Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has indicated that the 2027 general election could mark his final attempt at becoming Nigeria’s president.

Obi said the likelihood of seeking the presidency again after 2027 is “very slim,” citing the country’s informal power-sharing arrangement that rotates the office of the president between the North and the South.

The former Anambra State governor made the disclosure during an interview with media personality Rufai Oseni.

Responding to a question on whether he would contest again if unsuccessful in 2027, Obi said his decision would depend on the outcome of the election and the region expected to produce the next president.

“For me, it depends on what happens. I don’t want to say it because people might think that I’m saying it because of some people,” he said.

Obi explained that if the presidency returns to the North in 2031 in line with the zoning principle, he would be 78 years old by the time it is expected to rotate back to the South, making another presidential bid unlikely.

“I said because if I don’t run now, by the next time it comes, believing in the zoning formula, it will go to the North.

“If it goes North in 2031, by the time it comes again to the South, I will be 78 years old, and I don’t think I would be doing this at that age,” he stated.

However, Obi did not completely rule out another presidential contest, saying he could reconsider if the presidency remains in the South beyond 2027.

“If it’s still in the South in the next election, maybe, but the probability is very slim. I don’t know until after the outcome of the 2027 election,” he added.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested self-proclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Adeyemi was apprehended on Tuesday by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and is expected to be transferred to Abuja to face criminal charges.

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the operation was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja.

“Yes, it is confirmed. The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,” Ojelabi said.

The arrest followed an order by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, after Adeyemi failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The bench warrant was issued after the prosecution, led by the Nigeria Police Force, informed the court that the defendant was absent without lawful justification.

Justice Umar rejected the explanation by Adeyemi’s counsel that his client stayed away because he feared for his safety, ruling that the defendant must be compelled to appear before the court to answer the charges against him.

The case was subsequently adjourned until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.

Adeyemi’s arrest came barely 24 hours after he denied reports that he was evading law enforcement authorities.

During an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he insisted he was not in hiding but claimed his life was under threat.

He also reiterated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the controversial council and called for an independent investigation into the matter.

The Nigeria Police accused Adeyemi of forging official government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Investigators further alleged that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly stated does not exist, and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.

If found guilty, Adeyemi faces up to 21 years’ imprisonment on the forgery-related charges without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) from the Commission’s official portal, following a Court of Appeal judgment.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bala Gombe said the court judgment had withdrawn recognition from the David Mark-led National Working Committee and invalidated all decisions, resolutions, and actions taken by the committee.

According to him, INEC should comply with the court’s directive by recognizing and uploading only the names of what he described as the legitimate National Working Committee of the party under his leadership.

The ADC chairman also cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against presenting himself as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that Atiku is neither a member nor the presidential candidate of the ADC, insisting that any claim to that effect amounts to misinformation capable of misleading the public.

Bala Gombe further warned the former vice president to stop using the party’s name, logo, and emblem in connection with what he described as unauthorized political activities.

He issued Atiku a seven-day ultimatum to publicly apologize to members and stakeholders of the party over statements allegedly made on behalf of the ADC without authorization, warning that failure to comply would leave the party with no option but to seek legal redress.

The ADC chairman also called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and arrest Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi over alleged dissemination of false information.

He alleged that Abdullahi’s actions were capable of misleading the public, inciting unrest and undermining public peace, urging security agencies to take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

A Federal High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.

Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on charges linked to the alleged PFIPC scandal, including forgery, impersonation and related offences.

However, his absence prompted the court to order his arrest.

The bench warrant authorises law enforcement agencies to apprehend Adeyemi and produce him before the court to answer the charges against him.

Detail shortly…

The planned arraignment of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi over the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal was stalled on Tuesday after he failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adeyemi, who describes himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, was expected to take his plea on charges bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and other related offences.

However, the proceedings could not continue due to his absence in court.

The case has drawn nationwide attention following the Federal Government’s position that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency.

Before the scheduled arraignment, Adeyemi had alleged that his life was under threat and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to order an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the organisation.

Detail shortly…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of Nafiu Bala Gombe over what it described as the circulation of forged documents and false claims relating to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s candidate nomination portal.

The party’s demand followed INEC’s public dismissal of Gombe’s claim that he had obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates for the 2027 general election on behalf of the ADC.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said INEC’s clarification confirmed that the document circulated by Gombe was forged and his claims were entirely false.

According to the party, the matter has gone beyond political misinformation and now constitutes a serious attempt to undermine the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral management body.

The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination portal and presenting forged documents as authentic amounts to a criminal act capable of eroding public trust in the country’s electoral process.

It therefore urged INEC to refer the matter to relevant law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation and prosecution of everyone involved in originating or promoting the alleged falsehood.

The party warned that failure to hold those responsible accountable could create a dangerous precedent, encouraging others to fabricate similar claims capable of causing political tension and weakening confidence in democratic institutions.

The statement stressed that the issue extends beyond the ADC, insisting that it concerns the protection of public institutions and the preservation of confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

The opposition party further maintained that INEC must treat the incident as a direct attack on its institutional integrity, noting that the commission’s response would demonstrate its commitment to defending the credibility of the nation’s electoral process.

ADC reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles, respect for institutions and peaceful political competition, while expressing confidence that the relevant authorities would take decisive action to ensure that deliberate misinformation and document forgery do not become acceptable features of Nigeria’s democracy.

The Senate on Tuesday cautioned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde against making statements capable of undermining the Federal Government’s efforts to combat terrorism and kidnapping, following his call on the United Nations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The warning came as the upper chamber commended the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security operatives for the successful rescue of 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted by terrorists in May.

The resolution followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who applauded the bravery and professionalism of the security agencies involved in the operation.

Lawmakers also praised President Bola Tinubu for directing security agencies to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ unconditional release after they were kidnapped on May 15, 2026.

According to the Senate, the rescue operation, which lasted more than 50 days, culminated in the victims regaining their freedom on July 10.

Eight suspected terrorists were arrested during the operation, while several others were killed.

The lawmakers described the mission as evidence of improved coordination, professionalism and operational efficiency among the military, intelligence services and other security agencies.

Despite the successful outcome, the Senate mourned the loss of three security personnel—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force—who paid the ultimate price during the operation.

It also acknowledged Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain, who sustained injuries in the course of the rescue mission.

The chamber equally expressed sadness over the death of one of the abducted teachers while in captivity but noted that the rescue of the remaining victims had restored public confidence and renewed hope among parents and communities.

Consequently, the Senate urged the Federal Government to ensure the immediate payment of all death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other entitlements due to the families of the fallen security personnel.

It also called for sustained investment in the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen the country’s fight against insecurity.

The lawmakers further urged the Federal Government to intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements through improved logistics, advanced surveillance technology, enhanced intelligence gathering and better welfare packages for security personnel.

The Senate also called on security agencies to sustain efforts aimed at rescuing other Nigerians still being held captive across the country.

The caution directed at Governor Makinde was introduced by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.