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  • “I Won the 2023 Election” — Peter Obi Insists, Questions Official Results

    Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has again declared that he won the 2023 presidential election, maintaining that the officially announced results did not reflect what he believes was the true outcome.

    Fresh remarks on election outcome

    Speaking during an appearance on the Naija Unfiltered podcast, the former Anambra State governor said he remains convinced that his campaign secured victory, despite the final figures released by electoral authorities.

    According to him, the system produced a different result from what he insists actually happened during the election.

    “I can show you today, as far as I’m concerned, I have run election for the office of the President of Nigeria and won. But the system decided otherwise and they know it,” Obi said.

    Context of the 2023 race

    Obi contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and polled about six million votes nationwide, emerging as one of the leading candidates in the race.

    His latest comments add to ongoing debates around the credibility of the election and the broader conversation on electoral reforms in Nigeria.

    Public reaction builds

    The statement has since stirred reactions online, with supporters and critics weighing in on his claims and the state of Nigeria’s electoral process.

    Obi has consistently maintained his stance on the election outcome, reinforcing calls from his camp for greater transparency and accountability in future polls.

  • “Obi Is a Poor Politician” — Man Sparks Debate Over ADC Ticket, Praises Tinubu’s Strategy

    A Nigerian man has stirred reactions online after criticising calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Peter Obi in the race for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.

    What sparked the comment

    The man reacted to a viral opinion suggesting that Atiku should allow Obi emerge as the party’s candidate, dismissing the idea as unrealistic in Nigerian politics.

    He argued that political positions are not handed over but fought for through strategy and alliances.

    His take on Obi

    In the video, he described Obi’s approach as weak, questioning why the former Labour Party candidate would expect an automatic ticket without prior alignment.

    “So you’re telling me Obi left LP without any alignment to secure ADC ticket? This guy is a poor politician,” he said.

    Reference to Tinubu’s strategy

    He went further to praise President Bola Tinubu’s political experience, noting that his rise to power was built on calculated moves and negotiations.

    “It’s not given; it’s collected. I may not like Tinubu, but that guy is a good politician,” he added.

    He also recalled how alliances and withdrawals played key roles in past primaries, suggesting such outcomes are rarely voluntary.

    Wike comparison and reactions

    The speaker referenced FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, claiming the political space would have been more aggressive if he were in Obi’s position.

    “Imagine it was Wike… by now Tinubu would have been hospitalised,” he said.

    The remarks have fueled ongoing debates online, as Nigerians continue to analyse political strategies and alliances ahead of future elections.

  • “You’re a Coward” — Yul Edochie Blasts Igbos Criticising Tinubu Supporters

    Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has lashed out at critics within the Igbo community who attack fellow Igbos for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

    What triggered his reaction

    In a strongly worded post on social media, the actor accused critics of selective outrage, saying they only target their own people while ignoring supporters of the president from other regions.

    He challenged them to show similar criticism directed at Yoruba or Northern supporters of Tinubu.

    What Yul Edochie said

    “Any Igbo man who is dragging his fellow Igbo man for supporting President Tinubu is a monkey and a coward,” he wrote.

    “Show me a video of you dragging Yorubas… or Northerners who are supporting Tinubu. You don’t have the liver to do it.”

    He added that such individuals are quick to criticise their own but avoid confronting others.

    Political backing for Tinubu

    The outburst comes weeks after Edochie openly declared his support for President Tinubu.

    He had earlier announced his appointment as Deputy Southeast Coordinator for the “Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria” (RTIFN) group, stating his commitment to the president’s agenda.

    Reactions and implications

    His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporting his stance on political freedom, while others criticised his tone and choice of words.

    The development highlights growing political tensions and regional debates as conversations around the 2027 elections begin to take shape.

  • NBC Warns Broadcasters Over ‘Bias, Intimidation’ Ahead of 2027 Elections

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a strong warning to Nigerian broadcasters, cautioning that unethical conduct by presenters and anchors will attract sanctions as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

    The commission raised concerns over what it described as a growing pattern of violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across news and political programmes.

    What happened

    In a statement released on Friday, the NBC said it has observed a steady increase in breaches of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    According to the commission, broadcast platforms are increasingly being used in ways that fall short of their core responsibility to provide accurate, balanced, and professional information to the public.

    Concerns over presenters’ conduct

    The NBC noted that some presenters and anchors now compromise neutrality by expressing personal opinions as facts and denying guests fair hearing during discussions.

    It warned that such actions violate established broadcasting standards, which require impartiality and balanced representation of all sides on issues of public interest.

    “Henceforth, any anchor or presenter found to have expressed personal opinion as fact, bullied or intimidated a guest, denied fair hearing to opposing views, or otherwise compromised neutrality, shall be deemed to have committed a Class B breach,” the commission stated.

