Akin Osuntokun, a former political adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed that his former principal is the main driving force behind a proposed Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Osuntokun dismissed swirling speculations that Obasanjo’s recent political posturing was designed to favor President Bola Tinubu. Instead, he insisted that the former president remains deeply critical of the current administration and is actively backing an opposition alliance. Osuntokun described the potential pairing of Obi and Kwankwaso as a highly realistic and compelling force that stands a far better chance of success than the Labour Party`s 2023 structure. According to him, Obasanjo personally stepped in to broker the relationship between the two political heavyweights. "Look, Obasanjo is critical of Tinubu. If you can say that Obasanjo is supporting any ticket, it is Peter Obi and Kwankwaso. As a matter of fact, he is the main sponsor of that ticket," Osuntokun stated, adding that Kwankwaso’s massive political base in Kano State would provide a "big bonus" for the ticket`s national impact. He further disclosed that Obasanjo had attempted to seal this exact deal before the 2023 general elections, reminding Kwankwaso at the time that a standard one-term agreement would have eventually positioned the former Kano governor as the ultimate beneficiary. The remarks come on the heels of intense public debate over an open letter written by Obasanjo in response to allegations made by the former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba. Osoba had accused Obasanjo of deceiving the Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders in 2003, leading to the collapse of AD`s dominance in the South-West. Osuntokun strongly rejected the narrative that Obasanjo’s recent statements or past meetings with Tinubu meant they were working together. "How do you reconcile Obasanjo being the major sponsor of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket with the theory that he is working for Tinubu because Tinubu visited him?" he questioned. He also defended Obasanjo against the 2003 electoral manipulation claims, attributing the AD losses to shifting local political realities rather than a presidency-led conspiracy. While Osuntokun acknowledged that President Tinubu would hold a significant advantage in 2027 due to the traditional power of incumbency, he remained highly optimistic about the opposition`s prospects. He concluded by noting that an Obi-led ticket captures the popular imagination of the Nigerian electorate far better than any alternative configuration, including a ticket led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a startling revelation, accusing his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, of actively bankrolling a clandestine plot to impeach him during their first term in office. Obasanjo disclosed that Atiku provided ₦5 million to the leadership of the House of Representatives to ignite the legislative coup. The explosive allegation emerged as a direct counter-reaction to recent comments made by Chief Olusegun Osoba. The former Governor of Ogun State had sparked fresh debates after revisiting the controversial political maneuvers and alliances that shaped the outcome of the 2003 general elections. According to Obasanjo,THENEWSCREDIT reports that the legislative rebellion was spearheaded by the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba. The former president asserted that Na’Abba’s hostile actions were fully instigated and engineered from within the walls of the presidency by his own deputy. Detailing the timeline of the betrayal, Obasanjo stated that Atiku capitalised on his temporary absence from the office on a specific Friday. The former Vice President allegedly invited Speaker Na’Abba to a private meeting, where he systematically convinced him that the administration must be restricted to a single term. To guarantee the execution of the plan, financial mobilization was immediately deployed during the closed-door session. Obasanjo explicitly stated that Atiku handed over the sum of ₦5 million directly to Na’Abba to facilitate and kickstart the logistical work required for the impeachment process. However, the inner circle of the presidency was already monitoring the subversion in real time. Obasanjo revealed that the entire interaction, including the exchange of funds, was completely compromised by his internal security architecture and promptly flagged. THENEWSCREDIT further gathered the covert operation was intercepted and fully documented by the then-Chief of Staff to the President. Obasanjo highly praised his top aide, describing him as a thoroughly trained, professional intelligence officer who meticulously recorded the breach and presented the evidence directly to him. Despite the gravity of the political mutiny within his own cabinet, the former military general maintained that he remained entirely unbothered by the threat. Obasanjo concluded that he stayed calm throughout the crisis because he knew the instigators lacked any legitimate constitutional basis to remove him.

