Politics
2027: Succession Fever As 10 Governors Prepare For Handover
Succession storms are brewing in no fewer than 10 states where governors are nearing the end of their second and final terms in office.
In May 2023, 28 governors were sworn into office, while eight other states held off-cycle inaugurations.
Of the 28, 18 began their first terms, while the remaining 10 commenced their final terms in office.
The 10 governors are those of Oyo, Gombe, Bauchi, Lagos, Ogun, Borno, Nasarawa, Kwara, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Seven of them are members of the All Progressives Congress, while the remaining three belong to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Findings by The Sunday PUNCH showed that no fewer than 22 politicians have so far declared their interest in Nasarawa, Lagos, and Ogun, while the names of some political heavyweights continue to dominate conversations within both the APC and PDP in those states.
Campaign posters have also started flooding some states, even as outgoing governors keep their succession plans secret.
Lagos and Tinubu’s loyalists
In Lagos, our correspondents gathered that the ball is firmly in the court of the ruling APC, with the final decision resting on President Bola Tinubu, a former governor of the state.
However, underground politicking is intensifying, as five political heavyweights are being linked to the 2027 governorship race, despite none of them making an official declaration yet.
According to a reliable party source, among those being considered are the current Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Others are Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo, also known as Tokunbo Abiru, who currently represents Lagos East in the Senate; the Chief of Staff to the President and immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu.
The current Principal Secretary to the President and former Lagos State Head of Service, Muri Okunola, has also been touted as a possible candidate.
“But from my experience, Tinubu may not pick any of these loyalists. History has shown he often brings someone unexpected and gives that person full support. That is how he works. All these people making noise now are just distractions. Tinubu will not pick any of them. I am very sure of that,” the party source stated.
When contacted, the APC Publicity Secretary for the state, Seye Oladejo, said the party was busy with plans for the forthcoming local government election, adding that the 2027 governorship race agenda would come after the LG poll.
However, opposition parties said they had started making plans for the governorship election and were ready to challenge the APC dominance in the state.
The Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mr Tai Benedict, said some politicians had already indicated interest in contesting the election on the platform of the party.
“One of them is Funso Doherty, and we have others. But not until later we cannot decide. We do not want to be in the same problem we had when Jandor (Abdul-Azeez Adediran) came and stole the show. This time around, we have to look inwards so that we do not pick the wrong candidate,” he added.
The Chairman of the Julius Abure-led Labour Party in the state, Mrs Dayo Ekong, said the party had started making plans for the governorship election.
“We have been doing our grassroots mobilisation and building our structures across all the polling units in the state, and we are sure of building on the gains of the last election,” the Secretary of the party, Sam Okpala, added.
20 aspirants declare interest in Nasarawa
Ahead of the governorship election, political heavyweights across Nasarawa State have started jostling for the state’s number one seat as the second tenure of the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Sule, will soon elapse.
Political observers say the 2027 elections, especially that of the governorship, will be an interesting battle among top politicians in the various parties in the state.
According to the state governor, no fewer than 20 persons from the APC, PDP, among others, have declared interest in contesting for his seat.
Consultations, alignments, and re-alignments across the 13 local government areas in the state have also intensified.
Some of the notable contenders across party lines are a former Minister of the Environment, Muhammad-Hassan Abdullahi; a former governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, David Ombugadu; Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West), and the Accountant General of the state, Dr Musa Mohammed.
Others are a former head of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Prof. Mohammed Haruna; former Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaibu; a former Inspector of Police of Police, Muhammed Adamu; a top APC stakeholder in the state, Shehu Tukur; Abu Giza, and Mohammad Maikaya from Toto LGA of the state.
Posters of some of the aspirants have already appeared in strategic locations within the Lafia metropolis and other major towns in the state.
One of our correspondents observed that even though zoning is not recognised in the 1999 Constitution, the questions of which zone produces Sule’s successor and whether the zoning formula will count in the contest are generating debate among political actors in the state.
