APC Chieftain Tells Atiku to Quit 2027 Race, Citing His Past Stance on Zoning

Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, arguing that his ambition violates Nigeria’s zoning arrangement and reminding him of his past criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s automatic ticket bid.

Okechukwu, a former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), made the appeal while reacting to comments by the Southern Political Progressive Amalgamation Forum (SPPA), which had advised Atiku to carefully consider his choice of running mate ahead of the 2027 general election. Rejecting the group’s position, Okechukwu argued that the focus should not be on Atiku’s running mate but on preserving the zoning principle, which he said has helped maintain political balance and national unity. According to Okechukwu, pressure from groups promoting Atiku’s ambition contributed to the crisis that weakened the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “It was pressure from self-serving groups such as the Southern Political Progressive Amalgamation Forum that goaded His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to abandon the rotation convention, which led to our sister political party, PDP’s destabilisation,” he said.

The APC chieftain reminded Atiku of comments he made during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan when he defended the zoning principle within the PDP. In 2013, Atiku had strongly opposed a proposal by the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Tony Anenih, to grant President Jonathan an automatic ticket for the 2015 election. Atiku had described the proposal as a “travesty of democracy” and insisted that the contest should be open to all party members. “My position remains that as far as PDP Constitution is concerned, any attempt to change the party’s rule to favour the President as a sole candidate in the event of his willingness to re-contest is unconstitutional,” Atiku had stated. Okechukwu argued that since Atiku had benefited from the zoning arrangement in the past – having served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007 – he should remain committed to the principle. “As a beneficiary of the zoning arrangement, Atiku should uphold the principle and support its continued application in the interest of national cohesion, equity, and political stability,” Okechukwu stated.

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The call comes as Atiku prepares for what would be his seventh presidential bid, making him one of Nigeria’s longest-serving presidential contenders. He first contested for the presidency under the Action Congress (AC) in 2007, sought but failed to secure the PDP presidential ticket in 2011, lost the APC presidential primary before the 2015 election, and later emerged as the PDP’s presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 elections. In the 2019 election, Atiku was defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Four years later, he mounted another strong challenge but lost to President Bola Tinubu in one of Nigeria’s closest presidential contests. Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes, while Atiku secured 6,984,520 votes and Peter Obi received 6,101,533 votes, making the 2023 election a tightly contested three-way race.

Atiku has since emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election after defeating former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen during the party’s presidential primary in May. Following the primary, Amaechi was named as Atiku’s running mate ahead of the election. The 2027 presidential election has been scheduled for January 16, having been advanced from the previously announced date of February 20. President Bola Tinubu is expected to seek a second term on the platform of the APC, while Peter Obi is contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Asked whether it was too late for Atiku to withdraw from the race, Okechukwu insisted that the former vice president still had time to change course. “It is never too late to make amends; he should be a statesman, and instead of hurling blame and barbs at President Tinubu, he should use the few months left to forge a strong opposition,” he said. The appeal aligns with similar statements from other political figures. Former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje has declared that Atiku lacks the grassroots political structures in Northern Nigeria to defeat President Tinubu in 2027. Okechukwu himself had earlier described Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition as a “mirage” in the face of Nigeria’s entrenched North-South zoning arrangement. “Zoning remains the irreducible minimum in Nigeria’s power-sharing formula. No amount of foreign image laundering can override a deeply rooted domestic consensus built on equity, fairness, and national cohesion,” he had said.

APC Chieftain Tells Atiku to Quit 2027 Race, Citing His Past Stance on Zoning

Presidency, Peter Obi clash over alleged political strategy ahead of 2027

A fresh political row has erupted between the Presidency and Peter Obi after Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala alleged that the former Anambra State governor is using claims about threats to his life as a strategy to mobilise supporters of the Obidient Movement ahead of the 2027 general election.

Bwala, who serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, made the allegation in a post on his verified X account while reacting to remarks made by Obi during a policy roundtable hosted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in Berlin, Germany.

During the event, Obi alleged that there had been an attempt on his life after he planned a humanitarian visit to Benue State. He said the state government advised him against proceeding with the visit and claimed that gunfire erupted around the period of the planned trip, raising concerns about his safety.

Responding to the remarks, Bwala rejected Obi’s account and accused the opposition figure of making what he described as recurring allegations without credible evidence. He argued that the former Labour Party presidential candidate had previously made similar claims, including allegations of intimidation involving airport authorities.

According to Bwala, Obi’s latest comments form part of a broader political strategy designed to energise members of the Obidient Movement, the political support base that emerged during the 2023 presidential election.

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The presidential aide also referenced a recent dispute involving Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Obi had alleged intimidation by airport officials. However, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo maintained that CCTV footage from the airport showed a vehicle linked to Obi violating airport traffic and parking regulations rather than being subjected to harassment.

Obi’s media team has rejected that explanation, insisting the footage released by the Federal Government did not capture the incident the former governor described publicly. His spokesperson argued that Obi’s concerns about his personal security should not be dismissed and maintained that vehicles associated with him had repeatedly faced unusual treatment at airports.

