The internal crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified yesterday as some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) rejected Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum’s decision to reinstate embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Damagum had earlier in the day reinstated Anyanwu, reportedly bowing to pressure from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which had insisted on compliance with a Supreme Court ruling affirming Anyanwu’s position. Amid the controversy, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a key figure in the party’s internal dispute, reportedly took issue with the tone of Damagum’s letter instructing Anyanwu to resume duties at the party’s national secretariat. The latest development came as Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the national leadership of the PDP and the Labour Party (LP) to resolve their internal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections. Akpabio noted that President Bola Tinubu was displeased with the current weakness of the opposition in the country. INEC had earlier met with PDP governors and NWC members in Abuja on Tuesday, where it reiterated its position that Anyanwu be restored in line with the Supreme Court’s decision. The tussle over the position of National Secretary has lingered between Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye. While Wike’s camp backs Anyanwu, the PDP’s South-East zone had nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu after he vacated the post to contest the Imo governorship election in November 2023. Speaking at a press briefing, Damagum explained that his decision was based on wide consultations with key stakeholders, including state governors, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and the National Assembly caucus. He emphasized that party unity and survival were more critical than individual preferences, especially with the approaching FCT area council elections. The reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a principal signatory in party matters, comes in response to INEC’s firm position on the regulatory requirements for the office of National Secretary. As a result, the PDP has called off its planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and has instead scheduled an expanded caucus meeting for June 30 to strategize on the way forward, including preparations for the party’s national convention. **NWC Members Insist Anyanwu’s Reinstatement Invalid** In a statement countering Ambassador Umar Damagum, some members of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) maintained that Damagum lacks the authority to override the resolution of the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The statement was signed by Amb. Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman, South), Setonji Koshoedo (Acting National Secretary), Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer), Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (National Auditor), Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary), and Woyengikuro Daniel (National Financial Secretary). They also clarified that the 100th NEC meeting, scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, has neither been cancelled nor postponed. The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been drawn to a press briefing by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30, 2025. “The Acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as national secretary of the party, contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which referred all matters relating to the office of the national secretary to the 100th NEC meeting. “The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee, NEC, under the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017). “For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, June 30, 2025, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC. “Furthermore, the claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the national secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading, being contrary to the resolution of NEC. In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025 has neither been cancelled nor postponed.”

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), has responded to calls for him to be considered as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate, stating, “I will do whatever the President wants me to do.” Speaking to journalists on Thursday in Abuja during a briefing on the upcoming zonal public hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Jibrin emphasized his loyalty, saying he would carry out any task assigned to him by the President with total commitment. The Deputy President of the Senate said, ” Honestly, I don’t want to say anything about this now. Because one point is very clear. Mr. President, since the inception of this administration, has been trying so hard to change the trajectory of the country in a way that will bring prosperity to the nation. “We all know the problems that he inherited. And we’ve been working with him – day and night. Because he’s our father, he’s the father of the nation. He’s open-minded. ” We understand what he’s doing. And I feel that at this time, there’s no point in talking about all these issues. (Running Mate). “What he’s doing is a work in progress. I believe that the best thing to do is to continue cooperating with Mr. President and supporting him. Not only the legislature but the entire people of this country should support the President. ” So, bringing this issue is quite premature. That’s why I told those groups; frankly, I don’t know them. I thank them for believing in me. But I told them, look, instead of wasting your energy on things that are not relevant now, channel your resources to support the President. “When the time comes, we’ll play politics. But this time is for governance. This is the issue. ” Mr. President is my political father. You’ll be surprised if I start telling you what he has done for me and my people. So, whenever he asks me to do something, when the time comes, I’ll do it. I’m very loyal to him. ” You see, Mr. President is a very kind-hearted person. When we had our problem in Kano, he resolved that issue for us. He made it possible for me to be given the ticket to the Senate in 2023. He stood by me to become the Deputy Senate President “So, if the time comes and he says, “I want you to work with me,” well, I would say, “Thank you, sir, and I will do it. So, whatever he asks me to do, I’ll do. I’m loyal to him, 100%. “The president is the father of the nation. So, make no mistake. But for now, we stand by him, we are working with him, and we want him to succeed. When he succeeds, we all succeed. ” Our faiths are tied together. Because we come from the same family we are Progressives I come from the Progressive fold, where he comes from. We are all progressives. That’s about my political history. I’m a progressive to the core. “So, we cherish loyalty. I’m 100% loyal to Mr. President. In 2027, I’ll do whatever he tells me to do”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced that it has commenced processing the registration request of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) and several other proposed political parties. This development comes less than 24 hours after the commission had stated that ADA—a platform backed by a coalition of opposition figures—had not yet fulfilled the necessary requirements for registration. In a statement released on Wednesday, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed that ADA is among 110 political associations currently under consideration for registration. Part of the statement reads, “as at Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties. “We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law as well as our Regulations and Guidelines. “We have acknowledged all requests received so far except six of them received recently which will be done before the end of the week. “For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, particularly those interested in registering new political parties, that the handbook containing the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 is already available on the Commission’s website”.