By Jabiru Hassan, Kano

A former Speaker of the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Legislative Council in Kano State, Hon. Ado Abdu Yumfawa, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will remain united and perform strongly in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Kano, Yumfawa said he believes the ruling party has continued to strengthen its internal structures and is focused on governance at the federal, state and local government levels.

According to him, the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at promoting national development despite the economic and governance challenges facing the country. “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, is growing stronger ahead of the 2027 general elections. From what our leaders are doing, we believe Nigeria will continue to make progress,” Yumfawa said.

He commended President Tinubu’s administration for its economic policies, expressing optimism that Nigerians would experience the benefits of ongoing reforms over time.Yumfawa also urged party members to remain united and continue supporting initiatives they believe will contribute to national development. His remarks come as political discussions and consultations gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Abigail David

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it recognises the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark and has accepted candidate nominations submitted by the faction for the 2027 general election.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna told The Press that the commission granted the Mark-led leadership access to its nomination portal following a Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership of the party.

According to Haruna, the recognised faction has submitted candidates for 471 elective positions, including two presidential candidates, 109 senatorial seats and 360 House of Representatives constituencies.

He added that the rival faction was not granted access to the portal, stating that INEC’s decision was based on the Supreme Court ruling.

Meanwhile, the ADC has called for an investigation into claims by a rival factional leader, Nafiu Bala, that he uploaded the party’s candidates through INEC’s nomination portal. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party welcomed INEC’s clarification that only the Mark-led National Executive Committee was recognised and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate what it described as false claims.

Haruna also said INEC would study the Certified True Copy of a recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute before taking any position on its implications.

The Court of Appeal recently upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining INEC from recognising ADC state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the Mark-led leadership. However, the ADC maintains that the ruling relates only to state congresses and does not affect the validity of its candidate nominations for the 2027 elections.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Vanguard has alleged that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) is planning to substitute the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Pius Akutah, as the APC governorship candidate in Benue State.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by its Secretary, Ms. Celestina Adoke, Esq., the group claimed the alleged move was aimed at preventing Governor Hyacinth Alia from exercising his right to seek re-election in the 2027 governorship election.

According to the group, a report is allegedly being prepared to suggest that Akutah appeared before the APC governorship screening committee, which it said screened and cleared Governor Alia, Kuraun Isaac, and Hon. Terwase Orbunde for the party’s primaries.

The APC Youth Vanguard maintained that only the three aspirants participated in and were cleared during the screening exercise conducted by the committee sent from Abuja, alleging that Akutah neither appeared before the panel nor took part in the process.

The group further alleged that any attempt by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to secure the party’s governorship ticket for Akutah despite his alleged non-participation in the screening and primary process could trigger internal disputes and legal challenges capable of affecting the party’s chances in the general election.

It also claimed that Akutah did not resign from his position as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council within the timeline stipulated for political appointees seeking elective office ahead of the 2027 elections. The group further alleged that Akutah is currently attending an international maritime conference in London while still holding the federal appointment.

Additionally, the group alleged that any attempt to produce a screening committee report indicating that Akutah participated in the screening exercise would be improper and could have adverse consequences for the party.

The APC Youth Vanguard called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by cautioning the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and members of the party’s National Working Committee against what it described as an illegal move in Benue State.