The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Peter Obi

  • Kwankwaso Urges Atiku to Quit 2027 Presidential Race

    Kwankwaso Urges Atiku to Quit 2027 Presidential Race

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.

    Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the appeal on Monday while speaking at his Abuja residence during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association.

    Speaking in Hausa, the former Kano State governor appealed to the group to advise Atiku, citing his age and health.

    “Go to the Wazirin of Adamawa’s house and tell him in Fulani that he needs to focus on his traditional title of Wazirin, given his age and health,” he said.

    Kwankwaso also promised that he and Obi would take care of Atiku if they emerge victorious in the 2027 election.

    “If Allah grants us success, we will take good care of him, especially since you all come from Adamawa. An apology should be offered to him,” he added.

    Atiku emerged as the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate in May 2026, setting the stage for another presidential contest.

    His emergence marked his latest attempt at securing Nigeria’s presidency after first contesting for the position in 1993.

    The former Vice-President was the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2019 election, where he lost to then-incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking after his emergence as the ADC candidate, Atiku pledged to focus on national unity, security, economic development, education and greater devolution of resources and powers to Nigeria’s federating units.

    “This time around is different; our journey will not end at the poll; we will get to work and rescue Nigeria. I invite every Nigerian to join me in this mission to save our dear country,” he said.

    Atiku also promised to pursue a liberal economy with lower taxes for small businesses and low-income earners if elected president.

    “I have never been this optimistic, and with your support and God’s grace, we will get to the promised land,” he said.

  • Police Arrest 46 Over Blockade of Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benue

    Police Arrest 46 Over Blockade of Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benue

    …APM Presidential Candidate, Seyi Makinde Alleges APC Involvement

    …Ovie Omo-Agege Urged Security Agencies to Investigate

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 suspects in connection with the obstruction of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his visit to the state.

    The arrests came amid growing calls for an investigation into the incident, with political figures and civil society groups demanding that security agencies establish who organised, funded or sponsored the blockade.

    The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the arrests, saying the command had launched an intelligence-led operation after Obi’s movement was disrupted on Tuesday.

    Nwadiogbu said the police were informed of Obi’s planned visit to Benue at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7, after which three police escort vehicles and personnel led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police were deployed to provide security.

    According to him, Obi’s convoy was later obstructed by a group of people, creating tension that the police feared could escalate into violence.

    “Unfortunately, Mr. Obi’s movement was obstructed by a group of persons, creating tension and a situation that could have degenerated into violence,” the commissioner said.

    He explained that security personnel decided against forcing their way through the blockade because doing so could have resulted in casualties and destruction of property.

    “At that point, the Police took a professional and tactical decision to avoid an escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. Mr. Obi was subsequently safely escorted back to the airport and departed the state peacefully,” he added.

    Nwadiogbu stressed that the decision to escort Obi back to the airport should not be interpreted as a failure to act, noting that investigations began immediately and led to the arrest of 46 suspects.

    He said more suspects, including individuals believed to have played key roles in the incident, were still being sought.

    The commissioner also warned that no person or group had the authority to unlawfully restrict another Nigerian’s freedom of movement.

    “Every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement, irrespective of political affiliation, status or personal belief. No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.

    ### Calls for investigation

    The arrests have heightened calls for authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blockade and determine whether any political interests were involved.

    Former Deputy Senate President and NDC candidate for Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, described the incident as a “national disgrace” and urged security agencies to investigate beyond those who physically blocked the convoy.

    He called for investigators to establish who organised and financed the action and whether anyone issued instructions for it to be carried out.

    “There must be no cover-up, political protection, or convenient silence,” Omo-Agege said.

    He questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, asking, “What kind of politics has Nigeria descended into when even mourning the dead requires political permission?”

    Omo-Agege maintained that the tragedy in Yelwata should not be viewed through partisan lines, arguing that Obi should have been allowed to visit the community regardless of his political affiliation.

    “Yelwata’s tragedy is not the property of the APC, PDP, Labour Party or NDC. The dead belong to Nigeria, and their families belong to all of us,” he said.

    He added that even if Obi’s visit had a political dimension, his constitutional rights to freedom of movement and association should still be respected.

    The NDC deputy governorship candidate in Cross River State, Stella Archibong, also condemned the incident and called for an urgent investigation.

    Archibong described the blockade as “unfortunate and unbecoming of a democratic society,” urging the relevant authorities to identify those responsible and ensure that they faced justice.

    ### Makinde alleges APC involvement

    The Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, alleged that the blockade was carried out by suspected state-sponsored thugs as part of an attempt to frustrate opposition activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, Makinde accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to suppress opposition voices.

    He described the incident as “a new low” in political efforts to prevent opposition candidates from freely campaigning and engaging with Nigerians.

    Makinde also criticised the reported position of the Benue State Government that Obi did not obtain prior permission before visiting the state.

    He argued that Nigerians did not require permission from a state government to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of movement.

    “Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy,” he said.

    However, Makinde did not provide evidence linking the APC to the suspects arrested, while the police have not announced any connection between those in custody and the ruling party.

    The Benue State Government has also denied involvement in the incident.

    ### Youth group demands apology

    The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum condemned the blockade and called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to publicly apologise over the incident.

    The group’s National Coordinator, Clifford Obinwanne Chukwuonye, said political disagreements should not be allowed to override citizens’ constitutional rights.

