A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has blamed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s refusal to step aside for deepening concerns about a creeping one-party system in Nigeria.

Okechukwu, a former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), made the remarks in Enugu while reacting to Atiku’s recent declaration that he would not withdraw from the political race.

He argued that Atiku’s position undermines opposition unity and indirectly strengthens the dominance of the ruling party.

According to him, the absence of the former vice president at a major political gathering in Kano—where the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya movement—raises questions about his commitment to coalition-building.

Okechukwu accused Atiku of contradicting himself by alleging that President Bola Tinubu is fostering a one-party system, while his own actions weaken efforts to build a strong opposition front.

He further recalled that similar actions by Atiku during the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries contributed to internal divisions that destabilised the party.

Describing claims of a one-party agenda as misleading, Okechukwu said the real issue lies in the opposition’s inability to unite, citing personal ambition, disunity, and lack of strategic direction as key setbacks.

He maintained that Atiku’s latest statement highlights a deeper problem within the opposition, where leaders are unwilling to make sacrifices for collective progress or respect zoning principles meant to ensure balance and inclusiveness.

Okechukwu suggested that Atiku, as a senior statesman, should instead support a consensus ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections, in order to present a credible challenge and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

He concluded that the real threat to the country’s democratic system is not the strength of the ruling party, but the persistent dysfunction and fragmentation within the opposition.

By Dr. Malachy Chuma Ochie

In many political systems, dominance is often dramatized in loud confrontations, public take-downs, and visible clashes between ruling parties and their challengers.

Yet in Enugu State, a different script appears to be unfolding. Rather than dismantling opposition through spectacle, Peter Mbah’s approach reflects something subtler: a quiet consolidation of power that steadily narrows the space in which opposition politics can effectively operate.

At the heart of this shift is control without commotion. Political authority in Nigeria has always carried structural advantages, but what distinguishes Mbah’s style is the speed and calm with which those advantages are organized.

Institutions are aligned, party structures are tightened, and governance priorities are clearly defined, often without the noise that typically accompanies such moves. The absence of drama does not indicate passivity; it suggests precision.

Equally important is his communication strategy. In a media environment that thrives on reaction, silence can be disarming. By refusing to engage in constant public exchanges with critics, Mbah denies the opposition one of its most vital resources: attention.

Political challengers often rely on confrontation to stay relevant, to frame narratives, and to mobilize support. When those confrontations are not reciprocated, their messages struggle to break through. Over time, this creates an imbalance, not of voices, but of visibility.

There is also a political reconfiguration happening beneath the surface. Nigerian politics, particularly at the state level, is rarely rigid. Alliances shift, loyalties evolve, and influence often travels quietly rather than through formal declarations.

Under Mbah’s leadership, the gravitational pull of incumbency appears to be drawing key actors toward the center. Whether through alignment, accommodation, or simple pragmatism, the result is a thinning of the opposition’s bench and a weakening of its internal cohesion.

Performance, too, plays a strategic role. Governance that projects momentum through infrastructure, reforms, or administrative activity, creates a new benchmark for political debate.

Opposition arguments must then compete not just with rhetoric, but with visible claims of progress. In such an environment, criticism that lacks concrete counter-weight risks sounding detached, even if it raises valid concerns.

The more governance is seen to be “working,” the harder it becomes to rally resistance around abstract dissatisfaction.

Perhaps the most significant effect of this quiet consolidation is psychological. Politics is not only about structures and strategies; it is also about perception.

When a government appears firmly in control, unshaken by criticism and consistent in its direction, it can foster a sense of inevitability.

Potential challengers hesitate. Supporters of the opposition grow uncertain. Neutral actors begin to drift toward the perceived center of stability.

Over time, this perception can become self-reinforcing. None of this suggests the disappearance of opposition in Enugu State.

Rather, it points to its transformation. Instead of dramatic confrontation, the contest is being reshaped into something less visible but more constrained. The space for dissent still exists, but it is narrower, less amplified, and more fragmented than before.

In this light, Peter Mbah’s political method is not about over,-powering opponents in the traditional sense. It is about redefining the terrain on which opposition operates, quietly, steadily, and with minimal spectacle.

And in a system accustomed to noise, that silence may be the most decisive move of all.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that there are plans to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, in what he believes is an attempt to force him into negotiations with authorities.

