A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fixed its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at ₦51m and governorship form at ₦21m ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP National Organising Secretary of the faction, Umar Bature, disclosed this in a timetable made available to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the schedule, the faction will submit its register to the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 21, 2026, and notify the commission of its primaries on April 22.

The timetable shows that the expression of interest form for all positions costs ₦1m, while nomination fees vary across offices.

Aspirants for State Houses of Assembly are to pay ₦2m, House of Representatives ₦3m, Senate ₦5m, governorship ₦20m, and presidential aspirants ₦50m.

The sale of forms will begin on April 27 and close on May 4, while the deadline for submission of completed forms is May 9.

Screening of aspirants for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly and governorship positions is scheduled for May 11, while that of presidential aspirants will hold on May 12.

The presidential primary has been fixed for May 18, while governorship primaries will be held on May 27.

House of Representatives primaries are scheduled for May 21 and Senate primaries for May 23, while State Houses of Assembly primaries will hold between May 21 and May 24. Appeals are expected to be concluded by May 30, 2026.

Bature added that female aspirants would only pay the expression of interest fee for their respective positions.

The PDP has been embroiled in an internal crisis, leading to a split into two factions—one led by Tanimu Turaki and supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and the other led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the backing of Wike.

Several cases filed by both factions are pending in court.

At the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the justices said a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and House of Representatives aspirant, Henrich Akomolafe, has said the expected victory of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in the June 20, 2026, election would serve as a referendum on the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking with journalists during a political consultation meeting on Tuesday, Akomolafe framed the Ekiti poll as more than a state contest, arguing that it would also reflect public confidence in the broader direction of the APC-led Federal Government.

He described Oyebanji as a performer and bridge-builder whose administration has brought stability, development and renewed confidence in governance in Ekiti State.

According to him, the governor’s leadership style—anchored on service, humility and visible results—has strengthened public trust and positioned him for electoral success.

“Ekiti people are politically conscious and always assess performance before making electoral decisions. Governor Oyebanji has built trust through his record, and that trust will translate into votes,” he said.

Akomolafe added that Oyebanji’s policies prioritised the welfare of workers, youths, farmers and traditional institutions, noting that his inclusive governance approach had helped sustain peace and unity across the state.

The APC chieftain also linked the governor’s anticipated victory to growing acceptance of Tinubu’s economic reforms, which he described as bold but necessary steps toward long-term national stability.

“Transformational leadership requires courage. The support Oyebanji will receive will also reflect public understanding of the President’s vision,” he added.

While acknowledging the short-term hardships associated with ongoing reforms, Akomolafe maintained that many Nigerians were beginning to see their long-term benefits.

He further called for unity within the party, particularly in Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, urging intensified grassroots mobilisation to secure victory for the APC across all levels in the election.

Akomolafe also appealed to youths, women and community leaders to rally behind leaders committed to service delivery, stressing that the upcoming governorship poll would be pivotal to consolidating development gains and sustaining peace in Ekiti State.

A Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday ordered that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, pending a ruling on his bail application.

The trial judge, Darius Khobo, fixed the first week of June for ruling after listening to arguments from both the prosecution and the defence on the bail request.

With the development, the former governor may not participate in the activities leading to the presidential, governorship and National Assembly primaries of the African Democratic Congress.

By the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable, party primaries are to commence on April 23, 2026 and end by May 30, 2026.

The ADC has yet to fix a date for its presidential primary, as the David Mark-led faction and the Nafiu Bala-led faction battle at the Supreme Court over the party’s authentic leadership.

The apex court fixed today (Wednesday) for the hearing of an appeal arising from the leadership crisis in the ADC.

El-Rufai is standing trial on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office and corruption.

The anti-graft agency had earlier amended the charge, leaving the former governor as the sole defendant before the Kaduna State High Court.

A Federal High Court earlier granted the former governor N200m bail, with additional conditions.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, proceedings were dominated by arguments on the defendant’s application for bail.

Counsel for the ICPC opposed the application, arguing that granting bail could undermine ongoing investigations, alleging that the defendant might interfere with witnesses or evidence.

However, the court declined to deliver an immediate ruling, instead ordering that El-Rufai be remanded in ICPC custody pending its decision.

Reacting, counsel for the defendant, Ubong Akpan, faulted the court’s position, describing it as unjustified and suggestive of deeper concerns.

He argued that the refusal to grant bail appeared to be premised on the assumption that his client’s status as a former governor could enable him to tamper with investigations.

“The court, in its wisdom, decided that because Nasir El-Rufai is a former governor, he is going to interfere with the investigation. Therefore, he is not entitled to bail in an allegation of financial impropriety. We respectfully disagree,” he said.

Akpan stated that the defence team would review the ruling and take appropriate legal steps to challenge it.

“The next step is to take the legal steps required to challenge it. We will respond through the proper legal process. That is what the law requires,” he added.

The defence lawyer further maintained that the case had political undertones, but stressed that the team would remain guided by the rule of law.

“From the beginning, everything about Nasir El-Rufai’s travails has always been political. This is mainly the legal arm of it,” he said.

He also urged supporters of the former governor to remain calm and law-abiding.

“Don’t allow fear to take over. Don’t act as if something fatal has happened. Nobody has died.

“In a conflict, you have gains and setbacks. Sometimes things work against you, but you must not be frightened. Sit up. We are going to take this battle on, and we are going to win,” he said.

The matter was adjourned to the first week of June for ruling on the bail application and continuation of proceedings.

El-Rufai, who returned to the country from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026.

Following his arrival, he has been involved in multiple legal proceedings, including investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and subsequently the ICPC, and the Department of State Service.

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