Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has said that political support from state governors will not determine the outcome of future elections, insisting that his past electoral performance shows that governors backing means nothing.

Speaking during an interview on Noire TV, Obi argued that despite not having the backing of a single governor in the previous election, he was still able to win 12 states, alleging that two states were “taken away through rigging.”

He said “It doesn’t matter whether 36 governors are with the president, I didn’t have one governor in the last election and I won 12 states, even after they have stolen two from me, I won 12 states by making Abuja state we now have 37 states cause that’s what the judgement or the Supreme Court showed.

“Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso won 1 Kano, APC, PDP and Labour all won 12 states each and in it I lost two by a process of rigging, so I would have had 14.

“So it doesn’t matter whether they took all the Governors what is important and what this campaign election is going to be about is about how to make Nigeria work for the poor.”

The African Alliance Party, AAP, has said that the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, has declared the party a legally registered political party in Nigeria.

National Chairman of the party, Rev. Peters Olusegun Iyaobaje, in a statement on Thursday, said the judgment was delivered in Appeal No. CA/MK/102/26, filed by the party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, and the Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriarian-Anthony.

According to Iyaobaje, the appellate court held that AAP is deemed to be a duly registered political party by operation of law.

The statement explained, “The basis of the court’s decision was that INEC failed to challenge the party’s eligibility for registration within the constitutionally prescribed 90-day window available for the registration of political parties.

“The court found that INEC’s failure to act within that period foreclosed any objection to the party’s registration, thereby entitling AAP to be treated as a registered political party as a matter of constitutional right.

“Consequent upon its findings, the court directed INEC to issue and deliver a certificate of registration to the African Alliance Party without further delay. This order is binding on INEC and all its officers.

“This judgment reinforces the principle that constitutional timelines imposed on regulatory authorities are not merely directory but are mandatory in nature. INEC’s inaction within the prescribed period cannot be used as an instrument to deny eligible political associations their right to registration.”

The party said the decision is a significant affirmation of the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s multiparty democratic framework ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The judgment is coming amid a suit seeking the deregistration of some Nigerian opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

All Progressives Congress, APC,  National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has said that Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State is the best candidate in the upcoming governorship election in the state.

Yilwatda made the announcement during the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the Ekiti Governorship election, slated for June 20.

The APC national chairman stated that the ruling party has enough supporters to win the upcoming Ekiti governorship election and the 2027 presidential election.

He said, “You’re linking roads and bringing people together all across the state.

“We are happy to celebrate you, and I’m grateful to God for giving you to the people of Ekiti and to our party as well.

“Today, we are presenting you to the people of Ekiti for another term in office. As a group, we are really pleased and excited to have you with us.

“You are one of the top choices for this election; the people don’t really have a choice, because it looks like you are the only real candidate in this election.

“APC has the capability and is ready to win any election.”