. Demola Olarenwaju, the Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s biggest achievement as president is making Nigerians poorer. Olarenwaju said Tinubu has increased poverty in Nigeria that his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari now looks like a saint. He spoke during an interview session on Vanguard’s Politics Hub, where he tagged Tinubu’s administration as “360-degree failure” in all sectors. According to Olarenwaju: “Tinubu’s biggest achievement is making Nigeria poorer, and it’s because of the instability of the economy. Bola Tinubu has made poverty worse; he has made Buhari look like a saint. “I read someone who wrote that he misses Buhari, and I thought, ‘how can someone miss Muhammadu Buhari? “But I then I thought about it, the price I buy liters of petroleum under Buhari is now almost ten times costlier under Tinubu’s government. That is not friendly to my pocket and not friendly to the pocket of any Nigerian.”

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, is owned by President Bola Tinubu. Okonkwo said this while fielding questions during an interview on Symfoni TV. He alleged that the party was registered when its national leader, Seriake Dickson, met with Tinubu. According to him, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has been trapped, accusing Rabi’u Kwankwaso of insincerity with Obi. “NDC is Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, political party. It’s now that Peter Obi is even more trapped. “Can’t you see? They were not to be registered until I heard it from the Obidients’ mouths that there was a meeting between Dickson and Tinubu, and then, they registered NDC. “After the registration, what happened? INEC said they were not qualified to be registered, and they went to court. That’s how it came, by court order. “A party that has not been existing. Meaning INEC was compelled to register them. Peter Obi said they were invited by NDC. Meaning NDC was registered to lure him, and then he ran with it. Now he has entered their trap,” Okonkwo said.

President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the administration marks its third year in office, describing the government’s economic and infrastructure reforms as necessary steps towards long-term national development. In a statement issued on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, Akpabio praised the President’s leadership, arguing that key policy decisions and development projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda are beginning to reshape the country’s economic outlook. The Senate President pointed to major government initiatives, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme, the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and conversion centres, tax reform efforts, and the completion of the OB3 gas pipeline project, as evidence of the administration’s reform drive. According to him, some of the government’s most controversial decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, were difficult but necessary measures designed to place the economy on a more sustainable footing. “The courage to remove fuel subsidy, unify exchange rates, and drive infrastructure despite global headwinds shows a President committed to long-term prosperity over short-term comfort,” Akpabio stated. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to support the administration through legislation aimed at sustaining ongoing reforms. Beyond celebrating the administration’s achievements, the Senate President appeared to signal early political support for Tinubu’s future electoral ambitions, expressing hope for the successful completion of the President’s tenure and victory in forthcoming elections. The endorsement comes amid continued debate over the impact of the government’s economic reforms. While supporters argue that the policies are laying the groundwork for future growth, critics maintain that rising living costs and inflation have imposed significant hardship on many Nigerians. Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, and his administration’s economic reforms remain among the most consequential and closely scrutinised policy shifts in Nigeria’s recent history.

IBADAN— Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has advised the gubernatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, to forge his own political path and leadership style. The Governor gave the advice during the APM governorship primary and affirmation ceremony held at the Watershed Event Centre in Ibadan, where Adekanmbi was officially unveiled as the party’s flagbearer. Speaking at the well-attended event, Governor Makinde urged his anointed successor to avoid the baggage of past political conflicts. "I have told Bimbo, `Don’t inherit my enemies; chart your own path,`" Governor Makinde stated. "I’m only human and I make mistakes, just like everyone else. He should improve upon the good things we have done for the benefit of the people in Oyo State." The primary, which attracted a massive turnout of party faithful and political stakeholders, followed a strategic alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the Governor and the national leadership of the APM. In his acceptance speech, Adekanmbi paid glowing tribute to Governor Makinde, describing him as the architect of modern Oyo State. He promised to consolidate and sustain the administration`s "Omituntun" development agenda. "This responsibility demands humility and commitment to service," Adekanmbi said. "We must come together to campaign, strategize, and ultimately govern for the benefit of the people of Oyo State." During the event, the APM State Chairman, Mr. Adegbenro Fagbemi, presented a Certificate of Return to Adekanmbi, formally cementing his candidacy for the upcoming elections. Candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and the State House of Assembly were also affirmed during the political exercise. The high-profile event drew an impressive line-up of top-tier politicians, state executives, and legislative heads from across the state and country, cementing the political weight of the PDP-APM alliance:Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo LawalSpeaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo OgundoyinAPM State Chairman, Mr. Adegbenro FagbemiNational and State Legislators, including Hon. Adedeji Stanley OlajideNotable Political Stakeholders, including Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi.

