Headlines
Fayose Congratulates Fayemi, Says He Deserves to be NGF Chairman
The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday said his successor, Kayode Fayemi, deserved to be chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF).
This is contained in a congratulatory message he sent to the Ekiti State governor.
Mr Fayose, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, said Mr Fayemi’s emergence as NGF Chairman was “well deserved of him and the people of Ekiti.”
He said: “I congratulate Governor Kayode Fayemi on his appointment and elevation as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)
“It is well deserved for you and the entire people of Ekiti. Politics will come and go, but Ekiti State will remain eternal
“Once again, you have my best wishes”, he said.
Both Mr Fayose and Mr Fayemi are members of different political parties with the former belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the latter belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Fayemi was defeated by Mr Fayose in the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti. Mr Fayemi, however, won the 2018 election to return as governor. He was inaugurated last October.
Meanwhile, prominent indigenes of state have asked Mr Fayemi to use the new office to advance the development of the nation and particularly Ekiti.
A former commissioner and current Chairman, Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Kayode Babade, who congratulated the new NGF chairman, described his emergence as a blessing to the state and the Yoruba race.
Mr Fayemi on Wednesday emerged the new NGF chairman through consensus, thus becoming the first in the history of the South West to attain such position.
Mr Babade advised him to use the new office to attract development and global support for Ekiti and to fight on the side of Nigerians by ensuring that there is equity and justice in the distribution of the nation’s wealth.
Mr Fayemi takes over from Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari for the next two years.
Mr Babade, who is also a former Leader of the State House of Assembly, said he was not surprised at the victory of Mr Fayemi based on his outstanding track records and leadership skills.
“Fayemi is a rare leader, he has displayed this uniqueness in all the offices that he has occupied. I want to congratulate the people of the state and the Southwest in general on this feat.
“I urge him to use the new office to reshape the politics of our state with this new position. The image of Ekiti has again been launched to a higher pedestal, being the first time a governor from our state and region will occupy this position.
In another statement, Sunday Adebomi, a retired army captian, congratulated the governor, describing his emergence as a welcome development, which according to him, is a manifestation of the confidence his fellow governors have in him.
Mr Adebomi stated that he had no doubt that Mr Fayemi would live up to expectation in the new assignment as a purposeful leader, fully committed to the advancement of APC and sustenance of democracy.
“I am confident that the governor will still surpass his predecessor, who used the position to negotiate for the disbursement of the Paris Club Refund and other intervention funds to states amid difficulties in the payment of salaries”.
(NAN)
Veteran journalist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dele Momodu, has declared that a joint presidential ticket between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi represents the strongest strategy for the opposition to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Momodu said the emerging ADC coalition is gaining momentum as a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he accused of promoting “one-man rule” and weakening democratic institutions.
Momodu argued that an Atiku–Obi ticket offers both experience and electoral appeal, noting that both politicians already command significant national followings from previous elections. He recalled their collaboration in 2019, adding that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election provides a ready base of supporters that can be consolidated.
According to him, the coalition is further strengthened by the involvement of political heavyweights such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, making it a formidable opposition alliance.
“The candidates who placed second, third, and even fourth are aligning. That naturally builds a strong challenge,” Momodu said, suggesting that this development could unsettle the APC ahead of 2027.
He also accused the Tinubu administration of centralising power and undermining democratic processes, claiming that key institutions—including the legislature and electoral system—are increasingly influenced by the executive arm of government. He warned that such a trend poses risks to Nigeria’s democracy.
Momodu further alleged that opposition parties face systemic obstacles, including difficulties in accessing venues, legal pressures, and institutional interference. He argued that these challenges have made opposition unity not just strategic, but necessary.
Dismissing concerns about possible cracks within the ADC coalition, Momodu described such fears as speculative, insisting that current political realities have effectively forced major opposition figures to work together.
The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.
Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.
The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.
It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.
The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.
Headlines
Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention
Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.
First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.
The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.
The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.
Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.
According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.
The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.
The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.
INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.
Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Guardian
