The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, says it has shelved presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections, stating it would rather explore alliances with other political parties if a credible and widely acceptable candidate emerges.

The National Chairman of the NNPP, Bala Yusuf, made this known on Saturday at the party’s 11th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, where delegates ratified the outcomes of recent primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

Yusuf dismissed speculations of a secret pact with the African Democratic Congress, insisting it had not entered into any agreement with any political party despite growing discussions around opposition coalitions.

This comes as the party’s National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, lamented the mass defections that have depleted the NNPP’s ranks, including the exit of former National Leader, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso; Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf; and several other elected officials and appointees.

According to Yusuf, the NNPP was keeping its options open and would assess candidates produced by other parties before taking a final decision.

“For now, this is the last day for the submission of anything that has to do with the selection of candidates by the INEC guidelines. We are not going to have any presidential candidate in our party, but we are open to an alliance.

“It’s not for us to have a presidential candidate that matters. Nigeria is in a very difficult situation. We need to see if other parties will bring out a very good, credible and well-focused presidential candidate. I don’t think there will be any problem joining forces with them to have a good presidential candidate.

“No, we don’t have any presidential candidates. We want to see what other parties are producing as their authentic presidential candidate. Then we’ll work towards that,” he said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has warned state governors against interfering in the politics of Rivers State.

Wike warned that governors interfering in the politics of Rivers State are looking for trouble.

He spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital during a meeting of the rainbow coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

According to Wike: “We met here last time and I said anybody from another state trying to destroy Rivers State, the person will have problems, did I not say so?

“Remember, when people were saying that they would do this in my state, I said if you put your hand you will get fire, did they get the fire or not? Are they well now?

“Those who think they can come here and do anything because they believe so much money Mr. President has made available to some states, be careful, trouble is on the way to your state.

“We don’t make trouble we are peaceful people but when you come here to put your hand, anything you see just take it.

“All other states are fighting, whether in PDP conflict, whether in APC wahalla, we are here jubilating, does that not tell us something? Don’t touch where God has blessed his people.”

The Labour Party, led by Nenadi Usman, has formally presented Dr. Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

He emerged following a broad-based consensus among party members and stakeholders, which was affirmed in Abuja on May 30, 2026.

The LP said Okereke has built an impressive reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading voices on public policy, legislative governance, and institutional development.

Dr. Okereke is the President of ERGAF-AFRICA Legislative Governance Innovation and Policy Hub, a foremost policy and legislative research institution, and serves as a legislative consultant to key committees and ranking members of the National Assembly.

He is also a resident lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Abuja, where he contributes to the development of the next generation of public sector leaders and policy professionals.

Okereke holds a PhD in Legislative Governance Studies and master’s degrees in Public Administration and Legislative Studies.

His expertise in governance, public accountability, and national development has made him a respected analyst and commentator on major national and international media platforms