Politics

‘Atiku Has Refused To Join, Peter Obi Also Has Refused To Join’ – ADC Worries

Published

1 year ago

August 24, 2025

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), with the 2027 general elections drawing closer, is grappling with internal uncertainty as the anticipated membership of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, remains stalled.

Sunday Punch gathered from credible sources within the coalition that the delay by both men and other political heavyweights in formally joining the party has left its future direction unclear.

According to insiders, the ADC’s struggle is further compounded by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s delay in recognising Senator David Mark’s leadership of the party, as well as ongoing legal disputes and financial constraints.

One source stated that the refusal of Atiku, Obi, and other prominent leaders to fully join is slowing down the momentum, adding that the unresolved leadership issues and financial pressure have left the party struggling to gain traction.

However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed suggestions of uncertainty.

On March 20, opposition figures launched a coalition in Abuja, announcing the ADC as their adopted platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Weeks later, on July 1, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and others publicly pledged support for the coalition at a high-level meeting in Abuja.

Under the arrangement, Senator David Mark was named interim National Chairman, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was appointed as National Secretary.

Despite the declarations, sources confirmed that formal membership has remained thin.

Atiku, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party over a month ago, has yet to register with the ADC or join another platform. Similarly, Obi has withheld membership, even as the Labour Party continues to struggle with internal crises.

A party source who spoke with Punch stated, “So, members of the party, especially the NWC members, are seriously worried and concerned that Atiku, Obi, and quite a lot of Nigerians, especially politicians they expected would have joined the ADC, are yet to join. This is affecting the momentum the party is supposed to gather.

“Since he left the PDP, Atiku has been partyless, and he has also refused to join the ADC. Peter Obi has also refused to join. As this continues, a lot of Nigerians are not even encouraged to also join the party, so to speak.

“Right now, within the coalition, everybody is still trying to study and understand, then come to an understanding of whether the whole thing is going to work or not. But one thing is certain: all of us want to push the current government led by APC out of power. But is this arrangement going to work? There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding it.

“If these people had joined the party, perhaps by now more Nigerians would have trooped into the party and the momentum would already have started building ahead of the 2027 elections. For now, everything is just quiet within the party, even though David Mark’s leadership is struggling to ensure that the party takes shape. But there are a lot of challenges, especially with regards to these key figures not joining.

“It is really affecting the party because if they join, more resources will come, more members will come, and we will be able to play our real role as opposition leaders holding the government accountable and selling the party to Nigerians. But for now, that is what it is.”

Another coalition leader disclosed that the absence of INEC’s recognition of Mark’s leadership, along with a few pending litigations, had hindered the party’s growth.

The source stated, “The ADC still remains a formidable party to challenge President Tinubu in 2027. It is our party; it is the coalition party adopted by many Nigerians. The challenges we have now are just that INEC has not fully recognised the leadership of David Mark, and that is stalling some of our processes. We know that the government of the day is sponsoring some people to go to court to challenge us, and that is also an issue, but we know we will overcome all these things.

“For Atiku and Obi, yes, their membership is important. Both of them and some others are yet to join the ADC as a coalition party, but we expect them to do so as soon as possible, and their late membership is of concern too. This is affecting the party in a way because those who ordinarily would have joined the ADC because of these leaders are also yet to do so.

“Of course resources, the calibre of people you have will determine the resources that will be available to the party for it to carry out its activities and, of course, maintain its structures across Nigeria. All these things are a factors. But of course, the party is waxing stronger by the day, and with time, we hope that it will get better. Nigerians are already trooping into the party as their only alternative to the failed All Progressives Congress.”

When contacted, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, said the former Vice President remained committed to the coalition.

Ibe told Punch that Atiku had begun the process of becoming a member of the ADC.

He stated, “Atiku is not contemplating leaving the coalition. It is propaganda for anyone to say so. The party is being organised across the country. The party is being planted in different parts of the country, and registration is ongoing.

“About His Excellency’s membership, he will do that at the right time. It’s a process that is in place. Registration is one of the steps. It’s a process, and it is ongoing.

“He remains committed to the coalition arrangement. Nigerians are behind the coalition, and all the leaders will work together to rescue Nigeria.”

Speaking with Sunday Punch, the ADC National Publicity Secretary affirmed that Atiku, Obi, and other key figures were with the party, stressing that the coalition remained on track.

Abdullahi stated, “We are not disturbed over Atiku and Obi’s delayed membership. Nothing has changed; both of them are very much with the coalition. We don’t have any concerns. Anyone that’s telling you we are disturbed is a liar; we are not disturbed at all.

“Have you heard otherwise from them? You should ask them too. Ask them if they are not with us. You know they are fully with us.

