Politics
2023: PDP elders sweat over G5’s ‘deal’ with APC
Some prominent elders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as certain members Board of Trustees (BoT) have expressed fears that the purported deal that some of its governors have reportedly sruck with the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may affect PDP’s chances in the 2023 general elections.
Two BoT members and elders of the party who spoke with Saturday Sun on the condition of anonymity, asserted that in spite of the confidence being expressed by the campaign team of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar that the party could approach the ongoing campaign and the forthcoming election without the support of five of its governors, there are valid concerns that the party’s chances may be jeopardised if they go into the elections with a divided house.
Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) fell out with the leadership of the party and its candidate over the governors’ insistence that the national chairman, Iyochia Ayu must resign and the position zoned to the south. The governors, who call themselves G5 or Integrity Group, insisted that the presidential candidate and national chairman of the party cannot come from the north, hence, the chairman must step down and be replaced with someone from the south.
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The insistence on Ayu’s resignation has split the PDP, with the likes of former governors of Cross Rivers, Ondo and Plateau, Donald Duke, Olusegun Mimiko and Jonah Jang, respectively, and former vice national chairman of PDP, Olabode George as well as former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, pitching their tent with the G5.
The BoT members who are founding fathers of the party told Saturday Sun that most members of the board and party elders were unhappy that the party leadership refused to make any concessions to the Wike group. They said even though Atiku’s team says it is not bothered by the crises, the party hierarchy, strategists and elders are very worried behind the scenes that the unresolved issues will negatively affect the party as it goes into the elections.
“Many of us would have wanted Ayu to resign for the sake of peace in the party and let the position go to the south. Even though we are not in support of Wike and his team, at the same time, we see reason with some of the issues the G5 has raised like the need for fairness and balance. We are very disturbed. But then, our hands are tied.
“Behind the scenes, many of us agree that it is not very expedient to have a northerner take over from another northerner but our party members have chosen a candidate in a free and fair primary and we have to support whoever was chosen. Many members have sympathy for Wike and his group but at the same time we are not in support of the route that he has taken with regards to striking deals with our opponents.
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“We are very worried because we know the implications of going into the election with a divided house despite Atiku’s campaign team expressing confidence that the crises won’t affect his chances of winning,” the BoT members said. This paper had earlier exclusively reported that all the G5 had debated over whom to support between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi and Tinubu. After their return from a series of meetings held in London with the presidential candidate of the APC, Saturday Sun confirmed its earlier report that Governor Makinde has pitched his tent with Tinubu because of his re-election bid in Oyo State. Though Ortom expressed reservations, Wike is also reported to have decided to support the APC candidate, while other governors will do so discretely. But Saturday Sun can confirm that all five governors have foreclosed any possibility of supporting Atiku either openly or discretely and have in turn received concessions from the APC candidate in exchange for their support.
However, in spite of the activities of the G5, Atiku’s supporters are confident the party will do well in the five states where the governors are in control. “PDP is confident of doing well in Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Benue, Oyo states. These are traditional PDP states and nothing will change next year,” a top party official said.
SUN
Politics
Kwankwaso Resigns from NNPP, Signals Political Realignment
Kwankwaso Resigns from NNPP, Signals Political Realignment
Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has formally announced his resignation from the party, citing the need for strategic political realignment.
In a press statement dated March 29, 2026, Kwankwaso said his decision to quit the New Nigeria People’s Party takes immediate effect.
The former NNPP National Leader described the decision as difficult but necessary in view of the evolving political landscape in the country.
“Considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he stated.
Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general elections, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the party at the highest level. He thanked the NNPP leadership, including the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, as well as members of the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and National Executive Committee.
He also acknowledged the contributions of party members across all levels, from ward to state structures, and paid tribute to supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their loyalty and commitment.
Despite his exit, the former governor assured that collaboration with party members and stakeholders would continue in pursuit of a better future for Nigeria.
Kwankwaso’s resignation is expected to trigger fresh political alignments ahead of future electoral contests, as attention shifts to his next political destination.
Kwankwaso Resigns from NNPP, Signals Political Realignment
Politics
Kwankwaso Set for ADC Defection as Mark, Aregbesola Prepare Grand Reception
Kwankwaso Set for ADC Defection as Mark, Aregbesola Prepare Grand Reception
Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is set to formally defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a move that signals a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the party disclosed that the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, will officially receive Kwankwaso during his declaration ceremony scheduled to hold in Kano.
Kwankwaso, who was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in 2023, is expected to join the ADC alongside key political allies, including former Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo.
The defection follows months of negotiations between Kwankwaso and the ADC leadership, as the party intensifies efforts to build a formidable opposition coalition.
Initially, talks nearly collapsed after Kwankwaso reportedly demanded the party’s vice-presidential slot as a condition for joining ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the ADC leadership declined to guarantee such a position, insisting that no prior commitments could be made.
The deadlock was eventually resolved after a private meeting between Kwankwaso and Aregbesola in Abuja, with insiders confirming that the former governor has now agreed to join the party without any preconditions.
Kwankwaso’s move is widely seen as part of a broader opposition strategy involving key political figures such as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, aimed at strengthening alliances ahead of the next general election.
His formal entry into the ADC is expected to reshape political dynamics, particularly in northern Nigeria, where he maintains significant influence.
Kwankwaso Set for ADC Defection as Mark, Aregbesola Prepare Grand Reception
Politics
Naira Strengthens for Third Day Against US Dollar as Forex Reforms Take Effect
Naira Strengthens for Third Day Against US Dollar as Forex Reforms Take Effect
The Nigerian naira recorded its third consecutive gain against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange market, closing Friday at ₦1,380.57 per dollar, up ₦3.30 or 0.23% from Thursday’s ₦1,383.88. This follows a gradual rebound earlier in the week, after the currency weakened to ₦1,386.70 on Wednesday.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) show that the steady appreciation reflects renewed confidence in the official FX window, driven by better liquidity, policy consistency, and ongoing foreign exchange reforms. Analysts attribute the gains to sustained forex inflows and tighter monetary measures that are gradually stabilising the exchange rate and reducing market volatility.
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Experts say the PASGA reforms and government measures allowing full repatriation of export proceeds for oil companies are also contributing to the positive trend. Increased transparency and structural adjustments in foreign exchange management have begun to produce measurable results, boosting investor and market confidence.
Despite the gains, market observers caution that external pressures, including global dollar strength, could challenge the naira’s resilience in the coming weeks. They note that discrepancies between the official and parallel market rates remain, which may affect importers, exporters, and individuals seeking foreign currency outside the official window.
The naira’s rebound is part of a broader effort by the CBN and the federal government to strengthen the currency, enhance foreign exchange liquidity, and stabilize the Nigerian economy amid global economic uncertainties. Analysts believe that sustained reforms and careful macroeconomic management are crucial to maintaining this upward momentum and supporting long-term financial stability.
Naira Strengthens for Third Day Against US Dollar as Forex Reforms Take Effect
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