Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has sparked speculation regarding his departure from the recently adopted coalition political platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

El-Rufai had, in recent weeks, joined several opposition leaders—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi—in endorsing the ADC as their political platform in anticipation of the 2027 elections.

He has urged constituents from Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency, as well as Zaria Kewaye and Basawa state constituencies, to cast their votes for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

However, in a notable shift, he has called upon the electorate in Zaria and Chikun to support the SDP in the upcoming by-election scheduled for Saturday, August 16. This election is intended to assess the opposition’s strength as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.

It is worth noting that El-Rufai’s political trajectory includes a defection to the SDP after leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, following his arrival in the SDP, the party encountered a leadership crisis, and El-Rufai has maintained a silence regarding his membership status and the allegations directed at him.

Moreover, during a recent visit to Sokoto, the former governor participated in two significant events aimed at mobilizing public awareness among constituents and political stakeholders with the objective of unseating President Tinubu and the APC in the forthcoming general election.

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In his address at these events, El-Rufai criticized the incumbent administration, characterizing it as a “failed, clannish, and visionless government” that has exacerbated Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

He declared that it was time for Nigerians to rise against the APC and accused the party of ‘broken promises and elite conspiracy’.

He warned that any move to vote for the APC beyond 2027 would be a greater doom for the country.

However, in a sharp turn, the former governor, in a video posted on his social media page ahead of the by-election, urged the people in the constituencies where the poll will be held in Kaduna on Saturday, August 16, to vote for the SDP rather than the ADC he went to Sokoto to canvass for.

Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has expressed confidence that the president will record a significant surge in votes from the South-East in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s current affairs programme on Wednesday, Bwala said Tinubu could secure up to two million votes from the region — a figure he claimed would be at least four or six times higher than what the president got in 2023.

In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu recorded a paltry 127,370 votes in the South-East.

“This is going to be like, I don’t know how to describe it, but let me take you zone by zone. You see the South-East, I guarantee you, President Bola Tinubu is going to get more than four times, if not six times, the value of the vote he got. He’ll get up to two million,” Bwala said.

In a trending video, click link to read further…

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have ruled out dropping names and party structures for the 2027 general election, but would

When asked how the president would achieve the two million votes if Labour Party’s Peter Obi is on the ballot, Bwala argued that the region had a large voting population, while claiming Obi’s influence had waned.

He said, “There are lots of votes in the region,” he said, adding that Obi would only serve as a Director-General in the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“As I tell you, he’s not going to get a ticket in any of the parties (ADC, PDP, LP). That is Peter Obi. The problem now is that he might not even get the vice presidential ticket from the way things are going, but whether Peter Obi is a ticket bearer of the party, he has lost more than 50% of his votes because they were not votes that were built on agenda and politics. They were built on rhetoric and division, and Nigerian people’s eyes are open.”

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He also argued that the recent defections of southern governors to the APC and the endorsement by governors in opposition parties would push the president’s numbers and popularity in the south-east ahead of the forthcoming election.

Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has explained how he and ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, collaborated in galvanising the coalition of opposition and eventually adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as reported by TheNation.

Amaechi said both of them decided to expand the opposition coalition to accommodate more people after discussing the idea.

The former governor of Rivers State spoke on X Spaces titled: ‘Weekend Politics’ last weekend.

The coalition currently has opposition politicians like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.

Others include former Senate President David Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, among others.

Click here to continue reading the article about Amachi exposing Fayemi.

Many Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members have defected to the ADC.

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Amaechi, in the viral audio, said: “ADC has overgrown those that started it.

“The coalition started between I and Fayemi in the house of Nasiru Danu, with Salihu Mohammed (Mustapha) and others.

“When we met, Salihu commenced the meeting. He wanted us to reconcile.

“After reconciliation, we agreed to broaden it so that it would involve more than just the two of us talking about starting a new party.

“Then, we got a consultant to help us look at the political structure and that of INEC to determine which party will be most suitable.

“Then, we expanded by getting Tambuwal (Senator Aminu) and others. By the time we did that, we had grown to about 20 to 30.

“We thereafter set up a committee to look for any of the available parties to join.

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“The committee, after negotiating with several parties like AA (Action Alliance), Accord Party, ended up with ADC

“One of the requirements we set was that the party must give up its leadership so that everyone can join.

“I think ADC complied with our conditions. At this point, the coalition had grown too large with several other committees.

Read Also: Shettima commissions FGs ultra-modern ICT hub, two state aircraft in Cross River
“There were other group meetings like the one in Kashim’s (Imam) house and others in Lagos.

“At the end of the day, we all thereafter agreed to come together in ADC.”

Fayemi: I remain APC member in Ekiti

After Amaechi’s comment went viral, Fayemi issued a statement to clear the air on his role and the speculation that he had left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ADC.

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The statement by the Head of Fayemi Media Office, Abuja, Ahmad Sajoh, said: “In spite of efforts to verify this statement, which has gained traction on social and digital media, we have found no credible evidence to support it.

“No video of Hon. Amaechi making these claims or reports from reputable media organisations has been located.

“In an era where fabricated or distorted statements are often attributed to public figures for malicious purposes, we are cautious about engaging with potentially manufactured controversies designed to provoke or profit.

