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2027: Atiku chose Amaechi to show he has nothing against Ndigbo - Okonkwo

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has defended the choice of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate, saying the decision showed that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, harbours no prejudice against the Igbo.

Okonkwo spoke on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday while responding to questions about Amaechi’s delayed public acknowledgement of his nomination and his own earlier reservations over the vice-presidential slot not going to the Southeast.

He said the ADC was addressing concerns raised by some party members through internal dialogue.

“The ADC has announced Rotimi Amaechi as the vice presidential candidate of ADC, and in our own nature, the way we do things, whenever such issue arises… we always go internally to negotiate, to dialogue democratically, so that we can reach compromise and come back together as one to move on,” he said.

According to Okonkwo, ongoing consultations in the ADC were aimed at resolving grievances and uniting the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Clarifying his earlier position, the former presidential spokesman said he never opposed Amaechi’s nomination but had argued that the Southeast deserved consideration on the basis of geopolitical balancing.

“I said I would have favourably been disposed by the choice to have come from Southeast, not South-South, because Southeast has not produced the president or vice from 1999,” he said.

Okonkwo explained that the exit of Peter Obi, the Southeast’s presidential aspirant during the ADC’s nomination process left the region at a disadvantage, limiting the party’s options under the Electoral Act.

He, however, said Atiku eventually selected Amaechi because of his close ties to the Southeast.

“That was why the excellency Atiku Abubakar still went to the nearest person that is closest to the southeast. In other words, for you to know that he has nothing against the Igbo people.” Okonkwo said.

He added that after the reasons behind the choice were explained and assurances were given that the interests of the Southeast would be protected, he accepted the decision.

“When everything was now stated very well, and the interest of Ndigbo and Southeast was now recognized and guaranteed, then it was a go-go for me, and we are now one big and happy family,” he said.


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Osun NNPP chairman resigns, emerges Democratic Leadership Alliance acting chairman

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The Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, has resigned from the party and been appointed acting state chairman of the newly registered Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA.

Odeyemi’s resignation was contained in a letter dated July 16, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the NNPP.

In the letter, he formally informed the party of his decision to leave and requested that his name and personal details be removed from its membership register.

The former NNPP chairman did not, however, disclose the reason for his resignation in the letter.

Odeyemi, who is regarded as an ally of former Kano State Governor Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, publicly unveiled his new political platform on Saturday and confirmed that he had accepted a leadership role within the Democratic Leadership Alliance.

His appointment as the pioneer Acting State Chairman of the DLA in Osun State was conveyed in a letter dated July 17, 2026, and signed by the party’s National Chairman, Samuel Memeh.

According to the appointment letter, “the decision followed the approval of the party’s National Executive Committee, which entrusted Odeyemi with the responsibility of building and strengthening the party’s structure across Osun State.”

The letter stated that his duties include “establishing and maintaining party structures, upholding the party’s constitution and ideology, and reporting the activities of the Osun chapter directly to the National Working Committee.”

Speaking after his appointment, Odeyemi expressed appreciation to the DLA leadership for the confidence reposed in him.

“I thank the National Chairman, the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee for entrusting me with this responsibility.

“I accept this appointment with humility and a strong sense of responsibility. My immediate priority is to unite genuine members, promote discipline within the party and position the DLA as a credible alternative for residents of Osun seeking purposeful leadership,” he said.

Odeyemi also assured the national leadership that the affairs of the Osun chapter would be conducted transparently, saying, “We will run the party with transparency and commitment. I call on members and stakeholders to support this new political platform.”




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2027: Malami picks Musa Zagi as ADC deputy governorship candidate in Kebbi 

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The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State, Abubakar Malami, has named Musa Zagi as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Engr. Abubakar Atiku Musa.

According to the statement, Zagi’s nomination received the approval of the ADC governorship candidate.

The party congratulated Zagi on his emergence, expressing confidence in his ability to discharge the responsibilities of the office if elected.

It also congratulated other ADC candidates contesting various elective positions in the 2027 general elections and urged party members and supporters to remain united ahead of the polls.

The statement further called for peaceful, free and fair elections, while appealing to the people of Kebbi State to support the party’s candidates.




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Amaechi withdraws case against Atiku’s ADC primary win

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a lawsuit filed by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi challenging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s victory in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the case on Friday after Amaechi’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, formally withdrew the suit.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okutepa told the court that the parties had resolved their differences.

Atiku won the ADC presidential primary in May with 1,846,370 votes, defeating Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes. Former FSB International Bank Managing Director Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third with 177,120 votes.

Before the final results were announced, Amaechi rejected the outcome, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice. He claimed the results were being “concocted.”

Amaechi later sued, arguing that the primary violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the ADC constitution and the party’s guidelines for selecting candidates for the 2027 elections.

He asked the court to stop Atiku from presenting himself as the ADC presidential candidate and also sought an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.

However, in June, the ADC announced Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

With both politicians now on the same ticket, the court struck out the case after the suit was withdrawn.




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