The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday presented certificate of return to Oluwadare Bejide, as its flag-bearer for the June 2026 Ekiti governorship election.

The Deputy National Chairman of the party, Babachir Lawan, who presented the certificate, urged Bejide to proceed to Ekiti and ensure victory for the party.

In his remarks, Bejide stated that if elected, he would prioritise infrastructural development across Ekiti to drive stronger growth, enhance public services, and improve community wellbeing.

He pledged to restore cherished Ekiti values by promoting integrity, cultural pride, responsible leadership, and unity, which he said would help citizens reclaim the identity that once defined the state.

He emphasised that agriculture would be a central priority because it supported economic progress, created employment opportunities, and ensured long-term sustainable development.

Bejide also committed to boosting human capital development and reforming the civil service to encourage professionalism, enhance efficiency, strengthen institutions, and build a more effective and responsive governance structure.

The governorship candidate stressed that he chose the ADC because it remained stable, unified, and service-driven, noting that other political parties were struggling with persistent internal crises.

He maintained that other parties were fragmented or troubled, leaving the ADC as the only dependable platform offering unity, credible leadership, and strong commitment to democratic principles.

He explained that the ADC promoted democracy, transparency, good governance, and accountable leadership, describing these values as essential foundations for delivering responsible administration and meaningful progress for Ekiti.

Bejide stated that, as a former two-time Secretary to the Ekiti State Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he understood what the people truly needed.

He added that his political journey began before Ekiti was created, serving as State Secretary of the NRC in old Ondo State when Chief Ikimi was Chairman.

He recalled becoming the pioneer Secretary of the UNCP in Ekiti when leaders such as Olajide, Niyi Adebayo, and Babalola were contesting under the newly established platform.

He said he later became the pioneer PDP Secretary in Ekiti, ran as Prof. Adeniran’s running mate in 1999, and was subsequently appointed ambassador to Canada.

Upon returning from diplomatic service, he served again as Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, and was reappointed under an acting governor, and later returned to the same position.

He added that he also chaired the Federal Medical Center and served with UNHCR, insisting that his collective experiences adequately equipped him to govern Ekiti effectively.

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has faulted calls by the factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Turaki, SAN, for the US President Donald Trump’s intervention in Nigeria, insisting that the nation’s democracy is not under threat.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the board members of the South-South Development Commission, led by Chairman Chibudom Nwuche, to his office.

Turaki, on Tuesday, urged President Trump and other advanced democracies to intervene and “save Nigeria’s democracy,” following the showdown between rival factions of the PDP at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Addressing journalists, Turaki said, “I want to call on President Trump. What is at stake is not just a genocide against Nigerian Christians.

“He should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat. I am calling on all other developed nations, all advanced democracies. Come and save Nigeria, come and save democracy.”

Responding, Wike said the statement amounted to a threat to national security, noting that Turaki’s faction had refused to obey court judgments, which he described as an act of impunity.

He added that Turaki could not blame the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the PDP’s internal crisis, insisting that the country’s democracy was stable.

“Look at a threat to national security. You are calling on Trump to come and save your democracy when you cannot obey a simple court judgment. Simple court judgment: don’t do this until you have done this.

“Now you are turning it around against a government. What is their business? You cannot keep your house in order; you are blaming an outsider for not keeping your house in order.

“Who does that? You are calling on Trump to come and save your democracy. Our democracy is not under threat. People went to court to challenge what you are doing. Then you think, as usual, impunity—let’s do it. We can’t continue that way,” he said.

The former Rivers State Governor also noted that Turaki’s comments amounted to alleging an ongoing genocide in Nigeria, saying security agencies should have invited him for clarification.

“You come out and make a statement on national television to say, look, it is not only killing — genocide against Christians.

“In essence, you have come out to tell the world that what this government is doing is carrying out genocide against Christians. And where are the security agencies?

“For somebody to make such a statement, you won’t invite them to come and say, ‘Maybe you know better; you have facts. Kindly give us so that we will know what to do.’ You don’t want to say anything. But if it is Wike— kill him!” Wike said.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

Some serving and former members of the Kano State House of Assembly have endorsed the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin for the 2027 governorship race in the state.

Disclosing this after a recent courtesy visit on Senator Barau, Rt.

Hon. Abdulaziz G. Gafasa, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly (2007-2011) described Senator Barau as the most marketable candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Barau, a ranking lawmaker and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, is yet to declare for the governorship race. However, critical stakeholders of the APC in Kano State have been throwing their weight behind him, following his performance in the National Assembly over the last decade.

The former speaker said, “We are here to tell you that we are solidly behind you for three reasons. One, you have positively impacted the lives of our people across the three senatorial districts of Kano State. Two, you have been a lifeline to our party, APC. Thirdly, you have positively touched our lives, even though some of us are not from the same senatorial district as you. This has made you the most marketable candidate in APC.”

Also speaking, a serving member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Garba Yau Gwarmai, Ghari/Tsanyawa State Assembly Constituency, said they will mobilise the people at the grassroots for Senator Barau come 2027.

“This endorsement is based on your track record of outstanding service over the years. You have been making a positive impact on the lives of our people. You have done well in all spheres of our state. This is why we want you to govern Kano, our beloved state,” he said.

Responding, Senator Barau thanked them for their support, saying all must support the quest to rescue and restore the glorious days of Kano State.

Describing them as grassroots politicians, he urged them to continue to promote the good ideals of the APC and President Bola Tinubu, .

“We have to work hard and make sacrifices to restore the glorious days of our state. It is a thing of joy that you have come together to salvage our state from the ongoing misgovernance. Let us continue to work together to rescue our beloved state,” he said.