Did Faleke Just Reveal Lagos’ Next Governor? Party Moves Begin

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, has openly declared support for Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as a potential successor in the 2027 governorship race.

Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency, described Hamzat as the most suitable candidate to lead Lagos State after the current administration, calling on party members to rally behind him ahead of upcoming primaries.

The lawmaker made his position known in a message shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he urged APC stakeholders across Lagos to unite in support of Hamzat as political activities begin to intensify within the ruling party.

His endorsement comes as internal consultations and early alignments gain momentum within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, with key figures increasingly signaling preferred candidates.

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In his post, Faleke wrote:
“Good evening all. As we prepare for party primaries next month, I urge all our supporters in Ikeja Federal Constituency and Lagos State to support Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the next Governor of Lagos State from 2027–2035, IJN.”

Political observers say the endorsement is significant, given Faleke’s long-standing influence within the APC and his close ties to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the political leader of Lagos politics.

Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced figures in Lagos governance, having worked across different administrative structures over the years.

His growing political visibility has fueled speculation about succession planning within Lagos APC, where continuity and internal consensus often play key roles in determining gubernatorial candidates.

Analysts note that early endorsements such as Faleke’s may shape internal party dynamics ahead of primaries, especially in a politically strategic state like Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

As of now, neither the Lagos State Government nor the APC leadership has issued an official response to Faleke’s endorsement.

Did Faleke Just Reveal Lagos’ Next Governor? Party Moves Begin

Gov Yusuf Accuses Former Deputy of Attempted Power Grab in Kano

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has alleged that his former deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, attempted to remove him from office and take over the leadership of the state government.

Governor Yusuf made the claim during a meeting with a group of praise singers known as “Mawallafan Abba Gida Gida” at the Government House in Kano, where he spoke extensively on internal political developments within his administration and party structure.

He said the alleged move was part of an attempt to destabilise his government, insisting that he was not responsible for any actions that led to the deputy governor’s exit from office.

“Today, the deputy governor who came with us on the same ticket is no longer with us. Nobody offended him. In fact, I have not even seen his resignation letter,” he said.

The governor further alleged that the former deputy’s actions were aimed at replacing him, stating that the attempt did not succeed.

“Whatever made him act that way was an attempt to remove me and take the position, but God did not allow it,” Yusuf added.

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Governor Yusuf also questioned internal political decisions within the Kwankwasiyya political structure, suggesting that the former deputy governor was sidelined despite his contributions and aspirations within the movement.

He raised concerns over what he described as inconsistencies in political appointments and succession planning, arguing that some individuals were being favoured over long-standing members of the group.

“The deputy governor who left, hoping to secure that ticket, what did he do wrong? Why not give him the ticket? Is that not a betrayal of him?” he queried.

The governor, however, maintained that his administration remains stable and focused on governance, adding that political distractions would not derail development efforts in Kano State.

He also dismissed suggestions that recent political developments within his camp amounted to betrayal on his part, insisting that his decisions were taken in the interest of the people of Kano.

According to him, critics who accuse him of disloyalty are ignoring the internal challenges that led to recent political realignments.

He argued that key decisions within the political movement were taken without proper consultation, raising questions about internal democracy and inclusion.

Yusuf further maintained that his exit from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was necessary to prevent political uncertainty and protect the interests of millions of Kano residents.

He said efforts to resolve internal disagreements within the party were unsuccessful, forcing his administration to take a different political direction.

“We saw the direction the party was heading and offered advice, but it was ignored. God showed us the way, and we left because we did not want to put millions of Kano residents in uncertainty,” he said.

The governor also accused unnamed political actors of promoting individuals he described as former opponents of the Kwankwasiyya movement, questioning what he called “political betrayal” within the system.

He maintained that his administration remains open to credible individuals interested in serving as deputy governor, following the exit of his former deputy.

Political observers say the remarks highlight deepening tensions within Kano’s political landscape, where internal disagreements and shifting alliances continue to shape governance and party structures ahead of future elections.

The former deputy governor has not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Gov Yusuf Accuses Former Deputy of Attempted Power Grab in Kano

2027: ADC Will Not Field Candidates Above 55 Years, Says Factional Chairman

The factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has announced that the party will not present any candidate above 55 years of age in the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, saying the policy is aimed at promoting youth inclusion in leadership and reshaping the party’s future.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Bala said the proposed ADC candidate age limit is intended to create space for younger Nigerians to take up elective positions across all levels of government.

He said many political actors in the country are already too old to continue in leadership, insisting that the time had come for a generational shift.

“All the new illegal members are 88, 75, 90 years of age. They should allow us youths to step in and lead. My focus is to ensure that anyone over the age of 55 will not be a candidate of the ADC. It is high time the youths are given a chance,” he said.

Bala maintained that the policy would apply to all elective positions, including presidential, governorship, and legislative offices, as part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The African Democratic Congress has, however, been facing an ongoing internal leadership crisis, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.

The situation has been further complicated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has reportedly declined to recognise any of the competing factions as the legitimate leadership of the party, deepening uncertainty over its direction ahead of the next general election.

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Addressing allegations that he is being backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize the opposition ahead of 2027, Bala dismissed the claims as false and politically motivated.

“These people, judging by their history in their former political parties, are used to causing conflicts and strife. They are trying to do the same thing in the ADC,” he said.

Bala also reacted to his absence from a reconciliation meeting reportedly convened by former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying he was occupied with preparations for the 2027 elections and did not consider the invitation official.

He questioned the legitimacy of the meeting, insisting that party matters should be handled through proper ADC structures rather than informal discussions.

“We are planning for the 2027 elections and have a lot of engagements. I am not someone who has free time to attend any meeting called in someone’s parlour,” he said.

The factional chairman further insisted that the ongoing crisis in the party can only be resolved through strict adherence to the ADC constitution and proper membership procedures.

He urged new entrants into the party to follow due process, warning against attempts to influence party structure through informal channels or illegitimate means.

“The only way forward is for these illegitimate newcomers to go back, study our constitution and follow the proper process of joining the party,” he added.

Bala also responded to criticisms of his leadership, particularly comments about his age, insisting that leadership is determined by competence and divine will rather than background or influence.

Despite the internal wrangling, he reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the ADC and ensuring greater participation of young Nigerians in politics ahead of the 2027 elections in Nigeria.

2027: ADC Will Not Field Candidates Above 55 Years, Says Factional Chairman