Oshiomhole Speaks on Rumoured Plan to Replace Akpabio as Senate President

Former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed growing speculations linking him to a possible move to become Nigeria’s next Senate President, insisting that his immediate political priority is securing re-election into the National Assembly.

The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the clarification during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday while reacting to claims that he could be positioning himself to eventually replace current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The speculation has intensified in recent weeks amid growing political discussions surrounding the future leadership structure of the Senate ahead of the next election cycle.

However, Oshiomhole said conversations about the Senate presidency are premature because his current tenure as senator representing Edo North is about to expire.

According to him, it would be politically irresponsible and disrespectful to assume victory before going through the democratic process.

“When? Have I been elected yet?” the former Edo governor asked during the live interview.

The senator explained that he had only just begun the process of seeking another term in the Senate and warned against taking the support of voters in Edo North for granted.

Drawing an analogy from family upbringing, Oshiomhole said his parents taught him never to pray for a child before marriage, stressing that political ambitions must follow due process rather than assumptions.

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“My current tenure will end at the end of this session, around June 12 or 13. I have applied for renewal and gone through screening, but I still have to contest the primary election,” he said.

The lawmaker disclosed that he had already undergone screening ahead of the APC primaries but noted that several political hurdles still lie ahead before any future office could even become a discussion.

According to him, winning the APC primary election remains his immediate challenge before thinking about the general election, let alone aspiring to lead the Senate.

“I think we should take it step by step,” he stated. “Right now, my current mandate is about to expire, and I’m working hard to get a renewal of that mandate. I will not join in playing God.”

The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president added that only politicians who overestimate themselves or ignore humility begin projecting themselves into offices they have not yet earned through elections.

Although there has been no official indication that Godswill Akpabio’s seat is under threat, several names have surfaced in recent political conversations as possible contenders should changes occur in the Senate leadership after future elections.

Political observers believe the rumours surrounding Oshiomhole may be connected to his growing influence within the Senate and his outspoken role on national issues since returning to the National Assembly in 2023.

Since his election into the Senate, the former labour leader has remained one of the most vocal lawmakers in the Red Chamber, frequently speaking on economic reforms, governance, labour matters, fuel subsidy removal, and internal APC affairs.

His latest remarks have since generated reactions across political circles and social media, with some supporters interpreting the “step by step” comment as a cautious political response, while others believe it leaves room for future ambition if circumstances change.

Despite the speculation, Oshiomhole maintained that his immediate focus remains retaining the trust and mandate of the people of Edo North.

Neither the Senate leadership nor the APC hierarchy has officially reacted to the speculation as of the time of filing this report.

Oshiomhole Speaks on Rumoured Plan to Replace Akpabio as Senate President

Ohanaeze Tells Peter Obi to Drop 2027 Bid, Support Tinubu

A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Okechukwu Isiguzoro has declared that the quest for an Igbo presidency in 2027 is not achievable under the proposed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the coalition lacks the national strength and political structure needed to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The faction also urged former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to reconsider any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election under the coalition platform and instead support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a statement jointly signed by Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the faction’s National Spokesman, Thompson Ohia, the group claimed that a careful assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape showed that the NDC currently operates more like a regional political movement than a truly national platform.

According to the statement, the coalition is allegedly being driven largely by the political interests of the Ijaw bloc under the influence of former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson.

The faction maintained that the coalition lacks the nationwide structures, grassroots reach and electoral strength required to successfully challenge the APC in the next presidential election.

“In this context, Ohanaeze Ndigbo advises Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, to carefully reconsider contesting the 2027 presidential election under the NDC,” the statement read.

The group argued that achieving an Igbo presidency would require broader national acceptance, strategic alliances across regions and a political platform capable of mobilising support nationwide.

According to the faction, relying on a weak coalition could result in another failed presidential attempt and further reduce the Southeast’s political bargaining power at the national level.

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“We therefore urge Mr. Peter Obi to reconsider his 2027 presidential ambition in the greater interest of the Igbo people,” the statement added.

The group warned that another unsuccessful outing could delay the Southeast’s quest for stronger political inclusion and development.

The statement also referenced recent political consultations involving former Southeast governors, claiming that participants acknowledged the infrastructural projects being executed by President Tinubu’s administration in the region.

The faction specifically mentioned discussions linked to a meeting reportedly coordinated by former Ebonyi State governor and current Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, in Enugu.

According to the group, some political leaders from the Southeast had expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition based on ongoing infrastructure projects and federal presence in the region.

The Ohanaeze faction subsequently appealed to Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support President Tinubu in what it described as the broader interest of the Southeast and the Igbo nation.

The remarks come amid growing coalition talks among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 elections, with several political actors reportedly exploring new alliances aimed at challenging the APC.

Peter Obi remains one of Nigeria’s most influential opposition figures following his strong performance in the 2023 presidential election, where he secured widespread support among young voters and urban populations.

The demand for a Nigerian president of Southeast extraction has continued to gain momentum in recent years, with supporters arguing that the region remains the only major geopolitical zone yet to produce a democratically elected president since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.

However, political analysts insist that any successful 2027 presidential election strategy for the Southeast would require extensive coalition-building, cross-regional support and strong party structures capable of competing nationally.

The latest comments by the Ohanaeze faction further highlight divisions within the Southeast political landscape over the best strategy for pursuing the long-standing goal of an Igbo presidency.

Ohanaeze Tells Peter Obi to Drop 2027 Bid, Support Tinubu

JUST IN: Kano APC Crisis Ends as Gwarzo Withdraws Senate Bid, Backs Barau Jibrin

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has successfully mediated a political reconciliation between two prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figures in Kano North, ending weeks of internal rivalry and reshaping the contest ahead of the next election cycle.

The peace meeting, held on Tuesday night at the Kano Government House, brought together former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, who had been divided over the Kano North senatorial ticket.

Governor Yusuf Brokers Peace Deal Between Gwarzo and Barau in Kano APC

The outcome of the meeting was confirmed in an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, the reconciliation ended with Gwarzo voluntarily withdrawing from the senatorial race and declaring full support for Senator Barau Jibrin as the consensus APC candidate for Kano North.

The development is seen as a major step toward stabilising the APC structure in the district, where internal competition and factional disagreements had raised concerns about party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The high-level meeting was attended by key political stakeholders including Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations Abubakar Kabir Bichi, and Kano APC Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa, alongside other senior party figures.

Party insiders described the intervention by Governor Yusuf as a strategic move aimed at reducing political tension and strengthening cohesion within the APC’s Kano North structure, which remains one of the most competitive senatorial districts in the state.

Sources at the meeting revealed that discussions focused on party unity, zoning considerations, and the need to avoid a divided front that could weaken the APC’s chances in the forthcoming elections.

Following the resolution, Gwarzo reportedly pledged to work with party stakeholders to ensure victory for the APC, describing his withdrawal as a sacrifice for collective progress and political stability within the party.

Senator Barau Jibrin, who currently serves as Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, commended Gwarzo for his decision, describing it as a gesture of statesmanship that would strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects in Kano North.

Political analysts say the development could significantly reshape the balance of power within the APC in Kano State, especially as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.

Kano North senatorial district, which covers local government areas including Bichi, Gwarzo, Dambatta, and Karaye, has long been one of the most politically contested zones in the state.

Observers note that the reconciliation may also signal broader efforts to reduce factional disputes within the APC in Kano, as stakeholders push for a united front ahead of the next general elections.

JUST IN: Kano APC Crisis Ends as Gwarzo Withdraws Senate Bid, Backs Barau Jibrin