    Political content under scrutiny

    The commission also expressed concern over the use of broadcast platforms by political actors to spread divisive and unverified claims.

    It stressed that broadcasters remain fully responsible for all content aired, including live programmes, and cannot shift that responsibility to guests.

    Sanctions and warning

    The NBC reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict compliance with the broadcasting code, warning that violations involving hate speech, incitement, and lack of balance will attract penalties.

    It urged media organisations to maintain professionalism and ensure that the airwaves are not used to spread misinformation as Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle.

  • “No Be ‘See Finish’?” Fayose Blasts Tinubu Over Election Victory Boast

    Isaac Fayose has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over comments suggesting confidence in his electoral victories, sparking fresh political reactions online.

    Fayose reacts to Tinubu’s remarks

    In a viral video, Fayose, younger brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, questioned what he described as a boastful tone from the President.

    Tinubu had earlier stated that both the party primaries and the general election that brought him to power were tough, but he emerged victorious.

    Reacting, Fayose said the statement reflects a “see finish” mentality among political leaders.

    “Can you see and hear ‘see finish’ from Mr. President? He said during the primaries it was tough, but he won. And during the election that brought him in, it was tough that he won,” he said.

    Allegations about system control

    Fayose went further to suggest that such confidence points to a belief that political actors have control over key institutions.

    “They don see us finish. It’s so confident because they know that INEC is their own. They know that judicially is no more hope. They are so sure of themselves,” he added.

    Message to Nigerians

    Despite his criticism, Fayose urged Nigerians not to give up, insisting that citizens still have the power to influence the country’s future.

    “But you and I, we can still wake up and change our story. God bless you,” he said.

    The comments have since generated reactions online, as political debates continue ahead of future elections.

     

  • Tinubu Declares 2027 Bid, Says “I Can’t Be Intimidated” by Opposition

    President Bola Tinubu has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, signalling readiness to seek a second term in office amid rising political tension and opposition criticism.

    President speaks on 2027 ambition

    The president made the declaration on Thursday during a meeting with the leadership and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said his goal is to tackle poverty, promote freedom, and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system.

    Tinubu also insisted that he remains committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the independence of the judiciary, even when decisions do not favour his administration.

    Takes swipe at opposition

    In his remarks, the president criticised opposition parties, describing their approach as lacking substance.

    He said he intends to offer Nigerians something different from what he called “rascality” and “noise-making.”

    Tinubu added that he is not threatened by political pressure or criticism from rival camps.

    “They want to scare me off? It’s a lie. I have been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over again, I will do the same thing,” he said.

    Stance on political pressure

    The president maintained that his experience in Nigeria’s political landscape has prepared him for any challenge ahead of the next election cycle.

    He stressed that attempts to intimidate him would not succeed, noting that he understands the dynamics of opposition politics.

    What it means

    Tinubu’s declaration sets the stage for early political positioning ahead of 2027, as parties and key actors begin to align and test public sentiment.

  • APC Member Sparks Debate, Says “Tinubu Won’t Win” in Free and Fair Election

    An alleged member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked fresh political debate after openly criticising the state of the country and questioning President Bola Tinubu’s chances in a free and fair election.

    What he said

    In a now-viral video, the party member expressed doubts about the current administration’s popularity, insisting that the outcome would be different under a credible electoral process.

    “I’m an APC member, but I tell you people that if we put election on ground, free and fair for people to vote their hearts, the answer is Tinubu won’t win,” he said.

    He also questioned claims linking Nigeria’s economic hardship to global conflicts.

    “How do we explain that a war going on in Iran is why people are hungry in Nigeria?” he added.

    Concerns over governance

    The comments come at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with rising cost of living and economic pressure.

    The speaker argued that explanations tied to international crises do not fully address the realities faced by citizens.

    Allegations within APC

    The APC member further alleged that some elements within the ruling party are undermining opposition parties.

    “Some elements in APC are stopping opposition parties from existing; it is a bad thing,” he said.

    He warned that weakening opposition voices could harm democratic growth and accountability.

    Wider reactions

    The statement has triggered reactions online, with Nigerians weighing in on governance, economic hardship, and the country’s political direction ahead of future elections.

    Debates have continued over the role of opposition parties and the need for a more competitive political environment.

  • ADC Defies INEC, Vows to Hold Congresses as David Mark Demands Chairman’s Sack

    A high-stakes confrontation between Nigeria’s most prominent opposition coalition and the country’s electoral commission intensified on Friday, as the African Democratic Congress declared it would proceed with its planned party congresses and national convention regardless of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to de-recognise its leadership, a move the party described as a politically motivated attack on democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

    What triggered the crisis

    The crisis reached a boiling point on Wednesday, April 1, when INEC announced it was removing Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as ADC National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, and would not monitor any congress or convention convened by their faction. INEC cited a Court of Appeal ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which directed all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum”, that is, the state of affairs before hostilities began, pending the resolution of an ongoing leadership dispute before the Federal High Court.

