Politics
Progressive Govs Forum Passes Vote Of Confidence On Tinubu
The Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, as well as support for his Renewed Hope Agenda and re-election in 2027.
Also, the forum called on Nigerians to remain calm in the face of the insecurity challenge, as governments are taking holistic measures to tackle the challenge.
Chairman of the PGF, and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, made the declaration while reading the communique arrived at the end of a crucial meeting by the PGF, and All Progressives Congress, APC, Stakeholders Meeting in Lagos.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hosted the forum, which had 12 other PGF members in attendance.
Roll call
Those in attendance attendance include: Kebbi, Dr. Nasir Idris; Edo, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji; Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu, Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno; Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori; Enugu, Peter Mbah; Kaduna, Uba Sani; Katsina, Dikko Umar.
The PGF in Nigeria is a body of governors elected on the APC platform, established to coordinate policies, share experiences, and drive development, focusing on human development, poverty eradication, job creation, and promoting the APC’s social democratic agenda across APC-controlled states.
They hold regular meetings, implement initiatives like gender equality strategies, and collaborate with the federal government and traditional institutions to ensure coherent governance and national progress, supporting President Tinubu’s reforms and promoting transparency.
Other personalities on the occasion include: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East); Lagos Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Chairman, Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, Tajudeen Olusi; APC Chairman; other party chieftains, members of the State Executive Council, among others.
The communique read by Uzodimma, read in part: “The Forum undertook a broad review of the political, economic and social environment in the country.
“Governors reaffirmed that the ultimate purpose of every reform must be to improve the daily lives of Nigerians, protect their dignity, and expand opportunities for all: rural and urban, youth and elderly, women and men, workers, entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups alike.
“The PGF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to stabilizing the economy, strengthening national security and laying the foundations of sustainable growth through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Forum noted ongoing efforts at food security, power sector improvement, transport and infrastructure upgrades, social investment, and support for productive enterprises, and pledged to align state policies to maximize the benefits of these reforms for citizens in every ward and community.
“Economic Reforms, Cost of Living and Social Protection. Recognizing the temporary burdens that accompany necessary macroeconomic reforms, the Forum reviewed the state of the economy and the cost-of-living pressures being experienced by citizens.
“Governors acknowledged the resilience and patience of Nigerians and expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices being made in the collective interest of a stronger and more inclusive economy.
“The PGF resolved to intensify state-level interventions in areas such as food production and distribution, support to small and medium-scale enterprises, youth employment, social protection for the poorest and most vulnerable, and targeted relief for workers and low-income households.
“We, the Progressive Governors are committed to work closely with Federal institutions. the National Economic Council and Local Governments to ensure that things keep improving, that no group is left behind, and that the gains of reforms continue to translate into visible improvements in the quality of life of the people.
Security, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience
“The Forum reviewed the security situation across the country and expressed appreciation for the improved coordination between federal, state and local security structures, as well as the courage and sacrifices of security agencies and community volunteers, the Forum resolved to strengthen local security architecture in all the states.
“The Forum commended Mr President for the ongoing re-engineering in the security architecture of the country. Governors reiterated that safety of lives and property remains a non-negotiable obligation of government.
“The PGF resolved to continue strengthening community-based security initiatives, intelligence gathering, conflict-prevention mechanisms and support for victims of violence and disaster.
“The Forum underscored the importance of social cohesion, inter-faith harmony and inter-ethnic understanding, and urged all leaders to use their voices and platforms to promote unity, moderation and respect, while isolating criminality and hate speech in all its forms.”
Strengthening local governance, citizen engagement
“The Forum reiterated that effective local governance is central to delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots. Governors resolved to deepen reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and service delivery in local government administration, within the framework of the Constitution and in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
“The PGF agreed to expand platforms for citizen engagement, including town hall meetings, consultation with traditional and religious leaders, civil society, labour, professional bodies, youth and women’s groups.
“The Forum affirmed that listening to the people, explaining government policies clearly, and adjusting implementation strategies based on feedback are essential to building trust and sustaining democratic legitimacy.”
Party cohesion, support for the Renewed Hope Agenda
The Forum reiterated its unwavering loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and commended the leadership of the Party for ongoing efforts to strengthen internal democracy, discipline, reconciliation and inclusiveness.
Governors pledged to continue playing a stabilizing role within the Party, ensuring that the APC remains a broad, open and performance-driven platform for national transformation.
“The PGF reaffirmed its full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the policies of APC governments at all levels.
“The Forum emphasized that Progressive Governors see themselves as trustees of the people’s mandate and as a committee of leaders jointly responsible for translating the aspirations of Nigerians into tangible social and economic outcomes across the federation.