Wale Edun, Yayi warm up in Ogun
In Ogun State, some notable politicians have been identified as the likely successors to Governor Dapo Abiodun. Most of them are within the ruling APC.
Among them is the Senator representing Ogun West in the Senate, Olamilekan Adeola, aka Yayi.
Adeola, who at one time was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, House of Representatives member representing Alimosho federal constituency, and a two-term Senator representing Lagos West senatorial district, returned to Ogun State in the build-up to the 2023 general elections to represent Ogun West senatorial district.
Since returning to Ogun state, Yayi has been seen as a frontrunner in the 2027 governorship seat contest. Adeola is said to be enjoying the backing of President Tinubu, having worked with him in Lagos State for a number of years.
Another politician said that the likely occupant of the Oke Mosan Governor’s Office come 2027 is Gboyega Isiaka, currently representing Imeko-Afon/Yewa North Federal constituency.
Isiaka had contested the governorship seat in Ogun State three times: 2011 under the Peoples Party of Nigeria, 2015 under PDP, and ADC in 2019.
He later defected to the APC and was elected to the House of Representatives in 2023.
One other name in the race is a former Minister of Steel and immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafadeen Ishola.
Similarly, the Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Wale Edun, is another politician said to be warming up for the 2027 governorship race.
The Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, is also said to be eyeing the coveted seat by 2027.
For the opposition parties, only the PDP has a pronounced governorship aspirant, Oladipupo Adebutu, a former House of Representatives member representing Remo federal constituency.
Adebutu was also the opposition party’s governorship candidate in 2023 before he lost to Abiodun.
Saraki spearheads PDP’s Kwara comeback.
The 2027 governorship race is gathering momentum in Kwara State following a resolve of the PDP to reclaim the state from the ruling APC.
Even though the APC is yet to make a public declaration on the 2027 governorship plans, there are indications that the state governor, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, who is the party leader in the state, will try to retain the state.
With the state governor being out of the state for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who leads the PDP in the state, has taken advantage of the Sallah celebration to restructure the opposition party over the past few days.
Saraki, who supervised the pre-registration of members of PDP, said he received new members into the party in Ajikobi ward in Ilorin West LGA of Kwara State.
Speaking in an interview with journalists recently, Saraki said he was encouraged by the turnout of members for the re-registration into the party, adding that he also received new members into the party.
On the ability of the party to stage a comeback in 2027, Saraki said, “We are even more encouraged by the level of enthusiasm that we are getting. People are coming out to register for the party; people are tired of the state of affairs in the state. New members are coming out to join the party.
“At the same time, all our old members are very active. The members we have seen are very impressive. I think the factors of what people are going through in the state the insecurity, unemployment, hunger, and lack of a lack of governance. So, we are confident that the PDP will bounce back in 2027,” he added.
As of Thursday, only one politician, Ladi Hassan, has declared intention to contest the governorship of the state on the platform of the PDP.
Other aspirants in the party include a former member of the House of Representatives and ex-speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Prof Ali Ahmad.
Saraki, however, said he would give all aspirants a level playing ground, adding that he had no preferred candidate.
In the APC, none of the aspirants has made a public declaration, though there has been an off-the-scene campaign by some of them. But the governor is seen to be favouring the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi, who is from the Kwara North Senatorial zone.
Other aspirants, who have also been working underground, include the Senator presently representing Kwara North, Sadiq Umar; Director General of the Nigeria Institute for Legislative Studies, Prof Abubakar Suleiman; Campaign DG of Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq re-election in 2023, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki; and the senator representing Kwara Central and the Turaki of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha.
However, the state APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said the party had yet to start its campaign.
Five contenders in Gombe
Though Governor Muhammed Yahaya of Gombe State has not publicly spoken about his preferred successor, his party, the APC, will not take the lead in determining the next governor of the state.
According to sources in the party, the Commissioner for Finance, Gambo Magaji; the current Minister of Transportation and former senator, Saidu Alkali; and former Minister of Digital Economy, Prof Ali Pantami, are among the strong contenders for the race in the state.
