Politics
APC Senatorial Tickets: Aliero, Ohakim Pull Out As Yari, Goje, Oshiomhole, Others Win
Two former governors, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) and Ikedi Ohakim (Imo) yesterday pulled out of the race for the senatorial tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irregularities.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the ruling party had conducted the primary across the country to elect its senatorial candidates for 2023 general elections
In Kebbi, the former governor of the state, Senator Aliero announced his withdrawal from the race for the Kebbi North ticket of the APC.
With his withdrawal, Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has picked the ruling party ticket for the area.
There were indications that Aliero, who was governor of the state between 1999 and 2007, may likely dump the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His rift with Bagudu has polarised the APC in the state.
For his part, Ohakim, who is aspiring for the Imo North senatorial zone announced his withdrawal from the race in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu through the chairman of the party in Imo state.
Ohakim said he withdrew from the race after he consulted his family and close associates.
Yari, Marafa win in Zamfara
Former Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa yesterday won the APC senatorial tickets at the primary election which was held in all the three senatorial zones of the state.
Yari emerged unopposed during the exercise which took place at his home local government headquarters of Talata Mafara.
Marafa also clinched the ticket for Zamfara Central while that of Zamfara North was won by Senator Sahabi Yau.
In Kaduna, a former Commissioner for Planning and Budget Mohammed Sani Dattijo emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress primary election for Kaduna Senatorial election, hours after two of his challengers, Rabi Salisu and Dr Usman Garba stepped down from the race.
Declaring the result, Chairman of the APC election committee, Ahmad Mai Yaki Datti got 388 votes to emerge winner.
Goje, Alkali, Lidani clinch Gombe tickets
Meanwhile, Senator Muhammadu Danjuma Goje was yesterday declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to contest for Gombe Central Senatorial District.
Chairman of the electoral committee, Dr Danjuma Dabo said Goje polled 100 votes to defeat Abubakar Mu’azu Hassan who scored 3 votes and Senator Idris Umar Abdullahi who got 2 votes.
Also, incumbent Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali scored 216 votes to clinch the ticket for the Gombe North Senatorial District.
Meanwhile, for the Gombe South Senatorial District, the incumbent Senator Bulus K Amos failed in his bid to return to the senate for a second term.
He was defeated by Senator Joshua Lidani, a one time senator who represented the zone between 2011 and 2019.
Kalu unopposed in Abia North
Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Chief Orji Uzor-Kalu, has won the ticket of the All Progressive Congress to represent the Abia North senatorial district for a second time unopposed. He polled 777 votes to emerge victorious.
The returning officer for senatorial primary election, Chief Paul Onwuka, declared him winner of the exercise.
In Nasarawa, senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, won his ticket through a voice vote.
Shettima, Ndume get return tickets
In Borno, Senator Kashim Shettima won his return ticket for Borno Central Senatorial District unopposed, during the exercise held in Maiduguri.
Similarly, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume emerged victorious after defeating other contenders.
He garnered 432 votes ahead of Alhaji Idrissa Dukwa who got 65 votes and Mohammed Tumala who got 2 votes.
Ambode’s deputy, Ayade’s Chief of Staff, Abiru, Bamidele clinch ticket
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Lagos West.
She defeated her rival and former Defence Minister, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2023 election.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun- Sanni, clinched the party’s ticket to contest the Lagos Central Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general elections.
Eshinlokun-Sanni defeated three other contestants for the ticket currently being held by Senator Oluremi, the wife of APC national lead
Oluremi Tinubu has occupied the seat since 2011.
In Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Tokunbo Abiru was returned unopposed.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Mr Fuad Oki, said Abiru won with 344 votes cast with no invalid vote.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was also returned unopposed by 285 delegates during the Ekiti Central Senatorial Primary election of the APC.
In his acceptance speech, the lawmaker also thanked the leaders of the party in the state, especially Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
In the same vein, Lagos West Senator, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola won the APC ticket for Ogun West Senatorial district of Ogun State.
Adeola popularly known as Yayi polled 294 votes to defeat his main rival and incumbent Senator representing the zone, Tolu Odebiyi, who scored zero.
The Lagos West Senator recently relocated to the state and joined the Ogun West Senate race, in a sweeping movement tagged “West2West Agenda.”
Also, the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, was declared winner of the Ogun Central Senatorial District primary election held on Saturday.
Salisu polled a total of 301 votes to defeat other aspirants.
Also, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Mr Martins Orim emerged the Cross River Northern Senatorial Zone candidate.
The state’s former Commissioner for Finance, Asuquo Ekpenyong jnr, also clinched the ticket for Cross River South. Ekpenyong polled 347 votes to defeat his rival, Victor Ekpo who scored zero.
Oshiomole wins
Former Governor of Edo State and ex-national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole, clinched the party’s ticket for Edo North Senatorial District.