    “We should respect the rule of law and we must respect each other’s fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution,” he said.

    Chukwuonye described the incident as an alleged abuse of power and warned that such developments could create a dangerous atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections.

    He also urged Nigerian youths to reject attempts by politicians to recruit them for violence, intimidation or political attacks.

    ### Socio-cultural groups condemn incident

    Benue’s three major socio-cultural groups, Mdzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede, also condemned the obstruction.

    The chairman of the groups, Air Commodore Agbecha Titus (retd.), said it was troubling that anyone would prevent a political leader or citizen from visiting a community to offer condolences and solidarity to victims of violence.

    “We condemn any act that obstructs leaders, dignitaries, or citizens from offering comfort and solidarity to grieving communities,” he said.

    Agbecha warned against allowing the actions of individuals to portray Benue as hostile to visitors, stressing the need for dialogue rather than confrontation.

    “Benue is known for hospitality and dignity. We cannot allow isolated actions to define us or to be used to paint our state as hostile to peace and dialogue,” he said.

    The groups called on security agencies to protect citizens and visitors undertaking humanitarian and solidarity missions and pledged to engage youth leaders and other stakeholders to prevent a recurrence.

    The latest incident is not the first disagreement involving Obi and the Benue State Government over a planned humanitarian visit.

    In April 2025, Obi had accused the state government of frustrating his planned visit to internally displaced persons and a nursing school, leading to a public disagreement between the former Anambra State governor and the government.

    With 46 suspects now in custody and further arrests expected, attention is likely to focus on the circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s blockade, including who organised the action, its motive and whether any political group was involved.

  • Keyamo Condemns Peter Obi’s Benue Blockade, Urges Media to End Partisan Reporting

    Keyamo Condemns Peter Obi’s Benue Blockade, Urges Media to End Partisan Reporting

    Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo urges media to apply consistent standards when reporting political confrontations involving ruling and opposition parties.

    Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has called on the media to stop partisan reporting and apply consistent standards when covering political confrontations involving candidates and supporters of different political parties.

    Keyamo made the call while condemning the obstruction of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, who was prevented by protesters from proceeding to Yelwata in Benue State on Tuesday.

    He said the incident should be condemned regardless of whether the protesters were motivated by internal disagreements within the NDC, as claimed by the Benue State Government, or were sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) or another rival party.

    “Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC (as posited by the Benue State Government) or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” Keyamo said.

    The minister also rejected arguments that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata, where killings occurred in 2025, could have been politically motivated, saying that such concerns could not justify preventing him from moving freely.

    “That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” he said.

    However, Keyamo said the incident had highlighted what he described as a double standard in the way sections of the media report confrontations involving politicians from different parties.

    “However, there is no better time to draw attention of Nigerians and the world to the spin that the partisan section of the media usually put to such incidents,” he said.

    According to him, confrontations involving APC candidates are sometimes portrayed as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition candidates are described as attacks by sponsored thugs.

    “Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’. When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’,” Keyamo said.

    “Just check most headlines today.”

    Keyamo further criticised what he described as the failure of some media organisations to challenge statements by opposition politicians that APC candidates could face violence when campaigning in certain parts of the country.

    “In fact, many opposition leaders openly boasts that the APC candidates cannot go to some parts of this country and shout ‘APC!’ without being ‘stoned’, ‘beaten’ or molested, yet the partisan Press do not call out such leaders and even help to accentuate such statements,” he said.

    He urged the media to abandon partisan approaches and apply the same standards to all political parties and candidates.

    “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all,” Keyamo said.

    The minister also urged Nigerians to channel their opposition to political candidates through the electoral process rather than violence during campaigns.

    “Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” he said. Arise News

  • ‘Call Governors to Order’ – Obi Demands Security Action After Benue Blockade

    ‘Call Governors to Order’ – Obi Demands Security Action After Benue Blockade

    Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene following the disruption of his planned visit to Yelewata community in Benue State.

    Obi arrived in Makurdi on Tuesday morning and was heading for Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, where he had planned to sympathise with families affected by the June 13, 2025, armed attack and make personal donations to victims.

    However, his convoy was stopped by a group of Benue youths along the Makurdi-Gboko Road, less than two kilometres from the airport.

    Chanting, “Obi go back, Obi go back”, some of the youths wielding sticks, reportedly threw stones as security personnel deployed to the area watched the confrontation.

    Following the incident, Obi and members of his team turned back and returned to the airport. He subsequently left the state without visiting Yelewata.

    Speaking before his departure, the former Anambra State governor described the incident as “ridiculous” and “very, very worrisome,” saying he had travelled to Benue to condole with families affected by the killings and offer support to victims.

    “We arrived Benue, Makurdi precisely this morning at 9am, on our way to the Yelewata community to condole and show solidarity to the families affected by last year’s killings,” Obi said.

    He said he had planned to visit the community as part of his decision to travel across the country, meet Nigerians directly and understand their challenges.

    According to him, more than 270 people were killed in the Yelewata attack, prompting him to make the visit as he began his campaign activities.

    “Only to arrive Makurdi this morning and trying to drive out, I was blocked by teeming thugs, shouting ‘Obi go back, Obi go back.’ And I was wondering, are we still in Nigeria? Or am I in another country?” he said.

    Obi said he decided against forcing his way through the blockade because doing so could have resulted in violence and endangered lives.

