Politics

APC waives screening for Tinubu ahead of primaries

Published

3 months ago

May 7, 2026

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of its 2027 primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with the party’s constitution and internal procedures.

The decision was taken by the National Working Committee at its 188th meeting, held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the party’s National Secretariat.

In a statement issued after the meeting by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said the decision was taken in line with the powers granted to the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of its constitution to organise and oversee party primaries and, where necessary, grant waivers in the party’s best interest.

The statement read, “The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, at its 188th meeting held today, May 6, 2026, resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and deemed him duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the party for the purpose of participation in the upcoming primary elections.

“This decision was made pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the Constitution of the APC to organise and supervise the party’s primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers in the best interest of the party.

“The NWC noted that the President has received overwhelming endorsement and a vote of confidence from critical stakeholders of the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the leadership and members of the National Assembly, and other organs of the party at the APC National Summit of May 22, 2025, and other major statutory events of the party.

“It further noted that, as the incumbent President and leader of the party, having been duly screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, requiring his physical appearance before a screening committee at this time would be redundant and unnecessary.”

The APC commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise scheduled to close by midnight on May 6.

The screening exercise is expected to begin on May 8.

Funder of the Tinubu Support Groups, James Faleke, who represents the Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, purchased the N100m expression of interest and nomination forms for the President on April 28.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

INEC also stated that party primaries and the resolution of related disputes will hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026. The commission further announced that campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.

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Politics

2027: Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria reject ms Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Published

2 days ago

July 24, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) stated that it does not support the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for elective public office, emphasizing that Nigeria remains a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation.

The reaction follows the All Progressives Congress (APC) adopting President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, to contest the presidential election in 2027.

Following its National Executive Council meeting, the Christian body released resolutions regarding national developments and leadership balance in the country.

“The National Executive Council, NEC, of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), at its duly convened meeting, has carefully considered recent developments affecting the nation and wishes to make the following resolutions known to the Nigerian public.”

“The PFN reiterates its unwavering commitment to the unity, peace, and progress of Nigeria. We remain convinced that our nation can only flourish where justice, equity, the rule of law, and respect for the Constitution prevail.”

“The PFN does not support the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for elective public office. Nigeria is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation whose diversity should be reflected in its leadership. Inclusive governance promotes national unity, mutual trust, and a sense of belonging among all citizens.”

Addressing proposed legislation regarding preaching restrictions, the body expressed firm opposition to policies that curtail religious freedom.

“We strongly oppose any law or policy that seeks to ban or unduly restrict Christian preaching.”

The group noted that such measures run counter to constitutional guarantees regarding freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression “inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees every citizen the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression, and peaceful assembly.”

“While the PFN supports lawful regulation necessary to preserve public order, such regulation must never become an instrument for suppressing legitimate religious expression or infringing upon fundamental human rights.”

“We respectfully call upon all arms and levels of government to uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of every Nigerian regardless of faith, and ensure that no legislation discriminates against any religious community.”

The fellowship urged Christians across the country to remain peaceful, prayerful, law-abiding, and steadfast, while exercising constitutional rights responsibly.

“We encourage sincere dialogue among government, religious leaders, and civil society in addressing issues capable of threatening our national cohesion. Nigeria’s diversity should be regarded as a strength to be nurtured rather than a source of division.”

“The PFN remains commited to praying for our nation and working with all stakeholders to build a peaceful, just, and prosperous Nigeria where every citizen enjoys equal protection under the law.”

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Politics

Tinubu jittery over Makinde’s growing popularity – APM

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Allied People’s Movement has said the Federal Government’s recent attacks on its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, show that President Bola Tinubu is jittery over Makinde’s growing popularity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

APM, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, on Wednesday, said the Tinubu administration was resorting to name-calling and disparagement because it lacked a convincing record of achievements to present to Nigerians, insisting that Makinde would defeat Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, had, during an interview with journalists on Monday, dismissed Makinde and the APM as inconsequential to the 2027 electoral contest.

Reacting, the APM described it as pathetic and unfortunate that the Tinubu Presidency had descended to such a low level of political ignominy, arguing that the administration had resorted to disparaging remarks and personal attacks instead of addressing the issues that matter to Nigerians.

It stated, “It is rather pathetic that the Tinubu Presidency has fallen so low into ignominy that it now relies on internationally discredited and politically inconsistent characters like Daniel Bwala to speak for it on national TV; a situation that further confirms that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu no longer commands the support of credible Nigerians.

“Since Daniel Bwala’s March 6, 2026, scandalous interview with Al Jazeera, Nigerians can always see through the antics of President Tinubu’s handlers. Daniel Bwala would soon eat his own words against Governor Makinde.

“In any event, the 2027 presidential race would be between Governor Seyi Makinde, standing shoulder to shoulder with millions of Nigerians who are determined for a new beginning, and a failed President Tinubu, who only has the feeble support of a handful of sycophantic, corrupt, arrogant and morally depraved minions on his payroll.

