A former Board of Trustees member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Austin Edeze, has forcefully dismissed claims that Nigeria was drifting toward a one-party state, describing such assertions as “misleading and unfounded.”
Edeze spoke at his Abakaliki residence during a ceremony organised by his Ndieze community in Izzi local government area to formally receive him into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He argued that Nigeria’s political landscape remained competitive and plural, stressing that multiple parties were actively mobilising and preparing for the 2027 general elections.
The former PDP stalwart listed parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) as evidence that the nation’s democracy was far from a one-party system.
“These parties are not dormant. They are holding congresses, organising conventions and positioning themselves to produce presidential candidates,” he said.
He maintained that internal disputes within political parties should not be interpreted as systemic collapse, insisting that such disagreements were a routine feature of democratic politics.
Edeze further declared that the APC was firmly on course to dominate Ebonyi state in the next election cycle, citing ongoing political alignments and grassroots mobilisation.
“With the calibre of support and the momentum we are building, the 2027 governorship election will be smooth and decisive,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Governor Francis Nwifuru would complete two terms in office, arguing that the ruling party’s grip on the state remained strong and unshaken.
While projecting victory for the APC in Ebonyi, Edeze acknowledged that other parties would still secure wins in different parts of the country, reinforcing his position that Nigeria’s democracy remained competitive and not a one-party structure.
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Enugu: Perish 2027 ambition, focus on governance, Bishop Orji tells politicians
By Chuks Nweze
Enugu
The Bishop of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Akegbe-Awgu-Aninri Diocese, Rt. Rev. John Orji, has called on Nigerian leaders and politicians to shelve their 2027 ambition for a second term in office and concentrate on governance.
Orji, made the charge on Saturday in his address at the 4th Annual Synod of the church that took place at Matthias Ekweremadu Memorial Methodist Church, Amagu-Mpu, Aninri local government area of Enugu state.
He said the nation was boiling in terms of hunger, insecurity and high cost of living but rather than address them, the leaders were concerned about their re-election come 2027.
The cleric stressed that the nation was bedeviled with epileptic power supply, high rent, high cost of building materials while the leaders were preoccupied with how to be re-elected, and urged the masses to use their vote, their PVC to enthrone good leaders.
“Let them face governance. Let them stop talking about 2027 when we are dying now. 2027 will come and go. We know those to vote. No matter the alignment and realignments, at the end we are going individually to the polling booth to face a secret ballot.
“So let them know that if they are not doing well, we are voting them out. If they are doing well, they are returning. God will not allow rigging again in this nation, because our problem is the rigging. They no longer believe in our vote, but I believe in God who will fight for us. So we use our PVC and bring in those who will know how to lead us,” he said.
Orji lamented that the situation in the country is worrisome and the leaders should rise to the occasion instead of dissipating energy on campaign for 2027.
“The state of the nation is worrisome. Hardship and hunger in the land is already out of proportion. Our political leaders at all levels of the government have abandoned their primary duty of governance which is protection of lives, properties and provision of essential amenities. All you hear is second tenure, political alignment and re-alignment.
“Security architecture has fallen woefully. Our government for reasons best known to them lacks political will to secure ordinary citizenry. Kidnapping and ritual killings are going on in all parts of the nation unabated,” he lamented, pointing out that high cost of petroleum products are stifling the people and hampering economic activities.
According to him, “politicians mouth that tomorrow is in the hands of the youth but are not doing anything to help the youth, hence the mounting unemployment,” he said.
He therefore urged Nigerians that as Moses used the staff in his hand to liberate Israel, so should the people use their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), to liberate themselves.
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Offa robbery: Kwara APC caucus cautions Saraki’s sympathisers against media campaign
By Umar Bayo Abdulwahab
Ilorin
The Elders Caucus of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Kwara Central has cautioned the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and his sympathisers, to restrain themselves from media campaign and allow the court of law to decide the matter before it.
The APC caucus was reacting to the media campaign being launched by Saraki and his sympathisers on the fresh charges preferred against him by the Kwara state government on the 2018 Offa bank robbery.
The group issued the warning in a statement signed by its public relations officer, Sulaiman Sheu AbdulSalam (Cement)
The caucus urged Saraki to go to the court and clear his name instead of resorting to media campaign.
It added that no matter the level of media propaganda, court remains the only place that could adjudge Saraki guilty or otherwise.
The group praised the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his interest in defending the interest of the common man, which necessitated the filing of the charges against Saraki and former governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed.
It noted that the governor’s decision would ensure justice for the families of the victims of the bloody Offa bank robbery and serve as deterrent to political office holders who think they were above the law when in power.
While dismissing the sentiment being expressed by some people on the timing of filing the charges against Saraki, the caucus said people should allow justice to take its cause at anytime to ensure decorum and public safety.
“The court remains the only place where a suspect can prove his innocence, and therefore, advise Dr Saraki to face his trial and defend himself on the allegations levelled against him in court rather than resorting to media propaganda,” it said.
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Why Labour Party doesn’t operate any social media handle for now – Usman
By Emeka Nze
Abuja
The Labour Party under the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman has reiterated that for now, it does not operate and social media handle
In a statement on Sunday, Senior Special Adviser to the National Chairman of the party, Ken Eluma Asogwa, said the all extant all social media accounts under the name Labour Party were ‘false and fraudulent.’
More of the statement read, “The Labour Party wishes to reiterate its earlier position, as communicated in its press release of 9th February 2026, that it does not currently operate any social media account. This position remains unchanged.
“The attention of the Party’s leadership has once again been drawn to a fraudulent X (formerly Twitter) account operating under the name “LABOUR PARTY (LP) NIG” with the handle @LabourpartyNGR_.
“This account falsely claims to disseminate official information on behalf of the party.
“Preliminary checks reveal that this is the same account previously disowned by the party in its February statement.
“Following that disclaimer, the operators deceptively altered both the account name and handle in a bid to continue misleading unsuspecting members of the public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Labour Party states that its only known social media accounts, which are currently inactive, are:
Facebook: Labour Party-Nig (approximately 12,000 followers)
and X: LabourPartyNG (approximately 837,000 followers).
“The party has formally petitioned the Nigerian Police to facilitate the recovery of its official X account (LabourPartyNG) from the former party leadership currently in control of it.
“The matter is receiving due attention and individuals involved, including Barrister. Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk, are cooperating with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, where they are currently providing relevant information concerning their activities, including the unauthorised use of the party’s social media platforms.
“Upon the conclusion of investigations and the successful recovery of these accounts, the public will be duly informed.
“In the meantime, the Labour Party emphasises that it does not operate any social media account for public communication.
“All official information is disseminated strictly through authorised press statements issued by the Office of the Interim National Chairman. Any change to this communication structure will be formally announced.”
