrated with the express approval of the use of the party secretariat hall by the association for their meetings.
This is as the Commission, on Saturday, released the names and particulars of governorship candidates and their running mates across the country.
The publication, contained in Form EC9, was pasted at INEC headquarters across the states, effectively ending uncertainty over candidates that will fly the flags of the major political parties in the country.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) dominated the lists, which contain the ages of candidates, their educational backgrounds and other credentials.
With the release, the commission has formally opened a new phase of the 2027 electoral process, with campaigns for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections expected to begin in September 2026 and end on February 4, 2027.
According to the INEC timetable, the 2027 governorship and state House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6.
It was gathered that 16 candidates will contest the Oyo State governorship seat.
The APC candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, will battle Governor Seyi Makinde-backed Bimbo Adekambi of the APM and Yinusa Ayandare of the African Democratic Party (ADP).
In Lagos, 17 candidates, including the state’s current Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat of the APC, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the ADC, are contesting the governorship seat.
In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani of the APC will face 17 other contestants, while Kebbi State has 14 governorship candidates.
In Delta State, 16 candidates are battling for the state’s top political seat.
No fewer than 19 political parties will also participate in the Sokoto State governorship election.
In Kwara, 12 governorship candidates will participate in the election.
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who is the candidate of the APC, will slug it out with the PDP candidate, Bolakale Kawu, and 10 others.
Similarly, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, is being challenged by 15 other governorship candidates in the state.
For Bauchi State, 19 candidates were listed by INEC as individuals eyeing to succeed Governor Bala Muhammed.
Among the candidates is a female politician, Lami Babageidam of the Zenith Labour Party.
Also, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, will be contending with five other governorship candidates, including a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa of the PDP.
In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf of the APC will contest against the other governorship candidates, including that of the NDC, Aminu Gwarzo, the Labour Party’s Mohammed Raji, and the PDP’s Muhammad Dalhatu.
For Rivers State, 19 governorship candidates will participate in the election.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 17 governorship candidates have emerged in Gombe State as disclosed by INEC Public Affairs Officer, Mohorret Bigun.
In Ogun, 13 political parties fielded candidates for the governorship election.
The candidates include Solomon Adeola of the APC, Oladipupo Adebutu of the PDP, and Jimi Lawal of ADC.
Similarly, INEC unveiled 14 candidates for the Jigawa State governorship election.
For Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru will slug it out with the PDP governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, and other contenders. Odii was Nwifuru’s major challenger in the 2023 governorship poll.
Mr El-Rufai made the statement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, saying that even if his father emerged from his ongoing ordeal like Indian nationalist Mahatma Gandhi and chose to forgive his opponents, he would not do the same.
He declared that he would seek political power with the intention of retaliating against those he accused of targeting his family.
Mr El-Rufai wrote, “Even if my father emerges from his ordeal like Gandhi and forgives and forgets, I won’t.
“I will acquire power somehow for the sole reason of terrorising those (APC) that attacked like wolves upon my family at our weakest. Friend or foe, it won’t matter.
“Caveat: Only @mahmudribadu will be spared. That one is my biological brother. Everyone else is fair game.”
The statement comes amid an apparent family dispute involving Bashir and his brother, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives.
On Friday, Bashir reportedly directed a series of insults at Bello in connection with an undisclosed family disagreement and sibling rivalry.
Meanwhile, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has reportedly spent about 200 days in detention under the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corrupt practices during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.
The former governor has denied wrongdoing, while the allegations remain subject to due legal process.
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