Politics

Opposition Tensions Rise as Baba-Ahmed Says Obi Can’t Beat Atiku at Party Convention

Published

9 months ago

January 22, 2026

Peter Obi and Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

Opposition Tensions Rise as Baba-Ahmed Says Obi Can’t Beat Atiku at Party Convention

Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has revealed that he faced insults, backlash and harsh criticism after publicly stating that Peter Obi would struggle to defeat Atiku Abubakar if the African Democratic Congress (ADC) adopts a convention-style primary to pick its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking during a televised interview, Baba-Ahmed said his remarks — which he described as a realistic assessment of Nigeria’s internal party politics — triggered anger among Obi’s supporters, many of whom he accused of refusing to accept uncomfortable political truths. According to him, he was “abused and insulted” simply for expressing the view that convention politics favours experienced power brokers like Atiku.

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Baba-Ahmed argued that while Peter Obi commands massive grassroots and youth support, party conventions are often decided by delegates, internal alliances and long-standing political networks, areas where Atiku, a former Vice-President of Nigeria, enjoys a clear advantage. He warned that if ADC proceeds with a national convention — a method he said Atiku strongly prefers — Obi could “lose repeatedly” despite his popularity among voters.

The former Northern Elders Forum spokesperson also cautioned that the ADC may face internal tensions, defections or fractures if the presidential ticket is perceived as skewed toward one aspirant. He noted that several heavyweight politicians are eyeing the ticket and could react negatively to an outcome seen as predetermined.

His comments have reignited debate over the Obi–Atiku rivalry, which has increasingly defined opposition politics since the 2023 presidential election. Supporters of both camps have clashed online, exposing deep ideological and strategic divisions within Nigeria’s opposition bloc.

Reacting to the growing hostility, Atiku Abubakar recently urged supporters of all opposition figures, including Obi, to avoid insults and personal attacks, warning that internal fights only strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and weaken the chances of unseating it in 2027.

As discussions continue around coalitions, party mergers and primary formats, Baba-Ahmed’s comments highlight the core dilemma facing the opposition: how to balance popularity, internal democracy and political pragmatism in choosing a candidate capable of winning both a party primary and a national election.

With the ADC’s nomination process still unfolding, the controversy underscores the high stakes and fragile unity shaping Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of 2027.

Opposition Tensions Rise as Baba-Ahmed Says Obi Can’t Beat Atiku at Party Convention

Politics

2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

Published

45 minutes ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

The Anambra State Government has declared former governor Peter Obi and his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) a threat to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging APGA supporters to resist the opposition party.

The state government made the declaration in a message issued through its New Media office on Monday, accusing Obi of working to weaken the party that gave him the platform to become governor of Anambra.

The government described its message as a “betrayal alert” to APGA supporters, alleging that Obi had been seeking to undermine the party since leaving it in 2014.

It urged party members in the state not to be swayed by Obi’s current political influence, arguing that APGA remained the political platform responsible for his emergence as governor.

The government said, “Since 2014, Obi has had one mission: to destroy the party that made him,” while calling on APGA members to defend the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development comes amid an increasingly tense political relationship between Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

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Obi governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014 on the APGA platform before leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later joined the Labour Party, under which he contested the 2023 presidential election, before becoming the presidential candidate of the NDC ahead of the 2027 election.

The former governor remains an influential political figure in the South-East, particularly in Anambra, where his 2023 presidential campaign recorded strong support.

The Anambra government’s latest position also comes against the backdrop of APGA’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The state government has previously defended its relationship with the President and maintained that supporting Tinubu does not conflict with APGA’s interests.

However, Obi’s emergence as the NDC presidential candidate has created a new political challenge for APGA, particularly because of his longstanding influence among voters in Anambra and the wider South-East.

The NDC has rejected the allegations against Obi, accusing the Soludo administration of attacking the former governor because of concerns about his popularity.

NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, described the state government’s position as political blackmail and maintained that the party was confident of its prospects in the 2027 election.

