Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, has stated that if he finds any politician he can trust 100 per cent, he will support the fellow.

He explained that he has never publicly backed any politician or political party, saying that his advocacy has always been directed at encouraging Nigerians to actively participate in elections.

The entertainer reportedly made the clarification during a discussion on the need for greater civic participation in the run-up to future elections.

Falz said he had always encouraged Nigerians to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote but had never openly campaigned or endorsed any politician or political party.

“His main concern, he said, was to ensure that Nigerians participate in the democratic process and make their choices known through the ballot box.

“Just a point of clarification: I have never, at any point in 2023 or any other time, publicly endorsed any politician or political party. “I have only been encouraging people to go out to vote and make their intentions known,” he said.

The rapper explained that his position had always been informed by his desire to see Nigeria develop a stronger democracy through credible elections and increased voter participation.

He said that Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their leaders without any manipulation or interference.

“What I am clamouring for is a free and fair democratic process, that people should be allowed to express their intentions and go out to vote. “These, I think, are very important to strengthen our democracy in this country,” he added.

Over the years, Falz has been vocal on social and political issues in Nigeria, especially on issues concerning good governance, accountability, human rights and electoral participation.

But he said he had intentionally avoided publicly linking himself to any politician due to his concerns about the country’s political system.

‘Same Crop Of People Keep Shuffling’
Falz said he had remained cautious because, in his opinion, the political class in Nigeria had been recycling itself, with mostly the same set of people moving from one political position to another.

He said this had made it impossible for him to endorse any politician publicly unless he was completely convinced that the person could bring about meaningful change.

“I’ve never really stuck my neck out for any politician for obvious reasons. We are kind of going in circles, and it’s like the same group of people we keep swapping in and out … it’s almost like the same crop of people.” “It’s difficult, at the end of the day, to sit down anywhere and say ‘I can vouch for a Nigerian politician in 2026,’” he said.

The rapper has not closed the door on possibly endorsing a candidate in the future, though.

He said he could change his mind if he met a politician whose character, competence and vision convinced him beyond doubt.

“If I see someone that I feel 100 per cent is the one, maybe I would. But as it is, I am just trying to be careful. “I’m trying not to put anybody on a limb,” he added.

Falz also disagreed with the idea that some Nigerians hold that their votes do not count in elections.

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He said the huge amount of money politicians allegedly spent to influence voters showed the importance of votes to politicians.

“You got vote-buying if it didn’t matter,” he said.

The rapper advised Nigerians, especially the youth to keep faith in the electoral process and not allow frustration to discourage them from voting.

He said more engagement could make it harder for politicians to rig elections.

The activist also called for the full implementation of live electronic transmission of election results to improve transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

He queried why the country has not fully embraced real time transmission of results despite the huge sum of money pumped into conducting elections.

He said technology should be used to minimise the possibilities of manipulation and make the electoral process more transparent.

The experience of the 2023 elections should serve as a lesson for Nigerians in future elections, Falz said.

He said the emphasis should be on the need for a significantly higher voter turnout, adding that a massive show at the polling units could make electoral fraud more difficult.

The rapper said, “if there is an overwhelming majority, it would be very difficult for them to cheat that.

The post Falz Reveals the Only Politician He Can Endorse appeared first on TheNigerian.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, has stated that former governor, Ayodele Fayose, made a wrong choice when he threw his weight behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

It was reported that Oluyede said this during an interactive session with journalists in Ado-Ekiti.

He rejected claims that Fayose has the political strength to determine the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.

The PDP chieftain, however, acknowledged Fayose’s right to support any candidate of his choice but maintained that the former governor made the wrong political judgment.

He says the endorsements should be on the basis of measurable achievements and governance outcomes, saying the current administration has failed to meet expectations in key areas especially security and infrastructure.

”I respect Fayose and his right to support whoever he wants. It’s nothing personal. But if you ask me, he has taken the wrong decision by supporting this government,” Oluyede said.

The governorship hopeful said he was surprised that Fayose would endorse the administration despite what he termed glaring deficiencies in governance.

“I am disappointed because it indicates that the bar for supporting a government has been set very low. “There is little basis for such an endorsement if you look at the realities on the ground, especially in security and public service delivery,” he said.

But Oluyede ruled out any confrontation with the former governor over his political position, saying Fayose is entitled to his convictions as others are entitled to theirs.

He said the coming governorship election would be decided by the people of Ekiti State and not by endorsements from political leaders.

