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2027: Sowunmi Rules Out 2013-Style Coalition as Path to Toppling APC
Segun Sowunmi, a leading figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed any likelihood of a 2013-style coalition successfully unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a recent interview with Punch, Sowunmi argued that the political conditions of 2027 differ significantly from those of 2015 when a merger of opposition parties led to the APC’s rise and the PDP’s defeat. According to him, current political parties are unlikely to dissolve their individual identities to form a new coalition.
“People assume that a repetition of the 2015 formula will bring down the APC,” he said. “But the circumstances have drastically changed. No political party today is willing to deregister itself just to form a coalition.”
While Sowunmi acknowledged that the PDP is open to new members, he emphasized that the party would not compromise its foundational structure or legacy. He insisted that established parties like PDP, Labour Party, and the NNPP are unlikely to give up their platforms for any alliance centered solely on electoral gain.
He further questioned the assumption that bringing together big names from different political backgrounds would guarantee a larger voter base. According to him, the support each party or leader enjoys is often exclusive and not necessarily transferable in a merged setup.
“The numbers may be large individually, but they don’t automatically add up in a coalition,” Sowunmi explained. “Supporters of one candidate may not back another, even within the same alliance.”
Sowunmi also expressed skepticism about the appeal of such a coalition to the electorate. He suggested that Nigerians are increasingly critical of recycled political figures and are less likely to vote for familiar faces merely rebranded as change agents.
He noted that internal divisions and personal ambitions within opposition parties would likely derail any attempt at unity. “Many of those pushing for coalitions have their own presidential aspirations. The real conflict would be over who gets the ticket,” he added.
Sowunmi concluded that the opposition must prioritize genuine reforms and fresh leadership over tactical coalitions that may not resonate with an increasingly discerning electorate.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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