The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tomitope Ajayi, has sparked political discussion by claiming that former President Muhammadu Buhari could not have clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in 2014 without the decisive support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ajayi made the statement in reaction to remarks by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the Abuja launch of Working with Buhari, a book written by former presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu.

During the event, Mustapha had argued that Buhari’s victory was not due to any single individual, pointing out that the former president already had a reliable political base of 12.5 million votes before the 2015 election. He added that an extra three million votes from APC legacy parties secured the win over then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP.

Ajayi, however, rejected Mustapha’s take, describing it as a misrepresentation of the political dynamics that brought Buhari to power. Posting via his official X handle @TheTope_Ajayi, he insisted that Buhari’s path to the presidency began with winning the APC primary—a feat that, according to him, would not have been possible without Tinubu’s influence.

“Let’s even leave the general election that then-General Buhari won to become president in 2015. There is no way he would have won the election to be president without first becoming the presidential candidate of his party, APC,” Ajayi wrote.

He emphasized Tinubu’s strategic role in rallying South West delegates and securing support from influential APC governors during the party’s 2014 convention at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Ajayi also noted that Buhari’s previous presidential bids in 2003, 2007, and 2011 ended in failure despite his consistent northern support base.

“Buhari had his 12 million captive Northern votes, yet he lost three presidential elections… Every effort and support that made it possible for President Buhari to win should never be diminished,” he added.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has dismissed reports linking him to the National Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as false and politically motivated distractions.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said the claims were entirely made up and intended to divert attention from his national duties.

“To the best of our knowledge, this claim is entirely fabricated and designed to distract the SGF from the critical responsibilities assigned to him,” the statement read.

Akume, a former governor of Benue State, made it clear that he is not lobbying for any party position, including the APC chairmanship, and remains fully committed to his responsibilities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I am not in a hurry to abdicate my responsibility and the task that the President of the Federal Republic has placed before me. I am a firm believer in the principle that whatever God plans for you will surely come to pass. So I can’t be in a race that I am not interested in,” he stated.

While acknowledging that the North-Central region has many capable politicians who can lead the APC if the chairmanship is zoned there, Akume said his focus is on national development and delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Everything I have become in life has been by the grace of God and through the support of people, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am fully focused on ensuring that Nigerians benefit from the true dividends of democracy,” he added.

He also urged the media to verify politically sensitive information before publishing.

“The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is open for media inquiries and fact-checking. We urge journalists to take advantage of this access in the interest of credible and ethical reporting,” Odunuga stated.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has reacted sharply to Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment affirming Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of the state.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal, dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal for lacking merit. The court held that the PDP candidate failed to prove his allegations of electoral malpractice, unlawful votes, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

But in a strongly worded statement issued shortly after the ruling, Ighodalo expressed deep disappointment, accusing both the electoral process and the judiciary of betraying the will of the people.

“Like you, I feel a deep sense of betrayal. Not just by those who rigged the process, but by the very institutions we trusted to protect our democracy,” he said.

He maintained that the September 22, 2024 governorship poll was not a genuine contest, but a “deliberate and coordinated robbery,” further accusing the APC of rigging the election in its favour—though he did not provide evidence to support his claim.

“We are neither a fearful nor broken people. We may be wounded. But all wounds heal. So let this be our vow. We will not retreat. We will not be silenced. And we will not forget,” he declared.

While acknowledging the finality of the Supreme Court ruling, Ighodalo said he would not pretend that the outcome amounted to justice.

His full statement, titled Final Statement on the Supreme Court Judgement in the Edo Governorship Election Petition, remains a passionate reflection of his conviction that the mandate of the people was denied. In it, he paid tribute to his supporters, especially the youth and elders who hoped for change, describing the loss as a painful chapter but not the end of their collective journey.

“To those who now hold power undeserved, lead with humility. Govern with conscience. History sees what the courts may not. And one day, it will deliver its own verdict,” he added.

The Senate has appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently under suspension.

Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, takes over a role Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to in February, after being removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

No official reason was given for her replacement on Thursday, though it is widely believed to be tied to her unresolved suspension from the Senate.

In May, a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate. Despite this, the Senate maintains it has not received a certified true copy of the judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties. In a televised interview on Tuesday, she explained that she was waiting for the certified court order before returning to plenary, saying she was acting on legal advice and out of respect for institutional processes.

Although the court ruled that her suspension was “excessive and unconstitutional,” a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), claimed that the judgment did not include a binding directive requiring the Senate to immediately reinstate her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three women in the current Senate, described the delay in her return as a violation of her democratic mandate.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central—it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

The Lagos State Police Command has adjusted the hours of restriction on movement ahead of the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, announced that the restriction will now take effect from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., revising the earlier time frame of 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“To alleviate the problem of residents with critical medical emergencies and appointments, and those with longtime international travel plans in and out of the country, the restriction of vehicular movement is hereby readjusted to commence at 6:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 12, 2025 and not from 3am as earlier announced. Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate and respect the new timing,” Hundeyin stated.