For the PDP, it is believed that Jibrin Barde, who was the party’s 2023 candidate, is likely to recontest.
He came in a distant second during the last election.
A former gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in 2023, Ahmed Mailantarki, who recently defected to the PDP, is another politician being mentioned.
Borno awaits Zulum’s choice.
In Borno State, while it is still unclear who will be Governor Babagana Zulum’s candidate, there are indications that the next governor will be from one of the Senators representing the state in the National Assembly.
A source within the APC expressed confidence that anyone chosen by the governor would get the people’s support.
“Of course, anyone Zulum appoints will emerge. Everyone can not like you, but I can categorically tell you that Zulum is popular and his people are behind him. For any opposition to unseat the party in this state, it is difficult,” the source said.
As of the time of filling this report, no opposition aspirant has spoken about their ambition, but speculations of a coalition is brewing in the state.
Oyo PDP in disarray
Some prominent chieftains of the PDP in Oyo State are set to dump the party.
A party source told our correspondent in Ibadan, the state capital, that the aggrieved members were already in advanced consultations for a coalition with the African Democratic Congress.
The source, who did not want his name in print, said, “The aggrieved chieftains, alongside their followers, are already in advanced consultations with opposition parties and may announce their formal departure in the next couple of weeks.
“The majority of these party chieftains are well-grounded in their wards and local governments within the state. They are grassroots politicians.”
Another source said the planned defection was being fuelled by “mounting dissatisfaction over the party’s internal handling of power distribution, appointments, and continued marginalisation of loyal stakeholders who played key roles in securing victory for the party in the past elections.”
“The aggrieved politicians have endured systematic exclusion and political betrayal under the current party structure in the state. Many of these leaders have been sidelined, used, and dumped. There is no political reward system for loyalty anymore in the state PDP.
“How do you expect men who sacrificed everything for the party to continue to remain silent when they and their followers are consistently ignored?
“These leaders are not just leaving alone, they are leaving with their structures. That’s thousands of committed party loyalists across the state. The PDP leadership should be worried,” the source added.
SOURCE: PUNCH
Politics
Breaking: Court of Appeal Sets Aside Judgement Ordering Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Parties
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, declared the judgement ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties “null and void.”
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to deregister the parties over their performance in the 2023 general elections.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the affected political parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — approached the Court of Appeal seeking to nullify the Federal High Court judgement.
However, the three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the trial court lacked the judicial power to entertain the case in the first place.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding with the delivery of the judgement despite an order by the appellate court directing a stay of proceedings, which included the delivery of the judgement.
The appellate court described the Federal High Court’s decision as “a nullity,” stating that the action of the trial court amounted to “judicial impertinence” or what the Supreme Court had described as “judicial insubordination.”
The court further held that the first respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the action in the first place, and consequently set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The judgement of the trial judge was perverse,” the Court of Appeal held.
The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to focus on ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
In a statement on Sunday in Enugu, Okechukwu noted that credible elections remained the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.
He was responding to the INEC Chairman’s recent call on political parties to adhere strictly to principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger.
According to Okechukwu, the INEC Chairman has consistently emphasised the issue of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.
He said, “Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance.
“However, the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections by INEC.”
He argued that political scientists had long maintained that political parties were more likely to respect democratic principles and popular will when electoral processes are credible and transparent.
“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.
“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he said.
Okechukwu also dismissed the allegation of other political parties feelings that INEC is the handgun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC chieftain said that APC needed free and fair elections as core patriots who are committed to the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall progress of every Nigerian.
“I dismiss the handgun allegation, as APC needs free and fair elections,not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance,” he said.
He maintained that the APC remained a formidable political force and that credible elections would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political parties alike.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, says Buhari didn’t publicly back Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary due to religious and ethical concerns.
In an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal revealed that Buhari was initially hesitant to back Tinubu due to religious and ethical considerations regarding his suitability as a successor.
