Politics
2027: El-Rufai holds ‘strategic meeting’ with Al-Mustapha, SDP Chairman Gabam, PDP’s Segun Sowunmi
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Key political figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and allies of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, held a private meeting with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday.
The closed-door meeting, which took place at the SDP national secretariat, has sparked speculations about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the notable attendees were Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha an ex-presidential candidate and former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen Sani Abacha and Atiku’s former spokesman, Otunba Segun Showunmi.
Although the specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is being described as part of a broader strategy to forge alliances among opposition figures with the aim of presenting a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the next election cycle.
Showunmi confirmed the meeting in a Facebook post, describing it as a “strategic gathering” convened by SDP Chairman, Shehu Gabam, to evaluate the state of opposition politics in Nigeria.
“You must set forth at dawn! A Strategic Meeting was called by HE Shehu Gabam, Chairman of SDP, with HE Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Otunba Segun Showunmi. The alternative to meet, greet, and review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria,” Showunmi wrote.
The SDP Chairman, Gabam, also confirmed the meeting in an interview with The PUNCH, saying it was a meeting of like-minded individuals seeking to connect with others who shared their vision for Nigeria’s progress.
Gabam stated “There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any one of them about officially joining SDP. So, as I said, they are open to conversation and negotiations for a better Nigeria. It’s not about a political party; it’s about the future of Nigeria.
“We are looking for like-minded people who believe in the future of the country so that we can work together and uplift the individual standard of Nigeria.
“It’s not just them. The attention of the media only went to them. I have received a lot of dignitaries from different political parties in the office, discussing the way forward, how to stabilise the country, and how to offer productive, progressive advice to this government so that there will not be a crisis.
“Because once the government has a crisis, it affects every Nigerian. So, part of our responsibilities is to make sure we are not facing a crisis. When the time comes, we will decide what to do about other things.
“There is an ongoing conversation. When the time comes, we will arrive at a conclusion, and we will hold an official press conference. Once we agree on what we are going to do together, we will unveil it to all Nigerians. But at the preliminary stage, we are having our own social gatherings and discussing national issues.”
Gabam described the SDP as a responsible and respectable party that engaged in constructive opposition without provocation.
“So, principally, that’s what we are doing. More like-minded people are already on board. So today, there are other heavyweights involved, with whom we are discussing. To me, it’s a normal thing, a normal routine that I go through in the office all the time.
“So, it’s a welcome development, not just for those of us that met, but for everyone willing to come on board. SDP is a responsible party by history and analysis, and we will continue to provide decent leadership for Nigeria.
“Our interest is our country first, above any other consideration. We want to have a peaceful country, a well-coordinated country, economic prosperity, political stability for investors, and so on.
“We don’t have any other objective other than that. So we are playing our role as an opposition party, just the way APC played its role and ousted PDP from power,” he added.
The meeting comes just two days after El-Rufai dismissed rumors of his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party.
On his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the former governor labelled the reports as “patent lies” and indicated he had instructed his lawyers to pursue legal action against those spreading the misinformation.
“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” El-Rufai posted.
A close associate of El-Rufai also refuted the claims, suggesting that such allegations were the work of mischief-makers intent on creating political uncertainty.
The involvement of prominent APC figures like El-Rufai in discussions with SDP leaders has fuelled speculation about potential cracks within the ruling party.
While El-Rufai remains a key figure in the APC, his participation in opposition-related activities is being closely watched by political analysts.
As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 elections, this meeting signals an intensifying effort among opposition groups to consolidate and strategize for a united front against the ruling APC.
Politics
New Delta Vision not a political project, but generational movement, Delta State’s ADC candidate Unuafe clarifies
By Ojomah Austin.
The Delta State ADC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe, has charged party leaders, members and the people of Delta State at large to regard his aspirational ‘New Delta Vision’ campaign mantra not as mere political project, but “generational movement. It is a promise to our children, our communities, and our future.
It is a call to service, sacrifice, and collective greatness.”
Unuafe made this call in his Democracy Day message to party faithful, as campaigns begin to gather momentum.
“As we commemorate Democracy Day, I extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to everyone of you for your resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment during these challenging times,” he said. “The economic realities facing our nation have tested the strength and endurance of our people, yet you have remained steadfast in your belief that a better Delta State is possible.”
He charged party faithful in the 25 LGAs and the entire people of Delta State to stand firm in the pursuit of justice, fairness, and progress.
He acknowledged the peaceful and coordinated protests regarding the INEC ward delineation exercise, which ultimately yielded positive results.