    “I discontinued because I didn’t want to say we must go on as we have our own teeming crowd, but not wanting to cause confusion and possibly endanger the lives of other people. I decided to remain as civil as possible,” he said.

    The NDC candidate subsequently appealed to the nation’s security authorities, particularly the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS Director-General, to intervene and ensure that political activities across the country were conducted peacefully.

    “I am using this occasion to appeal to the security agencies, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, the Director of DSS and other agencies to please intervene and be able to call various state governors to order. This rascality cannot be allowed,” Obi said.

    He warned that political violence could escalate if security agencies failed to protect political actors and their supporters.

    “We have a country and we too have followers. We have people who can confront these people on our own if the state and the government can no longer provide us security. We cannot go on this way. It is unacceptable,” he said.

    Obi urges issue-based 2027 campaign
    Obi said the 2027 presidential contest should focus on the problems confronting Nigerians rather than violence, intimidation and political confrontation.

    He identified insecurity, kidnapping, hunger, killings and poverty as issues that presidential candidates should address as they seek the support of voters.

    “I participated yesterday in the commissioning of the office of the Presidential candidate of APM appealing that we need unity, love, justice, and let this campaign be concentrated on ideas, issues that concern Nigerians today of insecurity, kidnapping, hunger, killing and everything and how we are going to pull our people out of poverty,” he said.

    He urged other presidential candidates to travel around the country, interact directly with communities and listen to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

    “Go around Nigeria so you can feel the people, see their faces, ask them questions and they ask you questions about what you want to do for them to be able to ameliorate the suffering Nigerians are going through today,” Obi said.

    He also appealed to young people allegedly involved in political violence not to allow themselves to be used by politicians.

    “I call on the youths that are being used. The abuse you are allowing them to use you for today will take its revenge on you,” he said.

    “We are not coming here fighting anybody because our elections will be run on ideas, on issues. And I urge people to please let’s concentrate on that. Let’s not allow a country to get into anarchy. Anarchy consumes everybody,” he said.

    ‘Government knew I was here’

    Obi said his experience as a former governor made it difficult for him to believe that the incident could have occurred without the knowledge of the state government and security agencies.

    “I have been governor myself. I know that this cannot happen without the government and security agencies in this state being fully aware that I am here,” he said.

    He recalled that he served as governor of Anambra State for eight years and said he would have intervened had a similar incident occurred under his administration.

    Obi also questioned why he should be prevented from moving around Benue during the campaign period.

    “This is a campaign period. I did not come here on election day so you cannot say I came disturbing the election,” he said.

    He further recalled that he had previously turned back from visiting Benue after the governor reportedly indicated that he did not want to meet him.

    “Remember last time I wanted to come, the governor said he did not want to see me. I turned back. But now is the election period where as a presidential candidate I am free to move around because election campaigns have started,” Obi said.

    He said his objective was simply to see conditions in the state firsthand and interact with residents.

    Reacting to the incident, the Benue State government accused Obi of courting trouble.

    Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, said this while reacting to the disruption of Obi’s convoy during a visit to the state on Tuesday.

    Iorpev said Obi ought to have formally notified the state government ahead of his visit, describing the action of the former governor as a breach of protocol.

    The commissioner said given his status as a former governor and prominent political figure, the government had a responsibility to make adequate security arrangements for him.

    “A high-profile person who has been a former governor of a state is coming into the state; he should have written a letter to the State Government.”

    “We are supposed to guarantee his safety and protection, but in an instance where no letter was written, we could not guarantee his safety.

    “This is not the first time he is doing this. He is just looking for our trouble. We are peace loving and hospitable people,” he said.

    Iorpev said he was not aware of those who blocked the convoy, but added that Obi’s visit coincided with a meeting involving youths from all the 23 Local Government Areas of Benue. Daily Trust

  • Benue Govt Denies Blocking Peter Obi From Yelewata, Accuses Him of Fabricating Claims

    Benue Govt Denies Blocking Peter Obi From Yelewata, Accuses Him of Fabricating Claims

    The Benue State Government has denied allegations by Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), that thugs allegedly working for Governor Hyacinth Alia prevented him from accessing Yelewata to sympathise with families affected by the 2025 attacks.

    In a statement on Tuesday by Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the state government described Obi’s allegation as “unfounded” and an attempt to drag the Alia administration into what it suggested could be an internal dispute within the NDC.

    The government said it had no knowledge of the alleged incident and questioned whether Obi actually visited Makurdi, the state capital, on Tuesday.

    “We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about,” the statement said.

    It further argued that if Obi’s presence in the state had raised any security concerns, recognised security agencies, rather than thugs, would have been responsible for addressing them.

    “Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way. Even if he actually visited the state, and we realized that he is a threat to anyone, the security agencies are there to handle the issue, not thugs,” the statement added.

    According to the government, Alia is committed to the rule of law and does not engage, patronise or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security.

    It also questioned why a presidential candidate would visit the state without, according to the government, formally informing the relevant security authorities.

    “Ordinarily, such a visit would attract the attention and necessary security coordination involving the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies,” Kula said.

    The government also suggested that any disagreements involving Obi and members of his party in Benue should be resolved within the NDC rather than attributed to the state government.

    “If Mr. Obi is confronted with disagreements or internal political challenges within his party structure in Benue State, those issues should be resolved within the party rather than being conveniently transferred to the State Government,” the statement said.

    It said the Alia administration would remain focused on governance, security and the welfare of Benue residents, while urging the public to disregard allegations linking the government to the reported incident.

