Politics
Emefiele Joins Presidential Race Under APC
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The dust raised by the ongoing jostle for who replace President Muhammadu Buhari come May 2023 is rising higher each day.
For the first time in Nigeria’s political history, a serving governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for an elective position.
The Governor, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, on Friday in Abuja bought the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of interest form at the going rate of N100m.
With Emefiele’s entry, the number of presidential aspirants under APC goes to the positive side of 30.
As at the last count, 12 aspirants have purchased APC’s presidential form. Among them are, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuiba, fiery cleric, Tunde Bakare, Governor Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa State, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, and Senator Rochas Okorocha, Governor Yahaya Bello; the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Nicholas Felix and Ms Unu Onaneye, who happens to be the only female among them.
Read Also >> Science, Technology Minister Declares To Also Run For President
Several others who have publicly expressed interest in the race and are expected to purchase the form include Governor Ben Ayade, former Chairman, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Orji Kalu, ex-Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, and ex-Senate President, Ken Nnamani.
Also on the list are, Yakubu Mohammed; Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim; Tien Jack-Rich; Tech Entrepreneur, Adamu Garba, Rev. Moses Ayom; Ibrahim Bello-Dauda and Ibinabo Dokubo. The Minister of Science and Technology, Onu; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva are also expected to make good their publicly declared intention by buying the forms within the window.
In the same vein, acclaimed supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan have also offered to the purchase forms for him.
Recall that Emefiele was appointed CBN governor in 2014 and has since remained at the apex bank, getting his tenure renewed against much of public expectations. Under him, the naira has wobbled against the dollar and now exchanged at N560/$1 from around N150/$1 when he came into office.
According to Section 9 of the CBN Act, 2007, the apex bank governor must not venture into any other vocation while in office and must resign in writing to the President if he nursed such intention.
It read, “The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank and while holding office shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation whether remunerated or not except such personal or charitable causes as may be determined by the Board and which do not conflict with or detract from their full-time duties…”
Politics
Ogun 2027: APC’s YAYI Donates 30-Seater Bus to Remo Council
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as YAYI, has donated a 30-seater bus to the Remo Traditional Council.
Adeola disclosed the donation on Friday during a visit to the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, and the entire Remo Traditional Council.
SEE MORE: 2027: Wike’s 419ners, Lazy Remarks Against APC Gov in Bad Taste — Aliyu
The donation, according to the APC candidate, was made in further support of the traditional institution and to facilitate the official engagements and responsibilities of members of the council.
Adeola visited the traditional council alongside Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his running mate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun; and other APC leaders.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for presenting him and his running mate to the royal fathers as his successors, while commending the governor for laying what he described as a solid foundation for Ogun State’s continued growth.
The APC candidate said he was committed to consolidating the achievements of the Abiodun administration if elected, promising to govern the state with fairness, equity and integrity.
Adeola also pledged that no community would be neglected under his proposed administration.
He thanked the Akarigbo and other traditional rulers for their warm reception, encouraging remarks and special royal prayers for him and his running mate.
The visit comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election continue.
Politics
2027: South Should Complete 8 Years Before North Takes Over — Shehu Sani
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said the 2027 presidential contest should be dominated by Southern candidates, arguing that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year tenure before power returns to the North in 2031.
Sani made the declaration on Thursday in a post on X, as debate over zoning and the rotation of presidential power continues ahead of the 2027 general election.
SEE MORE: 2027: Wike’s 419ners, Lazy Remarks Against APC Gov in Bad Taste — Aliyu
He listed President Bola Tinubu, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Social Democratic Party candidate Adewole Adebayo and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke among the Southern politicians who should contest the 2027 presidential election.
“The 2027 political contest should be between Tinubu, Peter Obi, Sowore, Makinde, Adebayo, Duke and other Southern Candidates,” Sani said.
“The South should complete its eight years. Its not constitutional but it’s equitable.
“We should not bury our heads in the sand and deny the realities and complexities of our history.”
Sani further argued that the North should have what he described as an “unchallengeable right” to the presidency in 2031 if the South completes its eight years.
“The North should have an unchallengeable right in 2031,” he stated.
He also warned politicians opposed to respecting power rotation in 2027 that the principle could similarly be disregarded when the presidency is expected to return to the North.
“Those who say there shouldn’t be respect for the principle of Rotation of power in 2027, should know that it WILL NOT be respected in 2031,” Sani added.
Politics
2027: Wike’s 419ners, Lazy Remarks Against APC Gov in Bad Taste — Aliyu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Farouk Aliyu, has described the language used by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, against some APC governors as being in “bad taste.”
Aliyu was reacting to Wike’s description of some governors as “419ners” and “lazy” amid the political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, the APC chieftain said members of the ruling party rejected Wike’s remarks.
SEE ALSO: 2027: PDP Drops Fresh Revelation on Wike’s Support for Tinubu
“The language Nyesom Wike used to describe governors as ‘419ners’ or ‘lazy’ is in bad taste. All members of the APC reject that comment,” Aliyu said.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained active in the political developments ahead of the 2027 elections despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election period and openly supported President Bola Tinubu, the APC candidate, during the presidential election.
Following Tinubu’s emergence as president, Wike was appointed Minister of the FCT, a position he has held under the APC-led Federal Government while remaining a PDP member.
His political position ahead of 2027 has continued to attract attention, particularly over his support for Tinubu and his reported efforts to build a broader political coalition.
Wike has previously criticised APC governors who opposed his political moves, questioning their commitment to delivering electoral support for Tinubu.
However, Aliyu said the APC was willing to accommodate politicians from other parties who wanted to support the ruling party.
“However, as a party, the APC welcomes anyone, including Wike and others from different parties, who is willing to support the APC,” he said.
According to him, the party’s concern was to maintain a coordinated campaign structure ahead of the elections.
“But we want a unified campaign structure at the national level and across the states,” Aliyu added.





