From Yagana Ali, Yola

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Ambassador (Engr.) Omar Suleiman, popularly known as Omarana, has strongly condemned what he described as an alleged attempt to replace him as the party’s governorship candidate through the backdoor.

Omarana, who addressed journalists in Yola at the weekend, expressed outrage over the alleged role of former Vice President and national leader of the ADC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in moves to recognise another aspirant, Modibbo Tukur Ribadu, as the party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa State.

He insisted that he remains the duly elected candidate of the party following the governorship primary election, warning that no political leader, regardless of influence or national standing, has the right to overturn the decision freely made by party members.

The controversy followed an alleged statement or post attributed to Atiku, which reportedly presented Ribadu—who Omarana said emerged second during the party’s governorship primary—as the ADC candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State.

Omarana said he was particularly disturbed that Atiku, whom he described as a prominent political figure who has consistently projected himself as an advocate of democracy and popular participation, could be linked to what he termed an attempt to override the will of party members.

According to him, the development was not merely a disagreement over political ambition but a serious test of the credibility of the democratic process within the party.

The ADC candidate maintained that the governorship primary election in Adamawa State was conducted in the presence of party members and other stakeholders, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervising the process.

He said he emerged victorious at the end of the exercise, while Modibbo Tukur Ribadu came second, adding that his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate in accordance with the outcome of the primary election.

Omarana stressed that a mandate freely given by party members through a recognised electoral process could not be withdrawn or transferred based on the preference of any powerful political figure.

In a move aimed at preventing what he described as an unlawful substitution, Suleiman disclosed that he had approached the Federal High Court to seek judicial protection over his candidature.

He said the legal action was intended to restrain INEC from accepting any purported attempt to replace his name with that of another aspirant pending the determination of the matter by the court.

According to him, the relevant court processes had already been served on INEC as well as the ADC at both the national and state levels.

He further claimed that the former Vice President had been formally informed about the pending legal action, insisting that all parties should therefore exercise restraint and allow the court to determine the issues before it.

Omarana warned that any attempt to alter the outcome of the primary election before the conclusion of the legal process would amount to a disregard for due process and an assault on the democratic rights of the party’s members.

He called for the immediate withdrawal of the alleged post presenting Ribadu as the ADC governorship candidate, urging the party’s national leadership and other influential political actors to avoid actions capable of further escalating the controversy.

The former diplomat and engineer said the unfolding controversy had raised fundamental questions about internal democracy and the extent to which the decisions of ordinary party members are respected within political parties.

He argued that leadership must be founded on fairness, restraint and respect for established rules, particularly by political leaders who present themselves as champions of democratic governance.

According to him, the governorship ticket of the ADC is not a personal property that can be allocated at the discretion of influential politicians or political godfathers.

Omarana appealed to members and supporters of the ADC across Adamawa State to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them that he would continue to pursue the matter through lawful and democratic means.

He expressed confidence that the rule of law would prevail, insisting that the outcome of a properly conducted primary election must be respected.

Suleiman added that the controversy had placed a major responsibility before the leadership of the ADC, questioning whether the party would uphold the verdict of its members or allow political influence and personal preference to override the collective will expressed at the primary election.

As the dispute continues, Omarana said his focus remains firmly on defending what he described as the mandate freely entrusted to him by members of the African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, has hailed the mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka over his victory in the just concluded local government election in the area.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the election result was declared at the local government headquarters, Ogidi, Mefor noted that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is on course for a clean sweep of all 21 Local Government Areas in the state.

“I am very happy that our party, APGA, has been returned not only in this local government, but across the state.

He attributed the landslide to the performance of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, saying the governor’s re-election with about 73% of the votes created momentum for APGA at the grassroots. 

“A lot of gratitude must go to the Solution Governor. That was an absolute vote of confidence from Ndi Anambra. That momentum rubbed off on this local government election. Other parties stayed away because they knew this was not a contest. Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra. Anambra has been ‘APGA-nised.’”

The Commissioner, an indigene of Idemili North, commended voters for the massive turnout despite APGA running unopposed in the LGA. He said over 31,000 voters participated in the affirmation process. 

“I was pleasantly surprised. The turnout was almost like a normal contested election. This shows the sophistication of voters in Idemili North. They understood that under the Electoral Act, even a sole candidate must get an affirmative ‘Yes’ vote,” Mefor said.

He added that the vote of confidence means Ndi Idemili North wants the Mayor to continue and deliver more. “He performed fantastically well in his first term, and we expect greater dividends of democracy for Idemili North and for Anambra State in general,” he said.

Also speaking, the re-elected Mayor, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, appreciated the governor and pledged to do more.

“I sincerely appreciate Mr. Governor for his efforts. His outstanding performance made everything easier for us at the local government level. For this second tenure, we have a clear project and agenda for Idemili North, and we are not looking back. Just as I performed in my first tenure, I am determined to do even better.”

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names of 15 governorship candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 Niger State governorship election.

The list, released in line with the commission’s timetable for the 2027 general elections, has incumbent Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) among the candidates.

Other candidates on the published list are Ibrahim Aliyu Alhaji of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Suleiman Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Mohammed Adamu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Sani Alfa of the National Democratic Party (NDP); and Francis Aliyu of the Labour Party.

Also listed are Kolo Mohammed Aminu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Bello Isah Mohammed of the Action Peoples Party (APP); Umar Larat Aliyu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Usman Alhaji Abdullahi of the Accord Party; and Mohammed Kpautagi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Others are Adamu Ibrahim of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Tanko Haliru Musa Minna of the Action Peoples Movement (APM); Yerima Yakubu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); and Audu Mohammed of the African Action Congress (AAC).

The list brings the number of governorship candidates currently published by INEC to 15.

However, Mohammed Mamman Nami is not among the 15 names on the published list.

Nami was recently endorsed by the Niger State chapter of the PDP to replace Suleiman Abubakar, who reportedly withdrew from the governorship race to pick a house of representative seat, for Edati, Lavun and Mokwa federal constituency.

His name is therefore not included in the INEC list currently being referenced, pending the completion and formal recognition of the substitution process by the electoral commission.

The development has generated interest in the political landscape ahead of the 2027 election, particularly with the APC’s Bago seeking another term and the PDP preparing to field Nami following Suleiman’s withdrawal.

The other political parties are also expected to intensify their mobilisation as the election approaches.

The 2027 Niger governorship election is expected to be closely contested, with issues including security, infrastructure, agriculture, employment, education, healthcare.