    “Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace,” the statement added.

  • Protesters Block Peter Obi’s Convoy on Benue Road

    Protesters Block Peter Obi’s Convoy on Benue Road

    Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, was on Tuesday prevented from proceeding in Benue State after protesters barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital.

    The protesters, chanting “We don’t want Peter Obi,” blocked the road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport for hours, disrupting traffic as Obi’s convoy was held back.

    Speaking at the scene in a video posted by News Central Television via its X page on Tuesday, Obi said he had travelled to Benue to condole with victims of killings in the state but was stopped on the orders of a government aide.

    “I was told that youths, led by an SA (Special Assistant) to the government, have decided to block the road and make sure I don’t go there,” he said.

    He described the blockade as unacceptable and accused those behind it of exploiting hungry, insecure youths for political ends.

    “The rascality they are bringing into this country is totally unacceptable. People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to show that they are with them, and I came here all the way this morning, a long distance, only to be told what you are seeing here,” he said.

    Obi said the protesters had been mobilised without regard for the consequences.

    “These youths are being used to do this. What they are doing now will take its revenge on them. They don’t know that. And unfortunately, somebody sits in office and allows this to happen,” he said.

    Obi maintained that the blockade should not have occurred, adding that the affected youths were themselves victims of poverty and insecurity who deserved livelihood support rather than being deployed to obstruct his visit.

    He said his itinerary had not been concealed from state authorities. “Everybody is aware I’m visiting this place today. It’s not a secret to them,” he said. Punch

     

     

  • Obi Challenges Nigerians to Scrutinise His, Kwankwaso’s Background

    … 30 govs won’t guarantee victory for APC in 2027, Kwankwaso insists
    NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi and His Running Mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso

    The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has challenged Nigerians to scrutinise his background and publicly identify any wrongdoing he may have committed.

    The former Anambra State governor also urged Nigerians to verify the background of his running mate and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

    This is as Kwankwaso issued a stern warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that the fact that its has overs 30 governors does not guarantee it victory in 2027.

    Obi issued the challenge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a town hall meeting with voters tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria”, where he fielded questions on the 2027 general election.

    The former Anambra State governor said he and his running mate, Kwankwaso, had made their personal and educational backgrounds available for public scrutiny.

    “I want to give every Nigerian the opportunity to know who I am,” Obi said.

    “Both of us have presented our backgrounds, from our dates of birth to our schools, education and all, to the people. You can go and verify our backgrounds worldwide, anywhere.”

    Obi’s comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the backgrounds and records of politicians positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential election.

    He also made a veiled reference to his legal dispute with his former spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, over alleged defamatory comments about their past dealings during the 2023 presidential campaign.

    According to Obi, he instituted the legal action after Okonkwo claimed to possess information about his past that could shock Nigerians.

    “We have sued somebody in court. He said he knows something he can say that will shock people. I said I want you to say what people will be shocked about,” Obi said.

    “And I’m challenging every Nigerian. If there is anything that you know I have done that is wrong, say it out now.

    “I’m challenging the world over: if you know anything that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has done that is wrong, say it out now.”

    The NDC candidate said anyone aspiring to occupy the highest  political office in the country must emerge through a credible and transparent process.

    “You cannot continue to answer His Excellency when the process that got you there is not excellent,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has issued a stern warning to the ruling APC, saying that the fact that its has overs 30 governors does not guarantee it victory in 2027.

    The vice-presidential asserted that the party’s control of over 30 state governors is not a magic wand that can guarantee electoral victory for President Bola Tinubu at the polls.

    Speaking at the event, the former Kano State governor noted that relying purely on political structures and incumbent governors is a dangerous gamble.

    Kwankwaso said having many governors does not automatically mean that a political party will win an election.

    “The sitting president lost the election. I’m giving you an example, especially for those who think because they have over 30 governors, they cannot lose the election. That is a very big mistake,” he said.

    He said past elections had shown that an incumbent government could lose despite having strong political control across several states.

    The former Kano governor also said some Northern governors may find it difficult to campaign for their parties in 2027 because of public dissatisfaction with their performance.

    “By the grace of God, all of them, especially the ones in the North, because I studied the trend. The trend is that those governors and their party have performed woefully to the extent that it is very difficult for them even to come out and campaign,” he said.

    Kwankwaso also questioned how governments have used the increased revenue available to them, saying higher allocations have not resulted in better living conditions for Nigerians.

    He recalled that when he became governor in 1999, state and local governments received much less money.

    “Now, in one year, we have seen it on social media that our government collected over N1.11trillion in just less than one year. You go around, what have you done with that money? Close to nothing,” he said.

    According to him, the gap between government revenue and the living conditions of Nigerians is increasing public anger.

    He said the situation is even more serious in Northern Nigeria because of the continued insecurity in the region. This Day Live

  • FG, APC Clash with Obi, Kwankwaso Over Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Chances

    FG, APC Clash with Obi, Kwankwaso Over Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Chances

    The Federal Government has dismissed claims by presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, that President Bola Tinubu would be defeated in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the All Progressives Congress remains confident of retaining the Presidency.

    The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said the APC would win the presidential election as well as the governorship and other elective contests in Kaduna State, rejecting suggestions of growing opposition to the ruling party in the North.

    Musa spoke on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, hours after Obi and Kwankwaso told their supporters that they were prepared to resist any attempt to manipulate the 2027 polls.

