Politics
PDP Vows To Reclaim Osun, Ekiti In 2026
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Chairman Taminu Turaki, has revealed that its recent meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo was aimed at seeking guidance and support ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, declaring that the party is “back and ready to take its rightful place” in the nation’s political landscape.
The visit follows tensions within the party, with the Wike-led National Executive Committee (NEC) accusing Turaki’s faction of violating court judgments by conducting what it termed an “illegal convention” in Ibadan that elected Turaki as factional chairman.
Turaki, accompanied by former governors arrived at Obasanjo’s residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Turaki said the objective was to formally introduce the newly elected leadership to Obasanjo and draw on his experience.
“During our recent Congress in Ibadan, we came to introduce ourselves to our father, former President under the PDP administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I did not come alone.
“The former Senate President and BOT Chairman of our great party, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, is here. Likewise, our National Secretary, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, and two former governors of Niger and Plateau States, Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Sen. Jonah Jang, are also part of the entourage,” he said.
He added, “We came to thank the former president for his vision and contributions to strengthening our democracy and good governance while he was in power.
“We also came to appreciate his role in building strong institutions that the country continues to benefit from today. Furthermore, we sought his guidance and inspiration as an oracle to help us in the gargantuan task that lies ahead.”
Turaki used a proverb to highlight the importance of learning from experience, saying, “A woman who started cooking before you must definitely have more broken pots. We have come to see our father here in Abeokuta, and we have spoken to Baba, and Baba too has spoken to us. We are enriched.”
He emphasised the party’s readiness for upcoming elections: “PDP is battle-ready for 2027. As a mark of readiness, we shall first reclaim Ekiti State, followed by Osun State.
“By the time we win these two states, no one will doubt that PDP is on the rise and ready to challenge the APC government’s incompetence and maladministration.”
Turaki also called for unity within the party, saying, “The advice I give PDP members globally is that PDP is back and is ready to take its rightful place in the democratic process of the country.
“Since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is more worried than ever. The equation has changed, and PDP is prepared to send them packing in 2027.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to inaugurate and lead the campaign machinery in Abuja and Rivers State to drive the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike disclosed this in Chikuku, Abuja on Friday, after he inspected the ongoing construction of Phase two of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualisation project.
He added that he would personally lead the campaign effort within the nation’s capital and extend the re-election operations to his home state of Rivers.
According to him, political parties across the spectrum are organising their ranks, and supporters of the President are fully prepared to initiate an aggressive campaign.
“The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I believe, is putting itself together for an aggressive campaign.
“For us who are supporting Mr President from different political platforms, we have put our machinery ready to fully kickstart.
“Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, which I will lead. All elements of the APC are ready, Mr President is ready, we are ready and you can see the enthusiasm.”
Addressing critics and political opponents, Wike argued that visible development projects would serve as the main driver for electoral support in the FCT, dismissing allegations of electoral malpractice ahead of time.
“People are happy, and I don’t know who will contest against Mr President as far as this election is concerned.
“This is governance, and this is what people expect. It will translate directly into actual votes,” he said.
Wike expressed confidence that the administration’s infrastructure record would secure victory across board in the FCT, including support for Sen. Philip Aduda and the two House of Representatives seats.
“It is very obvious. Nobody will be able to claim rigging in the FCT. The ‘rigging’ is the projects we are delivering, making the people happy,” Wike said.
Commending both the contractor and site engineers for the progress recorded so far, the minister assured stakeholders that adequate funding would be disbursed to guarantee completion by December.
“This is my first time getting to this side of the road, and I can see how highly populated this area is,” he said.
Wike emphasised that delivering functional infrastructure remains the cornerstone of good governance and public satisfaction.
“You can imagine the enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of the people. That is why we say the essence of governance is to make people happy.
“When the people are happy, those in authority are happy,” he added, expressing gratitude to Tinubu for providing sustained support for capital projects in the territory.
