Politics

Ningi’s voice cannot be suspended from people’s hearts – Atiku

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2024

Austin Ojomah

ADVERTISEMENT

By Francesca Hangeior.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, described the Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, Abdul Ninigi, as the bearer of true conscience.

In a post via his official X handle on Friday, the former vice president said Ningi’s voice represents the voice of truth and cannot be suspended from the people’s hearts.

The PDP chieftain asserted that Ningi and every politician who has a true conscience are welcome to his home.

He posted: “The voice of truth which Senator Ningi represents cannot be suspended from the hearts of the people. Every bearer of true conscience is welcome in my house.”

Recall that on Tuesday, Senator Ningi returned to the National Assembly, 75 days after he was suspended by the Senate.

Ningi’s suspension by the Senate on March 12, 2024, stemmed from a controversial interview in which he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget, claiming the National Assembly approved N25tn while the President signed N28.7tn.

In the interview with the BBC (Hausa Service), he claimed that the sum of N3.7tn in the 2024 budget was not traceable to any project of location.

He, however, had difficulty defending the allegation on the floor of the Senate when taken on, leading to his suspension for three months.

Following his suspension, Ningi lost his position as chairman of the Committee on National Identity and Population, which was taken over by Mustapha Musa (APC, Yobe East).

He was also replaced by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua representing Katsina Central as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.

Last week Tuesday, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) pleaded with the senators in a motion during plenary to recall Ningi, who had already spent 75 days on suspension. The prayer was subsequently granted.

On Tuesday, Ningi arrived at the National Assembly Complex alongside Suleiman Kawu (NNPP, Kano South), and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), among others.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, Ningi told his colleagues that it was time to move on.

“It’s time to move on,” he said, just as the Senate President welcomed him on behalf of other senators, saying, “Bygones should be bygones.”

Citing Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, Ningi thanked his colleagues for the gesture, stating that he was away in Turkey when he learnt of his recall from suspension.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, I rise with profound humility to commend the Senate, its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate leadership and the minority caucus for recalling me from suspension.

“I was in Turkey when the news got to me last week and I’m very much appreciative of the gesture. I’m happy to be back at home because the National Assembly is like home to me, having served as House Leader and Deputy Senate Leader in the past and now, as one of the distinguished serving senators.

“I also thank my state governor, Bala Mohammed, the people of Bauchi State and other Nigerians who reached out to me in one way or another during the period that has now been put behind.”

Responding on behalf of the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Ningi as a resourceful person who is needed in the 10th Senate and asked him to “let bygones be bygones.”

Politics

APC shifts presidential primary to May 23, 2026, releases revised 2027 election timetable

Published

41 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

The All Progressives Congress has pushed its presidential primary from May 15-16 to May 23, 2026, with governorship primaries now set for May 21, under a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko announced the changes Thursday after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting in Abuja. He said the adjustments align with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s updated schedule for the 2027 polls.

■ Key dates in the new timetable:

*Sales of forms:* Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, 2026.

■ Deadline for submission: Monday, May 4, 2026.

*Screening of aspirants:* Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, 2026 for House of Assembly, Reps, Senate, and Governorship. Presidential screening holds Saturday, May 9, 2026.

*Publication of screening results:* Monday, May 11, 2026.

Screening appeals: Tuesday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

■ Primary elections:

– *House of Representatives:* Friday, May 15, 2026

– *Senate:* Monday, May 18, 2026

– *State House of Assembly:* Wednesday, May 20, 2026

– *Governorship:* Thursday, May 21, 2026

– *Presidential:* Saturday, May 23, 2026

*Post-primary appeals:* Reps – May 18; Senate – May 20; State Assembly – date not stated; Governorship – May 23; Presidential – May 25, 2026.

Meseko said notice of the changes went to state chapters on Monday, April 20.

■Zamfara congresses

The NWC also approved a schedule for ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara beginning Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Ward congresses hold Thursday, April 30. LGA and state congresses follow, with appeals slated for May 1 and May 3, 2026.

■ Mode of primaries

Meseko said the party adopted direct primary and consensus as provided in the Electoral Act 2026. “Aspirants are free to decide their preference,” he said. “Where consensus works, it stands. Where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.”

He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted. “Forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he said.

■ INEC dates

INEC has fixed Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and Governorship/State Assembly polls for Saturday, February 6, 2027. Party primaries and disputes must run between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns start August 19, 2026 for federal elections and September 9, 2026 for state elections.

Politics

Lagos 2027: Obasa Hosts Hamzat,Promises Support For Governorship Bid

Published

1 hour ago

April 24, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable.

He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

Politics

ADC may face disqualification from 2027 Election Ballot

Published

15 hours ago

April 23, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the lingering leadership disputes rocking both the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, raising fresh uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The apex court took arguments from all parties involved in the appeals and cross-appeals.

After proceedings, it announced that judgment would be delivered at a later date.

However, no timeline was given.amd this has created tension, especially for parties battling internal divisions.

For the PDP, the crisis has already led to major changes. Earlier rulings had nullified the Ibadan convention that produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman. The court also upheld the suspension of some top officials.

As it stands, the faction backed by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, remains in charge. This group is the one currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
While the PDP appears to have found some stability, the situation is more troubling for the ADC. The party is deeply divided into three factions. These groups are led by David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and Ogga Temitope. None of these factions has been officially recognised by INEC.

This lack of recognition puts the ADC in a difficult position. INEC has set May 10 as the deadline for all registered political parties to submit their membership registers. Only parties that meet this requirement will be cleared to field candidates in the 2027 elections.

With the Supreme Court yet to fix a date for judgment, time is running out. If the ruling does not come before the deadline, the ADC risks missing out entirely. This would mean the party may not appear on the ballot in 2027.