    While Obi warned that voters would not allow their votes to be subverted at polling units, Kwankwaso argued that the APC could lose despite controlling more than 30 states, citing the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

    Musa, who was responding to a suggestion that voters in Kaduna might punish the APC and President Tinubu over the performance of the administration.

    Rejecting the suggestion, Musa described the perceived rejection of the APC in the North as a matter of perception.

    “That’s a perception. It’s a perception, and I mean, everybody has his own perception to deal with. People will always have the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he said.

    Asked whether the APC could lose Kaduna State in 2027, Musa said he was certain the party would win the state.

    “I cannot say cannot lose. APC will win in Kaduna. That I know,” he said.

    Asked if he was referring to the governorship election, the minister replied, “Definitely. Presidential, governorship, and all levels.”

    Musa, who is from the North, was also asked about the reported growing sentiment against the APC and Tinubu in the region.

    He dismissed the suggestion, saying some people were attempting to exploit public sentiments because they were dissatisfied with their current circumstances.

    “That’s why I said there are some people, because probably they are not where they think they are, the tendency is they want to whip up sentiments. APC is this, APC is that,” he said.

    The minister defended Tinubu’s policies, saying the President had taken difficult decisions that would gradually produce results.

    “But I can tell you this, the President has taken very painful decisions, and I can tell you these are decisions that are coming in gradually,” Musa said.

    He said Nigerians would eventually appreciate the rationale behind some of the administration’s decisions, particularly its economic policies.

    “I mean, you can look at the economy and all these things, we’re coming in gradually. At a time, people will now realise that, look, this thing we thought was like this, this is actually how it’s going,” he said.

    Musa concluded his argument with a firm prediction: “And I can tell you, APC will win.”

    Obi, Kwankwaso

    Earlier on Thursday, Obi and Kwankwaso assured supporters and party faithful that nobody would intimidate them or subvert their will at the polling booths during the general elections in 2027.

    This is as Obi vowed that anyone who attempted to prevent votes from being counted in the poll would himself be counted.

    He spoke during a Town Hall Meeting with voters tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria’ held in Port Harcourt.

    Fielding questions from the supporters, Obi said it would be delusional for anyone to think that the 2027 election would easily be manipulated like that of 2023.

    “Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booth. If you get to any polling booth today, the highest number of officials you see in any polling booth is five.

    Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, where he finished third behind Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Tinubu defeated 17 other candidates after securing 8,794,726 votes, the highest tally in the election, and meeting the constitutional requirement for victory.

    He also won at least 25 per cent of the votes in 30 states, exceeding the constitutional threshold of 25 states.

    Atiku came second with 6,984,520 votes, while Obi polled 6,101,533 votes.

    Despite the official declaration of the results, Obi alleged that the election was marred by manipulation and the intimidation of his loyalists, and he, alongside many of his supporters, has continued to maintain that he won Rivers State and the 2023 presidential election.

    Obi declared that anyone plotting to manipulate the 2027 election would find it difficult to succeed.

    He stated, “No one will intimidate us again at the polling booth. If you get to any polling booth today, the highest number of officials you see at any polling booth is five.

    “The average number of voters is 40 to 50. There’s no way five people will intimidate 50 people. And we will make sure we have coordination to ensure that such intimidation does not arise.

    “The people who are in these polling booths are from families that are suffering from hunger. Some of the policemen’s children are not in school. All they want is for you to defend and demand that your vote must count.

    “And that is the demand we are going to make aggressively. Yes, they will try to manipulate the IReV. But let me tell you, it will not be easy this time,” Obi stated.

    The NDC presidential candidate further said voters would resist any attempt to manipulate results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal, adding that multiple portals would be provided.

    According to him, “There will be so many IReVs this time. This time around, if there is a network glitch, we will give them another one that has no glitch.

    “By allowing them to continue, that glitch will glitch our lives. That’s what we are suffering today. This time, all of us will rescue our country. Somebody said, ‘We are ready to die.’ Let me tell you, I’m ready to die too.”

    The party’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said Nigeria needs a committed, strong and energetic president capable of addressing the country’s challenges and meeting the needs of its citizens.

    On his part, Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to make the right choice of leadership, noting that many of those seeking the presidency lacked the necessary experience to effectively govern the country.

    He said: “I believe that Nigerians must not make mistakes again. This is the time to get it right. And anything to the contrary, I believe people, if they make a mistake, certainly people will regret making that mistake. Because it will be too costly for the people and the country. Many of these people have no experience, or they want to forget history.”

    Kwankwaso noted that the ruling party would lose the election despite having 30 state governors, recalling that former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the election even while in power.

    He stated, “Jonathan was the president, the sitting president lost the election. I’ve given you an example, especially those who think because they have over 30 governors, they cannot lose the election. That was a very big mistake.

    “By the grace of God, all of them (governors), especially the ones in the North, because I studied the trend.

    “The trend is those governors and their party have performed woefully, to the extent that it is very difficult for them even to come out and campaign. Why? Because from top to bottom, did absolutely nothing,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the NDC in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, thanked the party and its members for showing resilience and patience at the meeting.

    Lulu-Briggs said the party would transform the country into a nation that works, adding that Rivers supporters have the courage to work for the party.

    “We want to thank you for your sacrifice. I want to assure you that we shall have a Nigeria that works. I want to thank your excellencies, the leadership of our great party, for giving us this platform.

