Politics
2027: Jonathan’s Cousin Tackles Keyamo Over Ex-president Not Qualified Comment

A cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibaola, has criticised the Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and human-rights scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu for opposing the speculation that Jonathan may run in the 2027 presidential poll.
Robert said this in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday.
Keyamo had warned the Peoples Democratic Party against handing its ticket to Jonathan, arguing that his return bid would face legal obstacles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.
READ ALSO:APC Mocks Jonathan As ADC Woos Him For 2027 Race
However, Robert said Jonathan did not welcome “unsolicited legal advice” and insisted the former president is “100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to.”
The statement read, “Dear Festus Keyamo (SAN), Chidi Odinkalu (Prof), I greet both of you. For the record, three of us are lawyers. We were all pro-democracy activists in the ’90s, and I was a better activist than both of you combined.
“Rule No. 1: Do not offer legal advice where none is solicited. GEJ (PDP) has numerous, more cerebral, more experienced SANs at his disposal who give him sound, unblemished professional legal advice.
READ ALSO:Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027
“Please note: GEJ is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to. If he decides not to yield to the overwhelming calls to run, it will not be because he is unqualified.
“Your unsolicited legal view is not of any concern to him and will never be. Don’t waste your precious time dwelling on this. Or should I schedule a meeting so you can be properly educated on the subsisting court judgments on the matter—one of which your party, APC, was a party to?”
Robert added, “This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”
While Jonathan has not formally declared a 2027 presidential run, his rumoured return has already fuelled debate in political circles.
Politics
PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.
This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.
READ ALSO:Osun, Imo, Kano Lead As INEC Reports 2.3m New Voter Registrations
According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.
The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.
Politics
Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.
He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Embarks On Three-state Visit
According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.
However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.
“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.
Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”
READ ALSO:Soyinka Decries Seyi Tinubu’s ‘Excessive’ Security Escort
He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.
Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.
“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.
He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.
Politics
ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat
The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.
A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.
According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.
READ ALSO:Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt
The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.
“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.
READ ALSO:Hoodlums Set Ablaze ADC Secretariat In Ekiti, Disrupt Party Excos’ Inauguration
The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.
The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.
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