The latest exchange followed Obi’s participation in discussions on governance, democracy and Nigeria’s future at the ECFR forum in Berlin. During the event, he called for greater accountability, stronger institutions and reforms aimed at improving economic growth and restoring public confidence in government.

Political analysts say the public disagreement reflects the increasingly heated atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections, with leading political figures intensifying public engagements and sharpening their messaging as discussions around possible alliances and opposition realignments continue.

Supporters of both the Presidency and Obi have since taken to social media to defend their respective positions, with the debate generating widespread reactions across political circles.

While Bwala insists Obi’s allegations are politically motivated, Obi has maintained that his security concerns are genuine and deserve serious attention. Neither side has indicated any willingness to soften their positions, suggesting the exchanges could continue as preparations for the next election gather momentum.

The latest development comes amid growing political activity across the country, with parties and influential figures positioning themselves ahead of what is expected to be another fiercely contested presidential race in 2027.

Presidency, Peter Obi clash over alleged political strategy ahead of 2027

2027 Gombe election: Pantami secures major boost as PDP aspirant withdraws court case

The 2027 Gombe State governorship election has taken a significant political turn as the governorship ambition of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, received a major boost following the withdrawal of a court case challenging his emergence and the defection of two influential politicians to the party.

In a development expected to strengthen the PDP’s campaign ahead of the 2027 polls, one of the aggrieved governorship aspirants, Hon. Monica Yahaya Kaltho, formally withdrew from the legal action filed by some non-cleared aspirants challenging the outcome of the party’s governorship primary election.

The withdrawal comes amid ongoing efforts by the PDP leadership in Gombe State to reconcile aggrieved members and present a united front ahead of the governorship election.

During the PDP governorship congress, Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate through an affirmation process after other aspirants failed to scale the party’s screening exercise, a development that prompted some of them to seek judicial intervention.

Explaining her decision, Kaltho said she withdrew from the court case after extensive consultations with political associates and in response to an appeal by the leader of the PDP in Gombe State and former governor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.

According to her, Dankwambo urged her to place the unity and progress of the PDP above personal political interests. She described the former governor as a respected leader and father figure whose advice she deeply values, stressing that she accepted his counsel because the future of the PDP and the development of Gombe State were more important than individual ambition.

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Kaltho also reaffirmed her unwavering support for Pantami’s governorship ambition, pledging to mobilise support and work for the PDP’s victory in the 2027 Gombe governorship election. She urged party members across the state to remain united and committed to the collective goal of returning the PDP to power.

Reacting to the development, Pantami praised Kaltho for demonstrating maturity, patriotism and loyalty to the party. He said her decision to withdraw from the legal challenge reflected genuine commitment to the unity of the PDP and the overall interest of Gombe State.

Pantami assured her and other party stakeholders that everyone would be carried along in the affairs of the party, promising an inclusive leadership style anchored on consultation and mutual respect.

As a mark of appreciation, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy personally visited Kaltho at her residence to thank her for her support and what he described as her statesmanship. He noted that sacrifices such as hers would help strengthen the PDP’s chances of winning the governorship election in 2027.

Pantami’s campaign also received another boost following the defection of Kelmi Lazarus, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general election.

Lazarus, a former Chairman of the SDP in Gombe State and former General Manager of Gombe Radio Corporation, announced his decision to join the PDP after what he described as wide consultations with his supporters.

He said his decision was based on his conviction that Pantami possesses the competence, integrity, vision and administrative experience required to provide purposeful leadership for Gombe State.

According to him, Pantami remains the most qualified candidate in the race and has the capacity to drive economic growth, improve governance and accelerate development across the state.

Lazarus called on his supporters and residents of Gombe State to rally behind the PDP candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In another significant development, retired Air Vice Marshal B.A. Sani also dumped his former political platform and formally joined the PDP.

The retired senior military officer declared his total support for Pantami’s governorship ambition, describing the former minister as a visionary leader with the experience and credibility required to reposition Gombe State.

Sani said Pantami’s record in public service, leadership qualities and commitment to development inspired his decision to identify with the PDP. He pledged to work for the victory of Pantami and other PDP candidates during the 2027 general elections.

Receiving the new entrants into the party, Gombe State PDP Chairman, Major General A.K. Kwaskebe (Rtd), described the defections as a major boost for the party.

He said the decision by respected political figures to join the PDP reflected growing public confidence in Pantami’s leadership and the party’s vision for inclusive governance.

The party welcomed both Kelmi Lazarus and Air Vice Marshal B.A. Sani, assuring them of equal opportunities to contribute to the PDP’s mission of building a more peaceful, united and prosperous Gombe State.

Party leaders expressed optimism that the latest endorsements and defections would further strengthen the PDP’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the governorship election.

Although Kaltho has withdrawn from the lawsuit, legal proceedings initiated by other aggrieved aspirants challenging Pantami’s emergence are still before the court.

The PDP has consistently maintained that the process that produced Pantami complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, expressing confidence that the courts will uphold his nomination.

Political observers believe the latest wave of endorsements, reconciliation efforts and high-profile defections could significantly reshape the political landscape in Gombe State as preparations for the 2027 Gombe governorship election gather momentum.

2027 Gombe election: Pantami secures major boost as PDP aspirant withdraws court case