Oshiomole scored 309 votes to pick the APC ticket while his opponent, incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena, polled five votes at the party primary election held in Auchi, Edo.
Also, Mr Valentine Asuen defeated former Edo Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen to emerge the candidate of the APC for Edo South Senatorial election.
Asuen polled 215 votes while Imasuen got 160 votes at the party primaries held in Benin.
Governor David Umahi’s younger brother, Austin Umahi, won the party’s ticket for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone of the state.
Umahi, a former National Vice Chairman, South East of the PDP, polled 279 out of the 284 votes of accredited voters during the primaries held at the headquarters of Afikpo North Local Government Area.
Mrs Adaku Ogbu polled 270 votes out of the 284 votes cast to emerge the Enugu East senatorial candidate of the APC in Enugu State.
Niger gov wins as Adeyemi, lose in Kogi
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State defeated the incumbent senator, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi with 335 votes against 7 votes to emerge the APC flag bearer for Niger North Senatorial District.
However, Senator Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District won with 492 votes while his rival, Dr Dada Nakowa scored 2 votes.
In Kogi State, Senator Smart Adeyemi lost his return bid for the Kogi West senatorial district as he was defeated by Sunday Karimi.
However, Senator Jibrin Isah (Echocho) however won his return ticket for Kogi East Senatorial District.
Ogun: Gbenga Daniel, Jimoh Ibrahim get ticket
Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel won the APC ticket to contest Ogun East Senatorial District election in 2023.
The incumbent senator representing the district, Lekan Mustapha had reportedly withdrawn from the primary following the intervention of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Also, a business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, secured the party’s ticket for Ondo South Senatorial District.
He got 190 votes to defeat other aspirants.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Tayo Alasoadura, failed to get the ticket of the APC for Ondo Central Senatorial District.
A senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, polled 144 votes to beat Alasoadura, who recorded 88 votes.
Confusion in Imo, Oyo
Meanwhile, there was confusion at the primary election of the APC in Imo State as one of the contestants; Mrs. Becky Akeredolu protested the consensus option adopted by the party in choosing its candidate for the 2023 election
Trouble started when Akeredolu, who is contesting for the Imo West Senatorial seat, arrived at the party secretariat with her supporters.
However, she was told that candidates would emerge by consensus.
An enraged Akeredolu, who is the wife of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, insisted that candidates must emerge by election.
However, policemen chased Akeredolu and her supporters out of the premises to continue their protest outside the secretariat.
There was also commotion in Oyo State as the primaries in Oyo South and Oyo North were marred by protests. However, Dr. Yinus Akintunde was pronounced winner in Oyo central senatorial district.
Meanwhile the party postponed its primary for Abia Central Senatorial District till May 29 over alleged discrepancies in the delegates’ list.
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Politics
2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation
2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation
Student leaders from tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, promising to mobilise students across campuses in support of his candidacy.
The declaration was made in Kaduna at the inauguration of the Students’ Wing of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a support group created to coordinate student mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The organisers said the students’ position was influenced by policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, particularly in education, student financing, skills development and youth empowerment.
The coordinator of the A4A Students’ Wing and President of the Bayero University Kano Students’ Union Government, Abdulmudallib Sheriff, said the students’ support was intended to translate into an organised mobilisation network rather than remain a symbolic declaration.
Sheriff cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) among the federal government programmes that informed the students’ position, saying the scheme had provided financial support to students facing difficulties funding their tertiary education.
He also pointed to government initiatives in technical and vocational education, skills acquisition and youth development as areas the student leaders considered relevant to young Nigerians.
According to the organisers, the A4A Students’ Wing plans to build a coordinated structure capable of reaching students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the northern region.
The Kaduna inauguration was attended by student union leaders and representatives of tertiary institutions from different parts of Northern Nigeria.
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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who addressed the gathering, urged the student leaders to base their political engagement on policies and verifiable records rather than personal attacks against political opponents.
Sani highlighted areas including education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and technical and vocational education, while drawing attention to programmes such as NELFUND and federal TVET initiatives.
The student endorsement comes amid increasing political mobilisation across Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.
Several groups in the region have recently announced support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, including organisations representing Muslim women scholars, preachers and Da’wah leaders. Other groups representing communities and youth interests in the North have also held meetings and launched mobilisation activities ahead of the election.
A separate group representing Igbos living in the 19 northern states and the FCT has also expressed support for Tinubu and pledged to mobilise voters for his re-election.
The growing activity reflects efforts by political support groups to build grassroots structures well ahead of the 2027 poll, with youth and student voters expected to remain an important constituency for political parties and candidates.
The Tinubu administration has made NELFUND one of its prominent education initiatives. The programme provides loans and related financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, with the government presenting it as part of efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education.