The latest exchange has further widened the political divide between the camps of Peter Obi and Chukwuma Soludo, with both sides increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

For APGA, the emergence of Obi and the NDC presents a particularly sensitive political challenge because of the former governor’s history with the party and his continued influence in Anambra.

The 2027 election is therefore expected to produce a major political contest in the state, with APGA seeking to retain its influence while Obi’s NDC attempts to convert his personal support base into wider electoral backing.

2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

Politics

Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

Published

4 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers cited concerns over insecurity, internal party divisions and what they described as inadequate attention to the welfare of residents and their constituents as reasons for their decision.

The lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Muktar Nasir, representing Kaura Namoda North; Faruk Dosara Musa, representing Maradun I; Basiru Bello, representing Bungudu West; Bashir A. Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Ibrahim T. Tukur, representing Bakura; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Yusuf Muhammad Anka, representing Anka; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Kagara said their concerns about the security situation in Zamfara had contributed to disagreements with the state government.

He said the lawmakers had raised the issue of insecurity on the floor of the Assembly, but that their position led to disagreements with Governor Dauda Lawal and their subsequent suspension.

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Kagara also alleged that joining the APC did not resolve their grievances, claiming that some party leaders failed to give them what they considered a fair hearing.

Earlier, some of the lawmakers announced their resignation from the APC in separate letters dated October 4, 2026.

In the letters, the lawmakers cited issues including insecurity, alleged injustice, internal divisions, uncertainty and concerns about governance.

One of the lawmakers also alleged that members of the Assembly had gone about 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

The claims about unpaid entitlements and other grievances are allegations by the affected lawmakers and have not been independently established in the reports.

The APC in Zamfara initially said it had not received official copies of the resignation letters. The party’s publicity secretary, Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, said the documents had been seen on social media and that the party was awaiting formal communication through the appropriate party structures.

The defection represents a significant political realignment in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections, with the movement of the lawmakers potentially affecting the political balance within the state legislature.

Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

Politics

2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices

Published

1 day ago

October 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi

2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, have reiterated their plan to reduce the cost of petrol if elected in the 2027 presidential election.

The pair made the remarks during a brief stop at an NNPC filling station in Guzape, Abuja, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, where they were approached by members of the public.

Amaechi was driving the vehicle with Atiku seated beside him when they stopped at the filling station. The encounter attracted a small crowd, with the politicians responding to questions about fuel prices and their proposed policy.

Amaechi said an Atiku-led government would reduce the cost of petrol through what the ADC ticket describes as a production subsidy, rather than simply returning to the previous system of subsidising imported petrol.

Atiku also addressed the crowd briefly in Hausa, saying, “Zan dawo da tallafi insha Allahu,” which translates to, “I will bring back the subsidy, by God’s grace.”

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The encounter came a day after Amaechi challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce petrol to ₦600 per litre.

Amaechi said he would withdraw from Atiku’s presidential ticket and campaign for Tinubu if petrol was brought down to that price. He made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The former Rivers State governor has continued to criticise the impact of the petrol subsidy removal on households, particularly the effect of higher fuel prices on transportation and the cost of goods.

Atiku has separately outlined a proposed domestic production subsidy under which government support would be directed at locally refined petroleum products.

The proposal is intended to reduce production costs for domestic refineries and, according to Atiku, allow the savings to be reflected in lower petrol prices for consumers.

The former vice president has argued that the intervention would be structured, capped and subject to public disclosure and independent auditing. Imported petrol would not qualify under the proposed arrangement.

The fuel subsidy debate has remained a major issue in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration in May 2023.

The Federal Government has defended the removal, arguing that the former subsidy regime imposed a significant burden on public finances. Opposition figures, including Atiku, have instead linked the policy to higher living costs and have proposed alternative measures to reduce the impact on consumers.

The Abuja filling-station encounter therefore provided Atiku and Amaechi another opportunity to restate their position on petrol prices, fuel subsidy and the cost of living as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 election.