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PDP Faces Uncertainty As Opposition Fights For Relevance In Kebbi Ahead Of 2027.

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7 months ago

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State, once a dominant force in the state’s political landscape, is currently facing a prolonged period of inactivity and declining influence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

From losing key federal seats to witnessing high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition party is under mounting pressure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reports indicate that the PDP’s weakening position became starkly evident after the defection of its three serving senators—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—to the APC in 2025. Their exit left the party without Senate representation and cast doubts on its ability to mount an effective opposition in the state.

For years, Aliero, Abdullahi, and Maidoki were regarded as pillars of the PDP in Kebbi, and political analysts described their departure as a “structural earthquake” for the opposition. With the Senate seats lost, the party’s federal presence now largely rests on a handful of lawmakers, including Ibrahim Bello Mohammed, representing Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

In September 2025, the PDP conducted ward congresses across Kebbi’s 21 local government areas, electing new executives and delegates. However, since then, there have been no major political events, town halls, or mass mobilization led by the re-elected state chairman, Alhaji Usman Bello. While the state PDP publicly boycotted the party’s national convention in November 2025 over disagreements regarding the choice of a national chairman, analysts say this has been the party’s most visible action in recent months.

The party’s challenges deepened in December 2025 when over 1,500 members from the Zuru Emirate defected to the APC, citing satisfaction with the APC-led administration’s infrastructure, security, and development projects. Similarly, hundreds of PDP members from Yauri, Shanga, and Ngaski LGAs joined the APC, with the defections formally received by Governor Nasir Idris in September 2025.

The defections also affected the PDP’s women wing. Former National Women Leader, Mariya Waziri, along with other state executives, moved to the APC in February 2026, citing confidence in the ruling party’s developmental initiatives. Waziri’s departure was seen as symbolic due to her influence within the PDP.

Despite these setbacks, the Kebbi PDP leadership has repeatedly reassured members of the party’s unity. Chairman Usman Bello described the PDP as “one indivisible entity” across the 21 LGAs, urging calm and focus, while acknowledging that defections are part of democratic politics and vowing that the party will reorganize ahead of 2027.

State Publicity Secretary Sani Dododo admitted the party is in a challenging phase but stressed that rebuilding efforts are ongoing. “We have lost key members, no doubt. But political history shows parties can rebuild. What we need now is aggressive grassroots engagement, reconciliation, and clarity of vision,” he said.

However, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris’ Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, described the PDP as increasingly irrelevant in the state, attributing defections to the visible performance and popularity of the APC-led administration.

Political analysts suggest that while the PDP’s silence is notable, the political landscape remains fluid. A lecturer in political science at the Federal University Birnin Kebbi noted, “Politics is dynamic. Today’s dominance does not automatically translate into tomorrow’s victory. The PDP still has structures but must act quickly to regain visibility and credibility.”

Currently, no PDP figure in Kebbi commands the statewide influence once held by the party’s former senatorial heavyweights. By contrast, Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial aspirant in Kebbi, stands out as the only strong opposition figure. While his campaign has been constrained by ongoing EFCC investigations, Malami retains a structural base as ADC state leader—a position the PDP currently lacks.

For a party that once controlled significant political capital in Kebbi, the coming months could prove decisive. Whether the PDP’s current quiet phase is a temporary regrouping or a sign of long-term decline remains uncertain.

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Tinubu Directs Shettima To Lead Nigeria’s Delegation To UNGA

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9 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Instead, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global gathering.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This decision, announced in a statement on Sunday by the Vice President’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, resolves weeks of uncertainty regarding President Tinubu’s attendance. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had previously indicated that arrangements were being made for the President to attend, including a planned seating arrangement near U.S. President Donald Trump.

The high-level delegation to be led by Vice President Shettima will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, various ministers, and other senior government officials.

Agenda in New York

The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled to take place from September 22 to September 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

According to the Presidency’s statement, Vice President Shettima will represent President Tinubu at the summit. His engagements will include:

  • Delivering Nigeria’s National Statement: Outlining the country’s position on major global issues affecting development, peace, security, and international cooperation.

  • High-Level Meetings: Participating in discussions on critical topics such as the Right to Development and climate action.

  • Bilateral Engagements: Joining the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and holding a series of meetings with world leaders, heads of international organizations, and development partners.

Through these engagements, the delegation aims to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships, and strengthen Nigeria’s advocacy for reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation.

This marks the third consecutive UNGA session President Tinubu has missed since assuming office. Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.

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Massive Bust! NDLEA Intercepts ₦3.4 Billion Worth Of Illicit Drugs In Epic Operation!

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9 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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 ....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, alongside approximately 6,000kg of cannabis, carrying a combined street value exceeding ₦3.4 billion across multiple states and the Federal Capital Territory.

  • Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos: Operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) weighing 603.75kg and valued at ₦1.81 billion. The shipment arrived from Montreal on September 12 and was discovered hidden inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded in two Toyota Sienna vehicles within a 40-foot container.

  • Delta State: Operatives arrested 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe and his accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba. Ekpe was transporting 292.48kg of skunk in a silver Toyota Sienna bus and had been using a forged police ID card to pose as a Deputy Superintendent of Police named Godwin Emeka to bypass security checkpoints.

  • Edo State: Acting on intelligence, operatives raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, arresting 45-year-old Matthew Ossai and recovering 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152g of methamphetamine used as a front for storage.

  • Niger State: Three suspects—Bashir Usman (20), Abubakar Nuhu (18), and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab (18)—were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. They were found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a pistol, magazines, and 9mm ammunition concealed in a travel bag.

  • Abaji-Abuja Highway: Authorities arrested Aminu Isyaku (23) and Jamilu Habibu (25), recovering over 1.1 million assorted tramadol pills, codeine syrup, methamphetamine, and Exol tablets hidden in eight sacks while traveling from Onitsha to Mararaba.

  • Lagos (Surulere & Apongbo): Onyeka Ofor was arrested in Aguda with 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg, Luke Ugokwe was nabbed after 59kg of cannabis was intercepted at a logistics company, and Ibrahim Hudu (43) was arrested with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.

  • Gombe State: 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from Sabi’u Umar (27) and Hassana Muhammad (19) in separate arrests at Barunde and the Gombe Main Market.

Agency Commendation

Following the operations, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers and men across the affected commands, urging them to maintain intelligence-driven strategies and a balanced approach to drug control nationwide.

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2027: Lagos APC Bans Candidates From Travelling Abroad.

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9 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a directive requiring all its candidates to remain in Nigeria until the conclusion of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The announcement was made by the state party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, during the inauguration of the Tinubu-Hamzat Campaign Council at the APC secretariat in Ogba, Ikeja.

According to Ojelabi, this measure is designed to ensure that all candidates and party members remain fully focused on campaign preparations and mobilization activities. He also cautioned against underestimating opposition parties, stressing the need for total commitment to the electoral process.

Key Highlights from Chairman Ojelabi’s Address:

  • Travel Ban: “No candidate is allowed to travel outside the country until after the general election.”

  • Campaign Conduct: Ojelabi called for a peaceful campaign, free of hatred, thuggery, and violence, emphasizing that unity must be the party’s strength.

  • A Case for Continuity: Highlighting Lagos as responsible for 33% of Nigeria’s GDP, he argued that the state is too critical to be left to “trial and error.” He praised the president for stabilizing the economy, achieving a trade surplus, and driving key reforms in agriculture, the Lekki Trade Zone, and taxation (including the first tax reform since 1938).

  • Call to Action: He urged members to actively mobilize voters for the entire APC ticket, encompassing the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly candidates.

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