Politics
2027: Shehu Sani backs Uba Sani’s re-election as Kaduna governor
A former lawmaker and civil rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has said his main political interest in 2027 is to see Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna re-elected for a second term.
Sani, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to his former party, the All Progressives Congress, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
“By virtue of the political equation in Kaduna State, if I happen to secure a ticket to return to the Senate in 2027, I will be glad. But if I do not, I will still be at peace knowing that we have ensured Uba’s re-election as governor.
“I am very pleased that Kaduna State has rid itself of the tormentor that plagued it politically. That was the reason many of us who left the APC for the PDP had to return en masse to the APC recently,” he said.
Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Eighth Senate, described power as “ephemeral,” advising those in authority to always treat people well.
“If God has blessed you with power, use it to positively impact the masses. But if you become intoxicated with power—abusing it, arresting people, and unleashing terror — a day will come when you will be out of power,” he said.
The former senator stated that Kaduna had never been so poorly governed as it was between 2015 and 2023, arguing that many things went wrong in the state.
He said, “There was a sharp division between the Muslim North and the Southern Christian population, which fuelled insecurity, terrorism, and other challenges that hindered development.
“In Birnin Gwari, farmers have started returning to their farms, where they once had to pay millions of naira in fines to terrorists before working on their land.
“Though the state has not achieved all its objectives, it has made significant progress from where it was.
“Since Uba Sani took over as governor, things have improved significantly. We rarely hear of mass abductions in Kaduna anymore.
“People now travel freely between Kaduna and Abuja, and we are grateful to Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu for their efforts.”
Assessing the security situation in the country, particularly in the North, Sani said it has improved compared to the era of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He added, “I must say that Tinubu’s security measures are 1,000 times better than those of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The North’s main issue is that our own (Buhari) was in power for eight years and failed to accomplish key projects.
“The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, the dredging of the River Niger, the Baro River Port, and resolving insecurity in Northern Nigeria were left undone.
“Yet, Buhari appointed northerners to head all the security agencies in the country, and still, the slaughtering and killings of our people continued unabated.
“There are four major roads linking northern states to Abuja — Lokoja-Abuja, Kaduna-Kano-Abuja, Keffi-Abuja, and Minna-Suleja-Abuja. None of these roads were completed in Buhari’s eight-year tenure.”
Sani questioned why some northerners are now criticising Tinubu while remaining silent during Buhari’s administration.
“Many of the country’s current challenges could have been avoided if the right actions had been taken by the last administration,” he said.
The activist-turned-politician, however, urged the president to ensure his administration’s reforms are considerate of the people’s struggles.
“Nigerians are suffering; they are facing extreme hardship. There should be relief measures to ease their burdens.
“People are struggling to pay school fees, and landlords have increased rents. There should be government intervention in education and housing.
“A public transportation system should be provided, and our teaching hospitals must be equipped and funded so that citizens do not rely on poorly equipped health facilities,” he said.
Nevertheless, Sani stated that anything that could elevate Nigeria’s status should be pursued for the country’s future and national interest.
“This is the first time we have a president openly declaring that he is not controlled by any cabal. We should appreciate that and work with Tinubu,” he said.
NAN
The Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC) has commended the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its pivotal ruling that reaffirms the rule of law and the integrity of democratic processes amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party.
The LPPMC stated, “This judgement, which nullified the illegitimate conventions orchestrated by the defunct Julius Abure-led faction, is a triumph for democracy and a strong rebuke of political impunity.”
In a statement released by its National Coordinator, Dr Kingsley Okundaye, the LPPMC expressed unwavering support for the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, and members of the former National Transition Committee, whose relentless efforts to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability to the Labour Party have been vindicated by the judiciary.
The LPPMC praised their “dogged” commitment to rescuing the party from the clutches of political opportunists who sought to exploit it for personal gain.
Additionally, the LPPMC welcomed the swift clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 8 May 2025, which refuted misleading media reports claiming recognition of unauthorised individuals as Labour Party leaders. INEC’s statement, signed by Chief Press Secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi, reaffirmed that the Commission had not made any decisions regarding the Labour Party and emphasised its commitment to reviewing the Supreme Court judgement before taking lawful action.
Okundaye urged INEC to maintain its bold and impartial stance, stressing that democracy flourishes when institutions courageously reject undue influence and uphold constitutional mandates.
The LPPMC encouraged INEC to expedite its review process and formally recognise the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate interim leadership of the Labour Party, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The LPPMC condemned the desperate attempts of the defunct Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), whose tenure expired on 8 June 2024, noting that their recent efforts to suspend duly elected officials such as Governor Alex Otti and Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha are a ridiculous charade, and “a dead lion’s growl” lacking any legitimacy.
Joining millions of Nigerians, the LPPMC rejected any agenda to impose a one-party state or undermine the coalition of progressive forces ahead of the 2027 elections. It called on all patriotic Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to support the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Committee in auditing the Labour Party’s finances and revealing the years of corruption under the Abure faction.
Okundaye emphasised the need to pressure INEC to act decisively in recognising lawful leadership and removing impostors from its records, resisting anti-democratic coalitions that prioritise personal interests over national liberation.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands vigilance, courage, and collective action. Let us build on this momentum to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from predatory elites.”
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has levelled serious accusations against the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, claiming he has attempted to utilise the party’s platform to incite insurrection in Nigeria.
In a recent appearance on News Central, Arabambi dismissed Obi’s assertions that he won the last presidential election, further igniting the ongoing internal disputes within the party.
This statement follows a significant decision made by the faction of the party led by Peter Obi, who recently announced the indefinite suspension of several notable members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha (Abia Central), citing alleged anti-party activities.
The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja, where members reviewed the findings of a five-member Disciplinary Committee established the week prior.
Chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the committee included National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim and three other senior party officials, tasked with investigating the misconduct allegations against those suspended.
Following what they termed “exhaustive deliberation” and in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution, the NEC ratified the committee’s recommendations.
Other members suspended with immediate effect include Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
Arabambi expressed disbelief at the audacity of Otti and Obi, stating, “How can Alex Otti and Obi claim to be chairman and secretary? They even have the nerve to write to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) as chairman and secretary to convene a NEC meeting.”
He referenced specific sections of the party’s constitution, asserting, “Section 82(1) stipulates that such letters must be signed by the national chairman of the party, and Section 12 clearly states that any association wishing to register as a political party must have its own constitution. Furthermore, Section 3, number 222 of the Constitution forbids caretakers from managing the affairs of a political party.”
Arabambi went on to criticise the party’s leadership, saying, “They brought in Dr. Doyin Okupe; now they have turned to Nenadi Usman.” He alleged that Usman has an unresolved matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dating back to 2015, adding, “Obi is synonymous with associating with corrupt individuals.”
He continued, “They claim to be nationalists, but they are nothing but intruders — people intent on setting Nigeria ablaze. Peter Obi and others do not love Nigeria; they require the platform to unleash chaos for political insurrection.”
Arabambi concluded, “They assert they were robbed in the 2023 election, but I am here to tell Nigerians through your station that were not rigged. The individuals Peter Obi relied upon were responsible for our electoral misfortunes.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.