Politics

The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, is calling on Nigerians in the North to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Yari says Tinubu supported former President Muhammadu Buhari when it was the North’s turn to lead, and that the region should now reciprocate the gesture. Speaking during a visit to the Oba of Lagos, Yari recalled that Tinubu declined to contest the 2019 presidential election, saying power should remain in the North. He says Tinubu stood firmly behind Buhari’s second-term bid despite pressure from some APC members to run for president. Yari argues that the North therefore has no reason not to support Tinubu’s bid to continue in office. He also defended the Tinubu administration, saying the President has been working to restructure the country despite the difficult situation he inherited. Yari assured Tinubu of continued support from northern political leaders who believe in justice and fairness.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to prevent academics who have openly declared support for political candidates from serving as Returning or Collation Officers during the 2027 general elections. The party made the call following reports that more than 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria had endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election. ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the development raises concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and possible conflicts of interest. The party acknowledged that lecturers, like every Nigerian, have the constitutional right to support any candidate. However, it argued that academics who have publicly taken partisan positions should not be involved in determining the outcome of an election involving their preferred candidate. The ADC also urged INEC to establish clear criteria for disqualifying prospective election officials who have publicly endorsed candidates or participated in partisan political activities. It further called on the electoral commission to publish the names of proposed Returning and Collation Officers ahead of the election, allowing political parties and members of the public to identify possible conflicts of interest.

Lagos State House of Assembly member Desmond Elliot has apologised to Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, and appealed to be welcomed back into the All Progressives Congress in Lagos. In a video circulating on social media, Elliot was seen kneeling before Gbajabiamila as he pleaded for forgiveness over his actions during the party’s primary election in May. Elliot said he had no excuse for his actions and expressed regret, promising to conduct himself better in the future. The disagreement began after the APC primary for the Surulere Constituency I seat, where Elliot withdrew from the exercise, alleging intimidation and political pressure against his supporters. He later rejected the outcome and said he would challenge the process through the party’s appeal mechanism. Elliot eventually lost the APC ticket to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who secured 11,385 votes, while Elliot polled 270 votes. His latest apology appears aimed at resolving the dispute and restoring his relationship with the APC leadership in Lagos.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, says the acquittal of former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke by a United Kingdom court will not stop corruption investigations and asset-recovery proceedings against her in Nigeria. HEDA chairman Olanrewaju Suraju said the June 17 ruling by the Southwark Crown Court should be respected, but stressed that it only addressed the specific bribery charges brought before the UK court. The group said the verdict does not determine the outcome of separate allegations and legal proceedings under Nigerian law. HEDA urged Nigerian authorities to continue pursuing any viable cases against the former minister where there is credible evidence, while respecting due process and the rule of law. The organisation also noted that criminal prosecution and asset recovery are separate legal processes, meaning the failure of a criminal case does not automatically determine the status of assets involved in other proceedings. HEDA called on the EFCC and other relevant agencies to clarify the status of investigations and asset-recovery cases involving Alison-Madueke, while demanding greater transparency over recovered and forfeited assets.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections. The commission cleared President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC; and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to contest the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027. INEC said 18 political parties submitted presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the election. Other presidential candidates cleared by the commission include Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, AAC; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM; Sunday Okereke of the Labour Party; Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP. The commission also released the list of candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives elections, with several prominent political figures cleared to contest. Among them are National Assembly principal officers, former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. In Kogi State, the Kogi Central senatorial race is expected to be closely contested, with former governor Yahaya Bello among more than 12 candidates cleared for the seat. He will face incumbent senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP and other contenders. According to INEC, the youngest presidential candidate is 35-year-old Moses Olusoji Adebisi of the Democratic Labour Alliance, while other candidates include 43-year-old Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement and 44-year-old Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party.

More than 10 million dollars spent by the camps of President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on lobbying activities in the United States could have supported thousands of small businesses in Nigeria. Documents filed under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act show that the two lobbying engagements are worth about 10.2 million dollars, equivalent to roughly 14.3 billion naira at an exchange rate of 1,400 naira to the dollar. The amount could theoretically provide 250,000-naira funding packages to about 56,000 micro and small businesses. The Federal Government’s engagement with Washington-based DCI Group began in December 2025, with the firm retained to communicate Nigeria’s policies to US lawmakers and support the country’s counter-terrorism efforts. The six-month contract was valued at 4.5 million dollars, with an option that could raise the total to nine million dollars. Meanwhile, Atiku engaged another US lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, under a 1.2-million-dollar, 12-month agreement. The firm was tasked with improving his access to US policymakers and countering narratives associated with the Nigerian government. The combined spending has sparked debate over whether such funds could have produced greater impact if invested in areas such as small businesses, education, healthcare and infrastructure. An economic expert questioned the spending, arguing that Nigeria faces pressing domestic needs and that political disputes should not unnecessarily be taken abroad. However, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the key issue is opportunity cost. He argued that public spending on lobbying should be justified by clear, measurable benefits, particularly when millions of Nigerians are struggling with unemployment, poor infrastructure and inadequate public services. The report noted that the comparison is not a direct claim that 14 billion naira would automatically create 56,000 sustainable businesses. Rather, it highlights what could potentially be achieved if the same resources were directed toward domestic economic needs.