    The dispute involves a former ADC official, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who claims he never resigned as national chairman and that his signature on a resignation letter was forged. INEC said it received legal letters from Nafiu Bala’s lawyers demanding that Mark and Aregbesola be de-recognised, and determined that since Mark’s leadership was uploaded to the INEC portal seven days after the lawsuit was filed, removing the names was consistent with restoring the status quo.

    ADC: “We are proceeding regardless”

    Addressing a press conference at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, ADC National Chairman David Mark described INEC’s action as a direct attack on democracy and accused the commission of taking sides in an internal party dispute. “The only conclusion Nigerians can draw is that the electoral umpire has taken sides and can no longer be trusted,” he said.

    Mark announced that the ADC would proceed with its congresses beginning April 9 and its national convention on April 14, arguing that the law does not make INEC’s attendance a mandatory requirement for internal party processes. “We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly,” he said.

    He called on the ADC’s allies in the international community to take note of what he described as a convergence of legal pressure and political intent by the ruling party. “If you are convinced you have done well, why are you afraid of credible elections?” he asked, directing the question at President Tinubu.

    David Mark demands INEC chairman’s resignation

    Mark went further, calling for the immediate resignation or removal of INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan and other national commissioners, saying the ADC had lost all confidence in their ability to conduct credible elections. “We are convinced they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” he said. He also warned that INEC’s actions could affect the ADC’s participation in the upcoming Osun and Ekiti governorship elections.

    INEC chairman fires back

    Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, INEC Chairman Amupitan defended the commission’s decision, saying the matter was already before a Federal High Court in Abuja and that INEC could not take any step that would prejudice proceedings still before the court. “We have a record of a letter written by ADC sometime ago informing the commission that Nafiu Bala had resigned. Then Nafiu also wrote and contended before the court that he did not resign, and as a matter of fact, that his signature was forged,” he said.

    Amupitan warned the ADC about the potential consequences of proceeding with unsupervised congresses and conventions, citing the Zamfara State precedent. “If they decide to go ahead, let me tell you what happened in Zamfara. At the end of the day, after you have won, the court will declare the election invalid, and the implication is that the person with the second-highest number of votes will be declared the winner,” he said.

    APC denies involvement

    The ruling APC rejected the ADC’s claim that President Tinubu was behind INEC’s action. APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said at a separate press conference on Friday that the decision implemented by INEC was a consequence of the dismissal of an appeal filed by Mark’s own faction. “Where does President Bola Tinubu feature in their claims, if not in fallacious and malicious propaganda?” he asked. The APC also described the ADC’s call for Amupitan’s sack as reckless.

    INEC brushes off removal call

    In a statement on Thursday night, INEC also firmly dismissed the calls for its chairman’s removal. The commission said its decision was anchored strictly on compliance with the Court of Appeal order, and not on political considerations. It noted that it had recently registered three new political parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and the National Democratic Party, bringing the total number of active parties to 22, which it said was an empirical rebuttal of claims that it supported a one-party agenda.

    What it means for 2027

    The dispute strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s 2027 opposition strategy. The ADC has spent the past three months assembling the most formidable opposition coalition in recent Nigerian history, with Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, El-Rufai, Amaechi, Tambuwal, and Mark himself all under the same roof. An INEC-enforced leadership freeze — or a court ruling that invalidates the Mark-Aregbesola leadership, could significantly disrupt those plans.

    The Federal High Court is yet to set a hearing date for the substantive case. The Court of Appeal has separately ordered that the matter be granted an accelerated hearing. RNN.NG will continue to follow all developments in this critical dispute.

  • Kwankwaso Meets Aregbesola, ADC Leaders Ahead of Expected Defection

    Former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso held fresh talks with African Democratic Congress National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday, in a significant step forward in his much-anticipated defection to the growing opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Following the meeting with Aregbesola, Kwankwaso also held separate discussions with ADC leaders from Kano at his Abuja residence, signalling that the groundwork for his entry into the party is being laid simultaneously at both the national and state levels.

    A defection months in the making

    Thursday’s meetings are the latest in a series of political consultations that have positioned Kwankwaso as the most high-profile figure yet to formally complete his move to the ADC. The Kwankwasiyya Movement’s spokesperson, Mansur Kurugu, had confirmed earlier this week that Kwankwaso was in active talks with the ADC, expressing optimism that the discussions would culminate in a formal defection before the 2027 election cycle begins in earnest. “It is true that Kwankwaso is in talks with ADC and NDC, and we are optimistic that the leaders will end up adopting one of the parties before the 2027 elections,” Kurugu said.

