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SDP

FCT: Igbo community endorses SDP’s Obinna Simon for AMAC chairmanship

by Folarin Kehinde December 17, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has formally endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Obinna Simon, for the position of Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) ahead of the February 2026 council election.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the association’s President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, said the decision followed a careful assessment of the campaign manifestos and policy proposals of candidates contesting the AMAC chairmanship.

The group said Simon’s vision and competence stood out as being well aligned with the needs of residents across the council area.

“Following a thorough review of campaign manifestos and policies, we found Obinna Simon’s vision and expertise align with the needs of the diverse communities in the FCT,” he said.

“His understanding of complex issues and mastery of tackling them is impressive.”

The Igbo Community Association said it was confident that the SDP candidate would represent the interests of all residents if elected.

“We are confident that he will be a champion for the rights and interests of all residents in AMAC,” Ellis-Ezenekwe stated.

The association further highlighted Simon’s commitment to grassroots development, social inclusion and economic growth as key factors that informed its endorsement.

“We are particularly impressed by his commitment to community development, social welfare, and economic empowerment,” he said.

“His integrity and trustworthiness are unquestionable, making him the ideal candidate for the position.”

Reaffirming its political stance ahead of the election, the Igbo Community in Abuja said it had resolved to mobilise support for the SDP candidate within the council area.

“The Igbo Community in Abuja resolves to support and vote for Obinna Simon,” the president general said while calling on “all residents of AMAC to join us in this endorsement.”

The February 2026 AMAC election is expected to be keenly contested, with several political parties fielding candidates for the chairmanship of one of the most prominent area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

December 17, 2025 0 comments

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BREAKING: I Will Run in 2027 – Atiku

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he will contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing speculations that he may withdraw from the race.

He also used the opportunity to defend the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, stressing that although it could not influence the outcome of recent by-elections, it remains a formidable force capable of reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

Atiku’s position was made public through his long-time associate and spokesperson during the 2023 elections, Tunde Olusunle, who disclosed the remarks to Thisday Newspaper on Sunday night.

Olusunle explained that Atiku was determined to rescue Nigeria from what he described as “intensive care” under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The former Vice President, who recently resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is aligned with the ADC, a party that has attracted several heavyweight politicians in recent months.

Atiku lamented what he described as the “mega-scale thievery, loss of values, and lack of accountability” under the present government, vowing that the ADC movement would “shock the world” by mobilising Nigerians to upstage the status quo in 2027.

“I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland,” Olusunle quoted him as saying after a private engagement with the former Vice President.

He further clarified that the coalition, which was adopted only a few months ago, could not have been expected to perform spectacularly in the by-elections that were just held. Nonetheless, he insisted that the ADC-led movement was a potent force with the capacity to deliver an upset in the next general election.

Atiku’s renewed declaration also comes amid reports suggesting that he might step back from the race. Over the weekend, Prof. Ola Olateju of Achievers University, Owo, who represented Atiku at a defection event in Lagos, had suggested that the former Vice President was more focused on building a better Nigeria than on becoming president “at all costs.”

However, Atiku has since distanced himself from Olateju’s remarks. From his holiday home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he reportedly clarified that the statement was not authorised.

“When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the instant subject. In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distill my thoughts. Prof. Olateju was not speaking for me,” Atiku was quoted as saying.

“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable.”

August 25, 2025 0 comments

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2027: Lamido rejects El-Rufai’s invitation to SDP

by Folarin Kehinde March 17, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido has rejected the invitation of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai to join the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Lamido stated this on Sunday in an interview with BBC Hausa, describing the invitation as an insult.

The ex-Jigawa state governor also stated that the PDP laid the foundation for El-Rufai’s political career.

“The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP.

“He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria in politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP,” he said.

Lamido also queried El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his leadership style.

Lamido, while restating his loyalty to the PDP, said the opposition party has not done anything to warrant his defection.

LEADING REPORTERS reports that El-Rufai, who recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for the SDP, had appealed to opposition leaders in an interview with the BBC Hausa to join the SDP.

Although El-Rufai did not mention Lamido’s name, he invited key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join the SDP.

March 17, 2025 0 comments

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2027: SDP States Position on Coalition as Top Politicians Eye Membership

by Folarin Kehinde March 11, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, has clarified the party’s stance on forming a coalition, as more politicians are expected to follow former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in joining the party.

El-Rufai officially left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP on Monday, a move that has intensified discussions about opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Political leaders have been exploring ways to unite opposition candidates from the 2023 election, but no formal agreement has been reached.

Amid growing speculations about a merger, Gabam dismissed the idea, saying, “The SDP is not in alignment with the proponents of a merger of political parties. It is a recipe for chaos.”

He also downplayed claims that El-Rufai’s move was linked to presidential ambitions, stressing that the party prioritizes grassroots participation.

“The party’s philosophy is entrenched in grassroots democratic participation and aligns with the politics of endorsement. Every potential aspirant must go through the process from the grassroots level to prevent imposition,” he said.

Gabam revealed that El-Rufai’s defection had sparked a wave of interest from politicians in Kaduna State and beyond, with more notable figures from the APC and other parties expected to join.

While he did not confirm specific names, party insiders suggest that former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola are among those being linked to the SDP.

However, Fayemi, in a statement yesterday, denied reports of his planned defection.

El-Rufai’s recent meetings with key political figures, including Aregbesola, Pastor Tunde Bakare, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have fueled speculations of a broader political realignment.

March 11, 2025 0 comments

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BREAKING: El-Rufai Dumps APC, Joins SDP

by Folarin Kehinde March 10, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was as he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The former governor cited irreconcilable differences with the ruling party’s leadership as reasons for dumping the APC.

In a resignation letter submitted to his ward in Kaduna State on Monday, El-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC’s trajectory in recent years.

“I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform,” he stated.

“However, developments in the last two years have confirmed a troubling disregard for democratic principles and progressive values that I hold dear.”

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, played a key role in securing electoral victories for the party in 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Reflecting on his tenure as Kaduna governor, he highlighted his administration’s focus on human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure , job creation, and investment.

Despite his contributions, he signaled his decision to part ways with the APC due to growing concerns about governance and internal party dynamics.

“At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” he said.

Announcing his move to the SDP, El-Rufai expressed gratitude to his mentors, colleagues, and supporters, reaffirming his commitment to advancing democratic principles.

“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to fostering a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections,” he declared.

He urged Nigerians who share his concerns about the country’s future to join him in building the SDP as a viable alternative, emphasizing the need to elevate Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.

El-Rufai concluded his statement with a call for unity and progress, vowing to dedicate his efforts toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

March 10, 2025 0 comments