Lawal claimed that, however, after extensive discussions, the late president agreed to remain neutral and allow party delegates to decide the candidate at the convention.
According to the former SGF, Tinubu played a critical role in previous APC election campaigns by providing resources and political strategists, making it difficult for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition outright.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coarced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would he… in the end he said okay,” Lawal said.
Lawal added that before the APC presidential convention, he advised Buhari to refrain from backing any aspirant and allow party delegates to choose the candidate.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said look, this man (Tinubu), we now know that on the basis of your religion and your ethics and your upbringing, you don’t want to hand over to this man, but he has helped us get here.
“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.
“If we go to the convention and the party faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
Lawal said Buhari initially rejected the proposal, insisting that if he allowed him to manage the process, Tinubu would emerge as the party’s candidate.
“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.“I say, are you God now, sir?
“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal said he responded that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the outcome of the presidential election.
“I say, okay, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.
“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”
He added that Buhari also expressed concern over whether Tinubu would be fair to members of their political camp if elected president.
“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?
“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.’”
Ahead of the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari repeatedly urged party delegates to choose a candidate they believed could advance the party’s ideals but stopped short of publicly endorsing any of the aspirants, despite intense lobbying by contenders, including Tinubu.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, went on to defeat other leading aspirants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to clinch the APC presidential ticket.
He later won the February 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as president on May 29, 2023.
Politics
Enugu NDC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Dr. Johnpaul Anih-Led State Exco, Warns Against Destabilisation
The Enugu State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee (SWC), reaffirming its confidence in the current leadership and warning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the party to desist.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during an expanded meeting of the state working committee, party stakeholders, candidates and members, who commended the state executive for its leadership, commitment and efforts at repositioning the NDC in Enugu State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the party in Isiuzo Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Ogbu, said the current state leadership had transformed the fortunes of the party in Enugu.
“This is the only leadership of the party that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC, and any attempt by Enugu politicians spending dollars in Abuja to destabilise the party will be firmly resisted”.
“Without the current leadership, nobody would be hearing about the NDC in Enugu State today. The Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive has given the party life and made it attractive through its programmes and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.
Corroborating his position, the Igboeze North Local Government Chairman of the party, Hon. Kingsley Ape and his Aninri counterpart, Hon. Stephen Ajah, stated that the achievements of the present leadership had positioned the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming local government elections.
According to them, without the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive, the NDC would not have been on the ballot for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections in Enugu State.
The party leaders declared that they remain firmly behind Dr. Anih and his executive, insisting that the State Working Committee enjoys the overwhelming confidence and support of the party’s grassroots structure across the 17 local government areas of the state.
They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing leadership could trigger a mass exodus of members from the party in Enugu State.
The stakeholders also cautioned individuals allegedly fomenting crisis within the party, urging them to steer clear of activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and progress of the NDC.
According to them, any attempt to create parallel party structures or sow discord among members would be firmly resisted in the interest of preserving the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
The members equally expressed concern over what they described as the actions of the party’s national leadership, alleging that recent developments could further deepen internal disagreements if not handled with fairness and respect for due process.
They urged the national leadership to refrain from actions capable of escalating tensions within the party, stressing that internal disputes should be resolved in line with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC, the stakeholders called on members across the state to remain united, focused and committed to building a stronger political platform.
They pledged their continued support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee and maintained that the Enugu chapter would continue to protect the integrity of the party while working tirelessly to advance its political objectives in the state.
Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying the agreement was aimed at ensuring power returns to the North after a single four-year tenure in line with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.
The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to honouring the agreement.
“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.
Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.
Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.
“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”
“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.
“We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he said.
On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.
“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.
Obi had in May announced that he would serve only one term if elected president, saying the decision was intended to promote political stability and strengthen national unity.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,” Obi had said.
The NDC has consistently defended its power-sharing arrangement, presenting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus aimed at balancing the country’s regional interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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