Politics
G-5: Atiku’s Team Adopt New Approaches
With just a month to the presidential election, the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces a challenge in getting five of its elected governors to support its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Governors Nyesom Wike Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Seyi Makinde and Samuel Ortom of Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Oyo and Benue states, respectively, had renounced their membership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in September 2022, calling for the resignation of party chairman Iyorchia Ayu to give way for a southern replacement.
The governors, thought to support rival candidates, have lessened their attacks on the Ayu-led PDP National Working Committee in recent months. It was reported that their inability to agree on a candidate has contributed to the reduced activity in their ranks.
It was gathered that in Benue State, loyalists to the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, were busy reaching out to party faithful in their strongholds to drum up support for him.
Also, Former Governor Gabriel Suswam is holding meetings in the Benue North-East Senatorial District, encouraging voters to support Atiku despite Governor Ortom’s opposition.
A governor’s associate, who wished to remain anonymous, said Suswam and playwright Professor Iyorwuese Hagher have been working for Atiku despite Governor Ortom stating he wouldn’t support Atiku if Ayu didn’t step down.
“Suswam addressed stakeholders from Zone A recently and Iyorwuese has been talking with his kinsmen. They are doing it in such a way as not to offend Ortom. They are friends with the governor but they are also careful not to overdo things. As a result, there is a lack of statewide coordination,” he said.
He continued, “Governor Ortom has already inaugurated an Obi team using his most trusted aides and allies. Former governorship aspirant, Prof Dennis Tyavyar, is chairman of the group. He was Commissioner for Education under Ortom before he stepped down to contest the governorship election.”
In Rivers State, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus leads the pro-Atiku group, joined by former Governor Celestine Omehia, ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Austin Opara, and former federal lawmaker Lee Maeba. Despite Governor Wike’s anti-Atiku stance, they support the party’s nominee.
Expectedly, Governors Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are in support of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, using their followers to avoid PDP consequences for anti-party actions.
The Director General of “House to House Campaign for Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa” in Borno State, Mustapha Shehu, said that the campaign would also be carried out in the five states.
“The House to House campaign will definitely break not only the G-5 governors’ hold on their states, but will also pose a significant threat to incumbent non-PDP governors.
“The Borno House to House has proved to be a check on the Wike-sponsored PDP stalwarts, including some in the state Executive. It has also positioned Atiku as the candidate to beat in the state despite the APC governor and the APC presidential running mate, Kashim Shettima,” Shehu said.
Governor Wike had promised to reveal the favored presidential candidate of the aggrieved governors in January but has yet to fulfill that promise.
Politics
Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Stanley Nkwocha disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, announcing the Vice President’s visit to Ebonyi State for the campaign rally.
The rally is scheduled to take place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as part of the APC’s campaign activities under the Renewed Hope agenda.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The announcement called on residents and party supporters to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Vice President, describing the event as an opportunity for massive political mobilisation.
“One city. Thousands of voices. An atmosphere of incredible energy,” the statement said.
Politics
NDC Warns Judiciary Against Turning Courts Into Tools for Political Opposition
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the judiciary against allowing itself to be used to undermine democracy following the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party expressed concern that the judgment, alongside other recent court decisions involving opposition parties, could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SEE ALSO: APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq. On Friday, the NDC said the manner in which some judgments, particularly those emanating from High Courts, were being delivered raised concerns about a possible attempt to exclude the ADC from the forthcoming elections.
While acknowledging the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, the party warned that court decisions capable of weakening opposition parties could create the impression that the judicial system was being used to frustrate democratic competition.
“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the statement read.
The NDC further argued that such developments could shrink the space for multi-party democracy, which it said was already facing significant threats under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party consequently urged the judiciary to safeguard its independence, impartiality and integrity, stressing the need to protect public confidence in the institution.
It also called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay, urging the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing to ensure the leadership dispute does not linger ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the NDC, resolving the matter promptly would prevent uncertainty from undermining democratic participation and the ability of political parties to prepare for the forthcoming polls.
The party concluded its statement with the declaration: “A New Nigeria is Possible!”
Politics
APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to their facilities, describing the development as an attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party raised the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Thursday, who expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and silence opposition voices.
According to the NDC, it has faced not only alleged violent attacks by agents of the ruling APC but also discrimination from hotels and hospitality businesses in Abuja.
SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi
The party specifically accused Rockview Hotel of cancelling agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions.
The first incident, according to the statement, occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its agreement to host the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the scheduled event.
The NDC claimed that the hotel recently rejected another request to use its facilities for a meeting, allegedly informing the party that the decision came through an “order from above.”
The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to provide its facilities for a meeting despite the NDC claiming it had fulfilled all the conditions required.
The statement further alleged that the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC) was nearly disrupted after its event venue initially asked the party to refund its payment, saying it was no longer interested in making its facilities available.
The NDC suggested that the decision might have resulted from alleged threats or instructions from influential quarters.
However, the party said its insistence on using the facility after making payment eventually compelled the hotel to honour the arrangement.
Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the NDC called on the APC to allow opposition parties to operate freely and campaign without interference.
“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the statement said.
The party also urged Nigerians and supporters of democracy to call out Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel over what it described as their “anti-people and anti-democratic actions.”
Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the NDC declared that Nigerians deserved better governance and insisted that it was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.
“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.
The party concluded with its declaration that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”