The decision, according to the police, is aimed at balancing security measures with the personal needs of Lagosians on election day.

The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, also reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and well-coordinated electoral process across the state.

Residents have been encouraged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity by contacting the police through the emergency lines 08063299264 or 08065154338.

The elections will be conducted across all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally rejected the purported appointment of Jennifer Adibie N. as the State Chairman of its Ebonyi State chapter, describing the move as an attempt to compromise the party’s integrity and independence.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the Director General of the ADC National Media Frontiers, Imal Haruna Gal, said the decision followed credible intelligence indicating that Adibie is allegedly working in alliance with the Ebonyi State Governor and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“After a thorough review of available information and credible intelligence gathered from our structures on the ground, I wish to categorically reject this appointment,” Haruna Gal stated. “Let it be made abundantly clear: the ADC will not serve as a platform for political mercenaries or individuals compromised by affiliations with rival parties.”

The party leadership described the development as a direct threat to the credibility of the ADC, stressing that its foundation is built on transparency, accountability, and people-first governance.

“It is unacceptable to have any individual in a leadership position who is allegedly serving the interests of an opposing party, especially one whose policies and leadership style starkly contrast with the values we uphold,” the statement continued.

The ADC announced that the appointment is considered null and void, and promised to initiate a constitutionally guided process to install a committed and loyal party member to lead the Ebonyi chapter.

The party also urged its members and supporters in Ebonyi State and across Nigeria to remain vigilant in the face of what it described as attempts by external political forces to infiltrate its ranks.

“The ADC remains a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians seeking genuine change, and we will not allow our vision to be hijacked by external political interests,” Haruna Gal affirmed.

The statement concluded by reiterating that the ADC is not a “political trading post,” but a movement rooted in principle, people, and purpose.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State has been plunged into a fresh round of internal crisis following a bitter war of words over the authenticity of the party’s leadership and alleged attempts to destabilize its ranks.

In a strongly worded rejoinder issued on Thursday, a coalition of concerned ADC stakeholders accused Comrade Emeka Chiefo, a former party official, of peddling falsehoods aimed at hijacking the party structure.

Chiefo had, in a statement circulated by Asiwaju Media, claimed that the ADC’s Ebonyi State leadership had been dissolved and replaced with an interim committee. He further alleged that Dr. Adibe Jennifer Nwafor, the state chairperson, was an impostor planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the party.

But in the rejoinder, ADC stakeholders described the claims as “unsubstantiated,” “reckless,” and “fictitious,” insisting that Dr. Adibe remains the duly elected and INEC-certified state chairperson.

“Contrary to the speculations by Emeka Chiefo, Dr. Adibe Jennifer Nwafor was duly elected in a well-monitored congress in 2022, in line with the party constitution and INEC guidelines,” the statement read.

“The African Democratic Congress has not declared any dissolution of its structures either at the national or state level. The purported claim of an ‘interim leadership’ is a figment of his imagination.”

The rejoinder also dismissed as defamatory the allegation that Dr. Adibe was working at the behest of the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

“Dr. Adibe remains a loyal, founding, and committed member of ADC, and her antecedents speak volumes of her integrity, political neutrality, and dedication to grassroots development,” it stated.

The statement accused Chiefo of seeking to sow confusion for personal gain, noting that he had “faded out of relevance within the party due to his divisive tendencies and non-performance.”

Party insiders say the dispute reflects a broader struggle for control ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various actors seeking to consolidate influence and secure the party’s structure in the state.

Despite the crisis, ADC stakeholders reiterated that the party remains “strong and united under the leadership of Dr. Adibe,” and called on supporters to disregard Chiefo’s “baseless propaganda.”

“ADC is not for sale. It is not a one-man affair. It is a democratic institution governed by rules, structures, and values,” the statement concluded.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State, Comrade Emeka Chiefo, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is making moves to infiltrate and hijack the ADC through known proxies.

Comrade Emeka, who is the former Chairman of the ADC in Ebonyi Central Zone and hails from Umunwagu Idembia ward in Ezza South Local Government Area, claimed that a former APC member, Jennifer Adibe, is being positioned by the APC to destabilize the ADC in the state.

“All the state and federal executives remain dissolved,” he stated. “The APC is trying everything possible to use Jennifer Adibe to hijack our party. Jennifer is an APC member. Umahi wants to use his former cronies like Jennifer, but we will resist them vehemently.”

He explained that the ADC’s interim leadership has already commenced efforts to curb the activities of individuals allegedly parading themselves as party officials across different states.

“The lists you saw circulating are all former executives,” he clarified.

