Politics
Gunmen Abduct Accord Party Candidate For Rivers Assembly
Chukwudi Ogbonna, the Accord Party candidate for the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Constituency 2 in the upcoming Rivers State House of Assembly election, was abducted by unknown gunmen on Monday night.
According to reports, Mr. Ogbonna was driving near Port Harcourt when the gunmen intercepted his car at Rumuigbo community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state and forced him to stop. They further proceeded to kidnap him and fled the scene with his vehicle.
Ifeakachukwu Nwakiri, who is the candidate’s cousin’s brother, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday morning.
He claimed the kidnap was politically motivated.
Nwakiri stated that “They took him with his Mercedes car. We have reported the matter at the Kala Police station.”
He also called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider suspending the State House of Assembly election for Onelga Constituency II pending the release of his brother.
“He was double crossed and taken to an unknown destination. Up until now we have not heard from him. So we don’t know where he has been taken to.
“Our plea and our call is to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the Commissioner of Police Director of DSS, NSCDC for all of them to swing into action to make sure they rescue Engineer Chukwudi Ogbonna.” He added
Politics
2027: Kwankwasiyya Movement Fires Warning Shot Over Attacks on Kwankwaso
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has issued a strong warning against what it described as growing political attacks on its leader, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, in a statement released on Friday by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, accused some political commentators of deliberately targeting Kwankwaso with what it called misleading narratives aimed at undermining his political influence.
SEE ALSO: Political Alignments: Tinubu Woos Kwakwanso in France
According to the movement, the recent wave of criticism appears to be linked to discussions around possible political cooperation between Kwankwaso and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under the proposed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The group said the idea of a broader political alliance has generated nationwide interest and support, as many Nigerians see it as a potential pathway to national unity and democratic progress.
However, it expressed concern that certain individuals and interests are uncomfortable with the emerging political alignment, which they believe could reshape Nigeria’s political structure.
“What appears to be troubling certain interests is not merely the possibility of political cooperation, but the enormous national potential such an alliance represents,” the statement said.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement further argued that a partnership between Kwankwaso and Obi could bridge Nigeria’s long-standing regional and political divisions by combining strong grassroots support in the North with widespread youth backing in the South.
It described the development as a rare opportunity in Nigeria’s political history, where leaders with independent support bases could collaborate across regional lines for national interest.
“For the first time in recent political history, Nigerians are witnessing the realistic possibility of a broad-based political understanding capable of bridging the long-standing regional divide,” the group stated.
The movement also criticised what it called double standards in how political figures are judged, alleging that similar political engagements by other actors are often praised while Kwankwaso’s are framed negatively.
It maintained that coalition-building is a normal part of democratic politics and should not be misrepresented as a threat.
Reaffirming Kwankwaso’s relevance in Nigerian politics, the group said his influence is built on years of grassroots engagement and public trust rather than federal power or elite backing.
The statement urged political actors and commentators to act responsibly and avoid inflammatory rhetoric, especially at a time when Nigeria is facing economic and security challenges.
Politics
ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as Court Adjourns David Mark Suit Indefinitely
The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress took a fresh turn on Friday after the Federal High Court in Abuja indefinitely adjourned a suit challenging the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark.
The case, filed by ADC chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe, also challenges the emergence of former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola within the party’s leadership structure.
SEE ALSO: ‘He Can’t Compete’ — Presidency Mocks Obi Over ADC Exit
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter indefinitely after the plaintiff informed the court that an application had been submitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court seeking the transfer of the case to another judge.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, disclosed that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed against the proceedings by Mark.
According to him, the apex court on April 30, 2026, ruled that the appeal lacked merit and also lifted the Court of Appeal’s earlier order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.
Haruna further told the court that the plaintiff had written a letter dated May 4, 2026, requesting that the matter be reassigned to another judge, urging the court to await the administrative decision of the Chief Judge.
The request, however, sparked strong opposition from lawyers representing the defendants, who accused the plaintiff of attempting to frustrate the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court.
Counsel for the first defendant, Realwan Okpanachi, argued that the defence had not been served any communication concerning the application, describing the move as an ambush.
Another defence lawyer, Sulaiman Usman, condemned the action, describing it as “forum shopping and judge shopping,” while P.I. Oyewole labelled the request “strange” and accused the plaintiff of inviting the Chief Judge to indulge in judicial misconduct.
Responding to the objections, Haruna maintained that the plaintiff stood by the application seeking reassignment of the case.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite stated that the court could not take any action on the transfer request without first hearing from all parties involved.
He added that since the letter was addressed to the Chief Judge, the trial court lacked the authority to make pronouncements on it.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter indefinitely to allow parties file a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment, serve the defendants with the transfer request letter, and await further directives from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Gombe is seeking an order restraining Mark, Aregbesola and others from parading themselves as leaders of the ADC, arguing that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
Politics
‘He Can’t Face Free, Fair Primaries’ – Kenneth Okonkwo Blast Obi
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, avoids participating in free and fair primary elections.
Okonkwo made the claim during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, stating that Obi’s political decisions are often influenced by his reluctance to engage in open and competitive contests.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Peter Obi Dumps ADC Ahead of 2027 Election
According to him, Obi’s departure from the ADC was not due to ideological differences or internal party challenges, but rather a deliberate move to sidestep primary elections.
“Peter Obi is afraid of free and fair primary elections. He gave reasons of challenges, but his main reason is that he does not want to face the primary election,” he said.
The ADC chieftain further alleged that Obi has historically depended on political negotiations and arrangements instead of contesting in primaries.
Citing Obi’s emergence as governor of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Okonkwo claimed that the former governor initially lost the party’s primary election before the outcome was later overturned.
“He has never been in one, and he will not be in one until he finishes his political career,” Okonkwo added.
The remarks come amid shifting political alignments and growing speculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major political figures exploring new platforms and alliances.






427296 747439educator, Sue. Although Sue had a list of discharge instructions in her hand, she paused and 2193