Politics
Niger Poll: Group Calls For Disqualification Of PDP Gov Candidate
A youth group known as Concerned Niger Youths has threatened to resist the candidacy of a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate with a questionable public standing in the upcoming governorship election on Saturday.
The group has called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the candidate, Liman Isah Kantigi, due to his alleged involvement in money laundering and other corrupt practices.
The group argued that someone who has been indicted by a court for such crimes cannot be trusted to govern a state, especially one that he has wronged so brazenly. The election is scheduled to take place in 24 hours.
On February 15, according to report, Liman Isah Kantigi, the PDP governorship candidate in Niger State, issued a death threat to prospective voters who planned to collect his money without voting for him in the general election.
In a viral video that trended on social media, Kantigi was seen dressed in a white long dress and a cap, telling his supporters in English and Hausa languages that anyone who betrayed him at the polls would face dire consequences.
While describing himself as a generous man who looked out for others, Kantigi warned that those who would collect his money without reciprocating with votes would be plagued with nightmares and cold and would eventually die.
A statement issued in Abuja by the coordinator of Concerned Niger Youths, Ndagi Lemu, wondered why the PDP would field such a person as candidate for the state’s number one office despite knowing the enormity of his indictment.
The group drew attention to the Federal High Court ruling which indicted the governorship candidate for offences related to money laundering.
“We therefore call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to disqualify him from the governorship poll on Saturday based on his indictment by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“We also urge the security agencies to do the needful by ensuring that Kantagi is punished for his alleged crimes against the people he is now aspiring to rule over. We are calling on all Nigerlites to rise up against looters of our commonwealth by ensuring that they don’t come near public offices to repeat such acts. We can’t have indicted character as governor of our state,” Lemu said.
Deji Adeyanju, a Nigerian activist and lawyer, has made explosive claims regarding the 2023 presidential election, suggesting that former Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso secretly supported President Bola Tinubu’s campaign.
In a post shared on his 𝕏 page Thursday, Adeyanju contended that Obi, who ran against Tinubu, would likely continue to support the president in future political endeavors.
He expressed certainty that Obi would decline any efforts to form a coalition aimed at challenging Tinubu in the next election.
READ ALSO: Lad Who Stood In Front Of Obi’s Convoy Apprehended For Street Fighting – Police
“I’m 100% convinced that Obi worked for Tinubu in 2023 and will do so again. I might be wrong, but I’m convinced in my mind about this,” Adeyanju wrote.
“Once a businessman, always a businessman. Those still in doubt will see the clear handwriting before 2027. He will refuse to join the coalition,” he continued.
Additionally, Adeyanju accused Kwankwaso of working in favor of Tinubu during the previous election.
He emphasized that for any opposition coalition to succeed in the 2027 race, figures like Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—another presidential hopeful—must step aside.
“For the coalition to succeed, all the self-centered politicians like Atiku & Obi should promise not to run and allow neutral folks to run against Tinubu,” Adeyanju proposed. “This is how to put the interest of the nation above personal interest,” he added.
The activist went on to criticize the culture surrounding Nigerian politics, describing it as an industry driven by opportunism.
He lamented the presence of “merchants” surrounding top politicians, accusing them of putting personal gain ahead of the country’s well-being. “The biggest industry in Africa is politics,” Adeyanju said.
“And those around popular politicians are all merchants. Once politics is around the corner, they are in business. Con men and women who just want to cash out.”
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, attended his first National Economic Council (NEC) meeting today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Ibas was appointed to the position by President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March 2025.
READ MORE: Tinubu Swears In Ibas As Rivers Sole Administrator
The NEC meeting, which is being presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gathered a number of state governors and deputy governors from across the 36 states of Nigeria to discuss important national economic issues.
Among the notable figures in attendance was Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Governor Oborevwori led the opening prayers at the meeting on the instruction of Vice President Shettima.
Other state governors present included Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia of Benue State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, and Bassey Otu of Cross River, along with several deputy governors.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his long-standing association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected in 2023.
The switch was confirmed on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the decision came after extensive deliberations.
READ ALSO: Edo LP Senator, Neda Imasuen Set To Join APC
“This move followed wide consultations with political stakeholders and is in the interest of Delta’s long-term development,” Ahon stated.
Oborevwori was welcomed into the APC by senior party figures, marking what observers are calling a calculated political maneuver with potential ramifications for the 2027 elections.
More to follow…………..
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