APM Elects New Leaders, Sets Economic Agenda for 2027

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has elected a new National Working Committee as the party steps up preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The election was conducted during the party’s second National Elective Convention held in Bauchi, where delegates from across Nigeria gathered to elect national officers and discuss the party’s direction ahead of the elections.

Yusuf Dantalle was returned as the National Chairman through an affirmation process, while other members of the National Working Committee were also elected.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, emerged as the party’s National Leader.

Speaking on the party’s plans, Dantalle said the APM would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, particularly poverty, unemployment and the country’s economic challenges.

He said the party would promote what it described as true federalism and pursue policies aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians.

The party’s presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also identified poverty reduction and job creation as key priorities of the APM ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde said the party would focus on policies capable of creating opportunities for Nigerians and addressing the economic difficulties facing citizens.

The APM leadership also presented the party as an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections, while calling for greater cooperation among opposition parties.

With its national leadership structure now in place, the party is expected to focus on strengthening its structures, mobilising supporters and taking its economic programme to voters across the country.

The development comes as political parties continue to position themselves for the 2027 elections, with parties unveiling their leadership teams, candidates and policy priorities ahead of the polls.

ADC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plan to Arrest Aregbesola Ahead of Osun Election

ADC has raised concerns over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the Osun election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it had received what it described as credible reports of plans to arrest Aregbesola in the days leading to the election.

The party said the allegation could not be ignored, given what it described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and alleged misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.

Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of the Federal Republic, currently serves as the National Secretary of the ADC, which is participating in Saturday’s governorship election.

The party argued that if any security agency has a lawful reason to question or invite its national secretary, there are established procedures that should be followed.

According to the ADC, any attempt to arrest Aregbesola immediately before the election could raise concerns about the motive behind such an action, particularly because of his role in coordinating the party’s activities.

“An arrest on the eve of an election in which his party is participating would invite only one reasonable conclusion: that the purpose is to prevent him from leading and coordinating the party’s election activities,” the statement said.

The opposition party therefore called on the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise caution in their actions ahead of the election.

The ADC warned that developments in Osun State were being closely watched by Nigerians and that actions taken before, during and after the election would be judged based on what authorities do rather than explanations offered afterwards.

“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” the party said.

The party also warned against any action that could increase political tension in the state, urging the Federal Government to avoid measures that could trigger what it described as a needless crisis.

“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” the ADC said.

The statement comes as political tension continues to rise in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with opposition parties raising concerns over alleged intimidation and possible interference in the electoral process.

The ADC did not provide details of the alleged plan to arrest Aregbesola or identify the security agency it believes may be behind it.

There has also been no independent confirmation from security authorities that any arrest warrant or plan to arrest the former Osun governor exists.

Aregbesola’s role as ADC National Secretary makes him one of the party’s key figures in the final stage of its campaign and election preparations.

The development is therefore likely to attract further attention as political parties and security agencies prepare for Saturday’s closely watched election.

NDC Gains Momentum as APC Members Defect in Kano, Kwankwaso Welcomes New Members

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has recorded another wave of defections in Kano State following the defection of a group of members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Madobi Local Government Area.

The defectors were received by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the NDC, who welcomed them into the party and assured them of equal opportunities and fair treatment.

Speaking after receiving the new members, Kwankwaso expressed satisfaction with their decision to join the NDC, describing it as another indication of the party’s growing popularity.

“I was elated to receive a group of defectors from Madobi Local Government who have left the APC to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” he said.

Kwankwaso assured the new members that they would be fully integrated into the party and given a conducive environment to contribute to its growth.

“I warmly welcomed them into our fold and assured them of fair and comfortable positions within our party,” he added.

The former Kano State governor also stated that the NDC continues to expand across the country without internal distractions.

“We continue to grow stronger, free from major distractions,” he said.

The latest defections come as political parties intensify consultations and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the NDC presidential ticket led by Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso attracting growing national attention.

Appeal Court Restores ADC, Four Other Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections

Nigeria’s political landscape received a significant boost on Tuesday after the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, clearing the way for their participation in the 2027 general elections.

The appellate court, sitting in Abuja, unanimously ruled that the earlier judgment could not stand because the case that led to the deregistration order was not properly initiated before the court. The three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, rendering its decision legally invalid.

The ruling restores the legal status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), allowing them to continue their political activities and field candidates in future elections.

The legal dispute began after a Federal High Court ruled that the affected parties should be removed from the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing constitutional provisions relating to the performance of political parties. The decision sparked widespread reactions within political circles, with the parties insisting that the judgment was flawed and immediately filing appeals.

In its decision, the Court of Appeal agreed with the appellants, holding that the suit upon which the deregistration order was based was incompetent from the outset. The court maintained that where a case is not properly brought before a court, any orders arising from such proceedings have no legal effect.

The judgment effectively nullifies every directive issued by the Federal High Court concerning the deregistration of the five parties and reaffirms their recognition under Nigeria’s electoral system.

The decision is expected to reshape preparations for the 2027 elections, particularly for the ADC, which has recently attracted several opposition politicians ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The ruling also reinforces the principle that political parties can only lose their legal status through procedures that strictly comply with the Constitution and other applicable electoral laws.

Political observers believe the judgment preserves multiparty democracy by ensuring that eligible political parties remain free to participate in Nigeria’s electoral process unless due legal procedures are followed.

I Won’t Stay Where a Party Is Set on Fire — Peter Obi Defends Switching Parties

 NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has defended his decision to move between political parties, insisting that he refuses to remain in any platform engulfed by internal crises and external interference.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye, Obi responded to criticism that he has repeatedly switched political parties instead of helping to build strong political institutions.

The former Anambra State governor rejected the suggestion that his movements were driven solely by presidential ambition, maintaining that each decision was based on the state of the parties he belonged to.

“How many parties have I moved?” Obi asked.

“I left the PDP when things were no longer being done according to the rules. One day you will see my statement on why I left the PDP.”

Obi said he subsequently joined another political platform but later found himself confronted with similar challenges.

“The same group of people started fire on it. I didn’t want to stay there and get burned, so I moved,” he said, explaining why he left the party.

When asked why members of his current party should believe he would remain committed despite his history of changing political platforms, Obi argued that the recurring crises are symptoms of Nigeria’s weak democratic institutions rather than a lack of loyalty on his part.

According to him, political parties in Nigeria should be allowed to function independently without interference from powerful interests.

“What is happening now will never happen if I’m president of Nigeria,” Obi said.

“We must build institutions, and those institutions must allow fairness.”

He also criticised what he described as the manipulation of political parties and institutions, including the judiciary, saying such practices undermine democracy.

Obi pledged that if elected president, his administration would promote inclusive governance by engaging opposition parties in addressing national challenges instead of treating them as enemies.

“If I’m in office and there are crises in any part of Nigeria, I will invite all opposition leaders. We will sit down with stakeholders and find solutions,” he said.

“We only compete during elections. After elections, I am in charge, and I will invite everybody.”

According to Obi, Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when institutions are strengthened and political competition gives way to collaboration after elections.

His comments come amid continued debate over party defections, coalition politics and the future of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi maintained that his decisions to leave previous political platforms were based on principle rather than political convenience, insisting that he would not remain in any party that had become consumed by internal conflict.

“I won’t stay where a party is set on fire and get burned,” he said.