Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023, Adewole Adebayo, has welcomed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the party.

Taking to X on Monday, Adebayo expressed his excitement, stating that El-Rufai’s entry strengthens the party’s mission to rescue Nigeria from years of poor governance and economic decline.

“On behalf of the teeming members of the @TheSDPNg and patriotic democrats who believe in Nigeria and her promise of inevitable greatness, I heartily welcome my dear brother @elrufai to our party.

“With the hardworking and sagacious Mallam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity,” Adebayo wrote.

He underscored the party’s commitment to fulfilling Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which addresses fundamental human rights, social justice and economic development.

Adebayo urged like-minded democrats and nationalists to join the SDP’s movement for national restoration.

“Good politics begets good governance. Let no one sit on the fence any further. There is no time to waste. Join us on the March Again! God bless Nigeria,” he added.

Popular content creator, actor, skit maker and activist, Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo, popularly known by his stage name, Mr Macaroni, has vowed not to acknowledge the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the next time they meet.

In the past, Mr Macaroni, has been caught on camera avoiding Sanwo-Olu at public functions. During one of those exchanges, he was forced to greet the governor.

However, Mr Macaroni has now made it clear on the microblogging platform X, that he will never again be cajoled to interact with Sanwo-Olu in the future. He wrote:

“This is the last time I will address this matter. It is not worth my peace of mind.

“Since you people won’t stop attacking me because I didn’t greet Governor Sanwoolu, next time I see him, I still won’t greet him.

“And this time, even if he calls me I won’t answer. You people will cry today, tomorrow and forever!”

Mr Macaroni’s grudge with Sanwo-Olu may not be unconnected with his arrest during the ENDSARS protest in 2021.Mr Macaroni

In January, comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, also known as Seyi Law mocked Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after skit maker Mr Macaroni vowed to continue snubbing him.

Seyi Law reacted to a post of Mr Macaroni’s where the skit maker ranted about how he was humiliated by the government, hence losing respect for it.

The comedian then mocked Lagos state governor for acting like he doesn’t know him, yet he reportedly begs Mr Macaroni for a handshake.

Omowunmi Aloba, widow of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, caused a stir online with a deeply distressing live video that has left many shaken.

In the viral clip, Wunmi, her voice thick with fear and anguish, frantically cried out for help, claimed her little son, Liam, had been attacked.

The weight of her desperation was undeniable as she declared that she would never stay silent, unlike her late husband, who, according to her, remained quiet until the very end, only for his life to be cruelly taken.

With raw emotion spilling from her every word, Wunmi vowed to fight for Liam until her last breath, refusing to let history repeat itself.

She painted a chilling picture of the threats looming over her, recalled how she and her son were allegedly targeted for abduction and threatened with gun at Mohbad’s coroner’s inquest.

The terror in her voice made it clear she no longer felt safe, not inside her home, not outside, not anywhere.

As panic and uncertainty grip her, she pleaded with Nigerians, with anyone who still has a sense of justice, to come to her rescue.

According to her, Liam, an innocent child, is being dragged into a storm he never asked for, and she is determined not to let him become another casualty of silence.

Her desperate cry for help sparked concern among her live viewers, while others who saw the clip online reacted with worry, some raised eyebrows.

An ally to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed his supporters were not surprised by his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that El-Rufai has officially resigned from the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing irreconcilable differences with the ruling party’s leadership.

In a resignation letter submitted to his ward in Kaduna State on Monday, El-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC’s trajectory in recent years.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, played a key role in securing electoral victories for the party in 2015, 2019, and 2023. Reflecting on his tenure as Kaduna governor, he highlighted his administration’s focus on human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.

Despite his contributions, he signaled his decision to part ways with the APC due to growing concerns about governance and internal party dynamics.

Announcing his move to the SDP, El-Rufai expressed gratitude to his mentors, colleagues, and supporters, reaffirming his commitment to advancing democratic principle

An ally, who served as a commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration, told Daily Trust on condition of anonymity that supporters of the former governor have been waiting for his resignation from APC.

“Yes, we are all aware that he (El-Rufai) will tender his resignation from APC today, Monday, 10th March 2025, and join SDP. That is all we have been waiting for,” the source said.

Justice Obiora Egwatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for March 25, 2025, for hearing.