“The APM is, therefore, not surprised that the Tinubu Presidency is deflated and intimidated because it has no tangible scorecard of achievements to present to the public, given its abysmal failures, for which Nigerians across the board have reached a consensus to replace President Tinubu with Governor Makinde at the 2027 election, given Makinde’s outstanding performance as Governor of Oyo State.”

The APM said it would not be dragged into an exchange of insults, stressing that its attention remains firmly focused on issues of importance to Nigerians.

The statement read, “Of course, President Tinubu should be jittery because Governor Makinde is coming into the contest with an intimidating record of performance, including transforming Oyo State into a foremost economically viable state, surpassing the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, according to data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), a feat Nigerians want him to replicate at the national level.

“The Tinubu Presidency is edgy because Nigerians are determined and eager to elect Governor Seyi Makinde as the next President of the country so that they can enjoy the benefits of his blueprint to revamp the economy, rejig our security architecture, rebuild collapsed infrastructure, revitalise the productive sectors, provide jobs, end corruption and bring a new lease of life to the people.

“Of course, why won’t the Tinubu Presidency be jittery when Governor Makinde is coming with the full support of over 50 million young Nigerians whose destinies are being caged by the Tinubu administration and who are now rallying with our presidential candidate as the face of the new Nigeria they eagerly seek and for which they are ready to vote in 2027 and defend their votes to the very end?

“To suggest that a presidential candidate with such an army of support is “inconsequential” says more about the anxiety within the corridors of power than it does about the candidate.

“In fact, before noon on election day, the Presidency will know who actually is inconsequential in this race.”

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Politics

PDP can rescue Ogun, deputy gov candidate says ahead of 2027

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State for the 2027 governorship election, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has declared that the PDP is the only credible platform capable of rescuing Ogun State from its socio-economic and developmental challenges.

She spoke on Tuesday during a visit to her Ijemo community in Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

The event drew a large crowd of party supporters, community leaders and residents, with the PDP deputy governorship candidate receiving a rousing welcome alongside the party’s Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo, and other party stalwarts.

Addressing the gathering, Sowunmi-Kolapo said the people of Ogun, particularly those from Egba land, must resist intimidation and vote massively for the PDP, insisting that the “party’s governorship ticket reflects the aspirations of the indigenous people of the state.”

She said, “The people must rally behind the opposition party that truly represents their interests and identity.

“The PDP is the most credible and formidable political party to reshape the fortunes of Ogun State. The PDP’s record of governance and developmental achievements remains unmatched.”

Sowunmi-Kolapo expressed confidence that the party would reclaim power in the state, boasting of the support of the electorate.

“Neither the party nor its members would be intimidated by political opponents ahead of the 2027 polls,” she added.

Sowunmi-Kolapo cautioned against what she described as allowing “a stranger” to emerge as governor, stressing that while the Egba people are hospitable and welcoming to all, leadership of the state should remain in the hands of those who truly belong to and understand the people.

“We will not allow anyone to intimidate us. We are not like those looking for their family lineage. We are warriors. We must show them that we own the votes.

“Let us come out en masse to vote and do not be intimidated. Do not believe anyone telling you that your votes will not count because your votes will count.

“In Egba, we are very accommodating. If anyone wants to be part of us, such a person is welcome, and we can even give the person a certificate of indigene, but we will not allow that person to become our king. Go and get your Permanent Voter Cards and vote for the PDP,” she said.

In his remarks, the Ogun State chairman of the PDP, Abayomi Tella, said the party remained the only political platform with a proven record of delivering democratic dividends to the people of Ogun State.

Tella noted that despite being out of power in the state, the achievements recorded by previous PDP administrations are still visible across different sectors, urging voters to compare the party’s legacy with the performance of subsequent governments.

The party chairman called on members and supporters to remain united, intensify grassroots mobilisation and encourage eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, expressing confidence that the PDP is well-positioned to reclaim Ogun State in the 2027 governorship election.

Also speaking, Iyabo Obasanjo appealed to the people of Ogun Central, particularly the Egba, to unite behind the PDP, arguing that the zone deserved to produce the next governor through a party that has an Egba indigene on its governorship ticket.

She maintained that the PDP remained the only political party capable of taking Ogun State to greater heights and urged residents to vote massively for the party during the 2027 general election.

“Our fathers fought for Abeokuta to become the capital of Ogun State. We must consider Ogun Central and the Egba people in making sure that a party that has an Egba person on its ticket wins the governorship race in Ogun State.

“We must all come together as Egba people to vote for PDP. And you know that our deputy governor is from Egba; she is from Ogun Central, so we must understand this and then vote for PDP.

“I want to tell you today that PDP is the only party that can take Ogun State to the next level. PDP is the only party that can rescue Ogun State. So don’t forget, let us come together and vote for PDP.”

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