APC

By Uzair Adam 

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has responded to recent remarks by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying the former Kano governor was also once under his political mentorship.

Ganduje, who is currently in Saudi Arabia performing the Hajj pilgrimage, made the response in a statement released on Friday through his Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba.

The statement followed comments credited to Kwankwaso in which he reportedly said, “Even Ganduje was once my boy.”

Reacting to the remark, Ganduje said politics thrives on mentorship, sacrifice, support and long-standing relationships, noting that no politician attains prominence without assistance from others along the way.

According to the statement, Ganduje recalled playing a significant role in Kwankwaso’s early political journey, especially during the National Assembly election that led to his emergence as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“At that period, Ganduje could comfortably have described Kwankwaso as his political boy, considering the moral and financial support he offered him,” the statement read.

The former APC chairman further recalled that during his time as a senior civil servant in the Federal Capital Territory and later as Kano State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Kwankwaso frequently visited him in both Abuja and Kano.

Ganduje said reviving “boy-master” narratives in present-day politics was unnecessary at a time citizens expect leaders to focus on governance, peace and development.

He also revisited the 1998 Kano governorship primaries, claiming that many party stakeholders believed he won the contest but that senior political figures persuaded him to accept the deputy governorship position alongside Kwankwaso in the interest of party unity.

Despite their political disagreements over the years, Ganduje noted that he and Kwankwaso worked together successfully as governor and deputy governor between 1999 and 2003, and again from 2011 to 2015.

He added that political relationships naturally evolve, citing the example of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who once served as Kwankwaso’s Personal Assistant but later rose to become governor of the state.

“Politics should not be reduced to who is superior to the other. A father can nurture a child who eventually surpasses him in influence and status,” Ganduje stated.

He urged political leaders and supporters in Kano State to avoid divisive comments and instead concentrate on promoting unity, peace and development across the state.

By Ukasha Kofarnassarawa 

Like almost everyone, I saw that Sheikh Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami is now PDP’s gubernatorial flag bearer for Gombe State. Congratulations to him. Pantami is now everything he once criticised. But that’s not my focus here; the internet has receipts for anyone interested in digging.

The real calculation:

Amid all the “consensus-coronation” drama unfolding nationwide, many observers expected Sheikh to defect to either ADC or the NDC, which are seen as the strongest opposition blocs. But Abuja is playing a different game. This looks calculated.

Right now, the entire core North — both North-West and North-East — is held by APC governors, except Bauchi, which lately switched to APM. The party’s structure and acceptability are widely seen as weak, and the state is likely to return to APC in the next election, given its current flag bearer, the former governor of the state.

For the President’s party, having zero opposition across the whole core north would be a dangerous optics problem. It would look like a monopoly. To avoid that, Abuja needs to “sacrifice” 2  core northern states to the opposition, just to create balance. One in the northwest and the other in the northeast.

And among all opposition parties, PDP is the “lesser evil” from Abuja’s view because one of its sons controls a major faction there. So Pantami decamped to the PDP, which functions as an extension of the APC. The plan: he gets “appointed” governor to create the illusion of balance, then switches to the main APC immediately after winning.

Abuja’s handwriting is not hard to understand.

Ukasha Kofarnassarawa wrote via Ukasha_sani@yahoo.com.

By Uzair Adam

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lamented the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country, saying ransom payments have become as common in many Nigerian homes as rent and school fees.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for celebrating Nigeria’s debt profile while citizens continue to battle hunger, insecurity and rising living costs.

The former vice president was reacting to recent remarks by the Presidency defending the country’s borrowing level in comparison with other African nations.

According to him, the government’s position showed a disconnect from the realities faced daily by ordinary Nigerians.

“It is both astonishing and insulting that at a time when millions of Nigerians can barely afford one meal a day, when parents are withdrawing children from school because of crushing hardship, when businesses are collapsing under unbearable electricity tariffs and inflation, and when entire communities are being overrun by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, the Presidency is celebrating debt figures,” he said.

Atiku said insecurity had made travelling by road dangerous in many parts of the country, while families now live in fear of kidnappings and attacks.

“In many parts of Nigeria today, travelling by road has become a gamble with death. Families go to bed praying not to receive midnight calls announcing the abduction of loved ones,” he stated.

He also linked the country’s worsening food crisis to insecurity, noting that many farmers had abandoned their farmlands because of attacks by armed groups.

“Food production has declined sharply because rural communities now live under constant threat of attacks, abductions and killings. The inevitable result is what Nigerians are currently witnessing — astronomical food prices, widespread hunger and rising anger among citizens,” Atiku added.

The Waziri Adamawa maintained that borrowing is not necessarily wrong if funds are invested in projects capable of improving infrastructure, boosting productivity and creating jobs.

