A frontline political scientist and former senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, Abubakar Lasiele, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, made a major political miscalculation by fielding governorship candidates from the same Local Government Area in Kwara State.

Lasiele said the development amounts to an ‘own goal’ for both parties, arguing that the two candidates would end up splitting votes within the same political base while leaving other politically strategic districts relatively open.

He spoke on the sidelines of the annual dinner night organised by the Third Estate, an elite group on Wednesday night in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

“I don’t see any political sense in the APC and ADC picking their candidates from the same local government area. No matter how you look at it, it is already an own goal for them,” he said.

“Both Engr. Yakubu Danladi and Hon. Zakari Mohammed are from Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. They are both strong grassroots politicians in the area. What this means is that they will naturally divide the votes coming from there.”

According to him, Zakari Mohammed may even enjoy a slight advantage because of his previous political exposure.

“Hon. Zakari particularly has an upper hand because he once represented the Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. So, he is not a stranger politically,” he added.

“So, what this means is that he will be sharing the same voting strength with his APC challenger across Kwara North.”

The political scientist said political parties ought to focus more on the independent electoral value of candidates before relying on incumbency power or political godfathers.

“The critical question parties should ask before choosing candidates is this: without incumbency or godfather backing, can this candidate stand on his own and win an election?” he queried.

“Any party whose candidate can independently tick that box already has a strong foundation. Party structure, funding, incumbency advantages, and godfather influence should only come afterwards.”

Lasiele also condemned the increasing politicisation of Eid prayer grounds, warning political actors against turning religious gatherings into campaign arenas.

“It is a desecration of the sanctity of the Eid ground for politicians to turn such spaces into campaign opportunities,” he said.

“I urge political stakeholders in the APC, PDP, and other parties to exercise restraint and respect the sacredness of the space.”

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has described politicians as “Goliath,” urging Nigerians to find a “David” to bring solutions to their problems.

The front-runner for the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria stated that politicians are obstructing the nation’s progress.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party emphasised that Nigeria needs a “David” to rescue the nation.

At a youth conference in Abuja organised by Rev. Fr. John Chinenye Oluoma of the Abuja Archdiocese, Obi stated that Nigeria must raise a “David” capable of defeating the “Goliath” within its polity for the country to move forward.

He said, “Today, at the David and Goliath Conference in Abuja, aimed at empowering Nigerian youths to confront their challenges, I made it clear that the Goliaths in Nigeria’s political landscape are the politicians who divert public funds for personal gain.

“I told the youths that these politicians are the primary Goliaths because they refuse to prioritise the country’s interests.”

Obi noted that all critical sectors — security, power, healthcare, and education — are suffering because of the leaders’ corrupt tendencies.

The youth delegates at the conference posed tough questions about overcoming the “Goliath” in their lives as Nigerians.

Obi said that from their questions, he identified the key areas where Nigeria is failing: security, education, health, and unemployment.

He challenged the youths to be realistic in their pursuits, live within their means, and reject artificial lifestyles as a way to conquer the “Goliath” in their lives.

The 2027 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Eric Opah, has denied reports circulating on social media claiming that he promised to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu if elected governor of Abia State.

In the report, Eric Opah was quoted as saying:

“I will set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free once I become Governor of Abia State in 2027. I said it, and I will do it. I have the capacity, don’t doubt me.”

However, responding to the trending report, the Abia APC candidate described the story as false, misleading, and the handiwork of desperate people.

Speaking through Eric Ikwuagwu, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Eric Opah Campaign Organisation, the APC candidate said the sole aim of the report was to drag his name into unnecessary controversy.

“At no time did Chief Eric Opah make such a statement, either publicly or privately. The fabrication is a clear demonstration of the growing desperation among certain individuals and political actors who have chosen the path of falsehood, propaganda, and character assassination instead of issue-based politics.

“It is highly condemnable that some persons would deliberately manufacture fake quotes and circulate them in an attempt to deceive unsuspecting members of the public and create tension within the polity.

“Chief Eric Opah remains a responsible leader committed to lawful governance, peace, development, and constructive engagement on issues affecting Abia State and the nation at large. He will not be distracted by the antics of mischief-makers and enemies of progress,” the statement said.

The statement further urged members of the public, party faithful, and supporters of the candidate to disregard the fake news.