The suspended lawmaker had prayed the court for an order, restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Privileges from investigating her over alleged misconduct after a face-off with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over a seating arrangement in the Red Chamber.

The court granted the order last week Wednesday, but the Senate on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha for six months after it considered the report of the Committee.

During the proceedings on Monday, counsel to Natasha, Michael Numa (SAN), informed the court that all parties had been served, adding that affidavits of service were before the court.

After going through the affidavits of service before the court, Justice Egwatu confirmed service of all processes on all Defendants.

At this point, Counsel to the third Defendant, the Senate President, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, prayed the court for an adjournment for all processes to be harmonised.

Other Counsels supported the move, stressing that this will facilitate accelerated hearing at the next adjourned date.

In his ruling, Justice Egwatu, therefore, adjourned the matter to March 25, 2025, and ordered that all the relevant processes should be served on parties before the adjourned date.

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, who was present in court, said legal service was very important. He added that it was only when parties were properly served that they would be able to study the matter and respond accordingly.

He pointed out that it was strange for the court to interfere in the affairs of the Senate as the upper chamber only answered the call of the court for being a responsible and law-abiding institution.

British Monarch King Charles III has expressed love for Pidgin English after listening to music by Nigerian five-time Grammy nominee David Adeleke, popularly called Davido, who is on a 17-track playlist recently launched on Apple Music.

Recalls that King Charles launched his Apple music radio show, ‘The King’s Music Room,’ to share the songs that have brought him joy.

Speaking on the song’s inclusion, the King stated that he loves pidgin English, recalling his attempt to make a speech in Nigerian pidgin English when he last visited the West African country.

He was photographed at Buckingham Palace for the music project, with an “On Air” sign on the desk of the royal DJ saying, “The next is by a Nigerian Artist called Davido, and it is called ‘Kante.’

“It also features lyrics in pidgin, which I love in all its forms and which I attempted to make a speech with when I last visited Nigeria.

“I understand now; thanks to Afrobeats, it is becoming more popular.”

Davido is the only Nigerian on the king’s list alongside late South African music legend Mariam Makeba, whose song ‘The Click Song’ also made the playlist.

‘Kante,’ featuring Fave, is one of the hit songs from Davido’s Grammy-nominated album ‘Timeless,’ released in 2023.

The album enjoyed commercial success and set several streaming and charting records.

Less than two years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have begun campaigning for his re-election in 2027.

Although neither the party nor the president has officially flagged off campaigns, top APC leaders, including the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, have advocated the president’s second term.

Recently, Ganduje, while hosting APC support groups at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, urged politicians from the North eyeing the 2027 presidency to shelve their ambitions until 2031 when Tinubu would have completed his second term.

Akume, while speaking on a TVC programme, had also advised former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar and other northerners not to seek the exalted seat in 2027.

Seyi Tinubu intensifies Ramadan visits to states

Rivers lawmaker dismisses Fubara’s invitation

Campaigns for the president’s re-election were also observed to have commenced in Kaduna, Kebbi and Kwara states; while re-election billboards of the president have also been sighted at different locations in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This development has sparked reactions from opposition parties and political analysts who alleged that it is a violation of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Legal experts and political commentators argue that such premature campaigns undermine democracy, the rule of law and electoral discipline.

Legal framework for campaigns

Section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) states: “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

Subsection 2 adds: “A registered political party which, through any person acting on its behalf during the 24 hours before polling day—(a) advertises on the facilities of any broadcasting undertaking; or (b) procures for publication or acquiesces in the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular candidate—commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000.”

Similarly, Section 95 (1) states: “A candidate and his or her party shall campaign for the elections in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be determined by the Commission.”

Campaign rally in Kebbi, endorsements in Kaduna, Kwara

Last month, the APC launched its campaign in Kebbi State for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris ahead of the 2027 elections.

The mega rally, held at the township stadium in Birnin Kebbi, was attended by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Governor Nasir Idris; House of Representatives member and Tinubu ally, James Abiodun Faleke; Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Tanko Sununu; and other APC leaders.

Tagged “We Stand with Tinubu and Kauran Gwandu,” the event saw a massive turnout, with supporters displaying banners and posters of Tinubu’s projected second-term bid.

Bagudu stated that both Tinubu and Governor Idris deserved re-election based on their performances, saying, “The Tinubu administration has done so much to improve Nigeria. The president has fulfilled his campaign promises to Kebbi, and I am proud to be associated with him.”

