The South-East zone of the All Progressives Congress has set its sight on the positions of Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation if the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, wins the 2023 general elections.
The development was disclosed by a top party chieftain in the South-East, who craved anonymity.
The source disclosed that a delegation was scheduled to meet with Tinubu with their demands when he returned to the country.
“If the South-West has the presidency while both the North-West and North-East are still negotiating for running mate, it is only fair to allow the South-East take the senate presidency and SGF,” he said.
When contacted, Deputy National Chairman (South) and former South-East chairman of the party, Emmanuel Enekwu, denied having knowledge of any agitation for senate presidency or SGF from his region.
He said, “I have no knowledge of such demands. The APC has not started allocating offices to any region or persons. Our interest is how to win elections because you can’t share offices without winning elections.
“We have a presidential candidate that demands that all hands must be on deck. Nobody enjoys any booty or loot before the war. That can only happen after the hostility ends.
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But when reminded that sources have confirmed that negotiations were ongoing by top APC chieftains from the South-East region, Enekwu said such a move could not be ruled out.
The South-East APC chairman, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, also said, “I cannot say I am unaware the zone desires some inclusiveness in the incoming administration. However, I have not been consulted on the exact position they are looking at. I believe that the incoming president will be fair enough to consider the zone for some arrangements but we have not asked for the specific positions.”
On whether Tinubu had met with South-East leaders and stakeholders lately, the South-East chairman said he met with the zonal caucus of the party.
He added, “That was shortly after the primary. He met with the South-East caucus, ably led by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State. He (Tinubu) consulted with us and pleaded for our support at the 2023 general elections.
“We assured him that he will receive our maximum support in our zone. We had a very robust conversation with him. But we didn’t go as far as asking for any specific positions. I believe he knows the right thing to do.”
When asked on APC chances of pulling votes from the South East, he said the party had a firm support base in the zone.
“We cannot also rule out the fact that (Peter) Obi (of the Labour Party) is making a lot of publicity. Our chances are bright and will further be enhanced once Obi split the PDP votes. It won’t diminish our votes,” he added.
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Anambra State, Mr Okelo Madukaife, said the South-East caucus of the party had scheduled a meeting where a decision would be taken on what should come to the zone.
Madukaife did not state when the meeting would take place. He added, “The South-East caucus will decide on that. But the question should not be what position South East needs, not necessarily what position, but strategy.
“Regarding other positions, yes senate presidency is there and so is Speaker of the House of Representatives in the elective category. But first senators and members of House of Representatives have to emerge from the South-East and they should add to the majority.
“So, Ndigbo needs to vote for the APC to satisfy the first condition and join others in other zones to meet the second.”
‘Tinubu’ll accommodate Ndigbo’
The Imo State chapter of the APC has said Tinubu will accommodate the people of South-East if elected the president.
The Publicity Secretary of APC in Imo State, Cajetan Duke, told one of our correspondents in an interview, “There are many good and juicy positions Ndigbo and Imo State will get if by the grace of God APC wins the presidential election. But we must be fully integrated. We have to work to ensure that APC wins all the states in the South-East. We have to use what we have to get what we want.”
He said that the South East would not be demanding for any position until the party wins the presidential election and majority seats in the senate.
‘Can’t share positions’
The Zonal Secretary of the APC in the zone, Chief Augustine Onyedebelu, has said the party is not after sharing of office until the presidential election is won.
Onyedebelu said, “Until you win an election you have nothing to share. I want to believe that when the election is won, a very good position will be given to the people of the South-East to ensure that we are truly part of the system and part of the leadership.”
‘APC must bargain’
Also speaking, the spokesperson for the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, said it would be in the best interest of all major political parties to bargain with the South-East region.
He said, “Although it is not in the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to begin permutations at this time, it would be in the best interest of all political gladiators to begin to bargain for the best for the South-East region. All the gladiators from all major political parties have a duty to bargain for what will be best for the South-East region. At the proper time, we will have a meeting with the South-East elders and chieftains and decide on the most favourable equation for the region.”