“People will decide. This election will not be won on endorsements or political declarations. Ekiti people are intelligent and they will judge those seeking their mandate on their performance,” he said.

The PDP candidate also took the opportunity to express concern about the security situation in the state, saying many residents now live in fear because of the increasing criminal activities.

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The Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is having more problems after Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada was publicly supported as the best candidate to replace Governor Abdullahi Sule in the 2027 governorship race.

What was supposed to be a normal political alignment has instead led to a lot of anger and a cold war between important members of the ruling party before the 2027 general elections.

Remember that last Thursday, Governor Sule said that Wadada, the senator from Nasarawa West, was his top choice for the governorship election in 2027.

The governor said that the senator was the “Muje Maha” spirit that has guided his administration’s approach to governance and political openness.

“We need to find people who can win this election.” “Now that we all support it, if we really believe in the so-called Muje Maha, now is the time for Muje Maha to be Wadada,” Governor Sule said during the public endorsement.

Some high-ranking members of the ruling party in the state, on the other hand, did not like this because they think he made the decision too quickly without talking to everyone and following the law.

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor and powerful party leader in the state, is at the head of the pushback. He has publicly criticized both the timing and the process of the endorsement.

He said that he was not asked for his opinion or taken along when Wadada was shown to Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

“I was never asked. This is not normal. “Al-Makura said, “It is too soon for the party to even have released guidelines.”

He also said that the governor has a constitutional right to back a candidate, but due process and getting input from stakeholders must not be overlooked.

“We don’t have a problem with Wadada or any other candidate; we just want the process to go as planned,” he said.

But Governor Sule quickly denied the claims of wrongdoing, saying that his actions are in line with established political norms in the state.

The governor kept saying through his media aide that

“This is planned, careful leadership, not forcing.”

When the governor introduced Wadada to President Bola Tinubu, he said it was both right and important to keep the party’s national leader up to date.

Abubakar Adamu, a former Inspector General of Police and one of the top candidates for governor, has also said that the endorsement of Wadada did not mean an election. He promised to run for governor and beat the governor’s chosen candidate.

Adamu and others want to be governor on the APC platform, but the governor says that the governorship slot should be given to Nasarawa West, where Wadada is from, so that justice and fairness can be served.

Even though there is a lot of disagreement, the Majority Caucus of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Danladi Jatau, has come out in support of Wadada.

“We fully support and back Senator Wadada as Governor Sule’s successor. We will stay loyal to the party and the governor’s decision,” it said.

The lawmakers also asked other candidates to support Wadada in the name of party unity.

In addition to the procedural disagreement, stakeholders are also questioning Wadada’s ability to lead.

Charles Agum, a political analyst, criticized the senator’s recent media appearance for not being deep enough and not focusing on issues.

“Instead of looking for solutions, he seemed more interested in attacking other candidates.” “That showed a worrying lack of readiness,” he said.

Some candidates felt left out by the early endorsement, and others are thinking about openly opposing it during the primaries.

Douglas Otaru, who used to be the Nasarawa APC Publicity Secretary, said that Governor Sule’s last-minute choice will be the end of the ruling party in Nasarawa State.

“I’ll say it again: I won’t stoop too low to criticize Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule,” he said. He has done well by his own standards, but the biggest mistake he made was letting the party run itself for so long.

“Sadly, some desperate people in the party took advantage of him and made him think everything was fine, ignoring voices of reason like mine.

“His bias, by putting his friend Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the best candidate, means he can’t run a fair primary. If he cares about his reputation, he should think about stepping aside to make room for free, fair, and credible primaries before the 2027 general elections.

In addition to questions about how the process works and who should be consulted, the controversy has brought up old arguments about zoning and power rotation in Nasarawa State.

Since democracy returned in 1999, the governorship seat has changed hands between the three senatorial districts.

But stakeholders say that Nasarawa South has had a long run, with leaders like Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who served for eight years, and the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, who served for four years, bringing the total to twelve years.

Some politicians say that Nasarawa South should be allowed to “complete” what they call the last four years of Doma’s tenure cycle in order to keep things fair.

A group of religious, political, and indigenous groups is fighting this position, saying that fairness should go beyond senatorial zoning and include federal constituencies that haven’t yet elected a governor.

The group is very against the rise of a candidate from the Keffi axis, pointing out that Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor, came from the same group.

The coalition, led by Alhaji Ali Baba Nasarawa and Mallam Abdulrahman Sani Toto, said in a joint statement that the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency is still the only one that hasn’t had a governor since the state was created.

