☆☆☆ As Parties Narrow Down on Candidates.
By: Special Correspondent.

With the deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections approaches, a gale of endorsements sweeping across several states has triggered growing disquiet within political parties, with aggrieved aspirants, stakeholders and supporters raising fresh concerns over alleged imposition of candidates and the steady erosion of internal democracy.

By Hassan Taiye

Across both the ruling and opposition parties, influential political figures, governors, party leaders and interest groups have intensified endorsements of preferred aspirants for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly positions, often ahead of formal primaries.
In Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule’s open support for preferred political successor, Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada has continued to generate political discussions, with party stakeholders divided over the implications for the governorship race in the state .
Similar situations have played out in other states where incumbent governors are believed to be positioning loyalists to succeed them in 2027.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno’s political body language and consultations within the ruling structure have also sparked speculations over succession plans, while in Delta State, political watchers continue to monitor Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s influence over the emerging political permutations ahead of the next governorship contest.
In Lagos State, discussions around the political structure of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and key party leaders have continued to shape conversations around succession, just as similar developments have been reported in Kaduna, Kano and Benue where powerful political blocs are already aligning behind preferred aspirants.
The wave ofAs the deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections approaches, a gale of endorsements sweeping across several states has triggered growing disquiet within political parties, withh aggrieved aspirants, stakeholders and supporters raising fresh concerns over alleged imposition of candidates and the steady erosion of internal democracy.

By Hassan Taiye

Across both the ruling and opposition parties, influential political figures, governors, party leaders and interest groups have intensified endorsements of preferred aspirants for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly positions, often ahead of formal primaries.
In Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule’s open support for preferred political successor, Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada has continued to generate political discussions, with party stakeholders divided over the implications for the governorship race in the state .
Similar situations have played out in other states where incumbent governors are believed to be positioning loyalists to succeed them in 2027.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno’s political body language and consultations within the ruling structure have also sparked speculations over succession plans, while in Delta State, political watchers continue to monitor Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s influence over the emerging political permutations ahead of the next governorship contest.
In Lagos State, discussions around the political structure of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and key party leaders have continued to shape conversations around succession, just as similar developments have been reported in Kaduna, Kano and Benue where powerful political blocs are already aligning behind preferred aspirants.
The wave of endorsements, while presented by party loyalists as strategic moves aimed at strengthening party cohesion and avoiding divisive contests, has instead generated widespread tension in many states where other aspirants view the moves as deliberate attempts to sideline them from the race.
In several states, party offices have become centres of protests, consultations and behind-the-scenes negotiations, as aspirants who feel shortchanged push back against what they describe as predetermined outcomes designed to favour political loyalists and allies of powerful office holders.
Some party members have warned that the growing trend could spark defections, parallel party structures and legal battles capable of weakening party chances ahead of the general elections.
Political observers note that endorsements are not new in Nigeria’s political landscape, but the scale and timing of the current wave have heightened anxieties, especially as many aspirants insist that only transparent primaries can guarantee fairness and party unity.
In some states, youth groups and women wings of political parties have also expressed dissatisfaction, accusing party leaders of ignoring grassroots input and reducing the selection process to elite negotiations dominated by a few power brokers.
A chieftain of one of the major political parties in the North-Central zone, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the endorsement culture was creating avoidable hostility.
“When candidates are endorsed long before primaries, it sends a message that the process is already concluded. This discourages participation and weakens confidence in the party structure,” he said.
Similarly, some civil society organisations have urged political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the integrity of the nomination process is protected to avoid voter apathy and post-primary litigations.
They argued that credible internal democracy remains the foundation for credible general elections, warning that the imposition of candidates could undermine public trust in the democratic process.
Despite the tension, party leaders defending the endorsements insist that consensus arrangements remain lawful and necessary in managing complex political interests, provided they are carried out within the framework of party constitutions and the Electoral Act.
They maintain that political realities often require negotiations and strategic alignments to preserve party stability and prevent destructive internal conflicts.
However, with the clock ticking toward candidate submission deadlines, many stakeholders believe the coming weeks will determine whether the endorsement wave will consolidate party strength or deepen internal fractures capable of reshaping the political landscape ahead of 2027. endorsements, while presented by party loyalists as strategic moves aimed at strengthening party cohesion and avoiding divisive contests, has instead generated widespread tension in many states where other aspirants view the moves as deliberate attempts to sideline them from the race.
In several states, party offices have become centres of protests, consultations and behind-the-scenes negotiations, as aspirants who feel shortchanged push back against what they describe as predetermined outcomes designed to favour political loyalists and allies of powerful office holders.
Some party members have warned that the growing trend could spark defections, parallel party structures and legal battles capable of weakening party chances ahead of the general elections.
Political observers note that endorsements are not new in Nigeria’s political landscape, but the scale and timing of the current wave have heightened anxieties, especially as many aspirants insist that only transparent primaries can guarantee fairness and party unity.
In some states, youth groups and women wings of political parties have also expressed dissatisfaction, accusing party leaders of ignoring grassroots input and reducing the selection process toj elite negotiations dominated by a few power brokers.
A chieftain of one of the major political parties in the North-Central zone, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the endorsement culture was creating avoidable hostility.
“When candidates are endorsed long before primaries, it sends a message that the process is already concluded. This discourages participation and weakens confidence in the party structure,” he said.
Similarly, some civil society organisations have urged political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the integrity of the nomination process is protected to avoid voter apathy and post-primary litigations.
They argued that credible internal democracy remains the foundation for credible general elections, warning that the imposition of candidates could undermine public trust in the democratic process.
Despite the tension, party leaders defending the endorsements insist that consensus arrangements remain lawful and necessary in managing complex political interests, provided they are carried out within the framework of party constitutions and the Electoral Act.
They maintain that political realities often require negotiations and strategic alignments to preserve party stability and prevent destructive internal conflicts.
However, with the clock ticking toward candidate submission deadlines, many stakeholders believe the coming weeks will determine whether the endorsement wave will consolidate party strength or deepen internal fractures capable of reshaping the political landscape ahead of 2027.