Speaking about his aspiration to become the substantive chairman of the ADC in Ebonyi State, Chiefo outlined his vision to reposition the party and offer Nigerians a credible alternative.

“My plan for the party is very simple—to make the party accessible and acceptable to the majority of Ebonyians and Nigerians at large,” he said. “I am coming to bring a better alternative for Nigerians. As we can see, nothing is going on in Nigeria again. Inflation is at its peak, security is zero, people are dying, and other heinous activities are going on unabated.”

He expressed confidence that under the ADC, both at the state and national levels, Nigeria can return to the path of progress and development.

“With our party in both state and federal, we will return Nigeria to the Nigeria of our dreams,” he concluded.

The growing 2027 presidential ambitions of key political figures in the newly unveiled African Democratic Congress, ADC, are causing deepening divisions among supporters and stakeholders within the political coalition.

This is even as political maneuvers and behind-the-scenes consultations have ignited heated debates, especially on social media, among coalition supporters and intensified power struggles within the alliance.

Some watchers have also flagged the potential clash of ambitions among the contenders as a likely obstacle to the success of the coalition.

ASIWAJU MEDIA reports that with less than two years to the next general election, the ADC-led coalition faces an uphill battle, not just against the All Progressives Congress, APC, or the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but against internal disunity.

As it stands now, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi are the leading aspirants to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027.

Though Atiku has not officially declared his intention to run, the duo of Obi and Amaechi have announced their interest to wrestle power from Tinubu.

Party insiders informed journalist that factions are already being formed within the coalition, with some rooting for Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate; others pledging loyalty to Obi; and a third bloc leaning towards Amaechi, a former governor and ex-Minister of Transportation under the APC.

I’ll contest for presidency – Obi insists

Peter Obi on Monday doubled down on his position to contest for presidency in 2027.

Obi said he was qualified to become president, dismissing speculations that he will become Atiku’s running mate in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, he said: “I am going to contest for the president of Nigeria and I believe I am qualified.

“Nobody has discussed with me that I’m going to be A, B or C,” Obi added when asked whether he had discussed the possibility of being Atiku’s running mate in 2027.

I’ll serve only one term – Amaechi

Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, has also expressed interest in seeking the ADC ticket for 2027.

He came second in the 2022 presidential primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Amaechi promised to serve only one term in the spirit of fairness and adherence to unwritten zoning agreements.

“I won’t do more than four years,” he said.

Why Atiku should emerge as candidate – Momodu

Making case on why the presidential ticket of the ADC should be handed over to Atiku, veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, said Atiku has the number, insisting he poses a serious threat to President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

Momodu stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.

According to him, Atiku had been running his business, investing in education and agriculture, saying it is a good example of what a leader should be.

“I said the best choice would be my candidate. Which is what I expect the ‘Obidents’ to say, which I expect those who are supporting Rotimi Amaechi to say, there is nothing wrong with that.

“I’m looking at number one, the numbers. This game is a game of numbers. And the people who are most aggrieved today are from the northern part of Nigeria.

“He’s been running his business, investing in education, investing in agriculture. For me, this is a good example of what a leader should be.

“In Nigeria, you will never find a thug in front of Atiku’s house. For me, these are things that are presented by him, and it is my right to say those things. I’ve never asked anyone not to support Peter Obi. Obi is my very good friend today. If you ask me, one of the people that I believe should lead the coalition, it will be Obi.

“And as a Democrat, I’m appealing to them. I hope they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say, Oh, they forced one person on them. Let us, let them all go to the fields. Let all Obidients campaign for Obi. Let all those for Atiku and Amaechi also campaign.

“So that is my belief, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. I’m happy that the coalition is fully ready and prepared,” Momodu said.

Amaechi has a chance – Eze

In a terse message to media on Tuesday, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a one-time National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP and an ally of Rotimi Amaechi, said everyone should exercise little patience over the matter.

Eze expressed confidence that Amaechi has the chance of securing ADC’s presidential ticket, which he noted depends on how the delegates would vote.

He said: “Amaechi has the chance of securing the ticket depending on how the Presidential delegates of ADC decide and vote. Let us just wait and exercise a little patience in this regard.”

Obi better placed to emerge – Yunusa Tanko

Speaking to Journalist, Dr Yunusa Tanko, ex-spokesman and media director of the defunct Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, said they believe Peter Obi’s candidature will unite the country.

Tanko, the Interim National Coordinator of Obidient Movement, stressed that from all their assessments, they had seen that Obi is in the best position to emerge as the ADC’s presidential candidate.

He said: “That’s what democracy entails. This is not a one man show. In democracy people have the right to show interest just as Peter Obi has the right to show interest.

“So it is the best that will emerge in this particular situation where we need someone from the south to run the remaining term of four years of the southern presidency, even though it is not constitutional, but it’s a regional arrangement for balancing and equity in the system.

