By Abigail David

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has selected Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

The development was confirmed on Monday by Gwarzo’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuaibu, who said the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders.

According to Shuaibu, the choice of Mustapha Kwankwaso is aimed at strengthening the party’s electoral prospects and expanding its support base across Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The governorship candidate of our great party, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has selected Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election in Kano State,” he said.

He added that the selection reflects the party’s commitment to unity, inclusiveness and effective representation.

Mustapha Kwankwaso is the son of the National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. His nomination is expected to bolster the influence of the political movement within the NDC as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

Gwarzo, a former Deputy Governor of Kano State, emerged as the NDC governorship candidate following consultations among party stakeholders.

Political observers believe the ticket could shape alliances and influence the political landscape in Kano State ahead of the governorship poll.

By Abigail David

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory remarks made during a television interview.

In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s legal team, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making false and malicious allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 8.

The lawyers said Okonkwo alleged that Obi and other NDC leaders demanded bribes from party aspirants and engaged in fraudulent and criminal activities. They described the claims as “false, baseless, malicious and wholly unsupported by any fact.”

According to the letter, the statements damaged Obi’s reputation by portraying him as a dishonest and corrupt political figure.

Obi is demanding that Okonkwo withdraw the allegations, issue an unequivocal public apology with similar or greater prominence than the original publication, pay N5 billion in general and exemplary damages, and provide a written undertaking to refrain from making further defamatory statements.

The legal team warned that failure to comply within seven days could lead to court action seeking damages, injunctive reliefs and legal costs.

Responding on his X account, Okonkwo dismissed the demand, saying he had yet to review the letter. He challenged Obi to pursue the matter in court and indicated he would formally respond after reading the document.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has emerged winner of the first online voting exercise conducted by Nigerian Concord Newspaper.

The poll is the first in a series of ten online voting exercises scheduled by the publication.

Other candidates featured in the ballot include Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Matthias Byuan of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Sebastine Hon of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Hon. Herman Hembe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Professor Terhemba Shija of the National Democratic Congress.

The voting exercise, which ran from Thursday through Friday morning, was monitored by the newspaper’s editorial team in Lagos State.

A total of 369 participants took part in the poll. However, 28 votes were invalidated due to instances of multiple voting, leaving 341 valid votes.

Of the valid votes cast, Aondoakaa polled 196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Governor Hyacinth Alia, who scored 84 votes. Hon. Herman Hembe secured 29 votes, while Chief Sebastine Hon, Dr. Byuan, and Professor Shija received 14, 10, and 8 votes respectively.

Following the collation of results, the chairman of the Nigerian Concord Newspaper Online Voting Monitoring Team, Prince Olukanye Eleko, declared Aondoakaa the winner, having secured the highest number of valid votes.

The newspaper announced that the next online poll among the six governorship candidates will hold on the 15th of this month.