Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has declared that Nigeria has suffered a steep decline under the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to field former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Speaking on Arise Television, Agbedi said Jonathan remains the party’s preferred choice despite not appearing on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) published list of presidential aspirants. He insisted the former president’s omission from the list does not signal his withdrawal from the race, explaining that the PDP has adopted a special approach because Jonathan is…
Author: National Update
INEC Publishes 2027 Presidential Candidates’ Credentials, Sets Stage for Public Scrutiny The race for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency entered a decisive phase on Saturday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the personal particulars and academic credentials of the 19 presidential candidates and their running mates, opening the door for public scrutiny before campaigns officially commence on August 19. The publication of Form EC9, as required under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, gives Nigerians and interested parties the opportunity to examine the educational qualifications, dates of birth, occupations and other information submitted by candidates seeking the country’s highest…
By Sonnie Ekwowusi For snubbing the Catholic bishops on July 28, the Tinubu administration is unlikely to return to power in 2027. No politician who has abused or ignored the Catholic bishops has emerged unscathed. Many years ago, a well-known politician in Enugu (name withheld) was alleged to have oppressed the Catholic Church in Enugu and confiscated some of its land. When efforts to recover the land from the politician failed, the then Catholic Bishop of Enugu was said to have pronounced a curse on him. It was further alleged that, from that moment, the politician’s life took a tragic…
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Christian and Muslim leaders across Nigeria to emulate the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) by confronting President Bola Tinubu with what he described as the harsh realities facing the country. In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Frank said the Catholic bishops distinguished themselves by openly raising concerns about Nigeria’s worsening economy, democratic governance and the nation’s political direction during their engagement with the President. He described the bishops’ intervention as a rare display of moral courage, insisting that religious leaders…
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Peter Obi, has celebrated veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, and renowned environmentalist and adventurer Newton Jibunoh as two Nigerians whose lives exemplify courage, patriotism and unwavering commitment to national development. Obi paid the tribute after attending the launch of *999: The Memoir of Charly Boy* in Lagos and visiting the newly established Newton Jibunoh Centre and Museum in Asaba. He said Charly Boy’s unconventional public image has often overshadowed the depth of his character, describing the entertainer as an intellectual, compassionate humanitarian and patriot dedicated to making…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has declared that the ongoing expansion and restructuring of the Nigerian Army must translate into a decisive military offensive against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups terrorising communities across the country. The rights group said the creation of four new Army divisions, appointment of fresh commanders and plans to improve troop welfare have raised public expectations that Nigeria’s security forces will now take the battle to criminal elements occupying parts of the country, rather than merely responding to attacks. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA…
***Dismiss reports linking lawmaker to alleged Kogi power deal With political permutations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, associates of Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke have cautioned against what they described as premature efforts to draft the federal lawmaker into the next Kogi State governorship race, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should remain focused on President Bola Tinubu’s re-election. The group said the current wave of endorsements, awards and political engagements involving Faleke was part of a calculated attempt to create the impression that he had entered the contest for Kogi’s next governorship, despite there being no…
Rights group says cleric acted in public interest after meeting with President Defends Arise TV interview, accuses presidential aides of disrespect The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has defended the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, following criticisms by presidential aides Daniel Bwala and Temitope Ajayi over his comments on the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The rights group described the attacks on the cleric as disrespectful and unwarranted, insisting that Onaiyekan’s television interview was in the public interest and reflected the concerns of…
Governor Monday Okpebholo has extended Edo State’s political outreach to the United Kingdom, courting the state’s diaspora community in what appears to be an early push to consolidate support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election while positioning overseas Edo indigenes as critical partners in the state’s development. At a town hall-style engagement in London, the governor blended politics with economic diplomacy, urging Edo professionals, entrepreneurs and investors abroad to return home with their expertise, capital and global networks to accelerate development. The meeting, organised under the banner of Shine Beyond Borders and hosted by the London Professional Training Centre, also…
The Women Parliament of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that the official recognition of Prince Adewole Adebayo as the party’s presidential candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set the stage for an intensified nationwide mobilisation ahead of the next presidential election. National Speaker of the SDP Women Parliament, Ambassador Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi, said the publication of Adebayo’s name by INEC marks a defining moment in the party’s quest to present Nigerians with what she described as a credible and principled alternative to the country’s current political leadership. In a statement issued in Abuja, Abdullahi said…