Former Information Minister and ex-Nasarawa Deputy Governor, Labaran Maku, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Social Democratic Party, citing deepening internal crisis within the PDP and the need for a fresh political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Maku announced his switch on Tuesday at his residence in Wakama, Nasarawa Eggon LGA, where he formally registered with the SDP alongside party officials and supporters.

He said his decision was driven by a desire to strengthen the party and contribute meaningfully to its growth at both state and national levels, expressing confidence in the SDP’s prospects in future elections.

The former minister also signalled readiness to contest the vacant Nasarawa North senatorial seat if called upon by party leaders and constituents, following growing appeals from stakeholders across the district.

Maku further used the occasion to caution against imposition of candidates by political leaders, urging adherence to democratic principles, inclusiveness, and people-driven leadership.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared three senatorial seats vacant following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate, paving the way for imminent by-elections.

The affected constituencies are Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts.

Akpabio made the declaration during Tuesday’s plenary, explaining that the vacancies arose from the demise of the lawmakers and must be filled in accordance with constitutional provisions.

“Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections,” he stated.

Invoking the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate President formally announced the seats vacant and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct by-elections within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe.

He noted that the electoral body is expected to organise fresh polls within about 30 days to fill the vacant positions.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has indicated his intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party for the African Democratic Congress, citing persistent crises within the PDP.

The governor, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, revealed the development on Tuesday while meeting an ADC delegation led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.

Mohammed said reconciliation efforts within the PDP had failed and, after exploring multiple political options—including talks with the All Progressives Congress—the ADC emerged as the most acceptable platform.

“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he told reporters.

A final decision on the defection is expected Thursday, with a formal announcement anticipated.

The governor also accused internal and external forces, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, of worsening divisions within the PDP.

Lawal said the ADC’s outreach aims to consolidate opposition forces and offer alternative leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

He praised Mohammed’s experience and leadership, adding that the party is ready to accommodate the governor and his supporters.

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure $6 billion in fresh external loans to address fiscal shortfalls and fund critical infrastructure projects.

The approval followed a report from Senator Aliyu Wamakko, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, and came just hours after Tinubu formally wrote to the Senate seeking legislative backing for the facilities.

In his letters, the President sought $5 billion from Abu Dhabi Bank to support budget deficit financing and debt obligations, alongside a $1 billion facility from UK Export Finance via Citibank to rehabilitate key port infrastructure, including the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.

Tinubu emphasized that the projects aim to resolve operational bottlenecks, enhance efficiency, strengthen safety standards, promote non-oil trade, and position Nigeria as a stronger regional trade hub.

Following the reading of the requests, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred both letters to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the panel to expedite consideration—a process that culminated in Tuesday’s approval.

Eight members of the House of Representatives from Kano State have defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that signals deepening cracks within the opposition party.

The lawmakers formally announced their defection during plenary on Tuesday, with the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, presiding.

In separate letters read on the floor, the defectors cited persistent internal crises within the NNPP as the primary reason for their decision to switch allegiance.

The high-profile development drew the presence of key political figures, including Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The mass defection is the latest in a series of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, further reshaping Kano’s political landscape.

President Bola Tinubu has approached the Senate for approval to secure external loans totaling $6 billion, in a bid to support government financing and critical infrastructure projects.

The request, contained in two separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was read during Tuesday’s plenary session.

In the first proposal, the President is seeking approval to obtain a $5 billion loan from Abu Dhabi Bank to help bridge the budget deficit and meet debt obligations.

In a second request, he asked lawmakers to approve a $1 billion facility from London-based Citibank, earmarked for the rehabilitation of key port infrastructure, including the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.

According to the President, the proposed port upgrades are designed to close infrastructure gaps, improve efficiency, enhance safety standards, and boost non-oil trade, positioning Nigeria as a more competitive regional hub.

Following the presentation, Senate President Akpabio referred the requests to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Aliyu Wamakko, for swift legislative consideration.

The 2023 APC governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a major twist in the state’s evolving political landscape.

Gawuna, a former deputy governor, completed his registration on Tuesday at his Gawuna Ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area, where he was issued his membership card in the presence of party leaders and supporters.

The event drew notable figures, including former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo; and the ADC state chairman, Musa Ungogo.

Speaking after formally joining the party, Gawuna pledged loyalty to the ADC and vowed to contribute to its growth and consolidation in Kano State.

His move comes shortly after his resignation from the All Progressives Congress, a decision he described as personal and voluntary.

He had also stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, in compliance with directives tied to the Electoral Act.

Gawuna’s defection is part of a broader wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with analysts viewing his entry into the ADC as a significant boost, given his strong showing in the 2023 governorship race where he polled over 890,000 votes.

A former deputy governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party in Abia State, Chima Anyaso, has declared his intention to contest for the Bende Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Anyaso said his ambition is anchored on delivering accountable, people-driven representation and fostering sustainable development across the constituency.

Reflecting on his political trajectory, he noted that after stepping back in previous electoral cycles in the interest of equity, he now believes it is the turn of his Umunna bloc to produce the next representative.

He emphasised that leadership must go beyond political titles, stressing the need for service-oriented governance that delivers measurable results to the people.

According to him, his campaign will prioritise youth empowerment, economic inclusion, education reforms, and strategic legislative efforts aimed at attracting investment and boosting local development.

Anyaso also pledged to promote transparency, accessibility, and active citizen participation, promising an issue-based campaign focused on ideas, performance, and a clear roadmap for effective representation.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn his fundamental rights enforcement suit against a magistrate in his N1bn claim before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The development followed concerns raised by the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, over the improper identification of the magistrate listed as the second defendant in the suit.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to El-Rufai, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed the court of a motion filed on March 30 seeking to discontinue the case against the magistrate.

He also urged the court to strike out the magistrate’s name and a pending ex parte application for substituted service.

Lawyers representing the respondents—including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Attorney-General of the Federation—did not oppose the application.

In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik struck out the magistrate’s name from the suit and dismissed the ex parte motion.

Following the ruling, El-Rufai’s counsel sought an adjournment to amend the originating processes.

However, counsel for the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that the case had become incompetent without the magistrate, whose actions were central to the dispute.

The judge, however, disagreed, cautioning against pre-empting proceedings and advising the defence to file appropriate responses instead.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 17 to allow the plaintiff to amend his filings.

El-Rufai had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, seeking N1bn in damages and other reliefs over a search conducted at his Asokoro residence in Abuja on February 19, 2026.

He alleged that the operation violated his fundamental rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and privacy, and is seeking to have any evidence obtained during the search declared inadmissible.

In response, the ICPC and the police maintained that the search was carried out lawfully, based on a valid warrant issued by a competent court, and in the presence of his family members.

They urged the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as an attempt to obstruct ongoing investigations.