By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

A top Benue State governorship hopeful, Chief Professor Sebastine Hon (SAN) has resigned his membership from All Progressives Congress party to the Peoples Democratic Party.

In a statement signed by Chief Ngutor Anyam, Interim Director-General of the Prof.

Says decision followed consultations, pledges commitment to accountable governance in Benue.

Anyam said, Sebastine Hon has announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective from April 3, 2026.

“On behalf of the campaign organisation, I wish to state that we have moved to PDP after consultations and I call on our supporters to visit https://www.pdpnigeria.org for registration “.

He described the decision of the governorship hopeful as personal, noting that it followed “careful reflection and broad consultations.”

It added that Prof. Tar Hon’s time in the APC was characterised by mutual respect, constructive engagement, and a shared commitment to the development of Benue State and Nigeria.

The organisation expressed appreciation to party leaders and members at all levels ward, local government, state, and national for their cooperation and goodwill during his membership.

“I also conveyed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to national unity and economic progress.

Similarly, the statement acknowledged the contributions of George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, praising his role in the development of Benue State and Nigeria.

The organisation further announced that Prof. Tar Hon has joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he intends to work with the people of Benue State to promote accountable leadership, strengthen institutions, and advance transparent, people-centred governance.

Supporters across the state were urged to register with the PDP and mobilise others to do the same through the party’s official e-registration platform.

By David Torough, Abuja

A fresh political confrontation has erupted ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of moves aimed at excluding it from the electoral process, while the Presidency has dismissed claims of interference, insisting the opposition’s troubles are self-inflicted.

The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that INEC is erecting what it described as “deliberate administrative landmines” that could prevent the party from fielding candidates.

At the heart of the dispute is INEC’s decision to suspend acceptance of correspondence from the party pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court.

Citing provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the party noted that it must comply with strict timelines, including a mandatory 21-day notice for key activities and a May 10 deadline already set by INEC for submissions.

According to the ADC, the refusal to accept its communications within this window creates what it termed an “impossible position,” leading to “artificial non-compliance” that could later justify its disqualification from the 2027 polls.

The party further argued that INEC’s stance contradicts its earlier recognition of the party’s leadership structure, noting that the commission had monitored its July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting and updated its records to reflect new leadership.

It also referenced a sworn affidavit reportedly filed by INEC in September 2025 affirming that the party’s leadership transition had been completed and fell outside judicial interference.

Despite this, INEC maintains that its April 1 action—reportedly taken in compliance with a court order to preserve the status quo—necessitated suspending engagement with the party until the legal dispute is resolved.

The crisis stems from a leadership tussle within the ADC, with rival factions laying claim to the party structure, a situation further complicated by moves by opposition figures to adopt the party as a platform for a potential 2027 coalition.

While the ADC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of working through INEC to weaken the opposition, the Presidency has strongly rejected any such claims.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Bola Tinubu has no involvement in the internal crises of either the ADC or former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Onanuga described attempts to link the President to the situation as baseless, arguing that opposition figures are responsible for their own political challenges.

He criticised Obi for failing to resolve internal issues within the Labour Party before exiting and questioned his ability to build a sustainable political structure.

According to the presidential aide, Obi’s move to align with the ADC reflects a search for an already existing platform rather than the creation of a viable political base.

Onanuga also characterised the ADC as a party grappling with internal instability, suggesting that its current challenges stem from poor internal management rather than external interference.

He maintained that the President remains focused on governance and should not be blamed for disputes within opposition parties.

The Presidency further urged opposition actors to resolve their internal differences and prepare for the electoral contest, rather than attributing their difficulties to external forces.

As tensions mount, the unfolding dispute highlights deepening mistrust between opposition parties and electoral authorities, raising fresh concerns about the conduct and inclusiveness of the 2027 general elections.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The national leadership and former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has advocated a renewed commitment to the foundational principles that shaped Nigeria’s independence, emphasizing that governance rooted in public good—not transactional politics—should define the nation’s political direction.

He made this call during a high-level meeting held yesterday in Osun State, which brought together Afenifere, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and other prominent national figures.

Addressing participants at the gathering, Adebayo highlighted that Nigeria was founded as a negotiated federation, with leaders from the North, East, West, and South collaborating to secure independence during the Lancaster House constitutional conferences.

He explained that the country’s early political parties were established to drive development plans grounded in equity and inclusion, but noted that military intervention derailed that trajectory.

“Since then, our political system has largely reflected military influence and post-military tendencies,” he said.

Adebayo stated that the Osun meeting was convened to revive a unifying national philosophy based on social democracy.

According to him, the objective is to ensure that both political aspirants and citizens clearly understand the responsibilities embedded in the social contract of governance.

“Our aim is to deliver the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerians, through a system that contrasts sharply with what we see today,” he added.

He stressed that the effort transcends the SDP and Afenifere, focusing instead on restoring the core values that underpinned Nigeria’s early political development.

Referencing legacy political groups such as the Action Group, UPN, PRP, NEPU, UMBC, the Northern People’s Congress, and the NCNC, Adebayo noted that they were all driven by a shared commitment to national service and progress.

“We are uniting these philosophies to remind Nigerians that the essence of politics is governance—good governance. It should not be reduced to a pursuit of personal gain or treated like a casino by self-serving politicians,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating that politics must once again serve as a vehicle for advancing the welfare of the Nigerian people, rather than a means for individual enrichment.