As the adoption of candidates for next year’s elections continues to gather steam across the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Kano State have adopted President Bola Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the governorship candidate.

Determined to reduce crises in most states in the forthcoming 11th National Assembly in the Fourth Republic, a Presidential Supervision Team met with the governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday night.

The team equally met with the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and some principal officers on the same issue.

The two separate meetings at the Presidential Villa and Imo State Governor’s Lodge were on the move by Senators and Representatives to get return tickets in 2027.

The NASS leaders also sought support for their colleagues seeking to be governors.

The governors, however, rejected some proposed returnee Senators and Representatives.

A harmonised continuity list is expected to be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to guide the consensus plan of the party.

Governors Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), it was learnt, were absent at the meeting.

They opted for a separate audience with the President in Paris, France, because of the disagreement with the proposal.

A top source at the meeting said the engagement was designed to reduce friction between National Assembly members and sitting governors. The idea is to prevail on governors who have been mandated by President Tinubu to take charge of the nomination process in their states to accommodate defectors from other parties to the APC. The Gbajabiamila team believes that the next National Assembly should be a blend of experienced lawmakers and new ones.

The source said, “The NASS leadership does not want a repeat of what happened in the 10th Assembly, where most members came in newly. The turnover of lawmakers does not enrich the Nigerian legislature.

“Some respected Senators and Representatives also defected from some parties to the APC. They have high electoral value, which cannot be ignored. We opted to prevail on some governors to shift ground by yielding some slots.

"Right from the Second Republic, there had been frictions and sheer power play between NASS members and governors, either on succession or the leadership of the parties or facilitation of projects.

“We want to address 2027 with less tension in states so that the APC can be united against other parties.”

On some Senators vying for governorship or outgoing governors struggling to be Senators, another source said: “The meeting tried to navigate this challenge.

“There are still a few states where the President may have to mediate or intervene to keep the APC one. In case of no reconciliation, there will be outright primaries.

It was gathered that Governors Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara) and Dapo Abiodun ( Ogun) were absent at the meeting to avoid commitments on political developments in their states.

While the Kwara State Governor wants the governorship shift to the Kwara North Senatorial District, the power calculus in the Presidency and the APC is in favour of the Kwara Central District, with huge voting strength.

“The governor wants to produce his successor from Kwara North, and he is also desirous of the Kwara Central Senatorial District ticket. The party is ready to concede the Senatorial slot to him, but the governorship ticket is for Kwara Central District in order to checkmate the resurgence of the political influence of a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

“Also, the party cannot underrate the voting strength of Sen. Saliu Mustapha, who is presently representing Kwara Central District.

“There are other credible APC governorship aspirants from Kwara Central District like the Director General of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman; former ACN governorship candidate, Dele Belgore (SAN) and a former Senator, Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe; and a businessman, Dr Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki.”

In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel are at each other’s throats over the Ogun East Senatorial District mandate in 2027.

“Having conceded the governorship slot to Sen. Solomon Adeola Yayi, the governor felt he should not be denied an opportunity to be a Senator. Daniel is determined to return to the Senate. He said Abiodun has emerged as the consensus APC aspirant of the District in a Kangaroo manner.”

Checks revealed that both Kwara and Ogun governors have gone to France to meet with the President.“

A governor said: “The message we got from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was that he was sick and he travelled abroad.”

Presidential supervision team

A Villa source confirmed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, had an audience with Akpabio, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, Speaker Abbas and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

The same source said that after the session at the Villa with the leadership of the National Assembly, the Presidential Supervision Team on National Assembly Primaries engaged the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The government source added, “The President has received many petitions on how the governors have been trying to hijack National Assembly Primaries in APC states. There is so much tension.

“The Presidential Supervision Team is to foster peace, coordinate, monitor the process of primaries and manage conflict before, during and after primaries.

“Where there is no agreement, the President will direct the party to organise credible and transparent primaries among the aspirants.

”The team is working to assist the National Working Committee of the APC to solve emerging challenges. Thursday meetings will surely lead to others. But the buck stops on the President’s table.”

How Kano APC decided on Tinubu, Yusuf

The Kano decisions were reached at a meeting held in Government House, Kano, on Thursday.

Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, moved the motion for Tinubu’s adoption. It was seconded by former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi.

Although President Tinubu had already picked his expression of interest and nomination forms for the APC ticket, the stakeholders contributed N50 million, which is 50 percent of the N100 million cost.

The motion for the endorsement of Yusuf was moved by the immediate past state chairman Abdullahi Abbas and seconded by Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, a former PDP leader who recently joined the APC.

During the meeting, Governor Yusuf conveyed the President’s message urging unity in the Kano Chapter of the party. Tinubu also advised that candidates should emerge by consensus, with primaries only where compromise fails.

Other stakeholders present were the immediate past APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar; former Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; and members of the National Assembly. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau were represented.

Former IGP Adamu dismisses Sule’s endorsement of Wadada

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu (rtd), yesterday, submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms for the Nasarawa State governorship race on the platform of APC.

