Politics
Powerful Former APC Lawmaker Dumps Party, Decamps To PDP, Reasons Emerge
A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending weeks of speculation about his political future.
The two-term lawmaker made the announcement on Sunday in Offa, Offa Local Government Area, where he was formally received alongside a large group of his supporters, Vanguard reported.
Popoola, who represented Ojomu/Balogun constituency, said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the state of the APC, which he accused of abandoning its founding ideals.
I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013 in Nigeria. We started the APC together with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people,” he said.
Popoola explained that his move to the PDP was not out of desperation but conviction.
“I’m joining the PDP not as a desperate politician but as a believer in fairness, justice, and equity. The PDP is peaceful and remains the only viable opposition in Nigeria,” he said.Kwara in 2027, adding that the people were already disillusioned with the APC administration. “The PDP is going to take over the government and governance of Kwara State in 2027,” he said amid applause from his supporters.
Popoola also criticized the current government for the rising cases of banditry and insecurity in parts of the state. He said the development was a result of “misgovernance and poor leadership.”
“We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967. Hundreds of our people have been killed. Banditry existed in Niger State for years but never crossed into Kwara because the leaders then knew what they were doing. But the current Governor does not understand governance. He thinks only about himself and his ideas, that’s why we are where we are today,” he said.
Receiving the defectors, Kwara PDP Chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described Popoola’s return as a “homecoming,” saying his presence would boost the party’s strength ahead of the 2027 polls.
“What we have seen today shows clearly that PDP is regaining its momentum. Offa is for PDP in 2027. Offa will rise again and be great again,” he said.
Bawa praised Popoola’s courage, calling him “a man of integrity and conviction.” He also quoted former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who urged the people to “compare what PDP did for them with what the APC has done. The difference is clear.”
However, the APC dismissed the defection as insignificant. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waheed Babatunde, said Popoola’s exit would not affect the party’s chances.
“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last general election and he’s only making it official today,” Babatunde stated.
He added that Offa remains a stronghold of progressive politics and would continue to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the APC in the 2027 elections.
Politics
BREAKING: Atiku Picks Running Mate for 2027 Election
Barring any last-minute change of formation, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has succeeded in setting up a possible ‘AA’ ticket on the presidential ballot of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by picking former Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi, as his running mate.
Also, yesterday, he declared that the actions by the Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration contradicted the spirit, sacrifice and legacy of June 12.
Coming after weeks of rigorous negotiations within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) coalition platform, which was threatened by post-primary recriminations, the choice of Amaechi comes as a bold counter to the OK ticket pairing of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on the rival NDC for the January 16, 2027, presidential election.
By settling for Amaechi, Atiku seems to have decided to do what he failed to do in the lead-up to the 2023 election cycle, when he refused to accept former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who emerged as the first runner-up in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.
While the duo of the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Obi, and his New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) counterpart, Kwankwaso, joined the ADC, speculations were rife that the party had a predetermined plan to have Atiku run with the former transportation minister to achieve a North-East/South-South balance on the party’s presidential ballot.
But contrary to those conjectures, Amaechi, shortly after he filled and returned his N90 million presidential nomination form, said he was not positioning himself for a VP slot.
Further, pushing back on the reports of a possible pairing with Atiku after Obi and Kwankwaso left ADC for the NDC, Amaechi, on May 20, ruled out the possibility of a consensus rather than a direct primary.
Speaking to The Guardian on how the former Transportation Minister finally succumbed to pressures and entreaties from highly placed political leaders from both the North-West and South-South, a very close ally of Amaechi said Atiku assured that the “VP nominee would have extensive roles to play in the campaigns and government”.
Before the latest development, ADC chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, had dismissed comments credited to party stalwart, Dele Momodu, suggesting that Amaechi had rejected the party’s VP slot ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement posted on his verified social media accounts yesterday, Eze described Momodu’s remarks as personal opinion capable of creating unnecessary tension, mistrust and misunderstanding within the party.
According to him, Amaechi’s previous comments after the ADC presidential primaries had only indicated that no one had approached him regarding a VP position.
