Politics
Kwankwaso Best Bet For 2027, Says Ex-Alliance Party Chair
A former national chairman of the defunct Alliance National Party, Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, has urged opposition parties considering a merger to back former Kano State governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as their presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Speaking at a press conference, Shittu, who previously served as the Director-General (North) of Kwankwaso’s presidential campaign council, emphasised that the opposition’s best chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lies in uniting behind Kwankwaso.
He described him as the only aspirant with the experience, credibility, and political reach necessary to lead the coalition to victory.
“Kwankwaso has the pedigree to carry the merger’s presidential flag to success,” Shittu said. “With his vast experience in governance, clean record, and strong political followership, he stands out as the best candidate.”
He highlighted Kwankwaso’s extensive public service record, including his roles as a former defence minister, special envoy to Darfur and Somalia, and a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.
Additionally, he recalled Kwankwaso’s tenure as deputy speaker during the short-lived Third Republic, his two terms as Kano State governor, and his leadership in national security and legislative affairs.
Shittu warned that failure to rally behind Kwankwaso could spell doom for the opposition’s merger efforts.
He dismissed other opposition candidates, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, as lacking the necessary moral and qualitative competence to defeat Tinubu in 2027.
“This is the time to act in order to save our nation,” he declared. “The opposition must prioritise credibility, competence, and proven leadership if it truly seeks to unseat the incumbent president.”
Kwankwaso, who placed fourth in the 2023 presidential election, remains a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, it is unclear whether he will accept the call to lead a potential opposition coalition.
… Says she was suspended for accusing Akpabio
… Inter-Parliamentary Union to look into her allegation
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has reported Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
She spoke at the IPU meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her.
The allegation was preceded by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s outburst against Akpabio over the seating arrangement at the senate chamber.
She was suspended on March 6 over the seat reallocation altercation for six months.
At the IPU meeting, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she is seeking justice and intervention from international democratic institutions over what she terms an “unlawful suspension” from the Nigerian senate.
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I will like to apologise to Hon. Kafilat Ogbara. I am not here to bring shame to our country, I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria,” she told assembly.
“Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, I was suspended as a senator illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“I thought by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the committee of ethics, privileges and public petitions for a fair and transparent investigation.
“But unfortunately, I was silenced, and I was suspended for six months among many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a senator.
“My salary would be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the national assembly. And for six months, I am not to present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria and internationally. I am here illegally, and I have no other place to go but to come here”.
She said her suspension is not just about her, but about the exclusion of women in political leadership in Nigeria.
“This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence,” she added.
The senate has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore the Aniocha north II state constituency in Delta state in compliance with the supreme court’s judgment in suit no. SC/129/2019.
The upper legislative arm also directed the electoral commission to conduct an election into the Aniocha north II state constituency in the next state house of assembly poll in Delta state.
The senate’s approval followed a motion sponsored by Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta north.
Speaking with journalists after the senate’s plenary on Tuesday, Nwoko said the constituency, comprising towns such as Idumuje-Unor, Idumuje-Ugboko, and others in Aniocha north LGA, was initially created in 1991 but was later delineated.
He said residents initiated legal action in 2014 to restore the constituency but was dismissed by the federal high court.
The senator noted that the suit was upheld in 2017 by the court of appeal and affirmed by the supreme court.
“I am glad that we have managed to pull it through because it was not as straightforward as people might think,” Nwoko said.
“But the fact remains that this was a supreme court judgment and we all respect supreme court judgments.
“On this particular matter, it has taken several stages from the court of appeal and then supreme court.
“INEC also wrote to us seeking our consent to implement the supreme court judgment. I don’t know why INEC should seek our consent, but that is exactly what happened.
“They sought our consent at the senate and house of reps to implement the supreme court judgement.
“I am happy that we got it right. There are so many of such matters across the country and I am sure they will take cue from this particular matter today.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of five nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, President Tinubu stated that the nominations were in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the president to appoint electoral commissioners subject to Senate approval.
The five nominees are: Umar Yusuf Garba – Kano; Saad Umar – Bauchi; Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako – Anambra; Mohammad I. Ngoshe – Borno and Dr. Owede Kosioma Eli – Bayelsa.
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“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following five (5) nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the letter signed by the President read.
“While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, please accept Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
In another correspondence, President Tinubu sought confirmation for the nomination of Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The nomination aligns with Section 3(1)(b) of the NCoS Act, 2019, which stipulates the appointment process for the agency’s leadership.
Tinubu urged the Senate to approve the nomination expeditiously, highlighting the critical role of the Correctional Service in Nigeria’s justice system.
The request has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Interior to report back in one week.