“Everything is on track. There is always time for everything. It’s not everything you do in a party that is in the public domain. The organ of the party that should be visible is the organ of the party that is visible at the moment.

“We have the February FCT election to prepare for. We are setting up our structures across the country. I just came back from Kwara. If you look across the country, people are busy. We are trying to build up the party in the states.”

On INEC and funding, the spokesman explained that the party had completed its documentation with the electoral body and was managing its activities with the resources at its disposal.

He stated, “We have completed all documentation with INEC. Everything that we need to do now, we are able to do. We don’t have any financial problems. Everything we need to do, we are able to do. Don’t forget we are not a ruling party, so we don’t have access to the government. But we are doing fine financially and otherwise.”

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Politics

Wike, Adeleke, Soludo, others make APC revised campaign council list

Published

18 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The revised All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general election has named the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo; former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; and Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, among its members.

Under the revised list made available to journalists on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu will head the campaign council, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice-chairmen.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are also listed as vice-chairmen.

The council names Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General, with Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu among the deputy directors-general. Senator Adams Oshiomhole is listed as Deputy Director-General, Mobilisation.

Other officials include Femi Gbajabiamila, who will oversee administration; Ibrahim Kabir Masari, in charge of logistics and operations; former Speaker Aminu Masari, Deputy Director-General, Parliament Mobilisation; and David Umahi, who will oversee infrastructure mobilisation and sensitisation.

James Faleke will handle election planning, coordination and monitoring.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as secretary of the council, with Senator Ajibola Basiru as deputy secretary and Hadiza Bala Usman as assistant secretary.

The council has also appointed zonal campaign coordinators and co-coordinators across the six geopolitical zones.

Those listed include Governor Bassey Otu and Victor Giadom for the South-South; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Tjeoma Arodiogbu for the South-East; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Prince Oladiran Iyantan for the South-West; Muazu Bawa Rijau and Niger State Governor Umar Bago for the North-Central; Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Garba Datti Muhammad for the North-West; and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Idris Suhaibu for the North-East.

At the state level, the list names governors and other political figures as campaign coordinators. They include Ahmadu Fintiri for Adamawa, Umo Eno for Akwa Ibom, Chukwuma Soludo for Anambra, Babagana Zulum for Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori for Delta, Hope Uzodimma for Imo, Abba Kabir Yusuf for Kano, Dapo Abiodun for Ogun, Ademola Adeleke for Osun, Nyesom Wike for Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory, and Dauda Lawal for Zamfara.

The council also includes former governors and party chieftains as advisers.

They include former APC national chairmen Adebisi Akande and Abdullahi Adamu; former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; former Osun State Governor Iyiola Omisore; Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; Senator George Akume; former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba; and Wale Edun. Obafemi George is listed as an adviser on media.

The Directorate of Election Planning, Coordination, Monitoring and Mobilisation, established ahead of the 2027 general election, has Faleke as Deputy Director-General, with Stella Okotete and Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat serving as Secretary I and Secretary II, respectively. Audu Maikori is also listed as a secretary.

Other members of the directorate include Soares Omotola, Bashir Dabo, Sheriff Mohammed Usman, Jibrin Bancir, Ayoola Peter Olajolo, Abubakar Sadiq Sada and Princess Folasade Ogunbiyi.

In the Directorate of General Logistics and Operations, Masari has been appointed Deputy Director-General, while Adeniyi Tinubu and Barr. Yakub Bashir Bello will serve as deputies. Prof. Kabiru Isa was named secretary.

Members of the logistics and operations directorate include Ekene Nwokoro Ogbonaya, Prof. Vincent Weli, Ambassador Olusola Iji, Amina Bello, Ahmed Zibiri, Annabel Isenyo, Terrence Kuanum, Prof. Latif Babatunde Ayeleru, Amarachi Ejike, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa and Prof. Shuaibu Abdullahi.

Others are Senator Bello Tukur, Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele, Taiwo Adebowale, Sunusi Muhammad Abdullahi, Wasiu Olaomo Ayeola, Chief Isaac Ijwo, Garba Gololo Mohammed, Biodun Ogunbi, Ayuba Ganiyu Adele, High Chief Edem Duke, Yusuf Capt. Buba, Oden Ewa, Prince Ademuviwa Adex, Makinde Peter Abiola, Chief Solomon Ogba, Senator Lawal Hassan Dan Iya, Ambassador Kelvin Peter, Maggadas Mohammed Muazu and Victor Agwu.

The appointments form part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election campaign.

Source: punchng.com

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Wike declares self Tinubu FCT ‘campaign commander’ ahead of 2027 elections, read details

Published

19 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday declared himself the field commander of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT, pledging to coordinate the president’s campaign in the territory and Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the declaration at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where he unveiled a cross-party mobilisation strategy involving members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party to secure Tinubu’s re-election.