“It is not fair to give the governorship ticket back to the same federal constituency.” The group said, “Equity demands inclusion.”

They also said that Governor Sule was going against the zoning principle he had previously supported, and they warned that this could make political divisions worse and lead to backlash in the elections.

The coalition also asked for a process that was more open and fair, saying that if candidates were seen as being forced on others, it could hurt party unity before the 2027 elections.

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Abdullahi Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State, has said that Senator Aliyu Wadada is his top choice to be the All Progressives Congress’s candidate for governor in the 2027 general elections.

Sule made the announcement during a meeting with political appointees at the Government House in Lafia. This was the first sign of political alignments as the race for his successor heats up.

Wadada, who is currently a senator from Nasarawa West, recently switched from the Social Democratic Party to the APC. Many people see this as a way for him to get ready for the governorship race.

At the same time, the governor has said that politicians who make routine tasks like paying salaries and building roads seem like big accomplishments are wrong.

On Wednesday, Sule spoke at the 59th inaugural lecture of Nasarawa State University. He talked about what people expect from leaders and how to run a government.

“A project that you do that doesn’t directly affect the people you lead is not a service.” He said, “If you ever hear a governor say that one of my accomplishments is paying salaries or providing water, power, or building roads, even if they are flyovers, that governor doesn’t know what the hell he is talking about.”

The governor said that these kinds of duties are normal for government and should not be seen as great achievements.

“This is because that’s what you were elected to do in the first place.” So, you think it’s an accomplishment just because you’re paying salaries and building roads and other things? He went on to say, “That’s not the kind of leadership people want.”

He told leaders to come up with new ways to make a real difference in people’s lives.

“But life is all about doing things that people don’t expect and that have an effect on them and what they do.” Sule said, “That’s what service is for.”

Sule used examples from his time in office to show how using unusual solutions helped solve problems that kept coming up.

He remembered how fires at a market kept happening, which caused the government to keep giving money to the traders who were affected.

“When I lived in America, every time I came home, I was told that our small business owners in the market always had their goods burned and the government would help them. “We started at ₦2 million and went up to ₦5 million. Before I got there, I think the highest was ₦10 million, which was shared,” he said.

He said that this pattern went on until his government decided to do things differently.

“After nine months or a year, the market would get burned again. Then, as the government, we would go back, find something to give them, and keep going. This is what was happening for a long time, until we started to think outside the box.

“We decided that we need to build a new market so that we don’t wake up to find it burned down again.” “We haven’t heard a single report that the market burned down again since we rebuilt it,” he said.

The governor also talked about actions taken in Auta, near Keffi, where flooding had been a problem before.

He said that better revenue from within the area made it possible to build a bridge that has greatly cut down on flooding in the area.

Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, also spoke at the event and praised Sule’s efforts to improve the state, especially the infrastructure projects along major highways.

Emmanuel Dandaura, the Vice President of the institute, said in his lecture that if communication and performance don’t match up, people may lose faith in the public.

He stressed how important it is for organizations to put accountability and responsiveness first.

He said that to stay credible, organizations must always involve stakeholders and make sure that their actions match their messages.

The post 2027: Nasarawa Governor Sule Announces Preferred Successor appeared first on TheNigerian.

James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives from Ikeja Federal Constituency, has backed Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, as the next governor of the state. The election will be held in 2027.

On Friday, Faleke said this in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

The federal lawmaker told members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his supporters in Ikeja Federal Constituency and all over Lagos State to get behind Hamzat as the party gets ready for its governorship primaries next month.

“Good evening, everyone. As we get ready for the Party primaries next month, I ask all of our supporters in Ikeja Federal Constituency and Lagos State to support Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the next Governor of Lagos State from 2027 to 2035 IJN. “Amen!” Faleke said.

Reports say that the APC leadership is thinking about a consensus plan that could make Hamzat the party’s candidate for governor in Lagos State in 2027.

Sources say that this move is part of a larger discussion among party members in the South-West about the next election cycle.

Insiders from the party also said that people in the region are looking at other candidates for important jobs.

One of them is Olamilekan Adeola, also known as Yayi, who is the senator for Ogun West and the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He is said to be the favorite to win the Ogun State governorship race.

People in the party are also backing Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, in the race for governor of Oyo State.

A meeting between President Bola Tinubu and APC members from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states on March 23 in Lagos is said to have led to the reported consensus choices.

The PUNCH learned from people who were there that the meeting was mostly about party strategy and picking candidates for the next general elections.

One of the sources, who didn’t want to be named, said that the talks went on for a long time and were mostly about finding candidates who were very popular in their states.