Speaking in Abuja during the third-day Firdau prayer for their late mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the former governor explained why his brother was absent from both the funeral and prayer session.

According to him, the family received intelligence suggesting Bashir could be detained if he returned to Nigeria, prompting a decision for him to remain in Cairo.

“They believe if they get him, I will negotiate—that’s why we asked him to stay back,” El-Rufai said.

The development comes amid El-Rufai’s ongoing legal and investigative battles with Nigerian anti-graft agencies.

In February 2026, he was invited and later detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over corruption allegations tied to his time in office, before being granted bail two days later.

Shortly after, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in connection with a separate probe.

El-Rufai has also alleged attempts by security operatives to detain him at an Abuja airport upon his return from Egypt—claims the Department of State Services has downplayed, stating it acted only on a request to retrieve his passport.

The ICPC has since searched his residence and filed multiple charges against him, including alleged money laundering and abuse of office. His legal team has criticised the actions, calling them unlawful.

He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna, which adjourned his bail hearing to March 31, 2026. El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody pending the outcome of the proceedings.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced it will no longer recognise or engage with either faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala Gombe.

The decision follows a review of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, which dismissed an appeal filed by David Mark and ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case at the Federal High Court.

INEC said it will also stop monitoring any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by either group and has moved to remove the names of the David Mark-led leadership from its official portal.

The crisis stems from a leadership tussle within the ADC after the resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee in July 2025, which paved the way for David Mark’s emergence as interim national chairman.

However, former Vice National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenged this arrangement in court, insisting he should have automatically assumed leadership of the party.

Gombe subsequently filed a suit at the Federal High Court seeking to restrain INEC from recognising Mark’s faction, a move that triggered a prolonged legal battle.

With the Court of Appeal upholding the need to preserve the situation as it was before the case was filed, INEC says it will remain neutral and avoid taking any action that could influence the outcome of the case.

The electoral body insists it will only recognise a legitimate leadership once the court delivers a final judgment.

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has emerged as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, pledging to reposition the party as a credible alternative to Nigeria’s dominant political forces.

In a statement following his election, Baba-Ahmed expressed appreciation to party members for entrusting him with the leadership role.

“Yesterday, my brothers and members of the PRP party elected me as the National Chairman of the party. I am grateful for the trust and confidence they have placed in me,” he said.

He used the opportunity to call on Nigerians—especially those disillusioned with the current state of the nation—to rally behind the PRP.

“Our PRP party is inviting good people those who fear God and are seeking solutions to the situation our country is in to join PRP. Our country is in a very bad condition, especially in the North,” he added.

The new chairman took a swipe at the country’s major political parties, accusing their leaders of prioritising power over the welfare of citizens.

“Our current leaders and their associates in the two or three major parties are not seeking solutions for the common people. What they want is power so they can continue to ruin our lives,” he said.

He further criticised the political class, alleging a shared pattern of self-interest.

“They are all the same, same origin, same behavior, same intentions. All they want is power,” he stated.

Baba-Ahmed urged Nigerians to support the PRP’s vision, insisting that the country’s challenges can be addressed with the right leadership.

“We are asking for your trust and support. Nigeria can be fixed, God willing, but only if we reject the oppressors,” he said.

Appealing to citizens committed to justice and accountability, he called for collective action to reshape the country’s political future.

“We invite God-fearing and responsible people who care about protecting the rights of the common people to join PRP so we can work together,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s lingering problems are the result of deliberate manipulation by political actors.

“People must first understand the traps set for us by politicians. Instead of seeking solutions, they divide us and set us against each other, while they sit comfortably enjoying our wealth,” he stated.

Reaffirming the party’s stance, he said PRP members are driven by sincerity rather than personal ambition.

“We in PRP are sincere. If we were only after positions or wealth, we would have already joined APC, ADC or PDP,” he said.

He concluded on a note of optimism, expressing confidence that Nigeria can be transformed with public backing.

“Trust us. God knows our intentions, and by His will, we will change Nigeria,” he said.

Nigeria’s National Assembly of Nigeria has approved a N68.3 trillion 2026 budget, significantly expanding the country’s fiscal plan and placing the weight of funding and execution squarely on the Federal Government.

The passage, which came three months after Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the proposal, represents about a 17 per cent increase on the initial estimate and over 24 per cent above the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget.

If assented to promptly, Nigeria’s fiscal cycle may shift to an April–March framework, raising further questions about adherence to budget discipline following delays that saw the 2025 budget only partially implemented by September.

