Politics

2023 polls: Why Obi, Kano gov shouldn’t have been allowed to contest – Justice Ayo Salami

Published

3 months ago

March 24, 2026

Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and incumbent Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf shouldn’t have been allowed to contest the 2023 presidential and governorship elections under the Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party platforms, former Appeal Court President Justice Ayo Salami has said.

He stated this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at his residence in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

‎Justice Salami argued that by the time Obi left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, the LP had submitted its list of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Peter Obi of the Labour Party ought not to have been allowed to contest in the presidential election in the sense that by the time he left the PDP primary, the Labour Party had submitted its list of members to INEC. The constitution says there can’t be independent candidates. How did he become a candidate if he doesn’t belong to the Labour Party?” Salami said.

“The same thing happened to the governor of Kano State, who has now defected to the APC. His name is not in the NNPP register, but they issued him a membership card, and the register is supposed to be the mother of the card. That is the source of the register for his membership. Even though the Tribunal and Court of Appeal frowned at it, and that’s the problem of competence.”

The retired jurist also faulted the actions of some judges for delivering wrong verdicts, attributing it to incompetence.

“Some of them have problems with learning; they are not sufficiently trained. They don’t have a good background to be such. And imagine appointing a higher registrar, a judge.

“All this may be responsible, not because they are dishonest or they take bribes or they are influenced. But maybe personally, they are inadequate. And that may be responsible for their wrong judgment.

“At times when you see or read judgment of some of them, even the Supreme Court judgment, you would be astounded and wonder what is happening,” he added.

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Politics

‘Our man putting Aso Rock under pressure’

Published

18 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

NEFERTITI, a prominent supporter of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi, has claimed that the sustained criticism directed at Obi by several political figures reflects the growing influence of the former Anambra State governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a post shared on X, NEFERTITI alleged that a number of politicians and public commentators had focused their attacks on Obi, suggesting that the attention underscored his political relevance.

According to the post, individuals including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Labour Party factional leader Julius Abure, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, and former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole had all targeted Obi in their public remarks.

“The entire Establishment is attacking one man,” the post stated.

NEFERTITI also pointed to what she described as a pattern of political leaders making repeated assurances of electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in their respective states. She listed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori among those allegedly making such commitments.

The X user argued that the repeated declarations by political office holders highlighted the pressure Obi was exerting on Nigeria’s political establishment.

“Our man is on everyone’s lips,” NEFERTITI wrote, adding that it takes significant political influence for “one man to put Aso Rock and the entire Establishment under constant pressure.”

The comments come amid increasing political activity and early positioning by key actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of various political figures intensifying debates over the country’s leadership and future electoral prospects.

Neither the individuals mentioned in the post nor the Presidency had responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.

Politics

Northern influencer urges ADC to merge structure with NDC

Published

19 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

A northern social media influencer and supporter of Peter Obi, Shehu Gazali Sadiq, has reiterated his position that Atiku may not feature on the ballot in the 2027 general elections, citing recent legal developments involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a post shared on social media, Sadiq recalled that he had predicted two weeks earlier that Atiku would not contest the 2027 presidential election under the ADC platform, adding that many had dismissed his comments at the time.

According to him, a High Court in Abuja has now directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development he argued could significantly affect the party’s political calculations ahead of the next election cycle.

Sadiq maintained that although the ADC is expected to challenge the ruling on appeal, such efforts would be futile because the party’s leadership dispute remains the subject of ongoing litigation.

He further urged the ADC to merge its structure with the NDC and throw its support behind Peter Obi for the presidency in 2027.

“It is time to advise the ADC to collapse its structure into NDC and support Peter Obi for president,” he wrote, expressing optimism about the country’s future by concluding that “Nigeria will be OK.”

The comments reflect the growing political debates and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties and stakeholders continue to position themselves in an evolving political landscape.

Politics

2027: ADC candidates in panic mode

Published

19 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

Winners of primary elections conducted by the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections are in panic mode.

This is following an Abuja Federal High Court order on Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should deregister the party and four others.

The affected parties are the African

Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Observers had said the development could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.

Already, sources said some candidates of the ADC are seriously jittery as over the uncertainties surrounding the party’s participation in the coming elections.

A top party member told newsdiggers.com that the court decision has unsettled many candidates.

“‘ Obviously, there is anxiety. The candidates can’t be merrying or partying over such order. It is better to lose at the polls than to be prevented from taking part in this controversial manner.”

He added: ” Any candidate who is not strong willed can develop high blood pressure and slump because they have spent so much financially, psychologically and emotionally to this this far.”

A source close to a candidate in the Southeast said. “My principal became instantly feverish immediately the news broke yesterday.”

In spite of the party assurance that it would participate in the election, the source said the principal remains pessimistic, saying: “He fears that even if they participate, the court can still turn around and nullify the results especially in places where ADC does well.”

Delivering the judgment that has put the fate of ADC in the balance, Justice Peter Lifu held that the parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration and directed INEC to take steps to deregister them.

The suit was instituted by a group of former lawmakers, who asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the performance benchmarks outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties consistently failed to meet the conditions required for continued registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or winning elective positions at the national, state, or local government levels.

The group argued that the five parties did not attain the prescribed electoral threshold during the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.

They contended that allowing the parties to remain on the register despite their poor electoral performance amounted to a violation of constitutional provisions and undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

In addition, they sought an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections, conducting party primaries, organising rallies, or engaging in other political activities pending compliance with constitutional requirements.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.

The judgment could have major political implications, particularly for the ADC, which has recently been linked to opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 presidential election. However, it remains unclear whether the affected parties will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.