However, he argued that Nigerians had seen little improvement in their living conditions despite the government’s increasing debt profile.

He accused the administration of focusing on propaganda rather than addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

Atiku further recalled that the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which he served as vice president, implemented reforms that helped Nigeria exit the Paris Club debt burden and restore international confidence in the economy.

“Nigerians do not care about statistical gymnastics from government spokespersons. They care about whether food is affordable, whether their children are safe, whether businesses can survive and whether the future still holds any promise,” he said.

He urged the Tinubu administration to confront the country’s challenges with sincerity, urgency and compassion before the situation worsens further.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A major crisis has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party in Gombe State following the emergence of former minister Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

One of the aspirants, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, alongside other contenders including Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Usman Aliyu Garry, and Monica Kaltho, rejected the outcome of the PDP primary held on Tuesday. Pantami was declared winner through a voice vote after delegates affirmed him as the party’s sole candidate.

The aggrieved aspirants argued that Pantami was ineligible to contest the PDP primary because he had only recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress after participating in its internal political process. They claimed electoral laws do not permit a politician to contest in two different party primaries within the same election cycle.

Saleh also questioned the sudden postponement of the PDP primary from Sunday to Tuesday, describing the process as unfair and unlawful. He confirmed that his legal team had begun preparations to challenge Pantami’s emergence in court and urged his supporters across Gombe State to remain peaceful while the matter is resolved legally.

Pantami, who recently defected from the APC after criticising the party’s consensus arrangement that produced Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as a candidate, said his decision to join the PDP was driven by a desire to tackle poverty and improve governance in Gombe State.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to officially receive the certificate of return and the party flag as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2027 elections on Sunday.

The Presidential Primary Elections Committee will present the items at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja following the nationwide collation of primary election results.

The ceremony will be attended by APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, and the National Assembly, as well as party stalwarts.

In a statement released on Saturday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the event.

The presentation marks a formal step in the APC’s preparation for the 2027 general elections, with President Tinubu expected to lead the party’s campaign for a second term.

By Uzair Adam

The member representing Gwale Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mai Rigar Fata, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mai Rigar Fata represents Gwale Local Government Area, the hometown of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The lawmaker was officially received into the NDC on Thursday by former Kano State governor and party leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.

Kwankwaso described the defection as a major boost for the party’s grassroots structure in Kano State, saying the new entrants would strengthen the NDC ahead of future political activities.

Mai Rigar Fata was first elected into the Assembly in 2023 under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) before later moving to the APC alongside Governor Yusuf.

His latest defection followed his failure to secure the APC ticket to contest for another term in the Assembly.

Others who also joined the NDC include former Gwale Local Government Vice Chairman, Hon. Kabiru Sani Auwal Obi, and Malam Mahadi Isa Umar.

The development came shortly after a Federal High Court ruling on Thursday which reportedly created fresh openings for political defections previously restricted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Reacting to the court decision, the spokesman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ruling could trigger mass defections from the APC.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has pulled out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Gombe State.

Pantami announced his withdrawal on Tuesday through a statement issued by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement.

The former minister said his decision followed alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and what he described as the APC leadership’s failure to provide information needed for a transparent and credible primary election.

According to the statement, Pantami joined the race after pressure from political leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders in the state. It added that he complied with the party’s guidelines and fulfilled all requirements expected of aspirants.

The statement also noted that Pantami was the only APC governorship aspirant who sent a representative to the Peace Accord meeting organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Gombe State Command, on May 14, 2026. It said his representative was also the only one who signed the agreement during the meeting.

Pantami, however, accused the party of denying him access to important details concerning the conduct of the direct primaries.

The statement said letters written by his solicitors to party officials over concerns surrounding the exercise were neither acknowledged nor answered.

“In a democracy, the law must guide the process. Non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party guidelines renders the exercise unsafe and illegitimate,” the statement said.

It further alleged that irregularities marred the APC National Assembly direct primaries conducted in the state on May 16 and 18.

“The people of Gombe State witnessed what transpired during the direct primary ‘elections’ for the National Assembly held on 16 and 18 May 2026,” the statement added.

Pantami maintained that many grassroots party members, especially women and youths who form the bulk of his support base, were excluded from the process.

The statement said the former minister decided to withdraw after consultations with stakeholders across the state.

“After extensive consultations with stakeholders and careful reflection on the developments in Gombe State, Prof. Pantami has taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the APC governorship primary election scheduled for 21 May 2026, under protest. Peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of democracy,” it stated.

The movement also accused party leaders of ignoring directives by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the need for free and credible direct primaries.

According to the statement, details relating to accreditation of agents and observers, voting procedures and collation centres were not provided to aspirants before the exercise.