“We believe that Obi’s candidature will be a unifying candidature that will unite this country.”

Tanko also dismissed the attacks being exchanged by different camps in the coalition.

According to him, it’s one way of trying to get the best out of the system.

“No, it will not. It’s just trying to get the best out of the system.

“So when people give reasons why a candidate is better than others, they are purely doing what democracy entails because out of these debates the best candidate will run for election. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen in other political parties.

“It’s not a secret cult. It’s somebody who will meet the people, who will have the capacity, who can debate, who can move from point A to B, who can show compassion, credibility, and show a lot of passion to make this country work.

“And that is the reason why from all our assessments we have seen that Mr Peter Obi fits that particular vacancy,” Tanko said.

“When we reach that bridge, we will cross it. At the moment now, we haven’t reached that particular bridge. We are so sure that by the grace of God Peter Obi will emerge and run for election come 2027,” he added when asked what happens if Obi fails to emerge as the coalition’s top candidate.

Supporters clash on social media

The growing division has spilled over into social media platforms, where supporters of the three political figures are engaging in verbal battles over who deserves to lead the proposed alliance.

Over the weekend, social media platforms were awash with debates as both leaders’ loyalists exchanged salvos in defence of their preferred candidates.

Pro-Obi groups have suggested that the coalition won’t achieve meaningful impact if it fails to name Obi as its candidate, while Atiku supporters argue that he remains the most experienced and widely accepted figure across regions.

Speaking in an interview, a Public Affairs Analyst and Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Nduka Odo, said the supporters of the three top aspirants could be a blessing, as well as a curse to them.

Odo suggested that supporters of Mr Peter Obi might pose a different kind of threat to the coalition, noting that Obi is not in control of his supporters.

According to him, those supporting Atiku will only pose minimal challenges to the coalition.

Odo said: “The supporters of the three top aspirants can be a blessing as well as a curse to the aspirants. Parties are built not mainly by the political aspirants but by the citizens who buy into the ideologies and / or sensations of the leading proponents of the party.

“Currently, ADC is like an arranged marital union. The spouses are like strange bedfellows. Creating the union is where the ambitions of the fellows will be tested against their desires for a Nigeria different from the one led by Tinubu. This should not be hard for the aspirants as most of them have worked together in the recent past: Atiku with Obi in 2019 under PDP; El Rufai, Amaechi, and Atiku in 2015 under APC.

“Once they settle up there, supporters of most of the aspirants will easily fall along. Amarchi’s support base is currently weak compared to those of Obi and Atiku, who flew their party flags in 2023 and performed highly in the polls. So, supporters of Amaechi won’t post challenges to ADC.

“Supporters of Atiku, on the other hand, will pose minimal challenges. The nature of their challenge will be far different from that of Amaechi and Obi.

“Atiku’s support base are traditional politicians, mostly people who survive by being in the corridors of power. These persons will not be hard to convince to work for ADC. They will gladly work for the coalition, no matter who flies ADC tickets.

“They’ll do this as long as they’re well taken care of, in terms of instant benefits. They’ll only become a threat to ADC if the party fails to oil their palms. This group of supporters will not Bath eyelids before switching allegiance to APC.

“Supporters of Peter Obi will pose a different kind of threat to the coalition. Unlike most candidates, Obi is not in control of his supporters. It is more like his supporters are in control.

“The Obidients are an amorphous group of individuals, mostly young, who are dissatisfied with the old order of doing things in Nigeria. They want something different, and Obi happens to represent that something new and different, to a greater percentage.

“If ADC fails to field Peter Obi in 2027, ADC will lose the Obidients, and not even Obi himself can convince the Obidients to support another candidate.

“To me, this is the greatest opportunity and dilemma facing ADC.”

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has distanced itself from a list of appointed state chairmen circulating on social media.

ADC urged members to beware of fake news being circulated in the name of the party online.

The denial was contained in a statement signed by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

According to Abdullahi: “ADC wishes to make it known to the public that the party is not aware of any appointment of state chairmen as being circulated on the social media space.

“The ADC admonishes Nigerians to verify every of its information via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of its National Publicity Secretary, @BolajiADC.

“Any information that does not emanate from the appropriate communication channels of the party and verified on the X (formerly Twitter) page of the National Publicity Secretary should be disregarded.”

The party also denied reports that it had set up online registration payment for registration.

Abdullahi said such a fictitious measure was set up to swindle Nigerians.

He added: “The party also dismissed and condemned in strong terms the information that some persons have set up fictitious online platforms to swindle unsuspecting Nigerians of their hard-earned money under the guise of registering them to the party.

“The ADC cautions Nigerians to be wary of such fraudulent acts and consult widely within the appropriate channels which will be made available to the general public on the activities of the ADC and the coalition of opposition political parties.”