Many top leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, are weighing a potential move to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as internal uncertainties mount ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources close to Obi cited growing dissatisfaction with the ADC’s internal structure, ongoing leadership litigations, and concerns that the party is skewed to favour a particular aspirant without zoning the presidential ticket to the South.

A source familiar with the discussions said Obi has been consulting stakeholders and concluded that the ADC may not provide a credible and formidable platform.

“All things being equal, in a couple of days—between now and next week, he is expected to dump the ADC for the NDC. It will be a massive move, and all his supporters are also expected to move with him,” the source added. Another aide confirmed that Obi is expected to make his intentions known soon.

The move follows a Supreme Court judgment on Thursday that vacated an earlier injunction removing David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary of the ADC.

However, the court referred the substantive leadership dispute back to the Federal High Court, leaving lingering uncertainties that could disrupt the party close to the election cycle.

Broader Coalition Concerns

Other ADC chieftains and coalition partners, including figures linked to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), expressed similar fears, describing the judgment as merely “postponing the evil day.”

They worry that prolonged litigation and alleged external interference could undermine the opposition’s chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The NDC has actively courted opposition heavyweights. Its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, confirmed ongoing discussions with Obi and former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stating the party is willing to offer them the presidential ticket and welcoming them to join.

Related DefectionIn a related development, former Adamawa State governorship candidate Senator Aishatu Binani formally joined the NDC on Friday, just nine months after leaving the APC for the ADC.

She cited the NDC’s commitment to structured, policy-driven governance and the preference of her political base.

NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson welcomed Binani and extended an open invitation to other dissatisfied political leaders, emphasising the party’s inclusivity and readiness to serve as a strong alternative platform.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, however, dismissed reports of an impending mass defection, saying he was unaware of any such moves by coalition leaders.

Obidient Movement National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko declined to confirm or deny the reports but reaffirmed that Peter Obi remains committed to contesting the 2027 presidential election on a viable platform.

This unfolding realignment highlights the fluid and dynamic nature of Nigeria’s opposition politics as major stakeholders position themselves for the next electoral cycle.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State chapter, has announced the cancellation of the zoning of the governorship position to the Abia Central senatorial zone for the 2027 general election.

The state working committee of the Abia APC had, yesterday, zoned the governorship seat to the Abia Central zone.

However, the move has been trailed by controversy, as some governorship aspirants, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, and Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, condemned the decision.

Following the controversy, the state publicity secretary of the party, Chief Uche Aguoru, in a statement, disclosed that the national leadership of the party had reversed the decision zoning the governorship seat to the central senatorial district.

He stated that the national leadership of the party had directed that all zoning arrangements earlier issued by the State Working Committee be cancelled.

“Following concerns raised by stakeholders and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, the National Leadership of the party has reviewed the concerns raised.

“Consequently, the party has directed that all zoning arrangements earlier issued by the State Working Committee be jettisoned. The party will, therefore, maintain the status quo.

“By this directive, all aspirants interested in contesting for any position from the House of Assembly, Reps, Senate and Governorship are hereby advised that they are free to approach the party and purchase their nomination forms before the stipulated deadline as outlined by the party,” the statement read.

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President Bola Tinubu will on Saturday depart Abuja for visits to France, Kenya, and Rwanda.

A statement on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu will first travel to France before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France summit.

Onanuga said the summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, will focus on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of the global financing architecture, and climate action.

Tinubu is expected to participate in the summit scheduled for May 11 to May 12 as part of efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships between Nigeria, African countries, and France.

The event, themed “Africa forward: Africa-France partnerships for innovation and growth”, will bring together African and French leaders to deliberate on economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and
peacebuilding.

Onanuga noted that the president will travel to Kigali to attend the Africa CEO forum slated for May 14 to 15, after the summit in Kenya.

The forum, themed “Scale or Fail”, is expected to convene private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss strategies for accelerating economic transformation through regional integration and cross-border investment.

Held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, Onanuga said the forum will host over 2,000 business executives and public sector leaders.

At both events, Tinubu is expected to highlight his administration’s economic reforms and efforts to position Nigeria as a destination for investment and growth.

He will also hold meetings with business leaders and policymakers.

Onanuga added that the president will be accompanied by ministers and senior aides and is expected to return to Nigeria after the Rwanda engagement.

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A key figure in the Kwankwasiyya movement in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Hon. Kabiru Adamu Abdullahi, has resigned from the All Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a resignation letter dated May 1, 2026, and addressed to the party chairman in Kofar Ruwa Ward, Abdullahi said he was leaving the party with immediate effect.

“I hereby formally resign my membership of All Democratic Congress (ADC) at Kofar Ruwa Ward with immediate effect.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me to be part of the party and wish you and the party the very best in your future endeavors.

“Kindly accept this as my official notice and communicate same to the appropriate authorities,” he said in the statement he shared on Facebook.

Abdullahi, who is a House of Assembly aspirant, is considered one of the prominent Kwankwasiyya leaders in Dala.

In a separate post on his Facebook page, he linked his decision to the directive of the movement’s leader.

“This is the order of Jagora,” he wrote, using the term members commonly used to refer to their leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

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Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa, has defected from the African
Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The move, announced on Friday, comes exactly nine months after she left the APC for the ADC.

Binani received her NDC membership card at a ceremony where Seriake Dickson, the party’s national leader, welcomed her and announced her as
the head of the NDC in Adamawa, pending internal democratic processes.

Speaking at the event, the former governorship candidate said she was drawn to the NDC after a careful study of its constitution.