President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, on Saturday participated in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary at Ward E, Ikoyi, Lagos, as the ruling party commenced its nationwide exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. The couple arrived at the venue in a motorcade and were received by a large crowd of party supporters, security personnel, and members of the press. Video footage from the primary showed Tinubu and Oluremi navigating through dense crowds of APC members dressed in traditional attire as they moved through the venue. The exercise is part of the party’s May 2026 ward-level primaries, through which the incumbent president is seeking re-nomination as the APC’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election. Heavy press coverage accompanied the event, with cameras capturing the president’s movement through the crowd of supporters and party faithful who had turned out at the Ikoyi ward. After voting, Tinubu described the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and expressed satisfaction with its conduct across the country. “Demonstration of internal democracy, and it has been going very well according to plan. This is politics, grassroots politics, where every member of the party has the right to participate and be involved. “My challenge is to ensure that we have an internal democracy and it’s peaceful and well organised,” he said in a video shared by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu also praised APC governors for their roles in the electoral process across their respective states. “Today, I am very satisfied that these governors have done well in their various states. “From the world congresses, to local government congresses, to the delegation accreditation, validation, members register and certification of the electoral process. It has been going very well. “At least, you will score democracy at a high level,” he stated.

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has said defeating former President Goodluck Jonathan is not its problem, stating that it plans to unseat President Bola Tinubu. The party’s presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, said this, Wednesday during an interview on Trust TV. He was speaking about the reports that Jonathan has joined next year’s presidential race. “Defeating Goodluck Jonathan is not our problem. Our plan is to defeat Tinubu. If it’s not a case where people have kidnapped his image and brand, Jonathan is coming out to run, I would welcome that because it means that at least he would bring a perspective. “He’s been in the office before. He must have learned one or two things and would want to explain why Nigerians kicked him out of office in the first place. And what lessons he’s learnt from that. “He would also explain why he could not handle insecurity, why a lot of money was lost under his administration and what he wants to do about that now, and so many other things he couldn’t do. “He’s gone round the world now and is a well-known international statesman. He has seen how democracy works. He’s a wiser person now,” Adebayo said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigeria’s youthful population could vote him out of office if he fails to address the country’s economic challenges. Tinubu stated this on Thursday at the Africa CEO Forum, noting that Nigeria has a very dynamic youth population that is restless and unwilling to accept excuses. “We have a very dynamic youthful population, restless and not ready to accept any excuses. As a politician, if I don’t prepare them for that, they will vote me out,” the Nigerian leader said. Tinubu also responded to questions bordering on the economy and investment, including efforts he made to improve local tax administration during his tenure as governor of Lagos State. He said, “Lagos is the fifth-largest economy in Africa. I’m very proud of the legacy I left behind there, and I’m still monitoring it.” He further explained that removing bureaucratic bottlenecks would create the right incentives for foreign direct investment in the country. “This year alone, I can beat my chest that Nigeria is attracting close to $20 billion in foreign direct investments,” he said. He added, “Investment is very cowardly unless you are transparent, accountable and forthright. Part of that is Africa looking at itself, putting our resources together so we can go out there and negotiate for ourselves. “I wrote an article in the Financial Times talking about international rating agencies.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is “dead on arrival”. Wike made the remark on Thursday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of road projects in Abuja, hours after the Oyo governor declared his presidential ambition in Ibadan. During his declaration at the joint mega-rally of the PDP and APM, Makinde stated that the country’s situation has “continued to deteriorate, putting the majority of Nigerians on survival mode daily. The governor added that government officials responsible for citizens’ welfare have abdicated their duties. Reacting, Wike dismissed claims of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement, describing the arrangement as a “fraud”. “That’s the 419 we are talking about. INEC also knows that there is no such thing as a PDP-APM alliance,” he said. The minister further accused some opposition figures of misleading Nigerians with claims of a formal agreement or memorandum of understanding between both parties. Wike maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission has no record of any such alliance, adding that the PDP remains independent in its electoral preparations. “The screening of aspirants by the Abdulrahman Mohammed PDP faction