Politics
Release El-Rufai, opposition voices should be heard – Buhari’s ex-aide to Nigeria Govt
Lauretta Onochie, former media aide to the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for the immediate release of a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nasir El-Rufai from detention.
Onochie said El-Rufai’s continued detention under questionable circumstances only shows public suspicion that the machinery of state is being weaponised against opposition figures.
Posting on X, she noted that the voices of opposition must be heard and not silenced.
She wrote: “In every democracy, opposition voices must be challenged with ideas, not silenced with prison walls. When political participation becomes grounds for persecution, democracy itself is placed on trial.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has now spent months in custody over what many Nigerians believe are politically motivated and trumped-up charges.
“Even more disturbing are reports that the path to his freedom comes with political conditions: return to the APC or abandon active politics entirely.
“That is not justice. That is coercion. That is political intimidation dressed up as due process.”
She noted that Nigeria cannot claim to be a democratic nation while dissenting voices are punished for refusing to bow.
Onochie insisted that the right to political association, opposition, and participation is guaranteed in every constitutional democracy.
She maintained that no citizen should have to negotiate freedom in exchange for political surrender.
“If there is a credible case against him, let it be heard openly, fairly, and speedily before a competent court. But continued detention under questionable circumstances only deepens public suspicion that the machinery of state is being weaponised against opposition figures.
“This is bigger than Nasir El-Rufai. It is about the soul of Nigerian democracy. It is about whether citizens are still free to disagree, contest power, and speak without fear.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai must be released immediately even if on bail pending the fair determination of his case.
“A democracy that jails opposition voices today may have no opposition left tomorrow. A nation without opposition, is a nation under dictatorship,” she added.
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Politics
Ebonyi ADC crisis: Jennifer Adibe’s tenure expired since May – Silas Onu faction claims
The Silas Onu-led African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Ebonyi State has said that Mrs Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor is no longer the chairman of the party in the state.
It claimed that her tenure elapsed on 19th May, 2026.
In a statement signed by Prince Igu Idika, State Publicity Secretary of the party and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, he said that persons parading themselves as “ADC candidates” from a purported meeting of the party held in Abakaliki, the State Capital did not participate in the ADC Primary Elections held in Ebonyi State on 21st and 22nd of May, 2026.
“Any statement, endorsement, or announcement made by Mrs. Jennifer Adibe Nwafor after that date, is personal and does not bind the African Democratic Congress, Ebonyi State.
“Our attention has been drawn to a publication titled ‘2027 Polls: Ebonyi ADC backs Atiku, launches party unity drive’, and claims of resolutions from an all-stakeholders meeting allegedly held at Vigo Event Centre, Abakaliki.
“For public record, party members, and the media, we state clearly that the authentic ADC primaries for the 2027 general elections were conducted by the duly recognized party structure in line with the ADC Constitution and Guidelines.
“Anyone claiming candidacy without participating in those primaries is an impostor and has no mandate from the party.
“The meeting convened by one Hon. Tobias Nnabike Oriji is not an ADC meeting. It is an APC-aligned gathering masquerading as an opposition meeting. No notice, approval, or mandate was issued by the recognized ADC leadership in Ebonyi State for that meeting.
“Consequently, all resolutions, committees, endorsements, and caretaker arrangements announced there are invalid and have no effect within the ADC,” he said.
The State Publicity Secretary noted that the ADC, Ebonyi State, under its legitimate leadership, remained committed to due process, internal democracy, and building a credible opposition ahead of 2027.
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Politics
Lagos 2027: APC supporters protest candidate switch in Eti-Osa, seek Tinubu’s intervention
A group of All Progressives Congress, APC, members and political support organisations in Eti-Osa Constituency I, Lagos State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the party’s leadership to intervene in the controversy surrounding the APC ticket for the Lagos State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The appeal follows the release of the party’s official list of candidates for the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly polls, which named Saheed Bankole as the APC candidate for Eti-Osa Constituency I.
The development has generated discontent among supporters of the incumbent lawmaker and Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, who insist that he emerged victorious in the constituency primary election.
According to the results announced after the primary conducted in Ajah, Adams secured 7,638 votes, while Bankole polled 1,225 votes. Election officials subsequently declared Adams the winner of the exercise held across the constituency’s wards.
However, when the APC published its final list of candidates on May 25, Bankole was listed as the party’s flagbearer for the constituency, sparking protests among party loyalists and community stakeholders.
Expressing their dissatisfaction during a demonstration at the Second Toll Gate area of Lekki on Thursday, members of the Noheem Adams Support Group, alongside party faithful, youth organisations, women groups and community leaders, called on the party to respect the outcome of the primary election.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Owolabi Yisa urged the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Lagos State APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, to ensure that the mandate freely given by party members is protected.
He argued that the wide margin recorded in the primary reflected the overwhelming preference of party members for Adams and warned that any attempt to overturn the result could create unnecessary divisions within the party.
According to the stakeholders, Adams enjoys broad support among party elders, traditional institutions, market associations, youth groups and residents across the constituency due to his performance in office, empowerment initiatives and sustained engagement with constituents.
“The will of party members was clearly demonstrated during the primary election. This was not a marginal victory or a disputed contest; it was a decisive endorsement of Hon. Noheem Adams by APC members across the constituency,” Yisa said.
The protesters cautioned that disregarding the outcome of the exercise could undermine party unity and discourage grassroots supporters who participated in the democratic process.
They also appealed directly to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter and ensure that the principles of fairness, justice and internal democracy are upheld.
Amid the growing controversy, Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, maintained that the candidates’ list already published by the party remains the official record of the primaries.
Ojelabi explained that the state chapter merely released the results submitted by the committee appointed by the APC national leadership and had no authority to alter or manipulate the outcome.
“The state chapter only published the outcome of the primaries conducted by the committee constituted by the national headquarters,” he said.
He insisted that the list remains valid despite objections from some stakeholders.
Nevertheless, the aggrieved party members urged the APC leadership to revisit the issue, arguing that respecting the wishes of party members would strengthen unity and confidence in the party’s internal processes.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the APC and the administration of President Tinubu, the protesters maintained that lasting cohesion within the party can only be achieved through transparency, fairness and respect for democratic decisions.
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Politics
2027: No apology for supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid — Gov Idris
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has said he has no apology for his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his campaign for a second term in office.
The governor made the remarks on Wednesday at an event organized by the Tinubu Support Organisation, TSO, in Birnin Kebbi, where endorsements were also made for President Tinubu and the governor ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Idris responded to criticisms over his public support for the president, saying those questioning his position were not familiar with the realities in the state.
“I saw a clip last week questioning why Governor Idris should be in the forefront of supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said, adding that the author of the clip was not from Kebbi State.
He maintained that President Tinubu “believes in Kebbi and loves its people,” noting that ongoing federal projects in the state reflect the strength of that relationship.
According to him, his support for the president is based on ongoing federal projects and development efforts in the state.
“That’s why we are enjoying federal projects today. The essence of democracy is to deliver democratic dividends to the doorsteps of the people,” he said.
Idris also reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu, describing him as a leader and mentor, and insisting that Kebbi State remains fully behind his re-election bid.
“Tinubu is my leader and mentor. We support him 100% in Kebbi State,” he stated.
The governor recalled that residents of the state had earlier gathered at the Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, describing it as one of the earliest such endorsements in the country.
“Last year, Kebbi people converged on the Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi in their thousands to endorse Tinubu for a second term in office, the first state to do so in Nigeria,” he said.
Idris added that his administration would continue to support initiatives aligned with the development of Kebbi State and the country at large.
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