PUNCH
Sani Abacha’s Son Emerges Kano PDP Governorship Candidate for 2027
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has affirmed Muhammad Sani Abacha, son of former military Head of State General Sani Abacha, as its candidate for the 2027 Kano State governorship election following the withdrawal of the party’s earlier flag bearer, Muhammad Bello Dalha.
Abacha emerged on Wednesday, September 16, during an expanded meeting of the Kano PDP State Executive Committee, where the party conducted an affirmation and replacement primary to fill the vacancy created by Dalha’s withdrawal.
The development was announced by the Kano PDP Chairman, Bello Gambo Bichi, who said Dalha had voluntarily stepped down after consultations with party stakeholders in Kano and at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Bichi explained that Dalha had earlier won the party’s governorship primary but subsequently withdrew, making a replacement process necessary under the applicable electoral and party rules.
The replacement exercise was witnessed by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The chairman of the replacement primary election panel, Dr Abba Abdullahi, formally declared Abacha the PDP’s governorship candidate after the exercise. He said the process was conducted in accordance with the PDP constitution, party guidelines, relevant regulations and applicable electoral laws.
Abdullahi also said Abacha had satisfied the requirements for nomination, while noting that his candidacy remained subject to the applicable statutory processes and scrutiny by the relevant electoral authorities.
The latest development marks a return for Abacha to the Kano governorship race. He contested the 2023 governorship election on the PDP platform and finished third in that election.
His return follows an earlier PDP primary in which Dalha emerged as the party’s candidate. Dalha’s subsequent withdrawal has now paved the way for Abacha to return to the contest through the replacement process.
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The PDP has also named Yusuf Ado Kibiya, a former Kano PDP chairman and former commissioner, as Abacha’s running mate.
According to the party leadership, Kibiya’s selection formed part of a reconciliation arrangement aimed at resolving divisions between rival factions within the Kano PDP.
Bichi said the deputy governorship slot was allocated to the faction associated with former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as part of the reconciliation process.
The party chairman said the agreement was reached after consultations and that the arrangement had resolved the factional dispute within the Kano PDP.
The reconciliation has also affected other positions on the party’s ticket, with Bichi disclosing that some candidates for the National Assembly and Kano State House of Assembly were replaced as part of the agreement to accommodate members of the different factions.
The PDP leadership has urged its members, leaders and supporters to unite behind the new governorship ticket as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Bichi described the development as a new phase for the Kano PDP and said the party was strengthening its internal structure ahead of the election.
The emergence of Abacha gives the PDP a candidate with previous experience of contesting the Kano governorship. His 2023 campaign was conducted under the PDP, although he did not win the election.
The political landscape in Kano has since changed, with parties preparing new structures and candidates for the 2027 contest.
The PDP’s latest decision also illustrates the role of candidate replacement and internal reconciliation in the preparations for the next election. Rather than overturning the earlier primary result, the party’s process followed the withdrawal of the candidate who had initially secured its ticket.
The party has maintained that the replacement exercise complied with the Electoral Act, its constitution and relevant electoral guidelines. INEC representatives were present during the process, according to the PDP leadership and reports of the exercise. (Vanguard News)
For now, Abacha becomes the PDP’s candidate for the Kano governorship election, with Kibiya as his running mate, while the party moves to consolidate its structure and prepare for the wider electoral contest.
The nomination remains subject to the statutory electoral processes that apply before the 2027 election.
With the replacement of Dalha and the accompanying reconciliation between the rival factions, the Kano PDP will now focus on campaigning, mobilisation and presenting its new ticket to voters as preparations for the 2027 election intensify.
Aisha Buhari Visits Atiku Amid Opposition Coalition Activities
Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has visited former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in Abuja amid increasing political activities and opposition realignment ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Atiku disclosed the visit in a post on his official social media account, describing the meeting with Aisha Buhari as warm and appreciated.
The former Vice-President did not disclose the specific purpose of the visit or the details of the discussions between them.
However, Atiku said the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the economic challenges confronting Nigerian families, including the rising cost of food, transportation, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.
