Peter Obi a Political Liability in the North, Says Reno Omokri

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has described former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as a political liability, warning that selecting him as a running mate could weaken the political prospects of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.

Omokri, who served as a media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and is Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) while reacting to comments by media entrepreneur Dele Momodu about possible opposition alliances ahead of the next general election.

In his post, Omokri warned that a potential Atiku–Obi ticket could alienate voters in northern Nigeria, including in Atiku’s home state of Adamawa, due to what he described as lingering political and religious sensitivities in the region.

“With all due respect, if Waziri Atiku Abubakar makes the mistake of running with Peter Obi in 2027, he may lose even Adamawa because of the political liability that Peter Obi has become in the North,” Omokri wrote.

He added that although he holds Atiku in high regard, the suggestion that an Atiku–Obi ticket could defeat President Bola Tinubu misunderstands the political realities of northern Nigeria, where religion, identity, and past events often influence electoral decisions.

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According to Omokri, some voters in Adamawa State still harbour resentment over Obi’s reaction to the 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide who was shot dead by gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.

Gulak, a politician from Adamawa, was attacked while travelling to the airport during a visit to the state. The incident sparked national outrage and intensified security concerns in the South-East.

Omokri also referenced the 2022 killing of Harira Jubril and her children in Anambra State, arguing that Obi’s reaction to the incident contributed to negative perceptions among some northern communities.

He claimed that the murder, which authorities linked to criminal elements suspected to have connections with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), heightened tensions and influenced political sentiment in the North.

“Now add that to the repeat of the same behavior after the murder of Harira and her underage children by suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Peter Obi’s home state and his refusal to condemn the incident, and anybody tying themselves to Peter Obi is playing with fire,” Omokri wrote.

He further argued that symbolic political gestures such as visits to mosques or community donations would not necessarily erase past grievances among some northern voters.

“Nigeria, as one of the most multicultural, multireligious, multiethnic and multiracial countries on Earth, needs leaders who are sensitive to these differences,” he added.

The comments come amid growing discussions among opposition figures about possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following the 2023 poll won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political observers say the debate reflects the ongoing realignment within Nigeria’s opposition bloc as parties and political actors consider coalition strategies that could challenge the ruling party in the next electoral cycle.

Supporters of Peter Obi, however, have repeatedly dismissed such criticisms, pointing to the “Obidient movement”, which mobilised millions of young voters and helped the Labour Party achieve significant electoral gains in the 2023 general election.

Analysts note that any potential opposition alliance ahead of 2027 would likely require complex negotiations across regional, religious and political lines in Nigeria’s highly diverse political landscape.

Peter Obi a Political Liability in the North, Says Reno Omokri

ADC: Appeal Court Did Not Sack David Mark, Aregbesola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims that its National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, were removed from office following a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party described the reports as misleading and inaccurate, insisting that the appellate court did not make any ruling that affects the current leadership of the party.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, clarified that the court only addressed procedural issues in the case and did not determine the substantive dispute over the party’s leadership.

According to him, the lawsuit challenging the emergence of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary is still pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria and has not yet been heard on its merits.

Abdullahi explained that the Court of Appeal judgment did not grant any relief to the plaintiff and did not issue any directive affecting the leadership structure of the party.

“Having carefully studied the judgment, we wish to state unequivocally that the Court of Appeal did not determine the substantive dispute regarding the leadership of the ADC,” Abdullahi said.

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He added that the court instead directed all parties involved in the matter to maintain the status quo, meaning that the current leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress remains unchanged until the case is fully determined by the Federal High Court.

The party therefore urged members and supporters not to panic or be misled by misinterpretations of the judgment, stressing that the ruling does not affect the legitimacy or tenure of the current national leadership.

Abdullahi also noted that internal legal disputes are not unusual in political organisations, adding that such matters should not be interpreted as a collapse of the party’s leadership.

He said the ADC remains united and focused on strengthening its political structures ahead of future elections, despite what he described as attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to destabilise opposition parties.

David Mark, a former President of the Senate of Nigeria, and Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, currently lead the national structure of the African Democratic Congress as part of the party’s efforts to reposition itself in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The party reiterated that the directive to maintain the status quo means the existing leadership remains fully in place until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment on the matter.

ADC: Appeal Court Did Not Sack David Mark, Aregbesola

Lawmakers Switch Allegiance: 6 Reps Join APC, 6 Join ADC

Twelve members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have officially defected from their former parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a development that could reshape the balance of power in the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who disclosed that six lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had defected to the APC, while six others from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Labour Party (LP) switched allegiance to the ADC. The lawmakers’ letters of defection were formally read on the floor of the House, completing the legal process for their new party alignment.

The six PDP members joining the APC include Bitrus Kwamoti, Zakaria Nyampa, James Barka, Kobis Thinmu, Mohammed Bargaja, and Midala Balami, representing constituencies across Adamawa, Sokoto, and Borno States. Those who moved to the ADC from LP and YPP include Afam Ogene, Lilian Orogbu, Peter Aniekwe, Jessy Onuakalusi, Osaro Omoruyi, and Peter Uzokwe from Anambra, Lagos, and Edo States.

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This latest wave of defections follows similar movements in the Senate, where three members left the PDP for the APC. The senators include Ikra Bilbis (Zamfara Central), Aminu Iya Abbas (Adamawa Central), and Amos Yohanna (Adamawa North). Their defection was formally announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Political analysts describe these defections as part of a broader realignment in Nigeria’s legislature, with lawmakers seeking stable platforms and greater political influence ahead of the next general elections. Observers say the shift strengthens the ruling APC’s numerical advantage in the House of Representatives, while the ADC benefits by increasing its presence and visibility on the national stage.

Party leaders from both APC and ADC have welcomed the new members, pledging collaboration, unity, and commitment to national development. Meanwhile, the departures from PDP, LP, and YPP highlight ongoing challenges within opposition parties as they strive to retain cohesion and retain political influence amid a competitive election cycle.

The defections are expected to have significant implications for legislative proceedings, including the passage of key bills and alignment on national policies, further cementing the importance of party loyalty and political strategy in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

Lawmakers Switch Allegiance: 6 Reps Join APC, 6 Join ADC