Politics
Iyabo Obasanjo Reportedly Considers Obi Alliance, Raising Questions Over Ogun Central Senate Race
A possible cross-party political arrangement is being discussed in Ogun Central ahead of the 2027 general elections, with sources cited by Very Nigerian claiming that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate Iyabo Obasanjo is considering an alliance with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Under the reported arrangement, Obasanjo could support Obi’s presidential ambition while Obi’s supporters could be encouraged to back her bid for the Ogun Central senatorial seat.
Such an arrangement, if confirmed, would bring together candidates contesting under different political parties and could create competing interests within the same electoral constituency.
Neither a formal agreement nor an official endorsement had been publicly confirmed in the reports reviewed as of October 23.
The reported discussions should therefore be treated as unconfirmed rather than an established political alliance.
Obasanjo is seeking to return to the Senate under the PDP, while Obi is contesting the presidency on the NDC platform.
Their reported alignment could create a direct political complication for Rotimi George-Taylor, the NDC’s candidate for the Ogun Central senatorial seat.
If some Obi supporters were encouraged to vote for Obasanjo instead, they could face a choice between supporting their presidential candidate’s reported preference and backing the NDC’s own candidate for the Senate.
George-Taylor has previously spoken publicly about his Senate ambition and identified youth and women’s development, agriculture, security, electricity and roads among the issues he wants to address in Ogun Central.
The reported proposal raises a broader question about how presidential alliances may affect legislative contests when candidates from different parties seek support from overlapping groups of voters.
However, it would be premature to conclude that the NDC’s senatorial campaign has been weakened or that Obi’s supporters would necessarily follow any cross-party arrangement.
No evidence has been presented establishing how voters would respond to a deal that has not been publicly confirmed.
Iyabo Obasanjo Previously Declined to Endorse a Presidential Candidate
A key development in assessing the report is Obasanjo’s public position earlier this month.
In an interview with TVC reported by Vanguard on October 18, the PDP candidate declined to identify her preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
She said making an explicit endorsement could confuse voters considering her own senatorial candidacy.
Obasanjo instead urged voters to assess candidates based on their records, commitment to public service and ability to improve people’s lives rather than party affiliation alone.
Her comments do not rule out the possibility of subsequent discussions or a change in position. They do, however, provide relevant context for evaluating the latest report.
Until Obasanjo, Obi or their authorised representatives publicly clarify the matter, it remains uncertain whether the reported consultations have progressed to a formal agreement.
Obasanjo’s current candidacy follows a series of political changes in 2026.
She joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) after previously serving as a senator on the PDP platform. She subsequently sought the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State but withdrew from that path after the party adopted Senator Solomon Adeola as its consensus candidate.
Obasanjo resigned from the APC and returned to the PDP in June, when the Ogun State chapter presented her with the party’s flag as its candidate for Ogun Central. The development was reported by TheCable, PUNCH and The Guardian.
Her return to the PDP placed her in direct competition for the Senate seat with candidates from other parties, including George-Taylor of the NDC and the APC’s candidate.
Her candidacy has also faced a legal challenge. In a report published on September 30, The Gazelle News said a Federal High Court in Abeokuta adjourned a suit challenging the recognition of Obasanjo as the PDP’s Ogun Central candidate until November 3, 2026, for further mention. The allegations in that case remain claims before the court, not a final judicial determination.
Cross-Party Cooperation and the 2027 Elections
Political cooperation across party lines is not unusual in Nigeria. Politicians may coordinate support for different offices, negotiate alliances or seek endorsements from figures whose supporters extend beyond their own parties.
The reported Ogun Central arrangement would follow that general pattern if it materialises. But its precise terms—including whether either candidate would formally endorse the other, whether party structures would support the arrangement, and how supporters would be asked to vote remain unclear.
The report also refers to cross-party arrangements associated with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. However, the existence of other political alliances does not establish that Obasanjo and Obi have reached a similar agreement.
The distinction matters because personal political consultations, public endorsements and formal party-backed arrangements are not necessarily the same thing.
The immediate questions are whether Obasanjo and Obi will confirm the reported discussions, whether either candidate will issue a public endorsement, and whether the PDP or NDC will comment on the possibility of cooperation.
Any confirmed arrangement would need to be assessed against its stated terms and the public positions of the candidates involved. It would also be important to establish whether the reported exchange of support is a personal understanding or an agreement involving party organisations.
For now, the report points to a possible political realignment in Ogun Central, but its status remains unconfirmed. The Senate contest continues to involve candidates from competing parties, and there is insufficient evidence to determine how the reported discussions might affect voting behaviour.
As the 2027 election approaches, the episode highlights the importance of distinguishing between political speculation, ongoing consultations and agreements that candidates have formally announced.
Politics
Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report
A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.
The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.
The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.
It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.
On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.
“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.
Politics
Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency
Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.
The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.
According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.
“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.
The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.
The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.
With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.
His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.
Politics
Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.
“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.
Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message
Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.
At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.
NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027
The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.
The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.
Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.
The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.
Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign
Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.
For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.
Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.
Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.
The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.
As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.
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