The Director of News at Arise Television, Sumner Sambo, says the insistence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest the 2027 general elections despite zoning convention will deepen Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Sambo made this statement on Monday on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’.

According to him, the constitution is clear that any qualified Nigerian can contest for the Office of the President.

“The rotational practice we have had is just an informal arrangement. By putting himself forward as the leading northern candidate at a time when it is supposed to be the South’s turn, he will enrich our constitutional democracy.

“Meritocracy must remain the focus of elections. This zoning convention has made many politicians complacent, content to simply wait for their turn.

“So the rotational presidency that we have had is just a backdoor channel, and we have not even practiced it the way Alex Ekweme report through the 1995 conference had wanted.

“What they had wanted was for us to rotate it across the six geopolitical zones. But even in that report, don’t forget, Alex Ekweme said that once it goes round the six geopolitical zone, we should abolish it, and then get back to meritocracy.

“But we haven’t practiced it the way Sani Abacha had wanted it to to be done. So at this point in time, it still boils down to the political reforms that we need in the country,” he said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has handed its governorship nomination form to Alhaji Ibrahim ElAmin Little as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.

A former Kano State governorship candidate under the defunct APP, Ibrahim ElAmin, popularly known as Ibrahim Little, received the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Governorship Nomination Form (EC-13B).

Ibrahim Little disclosed this in a post shared on his verified Facebook account on Monday.

According to him, the nomination form was presented to him by the Acting Chairman of the ADC in Kano State, Dr Umar Bala Kwalwa.

“By the grace of Allah, I have received the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Governorship Nomination Form (EC-13B) from the Acting Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State, Dr. Umar Bala Kwalwa,” he said.

He added, “We pray to Allah to bless this milestone and make it a success.”

The development comes weeks after the ADC dissolved its Kano State Executive Committee and inaugurated a caretaker committee as part of efforts to resolve internal disputes within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party had earlier indicated plans to announce its governorship candidate after resolving its internal issues.

Oba Wahab Oyedotun, the Orangun of Ila in Osun State, has denied endorsing any candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship election, insisting he remains politically neutral.

The monarch’s clarification followed a statement by the Osun State Government claiming that a delegation of Ila-Orangun chiefs visited Governor Ademola Adeleke and pledged support for his re-election on behalf of the traditional ruler and the community.

Speaking at his palace, Oba Oyedotun said “he could not favour any political party because many of his subjects belong to different political groups”. 

He stressed that his primary concern is the development of Ila-Orangun rather than partisan politics.

The royal father urged traditional rulers across Yorubaland to avoid political divisions, noting that politicians from different parties remain their subjects and often maintain relationships despite political differences.

While acknowledging that those behind the endorsement are members of his community, the monarch said he was uncomfortable with the use of his name, stressing that he neither authorised nor approved any endorsement.

“What I found disturbing is the way they dropped my name,” he added.