He said the situation had placed a significant burden on households and stressed the need for political leaders to prioritise the welfare, dignity and future of Nigerians.
Atiku said Nigerians deserved an economy that rewards hard work, creates opportunities and enables families to live with dignity and hope. He ended his message with the phrase, “Make Nigeria Affordable Again.”
Aisha Buhari’s visit comes as political parties and opposition groups intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The former Vice-President is seeking the presidency on the platform of the ADC, which has become the political platform associated with an opposition coalition involving several political figures and groups.
The coalition has been holding discussions on how opposition parties could work together ahead of the election, including the possibility of presenting a common candidate.
The issue has remained subject to negotiations among the parties and political actors involved, with different opposition figures publicly expressing views on the structure and leadership of any eventual arrangement.
At an opposition summit held in Abuja earlier this month, representatives of several opposition parties discussed cooperation and preparations for the 2027 elections.
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Atiku and Peter Obi, who is associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), were not present at the meeting. Their absence generated public discussion, although representatives of the parties involved subsequently said the coalition process was broader than the attendance of individual presidential aspirants.
The question of a single opposition candidate has remained particularly prominent in the discussions.
Recent public statements have reflected differing positions among opposition figures. While some have called for candidates to make way for a common candidate, Obi has maintained that any decision on stepping down or supporting another candidate would have to be determined through the relevant political parties and coalition arrangements.
Atiku has continued his political mobilisation as the ADC presidential candidate, while the coalition continues to address questions surrounding its structure, leadership and electoral strategy.
The latest meeting between Atiku and Aisha Buhari has therefore attracted attention because of its timing and the wider political realignment taking place ahead of 2027. However, neither Atiku nor Aisha Buhari has publicly stated that the Abuja meeting was related to an electoral alliance, endorsement or coalition negotiation.
The encounter also follows an earlier meeting between the two in Saudi Arabia.
In February 2026, Atiku hosted Aisha Buhari, her daughter Hanan and other members of the Buhari family while they were in Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
Atiku described that meeting as a family and religious gathering, saying the Buhari family was in the Kingdom to perform the lesser Hajj.
Aisha Buhari has continued to maintain a public presence since the death of her husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, in July 2025.
She has participated in engagements involving education, social development and initiatives associated with the late president’s legacy.
Atiku, meanwhile, has remained active in opposition politics and has continued consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
The ADC adopted Atiku as its presidential candidate after the opposition coalition settled on the party as its platform for the 2027 contest.
The party’s interim leadership has included former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who have been involved in the coalition’s organisational activities.
As political activities intensify, meetings between prominent political figures are increasingly attracting public attention, particularly where they involve personalities linked to different political groups.
For the moment, however, the publicly confirmed details of the Aisha Buhari-Atiku meeting remain limited to Atiku’s acknowledgment of the visit and his comments on Nigeria’s economic challenges.
There is no publicly confirmed statement from either party establishing that the meeting resulted in an agreement on the 2027 election, an endorsement or any specific political arrangement.
Further developments in the opposition coalition and the activities of the various presidential contenders are expected as political parties continue preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The Kano lawmaker labels Nyesom Wike an indispensable asset and urges APC governors to embrace the FCT minister.
Federal lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin believes President Bola Tinubu will earn at least 65 percent of all votes in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. Sharing his thoughts on Wednesday evening, the representative from Kano State explained that the president continues to gain trust from citizens across various parts of the country while maintaining a long history of election victories.
In addition, Jibrin addressed recent tensions among party figures, describing Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike as a vital teammate who contributed greatly to national stability and local support in Rivers State.
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He noted that members from all backgrounds have gained from Wike’s cooperative efforts, which helped bring different political communities together to support common public goals.
Because building broad coalitions helps modern democracies thrive, Jibrin advised state governors to welcome diverse leaders and collaborate closely with them. Moreover, he emphasized that respectful teamwork across different political roots creates a more united country and makes governance far more effective.
In conclusion, Jibrin expressed confidence that keeping doors open to dedicated partners will guarantee a decisive, peaceful win when citizens cast their ballots in 2027.
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