The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council, headed by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director, Strategic Communications of the council, Phrank Shaibu, who is also Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
According to the statement, the council was structured to reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerians, including rising food prices, transport costs and shrinking incomes.
Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for translating the council’s strategy into coordinated action.
Six Deputy Directors-General will superintend the council’s operational directorates, working alongside 30 directors assigned specific portfolios.
Campaign principals
Presidential candidate: Atiku Abubakar
Vice-presidential candidate: Rotimi Amaechi
National Chairman: Senator David Mark
Council Chairman: Kashim Ibrahim-Imam
Deputy Chairman: Nasir El-Rufai
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Senator Austin Akobundu
Campaign Advisory Board
Chairman: John Oyegun
Deputy Chairman: Lawal Batagarawa
Secretary: Eyitayo Jegede, SAN
Members: Senator Ireti Kingibe, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed
Policy Team
Chairman: Mohammed Hayatudeen
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Mohammed Sagagi
Members: Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi, Senator Abdul Ningi
Secretary: Aare Aremijoye
Senior Campaign Advisors
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Senator Patricia Akwashiki
Campaign Management Committee
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Austin Akobundu
Head, Research and Documentation: CID Maduabum
Head, Legal Services: Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN
Administration Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Yusuf Suleiman. Units: Administration (Dr Ajuji Ahmed), General Services (Abubakar Kanike), Special Duties (Dr Nicholas Msheliza), Finance and Accounts (Abdussamad Dasuki), Logistics (Prof. Gold Emmanuel), Head of Protocol (Prof. Onyi Nwagbara), Medical Services (Dr Amina Mohammed).
Operations Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Chief Ralph Nwosu. Units: Organisation and Field Operations (Abdullahi Maibasira), Strategy and Planning (Mohammed Kumalia), Security (retired Gen. Kabiru G. Nadama), Diaspora and Foreign Operations (Nnena Ukeje). Intelligence head left blank on the chart.
Media and Communications Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Dele Momodu. Units: Strategic Communication (Phrank Shaibu), Media and Publicity (Kola Ologbondiyan), Branding (Ladan Salihu), Digital and Online Media (Moji Rhodes-Vivour), Content Development (David Iyofor). Spokespersons: Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala, Alh. Dahiru Maishanu. Campaign MC: Chief Charles Ojugbana.
Contact and Mobilisation Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Senator Dino Melaye. Units: Mandate Protection (Solomon Dalung), Women Mobilisation (Naomi Labari), Persons with Disabilities (Dr Chike Okogwu), Stakeholder Engagement (Oladimeji Fabiyi), Youth Mobilisation (Balarabe Rufai).
Diversity and Support Groups Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Salihu Tanko Yakasai. Units: Support Groups (Aliyu Audu), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (Rhoda Sanda), Business and Professional Bodies (Hafiz Bayero), Gender Issues (Zainab Buba Galadima), Entertainment and Creative Industry (Dr Don Pedro Obaseki).
Technical and Systems Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Lauretta Onochie. Units: Election Operations and Management (Chille Igbawua), Polling Unit Operations (Ezeokolie Blessing Jack), Voter Intelligence (Dr Alex Adum), Monitoring and Evaluation (Prof. Ola Olateju), Situation Room (Chief Teddy Ezeaghauche).
Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying the council’s success would be measured by how clearly it addressed the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
A Gombe Federal High Court has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to conduct a fresh primary election for its governorship ticket in Gombe State.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order while ruling on a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry to challenge the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the PDP governorship candidate in the state.
Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence after the party announced him as its sole candidate on June 26, 2026, arguing that the required primary election was not conducted.
Pantami, who was a gubernatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress, APC, had defected to the PDP after the APC settled for Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate in Gombe.
Pantami subsequently secured the PDP ticket through voice affirmation during the party’s governorship primary held in May.
But in its judgment delivered on Thursday, the court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary election in Gombe State, in accordance with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
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