Politics
80-Year-Old Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Re-Elected For Sixth Term
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on Saturday won a sixth term in office, a much-expected result in an authoritarian country with next to no political opposition.
The 80-year-old has been in power for 43 years — the longest rule of any leader alive in the world today except monarchs.
During his election campaign in 2009, Obiang promised “social housing for all” in the oil-rich central African state.
Obiang planned to provide enough housing to raise Malabo’s shanty towns, including Nubili, a mass of tin-roofed shacks along narrow paths that is home to thousands of families in the heart of the city.
Since, some 20,000 housing projects have sprung up in the country of around 1.5 million residents.
But sitting outside his shack in Nubili, 70-year-old Julio Ondo said none of them appeared to be for people like him.
“They’ve made fools of the poor,” he said. I’ve lost all hope of one day living in “dignified housing”.
Most people live in poverty in Equatorial Guinea, the World Bank estimates, while wealth is concentrated in the hands of just a few families.
– ‘I’ll be dead’ –
In some parts of Malabo today, lines of identical apartment blocks have sprung up as far as the eye can see, built with the profits of high international oil prices.
In the suburb of Buena Esperanza, some 2,300 small detached homes appeared during the 2010s, supposed to welcome families from Nubili.
But today, shiny four-wheel drives and other expensive cars line the neighbourhood’s streets, appearing to indicate the wealth of its new residents.
The homes are being sold for around $15,500, payable in monthly instalments of $78.
But that is astronomical for many in Nubili.
Plantain farmer Antonio Omecha, 72, is one of many who had hoped the housing plan would allow him to leave a slum plagued with disease and frequent fires.
He said he did receive a housing coupon to go and live in Buena Esperanza.
“But we had to pay 1.5 million francs (more than $2,350)” upfront first, he said.
It was impossible on his monthly income of $30.
His neighbour Tobias Ondo, 65, said the new homes were simply too expensive.
“Do you really think someone who works seven days and barely makes 2,000 francs can afford to own such a home?” he said.
“I’ll be dead before I go and live in the public housing promised by the president.”
– ‘Powerful’ landlords –
Equatorial Guinea is the region’s third richest country, with a GDP per capita of $8,462 last year, after the Seychelles and Mauritius, the World Bank says.
But in 2006, when the oil boom was in full swing, more than three quarters of the population lived in “extreme poverty”, or on less than $1.90 a day, the international financial body said. There have been no new figures since.
The country ranked 172 out of 180 in Transparency International’s 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index.
During his election campaign at the start of the month, Obiang admitted that social housing intended for “people without great means” had been snapped up instead by “people able to build their own home”.
But he did not offer a solution.
Martinez Obiang, of micro-financing firm Atom Finances, says he thinks the homes should have cost no more than the equivalent of $780, payable in tiny monthly instalments of less than $3.
Sociologist Nsogo Eyi said the new homes, including those in Buena Esperanza, did not seem to be serving their intended purpose.
“Some powerful men have bought them to rent them out, including to expats,” he said.
AFP reached out to several of these new owners, but they refused to comment.
AFP
Politics
“PDP Can’t Unseat Tinubu with Wike in Charge” — Ulasi Blows Hot, Threatens Exit
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
ALSO READ: ‘I Didn’t Mean It Literally’ — Nyesom Wike Clears Air as Atiku Abubakar Fires Back
“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
Politics
Drama in Ogun APC as Gbenga Daniel Claims He Was Barred From Meeting
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
ALSO READ: “APC Failure in Disguise?” — Dickson Tears Into ADC Coalition
Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
Politics
Who Leads ADC? Supreme Court to Hear Mark’s Appeal in Heated Party Rift
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
SEE MORE: 2027: Why ADC, Opposition Leaders Stormed INEC in Abuja
Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.






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