Politics
Leaked memo: Obidient Movement petitions Obi over ADC marginalisation
Fresh cracks appear to be emerging within the coalition led by the African Democratic Congress, following a leaked memo from the Obidient Movement to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In the memo, the movement raised the alarm over alleged marginalisation of members in key decision-making processes.
The ADC was unveiled on July 2, 2025, as a coalition party to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
At the event were the interim national chairman, David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, among others.
Barely one month after its unveiling, Obi has yet to formally join the party, though the interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party had given him and El-Rufai the waiver to remain in their legacy parties for now.
In a document dated July 29, 2025, and signed by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, the group accused the coalition of marginalising its members despite their pivotal role in strengthening the political bloc.
The memo obtained by our correspondent read, “We write on behalf of the Obidient Movement to express our severe grievances regarding recent developments within the coalition’s systems.
“Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels.
While we remain committed to the shared vision of building a united and formidable front for the task ahead, we must raise the following issues that our members have repeatedly flagged.”
Listing their grievances, Tanko cited lack of inclusion in major deliberations.
According to him, none of Obi’s loyalists was deemed good enough to share a table with the ADC decision makers.
“Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made.
“This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership,” he lamented.
The Obidients also faulted what was described as “non-existent representation,” insisting the coalition’s current structure did not reflect its strength and contribution.
The movement coordinator, therefore, urged Obi to wade into the matter without delay.
“The current structure does not reflect the Obidient Movement’s strength and contribution to this coalition.
“We strongly believe that there should be at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the Obidient Movement in each geopolitical zone,” the memo stressed.
“We believe these measures are crucial to building trust and repositioning the coalition for success.
“We look forward to you resolving this with the party leadership in the spirit of the new Nigeria we want to build.”
The development is already generating ripples among stakeholders, with fears that the rift, if unresolved, could undermine the coalition’s chances ahead of the 2027 polls.
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The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.
According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.
The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.
It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.
The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.
The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.
“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.
The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.
“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.
The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.
The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.
The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.
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Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Kano State have unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Similarly, they reaffirmed their loyalty to a former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, endorsing him as the leader of the APC in Kano State.
The endorsement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Ganduje’s residence on Tuesday.
Speaking during the meeting, the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said the gathering was aimed at addressing internal party issues, promoting unity among members, and preparing the party to face the forthcoming general elections.
“The high-level stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress, Kano State Chapter, is convened to assess the current state of the party, review recent developments, and chart a cohesive path forward.
“We are fully committed to the success of President Tinubu and our great party. This meeting is about consolidating our base, strengthening our unity, and positioning the APC to win convincingly in 2027,” he said.
He expressed the readiness and willingness of the party to reconcile with all aggrieved members, stressing that the APC in Kano is open to reconciliation and expansion.
He added that the party is ready to welcome members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement if they decide to join the APC.
The meeting was attended by prominent party leaders, including Kabir Abubakar Bichi, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation; APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna; and Murtala Garo.
Also in attendance were Senator Abdurrahman Sumaila, Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream); members of the National and State Assemblies; as well as two ministers from Kano—the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Ata.
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The national leadership of the Labour Party has dissociated itself from a planned protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Mr Ken Asogwa, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, said the party has no connection with the proposed protest.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to an invitation circulating in certain quarters regarding a purported protest scheduled to hold tomorrow, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“This protest is allegedly being organised by some unknown individuals purportedly operating under the banner of the Labour Party.
“We wish to categorically state that the said protest is not sanctioned by the Labour Party.
“The organisers are unknown to the party’s leadership, and the action lacks the approval and backing of the party.
“The public is hereby put on notice that anyone participating in or promoting this protest is doing so without the consent of the Labour Party and should be regarded as an impostor.”
The party referenced INEC’s recent rejection of a list of candidates for upcoming national bye-elections and local council elections submitted by former chairman Julius Abure, and his group, describing the decision as a welcome development.
“The Labour Party received that decision with relief, knowing that INEC, as a responsible electoral umpire, would eventually proceed to accept and publish the authentic list submitted by the current, lawful leadership of the party,” the statement said.
It further urged INEC to stand firm and continue to ignore what it described as the “desperate antics” of individuals whose tenure expired on June 8, 2023, and whose exit was confirmed by the Supreme Court in its judgment of April 4, 2025.
“While we await INEC’s timely action in publishing the valid list of candidates submitted by the legitimate party leadership, we also call on the commission to give full effect to the said Supreme Court ruling by updating its official portal and other platforms to reflect the correct leadership of the Labour Party in line with the court’s judgment,” the party added.
The party called on security agencies to take note of the situation and warned that those organising the protest should not be treated as representatives of the Labour Party.
“These persons planning to stage a protest at INEC headquarters on August 6, 2025, are not representatives of the Labour Party.
“They are political impersonators and mischief-makers, and should be treated as such.
“We call for their immediate arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law,” the statement concluded.
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