The source said, “The choices of Hamzat, Yayi, and Alli were made after a long talk with the President, taking into account what everyone there thought and how popular the candidates were in their states.”

Some of the people who are said to have been at the meeting are Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff; Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State; Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State; and Biodun Oyebanji, the Governor of Ekiti State.

Zaccheaus Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, and a number of other important party members were also there.

The post Faleke Reveals Preferred APC Aspirant for Lagos Governorship in 2027, appeared first on TheNigerian.

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, has stated that President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde are not comparable.

Despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, Fayose stated that supporting President Bola Tinubu does not constitute anti-party action.

Noting that political differences are a typical aspect of democracy, he underlined that national interest should take precedence over party allegiance.

At the PDP’s national convention on Sunday in Abuja, he gave a speech to Channels Television.

“You are an Ekiti man before you become a political party card bearer; Nigeria is for all of us.” The current governor has the support of all previous governors, he declared.

To bolster his claims, he also provided instances from global politics.

“Have they evicted Obama and the former president because they are not endorsing the Democrats or Trump? He said, “No, democracy will have those differences on national issues.”

Fayose went on to say that competence, not party allegiance, should be the basis for support.

“We cannot claim that a member of our party must win when we are aware that they are incapable of doing so. He said, “Would you compare an Asiwaju with a Makinde?”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike led one group of the PDP, while Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed led the other.

The national convention of the Mohammed and Makinde group was conducted in Ibadan, Oyo State, but the Appeal Court in Abuja declared it to be invalid.

The post Fayose Defends Supporting Tinubu: ‘Makinde Cannot Be Compared to Asiwaju’ appeared first on TheNigerian.

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has stated that he supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection.

Speaking to reporters at his rural residence in the Isiebu community in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Araraume asserted that Tinubu has the constitutional right to run for a second term and that the president has done a good job and should be given an additional four years to complete current reforms.

Araraume praised the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and described it as a transformative framework that will positively redefine Nigeria’s growth in a statement signed by the lawmaker’s media assistant, Jimmy Enyeh.

“First, by transferring the funds to the two levels of government, President Tinubu eliminated the subsidy and put an end to subsidy scams, something that some of his predecessors were unable to accomplish. The money should be used by the subnationals for grassroots and public benefit.

According to Araraume, the president pushed for the nation’s Local Government (LG) autonomy and forced state governors to abide by a Supreme Court decision requiring direct funding for councils.

Mr. President contended that it is essential for genuine federalism, improved service delivery, and grassroots development. If the governors don’t comply, he said, the federal government will step in.

“This is another victory for Mr. President since it has highlighted financial independence, enabling LGs to handle cash directly without intervention from the state—a crucial step in enabling them to properly address local needs.

“President Tinubu’s reforms are repositioning our country for sustainable growth and stability,” added Araraume.

He outlined the administration’s major policy accomplishments, including economic revival, the unification of exchange rates to stabilize the financial system, and the introduction of new tax measures to increase the national income base and streamline the budgetary framework.

Araraume also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s social investment initiative.

“In addition to strengthening social intervention programs and expanding youth initiatives, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established to promote access to higher education.”

He emphasized that Nigeria is not a one-party state and warned against what he called false narratives about the ruling party and the country’s political system.

He said that Nigeria is a multiparty democracy with over 40 recognized political parties, a situation that amply illustrates political pluralism and democratic freedom.

Every Nigerian has the right to join any political party of their choosing, according to Araraume, who said that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were not persuaded or compelled to join.

Recalling that such movements took place during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) era, he clarified that political realignments are not new in the nation.

According to Araraume, the APC operates as a single family with cooperation at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The party is still unified in support of President Tinubu’s reelection campaign.

He said that the APC has started an electronic registration process, encouraging new members to register and asking current members to verify their membership.

Speaking on Imo State, Araraume stated that Governor Hope Uzodimma is now serving his last term and expressed confidence in the ability and acceptability of the candidate the party chooses.

While there is always space for improvement in governance, he added that the party would support its final candidates at all state levels and that any flaws found would be constructively handled.

Recalling his involvement in Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign, Araraume stated that the president had appointed him as the national director of trade and economy for Southern Nigeria, which included the South East, South South, and South West. He added that Tinubu would perform even better if given another chance.

The post Araraume Endorses Tinubu’s Second-Term Bid appeared first on TheNigerian.

