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  • APC Makes U-Turn on Senate Primary Ban List, Removes Ben Murray-Bruce, Four Others

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revised its earlier list of senatorial aspirants barred from participating in the party’s Senate primaries, removing five names including former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce in a fresh update released on Monday.

    The updated document, signed by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, reduced the number of affected aspirants from 47 to 44.

    APC Removes Ben Murray-Bruce From Initial List

    Former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, whose name appeared on the earlier list of disqualified aspirants, was absent from the revised version released by the ruling party.

    The APC did not provide any official explanation for the sudden removal of his name.

    Four other aspirants also removed from the original list include Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue from Anambra North, Gyang Yaya Zi San from Plateau North, Napoleon Binkap Bah from Plateau South, and Usman Ephraim Gar from Plateau Central.

    Fresh Names Added to Updated Document

    The party also introduced fresh changes to the revised list.

    Ibrahim Bala from Nasarawa West was newly listed among aspirants not cleared for the primaries, while Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana from the same district was recorded as having voluntarily withdrawn from the race.

    The APC also adjusted the status of some aspirants previously marked as “not cleared.”

    Benson Agadaga of Bayelsa East and Donald Daunemigita of Bayelsa West were reclassified as voluntary withdrawals.

    Garba Musa Mai Doki from Kebbi South was listed as having defected from the party, while Adam Mouktar Mohammed from Jigawa South/West was marked absent during screening.

    APC Calls for Transparency Ahead of Primaries

    In the statement accompanying the revised document, APC spokesman Felix Morka urged stakeholders to ensure transparency and orderliness throughout the primary election process.

    “The APC urges all stakeholders to uphold transparency, orderliness, and the integrity of the ongoing Primary Election process,” the statement read.

    The updated list contains aspirants across several states who were either not cleared, withdrew voluntarily, defected, or failed to appear before the screening committee.

    The development has continued to generate reactions within political circles as parties intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

  • Yahaya Bello Reportedly Denied APC Senate Screening Clearance Over Alleged Non-Appearance

    Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has reportedly been denied clearance to participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary screening in Kogi State after he allegedly failed to appear before the party’s screening panel.

    The development was contained in a list of screened APC senatorial aspirants reportedly issued from the Kogi State Secretariat of the ruling party.

    Conflicting Reports Over Clearance Status

    The latest development comes amid conflicting accounts, as earlier reports had indicated that Bello was among aspirants cleared by the APC screening committee for the Kogi Central senatorial race.

    That earlier list reportedly placed him among 17 aspirants approved for the party’s primaries scheduled for Monday.

    However, fresh claims suggest a reversal of that position following the screening exercise.

    Allegations Of Non-Appearance At Screening

    Party sources quoted in local reports alleged that the former governor did not appear before the screening panel, leading to his disqualification from the process.

    One source claimed Bello “didn’t participate in the screening exercise” and was therefore not cleared to proceed.

    Another source also alleged that his absence may be linked to concerns surrounding ongoing legal and corruption-related proceedings, although no official confirmation has been issued by the party.

    The APC is yet to release a formal clarification on the status of the former governor’s clearance.

    Senate Ambition Amid Legal Controversy

    Bello is seeking the APC ticket to contest for Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, where he is expected to face the incumbent senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    His political comeback bid has continued to attract attention due to ongoing corruption trials before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting him in separate cases involving allegations of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds.

    He has, however, consistently denied all allegations and maintained his plea of not guilty.

    Uncertainty Still Surrounds APC List

    As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from the APC National Secretariat regarding Bello’s final screening status, leaving room for uncertainty within the party’s Kogi structure.

  • Ndume Clinches APC Borno South Senate Ticket Unopposed, Eyes Fifth Term In 2027

    Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Borno South, setting him up for a possible fifth term in the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Ndume emerged unopposed at the party’s primary held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, after a consensus arrangement among stakeholders.

    Consensus Deal Clears Way For Ndume

    The lawmaker was adopted as the APC candidate following the withdrawal of his main challenger, Abdullahi Askira, Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly.

    Askira reportedly stepped down after consultations with party leaders and stakeholders in the senatorial district, paving the way for Ndume’s affirmation.

    With no opposition left in the race, Ndume was formally declared the party’s flag bearer through a consensus process.