Mixed reactions are trailing the bombshell announcement by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, that he has reconciled with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The governor confirmed his return to Wike`s political family on Wednesday during the foundation-laying ceremony of the RIVEN Medical Industries Project in Rumuosi, Port Harcourt. Fubara declared his alignment with the "Rainbow Coalition," a political movement founded by Wike ahead of the 2027 general elections. "I am supporting President Tinubu for the Presidency and OK Chinda to be the next Governor of Rivers State," Fubara announced. "I am part of the Rainbow Coalition, and I’m back to my political family." The governor urged residents and political stakeholders to sheath their swords and end the prolonged political crisis in the state, framing his decision as a sacrifice for long-term peace and socio-economic development. The development has triggered intense debate online and across political circles, splitting the governor`s support base into camps of disappointment and pragmatism. While some stakeholders see the move as a strategic survival tactic, others have fiercely criticized the governor, labeling the reconciliation a betrayal of those who stood by him during his feud with Wike. Social media reactions on X (formerly Twitter) highlight the deep division: @Barnny_summy: "Fubara has terminated his political career. History will remember. Very shameful." @ChiefObi: "Wike’s political group? Never seen a coward like Sim in my life." @jointrd44: "Fubara knows pretty well what will happen to him when he leaves office in 2027. It is only wise to support Wike coalition." @aoidogwu1309: "Those opportunistic people who enabled him on a collision course against Wike have all left him behind today." @fuji_xud: "He should have rejected coming back than this shameful outing." The political realignment shifts the power dynamics in Rivers State significantly as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has strongly rejected proposals to negotiate with bandits, warning that such talks will only enrich terrorists and worsen Nigeria`s security crisis. He described the dialogue strategy as a proven failure that undermines the efforts of national security agencies. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Ganduje reacted to recent statements by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Kwankwaso had indicated that a Peter Obi-led presidency in 2027 would hold dialogue with terrorists to restore peace, a stance Ganduje firmly condemned. The APC chieftain argued that granting concessions, logistics, and money to non-state actors operating illegal firearms creates an enabling environment for terror to thrive. He noted that asking local authorities, traditional rulers, and police to sit with heavily armed forest fighters undermines constitutional law and order. According to Ganduje, past attempts at negotiation have only legitimised criminality, leaving bandits with millions of naira in ransom and logistics to fund heavier weaponry. He stressed that these financial windfalls are systematically used to purchase more weapons, which are then deployed against citizens to cause panic and trigger further negotiations. Advocating instead for sustained kinetic action, Ganduje stated that the solution lies in the coordinated strategies of the nation`s security forces. He emphasized that the Air Force, Army, Navy, police, and DSS must be empowered to do their due diligence rather than relying on a failed system of appeasement. The political row highlights the deep ideological divide on national security ahead of the 2027 general elections. While the opposition proposes dialogue as a path to peace, the ruling party camp maintains that compromising with unlicensed gunmen only fuels the lucrative business of kidnapping. Ganduje concluded by urging security agencies to maintain aggressive tactical pressure on criminal elements across the country. He warned that any government policy that bows to criminal intimidation will continue to fail and jeopardize the safety of all Nigerians.

An Assistant Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Remmy Hazzan, has defended the All Progressives Congress (APC) for retaining its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. Dismissing concerns of bias, he stated that the arrangement does not threaten Nigeria’s religious balance. Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, monitored by THENEWSCREDIT,Hazzan argued that President Bola Tinubu’s long-standing marriage to Senator Oluremi Tinubu—an ordained pastor in the RCCG—is proof of his disposition toward religious inclusivity. "If such a man could live with his Christian wife, an ordained pastor, for as long as they’ve been married, that shows his religious tolerance level," Hazzan, a former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, asserted. Addressing criticisms from the Christian electorate, the cleric maintained that the party`s strategic decision was driven by political realities rather than a disregard for Christian interests. He noted that because this is the first time a Southern Muslim has emerged as the presidential candidate of a major political party, unusual political dynamics dictated the choice of a running mate to secure crucial Northern support. Hazzan emphasized that political strategy should not be equated with bigotry, urging that competence should always be the ultimate metric in public office. "The best of us should rule the rest of us," he stated. "Christians, throw up your best. Muslims, throw up your best. When we have a congregation of the best of the best, then we are sure that only the best will be good enough for the citizenry." He also challenged the notion that faith and governance are mutually exclusive, encouraging Christians to actively participate in politics without compromising their core principles.