In an effort to secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, the Rivers Elders Council has joined forces with the “Renewed Hope Family,” a project spearheaded by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

During Wike’s “thank you” visit to Rivers State’s Akuku-Toru Local Government Area on Tuesday, the endorsement was made public.

Speaking at the gathering, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, the Chairman of the Council, stated that the elders had decided to back the Renewed Hope Family, characterizing it as the correct political course ahead of the general election in 2027.

Alabraba clarified that the movement, also referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition,” has united members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State to support Tinubu’s ambition for a second term.

The 86-year-old elder claimed that supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election had greatly benefited Rivers State and that the choice had contributed to the political and economic stability of the state.

He claims that going forward, Wike’s political framework is still the most practical.

“Rivers people know where to go, and the Renewed Hope Agenda is the way to go in 2027,” he declared.

Alabraba said that Wike’s leadership style appeals to all generations and characterized him as a symbol of contemporary Nigerian politics. He also gave the former governor credit for fostering ethnic harmony in Rivers State, which he referred to as a multiethnic community.

Major Jack, the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, commended Wike for the development initiatives he carried out in Akuku-Toru while serving as governor.

He declared, “We followed you to support Tinubu, and we are enjoying the fruits of that decision today and we will do the same in 2027.”

Speaking as well, Lolo Opuende, the legislator for the Akuku-Toru Constituency, affirmed the region’s support for Wike’s political agenda.

“We will stand by you and support your renewed hope family in 2027 to return Tinubu for a second term,” he declared.

Aboiya-a Bob-Fubara, the chairman of the Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, praised Wike for his inclusive leadership and humility, stating that the visit would improve grassroots government.

Bob-Fubara reassured the minister of the council’s unwavering support and allegiance, pointing out that working with Wike will benefit the state and local government.

In response, Wike stated that the visit was intended to show gratitude to the locals for their support since he announced his desire to run for Rivers State governor in 2014.

He expressed gratitude to them for supporting Tinubu’s reelection across party lines and for joining the Rainbow Coalition.

The two main political parties are solely cooperating in this state to bring Tinubu back in 2027.

“We are no longer talking about party politics but renewed hope because this rainbow coalition is only in Rivers,” he stated.

…

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By Udume Chibueze

Enone, Benue State – A powerful movement is reshaping Enone’s political terrain, led by the indomitable Hon. Chief Dr. Philip Agbese, also known as Okanga 1 K’Agila. In a video now trending on the official Facebook page of Agbese Best Orinya, the Okanga Sisters from Ekile Ward have sung a stirring new anthem, describing Agbese as the “lion in the jungle of Enone’s political arena.”

The song, delivered during the inaugural meeting of the Okanga Sisters in Ojigo Ward 2, Okpokwu Local Government Area, hails Chief Agbese’s transformative influence, emphasizing that his entry into politics has brought an end to the era of fake politicians in Enone. His leadership has restored authenticity, transparency, and a sense of hope for genuine representation among the people of Zone C and beyond.

The newly composed song by Juliana Ona, released at the Ojigo Ward 2 event, is already gaining traction across social media. Dubbed “Part 2,” the song captures the passion and deep admiration felt by Agbese’s supporters. Juliana’s lyrics called on constituents across Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency to rally behind the Okanga movement — an endorsement that is fast becoming a badge of political relevance in the region.

The Okanga Sisters, particularly from Ekile Ward, have emerged as more than a grassroots support group; they now symbolize a broader awakening within Enone’s political culture. Their enthusiastic endorsement reflects a growing belief that future elections in Enone and Zone C will be heavily influenced, if not determined, by the support of Chief Dr. Philip Agbese.

The video, prominently featured on Agbese Best Orinya’s verified Facebook page, showcases the electrifying moment when the Okanga Sisters performed their tribute. It captures the overwhelming sense of loyalty, love, and unwavering faith that the people of Enone have towards their leader. Viewers see firsthand how Agbese’s leadership resonates at the deepest levels of community sentiment.

Political commentators note that Chief Agbese’s popularity is no longer limited to political corridors but has penetrated the grassroots. His integrity, accessibility, and consistent track record have set a new standard for what leadership should represent. As more communities like the Okanga Sisters openly declare their allegiance, the message is unmistakable: no politician will win an election in Enone or Zone C without the endorsement of Hon. Chief Dr. Philip Agbese.

As the winds of change sweep through Zone C, the voice of the Okanga Sisters continues to echo: Chief Dr. Philip Agbese is not just a political figure; he is a movement, a symbol of hope, and the true lion of Enone’s political arena.

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