A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, led by its National Chairman,  Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has successfully uploaded credentials of its presidential, vice presidential and national assembly candidates on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC portal.

Nafiu, who disclosed the development in a statement he issued on Sunday, didn’t give details of the faction’s candidates whose names were submitted to the commission.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, under my leadership, has successfully completed the upload of our Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and National Assembly candidates on the INEC portal for the 2027 General Elections”, he said.

He said the party under his leadership is focused on fielding credible, competent, and people-centered candidates for the 2027 elections.

“This achievement demonstrates our Party’s firm commitment to safeguarding the interests of our founding and legacy members in the face of anti-democratic tendencies.

“As a Party, the ADC remains resolute in its mission to field credible, competent, and people-centered candidates who will provide purposeful leadership, promote good governance, and bring hope to the Nigerian people”, he added.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stated the reason the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, declined to debate with him.

Speaking through his media aide, Francis Nwaze, in a statement on Sunday, the minister said Obi knew he would not be able to defend his record when compared with his own achievements in public office.

Umahi was reacting to comments recently made by Obi regarding the challenge.

The disagreement started from Umahi’s call for a public debate between both of them, who served two terms each as governors of their respective states.

DAILY POST recalls that Obi had earlier dismissed the invitation, arguing that presidential debates are meant for presidential candidates and not for individuals who are not contesting for the president’s seat.

The minister, however, insisted that the former Anambra state governor misunderstood the purpose of the challenge.

According to him, the debate was never about political status, future ambitions or electoral contests but designed to give Nigerians an opportunity to assess the records of two former governors and determine whose administration delivered greater results.

“Many Nigerians expected what could have been one of the most consequential conversations on public service in recent times. Instead, Mr. Obi declined the invitation, explaining that he is currently a presidential candidate while Senator Umahi is not.

“Yet, the challenge was never about electoral status. It was about accountability. It was about inviting two former governors to present their records before Nigerians and allow the public to judge whose leadership produced the greater impact.

“If governance is measured by performance, political ambition should not prevent an honest comparison of records,” Umahi said.

The National Spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, has said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election does not give the All Progressives Congress (APC) any electoral advantage. According to him, Seyi Tinubu under the current government wields more power than Shettima.
Mohammed stated this in an exclusive interview with DAILY Post on Sunday while reacting to President Tinubu’s announcement on Friday that Shettima would remain his running mate for the next election.

According to him, the decision was not surprising because the APC had chosen to follow a familiar path.

“Ordinarily, some people would have expected the President to pick someone who is more formidable or someone who could bring more votes to the ticket. But to us, it is a familiar route,” he said.

The Kwankwasiyya spokesperson argued that Nigerians, particularly those in the North, had already assessed the Muslim-Muslim ticket based on the experience of the current administration.

“When the Muslim-Muslim ticket was introduced, many people, especially in the North, defended it because it meant something to them. Today, people have seen what that arrangement looks like, and I believe the Muslims themselves are making those judgments,” he said.

Mohammed claimed that retaining Shettima was more about the President’s convenience than electoral strategy.

“We believe picking him is also a convenience for the President. As far as the President is concerned, his son is even much more powerful in this government than Shettima himself. Those who see that believe the President is simply picking him for his convenience, not because of what he feels Shettima is going to add,” he said.

He maintained that the decision would not strengthen the APC’s chances at the polls.

“I don’t think it is a plus, but to us it is okay because we know very well that we have to do something different for the progress and development of the nation,” he said.

Mohammed also argued that religion would no longer be a deciding factor for many voters.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket deceived so many people, especially those from the North, during the last election. But it ended in disappointment. I don’t think it will be an advantage again.”

“People have realised that it is not about religion. It is about competence, sincerity and what you intend to do. Governance is about solving people’s problems irrespective of who is affected.”

He questioned Shettima’s contribution to the Tinubu administration

According to him, many Nigerians could not point to any significant impact made by the Vice President.

“If you want to measure Shettima’s contribution to this government, it is difficult because he has not been given the opportunity to contribute, even if he can,” he said.

According to him, the Vice President has largely been limited to representing the government at public events.

“I think the administration has a special role for him. Whenever they feel someone needs to speak, they send him there to do the talking, and that’s all,” Mohammed said.

He further argued that the administration had not addressed key challenges facing the North.

“Insecurity has not improved in the northern part of the country, not even in his own home state. Poverty is still there, the numbers have not changed, and you cannot really point to what he has done to alter the situation.”

Mohammed said many people across the region remained disappointed with the performance of the administration.

“As far as the electorate are concerned, starting from his home state to the entire North, I don’t think anybody can confidently say this is what the Vice President has done to help the government or improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians who continue to struggle with insecurity and other challenges,” he said.