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Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has endorsed the zoning of the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the South, describing the move as a pathway to national healing, fairness and unity.

Kwankwaso, who spoke at the party’s National Convention in Abuja, said the decision reflected the need to uphold equity and federal character in Nigeria’s political process.

Addressing party members, stakeholders and supporters, the former presidential candidate said the NDC had rapidly evolved into a formidable political movement capable of driving national renewal and restoring confidence in governance.

He said: “It is therefore with great sense of unity and solidarity, that as a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South, so that it allows the region to complete its turn in producing national leadership.

“This represents a true opportunity for true national healing. We shall work in abidance with the party’s agreement to ensure fairness and federal character in all ramifications.”

Kwankwaso also drew parallels with historical political alliances that shaped Nigeria’s development, citing the 1954 alliance between the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), as well as the coalition between the NCNC and the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) that ushered in independence in 1960.

He further referenced the partnership between former President Shehu Shagari and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic, describing such alliances as examples of national unity in difficult periods.

The former governor pledged that the NDC would promote leadership devoid of ethnic and religious bias and would work toward restoring Nigeria’s dignity both locally and internationally.

“This party shall also ensure to change the way things are done today by prioritising leadership without ethnic jingoism and religious favouritism,” he said.

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A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has formally secured the governorship nomination form of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 Kebbi State governorship election.

Malami, in a statement issued on Saturday on his social media handles, said he decided to join the race because he could no longer remain silent over what he described as worsening insecurity, poverty, poor healthcare, educational decline, and economic hardship in Kebbi State.

He alleged that Kebbi State is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian and governance crises in Nigeria, citing alarming statistics on out-of-school children, multidimensional poverty, maternal mortality, malnutrition, and insecurity.

According to him, more than 67 per cent of children between the ages of six and fifteen are out of school, while over 88 per cent of children in the state reportedly live in multidimensional poverty.

The former minister also expressed concern over the condition of the healthcare sector, stating that maternal mortality remains high while many rural communities lack access to adequate antenatal care and other essential health services.

On insecurity, Malami said several communities across the state continue to suffer attacks from bandits and kidnappers, forcing many farmers to abandon their farmlands while businesses struggle under fear and uncertainty.

He accused the present administration of misplacing priorities at a time when citizens are battling economic hardship and insecurity.

Declaring what he termed a “State of Emergency on Misgovernance” in Kebbi State, the ADC governorship aspirant pledged to focus on restoring security, improving public education, strengthening healthcare delivery, reviving agriculture, and creating opportunities for youths if elected governor in 2027.

Malami said his ambition is driven by service, accountability, and sustainable development, insisting that the era of what he described as ineffective leadership and empty propaganda must come to an end.

He further called on the people of Kebbi State to support his mission to rebuild the state into a safer and more prosperous society.

“There will be no retreat and no surrender in the collective struggle to rescue our state,” he declared.

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Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to contest the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Alia passed the screening exercise on Friday at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, which served as the venue for incumbent governors seeking re-election under the APC platform.

The panel was chaired by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

The governor’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were purchased by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Benue State Motorcycle Association.

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Leaders of both groups said they were backing Alia due to his developmental strides, people-oriented leadership, and improvements across the state.

Political observers say the certification strengthens Alia’s position within the APC as consultations and alignments for 2027 begin to take shape.

Alia, who was elected in 2023 on the APC platform, has focused his administration on infrastructure development, security, civil service reforms, and social welfare programmes.

He was cleared after meeting all constitutional and party requirements outlined by the APC.

The development signals an early intensification of political activity within the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.