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, blaming them for the country`s worsening financial hardship. In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the administration`s reliance on borrowing, importation, and heavy taxation has crippled the nation`s economy instead of driving production. The former Vice President stated that Nigeria`s economic recovery depends heavily on boosting local food production, expanding manufacturing, and increasing exports. He noted that the current economic model has severely weakened local industries, reduced employment opportunities, and caused inflation to rise rapidly across the country, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of the fiscal strain. "Nigeria cannot borrow, import, and tax its way to prosperity," Atiku declared. He emphasized that the country`s economic salvation lies in producing what it eats, manufacturing what it uses, and exporting what it makes, warning that no nation has ever achieved prosperity by exporting jobs and importing poverty. To back his claims, Atiku pointed to skyrocketing food prices, stating that national food inflation has hit 17.52 per cent, with states like Kogi and Niger recording extreme rates of 53.02 per cent and 43.83 per cent respectively. He also revealed that Nigerian manufacturers spent N3.53 trillion importing raw materials within just six months, a trend he warned is rapidly weakening the naira. Outlining his alternative plan, Atiku promised that an ADC administration would prioritize agriculture, solid minerals, technology, and local manufacturing. He pledged to restore security in farming communities, stabilize the currency, lower import duties on industrial machinery, and reform the tax system to support local businesses, drawing comparisons to the successful economic reforms during his time as Vice President under the Obasanjo administration.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party claims that the state government is actively planning a systematic crackdown designed to cripple the electioneering campaigns of rival political parties and candidates across the state. The friction stems from a recent public notice issued by the Oyo State government outlining strict new regulatory and financial guidelines for outdoor advertisements. Under these rules, candidates and political groups must fulfill steep financial obligations before deploying campaign materials like billboards and banners. The APC insists that these sudden policies are deliberately timed to act as an artificial barrier against opposition visibility. In a sharply worded statement released on Saturday, Oyo APC Publicity Secretary Olawale Sadare alleged that the state government has covertly ordered the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) to restrict opposition access to key advertising spaces. According to Sadare, the administration`s goal is to create a media monopoly that ensures only candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) remain visible to the electorate. The opposition party further accused the ruling administration of complicity in the ongoing destruction of its existing promotional materials. The APC claimed that its billboards, posters, and banners have been systematically defaced or torn down by state-aligned actors. They described the new OYSAA regulatory framework as a legalized extension of this ongoing hostility toward democratic expression. Labeling the government`s recent directives as "draconian, selfish, and repressive," the APC declared that these measures represent a complete mockery of democracy and the rule of law. The party argued that using state machinery to stifle political competition undermines the foundational principles of a free election. They urged Governor Makinde and his agents to immediately desist from actions capable of plunging the state into political instability. Despite the alleged administrative hurdles, the APC maintained that its campaign structures remain fully resilient. Sadare assured the public that no amount of financial or regulatory intimidation would prevent the party from delivering its "Renewed Hope Agenda" message to the grassroots. He emphasized that the party’s structures are fully prepared to navigate the state`s restrictions to reach voters directly. Turning its focus to the broader performance of the current administration, the APC statement accused the Makinde government of using a section of the media to cover up alleged governance failures and atrocities committed since May 29, 2019. The party warned that state-sponsored public relations campaigns would no longer suffice to mislead the public, as local voters are becoming increasingly critical of the administration`s record. Concluding the statement, Sadare expressed absolute confidence that the people of Oyo State would use the 2027 ballot box to reclaim their mandate from what he described as "power mongers and fake democrats." He noted that while propaganda might delay accountability, the truth would ultimately prevail at the polls. At the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government and OYSAA had not issued an official response to the specific allegations.