“It is possible that Hon. Amaechi did not make the statement or was misquoted.

“We unequivocally state that these claims lack any basis.

“Dr Fayemi remains a committed member and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.”

According to the statement, Fayemi has, at various public forums in Ekiti and other places, consistently affirmed his dedication to the APC, working to address its challenges and advance its progressive ideals for Nigeria.

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“Furthermore, Dr Fayemi has publicly endorsed His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, for re-election, clearly supporting his candidacy for the APC gubernatorial ticket. This underscores his loyalty to the APC.

“We urge the public to treat any news concerning Fayemi with caution, particularly when it originates solely from social media,” the statement added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling political party in Nigeria, is currently confronting a significant national crisis as it endeavors to preserve its power in the approaching 2027 presidential election. Various factors present formidable challenges for Bola Tinubu’s administration as the political landscape grows increasingly intricate and precarious.

A key issue eliciting concern within the APC is the potential resurgence of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He appears to be gaining considerable support from numerous northern governors, who are advocating for his return to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the preferred candidate for the presidential nomination. Indications from Jonathan suggest a willingness to respond to the appeals of influential political stakeholders in the northern region, thereby adding complexity to the already turbulent political climate.

Recently, Jonathan conducted a private, closed-door meeting with former Military Head of State General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, commonly referred to as IBB, at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State. This meeting, which lasted over 45 minutes, was cloaked in secrecy, and although the public agenda ostensibly revolved around broader political issues, inside sources indicated that the discussions were specifically focused on strategic planning for the forthcoming 2027 general election.

Moreover, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has publicly endorsed Jonathan, asserting that he represents the PDP’s strongest candidate for the presidential election. Lamido has urged party leaders to actively facilitate Jonathan’s return, which underscores the growing anxiety within the APC, particularly among party members from the South-South and South-East regions.

Concurrently, ongoing power struggles within the coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), primarily between Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, have compounded the political situation. Current observations suggest that Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, is likely to face significant disadvantages in the 2027 presidential race, particularly with Jonathan’s potential candidacy from the South. Despite being a Southerner himself, Obi lacks the necessary political influence and widespread support to mount an effective independent campaign.

Many governors remain reluctant to align themselves with him, especially following his controversial declaration to seek only a four-year term, a statement perceived by some as disingenuous.

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For the APC to secure a victory in the upcoming election, substantial national investments are imperative to restore public confidence and satisfaction among the Nigerian populace. Although many citizens acknowledge President Bola Tinubu’s diligent efforts to improve the situation, pervasive hunger and economic hardship remain critical issues. It is essential for local governors and grassroots organizations to actively engage with constituents to address these concerns prior to the election.

In terms of voting behavior dynamics, Jonathan’s candidacy could significantly impact election outcomes. Recent surveys indicate that over 56% of Southern voters are inclined to support Jonathan’s return to the Aso Rock presidential residence, primarily motivated by ongoing economic difficulties. This sentiment could result in approximately 70% of Southerners favoring Jonathan over Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Regionally, Tinubu is anticipated to receive a considerable portion of votes from the Southwest—estimated at around 70%—due to regional loyalty and other influential factors. However, Jonathan may also capture approximately 35% of the votes from the Southwest, while the ADC coalition, led by Atiku, could fragment the voting base in states such as Ogun, Osun, and Lagos, owing to Rauf Aregbesola’s behind-the-scenes efforts.

In the South-South region, if the PDP prioritizes grassroots campaigning, Jonathan is likely to garner substantial support. Additionally, some states in the South-East may exhibit similar trends. In the northern states, Atiku appears positioned to dominate the voter base, while the ADC affiliate leaders in these regions might collectively target around 25% of the vote.

Conversely, it seems that northern voters are unlikely to support Peter Obi, thereby rendering his candidacy increasingly tenuous for the 2027 election. Meanwhile, Atiku’s prospects depend significantly on the APC’s ability to maintain its strategic control; even a minor lapse could present him with the opportunity to reemerge as a formidable contender.

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Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro federal constituency in Kogi State, has forecasted that President Bola Tinubu would achieve a significant electoral victory should former President Goodluck Jonathan choose to run in the 2027 elections.

Abejide, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), shared this assessment during an interview on the Mic On podcast on Sunday.

The legislator expressed his belief that President Tinubu could secure victories in more than 32 states, with anticipated losses limited to Anambra and Abia.
His words: “My prayer is that they should run like that (different political platforms), and Asiwaju will win 32 states.

“He may lose maybe Anambra, Abia, he will win Ebonyi; he may win more than 32 states.”

Abejide attributed Tinubu’s popularity to his administration’s investments in infrastructure and security.

He said his recent travels across the north showed improved road safety and public satisfaction.

“I just came from Kano, I was in Kano on Wednesday and I slept there. I came to Kaduna by road yesterday morning. No insecurity, the road is very good, then I came by train to Abuja this morning and I can tell you that people are happy,” he said.

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Speculation has been mounting about Jonathan’s possible return to presidential politics in 2027, but Abejide believes such a move would only boost Tinubu’s chances.