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Poor Bye-Elections Results: Ohanaeze Tells Peter Obi Not To Contest 2027 Presidency
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to rigorously reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Igbo socio-cultural body, in an electronic statement on Tuesday August 19, hinged the call on what it described as the significant underperformance of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the bye-elections held across 12 states in the country last Saturday.
Deputy President- General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in the statement, noted: “The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, addresses the nation with a solemn pronouncement regarding the unsettling outcomes of the recent bye-elections conducted on Saturday, August 16, 2025, across sixteen constituencies nationwide.
“These electoral results, marked by the significant underperformance of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have elicited a profound sense of dismay and disillusionment throughout Nigeria.
“It is with a resolute sense of responsibility and candor that we declare: the opposition coalition has demonstrated a concerning inability to effectively challenge the incumbent ruling party as the nation approaches the critical 2027 elections.
“The unexpected victories of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, notably under the leadership of His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, over ADC candidates – particularly those supported by the former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi – represent a significant contradiction to the prevailing perception that the Southeast region unequivocally aligns itself with Mr. Obi’s political aspirations.
“This electoral result not only diminishes Mr. Obi’s perceived influence, but also prompts critical examination of the ADC’s viability as a credible and consequential political entity within Nigeria. The outcome of these elections serves as a vital indicator, revealing a concerning disparity between the expectations of the electorate and the demonstrable capabilities of the ADC.
“Given these developments, Ohanaeze Ndigbo feels obligated to communicate this unadulterated assessment to the leadership of the opposition coalition. The stark reality of the ADC’s electoral failures, has engendered considerable apprehension within the Nigerian populace concerning the party’s capacity to offer meaningful opposition or a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is a matter of deep concern that, despite considerable anticipation that the ADC would secure a substantial number of seats, the party failed to achieve even a single victory in this crucial electoral exercise.
“As we reflect on these results, a thorough introspection of the ADC’s strategies and a more substantive engagement with the electorate become paramount. The party’s current approach, characterized by a disproportionate reliance on social media pronouncements and a perceived lack of meaningful interaction with the Nigerian citizenry, is demonstrably inadequate to surmount the challenges that lie ahead. The Igbo people, now more politically astute than ever, are disinclined to entrust their collective future to a weakened opposition party, whether it be the ADC or the Labour Party.
“Furthermore, we implore Mr. Peter Obi to rigorously reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The recent electoral defeats of his ADC-supported candidates serve as a stark reminder of the formidable challenges that await him.
“The political landscape is undergoing dynamic transformation, and it is imperative that Mr. Obi and his supporters accurately assess the prevailing realities. The Southeast governors and Igbo political leadership, under the leadership of Senator David Umahi, have publicly expressed their intention to deliver a significant portion, up to ninety percent, of the Southeast votes to President Tinubu.
“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the political advancement of the Igbo people and the broader Nigerian society. We implore all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, comprehensively re-evaluate strategies, and collaborate in earnest to forge a future that embodies the collective aspirations and hopes of all Nigerians. The imperative for profound reflection and decisive action is unequivocally now.”
The trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Monday stalled after two co-defendants failed to appear before a Federal High Court in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who is standing trial on charges of alleged abuse of office, fraud, and financial misconduct filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was present in court for the proceedings.
The former governor arrived at the court alongside officials of the ICPC, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and police personnel.
However, the court could not proceed with the case due to the absence of the two co-defendants, leading to an adjournment.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 28, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations against him, while prosecutors allege that public funds were improperly released for projects that were either not executed or were irregularly handled during his tenure as governor.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), and three other political parties.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, also directed that the order apply to the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The ruling stemmed from a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
In the suit, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that fail to meet the performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC regulations.
According to the former legislators, the five political parties had consistently failed to meet the required constitutional benchmarks. These include winning at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.
They further told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure seats across key tiers of government. The plaintiffs argued that the continued recognition of the parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
On that basis, they urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties and compel the commission to do so before preparations for the 2027 elections progress further. They also sought, and obtained, an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries.
Additionally, the suit sought an injunction barring INEC from recognizing or dealing with the parties in any official capacity.
The Borno, Oyo, Kebbi, Kano and Niger State Governments has declared Tuesday a public holiday to commorate the first day of the Islamic Calender Year, 1448 after Hijira.
The year 1448 AH (Anno Hegirae) is the current year in the Islamic calendar.
Since the Hijri calendar is based on lunar cycles, it is approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
As a result, the year 1448 AH overlaps parts of both the 2026 and 2027 Gregorian calendar years.
In a statement released on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar urged residents to use the period to rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existance and service to humanity and development.
The statement reads “This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, mni, FNSE, has declared Tuesday 1st Day of Muharram 1448 After Hijira (AH), which is equivalent to Tuesday 16th June 2026 as a Public Holiday to commerate the first day of the Islamic Calender Year 1448 (AH).
“All citizens are therefore enjoined to be faithful and reflect on this important date and rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existance and service to humanity and development of our dear state in particular” he stated.
Tar also enjoined citizens to embrace the virtues of unity, solidarity, togetherness, tolerance, justice, mercy and multiculturalism that are essential to ensuring unity in diversity and unity of mankind.
“The Government and good people of Borno are committed to the unity, prosperity and existence of Nigeria, and to projecting Nigeria’s good image among the comity of nations in a globalised universe” he noted.
The commissioner said Governor Zulum enjoined the people of the state to pray for a peaceful, plural democratic entity, calling on all communities and faith groups to live in harmony and togetherness.
The Oyo State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as a public holiday.
This was made known in a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, and made available to newsmen on Monday.
According to the release, the work-free day is in honour of the Hijrah 1448AH celebration across the world. The government urged the citizens, especially Muslim faithful, to use the occasion to pray for the continued peace, unity, and progress of the state and the country in general.
The Niger State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a work-free day across the state to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1448 AH.
The declaration, approved by Mohammed Umaru Bago, is intended to enable Muslims and other residents to reflect on the spiritual significance of the Hijrah—the historic migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah.
The Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Abubakar Usman, described the Hijrah as a symbol of sacrifice, perseverance, faith, discipline, resilience, and commitment to righteousness.
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1448 AH.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf congratulated Muslims in Kano State and across the country on witnessing the new Islamic year, which begins with Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
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