Politics
Akpabio, Yari, Izunaso contest senate presidency
There are indications that the battle for the senate presidency for the 10th National Assembly has been reduced to a three-horse race, involving former Governor Godswill Akpabio, Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Osita Izunaso.
Impeccable sources at the National Assembly told our correspondent that this development has led to three power blocs, headed by Akpabio, Yari and Izunaso, dividing the senators-elect along these lines.
Since the All Progressives Congress made its zoning in a consensus list known, some members have disagreed with the arrangement.
A chieftain of the party, Olujonwo Obasanjo, had said the party remained supreme and as such all aggrieved members should align with the party’s decision.
Others have made a case for their region, especially the North-Central, which has become very vocal about its position since the zoning list came out.
But, one of the sources close to the matter, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said an extraordinary meeting of the APC All Progressives Congress Senators and Senators-Elect was held on Friday.
The source stated that Akpabio’s candidacy was only ‘sustained’ by the endorsement of the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio’s bloc, according to the source, is largely dominated by South-West senators and ‘a few from the South-South, South-East and North-Central’.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that there are about 54 senators in this fold.
It is not clear if the bloc enjoys the support of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who has been consistent in his call for “further and better” consultations on the zoning arrangement.
The source said, “He (Adamu) told Akpabio’s counterpart in the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to stop parading or seeing himself as the Speaker of the 10th Assembly.
“Most of the senators do not have a personal conviction on the cause of the bloc; they are acting only on what they were asked to do as publicly disclosed by the outgoing governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, and Senator Ali Ndume when they spoke on national television that it was the President-elect that directed them to support Senator Akpabio.”
The second bloc, spearheaded by a former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, was formed as a response to the announcement of Akpabio by the APC as the consensus candidate for the position, our correspondent gathered.
Another source who attended Friday’s meeting said, “They (Yari’s bloc) were angered by the unilateral selection of Akpabio by the President-Elect and are dominantly from the entire North, with a majority of South East, South-South and two or three from South West.
“Their grouse is mainly against Akpabio who is generally resented by the northern senators.”
While stressing that the Yari group is formidable, the source noted that it believed that ‘northern interest would suffer in the hands of Akpabio’.
The third bloc, which is the Izunaso group, Sunday PUNCH gathered has its members spread across all the geo-political zones.
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Sunday PUNCH findings revealed that they are made up of former members of the House of Representatives, serving senators and new senators ‘rooting for a change’.
A returning senator, who did not want his name mentioned, told this report that the Izunaso group met regularly.
“Their vision is a rebranded senate for the fruition of a new Nigeria. The group is growing daily,” the source added.
The senator, however, noted that there was only a thin line between the Yari and Izunaso group, as ‘apart from both having similar goals of sanctity and independence of the senate, members of the Izunaso’s attend Yari’s meetings and vice versa’.
Meanwhile, Sunday PUNCH reliably learnt that there are serious talks between the two blocs to work together with the two leaders sharing the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate president.
If the talks which are already at an advanced stage are consummated, the combined group would have an overwhelming majority in the senate.
Another senator loyal to the Yari faction noted that the core loyalists of the President-Elect were putting pressure on him to withdraw his support for the former governor of Akwa Ibom State for the position.
The senator, who did not want to be mentioned because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, said, “The loyalists have concluded that Akpabio is not the right person to lead the National Assembly at this critical period.
“The image of an Akpabio leading the legislative arm with his baggage of criminal cases of corruption would send wrong signals to the world, the global business community where the president-elect is already relating with for economic activities that would boost the Nigerian economy.
“The loyalists have become worried and uncomfortable with the daily growing concerns being raised by Nigerians, individually, pressure groups, the media and influential stakeholders.
“The latest of which was the cries by the South-South Women Compatriots threatening to protest naked.”
The senator stressed that Tinubu’s loyalists hold that the government they have tagged ‘Renewed Hope’ should not begin on ‘a hopelessness note for an important issue such as the fight against corruption’.
The senator said, “All the protesters and commentators saw the endorsement of Senator Akpabio as an affront to Nigerians and the annihilation of the little success achieved by the outgoing government in the fight against sleaze.
“The loyalists both within and outside Nigeria are advising the President to look for a corruption-free, clean, experienced and competent ranking senator from the South-South or South-east to support for the position.
“In both the South-South and South-East, there are only two ranking senators apart from Senator Godswill Akpabio. They are Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State; and Senator Osita Izunaso, the pioneer National Organising Secretary of the APC from Imo State.
“Out of these two senators, it is only Izunaso that does not have any case with the EFCC or any criminal case at all. If the President-elect listened to the pleas by Nigerians and the advice of his core loyalists, Osita Izunaso is the man to support.”
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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