Politics
Dino Melaye Tells Tinubu, Family To ‘Pack Luggage’ Ahead Of 2027 Election
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of his family to begin preparing to leave the Presidential Villa ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Melaye, a former senator, expressed confidence that the ADC would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and form the next Federal Government after the election.
He made the remarks during an interview with Arise TV on Monday while assessing the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Melaye predicts ADC victory
The ADC chieftain said the party’s chances of winning the presidential election were strengthened by what he described as growing dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration.
According to him, Nigerians are increasingly concerned about the cost of living, hunger, insecurity, killings and alleged corruption.
He argued that the grievances would ultimately be reflected in the ballot box.
“The winning strategy for the ADC is very simple. The people are with us. The people are tired of maladministration.
“They are tired of lies. They are tired of borrowing. They are tired of three budgets in three successions not being implemented,” Melaye said.
He also alleged that the Federal Government had borrowed money to finance its budgets while failing to fully implement the programmes contained in them.
‘Contracts awarded in 2024 not paid’
Melaye claimed that some contractors who received government contracts in 2024 had yet to receive payment, despite the government’s borrowing to finance its expenditure.
“For example, you say you borrowed money to run the budget. You have borrowed the money. You have collected the money. But the budget has not been run.
“The budget has not been funded. Contracts awarded in 2024 have not been paid for. You are still implementing the 2024 budget in 2026,” he said.
The ADC chieftain did not provide specific details of the contracts he was referring to during the interview.
His claims also come amid continuing political debate over the Federal Government’s economic policies and the impact of reforms introduced since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
Melaye alleges disconnect between government and Nigerians
Melaye said economic hardship, insecurity and alleged corruption had created what he described as a disconnect between the government and citizens.
He said Nigerians were closely watching developments in the country and would have an opportunity to express their views through the 2027 elections.
“So I am telling you that this enchantment, the hunger in the land, the insecurity in the land, the killings in the land, the stealing, overstealing that is going on in the land already have shown and demonstrated that there is a complete disconnect between the people and government,” he said.
He further criticised the administration’s approach to governance, alleging that citizens were increasingly afraid of government.
“But under Tinubu administration, people are afraid of government because they are so brazen, they are so wicked, they are so nonchalant, they don’t give a damn,” Melaye said.
Accuses Tinubu of encouraging electoral misconduct
Melaye also accused President Tinubu of making statements that, according to him, could be interpreted as suggesting that electoral malpractice, violence and ballot snatching were acceptable political tactics.
He criticised such alleged comments as inappropriate for a sitting president and role model for young Nigerians.
“You have a president that have come out on air to tell the whole world that all is fair in politics. Rigging is fair in politics. Violence is fair in politics. Ballot snatching is fair in politics,” he said.
The allegation was made by Melaye during the interview and was not accompanied by a specific quotation from the President in the material available.
‘Begin to pack your luggage’
Melaye concluded by predicting a change of government after the 2027 presidential election.
He urged President Tinubu and members of his family to prepare to leave the Presidential Villa, expressing confidence that the ADC would emerge victorious.
“And I’m telling you that the results will tell in January. The president and his family members should begin to pack their luggage and things from the villa, including those in the boys’ quarters of the villa, because there will be a change of government,” he said.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to be one of the most competitive contests in Nigeria’s recent political history, with the APC seeking to retain power and opposition forces, including the ADC, positioning themselves as alternatives to the ruling party.
Melaye’s comments come as political parties and presidential aspirants intensify mobilisation ahead of the election, with economic performance, insecurity, governance and the credibility of the electoral process expected to remain major campaign issues.
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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