The administration has also promoted technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as part of its broader youth skills-development agenda.
However, the endorsement announced in Kaduna represents the position of the participating student leaders and organisations. It does not necessarily reflect the views of all students, tertiary institutions or young people across Northern Nigeria.
The political development also comes as opposition groups and presidential aspirants intensify their own mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition political actors are building structures across the country, while presidential contenders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are also seeking support ahead of the election.
The student leaders backing Tinubu said their immediate focus would be to extend the A4A Students’ Wing to more campuses and strengthen its mobilisation network across the North.
Their declaration adds to the growing series of political endorsements and campaign activities taking place ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as competing political groups seek to attract young voters and build support at the grassroots.
Ultimately, the endorsement remains a declaration by the participating student organisations, while individual voters will make their choices through the electoral process.
2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation
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Politics
2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit
2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar seven days to serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after granting an application for substituted service, allowing Atiku and the ADC to serve the President through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was instituted by Atiku and the ADC against Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu is qualified to participate in the 2027 presidential election based on allegations concerning an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC.
According to the plaintiffs, the disputed certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which they contend raises questions about its authenticity and its connection with the President. Atiku’s case also alleges that the document was presented to INEC as genuine and raises questions about information contained in the electoral documents submitted by Tinubu.
The allegations remain claims before the court and have not been established by a final judgment.
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The plaintiffs are relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution relating to the presentation of forged certificates to INEC. They are seeking, among other reliefs, orders that would prevent Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the basis of the allegations contained in the suit.
The latest ruling followed a procedural dispute over how the President should be served with the court processes.
When the matter came up earlier in September, Atiku’s lawyers told the court that they had been unable to personally serve Tinubu. Although counsel representing Tinubu indicated that he was prepared to accept service on behalf of his client, the plaintiffs declined, saying they wanted to avoid possible technical objections concerning the validity of service at a later stage.
The court subsequently allowed the issue to be addressed through substituted service.
Justice Ekwo had earlier adjourned proceedings to September 28 following the service dispute. The judge also warned lawyers involved in the case against discussing the matter in the traditional or social media, directing that arguments concerning the case should be presented in court.
Meanwhile, Tinubu and the APC have rejected the allegations and asked the Federal High Court to dismiss the suit.
In their response, the President and the APC denied that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to INEC for either the 2023 or 2027 presidential elections. They also questioned the legal foundation of Atiku and the ADC’s action and raised preliminary objections to the case.
The defendants have argued that the disputed certificate has not been established as forged and that the NYSC has not disowned the document at the centre of the controversy.
They have therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit rather than proceed to the substantive claims.
INEC has also challenged Atiku’s case and opposed aspects of the plaintiffs’ application to amend their suit. The electoral commission has raised procedural and legal objections, including arguments concerning the competence of the action and the plaintiffs’ standing.
The case has consequently developed into a series of preliminary procedural and legal disputes even before the court determines the central allegations surrounding the disputed NYSC certificate.
Atiku and the ADC maintain that the alleged certificate and information submitted to INEC raise constitutional questions concerning Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu and the APC, however, deny the allegations and are seeking the dismissal of the case, while INEC has also opposed the action.
The Federal High Court’s latest decision is limited to the method and timeframe for serving Tinubu with the court processes.
It does not constitute a ruling that Tinubu is ineligible to contest the 2027 election, nor does it establish that the disputed NYSC certificate is forged.
The substantive claims, alongside the objections raised by Tinubu, the APC and INEC, remain before the court for determination.
2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit
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Politics
“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors
“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors
On Channels Television, the former Ekiti governor says tensions over the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ will not hurt President Tinubu’s 2027 prospects.
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has weighed in on the sharp exchange between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, characterizing the disagreement as a battle of individual egos rather than a genuine threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Speaking Tuesday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fayose noted that public friction often surfaces when assertive leaders navigate complex multi-party arrangements.
The spat erupted after Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, speaking for the APC Governors’ Forum, announced that party executives would reject any outside alliance or coalition capable of diluting the party’s strength or challenging its candidates in upcoming elections.
Wike responded swiftly during a televised broadcast, describing the governors as politically lazy and clarifying that his “Rainbow Coalition” was created specifically to mobilize cross-party votes for the president rather than fight local battles on behalf of state governors.
Addressing the controversy, Fayose remarked that everyday Nigerians understand Wike’s outspoken personality just as they understand the institutional posture of the Governors’ Forum.
He insisted that the rhetorical crossfire has no direct bearing on the president’s electoral fortunes, observing that political leaders across the spectrum possess strong personal pride that occasionally spills into public view. Fayose maintained that practical grassroots voter mobilization will ultimately outweigh public posturing as the 2027 race draws nearer.
“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors
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