ATIKU, in a statement which he personally signed and released to commemorate another Democracy Day on June 12, urged citizens to stand up against bad governance, reject the politics of intimidation, and resist every manifestation of democratic backsliding.
He stressed that Nigerians must, once again, summon the courage of those who marched, protested, resisted, suffered and sacrificed for freedom for June 12 to retain its meaning.
The Adamawa politician said, over the past three years, Nigerians had witnessed a deliberate and coordinated effort to weaken, fragment and neutralise opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that through manufactured leadership crises, orchestrated defections, political intimidation and the abuse of state institutions, every credible opposition platform had come under sustained attack.
The former VP said institutions that ought to serve the Nigerian people impartially had increasingly been transformed into instruments of partisan warfare, adding that anti-graft agencies, the police, the National Assembly, and even segments of the judiciary had been deployed to harass, intimidate, and coerce opposition voices into submission or defection.
Source: The Guardian
Politics
2027 Elections: Former Governor Finally Speaks on Dumping ADC
Former Adamawa State Governor, Senator Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow, has reacted to an appeal to return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Martins Nasir Babale, appealed to Senator Bindow to consider returning to the APC.
Babale made the appeal during his courtesy visit to Senator Bindow’s office in Abuja.
Bindow expressed appreciation for the visit and thanked his former deputy for the concern, goodwill, and confidence demonstrated towards him.
The New Media Aide to Bindow, Shamsudeen Ibrahim, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Ibrahim said Senator Bindow, however, did not make a comment on his future political decisions.
“Former Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Martins Nasir Babale, today paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla Bindow, at his office in Abuja.
“During the meeting, the former Deputy Governor appealed to Senator Bindow to consider returning to the APC. His Excellency expressed appreciation for the visit and thanked his former deputy for the concern, goodwill, and confidence demonstrated towards him.
“Senator Bindow, however, did not make any comment regarding his current political position or future political decisions.” This comes amid reports that Senator Bindom has dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and rejoined the ruling APC.
According to TVC News, Bindow earlier withdrew from the 2027 governorship contest under the ADC platform. The former governor said his withdrawal was based on personal reasons after what he described as deep reflection and careful consideration.
Politics
Political Twist: Nigerians React as NDC Gives Key Appointment to Peter Obi’s Popular Critic
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the appointment of Agada Abuh Theophilus, who is a popular critic of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2027 general elections, as its director of new media and strategic communications.
The party also announced the appointment of Brian Dennis as the deputy director of new media and strategic communications.
Osa Director, the NDC national publicity secretary, announced the appointments in a statement on Wednesday, June 10. According to him, the appointments were part of the efforts to strengthen the party’s digital operation and media engagement strategy ahead of future political activities.
Theophilus has been a popular voice in the political space in Nigeria since the 2023 presidential election. He consistently criticised Obi and the Obidient Movement on his social media platform, particularly X.
He has been a consistent challenger of the political views of Peter Obi and has questioned the direction and structure of the Obidient Movement since the outcome of the 2023 general elections. The NDC explained that the appointment of Theophilus will bring extensive experience in political communications, public relations, and corporate brand management.
However, the appointment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Lagospidia said the Obidients would not be happy with the appointment: “Obidients seem to be in a difficult position on this one. Whether they like it or not, they may have to accept the appointment of Theo, a figure widely seen as not being aligned with Peter Obi.”
Nuhu Sada commented on the importance of the appointment ahead of the 2027 general elections:
“Political communication is becoming a key battlefield, and every appointment signals preparation for what lies ahead.”
Good News criticised the appointment: “These political parties are one kind sha. So, of all the people to appoint, it is the one who is a renowned antagonist of the presidential candidate you found. I will never understand this insensitivity.”
Iwu Nna questioned how Theophilus will now market Obi as the NDC presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections: “While everyone is angry, here is the real question. Will he calm down to lick his own vomit? Because he clearly has to market and hype Peter Obi, whom he has clearly disparaged on this app.”
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