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, demanding that the President immediately reverse his current fiscal direction or resign from office. In a fierce national broadcast and statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party declared that the administration`s three-year tenure has yielded a "catastrophic failure" in human welfare, completely contradicting official claims of macroeconomic recovery. The opposition party pointed directly to recent damning data from global institutions to back its claims, highlighting a sharp decline in living standards. The ADC noted that recent figures from the World Bank show approximately 139 million Nigerians—nearly 60 per cent of the total population—now live below the national poverty line. Compounding this, the World Food Programme (WFP) estimates reveal that 17 million Nigerians are currently battling acute hunger, painting a grim picture of widespread domestic suffering. According to the ADC, these numbers expose a severe disconnect between the government`s celebrated metrics and the harsh reality on the ground. The party argued that while the presidency continues to celebrate improvements in economic indicators, such as increased revenue, economic growth, and rising foreign reserves, these abstract gains have failed to translate into better living conditions for ordinary citizens. They insisted that statistical growth is completely meaningless if the population cannot afford basic necessities. The statement fiercely condemned the administration for prioritizing financial metrics over the physical survival of its citizens. “This catastrophic situation is the inevitable consequence of economic policies that have favoured money over people and statistics over survival,” Abdullahi stated. The ADC accused the government of stubbornly maintaining what it described as ruinous economic paths, while deceptively marketing public recklessness as political courage and governance wickedness as necessary citizens` pain. Furthermore, the opposition party explicitly rejected the Federal Government’s heavy reliance on temporary palliative interventions, labeling them unsustainable and highly ineffective. They argued that short-term distribution programs cannot provide lasting solutions to deep-rooted structural poverty and food insecurity. Instead, the party maintained that Nigeria`s severe poverty crisis can only be systematically addressed through deep-seated structural reforms that stimulate local production, revive small businesses, and protect livelihoods. As an alternative roadmap, the ADC outlined a comprehensive economic agenda specifically aimed at lowering food prices and revitalizing the rural economy. The party pledged to aggressively reduce energy costs for local manufacturers and improve security in farming communities that have been displaced by violence. Crucially, they promised to rehabilitate Nigeria’s 264 abandoned dams to expand irrigation farming, ensuring that agricultural production is sustained throughout the year rather than relying solely on seasonal rainfall. The ADC blueprint also prioritizes heavy investments in agricultural infrastructure and human capital development across the country`s geopolitical zones. The party promised to increase direct access to quality seeds, subsidized fertilisers, and modern agricultural extension services while building regional agro-processing and storage facilities to cut down post-harvest losses. Additionally, they vowed to direct national investments toward healthcare, basic education, and targeted nutrition programs to systematically tackle the root causes of systemic poverty. In its concluding remarks, the ADC stressed that hunger remains the most honest, unalterable measure of any president`s economic performance. The party insisted that until fewer Nigerians go to bed hungry and families can easily afford three decent meals a day, all official claims of economic success will remain unrecognisable to the public. Based on this assessment, the ADC stated that President Tinubu should deeply reflect on his performance over the last three years and consider stepping down rather than seeking a second term in office.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday officially solidified its leadership structure for the upcoming general election by confirming Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for 2027. This high-stakes move effectively puts an end to months of intense political horse-trading, media speculation, and internal debates regarding the composition of the ruling party’s next presidential ticket. The formalization took place in Abuja during a symbolic ceremony where the ruling party received the candidates` completed nomination forms for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The prompt processing ensures the APC beats the strict 6:00 PM Saturday deadline mandated for political parties to upload their candidates` data through the electoral umpire’s online portal in line with the Electoral Act. Demonstrating an aggressive show of party strength and unity, the completed nomination forms were hand-delivered to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, by Ibrahim