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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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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Electricity supply in Lagos has been significantly disrupted following a major shutdown at the Egbin Power Station and a simultaneous fault on a key transmission route feeding the state, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the operator warned that the combined incidents could lead to prolonged power shortages across Lagos, Nigeria’s largest electricity consumption hub.

The disruption reportedly began late on April 28 when Egbin Power Station experienced a critical operational failure that forced an immediate halt in generation. Power output dropped sharply from about 641 megawatts to zero within a short period.

The system operator explained that the plant’s shutdown was triggered by a failure involving its central compressor unit, alongside a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, necessitating a full safety shutdown of all generating units.

The statement noted: “The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to inform the general public of a significant reduction in power generation currently affecting electricity supply across the country, particularly within the Lagos region.

“Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.

“At approximately 8:21 p.m. on April 28, 2026, Egbin Power Station recorded a total loss of generation, dropping from about 641MW to zero output.

“This incident was caused by the failure of the plant’s central compressor, in addition to a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, which necessitated an immediate shutdown of all generating units to safeguard the facility.”

The agency also noted that the disruption has been compounded by an unrelated fault on the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, a critical corridor responsible for evacuating electricity into Lagos.

According to the operator, the transmission failure has further limited the volume of power that can be delivered into the Lagos electricity network, worsening the supply shortfall.

“Power supply to the Lagos region is currently further restricted due to the forced outage of the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, thereby limiting the evacuation of available generation into the Lagos load centre,” the statement added.

With both generation and transmission constraints in place, system operators have begun implementing load-shedding measures to maintain grid stability and avoid a wider system collapse.

Emergency interventions currently underway include redistribution of available power across distribution companies, with priority given to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, security installations and essential services. Operators are also working to optimise output from other generation plants to cushion the impact on consumers.

“Consequently, this loss of generation has created a significant supply shortfall, necessitating immediate load-shedding measures to maintain grid stability and prevent a wider system disturbance.

“System operators have since deployed contingency measures, including the reallocation of available load across distribution companies, with priority given to critical national infrastructure.

“In addition, efforts are ongoing to optimise generation from other available power plants to mitigate the impact of this development on electricity consumers.”

The operator expressed regret over the disruption, particularly its impact on residents of Lagos and surrounding areas, and assured that restoration efforts are ongoing in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience this situation has caused electricity consumers, especially within Lagos and surrounding areas, and we assure the public that all relevant stakeholders are working closely to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

The Egbin Power Station, located in Ikorodu, is the largest thermal power facility connected to Nigeria’s national grid, with an installed capacity of over 1,300 megawatts.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadline for the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms and the submission of completed forms for the 2027 General Elections.

The decision was approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting on Thursday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Durosinmi Meseko, told journalists that the sale of forms will now close at midnight on Monday, May 4, 2026. Submission of completed forms and accompanying documents has been shifted to midnight on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

The previous schedule set the sale of forms from Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, 2026, with submissions due by Monday, May 4, 2026.

Meseko said the extension was necessary due to the nationwide public holiday observed on Friday and the high level of interest from aspirants.

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