The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 people in connection with the disruption of the movement of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, during his visit to the state. The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Makurdi, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations launched shortly after the incident. According to him, the command received information about Obi’s visit at about 5:30pm on Monday, September 7, and deployed security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to protect him. Nwadiogbu said Obi’s movement was later obstructed by a group of people, creating tension that could have escalated into violence. He explained that the police opted for a tactical response to prevent possible loss of lives and destruction of property. Officers subsequently escorted Obi back to the airport, from where he left the state safely. The commissioner stressed that the police response should not be interpreted as inaction, noting that the command immediately began efforts to identify those involved. He said 46 suspects had so far been arrested, while investigations and efforts to apprehend other persons connected to the incident were ongoing. Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the neutrality of the police, saying every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation or status. He warned that no individual or group had the right to unlawfully restrict another person’s movement and assured that anyone found culpable would face the law. The commissioner also appealed to residents to remain calm and allow the police to complete their investigation.

President Bola Tinubu has urged Christian leaders to promote peace and responsible participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against using church pulpits to promote violence, hatred or division. Tinubu made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 International Synod of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles held at the National Christian Centre. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President asked religious leaders to support peaceful elections and speak out against practices capable of undermining democracy. He specifically urged them to discourage vote buying, hate speech and the use of ethnic or religious sentiments for political purposes. Tinubu also called for issue-based campaigns, stressing that political ambitions should not take precedence over national peace and stability. The President said the Church had an important role to play in peacebuilding, national security and promoting understanding across religious and denominational lines. He also acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians have faced as a result of ongoing economic reforms, assuring citizens that the Federal Government remained committed to reducing hardship, improving household incomes and ensuring that the benefits of the reforms reach more Nigerians. Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged religious leaders to help prevent young people from being drawn into radicalisation and criminal activities. Idris said preserving Nigeria’s unity required responsible leadership from all sectors, including religious institutions, and called for dialogue and community-based efforts to prevent conflict. However, the President-General of the Christian body, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the group’s support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Kawas said the organisation had reviewed the administration’s record and would continue to support the President through prayers, advocacy and public engagement.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has been prevented by some Benue youths from visiting Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state. Obi was scheduled to visit the community to sympathise with victims of the June 13, 2025, attack and make personal donations to affected families. The former Anambra State governor arrived in Makurdi at about 9am but was stopped on the Makurdi-Gboko Road, less than two kilometres from the airport. The youths reportedly blocked the road, chanting “Obi go back,” while some allegedly carried sticks and threw stones. Security personnel were deployed to the area, but Obi and his team eventually turned back and returned to the airport, where he left the state. Obi described the incident as ridiculous and worrying, saying he came to sympathise with families affected by the killings and show solidarity with the Yelewata community. He appealed to security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services, to intervene and ensure peaceful political activities across the country. Obi also called for the 2027 presidential campaign to focus on issues such as insecurity, kidnapping, hunger, killings, poverty and economic hardship rather than violence and confrontation. He said Benue has the agricultural capacity to feed Nigeria but noted that insecurity and a lack of economic opportunities have deprived many young people of sustainable livelihoods. The NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Professor Terhemba Shija, who was present at the scene, condemned the action of the youths and praised Obi for refusing to escalate the confrontation. However, the Benue State Government denied knowledge of Obi’s visit. The Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, said the state government was not informed and therefore could not guarantee Obi’s security. The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, gave a different account, saying the police command was informed of Obi’s planned visit on Monday night and deployed personnel to provide security. Nwadiogbu said the police tactically managed the situation after youths blocked the road and that the command was investigating why the youths opposed Obi’s visit. The NDC condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and calling for an immediate investigation into what happened. The party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also condemned the blockade, describing it as a threat to democratic freedoms and calling on the Benue State Government to identify and prosecute those responsible. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, also criticised the incident, saying political differences should not prevent citizens or political candidates from moving freely within the country.

The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, has challenged those accusing him of having links with bandits to provide credible evidence to support the allegations. Buba, who is also the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, describes the allegations as politically motivated attacks ahead of the 2027 elections. He says anyone with evidence of his involvement in banditry should present it to the appropriate security agencies or the courts instead of relying on media reports, misinformation or character assassination. Buba says he has subjected his complaints to relevant security agencies and the courts, adding that he will continue to follow due process in addressing the allegations. The senator has faced accusations of links with suspected bandits since 2024, allegations he has repeatedly denied. The latest controversy follows videos circulated by a content creator known as D English Alhaji, who alleges that suspected bandit leaders have visited Buba’s residence. A resident, identified as Hassan, also accuses the senator of being among politicians allegedly supporting bandits in the area. Hassan further alleges that individuals linked to the notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Gide, are brought to Abuja for specialised training, allegedly facilitated by one of Buba’s aides. Reacting to the allegations, Buba says he will not be intimidated or silenced by what he describes as a sponsored media campaign aimed at achieving political objectives ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking while receiving political associates, party leaders, religious leaders and supporters who gathered to express solidarity with him, the senator says he remains committed to protecting his reputation and serving the people of Bauchi State. He also calls on Nigerians to support government efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality through lawful means. Buba cautions against politicising insecurity or reducing the fight against crime to ethnic or religious sentiments. He says his political ambition is focused on responsible leadership, improved security, unity, economic opportunities and inclusive development across Bauchi State. The senator also urges his supporters and political associates to avoid spreading unverified claims or engaging in unnecessary media exchanges. He advises them to properly verify allegations before responding, saying his preferred approach is to remain focused on public service and lawful democratic engagement.