The media office of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has denied reports suggesting he asked former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.

In a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, the Obi Media Office said the recent meeting between both politicians was part of ongoing consultations within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“Typical of Obi, he accords due respect to everyone, Amaechi inclusive. The visit was intended to achieve cooperation within the party,” the statement read.

The office dismissed claims that Obi requested Amaechi to step down for him, clarifying that no such discussion took place.

“At no time during the interaction did Obi beg Amaechi to step down for him. Obi informed Amaechi that he was running for the ADC ticket and asked for his support,” Umar said.

The statement further noted that Amaechi also made his own political position clear during the engagement.

“Amaechi also told Obi that he was in the race for the party’s ticket. They agreed to work together in the interest of the party and the nation,” it added.

The clarification comes amid ongoing political consultations following the ADC national convention led by former Senate President David Mark.

Both Obi and Amaechi are among prominent figures positioning for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has criticised Nigeria’s opposition leaders following the abrupt end of their recent anti-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) protest, describing it as ineffective.

The demonstration, which reportedly lasted about three days, ended without achieving its stated objectives, prompting Adeyanju to question the opposition’s ability to sustain coordinated civic action.

The protest was led by key figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark—who is recognised as the party’s National Chairman—as well as former presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

The group had marched to the INEC headquarters over the commission’s decision to derecognise the party’s leadership amid internal disputes. INEC had cited a court ruling as the basis for its action, a move the opposition argued could affect its participation in the 2027 elections.

Reacting on Monday, Adeyanju expressed disappointment over the short duration of the protest, saying it failed to produce any meaningful outcome.

“The anti-INEC protests ended after three days without achieving anything, despite all the opposition leaders backing and funding it. These are the people that want to remove Bola Tinubu from power,” he said.

He further argued that the development reflects a decline in sustained activism and opposition engagement in the country.

“Activism and opposition in Nigeria is dead,” he added.

Adeyanju compared the recent protest to earlier movements he was involved in, including the #ResumeOrResign campaign during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which called for transparency during Buhari’s medical absence abroad.

“I remember how 14 of us shut down Nigeria under Buhari during the #ResumeOrResign movement, despite all the hired pro-government protests against us,” he said.

He also referenced a prolonged protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja over the killing of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites.

“I also organised a 109-day protest against the killing of Shiites at the Unity Fountain,” Adeyanju stated.

He concluded by criticising leading opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, for what he described as their inability to sustain long-term protest actions.

“But Atiku, Obi, Amaechi and others couldn’t sustain a protest for even one week,” he added..…Continue Reading

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following the reopening of its national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja after months of closure.

The meeting is set to take place at the party’s headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, according to Politics Nigeria.

The development comes days after security operatives unsealed the premises, which had been closed since late last year amid internal leadership disputes within the party.

The reopening marks a step in ongoing efforts by the PDP to restore stability after prolonged internal tensions affecting its national leadership structure.

The secretariat was initially sealed in November following a confrontation between rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership. One faction was aligned with a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, while another was associated with a caretaker arrangement headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The dispute escalated after an Appeal Court ruling earlier this year nullified the Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership. The judgment shifted control in favour of the Mohammed-led faction, which subsequently moved to consolidate its position through a separate convention in Abuja.

Party sources indicate that the current NEC meeting is expected to be largely attended by supporters of the Mohammed-led leadership structure.

Among those reportedly expected are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

According to insiders, the gathering is expected to focus on reconciliation efforts, internal restructuring, and preparations for future political activities.

There are also indications that the NEC may consider setting up committees to address internal grievances and explore broader reconciliation within the party..…Continue Reading