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After Atiku’s Defection, PDP Heavyweights Makinde and Bala Mohammed Jostle for Top Seat
The race for the 2027 presidential ticket within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is intensifying following the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed emerge as leading contenders expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Party insiders, who spoke to Punch on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the ambitions of both governors are well known within PDP circles, even as the party begins to chart its course in the wake of Atiku’s dramatic defection.
A senior PDP official said, “The party remains open to all qualified aspirants. The constitution provides a clear path for anyone interested in seeking the presidential ticket.”
With the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 24, key issues such as zoning and preparations for the party’s national convention are expected to dominate discussions. However, members of the NEC are already split over whether the ticket should remain in one region or be rotated between the North and South.
Atiku, who was PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, resigned from the party on July 1, citing “irreconcilable differences” and lamenting that the PDP had veered off its founding principles. In his resignation letter, he said:
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged. As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision. Serving two full terms as Vice President and being a Presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.”
His departure has unsettled the PDP but also emboldened other aspirants who long felt overshadowed by his dominance.
Shortly after leaving the PDP, Atiku teamed up with other opposition heavyweights—including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai; and former APC presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi—to launch a new political front under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Former Senate President David Mark now serves as interim National Chairman of the coalition, with former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim National Secretary, signaling a broad alliance aimed at challenging the APC in 2027.
A PDP source observed:
“Atiku’s exit will bring calm to the party. His ambition has often been a source of tension. Now that he’s left, the field is clearer for others to pursue their ambitions. Right now, names like Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed are prominent among party leaders. Of course, others will join later. PDP remains open to everyone, and it is still the most formidable opposition party despite the noise from the ADC.”
Another party insider noted that Atiku’s repeated presidential bids had created internal divisions for years.
“In 2019, his ambition split the party. In 2023, five governors and many others refused to support him, leading to further disunity. Even Peter Obi left during that period. Now that Atiku has moved on, the PDP can rebuild and allow new, credible leaders to emerge.”
Although Makinde and Bala Mohammed are yet to formally declare, multiple party leaders say both men are seriously considering a run.
“Even though they haven’t announced publicly, we hear within our circles that Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and some former governors from the South are interested in the ticket. It’s still early, but with time, more will declare, and others will join. The PDP is open to all and remains very popular among Nigerians,” the source added.
According to Nivo News, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has declared what he described as divine judgment on bandits and their alleged sponsors responsible for insecurity across parts of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking on Sunday at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, during a sermon themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance,” Oyedepo stated that those behind killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks would face divine retribution. He further claimed that within the next seven days, consequences would begin to manifest against those he accused of fueling unrest in the country, assuring worshippers that the coming week would be marked by “testimonies of vengeance.”
He was quoted as saying that judgment had been pronounced on individuals responsible for such acts and their supporters, adding that the outcome he referenced would unfold within a week.
In a related remark during a recent midweek service, Oyedepo also acknowledged the presence of fraudsters within and outside religious spaces, warning that his identity and images were being exploited for fraudulent schemes. He urged members of his congregation to remain vigilant and committed to truth to avoid falling victim to scams involving impersonation.
He recounted a case where an individual allegedly posed as him in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims, noting that such incidents highlight the growing sophistication of fraudulent activities.
A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the move has sparked tension between the governor and his predecessor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted the decision, describing it as premature and not properly consulted within party structures.
Al-Makura, a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, expressed displeasure that he only became aware of the endorsement through media reports. He argued that the decision should have involved wider consultation, warning that such early endorsements could undermine internal party processes.
He further noted that the APC had not begun its formal nomination process, insisting that declaring support for a candidate at this stage was inappropriate and ahead of schedule.
The controversy was further heightened by former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also aspiring for the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, stating that no individual has the authority to impose a candidate, and reaffirmed his intention to contest in the party primaries.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, stating that it was consistent with political traditions in the state. He referenced past succession arrangements, including Al-Makura’s own endorsement of him, arguing that the current process was in line with established practice but being conducted more transparently.
The governor’s camp clarified that Senator Wadada remains a preferred aspirant and not the party’s official candidate.
Senator Wadada, reacting to the development, called for calm among party members, describing the situation as part of normal political competition. He also downplayed tensions with other aspirants, noting that the contest should be seen as a democratic process.
Meanwhile, support for Adamu continues to grow in parts of Nasarawa South, where youths, women, and stakeholders have openly backed his ambition, alongside broader endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adamu, however, maintained that he remains firmly in the race, accusing some political actors of inconsistency in the unfolding succession dynamics.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary the denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding an invitation allegedly extended to him for the groundbreaking ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the Sultan’s media team maintained that an official invitation was duly sent to His Eminence requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The statement explained that the event also listed key dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
The Sultan’s office emphasised that his participation in the proposed Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, noting his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). It added that globally, religious leaders often engage in events outside their faith traditions as part of efforts to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The response follows an earlier clarification from CAN, which denied issuing any invitation to the Sultan and stated that the document circulating in public was not from the association. CAN further explained that the communication in question originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and insisted that it had no involvement in inviting the Sultan to the event.
While acknowledging that the SGF’s office was linked to the invitation process, the Sultan’s media team expressed concern over CAN’s denial, describing it as unnecessary and capable of creating misunderstanding, especially since the Sultan did not request to attend the ceremony.
The statement also urged religious bodies to focus on messages that strengthen unity and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
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