Politics
Kwankwaso’s NNPP turns new bride in Kano as mass defection hits APC
The New Nigeria Peoples Party has risen in great ranks in Kano State as it continues to gain membership of those who left the All Progressives Congress in anger
Political events, like the presidential and governorship elections, in Kano State, always generate interest among Nigerians because of the state’s political significance in the North-West region of the country. Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, Rivers and other states alike have high voting populations, which parties scramble to woo.
In Kano State now, none of the two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party- knows its fate as the New Nigeria Peoples Party has suddenly become the new bride of politicians in the state.
Fortunes smiled on the NNPP when a crisis hit the APC following the alleged marginalisation of some members, whose anger eventually made them dump the ruling party (APC) for the new party led by a former Governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The crisis led to the formation of two factions in the party after conducting parallel congresses for the officials at the ward, local government and state levels.
While one of the factions was loyal to the state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, the other was led by a former Governor of the state and now a Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.
The battle for the control of the party in the state prompted the two factions to go to court for each of them to be recognised as the authentic APC in the state.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, in November last year, handed over the control of the party in the state to the Shekarau’s faction after nullifying the congresses held by the Ganduje’s faction.
The incumbent governor’s faction later challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal and the appellate court in a judgement, in February, set aside the lower court’s ruling which recognised the Shekarau’s faction as the authentic APC in the state.
However, dissatisfied with the ruling, the ex-governor, Shekarau’s faction, approached the Supreme Court to resolve the matter. In a ruling delivered on May 6, 2022, the apex court upheld the appeal court’s ruling and handed over the control of the APC to Ganduje’s faction.
The panel held that the appeal against the earlier judgements of the Court of Appeal in Abuja lacked merit and was therefore dismissed.
After the Supreme Court judgment, the factional Chairman of the APC under Shekarau, Haruna Danzago, dragged his counterpart and leader of the Ganduje’s faction, Abdullahi Abbas to the State High Court challenging his eligibility to be the chairman of the party in the state. The case is still pending in court.
Although there were concerted efforts to ensure an amicable resolution of the APC crisis in the state from various quarters including the party’s national headquarters and the Presidency, all the efforts hit the rock. The Presidency was said to have even invited Ganduje and Shekarau to the Villa in Abuja where a meeting was held as part of efforts to resolve the crisis but failed.
Unfortunately, all efforts to resolve the lingering crisis seemed to have failed as that did not prevent many prominent and influential members of the party in the state from leaving.
The Kano APC bigwigs that defected to the NNPP include Shekarau; a member representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Alhassan Rurum; a member representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency, Shamsudden Dambazau and the former member representing Kiru/Bebeji and a former Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Jibrin Abdulmumini Kofa.
Others are former presidential liaison officer to the House of Reps, Abdulrahman Sumaila; former speaker of the House of Assembly, Kabiru Rurum; Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Zubairu Massu and a member representing Bagwai/Shanono at the State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Shanono.
Other notable politicians that left the party include the Chief of Staff to the Kano State Governor, Ali Makoda, and two House of Representatives members from the state, Tijjani Jobe and Badamasi Ayuba; the APC state auditor, Ahmed Muhammadu; Umar Mai Tsidau, the APC Youth leader and former Chairman of the Makoda Local Government; Halliru Maigari, a former member of the House of Assembly representing Rimingado/Tofa; and Hafizu Sani Maidaji, a former member of the state House of Assembly representing Dambatta.
Giving reasons for their defection, one of the defectors and former Kano Governor, Shekarau, said the lack of inclusiveness forced him out of the party, as elders of the party were not consulted before taking any decision.
“It’s not about me or that I want to return to the senate. This is far away from the issues; it’s about the involvement of the people. I told them when it started that there was no inclusiveness in the party affairs.
“Some people stayed somewhere and wrote about a 480-page party document without a single input from any of the elders of the party. The idea of our protest was to go together and allow people to participate in the process. If it is allocation, then allocate equitably,” Shekarau said.
Also speaking on why he dumped the APC and joined the NNPP, Abdulmumin Jibrin, the ex-lawmaker stated that his political life had been miserable in the last seven years due to the overbearing nature of the party’s leaders in his home state.
In his reasons for leaving the party, the member representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency, Dambazau, said the recent and unfortunate developments within the party made it almost impossible for him to continue participating and making productive contributions to the advantage of the party and the people of his constituency.
However, reacting to the defection, Ganduje while speaking in an interview on a TVC programme, said despite the mass defection, the APC was still in the best position to win elections as it still had the strength in the state.
“Despite the recent mass defection suffered by the party, the APC remains the party to beat. It will hold the ace in the 2023 elections in the state,” Ganduje said.
However, in his argument, a senior lecturer with the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Habu Fagge, said the recent mass exodus of some politicians from the APC to the NNPP was posing a great danger to not only the APC but also to the PDP.