The expanded budget underscores mounting fiscal pressures, with analysts warning that the deficit could climb as high as N34–35 trillion, driven by historically weak revenue performance and rising expenditure commitments.

A key component of the adjustment is the inclusion of N5.71 trillion in legacy capital obligations rolled over from 2025, alongside new spending aimed at accelerating infrastructure delivery and completing ongoing projects.

Despite the ambitious outlook, concerns persist over fiscal sustainability, especially as the government projects a deficit-to-revenue ratio of about 70 per cent—considered high for an economy already burdened by significant debt.

The Senate described the document as a “budget of consolidation,” insisting the increase followed due legislative scrutiny and was necessary to address funding gaps and emerging national priorities.

Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Olamilekan Adeola, stated that the process was transparent and guided by formal executive requests.

He noted that the revised plan aligns with the administration’s reform agenda, adding that lawmakers ensured all additions were properly justified to avoid disruption to government operations.

The fiscal framework allocates N32.29 trillion to capital expenditure, N15.43 trillion to recurrent spending, N15.81 trillion to debt servicing, and N4.8 trillion to statutory transfers, making it one of Nigeria’s largest budgets on record.

To fund the plan, the government is banking on increased oil revenues, tax reforms, and external borrowing estimated at over N6 trillion, even as projections indicate that total public debt could approach N200 trillion.

While the government maintains that the budget will drive infrastructure expansion and economic growth, critics argue that rising debt levels and persistent revenue shortfalls could undermine its implementation.

In a related move, lawmakers also approved an extension of the 2025 capital budget implementation to June 30, in a bid to ensure completion of ongoing projects.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned Nadabo Energy Limited’s CEO, Abubakar Ali Peters, over an alleged N1.4 billion fuel subsidy fraud dating back to 2012.

Peters was brought before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, following the reassignment of the long-running case after the retirement of the previous trial judge.

The anti-graft agency slammed the defendant and his company with 27 counts bordering on fraud, forgery, and obtaining funds under false pretences through the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).

According to the prosecution, Nadabo Energy allegedly secured about N978.4 million from the Federal Government in April 2012 by falsely claiming subsidy payments for the importation of 19.4 million litres of petrol from a Swiss firm.

However, investigations by the EFCC revealed that only about 6.5 million litres were actually imported, exposing a wide discrepancy between declared and verified volumes.

The commission further alleged that forged documents, including a marine insurance certificate purportedly issued by Staco Insurance Plc, were used to support the inflated claims.

Peters pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel S.K. Atteh urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant, but the defence opposed the move, citing that Peters had been on bail since December 2012 and had consistently complied with court conditions.

Ruling on the application, Justice Ijelu ordered that the defendant should continue on his existing bail, while directing his sureties to reappear and reaffirm their commitments at the next hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 19, 20, and 21 for trial commencement.

The case, which has dragged on for over a decade, is part of a broader crackdown on alleged abuses in Nigeria’s fuel subsidy regime, a sector long plagued by claims of fraud, inflated import figures, and forged documentation.

Earlier proceedings saw testimonies from investigators and key witnesses, including former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, who pointed to inconsistencies in shipping and financial records tied to the subsidy claims.

At one stage, a former defence counsel described the defendant as “a threat to national security” and sought to withdraw from the case, alleging attempts to frustrate the trial.

Despite multiple legal battles and interlocutory appeals—including a dismissed appeal at the Court of Appeal in 2018—the case has continued to move through Nigeria’s judicial process, with the prosecution insisting it has sufficient evidence to secure conviction.

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, has resigned from office in compliance with a presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective positions to step down.

His exit was confirmed in a statement issued by his media aide, paving the way for his governorship ambition in Gombe State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

In his resignation letter, Alkali expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, highlighting what he described as notable achievements in the transportation sector during his tenure.

“I am deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege to serve our great nation. As I step down, I do so with a sense of fulfilment over the progress recorded in the transportation sector, and with renewed determination to continue serving the people in a greater capacity,” he said.

The presidency has accepted his resignation and commended his service, according to the statement.

Alkali’s departure signals the beginning of what is expected to be a keenly contested governorship race in Gombe, as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the elections.

His resignation follows a similar move by Yusuf Tuggar, who also stepped down to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State, reinforcing a growing trend among cabinet members eyeing elective offices.