Politics
Peter Obi not a candidate; going nowhere in 2027 — ex-Obidient Kitiya
By Adegboyega Adeleye
A former supporter of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, James Kitiya, has declared that the former Anambra State governor stands no realistic chance in the 2027 general election, insisting he should no longer be regarded as a viable contender.
Kitiya, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks during an appearance on Vanguard’s podcast, The Nigerian Meter, where he explained the reasons behind his departure from the Obidient movement and his decision to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Don’t call Peter Obi a candidate, he’s going nowhere in 2027,” Kitiya said, arguing that the political momentum that once energised Obi’s support base has significantly weakened since the 2023 elections.
He maintained that many of Obi’s supporters, particularly those in the diaspora, lack the grassroots structure required to influence electoral outcomes, adding that the cohesion and confidence that characterised the Obidient movement before the last election are no longer evident.
“Most of these guys, especially the ones outside Nigeria, they don’t have voter’s cards, they can’t mobilise people on the ground,” he said. “Before the 2023 election, if you check how we Obidients were talking, we had confidence because the connection was there. The connection is not there now.”
Kitiya further claimed that internal realities within the movement would support his position, suggesting that even loyalists privately acknowledge the shift in momentum.
“If I call two Obidients and place them on speaker, they will tell you their truths,” he added.
The former Obi supporter confirmed that he officially joined the APC in February 2026 in Adamawa State, citing what he described as the visible performance and infrastructural efforts of the Tinubu administration as a key factor in his decision.
He pointed to ongoing projects such as the coastal road near Eko Atlantic, which he said he observes regularly, as evidence of governance in action, while also acknowledging the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.
According to him, while the administration’s policies are commendable, more attention should be given to addressing the current cost-of-living challenges.
Kitiya also criticised the communication style of some Obidient supporters, accusing them of relying on insults and online attacks rather than issue-based engagement, though he urged them to continue supporting their preferred candidate peacefully.
Despite his criticism, he described Obi as “a good man,” but maintained that, politically, he no longer sees a pathway for him ahead of the 2027 election.
www.vanguardngr.com
Politics
Atiku, ADC can’t recover from Babachir Lawal’s damage – Imran Wakili
Political commentator, Imran Wakili has claimed that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be unable to recover from the political setbacks allegedly caused by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
In a post shared on X on Thursday, Wakili argued that Babachir’s actions had led to the exit of several prominent political figures from the ADC, leaving the party significantly weakened.
“The damage Babachir did to Atiku and ADC—there is no coming back from it! BINDOW is GONE, nobody is left in ADC except Atiku himself.
“Bindow gone, why? Babachir. Abbo gone, why? Babachir. Binani gone, why? Babachir. Nyako gone, why? Babachir. Nafiu Bala legal case, why? Babachir,” Wakili wrote.
DAILY POST recalls that Lawal resigned his membership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, last month.
The former SGF said he could not remain in a party he accused of operating a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also accused Atiku and his allies of pursuing ethnic and religious interests, arguing that the former vice president’s emergence as a presidential candidate would ultimately strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.
dailypost.ng
Politics
Electoral Act: National Assembly bought to get Tinubu back to power – Udenta
A political analyst and founding National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy, Professor Udenta Udenta, says the National Assembly was procured to amend the Electoral Act to get President Bola Tinubu reinstated into power.
Udenta made this statement on Thursday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He also questioned how the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under Tinubu’s administration stopped primaries in 30th May.
“The National Assembly was procured to amend the Electoral Act to get Tinubu reinstated into power.
“Since the inception of this government in 2023, we have discussed this matter. The dwindling or shrinking civic spaces, the brutal assault on labour centres, the weaponization via lawfare of the criminal justice system.
“The war declared on political parties, that is multi-party democracy, by a regime tiptoeing into totalitarianism, not just even what they call authoritative sort of construct of power, but a hybrid regime.
“How come the same INEC under Tinubu stopped primaries in 30th May? Because they didn’t even think opposition parties would succeed at their primaries,” he said.
dailypost.ng
Politics
2027: Imo APC chieftain, Nlemadim dumps party over marginalisation of Ngor Okpala
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bona Nlemadim, has officially dumped the party and joined the opposition Action Peoples Party, APP.
Nlemadim cited the age-long marginalization of Ngor Okpala local government Area of the state where he hails from as reason for his decision.
This was contained in an open letter he personally signed and made available to APC members in Ngor Okpala, dated June 25, 2026.
The APC chieftain, who was an active member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2014 transiting with the former governor of lmo state, Rochas Okorocha, supported the party and its candidates in various election cycles.
He said, “Like you all, I stand on the mandate of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Not only will I vote for him in the forthcoming election, but I will also encourage my followers to do the same.”
The party chieftain expressed dismay at the continued marginalization of the local government in the politics of Imo State, using the case of Dr. Chijioke Kaduru as an example.
He said, “When he came strongly into the arena and expressed interest to represent Owerri Zone in the senate in the coming political dispensation, I was excited. I believed that God had sent us a candidate without blemish– a young man with integrity, sound education and sufficient resources to pursue his ambition.
“For over two years, he transversed the component LGAs that make up Owerri Zone.
“He touched the lives of many in the zone, more so in our own local government, and left no one in doubt about his capacity, his vision as well as his political direction.
“Most of us on this platform participated in his programs and supported his ambition. I salute those patriotic sons and daughters of Ngor Okpala.
“Unfortunately, our hopes were dashed. At the end of the consensus primaries, Ngor Okpala was denied the ticket; which was instead, returned to Owerri North, where Senator Ezenwa Onyenwuchi has held sway for the past seven years.
“The Imo Charter of Equity enunciated by our amiable Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was jettisoned. Like the late music legend Sir Warrior sang, “Oke ru anyi aka ekearia ya”.
“I was disillusioned by the outcome, which was unfair and devoid of equity. To rub it in, Ngor Okpala was also denied the House of Representatives ticket for our constituency.
“As much as I would like to remain a loyal party member, I must state unequivocally that these developments are painful and unjust, as they suggest that no one cares about us. Yet we are pressured to sing hallelujah while enduring severe pains.”
According to Nlemadim, over 14 years of APC rule in Imo state and the full participation in party activities, he cannot drive from Orie Nguru to Umuewere, a distance of one kilometer, adding that the gains of democracy have completely eluded Ngor Okpala people despite the loyalty and commitment to party ideals.
“The low hanging fruit being peddled around now is that the governorship ticket will be ceded to Ngor Okpala. Really? As much as I would wish this becomes a reality, I must restrain myself from such an illusion.
“If it happens, though, we will forever be grateful to our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and will support any of our own that gets the ticket.
“For now, we have become the proverbial “Achara di woro miri” and must seek our own water fountain. No outsider will do it for us. Without mincing words, let an Ngor Okpala man fix Ngor Okpala!ll
“I love our party, and have enjoyed beautiful relationships with most of our leaders and members. However, patriotism and love for my people and their welfare far exceed my love and loyalty for the party.
“To be at peace with myself, I have decided to give my unalloyed support to any son or daughter of Ngor Okpala who secures a ticket for an elective position irrespective of party affiliation.
“Arising from the above, I would like to take a sabbatical leave from the party to enable me to devote my time and commitment to the Mazi Senatorial Project. I hope that in the end, this will give me the peace of mind and satisfaction that comes with supporting one of our own.
“I will excuse myself from this platform within the next 24hours to avoid being accused of engaging in anti-party activities. Despite this, we remain friends.
“Politics will come and go. Political parties will come and go. But we will remain sons and daughters of Ngor Okpala until the very end,” he further stated.
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