Politics
REVEALED: Atiku Dumps Amaechi, Considers Popular Ex-Governor As Running Mate
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has begun shopping for his running mate.
A report by Leadership has revealed that Atiku is not considering Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Sources close to the presidential candidate and top party members are said to prefer that his running mate come from the South-East, which is considered his natural political ally and strategically important ahead of the 2027 general election.
The running mate position was reportedly reserved for former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, before he resigned from the party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
It was gathered that former Imo State governor and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, is being tipped for the role of Atiku’s running mate.
Unlike many South-East politicians who left the ADC for the NDC alongside Obi, Ihedioha remained in the party and reportedly played a key role in mobilising support for Atiku during the presidential primary.
“He actually played a major role in ensuring that the region was delivered for the former vice president in the just-concluded presidential primary of the party,” a senior party source told the aforementioned publication.
Reliable sources close to Atiku and members of his inner circle are concerned that Amaechi, despite coming from the South-South, does not currently command sufficient political control in Rivers State or the wider region.
“Naturally, Atiku is looking towards the South-East for a running mate. Amaechi might have been considered if he had control of his region or even his state. It would amount to political suicide to pick someone who may not even be able to deliver his ward,” the source added.
In the search for a running mate, it was learned that Atiku and the party are working in line with the electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku’s Special Adviser, Paul Ibe, said consultations were ongoing and that the party would comply with the INEC timetable for submitting its presidential ticket.
Ibe said the ADC remained committed to meeting all electoral deadlines set by INEC and would submit the name of its presidential candidate within the stipulated period.
According to him, consultations are continuing on the composition of the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Asked about speculation linking Ihedioha and Amaechi to the vice-presidential slot, Ibe ruled out Amaechi as a likely nominee.
However, he was less definitive regarding Ihedioha, declining to either confirm or deny reports that the former governor was under consideration.
-NaijaNews
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has appointed Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as his new Chief of Staff, following the resignation of Segun Ogunwuyi.
Makinde also appointed Mrs Aderonke Adedayo, his Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies, as Director-General of the Due Process Office.
The appointments were announced in letters signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, on Monday.
Akinwole, a grassroots politician, previously served as Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission.
Adedayo will combine her new responsibilities as Director-General of the Due Process Office with her existing role as Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies.
Both appointments take immediate effect.
The governor congratulated the appointees and urged them to discharge their duties with loyalty, commitment and dedication to the service of Oyo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release the final list of candidates contesting the February 6, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, with eight states excluded from the governorship poll.
According to The Nation, the commission is scheduled to publish the final list on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
There are 8 affected states where governorship elections will not hold as part of the February 2027 electoral exercise because they operate on separate election schedules.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed during a world press conference and stakeholders’ meeting that 21 of Nigeria’s 22 registered political parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 28 states scheduled to elect governors in 2027.
The parties also nominated 9,692 candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.
Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to publish the names and addresses of nominated candidates at least 60 days before an election.
The law also provides a procedure for political parties to notify the commission if a candidate’s name is missing from the published list.
Under Section 32(2), such notification must be submitted in writing, signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary, and supported by an affidavit within 14 days of publication.
Although governorship elections will not take place in the eight excluded states during the February 2027 exercise, State House of Assembly elections are scheduled across all 36 states.
The commission’s final list is expected to provide further details of the candidates and political parties participating in the elections.
INEC had earlier set September 19, 2026, as the deadline for substituting candidates and September 26, 2026, as the final date for submitting nomination forms.
The publication of the final list will be an important step in preparations for the 2027 elections, as political parties and candidates move towards the next phase of campaigning.
new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointments of new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor also approved the appointment of Alhaji Moshood Kewuyemi as the Chief Imam of the Government House Mosque.
The new SSAs include:
Ms. Folashade Ogunoye, SSA Gender
Alhaji Aminu Saidi Tunde, SSA Islamic Religion Affairs
Rev. Tunde Ogunsuyi, SSA Christian Religion Affairs
Kemisola Obamoyegun, SSA Housing
Dr. Oluwatobi Aruwajoye, SSA Primary Health
Alhaja Mohammed Sikirat Idera, SSA Muslim Women Affairs
Mrs Ehuwa Victoria Olufunke, SSA Christian Women Affairs
Alhaja Fauzart Gidado, SSA Women Mobilisation (Central).
And, others.
The appointments take immediate effect.
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