The media office of former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has dismissed reports suggesting that the senator is planning to defect from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The office described the reports as false, stressing that Tambuwal remains committed to the ADC and is focused on strengthening the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Monday, the senator’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Prince Daniel, urged Nigerians to disregard the claims circulating on social media.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Tambuwal has no plans to join the APC. Suggestions to the contrary are false, baseless and should be disregarded,” the statement read.

The clarification followed the circulation of photographs and video clips on social media, which triggered speculation about a possible political realignment by the former governor.

However, Tambuwal’s media office maintained that his interactions with politicians from other parties should not be interpreted as evidence of an impending defection.

“Political civility is no proof of political realignment. Exchanging greetings or interacting with members of another party does not amount to negotiating a change of allegiance,” Daniel stated.

The office explained that Tambuwal had maintained cordial relationships with politicians across party lines for several years, noting that these connections were built on public service and mutual respect.

It further emphasised that the senator’s political loyalty remained with the ADC, where he was concentrating on strengthening cooperation, building alliances and mobilising support ahead of the next general elections.

“Senator Tambuwal remains firmly committed to the ADC. His focus is on strengthening the party, building broad cooperation and mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.

The media office also appealed to political supporters, journalists and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing reports concerning the senator’s political activities.

It warned against presenting speculation as established fact, urging Nigerians to seek clarification from credible sources before drawing conclusions about Tambuwal’s political decisions.

The office also encouraged the public to focus on pressing national issues, including economic difficulties, insecurity and governance challenges, rather than unverified reports about politicians switching parties.

Tambuwal governed Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023 before being elected senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District in 2023.

Before becoming governor, he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later contested the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His alignment with the ADC has positioned him among opposition figures preparing for the 2027 general elections, as political parties and their leaders explore possible alliances to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.

Despite the speculation surrounding his political future, Tambuwal’s media office reiterated that his relationships with politicians outside the ADC should not be construed as an indication that he intends to return to the ruling party.

The office urged anyone seeking accurate information about the senator’s political decisions to contact the AWT Media Office for clarification before circulating unverified claims.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has warned that individuals opposing President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027 may not enjoy a second term in their own lives.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Umahi made the statement on Sunday, October 18, during an event in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

The minister expressed confidence that Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru would secure 95 per cent of the votes in the state during the forthcoming general elections.

According to Umahi, both leaders are expected to retain their respective positions in 2027, while he issued a strong warning to those working against their re-election ambitions.

“President Bola Tinubu is going to win a second term. Governor Francis Nwifuru is going to win a second term. Anyone who does not want Tinubu and Nwifuru to get their second terms, may he not have a second term in his life,” he said.

Umahi also called on political stakeholders in Ebonyi State to remain committed to the direction of the current administration.

He stressed that party leaders in the state would maintain their support for Tinubu, Nwifuru and his own political leadership in the region.

Meanwhile, the minister has dismissed reports suggesting that he is involved in a political disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Umahi described Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, as a progressive politician and a member of the same political family.

He made the clarification during a press conference in Abuja while responding to reports of internal divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and speculation about his relationship with the FCT minister.

Emphasising the importance of their political relationship, Umahi said both sides needed one another and remained united.

“We need Wike as Wike needs us. So, it’s one family,” the minister stated.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have threatened legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the exclusion of some of their candidates from the list for the 2027 governorship elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The two opposition parties disclosed that they had formally written to the electoral commission to seek a resolution but were yet to receive substantive responses ahead of the October 24 deadline set by INEC.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, and his NDC counterpart, Osa Director, confirmed the development in separate interviews with journalists.

INEC released its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections on October 10, excluding several aspirants following a Supreme Court judgment concerning party membership and registration records.

The list, signed by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, contained 13 candidates.

Among those omitted were former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, and the party’s candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu.

Other affected politicians included Aminu Gwarzo, the New Democratic Congress candidate in Kano State; former Senator Danjuma Tella La’ah in Kaduna State; and Professor Sebastine Hon (SAN), the Social Democratic Party candidate in Benue State.

In a statement released on October 13, INEC explained that some candidates were excluded because their political parties had failed to submit their membership registers in accordance with the law.

The commission referenced Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides an opportunity for political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded to notify INEC within 14 days of the publication of the list.

The deadline for submitting such complaints is October 24, 2026.

Speaking on the PDP’s efforts to resolve the matter, Jungudo said the party leadership and the legal representatives of the affected candidates had contacted INEC but had yet to make meaningful progress.

“We are still engaging them, but there is a tendency, a likelihood, that we may end up in litigation. As of last week Friday, there was no development. There is nothing forthcoming. There is no headway and no development,” he told The Punch.

He explained that the party would allow the stipulated 14-day period to run its course before deciding on its next line of action.

“If nothing comes out of it, then we will have no option other than to explore legal remedies,” Jungudo stated.

The PDP spokesperson also disclosed that Pantami’s lawyers had written to INEC over his exclusion, while expressing hope that the commission would address the complaints before the deadline expires.

Similarly, the NDC said it was prepared to pursue further legal options if INEC failed to resolve the omission of its candidates from the list.

Director said the party had submitted formal complaints to the commission and received acknowledgements but had yet to obtain a substantive response.

“We have written to the commission, and they have received and acknowledged our letters. We have communicated with them as required by law, but, as of now, they are yet to respond to our letters,” he said.

The NDC spokesperson expressed optimism that INEC would respond before October 24, when the 14-day period expires.

However, he warned that the party would not hesitate to pursue other lawful measures if the commission failed to address its concerns.

“But if it fails to address the omission of our candidates from the list, we will, as a law-abiding party, take other lawful steps to ensure that the right thing is done,” Director added.