“With the resuscitation of the NNPP, it has now overshadowed the APC and the PDP in the state. So, the contest in the state will now be between the APC and the NNPP because the NNPP has support in the horizontal and vertical directions. Thus, the NNPP will be a hard nut to crack.
“People are predicting that if care is not taken, the NNPP may overshadow the two prominent political parties, the APC and PDP because the worry is about the intensity of the defection,” he said.
Another analyst and ardent supporter of the APC, Umar Namadi said the mass cross carpeting of APC stalwarts to Senator Kwankwaso’s resuscitated NNPP was undoubtedly giving sleepless night prominent APC members in the state.
PUNCH
By Petrus Obi, London
London — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, has intensified his criticism of the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, insisting that the people of the state deserve a different approach to governance.
Odii, who spoke with EverydayNewsngr.net in London, said what he described as the “fire brigade approach” of the Nwifuru administration was not the kind of governance Ebonyi needs.
According to him, the state requires a government with a clear vision, long-term planning and the capacity to deliver meaningful development to its people.
“The fire brigade approach of the Nwifuru government is not what the state needs,” Odii said.
He added: “I am coming to bring a new lease of life to my people.”
Odii’s comments come amid renewed political debate in Ebonyi State following the recent removal of the state Commissioner for Works. The development has attracted attention from opposition circles, with critics using it to question aspects of the administration’s handling of governance and infrastructure.
The PDP chieftain said the people of Ebonyi should expect more than what he described as reactive governance, arguing that development should be driven by a coherent programme capable of producing lasting results.
He maintained that his political ambition was motivated by a desire to provide what he described as purposeful leadership and improve the welfare of residents across the state.
“We deserve better government in Ebonyi State,” Odii said, stressing that his vision was centred on giving the people renewed confidence in government and creating opportunities for them to prosper.
As political activities ahead of the next governorship election continue to gather momentum, governance, infrastructure, accountability and the delivery of public services are expected to feature prominently in the emerging contest.
Odii’s intervention in London is likely to add further momentum to the political conversation, particularly as opposition figures seek to distinguish their vision for Ebonyi from that of the incumbent administration.
STATEMENT BY CHIEF EMMANUEL CHIDI IGWE,
SPOKESPERSON TO CHIEF DR. IFEANYI CHUKWUMA ODII
The 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State is not a family affair, nor is it a matter to be decided by one individual or political godfather. It is a democratic contest, and Ebonyians will ultimately decide who becomes their governor through the ballot box.
No aspirant should be expected to step down simply because another politician believes he should. Every qualified candidate has the right to contest, present his programme and seek the mandate of the people.
Let me make this clear: since Senator Dave Umahi did not bring Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii into the governorship race, he cannot now claim the authority to ask him to step down. Chief Odii has his own political identity, supporters, convictions and legitimate right to seek the mandate of Ebonyians.
The decision to contest or withdraw belongs to the candidate, while the ultimate decision on who governs Ebonyi State belongs to the people.
The 2027 election should therefore be about issues, programmes, records, accountability and the future of Ebonyi—not political arrangements made by individuals behind closed doors.
Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is prepared to place his vision and programme before Ebonyians and subject them to public scrutiny. Those seeking to retain power should equally be prepared to defend their records before the electorate.
Ebonyi 2027 is not a family arrangement. It is a contest for the confidence of the people. The people of Ebonyi State—not individuals—will have the final say.
Chief Emmanuel Chidi Igwe
Spokesperson to Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii
Politics
BREAKING: SaharaReporters Report on Arrest of Enugu Traditional Ruler, Ex-Lawmaker Is False and Misleading
The recent publication by SaharaReporters alleging that prominent Enugu traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother and former federal lawmaker, Hon. Uchenna Sunday A. Igwesi (USA Igwesi), and eight others were arrested over an alleged attack on an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area, is false and deeply misleading.
The report is being described as a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of respected leaders in Enugu State and create unnecessary political tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
Contrary to the claims contained in the publication, there was no arrest ordered by the Inspector-General of Police against Igwe Obiora Igwesi, Hon. USA Igwesi, or the other individuals named in connection with any alleged attack on an NDC meeting. There was also no operation by detectives from Zone 13 Command, Ukpo, Dunukofia, Anambra State, as alleged in the report.
Similarly, the purported petition dated September 15, 2026, and the allegations of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault, threatening violence and stealing are strongly disputed and described as fabricated claims intended to create a damaging narrative around the individuals concerned.
The broader allegation that the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State have experienced coordinated armed attacks allegedly sponsored by Local Government Chairmen to silence the opposition is equally rejected as unfounded.
