Politics

13 Parties Abandon Election Boycott Plan

Published

3 years ago

February 19, 2023

Editor

About two weeks after their threat to boycott the presidential election if the Central Bank of Nigeria further extends the deadline of its policies on the Naira, 13 parties on Saturday made a volte-face and jettisoned the idea.

The members of the organisation were drawn from governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives as well as House of Assembly candidates.

The Spokesperson of the Forum of Chairmen of Nigerian Political Parties and Candidates of the 2023 General Election and chairman of Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, had at a press briefing, said both the February 10 deadline for the currency swap and February 25 date for the presidential election remained sacrosanct.

“We hereby announce our resolution that at least 13 of the 18 political parties in Nigeria will not be interested in the 2023 general election and indeed we shall withdraw all our participation from the electoral process if these currency policies are suspended or cancelled or if the deadline is further shifted”, Udeze said.

But when asked on Saturday to give an update, the Spokesperson of FCNPPC, said the parties have drooped the threat.

Udeze said, “Some parties threw their weights behind Atiku Abubakar (presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party), of which my party is one of them.

“We’re just coming out from the final rally of the PDP because among all the presidential candidates, it’s only Atiku that approached us to form a Government of National Unity. He wants everyone to be united so that we can wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress and form a Government of National Unity.

“Instead of withdrawing completely from the race, where we’ll not make a headway, we decided to use our platforms to support a candidate who has a headway.

“Everyone matters, and by the time these four parties come together, with the support of the agents, it’ll go a long way. We waited for someone like Peter Obi (presidential candidate of the Labour Party) to make a request of forming a Government of National Unity. But he never did that, despite the fact that we sent a lot of body language by way of inviting them for discussion, but it didn’t happen.

“In politics, you can’t beg someone to come to work with them. So, the person who knows the benefits of inviting other parties to form a government is who we’re working with because, in politics, you have to always defend your interest and that of the party. So, we met as a party and agreed by looking at the chances. From day one, we said it can be anybody except the APC, and that is it.

“The best thing is for us to encourage our supporters to support him, and we need to bring something to the table so that when he wins we won’t be left out. The whole thing still boils down to what the parties demanded, because at the end of the day, despite the fact that our injunction we got from the high court in Abuja was later taken over by another ruling from the Supreme Court, yet if you look at the decision of the President, at the end of the day, it still boils down to what we’re demanding. At least, it still goes a long way to stop vote-buying.”
PUNCH

Politics

Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”