From Hassan Taiye

Thousands of football enthusiasts and supporters of Hon. Dave Awunah, a frontline aspirant for the Benue North Senatorial District in the 2027 senatorial election, stormed the JS Tarka Stadium, Gboko, as early as 9 a.m. for the grand finale of the Dave Awunah Zone B 2026 Invitational Soccer Tournament.
The one-week football fiesta attracted youths in their thousands from Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West and Gwer East Local Government Areas, turning the stadium into a centre of excitement and celebration.
The invitational tournament, our correspondent gathered, was organised as part of Hon. Awunah’s commitment to youth development, taking young people off the streets and campaigning against drug abuse, narcotics and other social vices.
Awunah, who has consistently projected himself as a strong advocate for youth empowerment, has in recent months supported youths, women, widows and artisans across the Benue North Senatorial District.
He has also reportedly received blessings and endorsements from several traditional rulers within the district.
One traditional ruler, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to his position, described Awunah as a rare politician with genuine concern for the people.
“For the first time, we are witnessing a selfless politician who matches his words with action by empowering women, youths and widows, even before assuming office,” he said.
He added, “No candidate can stand against him in the next election. We will vote for him massively.”
Many political observers believe Awunah currently enjoys strong grassroots support across the senatorial district.
Youths from the various local government areas have also continued to express strong support for his senatorial ambition, describing him as a leader with compassion and vision.
A philanthropist and youth mobiliser, Titus Apenda from Guma, linked Awunah’s generosity to his late father, Padopas.
“Generosity runs in their blood. It is a natural trait, and he is not doing it for selfish reasons. He may have inherited it from his father,” Apenda said.

• He’s not above prosecution, law:

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that Senator Bukola Saraki is a known political patron of ‘good boys’ who made the state a living hell for the people in his days as either Governor or President of the Senate.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Saturday, APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Babatunde, said the convicted Offa bank robbers were known to have strong relationship with Saraki “who had at many times patronised them for political reasons”.

According to the party, this relationship was clearly established in the testimonies of the former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yusuf Abdukwahab, and Ayo Akinnibosun, one of the convicts who headed a political group allegedly funded by Saraki.

“The attention of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to the melodramatic press statement by the Kwara State PDP and Senator Bukola Saraki, accusing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of a ‘surreptitious plot’ over the charges rightly slammed against him and three others over the tragic 2018 Offa robbery incident,” Babatunde told reporters.

“Neither Saraki nor the PDP needs to lose sleep if their hands are clean. But they must come to terms with the fact that the court deals with evidence and fact, not dramatic statements that seek to erase the facts of history.

“Rather than the shameful resort to personal attacks like a child whose lollipop was taken away, we advise him to go face his trial and let the court establish his guilt or otherwise.

“Senator Saraki’s denial of link with the murderers is laughable and characteristically deceitful, given the large volume of evidence to the contrary. Only cowards make such denial. The testimonies of the Chief of Staff to the Governor Yusuf Abdulwahab and Ayo Akinnibosun do not support Saraki’s claims, but we leave the court to do their work when the case begins in June. Beyond these testimonies, everyone who lived the realities of the time knew his claims to be false.

“We also find it funny that Saraki, who is no more than a lapdog of another politician and is grossly distrusted for his poor record of personal integrity across political spectrum, was saying a performing Governor is not popular. Kwarans can see clearly who truly understands what development and governance are, as compared to the stagnation seen under his watch.

“We particularly commend the state government for the boldness to put Saraki to trial despite his vaingloriness and boastfulness in deceit. The convicts have named his role in how they acquired guns and other logistics. This is a matter of court record. So, the trial could not have been more timely at a time Nigerians want sponsors and godfathers of criminals, terrorists, and bandits to be unveiled and shamed. Indeed, the pattern of bandit attacks on innocent people and how PDP foot soldiers are often the first to break reports of ongoing attacks gave people reasons to sniff foul play.

“It is a sacred and lawful duty of the state government to try him in the law court; it is then the prerogative of the court to either convict or discharge him. But let no one try to raise unfounded sentiments in favour of a man notorious for his sponsorship of “good boys” who terrorised this state for many years.

“Governor AbdulRazaq remains focused on governance. While PDP is busy re-litigating 2018 in press statements, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is building and commissioning schools, constructing several roads, paying counterpart funds for rural roads, upgrading healthcare centers, developing the state at a fast pace, and ensuring salaries and pensions are paid as and when due. That is what unsettles the PDP and Saraki: a government working without sharing Kwara’s treasury among political godfathers or arming thugs who then started robbing innocent people.

“Law does not answer to press statements. Now that the state government has rightly said Saraki and others have questions to answer regarding the Offa robbery, the proper place to do explanations (shalaye) is the court, not Facebook or media. The PDP should advise Senator Bukola Saraki to clear his name through the judicial process now that he has been formally charged, instead of sponsoring panic statements to intimidate public institutions. No one is above the law, and no amount of media noise will stop the law from taking its course.

“We advise the Kwara PDP and Saraki to find a better campaign strategy than hiding behind a tragedy that cost families their loved ones. Kwarans are wiser now. They will not be dragged back to an era where government was run as a private estate.

“The APC government in Kwara is committed to security, development, and justice for all. Our government will neither be distracted nor intimidated by the rants of Saraki and his boys.”