    Ndume Appreciates Party Stakeholders

    Speaking after his emergence, Ndume expressed appreciation to APC leaders, elders, and party members in Borno South for their continued support.

    “I want to thank our elders in Borno South Senatorial District for their unwavering support for me. I want to reassure them that I will continue to promote their interest at all times,” he said.

    He also commended Askira for stepping down from the race, describing his decision as a demonstration of party loyalty and unity.

    “I must not fail to commend Honourable Askira, who listened to persuasions and appeals of the party leaders and took the decision to drop his aspiration. Your loyalty to the party is exemplary,” he added.

    Ndume urged stakeholders to remain united as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Set For Fifth Term In Senate

    If elected in 2027, Ndume will extend his long-standing legislative career with a fifth term in the Senate, following earlier years in the House of Representatives before moving to the upper chamber.

  • APC Drops Ben Murray-Bruce, Banigo, 45 Others From 2027 Senate Primaries

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the list of senatorial aspirants disqualified from participating in the party’s Senate primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The party confirmed that a total of 47 aspirants failed to scale through the screening process conducted by its screening committees in line with party guidelines and procedures.

    Big Names Missing From APC Clearance List

    Among the prominent names not cleared by the party are former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce; former Rivers deputy governor, Senator Banigo Ipalibo; former Kebbi senator, Garba Musa Mai Doki; and Bello Abdullahi Bodejo from Taraba State.

    The APC explained that the screening exercise covered aspirants from different senatorial districts across the country ahead of the party’s primaries.

    Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara Record Highest Numbers

    Several aspirants from Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara states were also excluded from the list of cleared candidates.

    Those affected from Oyo include Kolapoboye Kola Daisi, Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega, Hameed Afeez Repete and others contesting across the state’s senatorial districts.

    In Rivers State, notable aspirants not cleared include Jack-Rich Tein, Tamunobaabo Danagogo, Barry Balera Mwara and Banigo Ipalibo.

    Zamfara State also recorded multiple disqualifications, with aspirants such as Muhammad Bashir Maru, Hassan Muhammad Gusau and Bilyaminu Yusuf among those affected.

    APC Insists Screening Followed Due Process

    The party maintained that the screening process was conducted according to established procedures and internal regulations guiding the conduct of its primaries.

    Although APC did not publicly state specific reasons for the disqualification of each aspirant, the development has already generated reactions within political circles across several states.

    The Senate primaries are expected to hold ahead of the 2027 general elections as political parties continue internal consultations and candidate selection processes nationwide.

  • Cubana Chief Priest Speaks After APC Primary Loss, Declares Loyalty To Tinubu

    Celebrity barman and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has broken his silence following his loss in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the House of Representatives seat in Imo State.

    In a lengthy Instagram post, the nightlife entrepreneur addressed criticisms and online reactions trailing his failed bid, insisting that his political ambition was personal and not backed by any financial obligation to anyone.

    “I am not indebted to anybody” — Cubana Chief Priest

    He stated that his decision to contest was driven by personal conviction and a desire to serve his constituency.

    “One disturbing dimension of the entire development is that some persons who should ordinarily know better have unfortunately joined in the unnecessary cruise and misinformation,” he wrote.

    “For the records, I am not indebted to anybody over my aspiration. The aspiration was entirely mine, driven by my personal conviction and desire to serve,” he added.

    ‘No regret’ over political ambition

    Cubana Chief Priest maintained that he has no regrets about his participation in the primary election, noting that his movement helped raise political awareness in the constituency ahead of the polls.

    He added that democratic participation and engagement were more important than the outcome of the contest.

    “I have absolutely no regret whatsoever in raising the political stakes and consciousness in our constituency leading to the primaries,” he said.

    Reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu

    The celebrity businessman also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he remains committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Renewed Hope agenda.

    He insisted that his focus will now shift to political mobilisation and support for the ruling party ahead of future elections.

    Cubana Chief Priest’s reaction comes amid widespread online commentary following reports that he lost the primary election by a wide margin.

  • Yusuf Buhari Wins APC House Of Reps Ticket With Landslide Victory In Katsina

    Yusuf Buhari, son of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Yusuf secured a landslide victory during the APC primary election after polling 5,849 votes to defeat his challenger, Auwal Lawal Daura, who recorded 21 votes.