“Even though President Bola Ahmed Tinubu insisted on the necessity of free, fair, and credible direct primaries, his directives were, unfortunately, not implemented,” the statement said.

Pantami also expressed appreciation to supporters who contributed money for the purchase of his nomination and expression of interest forms through crowdfunding.

The statement disclosed that donations ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦4 million and were publicly acknowledged online.

He thanked youths, women, campaign coordinators, elders and members of his media and campaign teams for their support.

Pantami urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the development.

“Democracy rests on the rule of law, peace, and security,” the statement added.

The Pantamiyya Movement said it would announce its next political steps in due course.

By Anwar Usman

Mr. Yusuf Gagdi, a two-term lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State has failed to secure ticket of All Progressives Congress, APC, to return to the National Assembly for the third time.

Mr Gagdi is currently the Chairman, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Navy.

Gagdi lost the primaries of his party conducted across the three Local Government Area, LGAs, that make up his constituency.

NAN reports that, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Daspan Ishaya, announced the results of the polls on Sunday in Pankshin.

Mr Ishaya said that Dr John Tongshinen scored 29,968 to defeat Gagdi, his closest opponent, who polled 5,849 votes.

“By the powers conferred on me as the Chairman of this committee, I hereby declare Mr John Tongshinen as winner of the APC primaries for Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam federal constituency,”he said.

Ishaya explained that the primaries was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Mahmud Sadis Buba, widely known as Al-Ajabin Zazzau, has stepped down from the contest to represent Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His withdrawal followed weeks of controversy over allegations of age falsification and inconsistencies in documents linked to his candidacy.

Buba disclosed his decision in a letter addressed to the Kaduna State APC chairman. He also shared the letter on his verified Facebook page on Saturday.

“Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am withdrawing from the race for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, effective immediately,” he wrote.

He explained that the decision came after consultations with party leaders, family members and political associates. According to him, ongoing reconciliation efforts within the APC also influenced his action.

“This was not an easy decision. But it was hastened by the reconciliation efforts initiated by stakeholders and leaders of our party. Consequently, after extensive consultations with my family, political associates, and stakeholders within our great party, I have decided that this decision is in the best interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he added.

Buba said party unity remained important ahead of the general elections. He noted that supporting a consensus candidate would strengthen the APC’s chances in the constituency.

“I believe that uniting behind a single candidate is paramount to our victory in the general election and for the continued progress of our constituency and state,” he stated.

The former aspirant also thanked Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the APC leadership for giving him the opportunity to participate in the party’s primaries. He described the experience as valuable and rewarding.

He maintained that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness. He said the move reflected his commitment to unity within the party. Buba also pledged support for whoever eventually emerges as the APC candidate for the constituency.

He further appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and support the party’s flagbearer.

Before his withdrawal, Buba had faced criticism over claims that he altered his age to satisfy the constitutional requirement for election into the House of Representatives.

The issue gained attention after his appearance before the APC screening committee in Abuja. Several social media users circulated documents that questioned his age and identity details.

Buba had earlier stated in interviews that he was born on August 2, 1995, and was qualified to contest the election. However, critics continued to challenge the claim, alleging discrepancies in some of his records.

Although he did not address the allegations directly in his withdrawal letter, political observers linked his exit to the controversy that surrounded his ambition.

As of the time of filing this report, APC stakeholders in Kaduna State had not issued an official statement on whether the withdrawal was connected to the allegations or part of wider reconciliation efforts within the party.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A major crack has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sabon Gari Federal Constituency as aspirant Mahmud Sadis Buba has publicly rejected the endorsement of incumbent lawmaker Sadiq Ango Abdullahi as the party’s consensus candidate.

Buba, a 30-year-old popular politician in Zaria also known as Abin Al-Aljabin Zazzau, dismissed the arrangement as an “endorsement,” not a consensus, insisting that he was not consulted as a fellow aspirant.

The controversy began on Wednesday when the chairman of Sabon Gari local government area and ALGON chairman in Kaduna State, Hon. Jamilu Abubakar Albani, issued a statement claiming that APC stakeholders had met and endorsed Sadiq Ango as the constituency’s consensus candidate.

But in a reaction on Thursday night, speaking through his personal assistant and secretary, Alhassan Sani, Buba said: “Consensus is where all contestants or aspirants step down for one person. There was nothing like that. There was no consensus in the Sabon Gari federal constituency seat. It was an endorsement, not a consensus.”

Buba, who has already purchased his nomination forms, declared that he is fully prepared for the APC direct primary scheduled for Friday.

“We are fully prepared to go into direct primaries on Friday, and the people of Sabon Gari will vote for us massively,” he said.

As both factions stand their ground, tensions are mounting in the constituency ahead of the party’s primary election.