Today’s Headlines: Why Peter Obi Won’t Win a Ward in Anambra—NDC Chairman;Union Marks Golden Jubilee

Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), David Chukwudifu, has accused Peter Obi and his associates of sidelining existing party executives since the former Anambra governor joined the party in May 2026. Chukwudifu alleged that Obi’s supporters had taken control of party activities, including the sale of nomination forms and primaries, without involving state, local government and ward leaders. He said repeated attempts to contact Obi and complaints submitted to the party leadership had yielded no resolution.

Chukwudifu warned that the internal crisis had weakened the NDC’s structure in Anambra, leaving much of its activities online and disrupting grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. He expressed doubt about the party’s ability to win any ward in the state if the situation persisted, citing the established political strength of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. He also questioned the removal of 326 ward chairmen, 21 local government chairmen and 29 state working committee members, urging greater inclusion within the party.

The University of Ilorin Christian Union will celebrate its 50th anniversary from November 22 to 29, 2026, with activities scheduled across the university campus. According to the chairman of the anniversary committee, Olusegun Omotayo, the union began as a small evangelical fellowship in 1976 and has grown into a major platform for Christian evangelism within and beyond the university.

The celebration, tagged UCU@50, will focus on spiritual revival, growth and renewed commitment to Christian values, with its theme drawn from Haggai 2:9. The union also plans to use the golden jubilee to reflect on its achievements and strengthen its commitment to prayer, worship, fellowship, evangelism and the teaching of the Word of God.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, triggering mixed reactions following the omission of prominent opposition figures, including former Communications and Digital Economy Minister Isa Pantami and Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu. The PDP in Ogun accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of pressuring INEC to exclude Adebutu, while Pantami’s camp urged supporters to remain calm, describing the development as a temporary challenge.

Meanwhile, the list includes 18 presidential candidates, among them President Bola Tinubu of the APC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress. Some politicians whose nominations faced uncertainty following a Supreme Court ruling on party membership registers and candidate selection were also listed, including Kingsley Chinda, Ovie Omo-Agege and Victor Ochei. The omissions have raised concerns about compliance with electoral laws and the validity of some party nominations ahead of the elections.

The Federal Government has urged hotel owners and managers across Nigeria to prevent their facilities from being used for illegal activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, gave the warning at the JAGZ Hospitality Conference 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo State, themed “The Hotel at the Centre: Money, Elections, Security”, urging hoteliers to cooperate with security agencies by providing necessary information about guests and maintaining political neutrality.

Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, warned against using hotels for partisan activities, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission urged operators to strengthen customer verification, monitor suspicious payments and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. The conference also emphasised improved security, regulatory compliance and cooperation between hoteliers, government agencies and security organisations as electioneering activities intensify.

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