Politics
Five serving Governors who lost senatorial contests
No fewer than five Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) have lost their bids for the senate after Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Here are five Governors who lost senatorial bids:
Governor Ben Ayade lost his bid to return to the Senate following his defeat by the incumbent senator representing Cross River North, Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe.
Ayade, who was in the Senate between 2011 and 2015, lost with 56,595 votes against Agom-Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 76,145 votes.
Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi lost his senatorial bid to the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the district, Okechukwu Ezea.
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Ezea, the LP candidate, polled a total of 104,492 votes to defeat Mr Ugwuanyi of the PDP, who came second with 46,948 votes.
Professor Chukwuemeka Ubaka, who announced the result at the collation center, said Mr Ezea was declared the winner in the exercise because he “justified all the requirements of the law” having scored the highest number of votes in the election.
Samuel Ortom (PDP)
Benue Governor Samuel Ortom lost his election bid for Benue North West.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate lost to his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart in the district, Titus Zam.
The APC candidate polled 143,151 while the PDP scored 106,882 and the Labour Party 51,950.
Zam was an appointee of Ortom in his first tenure from 2015 to 2019, where he served as the Special Adviser to the governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs before he resigned from the Ortom administration on loyalty grounds.
Simon Lalong (APC)
Plateau Governor Simon Lalong, who is also the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), lost the bid to clinch the Plateau South Senatorial District slot.
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He lost to Rtd AVM Bali Ninkap Napoleon of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While announcing the results, the Returning Officer Professor Meshak Goyit declared that Bali Napoleon of PDP scored a total of 148,844 votes to defeat Governor Lalong of APC with 91,674 votes while Tobias Nda of the Labour Party scored 17,325 votes.
Abubakar Bagudu (APC)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday announced Sen. Adamu Aliero of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of Kebbi Central.
The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Abbas Yusuf-Bazata, who announced the result in Birnin Kebbi said Aliero beat Governor Abubakar Bagudu to win the seat.
Aliero scored 126,588 votes to defeat Bagudu, the incumbent governor of Kebbi and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 92,389 votes.
The Nation
Politics
ADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election
ADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has recorded its first polling unit victory in the ongoing Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory, defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in what supporters have described as a symbolic breakthrough.
The opposition coalition secured the win at Polling Unit 076, Sani Abacha Estate, Wuse Zone 4, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where the ADC chairmanship candidate, Dr. Moses Paul, cast his vote.
Out of 10 ballots recorded at the polling unit, ADC polled seven votes, while APC received two votes, with one vote declared invalid, according to results announced by electoral officials at the unit.
Low Voter Turnout Observed
The election across several parts of the FCT was marked by notably low voter turnout, a development that has drawn reactions from candidates and observers. Dr. Paul attributed the situation to movement restrictions announced ahead of the poll by the FCT authorities.
He argued that the directive caused confusion among residents and discouraged voter participation, describing the atmosphere as unusual and unsettling.
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“I have lived in AMAC for about 40 years and I have never witnessed anything like this,” Paul said, adding that the situation felt like “a state of emergency” over what he described as unwarranted restrictions.
Allegations of Intimidation and Vote Buying
While commending electoral officials at his polling unit for what he described as professional conduct and adherence to due process, the ADC candidate raised concerns over alleged intimidation of his party’s agents in other locations.
According to him, reports reaching his campaign indicated that ADC agents in Takum Shara and parts of Kabusa Ward, including Dogongada and Shereti, were allegedly threatened and intimidated during the voting process.
Paul alleged that some agents were told they could be maimed or killed, claiming such actions were aimed at suppressing voters and influencing the election in favour of the ruling party.
He also accused political actors of engaging in vote buying, describing the practice as criminal and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic process. These allegations, however, had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.
Confidence Amid Challenges
Despite the challenges, Paul expressed confidence that the ADC would perform strongly in the overall election, insisting that the will of the people would ultimately prevail.
He urged residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large to resist intimidation, reject electoral malpractice, and demand accountable and people-centred leadership.
As collation continues across wards and area councils, observers note that while a single polling unit win does not determine the final outcome, the ADC’s result against the APC in the heart of Abuja carries symbolic political significance amid growing voter dissatisfaction and calls for alternatives.
ADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election
Politics
Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’ to Rival Tinubu’s City Boys Ahead of 2027
Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’ to Rival Tinubu’s City Boys Ahead of 2027
Supporters of former Peter Obi have unveiled a new grassroots political initiative, the “Village Boys Movement”, in Abuja ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The movement is designed to mobilise rural and local communities and offer a value-driven alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s “City Boys” network, promoted by his son, Seyi Tinubu.
The movement was launched as a platform to engage grassroots supporters, promote ethical leadership, and advocate accountability in Nigerian politics. Its convener, Maazị Tochukwu Ezeoke, introduced himself as the “Village Headmaster” and described the group as a disciplined and principled organisation built on responsibility, honesty, and transparency.
Speaking at the Abuja launch, Ezeoke emphasised that the Village Boys Movement is not designed to target urban populations. Rather, the name is symbolic, reflecting the movement’s focus on values such as ethical leadership, productivity, and community-driven accountability. He said, “The issue is not geography but the source of wealth, the ethics of leadership, and the structure of accountability. We represent a Nigeria that works before it earns and earns before it spends.”
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Organisers highlighted that the initiative will primarily operate in rural communities, advocating civic engagement, political education, and grassroots mobilisation. The platform aims to strengthen Peter Obi’s outreach beyond urban centres, complementing existing youth networks while encouraging active participation in the democratic process.
Political analysts note that the launch of the Village Boys Movement signals a strategic effort by Obi’s supporters to counter the influence of Tinubu’s City Boys, which has historically rallied urban youth support. The initiative underscores the growing importance of grassroots campaigns in Nigeria’s 2027 elections and reflects an emphasis on values-based politics as a tool to attract voters nationwide.
The movement has pledged to expand operations across multiple states, engage community leaders, and empower citizens at the local level, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
Peter Obi Launches ‘Village Boys Movement’ to Rival Tinubu’s City Boys Ahead of 2027
Politics
AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC
AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC
Less than 48 hours before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Zadna Dantani, has pulled out of the race and declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
Dantani’s withdrawal follows a similar move in Bwari Area Council, where the PDP candidate, Hon. Julius Adamu, stepped down in favour of APC’s Joshua Ishaku Musa, signalling a major shift in political alignment ahead of Saturday’s elections.
In a formal declaration, Dantani explained that his decision was influenced by high-level intervention from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as both “party leader and FCT leader.”
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“I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who supported us. This decision is not about personal interests. The Honourable Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, emphasized that this is a brotherhood election. I am aligning with APC in support of the good works of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Dantani said.
Dantani also confirmed that he had completed all legal formalities, including submitting a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that the move was entirely voluntary and made after consultations with family and stakeholders.
He called on his supporters across AMAC’s 12 wards to vote for APC’s Christopher Maikalangu, describing the alignment as a step toward unity and effective governance in the territory.
Political analysts note that these high-profile PDP withdrawals in both AMAC and Bwari have reshaped the FCT political landscape, increasing APC’s chances of sweeping the elections and stirring debates about PDP’s internal cohesion ahead of upcoming local and national contests.
AMAC Polls Shock: Another PDP Candidate Withdraws from FCT Race, Backs APC
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