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially reinstated Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, effectively resolving months of internal disputes and leadership uncertainty. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum confirmed the NWC’s decision, stating it reflects the party’s dedication to unity and adherence to the rule of law. Anyanwu, a former senator for Imo East, was elected National Secretary at the PDP’s 2021 National Convention. However, controversy arose in 2023 when he emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate in Imo State, prompting factions within the party to argue that his candidacy amounted to vacating his national post—citing a constitutional clause barring officeholders from seeking elective positions simultaneously. This dispute triggered legal battles and competing claims to the secretary role, with some party members calling for his replacement and attempting to install an acting secretary. Following the conclusion of the 2023 Imo governorship election—which Anyanwu lost to APC incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma—his supporters pushed for his return to office. After weeks of consultations and legal review, the NWC has now reaffirmed his position. The move is seen as an effort to stabilize the PDP’s leadership structure and foster reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections, while also strengthening the party’s role as Nigeria’s main opposition force.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has hinted at the possibility of leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Tinubu fails to address the country's challenges. Ndume, a vocal critic of the current administration, disclosed that he has participated in coalition meetings aimed at unseating Tinubu in the 2027 elections and openly admitted he would not hesitate to announce his defection if it comes to that. He said, “I’m aware of the opposition coalition. I went to several of their meetings. I still believe this president can fix these things, but failure might cause me to move. The overloaded ship will sink,” Ndume said during an appearance on Arise Tv on Tuesday. “They have been making overtures, but I told them I don’t want to jump from the frying pan into the fire. I have to be sure. “I believe that Tinubu can be a successful president; that was my expectation, but if he continues this way, that ship, whether you load in other people or governors, you are just endangering the APC by pushing it towards capsizing. “As the president said, there is a vacancy in the ship. But if you overload the ship, it will probably capsize, and if it capsizes, you lose everybody,” he said. The former Senate chief whip also criticised recent defections to the APC stating that it is not out of genuine desire but ‘indirect stick-and-carrot political appraoch’. His words: “Most people are not joining based on principles but due to the indirect stick-and-carrot politics. And that is not healthy at all. “I feel when you build a house and it’s leaking you dont leave the house, you stay to fix it.”

The Adamawa State Government has officially withdrawn the traditional title of *Waziri Adamawa* from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, citing a new indigeneship policy that redefines eligibility for emirate council positions. The revocation was announced in a circular dated June 20, 2025, and signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs. The directive is part of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s broader restructuring of traditional institutions, following the establishment of new chiefdoms across the state. Historically the second most prestigious title in the Adamawa Emirate after the *Lamido*, the Waziri position now falls under revised criteria that restrict council appointments to indigenes of six districts: Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo. Atiku, a native of Jada Local Government Area—part of the Ganye Chiefdom—no longer qualifies under the new policy. The circular emphasized that the new rules apply to all emirate council members and titleholders across the state, potentially affecting several others from outside the designated areas. Although the government describes the measure as strictly administrative, observers view it as politically charged. Tensions have reportedly been escalating between Governor Fintiri and Atiku, both prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 elections. Atiku has since been linked to discussions with figures like Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Senator Aishatu Binani, sparking talk of a potential opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 polls. Adding to the controversy is a proposed bill before the Adamawa State House of Assembly that would grant the governor authority to depose traditional rulers and appoint their successors. Critics argue that such a law could centralize excessive power in the executive and undermine the independence of traditional institutions.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the upcoming 2027 general elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria, with opposition groups uniting to confront what they perceive as the shortcomings of the present administration. He made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with Kannywood stakeholders, North West opinion leaders, and digital media influencers. The delegation was led by Dr. Aslam Aliyu, a notable Zamfara politician and head of the PAA 2027 New Media & Digital Communications Forum, and comprised figures from the Kannywood industry and other advocacy networks. The forum unveiled plans to build a coalition ahead of the 2027 polls to support opposition candidates committed to the goal of "recovering and rebuilding Nigeria." Atiku noted that the alliance was a response to the growing call by Nigerians for meaningful change in light of the country’s current difficulties. “I told the visiting forum that the envisaged coalition is a deliberate effort to recover and rebuild Nigeria in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people,” he said. The meeting reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the present government and reinforced the opposition’s commitment to unity ahead of the next general election. “I assured the forum that 2027 will not be business as usual,” Atiku stated. He urged the group to stay committed and play an active role in public enlightenment, especially on why Nigerians should support the coalition’s mission to fix the country’s problems.

