The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has urged political leaders nationwide to adopt patriotism, tolerance, and issue-focused politics as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle.

Speaking with journalists during the 80th birthday celebration of former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, which took place in Jos on Friday, Usman emphasized that the nation’s advancement hinges on the political class’s commitment to prioritizing national interests over personal and partisan agendas.

Usman noted that while political competition is a vital component of democracy, it should never descend into animosity, hatred, or the disintegration of the country’s social fabric.

She stated, “The upcoming election should not be a conflict against fellow Nigerians. It ought to be a contest of ideas, competence, and character. Once elections conclude, we must all return to the same Nigeria. This is why patriotism must always take precedence over politics.”

The Labour Party National Chairman highlighted that Nigerians deserve leaders who foster unity rather than division, instill hope instead of fear, and construct bridges across political, ethnic, and religious divides.

Usman further remarked, “Our political parties may differ, but our nation is one. We have a duty to future generations to engage in politics without undermining the connections that bind our nation together.”

In her call for increased civility within the political arena, Senator Usman encouraged politicians and their supporters to denounce inflammatory language and to cultivate mutual respect.

“History does not remember those who shouted the loudest. It remembers those who built the strongest institutions, protected democracy and put their country first.”

She further observed that no democratic system can flourish where intolerance replaces dialogue, adding that disagreements should strengthen democracy rather than weaken national unity.

“We must disagree without becoming enemies. Democracy flourishes where there is tolerance, respect for differing opinions and an unwavering commitment to peace.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rejected the nomination of former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 election submitted by the Taminu Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

DAILY POST recalls that the PDP faction earlier announced the submission of Jonathan’s nomination together with the names of its governorship, National Assembly and state assembly candidates to INEC.

According to the PDP faction, the submission was done manually following denial of access to INEC’s electronic nomination platform.

However, the electoral body, through its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, dismissed the submission.

Eta-Messi stated that nominations can only be processed through INEC’s designated online portal in line with electoral regulations.

According to her, the commission does not recognise manual submission of candidates.

“Submission is only done on a dedicated portal as stipulated by our regulations and guidelines please,” she said.

INEC’s position effectively shuts the door on the nomination submitted by the Turaki faction and raises fresh questions about the validity of the candidates presented by the group.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused four close associates of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deceiving him and deepening the political crisis in the state.

Wike, who spoke on Saturday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, named Edison Ehie, Chijioke Ihunwo, Victor Oko Jumbo and activist Ankio Briggs as the key figures that misled Fubara.

According to the minister, the four individuals repeatedly gave the governor wrong counsel, leading to the protracted face-off.

Wike alleged that the four politicians made Fubara to renege on agreements that followed the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

The minister asserted that Fubara is the biggest loser in the entire crisis.

“I feel for Governor Siminalayi Fubara because he is the biggest loser,” Wike said.

DAILY POST reports that the face-off between Wike and Fubara, his successor, led to a political crisis in Rivers State. At a point President Tinubu imposed emergency rule in the state, suspending Fubara for six months.

Despite defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the governor could not get a ticket for a second term. Fubara recently announced that he has returned to Wike’s political camp.