Politics

Peter Obi, El-Rufai can remain in LP, SDP, says ADC

Published

8 months ago

July 31, 2025

Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai

Peter Obi, El-Rufai can remain in LP, SDP, says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has confirmed that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, and Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, are exempted from defecting from their present political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, confirmed the development in an exclusive phone chat with reporters on Wednesday.

His clarification came after the temporary National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, issued a strong warning on Tuesday, insisting that the party under his leadership will tolerate no sort of anti-party activity or indiscipline.

Mark, while speaking to members of the party in Abuja, declared that “There will be zero tolerance for anti-party and any form of indiscipline; you are either in ADC or not in ADC. No midway in this business, and those not with us, we will not carry them along.

“Those who are not totally committed will not be carried along. We shall reverse our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities from the polling units upwards to the national level. Every organ reenergised.

“We will open the gates for the next generations; our policies, nominations, and roles will reflect such.”
The ADC, which was recently selected as the opposition coalition’s flagship platform, is widely considered to be courting Obi and other prominent politicians who have yet to openly declare their support for the party.

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But the former Anambra State governor’s camp downplayed concerns over Mark’s warning, claiming that their principal had already communicated his position to coalition leaders.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement Worldwide, told our correspondent that Obi will not be pressured into making any rash decisions.

He said, “Even before we got into the issue of the coalition, our principal had made his position known ab initio, that he is still a Labour man and the coalition that he joined is for 2027.

“Obi actually made that clear when the coalition was at the formation stage. So we don’t see it as anything because we already made our position known right from the beginning.”

When approached to check Tanko’s status, Abdullahi said that Obi and El-Rufai had been granted a waiver to continue in their legacy parties for the moment.

He explained, “Absolutely! Obi is correct. This applies to himself and Nasir (El-Rufai). This is because their supporters and allies have obtained forms to contest the election in their legacy parties.

“So we cannot ask them to defect. It will affect the structures of those following them. They were therefore granted a concession to remain in their parties until after the election.

“In a nutshell, they requested a concession, and they were granted it.”

Meanwhile, Obi has distanced himself from the viral words that are currently circulating on social media and other forums.

His communications adviser, Umar Ibrahim, clarified in a press release on Wednesday.

One of the viral comments suggested that Obi denied rejoining the Peoples Democratic Party and reiterated his devotion to the African Democratic Congress.

The other person claimed that he had been offered the job of National Organising Secretary in the ADC.

Ibrahim, however, confirmed that neither of the two alleged statements came from Obi or his media office.

He said, “Peter Obi has been unequivocal in his position in the ongoing coalition and didn’t need anyone to put words into his mouth.”

“He has remained focused on his mission but would not accept anybody attributing a statement to him just to satisfy their devious agenda.”

The former Anambra governor, who has been the subject of much political conjecture, remains focused on his mission to create “a new Nigeria of our dreams.”

The media office thus asked the public to “disregard any statement purported to come from him outside his media office or his official handle.”

Peter Obi, El-Rufai can remain in LP, SDP, says ADC

Related Topics:ADC El Rufai LP Peter Obi SDP

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2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Published

1 hour ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.

Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.

Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.

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He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.

According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.

In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.

She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.

Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.

She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Politics

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

Published

6 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within the opposition party.

Announcing his defection, the Kebbi lawmaker said the PDP has been plagued by prolonged leadership disputes, internal divisions, and recurring litigation, which he noted have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition platform.

According to him, the lingering crisis has made it increasingly difficult for committed members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s development and fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He added that the situation has created uncertainty and disunity across various levels of the party structure.

Mohammed disclosed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across his federal constituency, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of those he represents.

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“I have formally submitted my resignation letter to my PDP Ward Chairman in Nasarawa Ward and also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of my defection,” he said.

He explained that joining the APC would enable him to better serve his constituents and enhance his legislative effectiveness, particularly by aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.

The defection comes amid ongoing leadership tussles within the PDP, including disputes over party structure, legal battles, and disagreements among top party figures, which have continued to affect unity within the opposition.

Political observers say the development is part of a wider trend of defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months, raising concerns about the opposition party’s internal cohesion and its readiness for future elections.

Meanwhile, the APC has continued to consolidate its position in the National Assembly, with recent defections strengthening its numerical advantage, while the PDP faces increasing pressure to resolve its internal conflicts and retain key members.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

Politics

Aiyedatiwa Sacks All Political Aides, Plans 1,000 New Appointments

Published

11 hours ago

March 31, 2026

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Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa

Aiyedatiwa Sacks All Political Aides, Plans 1,000 New Appointments

Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has terminated the appointments of all his political aides, including Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs), in a bold move aimed at enhancing governance efficiency and deepening service delivery. The decision was announced in Akure by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday.

According to the statement, the sack affects all political appointees serving under the governor, who was elected in 2025. The governor thanked the outgoing aides for their service and wished them well in their future endeavours. The mass disengagement comes amid a broader effort to strengthen administration at the grassroots level, ahead of the 2027 elections.

To replace the dismissed aides, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced plans to appoint about 1,000 new political aides drawn from all 203 wards across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State. These new aides are expected to serve as community liaisons, administrative support officers, and coordination aides, improving citizen engagement and service delivery throughout the state.

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Resignations Ahead of APC Primaries

In line with INEC regulations for electoral participation, several political appointees have submitted resignation letters to pursue elective offices in the 2027 general elections. These include:

Hon. Gbenga Omole, Special Adviser on Transport
Hon. Fadairo Oluwafemi, SSA on Community Engagement (Central)
Dr. Olusegun Victor Ategbole, Chairman, Ondo State Hospital Management Board
Engr. Razaq Obe, Director General, Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU)
Hon. Adeola Fynch, Secretary, Akure South Local Government, effective March 20, 2026

Notably, Hon. Adeola Fynch resigned to contest for the Akure South Constituency 1 seat in the State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. Resignations were formally tendered through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti.

Implications for Governance

Observers say the shake-up reflects Aiyedatiwa’s intent to broaden representation, strengthen local governance, and inject fresh capacity into the state administration. By recruiting aides from every ward, the governor aims to enhance grassroots engagement and ensure efficient delivery of public services.

Analysts, however, caution that integrating a large number of new aides may require significant orientation and coordination to maintain continuity in governance and policy implementation.

This sweeping restructuring highlights the government’s focus on accountability, community involvement, and electoral compliance, positioning Ondo State for stronger administrative performance in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Aiyedatiwa Sacks All Political Aides, Plans 1,000 New Appointments