clearly indicates that the party is independent and not in any alliance,” he stated. He also argued that Makinde’s political moves were behind the alleged arrangement, insisting that no such coalition exists. “What you have is Seyi Makinde joining APM to be able to actualise his presidential ambition, which is already dead on arrival,” Wike said. Wike insisted that the PDP would present its own presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to disregard speculation about any merger or coalition. He further referenced Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, noting that no discussion of a PDP–APM alliance was raised during his engagements within the party structure. “It’s unfortunate. We know that has been his game plan, and we would say he cannot fly the flag of PDP,” Wike said of Makinde. When asked about comments relating to internal matters in the All Progressives Congress, Wike declined to engage, stressing that it was not his concern. He further noted that party disputes are strictly internal affairs. Earlier during the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with progress on the 13-kilometre Gomani-Yangoji road project, saying it was on track for inauguration during activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office in June. Bola Tinubu He added that the project reflects a broader policy to extend infrastructure beyond city centres into satellite communities in order to reduce rural-urban migration. “Remember that when we came on board, one of the directives of Mr President was that we should not concentrate development and provision of infrastructure only in the cities. We must open up all the satellite towns in order to discourage rural-urban migration,” Wike said.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan will appear on the 2027 presidential ballot, a coalition pushing for his return to power has declared. However, Jonathan himself is yet to formally accept the proposal. The Convener of the Coalition for Jonathan and a member of the African Democratic Congress, Dr Tom Ohikere, made the disclosure in an interview with ARISE TV, saying the former president would make his position known within one to two days. He was responding to questions about Jonathan’s comment that seeking the presidency was “not a computer game,” which Ohikere said had been misread by some observers. “Let me make sure that it must not be misunderstood by Nigerians. When he said it’s not a computer game, what he was trying to say was that it’s not an easy thing for somebody to just come up and say he wants to contest presidency. A lot is involved. It’s a huge process, a very comprehensive process. “But all I want to say is that Goodluck Jonathan will be on the ballot,” he said. When pressed on whether Jonathan had accepted the coalition’s proposal, Ohikere acknowledged he had not. “He never accepted. But in the fullness of time, shortly, shortly, give him the next one or two days, he will make his pronouncement,” he said. The coalition has been actively pressing Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, framing his potential candidacy as a vehicle for national healing and unity. During recent visits, Jonathan reportedly indicated he would consult widely before arriving at a decision. The ADC has positioned itself as the platform for Jonathan’s potential run, as opposition forces continue to regroup ahead of the 2027 general elections. Jonathan’s eligibility to contest, however, remains the subject of legal dispute. A Federal High Court suit is challenging whether his return to the ballot would violate term limit provisions of the 1999 Constitution, given that he served as president from 2010 to 2015. Jonathan lost the 2015 presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari and conceded defeat before results were fully announced.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, for a hearing in a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was instituted by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally ineligible to seek the presidency again. Justice Peter Lifu had, on April 28, ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants after they failed to file responses to the suit. Jonathan is listed as the first defendant in the matter, while the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation are joined as second and third defendants, respectively. The plaintiff is seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election. He also prayed the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for the poll. In the originating summons, the plaintiff asked the court to determine “whether in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Jideobi argued that Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutional limit of two terms, having completed the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before serving another full term after winning the 2011 presidential election. In an affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Agida in support of the suit, the plaintiff stated that Jonathan was sworn in as president on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, 2010. The affidavit added that reports suggesting Jonathan may contest the 2027 election informed the decision to approach the court. “That the plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as president,” the affidavit partly read. The plaintiff further argued that if Jonathan contests and wins the 2027 election, he would be taking the presidential oath of office for the third time, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. Agida said the suit was filed “in the public interest, in defence of the rule of law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian constitutional order.”