Attempts to associate Igwe Obiora Igwesi and Hon. USA Igwesi with criminal activity or political violence are viewed as an unacceptable effort to tarnish the image of individuals who have served their communities and contributed to the development of Enugu State.
The public, particularly the people of Enugu State, is therefore urged to exercise caution and verify the facts independently before accepting or circulating the allegations contained in the SaharaReporters publication.
Enugu State remains focused on peace, stability and development. Political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into the circulation of unverified allegations capable of inflaming tensions or damaging the reputations of individuals.
The position being maintained by the affected parties is clear: there was no arrest of the named individuals in connection with the alleged incident, no evidence has been presented establishing that any Local Government Chairman sponsored an attack, and the allegations contained in the publication are disputed in their entirety.
The public is encouraged to await verifiable facts from the appropriate authorities rather than rely on claims that have not been independently substantiated.
Fresh legal questions emerge over Chijioke Ugwu’s membership registration after Supreme Court restores party-register provisions
By Our Correspondent
Fresh legal questions have emerged over the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2027 governorship ticket in Enugu State following the Supreme Court’s restoration of key provisions of the Electoral Act dealing with political party membership registers and the conduct of primaries.
The questions centre on Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu, who was recently announced by the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, as his running mate.
Nnaji announced Ugwu’s selection on September 24, shortly after the Supreme Court delivered its landmark judgment restoring Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. Ugwu’s selection was subsequently reported by several Nigerian media outlets.
But documents and information available to this newspaper raise a question that could potentially become significant if the PDP ticket is challenged in court.
The PDP governorship primary in Enugu State was conducted on May 25, 2026.
However, Ugwu is understood to have registered as a PDP member on May 31, 2026 — six days after the governorship primary.
This means that if the May 31 registration date is accurately reflected in the party’s official records, his name could not have appeared in the PDP membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the May 25 governorship primary.
That immediately raises the question:
Can a person who was not a member of the party on the date of its governorship primary subsequently be selected as the deputy governorship candidate without the Supreme Court’s restored membership-register provisions affecting the ticket?
What the Supreme Court restored
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on September 24, set aside the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision which had declared the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act unconstitutional.
The apex court upheld the validity of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2), following an appeal by INEC against the Court of Appeal judgment in the case involving the Zenith Labour Party.
Section 77(5) provides that only persons whose names are contained in a political party’s membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention may participate in the exercise.
Section 77(6) requires political parties to use the membership register submitted to INEC for their primaries, congresses and conventions.
Section 77(7) deals with the consequence of failure by a party to submit its membership register within the prescribed period.
These provisions are now back in force following the Supreme Court judgment. Legal opinions suggest that the law’s insistence on the membership register submitted to INEC is relevant to the validity of the party’s eventual nomination process, depending on how the PDP formally nominated and submitted its governorship and deputy governorship candidates.
The precise documents will therefore be crucial.
Among the questions likely to arise are:
What date did the PDP submit its membership register to INEC?
Was Ugwu’s name contained in that register?
When exactly did Ugwu become a registered PDP member?
Was he a PDP member before the register was submitted to INEC?
How did the PDP formally nominate him as running mate?
Was the nomination made through a procedure recognised by the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution?
The controversy is coming at a sensitive time for the PDP, which has only recently unveiled Ugwu as Nnaji’s running mate. Ugwu, from Nguru in Nsukka Local Government Area, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader who runs businesses in logistics, contracting, consultancy and hospitality.
However, the governorship candidate and the deputy governorship candidate constitute a single electoral ticket. Therefore, any legal or constitutional issue affecting the eligibility of the deputy governorship candidate automatically has implications for the validity of the joint ticket, including the governorship candidate.
Another legal opinion available to this newspaper insists that “the gubernatorial ticket is a joint one. If the name of a deputy governor is not on the digital register, it invalidates the entire process.”
In the 2019 Bayelsa governorship election, APC’s David Lyon was declared winner. His running mate was Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
The Supreme Court later disqualified Degi-Eremienyo over the documents he submitted to INEC. The crucial point was that the Supreme Court held that his disqualification affected the joint ticket he shared with David Lyon. Consequently, the court ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Lyon and his deputy.
This happened one day before Lyon was due to be sworn in as governor. The certificate was subsequently issued to Douye Diri of the PDP, who had the next-highest lawful votes and the required geographical spread.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence nationwide on October 9.
The development has prompted calls for eligible voters to visit the INEC office in their respective Local Government Areas to collect their PVCs and ensure they are prepared to participate in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, supporters of Hon. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, Omeiheukwu Akpugoeze, have urged constituents in the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency to support his bid for a second term in the Federal House of Representatives.
The supporters made the appeal while encouraging eligible residents to collect their PVCs and exercise their franchise in the forthcoming election.
Voters are advised to follow official INEC guidelines and verify the applicable collection procedures and dates before visiting their designated collection centres.
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