There have been reports circulating that Peter Obi, who previously ran as the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, is considering taking on the role of campaign Director General for Jonathan’s potential bid.

In a significant development, Peter Obi recently held a discreet yet crucial meeting with Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Click link to continue reading.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is on the verge of leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to multiple sources familiar with ongoing political consultations.

Barring any last-minute changes, Mbah’s defection, which insiders say is now at an advanced stage, will further reduce PDP’s control to just nine states.

These include Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara, with Rivers already under APC influence through former governor Nyesom Wike, a PDP member serving in the APC-led federal government.

The APC, meanwhile, will extend its control to 24 states nationwide, with only Abia (Labour Party), Anambra (APGA), and Kano (NNPP) remaining under other opposition parties.

Sources revealed that Mbah has held extensive consultations with political allies and stakeholders both in Enugu and Abuja in recent weeks over his planned defection. Former governors Chimaroke Nnamani and Sullivan Chime, along with former Senate President Ken Nnamani — all now key APC stalwarts — are said to have played pivotal roles in persuading him to switch allegiance.

According to insiders, the final round of consultations is expected to conclude this week, after which Mbah and his team will announce a formal date for his defection.

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The governor reportedly cited two main reasons for his planned departure. First, he expressed frustration with the PDP’s persistent internal crises, which he believes pose a significant threat to anyone hoping to contest the 2027 elections under the party’s platform. Second, he lamented what he sees as the marginalisation of the Southeast within the PDP’s leadership structure.

Recall that in, Mbah threatened to lead the party’s Southeast bloc out of the PDP after the national leadership retained Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary instead of Sunday Udeh-Okoye, the preferred candidate of the zone. The leadership ignored the threat and reinstated Anyanwu, a close ally of Wike, further fuelling Mbah’s dissatisfaction.

When contacted, Mbah’s spokesperson, Uche Anichukwu, confirmed that consultations were ongoing but said he was unaware of any final decision to leave the PDP.

However, several of the governor’s close associates insist the move is inevitable. “We are 100 per cent certain he will join the APC within weeks, if not days,” Premium Times quoted one of them.

-Source: Politics Nigeria

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As the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve in anticipation of the 2027 general election, emerging reports have sparked considerable speculation surrounding Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Sources indicate that Kwankwaso may be contemplating a significant political shift towards the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, within the corridors of power in Abuja, there are indications that Kwankwaso’s potential transition to the APC could face significant hurdles.

Prominent party stalwarts, notably the former Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, have reportedly voiced reservations about the implications of Kwankwaso’s affiliation with the party. Their opposition underscores the complex internal dynamics that could hinder Kwankwaso’s bid for acceptance within the APC.

Ganduje, who himself was unseated as the APC National Chairman, stands as a bitter political rival of Kwankwaso. Their contentious relationship is further complicated by the fact that Kwankwaso played a pivotal role in the political landscape of Kano State, successfully ousting Ganduje and implementing a government that has garnered considerable grassroots support.

Given the critical role Kano plays in the broader quest for northern votes, especially for President Bola Tinubu, the stakes are exceptionally high.

Should Kwankwaso, alongside the current governor of Kano State, proceed with their defection to the APC, it could spell disaster for Ganduje’s political ambitions, effectively dismantling his influence within the party.

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The leadership structure within the Kano State APC would likely shift significantly in Kwankwaso’s favor, raising serious questions about Ganduje’s prospects in Nigerian politics.

Ultimately, the decision regarding Kwankwaso’s acceptance into the APC rests largely with President Tinubu. The president will face the challenging task of evaluating which political gladiator—Kwankwaso or Ganduje—might better serve his strategic goals for re-election, considering their respective power bases in northern Nigeria.

Reports from DailyTrust have highlighted that Kwankwaso is actively in discussions with the current National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, regarding his intentions to join the ruling party.

Sources within the Kano chapter of the APC indicate that Kwankwaso has formally communicated his desire to affiliate with the party by writing to the national secretariat in Abuja, signaling a serious intent to transition.

Despite these developments, a source associated with the APC secretariat in Abuja has indicated that the talks between Kwankwaso and the national chairman are still ongoing, with plans for his defection reportedly reaching an advanced stage.

In contrast, the Kano State chapter of the APC has publicly dismissed remarks made by Kwankwaso, asserting that his openness to returning to the party is contingent upon unspecified conditions, thus deepening the intrigue surrounding this evolving political narrative.

The party’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Aruwa, told Arewa Punch that Kwankwaso’s claim was misleading, insisting that the APC neither sought nor welcomed his comeback.

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Recent reports from The Papers indicate that Kwankwas has laid out specific demands he expects to be fulfilled before deciding to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These discussions have taken place over several meetings with President Tinubu at Aso Villa. Kwankwas has emphasized that there are particular prerequisites the ruling party must satisfy for his defection to proceed.