Dr. Unuafe’s vision for a transformed Delta State beyond it rural status stands him out as a professional in project management. According to him, “The massive transformation that lies ahead of us, one that our state has never witnessed before, can only be achieved through unity. Progress cannot flourish where division exists. Development cannot thrive where suspicion and disunity prevail. The Delta of our dreams will not be built by one individual, one community, or one political group. It will be built by all of us working together with a shared sense of purpose and destiny.”
He charged members to be steadfast, noting the greatest task was still ahead, as campaigns heat up towards the 2027 general elections. He sued for a united party devoid of rancour of divisions, so as to achieve the common goal of winning the governorship elections and bringing about massive transformation to a resource-rich but badly managed Delta State, with citizens experiencing acute lack in the midst of plenty.
“The road to 2027 requires greater unity, deeper cooperation, and stronger teamwork than ever before,” he advised. “We must refuse to allow personal interests, misunderstandings, or differences to weaken our collective resolve. The mission before us is far bigger than any individual ambition. It is about restoring hope to millions of Deltans and creating opportunities for generations yet unborn.”
Like all great leaders across the world, Unuafe does not arrogate all knowledge to himself, but assured that he was prune to faults but also ready to accept higher reasoning and a listening ear to members’ concerns.
“Leadership is not about perfection,” he said. “I may not always get everything right in the first instance. There may be moments when my actions or decisions unintentionally offend or disappoint some of you. Whenever that happens, I humbly ask that you find a place in your heart to forgive me. Let us always choose dialogue over division, understanding over resentment, and unity over conflict.”
Politics
Anambra APC sets up reconciliation committee, ratifies expulsion of seven members
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has set up five-man reconciliation committee headed by Chief Obi Onwuachu.
The committee is mandated to reconcile all aggrieved members after the party’s primaries.
Other members of the committee are Ichie Mike Ejezie , Chief Amechi Chinweze, Chief Chris Akaghalu and Chief Mrs Tina Aronu
Their names were announced on Friday at the APC State Secretariat in Awka by the party during its expanded stakeholders meeting, led by the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike.
The party used the occasion to ratify the expulsion of seven alleged recalcitrant members, who dragged the party to court in defiance to the APC’s constitution.
Furthermore, the party announced names of the three Senatorial candidates who emerged during the recent primaries in the state
They are Chief Mrs Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi for the South zone, Dr Mrs Ngozi Kene-Chiedu for the Central and Chief Kingsley Nnalue for the North .
Addressing the stakeholders,the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, declared that the party will do everything humanly possible to make sure that President Bola Tinubu wins the 2027 presidential election in Anambra.
He said: “Everything we are doing in APC belongs to Ward Chairmen, they hold everything.
“There is no bigger Party than APC in the coming 2027 elections in Anambra, anybody not proud of APC in Nigeria is making mistake. We must believe in the administration of Mr President, Bola Tinubu.
“If you are not a member of APC, you are not. Anyone that takes the party to court is automatically, expelled.
“This party is as strong as never before and every mobilization must go through the wards. We are entering operational election and not hide and seek election,” Anosike said.
Politics
Aggrieved party sues INEC, seeks withdrawal of NDC registration
An aggrieved political association, All Democratic Alliance, ADA, and its Protem Director of Mobilization, Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order of the Court to compel the electoral body to withdraw the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party in Nigeria.
The grouse of ADA and Karlahi are predicated on allegations that the Senator Seriake Dickson led NDC was illegally and fraudulently registered by INEC as a political party for the purpose of participating in election matters in the country.
In a suit with number FHC/ ABJ/CS/1115/2026, the two plaintiffs alleged that INEC gravely breached, disobeyed, ignored, omitted and deliberately failed to ensure compliance with relevant laws in the ways and manners NDC was secretly registered.
Among others, Karlahi and ADA alleged that the electoral umpire failed to comply with sections 1, 6, 13, 14, 222, 251 of the 1999 Constitution and sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act in the registration of the NDC.
In the suit instituted on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Bankole Joel Akomolafe via an originating summons, the two plaintiffs claimed that NDC never met any of the Constitutional requirements for it to qualify for registration as a political party.
Besides, they asserted that INEC has no unfettered and unrestricted discretion to register the NDC as a political party.
They therefore prayed the Federal High Court to issue an order against INEC to void, set aside, cancelled and revoke the purported certificate of registration in possession of NDC.
The two plaintiffs also sought order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from further recognizing, accepting, maintaining in its records or present any person on the authority of NDC as a political party for any election.
Another order of perpetual injunction was sought against NDC restraining it from parading, introducing, presenting or call itself a registered political party either by publication, broadcast or any other means.
The suit instituted on June 2, 2026 was supported by a 25 paragraph affidavit deposed to by the first plaintiff, Hon Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi.
While Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi and All Democratic Alliance are the two plaintiffs, INEC and Nigeria Democratic Congress are listed as the two defendants.
Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for hearing of the new suit.
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