The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sodiq Abubakar Gombe, said the party secured a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja on Wednesday directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Dr Adebayo Ajala as the party’s sole candidate for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 8, 2026.

He disclosed this during a briefing at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja is a victory for the party’s leadership.

He said the opposition party is awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to serve on INEC accordingly.

He noted that the distractions confronting the party had been overcome.

Gombe, therefore, urged INEC to respect the court’s verdict and include the name of Dr Ajala as the recognised SDP candidate for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

“The SDP recorded a victory at the Federal High Court today by affirming our governorship candidate and recognising him as the duly elected candidate of the Social Democratic Party through a primary duly monitored by the commission and conducted by the party.

“So, even this issue they wanted to pursue through the back door has already been settled. The Federal High Court resolved it with today’s judgment,” he said.

Recall that Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha Olaitan, a candidate endorsed by the embattled former SDP National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, secured a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja on June 24, 2026, ordering INEC to recognise him as the party’s candidate.

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has expressed confidence that its 2027 presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, will defeat President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.

The party made the claim in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, while reacting to recent remarks by Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala, who reportedly described Makinde as inconsequential.

According to the APM, the Presidency’s comments reflected growing concern over Makinde’s rising political profile ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Yusuf said the 2027 election would ultimately determine who was truly inconsequential in the race.

“Rather than defend its record in office, the Presidency has chosen to attack personalities. The decision to deploy presidential aides to criticise Governor Makinde only shows a lack of confidence in its own achievements,” the party said.

Referring to Bwala’s interview with Al Jazeera earlier this year, the party said Nigerians were familiar with what it described as the communication style of the current administration.

“Daniel Bwala would soon eat his own words against Governor Makinde,” the statement added.

The party maintained that the 2027 presidential election would be a direct contest between Makinde and Tinubu, expressing confidence that the Oyo State governor would emerge victorious.

“President Tinubu should be jittery because Governor Makinde is coming into the contest with an intimidating record of performance, including transforming Oyo State into one of the country’s leading economies, a feat Nigerians want replicated at the national level,” Yusuf said.

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has tackled Igbo leaders begrudging the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his decision to serve only one term and adhere to the rotational presidency arrangement.

Amadi wondered why prominent Igbo leaders such as Emeka Ihedioha, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe had not signified interest in running for the presidency and serving eight years.

He made the remark while faulting those criticising Obi following claims by the NDC’s presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that they had signed a pact under which Obi would serve only one term as Nigeria’s president before handing over power to the North.

In a post on X titled, “Much Ado about Kwankwaso Interview,​” Amadi wrote: “Sometimes you guys should try and maintain some rigor in thinking. If you believe in zoning and say, ‘Let the South finish its term and power should go back to the North in 2031.’

“What does that mean? It means that any southerner coming to the presidency will only serve for one term.

“This man has been saying he will do one term only to keep faith with zoning, which is a critical element of Nigeria’s political stability. He is now doing what he promised, and you are crying blue murder.

“Before Peter Obi came out, what stopped selfless Igbos from running for the presidency? What? It is now you guys realise you have not been president for 100 years and must do eight years?

“Why cannot your great Igbo leaders like Emeka Ihedioha, Otti, Osita, Abaribe, etc., run for the presidency and do eight years? Why are you lot begrudging Peter Obi for respecting the zoning arrangement?

“He said he believes in zoning. Zoning requires that the North takes back power in 2031. If four years is too short for you, then come out and run for the presidency and do eight years.”