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Yari Reveals Reason For Senate Presidency Loss To Akpabio

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Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State has claimed that he lost the race for the position of Senate President due to a coalition formed by certain high-ranking government officials.

 

Yari, who represents the Zamfara West senatorial district, disclosed this during an interview with BBC Hausa service on Friday.

 

During the Senate President election, which took place during the inauguration of the 10th Senate, Yari competed against Godswill Akpabio and was defeated by a vote tally of 63 to 46. The Senate consists of 109 senators in total.

 

Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, enjoyed the support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the backing of President Bola Tinubu as their preferred candidate.

 

Yari suggested that he would have emerged victorious in the contest had there not been a coordinated effort against him, spearheaded by Tinubu.

 

He expressed regret, stating that if he had anticipated his defeat, he would not have participated in the election.

 

However, he maintained his belief that he could have emerged as the winner if not for the gang up he faced from influential figures.

 

He said “I never dreamt of not winning. From the day we started taken count of those with us, we had a number that showed we were in the majority. But you should not forget that I didn’t contest against Akpabio because if I knew I would not be up against Akpabio, I would not have joined the race.”

 

Abdulaziz Yari, when asked about his opponents in the election, disclosed that his competition encompassed not only Godswill Akpabio but also prominent figures such as the President, the Vice President, and various other influential government and political officials.

 

He further stated “Everyone was involved. The president was involved, the vice president was involved, the secretary government of the federation was involved, the governors all against me alone and those that supported me.

 

“I hope that in his second tenure, the president will allow democratic process to take centre stage in the parliament. He said he has a preferred candidate but the right thing for him as a leader was to accept everyone as his own. He shouldn’t show difference.

 

“He said during his swearing in that he would do right to all manner of people. I should be among those he was referring to but with this outcome, it shows there is betrayal and inducement whether to scare (some senators) or some other ways,” he added.

 

Despite his claims of facing a “gang up” and formidable opposition, Abdulaziz Yari, who had previously served as a member of the House of Representatives, stated that he has accepted the election outcome with a sense of goodwill.

 

He said “You know National Assembly election is not the type of you’ll say there is rigging. They’re 109 senators and these are matured people in their own rights who have their own decisions and convictions. So, as a Muslim I’ve accepted the outcome of the election in good faith.”

 

Yari, also former chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), clarified that he harbored no ill feelings towards Bola Tinubu as he expressed his belief that the outcome of the election, where he failed to secure the position of Senate President, was ultimately determined by God.

 

He said “From that day, to me I know that it’s God that decides everything. I know that’s not Bola (the president) that decides things. It’s God. If God wishes otherwise, I would have emerged and not even Bola or anyone could stop it.”

 

Yari further conveyed his intentions for the 10th Senate, emphasizing that they would meticulously examine crucial matters for the progress and advancement of the country.

 

He expressed his commitment to focusing on the economy and pledged to provide guidance and advice whenever deemed necessary.

 

 

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Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

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2023: It is time to sing songs of unity, peace prosperity, says Shettima

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.

 

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NDC Warns Judiciary Against Turning Courts Into Tools for Political Opposition

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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!”

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APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm

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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.”

 

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