In the camp of Ganduje who was recently sacked as APC National Chairman, things are not smooth over the news of Kwankwaso and this may cause massive defection from Ganduje’s camp.

In light of the latest developments, it appears that both the party and the president have successfully met these outlined conditions.

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The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed remarks by the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that he was open to returning to the APC under certain conditions.

The party’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Aruwa, told Arewa Punch that Kwankwaso’s claim was misleading, insisting that the APC neither sought nor welcomed his comeback.

“He disregarded the fact that joining a party has proper channels and procedures.

If Kwankwaso wants to return, he knows how to formally convey that, not through public conditions,” Aruwa said.

Aruwa also faulted Kwankwaso’s assertion that he was among the pioneers of the APC in Kano.

He further stated, “That is not true. It was former governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau who actually led the formation of APC in Kano. Kwankwaso cannot rewrite history.”

According to him, the ruling party would comfortably win the 2027 elections without Kwankwaso’s influence.

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“Even in 2023, it was APC that won the election, not the NNPP. We are confident that we will win again in 2027 without him,” he added.

The APC spokesman further alleged that Kwankwaso had previously joined the APC under conditions, warning that such demands would no longer be tolerated.

Aruwa stated, “The conditions we are hearing, that our governorship ticket should be handed over to him or his candidate, are totally unacceptable. The APC already has strong aspirants, Senator Barau Jibrin, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, and AA Zaura, among others. There is no vacancy for Kwankwaso’s conditions.”

Galadima Counters: ‘Kwankwaso Not Planning To Return’
In a swift counter-reaction, Kwankwaso’s long-time ally, Buba Galadima, said the former governor had no intention of rejoining the APC, stressing that his comments had been misinterpreted.

“Nobody will tell Kwankwaso politics. I believe there is a merger, but we are not in a hurry to merge with any party,” Galadima told Arewa PUNCH.

According to him, Kwankwaso was only responding to agitations from some NNPP members who were pushing to defect to the APC.

When asked what conditions Kwankwaso might consider if he eventually chose to return, Galadima refused to elaborate. “I won’t say anything about it because it is not time for that yet,” he said.

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Galadima also rejected the APC’s claim that it won the 2023 elections in Kano, describing it as false.

“The APC claimed it won 50,000 votes from Bagwai and Shanono in 2023, but in the recent by-election, they got only 5,000 votes. That tells you who truly has the people’s support,” he argued.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is expected to step down in either October or November 2025 after completing his maximum two terms, totaling 10 years in office.

His departure and the potential appointment of his successor have garnered significant attention, as many Nigerians are still hoping for a genuinely free, fair, and credible general election.

There is speculation about whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu might choose to replace Yakubu before November. …click link for full details here 

Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary (CPS) to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has  urged Nigerians to consult the 1999 constitution.

As reported on Thursday, September 25, by Guardian, Oyekanmi gave the advice amid reports that President Bola Tinubu directed his principal to immediately proceed on leave.

A report on Wednesday, September 24, had said Tinubu directed Prof. Yakubu to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure in October/November.

The report also said the Nigerian leader is set to nominate Yakubu’s successor.

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However, reacting, INEC chairman, through his CPS, asked Nigerians to check out the constitution before drawing conclusions. He responded when quizzed on the veracity of the report:

“The first thing you need to do is to find out what the law says about the appointment and removal of the INEC chairman and national commissioners.

“The 1999 constitution clearly outlines the process in Section 154(1), which states: ‘Except in the case of ex-officio members or where other provisions are made in this Constitution, the appointment of a person to the office of the chairman or member of any of the bodies so established shall be made by the president and shall be subject to confirmation by the senate.’” 

Oyekanmi added: “It (The Nigerian constitution) also provides safeguards against arbitrary removal in Section 157(1): ‘A person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.’”

As the political landscape shifts in anticipation of the 2027 election, emerging reports suggest that former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate from the 2023 elections, Rabiu Kwankwaso, may be considering a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This potential move has garnered significant attention, especially given Kwankwaso’s prominent role in the previous election cycle….Click link to continue reading.

However, sources within Abuja indicate that Kwankwaso’s contemplated transition to the APC is not without its challenges. Influential party figures, particularly former APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, are reportedly expressing reservations regarding his switch.

These internal dynamics suggest that there may be significant opposition within the APC, raising questions about the party’s willingness to embrace Kwankwaso as a member.

The unfolding scenario highlights the intricate maneuvering within Nigerian politics as key players prepare for the forthcoming elections, setting the stage for potential alliances and rivalries.

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Meanwhile, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje attended a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday.

This meeting is notable as it is the first major political gathering Ganduje has attended since stepping down as APC National Chairman in June 2025.

The closed-door meeting took place in Kano and included key party members such as Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senator Kawu Sumaila, and various members of the House of Representatives, along with several former and current political officeholders.

While details of the discussions were not disclosed, sources within the party indicated that the meeting was important for maintaining internal cohesion and preparing for the upcoming 2027 general elections.