    “I want to assure your excellencies that we are not afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear. But fear that has set us free,” Chief Lulu-Briggs stated.

    APC reacts

    However, the APC  described Obi and Kwankwaso’s statement as cheap talk and wishful thinking.

    The National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Basiru, who spoke with The PUNCH on Thursday, reminded both Obi and Kwankwaso that former President Muhammadu Buhari won his re-election while the APC also won in many states.

    He said, “Talk is cheap, and they are poor students of history. Buhari was a sitting President and won re-election and his party won under him. Maybe they are suffering from partial amnesia.

    “Their party does not even have governorship candidates in at least 12 states and National Assembly candidates in a large number of constituencies. Presidential election is not won on empty rhetoric or wishful thinking. We are confident that Nigerians will re elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    ADC dismisses Wike

    Meanwhile, the ADC in Rivers State has dismissed FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s claim of winning the state in next year’s election.

    Wike had on Thursday claimed that the ADC and NDC would lose in Rivers State and Abuja.

    An ally of Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC running mate to Atiku Abubakar, and State Publicity Secretary of the ADC in Tivers State,  Chizi Enyi, in an interview with The PUNCH,  said Wike said Wike had betrayed all those who assured him to limelight.

    While alleging that Wike had a penchant for violence, the Rivers ADC spokesman said the party was not perturbed by his rantings.

    Enyi stated, “Wike has consistently been saying he will win Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja just to please Tinubu. And we all know that Wike is one man who will say one thing and does another.

    “He is someone who has consistently said that the only thing he owes himself on earth is always to please Dr Peter Odili. Today where is Odili? Wike also believed that former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan is God on earth when he was contesting for governor. Today where is Jonathan?

    “So, for President Bola Tinubu it will be the same thing and when he (Tinubu) leaves office he will be the way Odili and Jonathan are currently.”

    “For the ADC in Rivers State we are not disturbed because while we are busy campaigning, we have information that they are busy lobbying INEC, changing Electoral Officers and all that.

    “So, we are not disturbed. We know and we believe that from what we have seen and from the what we have done,  talking to people  and the personality of our candidates we are confident that we will win the general election in Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

    “Everybody knows that Wike is synonymous with violence. He always intimidate people,  talks one thing and does another. However we are not disturbed because the 2027 general elections Wike will be a thing of the past.

    “We strongly believe that the Abubakar/Amaechi ticket the ADC is the party to beat. In Rivers State Amaechi did very well as governor and his records are there for all to see,” he said. Punch

  • NDC Disowns 10 Anambra Candidates, Demands INEC Portal Audit

    NDC Disowns 10 Anambra Candidates, Demands INEC Portal Audit

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally disowned 10 candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 Anambra State House of Assembly elections, insisting that it neither nominated the individuals nor submitted their Form EC9E documents.

    The party has demanded an immediate electronic audit of INEC’s nomination portal to figure out how the credentials and names of these candidates were entered into the commission’s system.

    The NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theophilus Agada, disclosed the party’s stance in an official statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

    “The 10 names published by INEC neither emerged from the party’s nomination process nor its appeal process,” Agada stated. “The NDC uploaded only candidates who emerged from our appeal process, but the commission rejected the names approved by the party and subsequently published persons unknown to us.”

    The 10 disowned candidates published on INEC’s list are:

    Umennaajiego Ezenwa (Onitsha South 1)

    Akpotue Chibuike (Onitsha South II)

    Nwankwo Chiemerie (Orumba North)

    Maduagwu Eric K. (Anaocha I)

    Ngoebisi Obinna (Idemili North)

    Isintume Charles (Njikoka I)

    Nwachukwu Nonso (Nnewi South I)

    Okeke Akunne (Nnewi South II)

    Nnonyelu Samson E. (Ayamelum)

    Azotani Francis (Dunukofia)

    The opposition party maintained that the candidate nomination framework is clearly legally defined, making political parties solely responsible for uploading the names and particulars of their candidates before the electoral body processes and publishes them.

    “It is the party’s legal responsibility to submit the names and credentials of its nominated candidates,” the statement emphasized. “The NDC did not collect or forward completed EC9E forms for the 10 persons whose names later appeared on INEC’s published list.”

    Agada subsequently questioned the origin of the documents in INEC’s possession, asking: “How did the commission obtain their credentials when it is the party’s legal duty to submit the names of its approved candidates?”

    On Monday, August 31, 2026, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, told journalists that the commission does not possess the legal authority to nominate candidates for political parties or substitute validly nominated flagbearers with its own preferred choices.

  • “If Tinubu Loses, Atiku, Obi Will Haunt Me” – Wike

    “If Tinubu Loses, Atiku, Obi Will Haunt Me” – Wike

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he would be the primary target of political retaliation from opposition figures, specifically Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, if President Bola Tinubu fails to secure re-election in 2027.

    Wike made the remarks during a live media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, where he fiercely defended his unrelenting campaign for Tinubu’s second term despite remaining an official member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The minister has been locked in a bitter political battle with Atiku, who is now the 2027 presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dating back to 2022 when Wike lost the PDP presidential ticket to him.

    Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who has emerged as the 2027 presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had previously sought Wike’s support for his 2023 run on the Labour Party platform, though the minister ultimately chose to openly back Tinubu.

