Politics

The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Funso Doherty, had expressed confidence that he would defeat the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 governorship election. Doherty said his decision to join the NDC was based on the party’s emphasis on accountability, prudent governance and service to the people. He criticised the APC-led administration, saying Lagos residents still faced challenges in welfare, security, education, healthcare, transportation and housing. He argued that the state needed a different approach to governance after decades of one-party dominance. The NDC candidate also promised to expand technical education, improve public healthcare and provide more affordable housing. He said his administration would also reduce the cost of governance and ensure better salaries for civil servants. Doherty urged Lagos residents, particularly young people, to participate actively in the 2027 election, saying increased voter turnout would give citizens a stronger opportunity to demand good governance.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed claims by Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso that President Bola Tinubu could be defeated in the 2027 presidential election. Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said the APC remained confident of winning the presidential, governorship and other elections in Kaduna State. Musa, who spoke on Thursday, rejected claims that northern voters were turning against the ruling party and defended Tinubu’s economic policies. He said the President had taken painful decisions which would eventually produce positive results. Meanwhile, Peter Obi warned that voters would resist any attempt to manipulate the 2027 election and urged Nigerians to ensure their votes counted. Kwankwaso also cautioned against assuming that control of state governments would guarantee victory at the presidential level. APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, however, described the opposition’s claims as “cheap talk” and “wishful thinking,” insisting that Nigerians would re-elect President Tinubu.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has pledged to maintain peace in the state throughout the 2027 electioneering period. The governor made the pledge in Bauchi after returning from an official engagement in Abuja, where he called on political parties and their supporters to obey electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC. Mohammed said his party, the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, would comply with the rules governing political activities and urged other parties to do the same. He called for campaigns to focus on policies, programmes and ideas that could improve the lives of citizens, rather than personal attacks, violence and political provocation. The governor disclosed that some of his campaign posters and billboards had been destroyed by political opponents, but said he had chosen not to retaliate. He stressed that his restraint should not be seen as weakness, adding that his position as governor would not be used to persecute opponents or settle political scores. Mohammed urged traditional rulers, security agencies and other stakeholders to remain impartial during the electioneering period, saying Bauchi’s reputation for peace must be protected. He assured residents that his administration would continue taking steps to preserve peace and prevent political activities from triggering violence or security challenges.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had raised concerns over funding and emerging technology threats ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission was still awaiting the full release of funds allocated for election technology and operations. He also warned that artificial intelligence-driven disinformation could threaten the credibility of the elections, especially given the public distrust that followed technological challenges during the 2023 polls. Amupitan, who was represented by National Commissioner Sani Adam, spoke in Abuja at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria. He said INEC was conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology and was considering a mock presidential election to test accreditation, result transmission and viewing systems before the 2027 polls. The INEC chairman also warned that AI could be used to create fake videos, voices and images capable of misleading voters and creating confusion during the elections. He said the commission would strengthen digital monitoring and rapid-response systems to counter false information before it spread widely. Amupitan stressed that securing election technology and protecting the information environment would both be essential to ensuring public confidence in the 2027 elections.

A United States-based lobbying and policy advisory firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten, was offered three million dollars to stop its campaign concerning allegations against President Bola Tinubu. The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, said the offer was made a few days ago by an individual it was told was connected to President Tinubu. It also claimed Von Batten was invited to a confidential meeting in London. The firm said its founder rejected the offer and preserved communications relating to the alleged approach. It added that it had contacted members of Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the identity and alleged connection of the individual involved. The firm further claimed that a smear campaign against its founder began after he rejected the offer and said it would submit the alleged communications to the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review. However, the Presidency dismissed the claims, with President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, describing Von Batten as a commercial lobbyist and not a representative of the United States government. Dare also questioned the firm’s credibility and challenged it to produce the alleged intelligence reports, identify its sources and provide documentary evidence to support its claims. He further cited United States Foreign Agents Registration Act filings which he said showed that Atiku had contracted Von Batten-Montague-York on a 1.2-million-dollar, 12-month retainer. The lobbying firm maintained that it had preserved evidence of the alleged three-million-dollar offer and would submit it to US authorities. The claims have not been independently verified.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has accused the governors of Imo and Kwara states, Hope Uzodinma and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of working against him politically. Wike made the accusation during a media chat in Port Harcourt, where he claimed that both governors had failed to reciprocate the political support he previously gave them. He also alleged that Abdulrazaq had been leading a campaign against him in Kwara State. The former Rivers State governor said despite his disagreements with the two governors, his main focus remained supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Wike also revealed that he and his allies had worked against Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election. He said their strategy involved supporting Obi in the South-East in order to weaken Atiku’s chances. The minister further predicted that President Tinubu would secure at least 25 per cent of the votes in every northern state in the 2027 election, while Atiku would struggle to secure 10 per cent in some southern states. Wike also criticised his former political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, saying he was not fit to become vice president. He accused Amaechi of previously shutting down courts in Rivers State and also criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for what he described as political involvement. On the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike said President Tinubu had no constitutional power to dictate how states and local governments spent their increased allocations. He instead called on the sub-national governments to account for how the additional revenue was being used.

The Senate has assured Nigerians that the ongoing constitutional amendment process will be completed before the expiration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2027. The assurance came amid concerns that preparations for the 2027 general elections could slow down the review process and lead to another failed attempt at amending the Constitution. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the proposed amendments, which had already been initiated by the current Assembly, would be passed before its tenure ends. He explained that although the 2027 general elections were scheduled for January, the 10th National Assembly would remain in office until June 2027. The constitutional review is expected to cover issues relating to governance, political restructuring and other aspects of Nigeria’s constitutional framework. Constitutional amendments require approval by the National Assembly and endorsement by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. Senate President Godswill Akpabio had also said political activities ahead of the 2027 elections would not stop lawmakers from carrying out their legislative duties.

The Peoples Democratic Party had declared three days of mourning for its National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dan Osi Orbih, who died in London on Monday at the age of 64. The party directed its offices nationwide to fly its flag at half-mast in honour of the late Edo politician, who was described as a loyal and influential party leader. Several political figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and former governor Godwin Obaseki, paid tribute to Orbih. Wike described his death as a devastating personal loss, while Okpebholo called him a bridge-builder and voice of reason who contributed to political and institutional development in Edo State. The Edo PDP and APC also mourned Orbih, acknowledging his influence across political divides and his contributions to democracy in the state and the South-South. Ambrose Alli University, where Orbih served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, also described his contributions to the institution as indelible. Orbih, who was a former Edo PDP chairman and later National Vice Chairman of the party, was survived by his wife, children, siblings and other family members. The family said burial arrangements would be announced later.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had opened two fronts against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Atiku and the African Democratic Congress were seeking to disqualify Tinubu from contesting the election over a disputed NYSC discharge certificate. However, the case was adjourned to September 28 after difficulties serving the President with the court documents. Atiku alleged that the NYSC certificate submitted to INEC carried the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” and questioned whether it belonged to President Tinubu. The allegation had not been judicially established. On another front, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of failing to fully implement the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments. He promised that if elected, his administration would ensure that federal allocations were paid directly to local government councils. Atiku said this would strengthen grassroots development, reduce poverty and improve the capacity of councils to tackle insecurity. The former vice president’s two-pronged challenge had therefore taken the 2027 political contest into both the courtroom and the wider political arena.