Nigerians have been advised to stop electing dullards as governors, and instead prioritise competence, capacity and character over party loyalty, money politics and ethnic sentiments.

The Ogun State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Biodun Collins Ogundipe, gave the advice during a media chat in Abeokuta, on Monday.

Ogundipe asserted that poor leadership at the state level is responsible for the country’s developmental challenges, arguing that many states are underdeveloped because voters repeatedly elect individuals who lack vision, knowledge and the capacity to govern.

He called on Nigerians, especially youths to scrutinise candidates ahead of the 2027 elections and vote for leaders with track records and clear development blueprints. 

He said, “Forget about all this guys who will come and campaign to you and say don’t worry, when you get on that day you grab it, run away, steal it. Those days are gone.

“If people are still following such campaigns slogans and they are not telling you how they want to change your life positively, the life of your children and your generations to come then, you should have no business in this 21st century voting for such a person or people that cannot show you track records of what they have done either in the private sector or even in their own business.

“They will say I run a business, sir, come and show us how you have turned over that business so we can know that we are entrusting you with the allocation and resources of this state. People don’t have track records that we can even verify.  

He asserted that governance is about people and the government of the state does not care about people in the grassroots.

Ogundipe also argued that contemporary security management goes beyond the deployment of armed personnel and weapons, insisting that effective policing in the 21st century is driven by intelligence gathering, prediction, prevention and rapid intervention.

“Ask them of their template for the state, there must be a blueprint. Security is not about carrying guns to chase criminals after the crime has been committed, no, securing lives is not about buying amoured tanks, you see all these governors, dullards, dullards is what you elect as governors.

“They spend billions buying amoured tanks and patrol vehicles when it can be solved through Artificial intelligence driven solutions,” he added.

Ebonyi State government has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cannot pitch the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike against Governor Francis Nwifuru.

The government alleged that the two factions of PDP have been making every attempt to score cheap political points and cause disaffection between Wike and Nwifuru by twisting a public statement of the Ebonyi Governor on June 15, 2025 at the Abakaliki Township stadium during the endorsement rally of President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in the state, Ikeuwa Omebeh disclosed this in a statement in Abakaliki, the state capital on Tuesday.

Omebeh clarified that at no time did Nwifuru issue any threat against Wike during the endorsement rally contrary to PDP statements and some media reports.  

“The attention of the Ebonyi State Government has been drawn to press statements by the national leadership of the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as well as reports in some sections of the media, concerning remarks made by His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, during the endorsement of President  Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates for the 2027 general elections held on June 15, 2026, at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.

The State Government hereby makes the following clarifications: “at no time did His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis  Nwifuru, issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

“In his speech at the event, the Governor only cautioned some opposition elements who are fanning the embers of crisis in the state and spreading fake news and propaganda in the name of His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to desist from such acts.

“The word “consume” used by His Excellency was a metaphorical expression indicating that those involved in such acts would face the full weight of the law if they fail to retrace their steps.

“Their Excellencies, Rt. Hon.  Francis Nwifuru and Barr. Nyesom Wike, maintain mutual respect. As such, Governor Nwifuru has no reason whatsoever to make any uncomplimentary remarks or threats against Barr. Nyesom Wike.

“The attempt by the two PDP factions and some paid media hirelings to twist the Governor’s speech for selfish reasons and to create a rift between both leaders is uncalled for and should be discountenanced,” Omebeh said.

He urged the PDP to be more concerned about resolving the numerous crises plaguing the party, which he said have rendered it almost non-existent, than commenting on the performance of the  Nwifuru’s administration.

He said a party that has been unable to resolve its internal crisis for years lacks the moral rectitude to comment on governance issues.

“On the attempt to cast aspersion on the Governor and government of Ebonyi State by one of the PDP factions, we wish to counsel the party to be more concerned about resolving the numerous crises plaguing the party, which have rendered it almost non-existent, than commenting on the performance of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration.

“A party that has been unable to resolve its internal crisis for years lacks the moral rectitude to comment on governance issues.

“The two PDP factions are almost non-existent in Ebonyi State and pose no threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming general elections.

“The people of Ebonyi State remain in full support of His Excellency’s administration and will reaffirm this support with their votes in 2027. Opposition elements seeking relevance through fake news and propaganda should be prepared to face the law.

“The Ebonyi State Government maintains that any attempt to create an imaginary misunderstanding between Their Excellencies, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru and Barr. Nyesom Wike, will fail like a pack of cards”, the Commissioner said.

A House of Representatives aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the Jega/Gwandu/Aliero Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, Aminullahi Mustapha, has resigned from the party and defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mustapha announced his resignation in a letter dated July 5, 2026, addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman of Magaji B Ward in Jega Local Government Area.

In the letter, he said the decision followed consultations with his supporters, stakeholders and other associates across the Jega/Gwandu/Aliero Federal Constituency.

According to him, his decision to join the APC was driven by his commitment to the development of the constituency and his belief that the ruling party aligns with his political vision.

Mustapha expressed appreciation to the ADC for the opportunity to serve under its platform and thanked members for their support during his time in the party.

The former ADC aspirant, who is an ally of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was later received into the APC by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

He was received alongside thousands of his supporters who also joined the ruling party.

The defection comes amid a series of political realignments in Kebbi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.