Politics
Don’t fight Obaseki, focus on governance, Ganduje tells Okpebholo

Ahead of the handing over ceremony to the Governor-elect in Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has asked the the incoming governor to focus on governance and not deploying his power on fight with the outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki.
Politics
LP accuses Kenneth Okonkwo of working for Tinubu in 2023 elections

Abayomi Arabambi, spokesperson of the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), has alleged that Kenneth Okonkwo is on a mission to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okonkwo, a campaign spokesperson for the LP in the 2023 presidential election, resigned his membership of the party on Tuesday.
He stated that the internal crisis in the LP left him with no other option.
In 2022, Okonkwo left the APC for LP, citing the former’s adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential poll.
Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Wednesday, Arabambi said the Nollywood actor has been colluding with the ruling party.
The factional spokesperson described Okonkwo’s exit as “good riddance”, as the party perfects plans to “unseat the current administration” in 2027.
He added that the party will not tolerate any form of “political rascality” as proactive steps are in place to weed out those whose loyalties lay elsewhere.
“We wish Mr Kenneth Okonkwo well. His resignation is good riddance to bad rubbish. He should not speak about the Labour Party anymore,” Arabambi said.
“There is no leadership crisis in the Labour Party. The party is not going into extinction; it is just a figment of the imaginations of most of our detractors.
“He’s going back to APC. He’s been working with President Tinubu before. He worked with them against Peter Obi and Atiku in 2019.
“We know he’s still going back there. We wish him well. We will meet in the political session in 2027.
“But in 2027, we are not going to have such political rascality in our party. The national chairman is on a reconciliatory mission which is why you see a lot of people being jittery.”
Peter Obi was the LP’s presidential candidate in 2023 but lost to President Bola Tinubu, then-candidate of the APC.
The former Anambra governor came third in the poll, behind Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Politics
Labour party confirms Peter Obi as 2027 presidential candidate

The Labour Party (LP) has officially confirmed that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, will once again be its presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Obi, who contested in the 2023 election, finished third behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite his loss, the LP remains confident in his chances for 2027.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, stated that the next election would be far more challenging for Tinubu.
“Tinubu is not just going to have it very easy in 2027. We are coming back with that Peter Obi so they will know we are very serious,” Arabambi said.
He also reacted to the recent resignation of Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, from the party. Dismissing concerns that Okonkwo’s exit signaled a crisis within the LP, Arabambi described his departure as a positive development.
“We wish Kenneth Okonkwo well. His resignation is good riddance to bad rubbish. He should not speak about the Labour Party anymore,” he stated, accusing the former LP member of aligning with the ruling APC.
Arabambi further dismissed speculation of internal turmoil, insisting that the LP remains strong and focused on the 2027 election.
“There is no leadership crisis in the Labour Party. Labour Party is not going into extinction. It is just a figment of the imaginations of most of our detractors,” he added.
With this confirmation, all eyes are now on the LP and Peter Obi as they gear up for another presidential contest against the ruling APC.
Politics
PDP worries as Bago nominates APC members for SIEC appointment

The peoples Democratic party, Wednesday trailed the nomination of a new chairman and commissioners for the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission.
Following the announcement, the Peoples Democratic Party kicked, saying that the nominees remained card-carrying members of the ruling party.
Governor Mohammed Bago announced the nomination in a bulletin released by his Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullbarqy Ebbo.
The governor said all appointments were subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly, adding that if confirmed, the commission would be responsible for the 2027 local government election in the state.
However, the new appointees were gathered to be former executive members of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
“Reference to the 23rd December 2024 executive correspondence to the Niger State House of Assembly on the composition of Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, the farmer Governor, Hon Umaru Mohammed Bago, has approved the appointment of the following to fill in the membership of the commission.
“Engr Mohammed Jibrin Imam, Chairman; Barr M.A Liman, Permanent Commissioner 1, Nasiru Ubandiya, Permanent Commissioner 2, Yahaya Idris Abara, Permanent Commissioner 3, Capt Mohammed Baro, Permanent Commissioner 4; Kabiru Tanko Zama, Permanent Commissioner 5, Barr Amina Guar, Permanent Commissioner 6, and Barr Ahmed Borgu, Permanent Commissioner 7.”
The PDP, reacting through the state Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman, Niger North Zone ‘C, Yahaya Ability, said the party rejected the nomination of APC former officials into the NSIEC board.
Ability, speaking at a media briefing, questioned how Bago appointed a former APC state chairman and card-carrying member as NSIEC chairman.
“The nominated chairman of the commission was a former APC state chairman. He was removed and detained at the Niger State police command for some days for misappropriation of funds.
“This appointment cannot be accepted, because if a man that was sent packing by his party heads this commission, then other parties will be marginalised and oppressed in the forthcoming LG election,” Ability said.
The PDP stalwart reminded the governor of his predecessors’ actions in a similar appointment.
“Your decision to appoint the former APC chairman as the Niger State SIEC boss is a clear violation of fairness and democratic principles.
“Under Governor A.A. Kure, the NSIEC chairman was Alhaji Maman Auna, a civil servant.
“During the time of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, it was Alhaji Danlami Dallatu, a neutral person.
“During the time of your party man, the former governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, it was Alhaji Baba Aminu, a civil servant, who headed the commission, ensuring free and fair elections.
“Why is your own different, imposing your will on the people without carrying everyone along? We disagree with this,” he said.
Ability called on the governor to reverse the appointment immediately to restore public confidence and ensure a level playing field for all.
An aggrieved member of the PDP, Salihu Abubakar, said if confirmed by the assembly, the state had concluded arrangements to rig the 2027 LG election.
“This is unacceptable. How can the governor appoint former executive members of the APC as state INEC chairman and commissioners?
“This is illegal and questionable. The state assembly should reject this so that we don’t make ourselves a laughing stock to the entire nation ahead of the 2027 elections,” Abubakar said.
Another opposition member, Sule Dauda, questioned the composition, declaring it a dictatorship in the making.
He said, “This is exactly why we must not encourage state police, it will be abused by state governors. How do they want the opposition to have any confidence in the electoral system?”