A former aspirant for the House of Representatives seat representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Bashar Geda, has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kebbi State.

Geda formally announced his defection on Saturday during a gathering attended by supporters, party members and political stakeholders in Birnin Kebbi.

Speaking at the event, the former ADC aspirant said his decision to join the APC was influenced by what he described as the leadership style and policies of the Kebbi State Government under Governor Nasir Idris.

He pledged to support the APC and work with party members ahead of future political activities in the state.

“We have less than eight months to the general elections. I will remain in Birnin Kebbi to mobilise support and ensure victory for Governor Idris,” he said.

Geda also called for greater political cooperation among stakeholders, stressing the need for unity and inclusiveness in the state’s political process.

Governor Nasir Idris, who received the defectors, welcomed Geda and his supporters into the APC, assuring them of equal opportunities within the party.

The governor said the APC remained open to individuals willing to contribute to the development of the state and participate in its political activities.

Some APC officials who spoke at the gathering described Geda’s defection as a boost to the party’s membership in the state.

The event was attended by party leaders, government officials, youth groups and supporters from different parts of Kebbi State.

Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, the 2027 House of Representatives candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, has described former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as the “unknown unknown” in the unfolding 2027 presidential calculations, warning that emerging political permutations could significantly reshape Nigeria’s electoral architecture.

Ezeh, who also served as the 2023 Labour Party candidate for the same federal constituency, made the assertion in a detailed political analysis shared via his verified social media platform, where he examined what he termed “non-linear disruptions” likely to define the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the current wave of internal tensions across opposition platforms, combined with speculation over possible exits, realignments, and strategic alliances, could produce unexpected outcomes that traditional political actors may not have adequately factored into their projections.

He argued that rather than outrightly exiting his political platform, Obi could adopt a “sole-candidacy structure” potentially aligned with former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as a vice-presidential partner; a configuration he described as “unusual but capable of resetting the 2027 political equation.”

Ezeh further posited that such an arrangement could reduce internal party friction, weaken factional contests, and recalibrate voter mobilisation dynamics, particularly in the South-East, where he alleged lingering dissatisfaction over recent primary elections.

He also referenced the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission), noting that strict adherence to nomination timelines and electoral guidelines could further compress political manoeuvring space and compel parties to adopt unconventional strategies ahead of the polls.

The political commentator suggested that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, may be underestimating the fluidity of opposition permutations, arguing that evolving “blue-ocean political thinking” could redefine the 2027 contest beyond conventional partisan calculations.

Ezeh, however, stressed that his analysis should not be misconstrued as an endorsement or prediction, but rather a strategic interpretation of emerging possibilities within Nigeria’s increasingly volatile political landscape.

He concluded that the 2027 election cycle may usher in “a political order unlike anything witnessed in Nigeria’s recent democratic history,” as both ruling and opposition blocs adjust to rapidly shifting realities.

Main opposition party in Kwara State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has berated the recent comments by the state Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on TVC as a desperate attempt to whitewash the failures of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Friday by the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Bashir Ashura, the opposition party said it was unfortunate that Fagbemi chose propaganda over facts while millions of Kwarans continue to grapple with insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, poor healthcare services, and declining living standards.

The PDP noted that before the emergence of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration in 2019, Kwara was widely regarded as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. 

“Today, however, communities across Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun and other parts of the state have become recurring theatres of kidnappings, bandit attacks and killings. Families can no longer sleep with both eyes closed as they once did.

“For Fagbemi to describe the security crisis as “artificial” is not only insensitive but disrespectful to the memories of innocent Kwarans who have lost their lives and properties to criminal elements. 

“The pain of victims and their families cannot be dismissed as election-season politics,” the party declared.

The opposition party further noted that “the APC chairman also boasted about governance achievements without addressing the fundamental question of accountability.

” Available government records show that Kwara State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from about ₦30.6 billion in 2019 to over ₦69 billion in 2024, while federal allocations to states have increased significantly following fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments. 

“Yet the ordinary Kwaran cannot point to commensurate improvements in security, healthcare delivery, education, job creation or rural development.”

The PDP argued that “instead of providing transparent accounts of how public funds have been utilized, the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration has consistently operated behind a veil of secrecy, suppressing critical voices and creating an atmosphere where journalists, media practitioners and social commentators are subjected to intimidation for demanding accountability.

“Prince Fagbemi’s claim that every ward in Kwara has a functional healthcare centre is another example of political exaggeration.

“Kwarans know the reality in many rural communities where health facilities remain understaffed, under-equipped and unable to provide basic services.

“Equally laughable is the attempt to dismiss concerns about a third-term agenda. Kwarans are not deceived. 

“The ongoing effort to impose a successor appears driven by fear of accountability rather than genuine concern for the future of the state. Democracy demands leadership renewal, not political puppetry.

“As 2027 approaches, Kwarans will assess the APC administration based on its record and not on television propaganda. The verdict of the people will be based on their lived experiences, and no amount of political spin can rewrite that reality. APC Must Go,” the opposition party added.