Addressing journalists shortly after the submission, the former police chief downplayed Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor.

“The governor is a human being, just like any other person. And he feels that he has a preferred candidate. So he has the right to do that,” Adamu said.

“Just like you, maybe in Nasarawa State, you don’t prefer Wadada, you prefer somebody like me. It’s also your choice. So we don’t take offense at all. All that we want is to appeal to the people in the state for them to give us support.”

Drawing from his extensive background in law enforcement, Adamu identified the restoration of peace and safety as his primary objective if elected. He argued that without a stable environment, economic progress remains a pipe dream.

“I think the first objective when we get there is to talk about security, to make sure that everybody is safe in the state. We need to provide physical security and human security and all aspects of security,” he said.

Another APC governorship aspirant from the state, Professor Mohammad Sani Haruna, asked his supporters to steer clear of violence and focus on the “politics of development.”

He spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Friday after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms.

The academic-turned-politician emphasised that his campaign is built on the pillars of peace, policy debate, and a tangible track record of service.

Addressing the potential for political friction, Haruna stated that his campaign would not tolerate character assassination or physical altercations. He revealed that strict internal measures have been set up to ensure his followers maintain decorum.

Why we obtained forms for Fubara, by stakeholders

Some Rivers State stakeholders, led by a member of the House of Representatives, Awaji Inombek-Abiante, said yesterday that they obtained the N50 million APC nomination and expression of interest forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to enable him to consolidate on the gains of his administration.

“This is about democracy, and democracy is about the people. If the people decide that they will bear the burden of bringing you back to serve them, it is not about y how deep your pocket is. It is about how the people actually feel, Abiante said.

“That is why, as representatives of the people of Rivers State, we are insisting that the present governor, who has served the people, opening up the areas that nobody ever dreamed of opening up, should come back”.

Abiante, who represents Fubara’s Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, said the governor had carried out significant infrastructural development that hitherto existed only on paper.

He mentioned the Trans-Kalabari road project, attention paid to workers’ welfare and other projects as evidence that the governor deserved a second term for consolidation.

NDC hands Adamawa leadership to Binani, targets victory

Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani has formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing the party’s ideology, inclusiveness and policy-driven governance as factors that influenced her choice.

Binani, a prominent politician in Adamawa State, recently dumped ADC.

She was received into the party in Abuja at an event attended by the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), party stakeholders and supporters from Adamawa State.

Speaking during the event, Dickson described Binani as one of Nigeria’s most influential female politicians and tasked her with leading the party to victory in Adamawa.

He described the NDC as “the fastest-growing political party in Nigerian history” within a few months of its formation.

Dickson said, “The Adamawa Chapter and the Northeast leadership have brought us a big political fish today.

So, my dear colleague Senator Aishatu Dahiru, you are welcome to NDC.

“We are giving you the leadership of the NDC in Adamawa State. Go and lead the party there and bring victory to us,” he said.

“We expect victories in the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senatorial and Governorship elections.”

In her remarks, Binani said she joined the NDC after studying its constitution and discovering that the party prioritises “structured and policy-driven governance.”

She explained that her supporters played a major role in the decision to leave her former political platform and join the NDC.

PDP’s Adebutu declares for Ogun governorship 2027

The 2023 Governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State Oladipupo Adebutu, yesterday, declared his intention to contest for the office of governor again next year.

The declaration was conveyed in a formal letter addressed to the PDP leadership at the state and local government levels.

Adebutu, who previously flew the PDP’s flag in the last gubernatorial election, reiterated his commitment to the party’s ideals and his determination to offer purposeful leadership to the people of Ogun State. He highlighted his longstanding involvement in the party, noting his contributions and dedication to strengthening the PDP’s presence across the state.

Joel-Onowakpo declares reelection bid, lists achievements

Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, yesterday, formally declared his intention to seek re-election as Delta South senator.

Speaking at a well-attended rally at Oleh Township Stadium in the Isoko South council area of Delta State, the lawmaker said his decision was driven by a commitment to deepen development across the Delta South Senatorial District.

The senator, who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), outlined his achievements since assuming office in June 2023, noting that he has sponsored eight bills, four of which have been passed by the National Assembly.

“These legislative efforts are aimed at improving the lives of our people and addressing critical developmental needs,” he said.

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, joined key stakeholders of the APC to endorse Joel-Onowakpo for a second term.

They also declared President Bola Tinubu as their sole candidate for the presidential election, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the governorship poll.

Yusuf Buhari gets automatic APC ticket to seek Reps seat

Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has picked the APC ticket to contest for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.

Yusuf picked the ticket unopposed after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Katsina on Tuesday, April 28, unanimously adopted him as the party’s candidate.

The consensus agreement was announced by the Chairman, Consensus Committee for Daura Zone, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, a former Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Speaking after Yusuf’s adoption, Mannir Musa, APC Chairman, Mai’adua Local Government, urged party members to accept the outcome in good faith. (The Nation)

Update news