The meeting also saw PDP National Assembly candidates in the FCT declare support for their APC counterparts, with Wike saying the coalition had agreed to work together for Tinubu’s re-election and the success of APC candidates in the National Assembly elections.

“For the Presidency, all of us have agreed that it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I will coordinate the FCT and Rivers State. So you can imagine how important it is.

“I am in charge of the FCT election. I am the commander of field operations as far as the FCT election is concerned,” the minister said.

The meeting was attended by APC and PDP stakeholders, including party chairmen, serving and former senators, National Assembly candidates and political leaders from the FCT’s six area councils.

File photo: President Bola Tinubu. State House

Wike said the gathering was intended to establish a common political front ahead of the elections, regardless of the parties to which the participants might belong.

“I want to let all of you know that we are going to work together. Nobody should say, ‘I am PDP’ or ‘I am APC.’ For the purpose of this election, we are together,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor cited the 2024 Edo State governorship election as an example of how political alliances could influence electoral outcomes.

He claimed that cooperation between elements of the APC and PDP had helped prevent the incumbent governor from installing a successor, arguing that political differences could be set aside when stakeholders shared a common objective.

Wike, however, clarified that the coalition’s arrangement was primarily focused on the presidential election, leaving participating parties to determine their positions on other contests.

Making a case for Tinubu’s re-election, the minister challenged political leaders to identify any of the FCT’s six area councils that had not benefited from infrastructure projects and institutional reforms under the current administration.

He cited the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a Head of the Civil Service from within the territory’s workforce and the creation of the Women Affairs and Youth Development secretariats as evidence of the administration’s achievements.

According to Wike, the reforms had created opportunities for career progression among FCT civil servants and expanded participation in governance.

He also listed road construction and rehabilitation, school renovations, police stations and other public facilities among projects being executed across the territory.

The minister expressed confidence that the administration’s performance would provide a basis for mobilising FCT residents to support Tinubu in 2027.

Wike also defended the President’s economic reforms, acknowledging that some policies had imposed hardship but arguing that difficult decisions were necessary to address longstanding economic challenges.

“Changing the economy of a country is not like a prayer,” he said, adding that the benefits of economic reforms might not be immediate.

He further expressed support for the proposed establishment of state police, describing it as an important measure for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Source: punchng.com

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Politics

2027: PWD group pledges five million votes for Tinubu, Kano gov

Published

2 days ago

October 12, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Society for People with Disability Forum in the North-West has pledged to mobilise five million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf in the 2027 general elections.

The forum announced its endorsement of the two leaders on Sunday during a sensitisation programme in Kano aimed at encouraging persons with disabilities to participate in the elections.

The forum’s National Chairman, Yarima Suleiman, said the endorsement was based on what the group described as the contributions of the All Progressives Congress-led governments to the welfare of persons with disabilities.

“As a forum, we are committed to mobilising five million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the 2027 general elections.

“Today, we call our people with disabilities from 19 states, including Abuja, to show our interest in voting for President Bola Tinubu for a second term, for what the APC has done for us,” Suleiman said.

He cited the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant to the President on disability matters as some of the initiatives the group considered significant.

Suleiman said the forum expected greater representation in government if Tinubu won re-election in 2027.

“I am assuring you that if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins the 2027 election, we are going to get more appointments in the Federal Government,” he said.

He added that the group was seeking the implementation of a five per cent appointment allocation for persons with disabilities across ministries, departments and agencies.

The chairman also claimed that the forum had reached an agreement with Yusuf on appointments in Kano State in exchange for its support for his re-election bid.

The forum’s state chairman, Sa’adu Ibrahim, said members had benefited from welfare programmes introduced by the Federal and state governments under the APC.

He urged persons with disabilities to participate actively in the 2027 elections, saying the group intended to reciprocate what it described as government support by voting for APC candidates at both levels.

In his remarks, Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to disability inclusion. He was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and People with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Sani-Abdullahi.

The governor said his administration had introduced practical interventions to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, including providing wheelchairs to people with spinal cord injuries and promoting para-sports.

“We have provided wheelchairs to spinal cord injury patients, restoring mobility, independence and dignity,” he said.

He added that para-sports activities had created opportunities for persons with disabilities to showcase their talents, build confidence and participate in recreational and competitive sports.

“Persons with disabilities should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of government policies but recognised as active contributors to the state’s development,” he added.

The forum’s endorsement comes as political mobilisation gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 elections. Its pledge to mobilise five million votes represents the group’s stated target, rather than a verified estimate of its membership or voting strength.

Source: punchng.com

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