Two lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Tuesday defected from the opposition to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Peter Akpanke, representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency in Cross River State, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC. Similarly, Paul Nnamchi, who represents Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency in Enugu State, defected from the Labour Party to the APC. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the defections during Tuesday's plenary. In another development, a bill seeking to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to extend the implementation of its capital component to December 31, 2025, passed second reading in the House. The Speaker explained that the extension was due to inadequate funding. Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has notified the House of Representatives of his decision to withhold assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Establishment Bill. He cited concerns over funding and noted that the bill conflicts with existing laws and the broader public interest.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed any intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. In an interview with Arise News, El-Rufai stated that his primary concern is seeing President Tinubu’s administration — which he described as a “tragedy” and “evil” — removed from power. The former FCT Minister added that he is willing to align with any political party chosen by collective consensus to achieve that goal, stressing that Nigerians have grown weary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and are seeking a credible alternative. “We have polled it. There is 91% disapproval of this administration across the country. 91% disapproval is the worst in Nigeria’s history,” he said. “But Nigerians are looking for a credible option. But I want to see people coming together, putting aside their differences and ambitions, and giving them an alternative to this failure of a government. That’s the key thing.” Asked if he can put aside his personal ambition for this cause with the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and so many other big politicians in the race. El-Rufai noted that big names do not equate to ambitions, adding, “You’ve mentioned my name. I have no ambition. “I just feel that having contributed to bringing about this tragedy to Nigeria by contributing to the emergence of Tinubu as president, I should contribute in my last lap, because I’m 65, I should be retiring in my last lap. “Let me contribute towards removing this evil that I believe will destroy Nigeria if left unchecked.”

Leaders of the emerging anti-Tinubu coalition under the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) have embarked on a nationwide mobilisation drive across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, marking a bold step towards reshaping the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. Following the coalition’s formal application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as a political party, sources close to the movement revealed that strategic efforts are already in motion to build grassroots support and establish a formidable opposition front. The coalition remains confident that INEC will approve its registration in the coming weeks. The political alliance boasts an array of influential figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), as well as Dr. Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats, among other key stakeholders. United by growing dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the group believes the moment is right to introduce a new political movement capable of challenging the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Although initial talks explored aligning with existing parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), internal crises, factional divisions, and prolonged legal disputes within those platforms pushed the coalition to pursue a fresh political identity. In a formal letter to INEC, ADA’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, outlined the group’s intent. “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party,” the letter stated. The coalition aims to offer Nigerians a credible alternative grounded in national unity, economic revitalization, and governance reform. Insiders say consultations are ongoing across all six geopolitical zones to recruit new members, engage political influencers, and attract disillusioned actors from both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the party’s full structure is still taking shape, leaders are already laying the groundwork for youth participation, balanced regional representation, and policy direction. Despite the uncertainty over when INEC will reach a decision, the momentum behind ADA’s rise signals a potential shift in Nigeria’s political dynamics. Observers note that widespread public dissatisfaction with the current administration is fueling interest in the coalition’s vision, particularly among voters eager for an alternative to establishment politics. If successfully registered, the All Democratic Alliance is poised to mount one of the most significant challenges yet to the APC and PDP, potentially ushering in a new era in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.