According to her, the NDC constitution demonstrates “a strong commitment to structured, policy-driven governance.”

“Some may point out that just nine months ago, I was at another party. Let me say clearly that I will never condemn where I came from,” she said.

“Politics is dynamic and often local in nature, and decisions are made based on prevailing realities.”

Binani said she was encouraged by her supporters to move to the NDC.

“About nine months ago, we collectively made the decision to join our former party. But over time, for reasons best known to them, my supporters felt it was necessary to move on. They took the initiative and urged
me to join the NDC,” she said.

According to her, loyalists had already built significant inroads into the NDC before her formal declaration, resulting in Adamawa recording the highest number of registered members in the party.

“I always say that no individual can succeed in politics alone. It is the supporters who drive the process, build the foundation, and sustain the journey,” she added.

She expressed gratitude to the NDC’s national working committee (NWC) for the warm reception and called for “fairness, equity jjustice, transparency, and, most importantly, the strengthening of internal democracy” within the party.

While welcoming Binani and her supporters, Dickson, described the party as an inclusive platform ready to accommodate new entrants and expand its base.

“This party is open, inclusive, and ready to harness your energy, ideas, and strength. My dear sister, once again, you are welcome,” the former governor of Bayelsa said.

“As the chairman has rightly said, the flag of leadership of the NDC in Adamawa has now been handed over to you.

“We are confident that when the party’s democratic processes are concluded, we will gather again in Adamawa to formally engage with the good
people of the state and to continue building this movement together.”

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has officially ratified an automatic ticket for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial District election.

The decision, which was taken due to her impressive performance and strong grassroots support since assuming office, effectively clears the path for the senator to seek re-election without undergoing a primary contest.

Kogi PDP leaders praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legislative contributions and her relentless advocacy for the people of Kogi Central, describing her as a high-performing representative who has delivered visible impact within a relatively short time in the Senate.

The ratification comes shortly after the senator formally declared her intention to run for a second term, during which she called for unity within the PDP and urged party members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party stakeholders across the five local government areas in Kogi Central have expressed overwhelming support for her return, viewing her as the most credible candidate to continue representing the district effectively.

The move is seen as a strategic step by the Kogi PDP to avoid internal rancour in the senatorial zone and present a united front as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been vocal on national issues and constituency development, is expected to leverage this endorsement to consolidate her position and further strengthen her influence both in Kogi State and at the national level.

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A politician and former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, has raised concerns over the state of the nation, describing Nigeria as a “failed state” that is “in a mess in all ramifications.”

In a statement issued on Friday in Enugu, Ndu criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress and leading opposition parties, accusing them of lacking ideology and focusing more on the 2027 elections than on governance, amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

Ndu, who pioneered Nigeria’s first presidential debate in Enugu in 1992, challenged President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to a “thorough debate” on practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

The president of the Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria said the current political space is dominated by conversations about elections rather than governance.

The challenge, which comes as opposition figures intensify discussions on possible coalitions and strategies to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seeks to put the major political players on the same stage to discuss their visions for Nigeria’s future.

While details of the proposed debate format, timing, and moderator are yet to be made public, the call reflects growing public interest in issue-based politics rather than personality-driven campaigns.

This is not the first time such a challenge has been issued. In the run-up to the 2023 elections, similar calls for debates among the leading contenders were made, though not all candidates participated fully.

As political realignments continue with talks of coalitions, new party platforms, and fresh aspirants the renewed push for a debate is likely to generate more conversations about transparency and preparedness among Nigeria’s political class.

Supporters of the idea argue that a face-to-face debate would help voters make more informed choices, especially as the country grapples with economic hardship, insecurity, and questions over leadership direction.

The three figures Tinubu (APC), Atiku (widely associated with PDP), and Obi (now linked to opposition realignment efforts) represent the major blocs in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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Former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the Supreme Court ruling, describing it as a significant affirmation of leadership within the party.

This was disclosed via his X handle on Thursday.

Atiku welcomed the apex court’s decision, which upheld David Mark and the party’s leadership.

“Even as we welcome the Supreme Court’s firm affirmation of David Mark and the leadership of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, let no one be lulled into complacency.

“The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country.

“This victory belongs to Nigerians, the courageous millions who refuse to surrender their future.

“We thank them, and we urge them to remain steadfast, because the struggle is far from over. As we press on, let this truth guide us: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” he said.

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Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on Thursday said that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the award of contracts for three major rail projects aimed at boosting infrastructure, productivity and economic growth across key urban
centres.

Oyedele disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the 5th council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the projects, covering Lagos, Kano and Kaduna, are designed to support the federal government’s broader development agenda and
improve the quality of life for citizens.

According to him: “We know that for economic development, you need infrastructure that works, one that enhances productivity and growth,
and also improves the quality of life of the people.”

Oyedele mentioned the approved projects to include Phase 1A of the Lagos Green Line rail, the Kano State Metro City rail project, and the Kaduna State light rail system.

He described the three cities as critical economic hubs where targeted investments can yield outsized impact.

“You would agree that these three cities are very important and strategic. All cities are important, but these are places where 10 per cent effort can yield up to 90 per cent results,” he stated.

The minister, who joined the cabinet last week after the resignation of Wale Edun, disclosed that the projects will be financed through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), acting on behalf of the federal government, with provisions for counterpart funding arrangements.

In total, Oyedele said the three rail projects are valued at approximately $2.99 billion.

“These projects will be sponsored by MOFI on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, with some counterpart funding. Altogether, they
will cost about $2.99 billion,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to prioritising infrastructure as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and urban mobility.

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