Masari, the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters. The ceremony served as a rallying point, attended by influential power brokers including the Progressive Governors’ Forum, National Assembly leaders, Federal Executive Council members, and state party chairmen. Addressing the gathered party elite, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, explained that the event represented the legal and administrative formalization of the choice made by party members. Argungu reminded stakeholders that President Tinubu had earlier secured his position as the flagbearer through a democratic primary process, and he urged all internal factions to maintain total discipline ahead of the 2027 polls. Speaking on behalf of the powerful APC governors, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma strongly dismissed any rumours of division or friction within the party`s rank and file. Uzodimma commended the transparency of the primary process and pledged the unalloyed commitment of the state executives to mobilize resources and voters to guarantee a decisive victory for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. The Imo State Governor further charged party faithful across the country to close ranks, drop lingering internal grievances, and work selflessly for all candidates flying the APC banner. Uzodimma expressed absolute confidence that a united front would make the ruling party unstoppable, ensuring they cleanly retain power at the center in the next general election cycle. National Chairman Yilwatda took the stage to outline the party`s campaign direction, stating that the APC will run primarily on the visible achievements of the current administration. He confidently cited the newly established student loan scheme, sweeping national infrastructure development, and critical agricultural interventions as verifiable evidence that the administration has fulfilled its immediate promises to Nigerians. In a bid to spark immediate grassroots mobilization, Yilwatda revealed that a healthy rivalry has already begun among the state governors regarding voter turnout. He disclosed that leaders from one specific geopolitical zone have already guaranteed the highest volume of votes for the President, and he challenged other regions to compete fiercely to see who can deliver the largest victory margin. Following the conclusion of the indoor meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, met with journalists to provide unequivocal clarity on the party`s final decision. Morka explicitly declared that the ticket remains completely unchanged, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential flagbearer and Senator Kashim Shettima as his sole running mate. With the successful documentation and filing of the nomination papers, the APC has cleared its first major electoral hurdle and successfully insulated its joint ticket from external distraction. The party now pivots completely into full campaign mode, presenting a familiar and unified front to the Nigerian electorate as the countdown to the 2027 presidential election officially begins.

The political landscape of Oyo State is on the verge of a major realignment as Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), prepares to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sources close to the former Deputy Governor reveal that his imminent exit follows a bitter fallout with the political camp of Governor Seyi Makinde. In a bid to finalize his political crossover, Arapaja reportedly met with President Bola Tinubu recently. The PDP chieftain is expected to tender his resignation from his national party position next week before making an official declaration for the APC. Insiders trace the crisis to Arapaja’s deep dissatisfaction with the handling of the recent PDP governorship primary, which produced Abimbola Adekanmbi as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election. A reliable source alleged that Arapaja was denied a level playing field and has been systematically sidelined since the primary concluded. "After the primary, he was treated with disdain and disrespect. That was when he realized he was no longer relevant in the political structure," the source stated. Further fueling the defection is the alleged withdrawal of Arapaja`s security details by the state government, raising immediate concerns regarding his personal safety. A chieftain of the PDP/APM alliance in Ibadan noted that geopolitical marginalization and the stripping of political patronage sealed Arapaja`s decision. "He believes he needs to move to where his security and political future can be guaranteed," the source added. According to party insiders, appointments previously allocated to Arapaja’s loyalists during Governor Makinde`s first term were entirely withheld in the current administration. While rival political actors like Bisi Olopoeyan and Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) allegedly secured 32 and 22 supervisory councillor positions respectively across the state`s 33 local governments, Arapaja`s camp received none. As of press time, neither Ambassador Arapaja nor Governor Makinde has issued an official statement on the brewing development.