    The latest round of discussions comes shortly after Kwankwaso hosted former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at his residence last Sunday, a gathering widely interpreted as part of opposition alignment ahead of 2027.

    Who is already in ADC

    The ADC has rapidly transformed from a fringe party into Nigeria’s most consequential opposition platform in the space of months. Peter Obi formally defected to the party earlier this year, along with his supporters, opposition legislators, and several National Assembly members. He joined a roster that already included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Abubakar Malami.

    A chieftain of the ADC, Ladan Salihu, said Obi’s entry had fundamentally altered Nigeria’s opposition landscape, describing the party as now a credible challenger to the ruling APC.

    Kwankwaso’s political background

    Kwankwaso’s move comes as his political structure in Kano State shows signs of fracture. Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, a former Kwankwasiyya loyalist, is expected to defect to the APC, a development that has created visible tension within the movement and accelerated Kwankwaso’s search for a new national platform.

    Further complicating his situation, a Court of Appeal ruling affirmed the leadership of an NNPP faction led by Agbo Major over a rival faction, deepening internal tensions within the party and prompting renewed conversations about Kwankwaso’s future.

    The 2027 picture

    Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso finished second, third, and fourth, respectively, in the 2023 presidential election. Their potential convergence under one platform represents a significant consolidation of the opposition vote, which was widely split in 2023 — a split that analysts say handed Tinubu a more comfortable victory than he might otherwise have achieved.

    Kwankwaso’s name has featured in opposition calculations as a potential running mate on a joint ADC ticket, though negotiations on the ticket’s composition remain unresolved. His absence from a recent high-profile ADC event drew scrutiny, with analysts suggesting that while public alignment has begun, the private negotiations over structure, roles, and candidate selection are still ongoing.

    The APC has not commented on Kwankwaso’s reported plans to defect. The NNPP has not issued a formal statement on the matter as of the time of this report.

    A formal announcement of Kwankwaso’s defection to the ADC is expected imminently, with sources close to the process suggesting it could come as early as this weekend. RNN.NG will provide live updates when the announcement is made.

  • Fayose Warns Fuel May Hit ₦5,000 Per Litre If Tinubu Wins 2027 Election

    Nigerian businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose has warned that petrol prices could rise to ₦5,000 per litre if President Bola Tinubu wins re-election in 2027, accusing the federal government of failing to restore Nigeria’s refining capacity despite billions of dollars in public investment.

    Fayose made the remarks in a video posted to his Instagram page on Wednesday, amid a fresh wave of public anger over rising fuel prices across Nigeria, with petrol now selling at between ₦1,300 and ₦1,400 per litre in many parts of the country.

    What Fayose said

    Fayose dismissed claims by some Nigerians that the US-Iran war was responsible for the fuel price hike, insisting that the federal government bears full responsibility. “Many fools are saying we cannot blame President Tinubu for our fuel going up, that we should blame America, Israel and Iran. That is a fat lie,” he said.

    He accused successive APC administrations of spending massive sums on refinery projects that have yielded no results, alleging that ₦210 trillion in oil revenue remains unaccounted for. “They’ve spent our money on refineries. 210 trillion is still missing from our oil money,” he said, contrasting the government-owned refineries with the privately funded Dangote refinery, which he acknowledged as fully operational.

    Fayose warned that the economic trajectory is unsustainable, predicting that food prices will continue to rise alongside fuel costs due to rising transport expenses. “The way we are going, be ready for 5,000 a litre. And the ripple effect, the price of yams has gone up. Food prices are going up in the market because they need vehicles to bring them from the farm to the market,” he said.

    Fayose on 2027

    The fuel crisis commentary forms part of Fayose’s broader campaign against Tinubu’s re-election bid. The businessman has separately predicted that President Tinubu will fail to secure even 20 per cent of votes in the South-East region in 2027, backing that claim with a ₦10 million wager directed at the City Boys Movement — a pro-Tinubu campaign group widely associated with the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu.

    Fayose has openly declared support for Labour Party’s Peter Obi, predicting that the former Anambra State governor will dominate the South-East and South-South zones in the next presidential election.

    Opposing views

    Not all Nigerians agree with Fayose’s framing. One social media user, identified as @prinxe_B, argued that blaming the fuel crisis solely on Tinubu was intellectually dishonest, describing the refinery problem as a legacy of collective failure spanning the administrations of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari.

    Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have remained largely non-operational for decades despite repeated rounds of rehabilitation spending. The Dangote refinery began distributing fuel locally in late 2024, but prices have remained high, with the refinery citing the naira’s weakness against the dollar as a key factor. Petrol prices have risen from under ₦200 per litre at the time of the subsidy removal in May 2023 to current levels above ₦1,300 in many states.