    Massive Victory In APC Primary

    The outcome officially confirms Yusuf Buhari as the party’s flagbearer for the House of Representatives seat covering Sandamu, Daura and Mai’adua federal constituency in Katsina State.

    Party supporters at the venue celebrated the result, describing it as a strong endorsement of the Buhari political family in the area.

    Opponent Rejects Exercise

    However, Auwal Lawal Daura rejected the outcome of the primary and raised concerns over the conduct of the election.

    According to him, the process did not reflect fairness and transparency expected in party primaries.

    “I am not satisfied with what happened today. Evidence is everywhere showing the injustice that was done. The manner of counting was highly dubious, and most of the people counted did not even have party membership cards,” he said.

    ‘We Wanted Fairness’

    Daura also insisted that his participation in the contest was based on demands from party members who preferred a primary election instead of consensus arrangements.

    “When I started this political movement, I made it clear that it was about the will of the people. When a consensus candidate was said to have been adopted, the people said no, they wanted us to go for primaries,” he stated.

    He added that his insistence on contesting was not out of disrespect but a push for fairness within the party structure.

    Political Attention On Buhari Family

    Yusuf Buhari’s emergence has already generated reactions within political circles, with many observers viewing it as a continuation of the Buhari family’s influence in Katsina politics following the death of the former president.

    The APC primaries across several states have continued to attract controversies, complaints and internal disputes as aspirants battle for tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.

  • Cubana Chief Priest Loses APC House Of Reps Ticket In Imo State Primary Election

    Celebrity businessman and nightlife promoter Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the House of Representatives seat in Imo State.

    The primary, held on May 16, 2026, saw the socialite contest for the Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency ticket but he was defeated by the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Canice Moore Nwachukwu.

    Incumbent Lawmaker Wins APC Ticket

    Hon. Nwachukwu, who currently represents the constituency, reportedly secured the party’s ticket amid strong grassroots backing and established political structure in the area.

    Party sources said the exercise reflected a contest between political experience and popularity, with the incumbent maintaining dominance within the constituency’s delegate base.

    Cubana’s Political Entry Faces First Major Setback

    Cubana Chief Priest had officially joined the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring interest in the House of Representatives seat.

    He had earlier purchased his nomination forms and publicly declared consultations with key political figures, including visits to political stakeholders linked to the ruling party.

    His entry into politics had generated attention due to his popularity in entertainment and nightlife circles, as well as his connections within national political networks.

    Reactions Trail Primary Outcome

    Following the result, reactions have continued on social media, with users describing the outcome as a reality check on celebrity participation in Nigerian electoral politics.

    Some users mocked the defeat with references to his popular slogan, while others argued that constituency politics remains heavily influenced by established structures rather than public visibility or online influence.

    Political Reality Check For Celebrity Aspirant

    Observers note that the outcome reflects a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics, where incumbency advantage and local party structures often outweigh celebrity status and national popularity.

    As of the time of filing this report, Cubana Chief Priest has not issued an official statement on the outcome of the primary.

  • Tambuwal Withdraws From Sokoto South Senate Race, Endorses ADC Candidate

    Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has reportedly withdrawn from the 2027 Sokoto South Senatorial race.

    According to reports, the former governor stepped down from his reelection bid and endorsed Amb. Faruk Malami Yabo as the consensus candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the senatorial seat.

    Move Sparks Political Speculations

    The development has triggered reactions across social media and political circles, with many observers suggesting the move could signal bigger political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Some supporters claimed Tambuwal remains one of the most influential opposition figures in northern Nigeria and may be positioning himself for a national role.

    “You see that Tambuwal stepping aside from senate eeeh. I feel he is preparing to become VP,” one political observer wrote online.

    Others speculated that the former governor could align politically with Seyi Makinde, who recently declared his presidential ambition in Ibadan.

    Tambuwal’s Political Journey

    Tambuwal first gained national prominence as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State for three terms.

    He later emerged as Speaker of the House of Representatives, serving between 2011 and 2015.

    The former governor initially belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 while serving as Speaker.

    In 2015, he won the Sokoto governorship election under the APC and governed the state for two terms.

    Tambuwal later returned to the PDP in 2018 after consultations with political stakeholders in Sokoto State.

    2023 Presidential Ambition

    Ahead of the 2023 general election, Tambuwal contested for the PDP presidential ticket.