Outlook, call for collective responsibility
“The PGF expressed renewed confidence in the future of Nigeria as a united, peaceful and prosperous country.
“The Progressive Governors pledged to strengthen policy coordination, deepen inter-state cooperation and remain focused on practical solutions that place the people at the centre of governance.
“The Forum urge all Nigerians to go about their businesses without fear, while wishing all a peaceful Christmas and happy new year in advance.The PGF called on all Nigerians to continue to support the Renewed Hope Agenda, engage constructively with their leaders, and uphold the values of hard work, patriotism and mutual respect.
“The Forum reaffirmed its determination to work with Mr. President. the National Assembly, Local Governments, the private sector, civil society traditional and religious institutions to build a nation defined by justice, opportunity and shared prosperity for all.”
Subsequently, while addressing APC statekelders, Uzodimma, urged APC stakeholders to go to the grassroots and spread the good gospel of Tinubu’s administration for the progressives to continue beyond 2027.
In his address, Sanwo-Olu commended Tinubu for his visionary leadership, saying he deserved second term in 2027.
He hailed APC members, particularly leaders and stakeholder in the state for their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as leaders fully committed to the Asiwaju vision and Nigeria’s progress.
Sanwo-Olu, also used the occasion to thank APC governors and members across the country for their loyalty to the party’s programmes, especially the Renewed Hope Agenda, urging them to remain steadfast, resilience in spreading the administration’s message to secure the party’s future electoral victories.
Sanwo-Olu described President Tinubu as “the best man to lead Nigeria to her promised land,” noting that their dedication has been central to APC’s strength and stability in Lagos.
The governor reaffirmed that APC governors are fully committed to ensuring the success of the Tinubu administration.
He commended PGF Chairman, Governor Uzodimma, for expanding the forum’s membership, saying the governors’ visit demonstrated solidarity and a stronger resolve to unite party structures across the country.
Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as “the headquarters of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” and thanked his colleagues for their resilience and support for the President’s reform efforts.
The senatorial list for the 2027 polls has formally confirmed the exit of at least 52 serving senators who have no chance of returning to the 11th National Assembly next year, according to the Nigerian Tribune.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had released the final list of candidates qualified to contest the National Assembly polls on Saturday last week.
From the list, the names of about 57 senators serving in the current 10th Assembly were submitted by their political parties after primaries and verified by INEC as qualified to contest the polls in January next year.
The remaining 52 will be exiting the Senate at the end of their term in June 2027, having been excluded from the final list released by INEC.
Findings by the Nigerian Tribune showed that some senators won’t be returning not necessarily because they failed to secure tickets but for the reason that they are aspiring for other offices, especially the governorship seat of their states.
However, the majority won’t be returning because, having lost their primaries, their efforts to secure tickets on platforms other than their original political parties also fell flat.
Sources also said some senators simply stepped down to avoid a clash with their governors, who had indicated interest to take over their seats and had gone ahead to pick the tickets.
In Ogun State, for instance, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Ademola Solomon Olamilekan, will exit the Senate, having secured the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the same state, former governor Gbenga Daniel won’t return for the Ogun-East seat because Governor Dapo Abiodun will contest the poll in Daniel’s place.
In Nasarawa, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC), Senator Aliyu Wadada, is gunning for the governorship in 2027, having won the APC’s ticket.
In Imo State, the chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Osita Izunaso’s Imo-West ticket was ceded to Governor Hope Uzodinma, while a similar situation played out in Yobe and Gombe states, among others where sitting governors took over the Senate tickets.
As for Sokoto State, former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is among the 52 outgoing senators, won’t return because the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant stepped down for a young contestant in a power-sharing understanding of his current political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
However, the list also shows that in some states, all three current senators secured tickets and have hopes of returning in 2027 among the 57 on the INEC list.
In Lagos State, Senator Adetokumbo Abiru (Lagos-East); Senator Adebule Idiat Oluranti (Lagos-West); and Senator Sanni Eshilokun (Lagos-Central) have return tickets and chances of being part of the 11th Assembly.
In Ekiti, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti-Central); the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti-South); and Senator Fasuyi Cyril Oluwole (Ekiti-North) — all have return tickets.
The story is not different in the Senate President’s (Godswill Akpabio) home state, Akwa Ibom, where Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West); Senator Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East); and Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) also have return tickets.
All three senators in Borno State, including Mohammed Ali Ndume, are among the 57 serving lawmakers shortlisted by INEC for the 2027 election.
According to investigations, serving senators not on the INEC list have only one final window, which is by withdrawal or replacement of the candidates on the list, depending on the option applicable in a particular case.
Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026, dealing with withdrawal of candidates, states: “A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him together with a sworn affidavit delivered personally by the candidate to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal and the sworn affidavit to the Commission not later than 90 days to the election.”
The related provision on replacement is Section 33, which provides:
“A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate…”
Thus, the 90-day rule in Section 31 concerns the deadline for transmitting a candidate’s withdrawal and sworn affidavit to INEC. Section 33 then permits substitution only where the candidate has died or withdrawn, subject to the conditions that follow in that section.
The Act separately requires INEC to publish the full names and addresses of all candidates standing nominated at least 60 days before election day under Section 32(1).
The Presidential and National Assembly polls will be held on January 16, 2027, an indication that political parties still have over 120 days within which they may make changes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published the names and personal particulars of presidential candidates who will contest the 2027 general election.
Daily Voice gathered that the list puts the number of presidential candidates at 19, with each candidate accompanied by a nominated running mate.
The publication brings further clarity to the field ahead of the presidential election and places the candidates’ credentials and other personal information before the Nigerian public.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking another term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Vice President Kashim Shettima remains his running mate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the African Democratic Congress, ADC. The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is his running mate.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is also on the list. Obi is contesting under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The publication also includes the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which is fielding Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate. Umaru Babangida is listed as his running mate.
African Action Congress, AAC, has Omoyele Sowore as its presidential candidate, with Haruna Garba Magashi as his running mate.
Other candidates include former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, with Buba Musa as his running mate.
The National Democratic Party, NDP, is represented by Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori, while Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka is listed as her running mate.
The Young Progressives Party, YPP, is fielding Anita Zugwai Chukwu as its presidential candidate, with Egbeola Olawale Mertins as the vice-presidential candidate.
Rufai Adekunle Omoaje is the candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, while Shehu Hussaini is listed as his running mate.
The Boot Party has Sunday Adenuga as its presidential candidate and Usman Turaki Mustapha as his running mate.
Samuel Memeh is contesting under the Democratic Liberty Alliance, DLA, with Alex Balogun as his running mate.
Daniel Danerechukwu Nwanyanwu is the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, presidential candidate. Hassan Khalid is listed as his running mate.
The Labour Party, LP, is fielding Sunday Chibuzor Okereke, with Hajja Bintu Konto as his running mate.
Iken Esther Okereke is the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement, NRM, while Samuel Magdalene Gali is the vice-presidential candidate.
Abbas-Bin Aliyu is contesting under the Action Democratic Party, ADP, with Chinazam Ike as his running mate.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, is represented by Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa, while Abubakar Isah is listed as his running mate.
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, is fielding Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, with Usman Mohammed Bugaje as his running mate.
Seyi Makinde is listed as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, with Ibrahim Adamu Bala as his running mate.
The Action Peoples Party, APP, has Kabiru Yusuf as its presidential candidate, with Peace Egobia Ofordile as his running mate.
The publication of the candidates’ details followed the requirement for INEC to make the particulars submitted by political parties and their candidates available for public scrutiny.
The documents contain information such as dates of birth, educational qualifications, occupations and other personal details supplied by the candidates.
The exercise gives political parties, candidates and members of the public an opportunity to examine the information submitted to the electoral commission.
It also provides an important reference point ahead of the commencement of the next stage of the electoral process.
According to INEC, the publication of candidates’ particulars is tied to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Section 29(3) requires the commission to publish the personal particulars of nominated candidates after receiving the relevant nomination documents.
Tinubu is seeking to retain the presidency for the APC after winning the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku is returning to the presidential contest on a different platform after leaving the PDP for the ADC coalition.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, is also returning to the race under the NDC.
Moreover, the information released by INEC contains qualifications ranging from primary and secondary school certificates to university degrees and higher academic qualifications.
For instance, Tinubu’s submitted particulars include a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University.
Shettima submitted records of his primary and secondary education, as well as degrees in agricultural studies, while Atiku’s documents include his First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate and a master’s degree in International Relations.
Amaechi also submitted details of his academic background, including his university education and legal qualifications.
Obi’s records include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Kwankwaso’s credentials include a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering from Kaduna Polytechnic and his National Youth Service Corps certificate.
Recall, INEC had earlier fixed the presidential and National Assembly election for February 20, 2027, before subsequent revisions to the electoral timetable.
The commission’s current online election calendar lists January 16, 2027 for the Presidential and House of Assembly election and February 6, 2027 for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
INEC has also urged political parties, candidates and voters to follow the approved timetable and comply with the rules governing the electoral process.
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