    Acknowledging the extreme personal and political exposure that comes with his vocal stance, Wike made it clear that his loyalty to Tinubu has left him personally exposed should the President’s re-election bid fail.

    “My concern is, I will support Mr President. If you watch what is happening today and look at it, peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku or Obi will hunt for his head. I challenge anybody. So, I won’t make that mistake of sleeping to see that the President loses the election,” Wike warned.

    The minister argued that his aggressive posture against opposition figures meant that a Tinubu defeat in 2027 would not only be a loss for his coalition but would also leave him personally vulnerable to political reprisal from a new administration.

    As political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the January general elections, Wike vowed that he would not remain passive and allow Atiku to win the presidency, asking, “You want me to fold my hands for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?”

    During the parley, Wike also dismissed widespread reports suggesting he is planning to permanently relocate to Rivers State, explaining that his frequent visits home are part of deliberate efforts to stay politically engaged with his grassroots base.

    The minister argued that he has no intention of abandoning his cabinet responsibilities in Abuja, but refused to manage his political
    base by proxy or rely blindly on assurances from political associates ahead of the 2027 polls.

    “It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them, and also do those things you know how to do very well, not to take chances. So, I’m not relocating. I don’t need to relocate, but I also have to be in touch with my people so that I don’t just sit in Abuja and then say that everything is going on well there,” Wike explained, adding, “I don’t want to sit in Abuja, and candidates are saying, ‘Oh, don’t bother, everything is going on well’. I have to come home and see that all those things are going on. ‘Have you done this? What about this?’”

    Shifting focus to his performance as FCT Minister, Wike assured that all capital projects initiated under the current administration in the nation’s capital will be fully completed before the expiration of their tenure, highlighting the infrastructure projects executed by the FCT Administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “Before this tenure expires, every project started under Bola Tinubu would have been completed,” Wike vowed. He broke down the progress of 107 total capital projects initiated under the Tinubu administration in the FCT, noting that 76 projects have already been completed, 10 more projects will be inaugurated before the January elections, and the remaining 21 projects will be delivered before the end of the tenure.

    “The President’s administration under Bola Tinubu commissioned 107 capital projects. We have completed 76. Before the January election, we will commission 10, and before the end of his tenure, we would have commissioned all the projects,” he stated.

    Furthermore, the minister disclosed that the FCT Administration had made significant progress on legacy projects inherited from previous administrations. Specifically, he stated that 23 out of 25 projects inherited from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari have been completed,
    with work ongoing on the final two.

    Additionally, his administration inherited eight projects from the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Yar’Adua, successfully completing six while two remain ongoing.

    “We inherited 25 projects from President Buhari and completed 23, while two are currently ongoing. We inherited eight projects from the administrations of President Jonathan and President Yar’Adua. We have completed six, while two are ongoing,” Wike detailed.

    Reaffirming the commitment of the FCTA to finishing all Tinubu-initiated developments, the minister concluded by challenging his critics to compare his infrastructural record with past governments, asserting, “In the history of the FCT, no government has done what we have done in Abuja. I challenge anyone to come out.”

  • LP’s Moghalu Calls For Electoral Reforms at CPO Summit

    LP’s Moghalu Calls For Electoral Reforms at CPO Summit

    The Labour Party Governorship Candidate in the November 8 Anambra election, Dr. George Moghalu, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, joined political leaders, intellectuals, and democracy advocates at the Third Annual Summit and Book Launch of the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO) held at Denis Hotel, Abuja.

    The event, hosted by Hon. Ikenna Mbanefo, National Coordinator of the Coalition for Peter Obi, drew a cross-section of stakeholders under the theme: “Electoral Reforms: Panacea for Nigeria’s Political and Economic Development,” with HE Mr. Peter Obi, former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, as Special Guest.

    Dr. Moghalu, who served as the Chief Book Presenter, commended the coalition and the author for addressing such a critical issue at a defining moment in Nigeria’s democracy. He described the initiative as visionary and timely, noting that electoral reforms remain the backbone of sustainable democratic governance.

    In his remarks during the unveiling, he said: “For me, this is an opportunity to encourage and support the author, and by extension, to support the movement entirely. The movement is built around a role model, someone who has led the way, and what we are doing is simply to follow so that Nigeria becomes a better place for everyone.

    “The focus of the author on getting the electoral process right is quite commendable. I have said it in many fora that the worst form of corruption is electoral corruption, because once the electoral process is compromised, everything else that follows must equally be corrupted. You cannot get a goat and expect a cow as the offspring — there is no magic about it.”

    The summit featured robust discussions, goodwill messages, and contributions from reform-minded Nigerians.

    Among the dignitaries in attendance was Dr. Tanko Yunusa, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, who praised the coalition for sustaining the push for credible elections and accountable leadership.

  • [INTERVIEW] I’m Undisturbed By LP Leadership Crisis – Anambra Guber Candidate, Moghalu

    [INTERVIEW] I’m Undisturbed By LP Leadership Crisis – Anambra Guber Candidate, Moghalu

    You have just inaugurated your campaign council and what does that portend for your ambition?

    Yes, I have just done that and you can agree with me that my campaign is grassroots based. Some weeks back, we inaugurated the State Campaign Council and today we inaugurated the campaign councils in the 21 local government areas of the state. By the time they get home, they will inaugurate the campaign councils in the 326 Electoral Wards in the state and then the polling units campaign council and what we are doing is to take the campaign to the grassroots so that the people we are talking about will be involved in what we are doing.