    However, during the primary election, he stepped down from the race and directed his supporters to back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who eventually emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

    After completing his tenure as governor in 2023, Tambuwal returned to the National Assembly as Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District under the PDP.

  • Gbajabiamila Reveals How Desmond Elliot Nearly Cost Him Chief of Staff Position Amid Obasa Crisis

    Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he almost lost his position during the political crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly over the speakership tussle involving Mudashiru Obasa.

    Gbajabiamila made the disclosure on Thursday during a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos while addressing the controversy surrounding actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliot.

    Tinubu Confronted Me Over Desmond Elliot

    According to Gbajabiamila, President Tinubu personally summoned him to Abuja during the peak of the Assembly crisis over allegations linking Desmond Elliot to moves aimed at destabilising the Lagos Assembly leadership.

    “I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot last year. You can go and verify,” he said.

    He explained that the President questioned him directly because of his close political relationship with the Surulere lawmaker.

    “Mr President called me to his study in Abuja and said, ‘I hear this Desmond is your boy.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He then said Desmond was among those causing problems in the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Gbajabiamila stated.

    I Defended Him Before Tinubu

    The Chief of Staff said he immediately defended Elliot before the President, insisting that the lawmaker was not among those allegedly involved in attempts to destabilise the Assembly leadership.

    “I told the President that Desmond was not part of them, but the President insisted and told me to call him to order,” he added.

    Gbajabiamila disclosed that after the meeting, he reached out to Elliot and warned him to avoid being linked to the crisis in any way.

    “Three days later, the Director-General called me and said there was a serious issue, that my name was everywhere as the person supporting Desmond to push for impeachment,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila Says Elliot Ignored Advice

    The former Speaker of the House of Representatives further claimed he instructed Elliot to publicly deny involvement in the alleged impeachment plot, but the lawmaker failed to do so.

    “I told Desmond to go and make a public statement that he was not part of them, but till today he has not done that,” he stated.

    Gbajabiamila added that his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu eventually helped him survive the controversy.

    “If not for the kind of relationship I have with the President today, I probably would not still be here as Chief of Staff,” he said.

    Fresh Political Battle Looms

    The revelation comes amid reports that Gbajabiamila is backing Barakat Odunuga-Bakare against Desmond Elliot ahead of the next political contest for the Surulere constituency seat under the ruling APC.

    The Lagos Assembly crisis surrounding Mudashiru Obasa generated widespread political tension within the APC and sparked debates over power struggles within the party structure in the state.

     

  • Wike-Backed PDP Begins Screening Of Presidential, Governorship Aspirants Ahead Of 2027

    The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike has commenced the screening of presidential, governorship and national assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the party’s National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

    Screening Holds In Abuja

    The statement, signed by Chinwe Nnorom on behalf of Jungudo Mohammed, the party’s national publicity secretary, stated that the screening exercise was taking place at the PDP national secretariat annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

    According to the party, governorship aspirants were scheduled for screening at noon, while presidential aspirants were fixed for 2pm.

    The PDP also announced that former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, is chairing the presidential screening committee, with Hassan Sokodobo serving as secretary.

    Other members of the committee include former senators George Sekibo and Zainab Kure alongside other party stakeholders.

    Makarfi Heads Governorship Screening Panel

    The governorship screening committee is being chaired by former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi.

    George Ariolu was named secretary of the panel, while Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki and Tajudeen Yusuf were listed among committee members.

    Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Completes Screening

    Meanwhile, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that she had successfully completed the PDP screening exercise ahead of the Kogi Central senatorial primary election.

    Speaking after the exercise in Lokoja, the senator said she arrived with all required credentials and supporting documents.

    “I am pleased to have successfully completed the screening exercise as part of the process ahead of the party primaries for the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial Election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party,” she said.

    She described the process as part of her continued commitment to representation and service.

    More Aspirants Cleared

    Muhammed Abdullahi, popularly known as “Elephant,” also announced that he had been screened and cleared to contest the PDP primary for Kogi East Senatorial District.

    In Cross River State, the PDP disclosed that 45 aspirants seeking national assembly and state assembly tickets had also been screened ahead of the party’s May 21 primaries.

    The exercise was conducted by a five-man panel headed by Fred Osim.

    One of the aspirants screened was Alex Egbona, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.