    In the time past, most candidates did interface with the grassroots but all of a sudden, the grassroot is being factored in, may we know why?

    It is not all of a sudden. The truth about it is that every election is grassroots based, because every election ends at the polling booths or polling units and even those of us operating at the state must go back to our polling units on the election day.

    For example, I have a polling unit in in Uruagu Ward 1, so on the election day I have to go there and vote so it is about the people and those who designed the electoral structure have the people in mind because if the election have to be held at the state level it means that people at the local level will not participate. So, the election is now taken to them and it is all about the grassroots.

    How sure are you that the members of the campaign council would protect your votes?

    I have implicit confidence in the caliber and quality of the persons in my campaign Council and I am very confident that they will justify the purpose for which they were set up and there is nothing to fear about that.

    Most candidates chose their running mates from Anambra Central Senatorial District, but you chose to go to Anambra North Senatorial District?

    This is due to political exigency and nothing more. People consider voting strength which is also part of it, but then if we are going to choose a running mate, you have to put a lot of factors into consideration. You need to talk about who would add value to your ticket; you also look at experience and also look at gender balancing.

    You also look at political base and voting population and these are the issues and after those considerations I set up a committee to go hunt for a suitable running mate and after that they came up with this consideration and brought somebody that I find very interesting and quite experience and knowledgeable.

    Talking about the zoning arrangements, you are from the South and the incumbent is from the South, are you going to do one term?

    Yes, and the Constitution provided for a four-year term and the second four years is at the liberty of the people and if they decide to elect you; that is if they so wish and it is not a right and it is not an entitlement but s gift from the people in appreciation of the services that you rendered to them.

    I am going for four years and that is it and I know people talk about if I go for four years that I would want to do another four-year there by denying Anambra Central Senatorial District their turn but that is not correct. I will only go four years because I am a beneficiary of the zoning arrangements.

    And what makes me credible is the fact that rather than destroy a process that I was a beneficiary of, I have to encourage and sustain it for posterity. This is because I know that the South is already doing four years and what is left for the South is another four years so that the Central would have their turn. I shall work towards that and do four years and four years is enough for me to achieve what I have in my program and keep to my electoral promises. Let me say it and let it be noted. Anybody who cannot achieve anything in four years, if you give him even twelve years it is not possible that he can achieve anything in that eight or 12 years.

    Are you not worried that the Labour Party has been in crisis and by election the party’s candidates were disqualified?

    I am concerned but not worried because the truth about it is that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is the umpire and it is the Commission’s responsibility to regulate the electoral process. If they come out and say that the Labour Party has no candidate it is incumbent on us as a political party to either agree with them or disagree with them and if we disagree with them, we challenge their decision at the law court and whatever the court says we abide by this.

    You may have escaped this by whiskers by not getting a nomination from the Abure faction of the party?

    He signed my form and I should think so because at the time that I was elected at the primary election, Abure was still National Chairman.

    If Abure signed your ticket, don’t you think your candidacy is under threat?

    No, it is not a threat at all. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has come up with a position on that. Don’t forget that one or two people came up to challenge me about the primary election. You see, primary is a process and not an event. It only ends on a particular day but it starts two or three months before. From the process of advertising the sale of forms then screening of candidates with clams and objections before we go into the voting proper. If there are more than one candidate there would be voting and if it is only one candidate we go by affirmation and all the while Abure was the National Chairman of the party.

    How come it only affected those that were contesting for the by election?

    Because from what I heard they have concluded the process before the court judgement and that is mere speculation because I don’t know exactly what the judgement said.

    The on-going coalition appears to have made your presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi to be one leg in the Labour Party and another leg in ADC, how do you look at the coalition?

    Let me start with the first question that you asked about my leader. That is not correct and I’m sure that you were around here on the 11th of last month when we had our flag off and our leader Mr Peter Obi was there and spoke extensively on this issue. He said and I quote ‘I am a member of the Labor Party and I remain a member of the Labor Party and will participate in the process to elect a labor party governor in the person of Chief Dr George Moghalu,’ who he said is his candidate for the November 8 election and it is no longer an issue of joining ADC until it comes into effect. He added that ADC is for the 2027 Presidential election and that is what the coalition is all about. And until such a time in future when he remains a member of the Labour Party.

    About the coalition; one thing that I know is that I am not a native doctor neither am I a suit sayer neither can I predict tomorrow. For now, there are political heavyweights in ADC who have come together to build a political platform which they intend to use for the 2027 general election. What I will say here is just wait and see and to what extent can they make sacrifices and dump their ego to build a formidable coalition. I remember when we formed the APC, the political parties merged to form the APC and the best bet is let us wait and see and watch things emerge.

    Let’s look at the Anambra gubernatorial election and you are a candidate, what gives you this conference that you will win the election?

    I am coming with a very accepted program which I have resented to Anambra people and the fact also is that the incumbent has not done well and because I believe it is God’s time.

    Are you relying on the influence of Mr Peter Obi and the Obidient family?

    Certainly, he is a political leader and was governor of Anambra State loved by the people. The same Peter who midwifed the other two candidates in the last two elections had 85 percent of the votes casted in Anambra State during the presidential election and that is very significant and also scored 600 and something thousand votes at the presidential election. Is that enough evidence to prove to you that his presence as my leader would contribute greatly to my ambition.