Bagudu also announced a donation of N450 million to Kebbi’s 225 wards for food distribution ahead of Ramadan and urged residents to continue supporting the APC-led government.

Governor Idris added: “The people of Kebbi are solidly behind President Tinubu because he has brought progress and development to our state.”

After the Kebbi event, APC leaders, including the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin; the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and many others took turns to project Tinubu for re-election during an agriculture and human capital development empowerment programme organised by Senator Saliu Mustapha in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Last week, stakeholders of the party in Kaduna State passed a vote of confidence on both President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani “for their exemplary leadership and pro-people policies.”

A statement by the state Secretary of the party, Yahaya Baba Pate, said the stakeholders gave the endorsement at a meeting held at the Kaduna State Liaison office in Abuja. This followed the endorsement of both leaders for a second term by the 255 councillors in the state.

At the weekend, during a reception organised by Ganduje and Senator Barau Jibrin, some members of the support groups of Atiku Abubakar, from the 19 northern states, while announcing their defection to the APC promised to “work for the continuation of Tinubu’s administration in 2027”.

Early campaign shows APC not for governance – Atiku’s aide

But reacting, Paul Ibe, the spokesman of Atiku in a chat with Daily Trust yesterday said that the individuals “are unknown to us.”

According to him: “We have groups we’ve been working with, and we are still working with those support groups. Anybody can claim anything for whatever it is they are doing it for, but we know clearly that the Tinubu administration has weaponized poverty, so all they are doing is that everybody survives through them, so probably it’s a furtherance of that goal,” he alleged.

On the early campaigns, he said, “it is unfortunate and clearly shows that they don’t have anything to offer. One would have thought for now the focus would be on governance; on how they could redeem themselves and make amends for the mess that they have created.

“But that is typical of APC. They are more used to politics than governance, and it clearly shows that Nigeria will continue to suffer for their inhumane policies”, he said.

‘2027 polls might be a charade’ – PDP NEC member

A PDP National Executive Committee member, Timothy Osadolor, said 2027 elections might be compromised if APC’s actions go unchecked.

Osadolor, who is also the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, said: “When those in power violate the law, it becomes a recipe for disaster. If you go around Abuja, especially from the airport, you will see billboards of the president and his wife already campaigning for 2027. Who even knows what will happen next year or next week?

“If Nigerians do not demand constitutional order now, 2027 will be a charade. Being in government does not give a party the right to impunity. Previous presidents have respected electoral laws, but this administration bypasses the process, undermining Nigerians’ intelligence”, he said.

Buhari, Jonathan’s eras precedent

Daily Trust recalls that a similar scenario played out during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term. In September 2017, the APC began campaigning for Buhari’s 2019 re-election. Likewise, in August 2017, Buhari’s supporters inaugurated a South-West office for his campaign organisation in Ibadan, even before the electioneering season officially commenced.

A similar scenario occurred under former President Goodluck Jonathan when the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) led zonal rallies, urging him to seek re-election before the formal campaign season.

Campaigns illegal, height of impunity – Analysts

A political analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo, described the early campaigns for Tinubu’s second term as illegal.

In a telephone interview with Daily Trust, Ojo said, “Campaigning for 2027 when Tinubu’s administration is less than two years old is a demonstration of high-level impunity and a flagrant disregard for the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

“Lack of performance is causing this. The ruling party is desperate to stay in power because it fears losing”, he said.

He added: “In a democracy, good governance earns votes. INEC must lift the ban on political campaigns before any party can start campaigning for votes. What APC leaders are doing is an insult to the nation and makes Nigeria a laughing stock.”

A political scientist, Professor Abdulrauf Ambali, stated: “It is very obvious that what many of them are doing goes against the Constitution and the Electoral Act. INEC has not declared the commencement of any campaign, yet we see them acting as they please. This clearly violates the law, but they justify it within their party structures. Any political campaign must follow officially established timelines.”

He called for stricter enforcement of electoral regulations, arguing that such actions undermine the current administration.

“However, many of those involved are part of the government itself. This will create instability, confusion, and further strain a polity already suffering from economic hardship,” he added.

Similarly, Hassan Seyid Cisse, a lecturer in Politics and Governance at the Kwara State University described the situation as a strategic move.

“This is already 2025, and a government with good strategists will not wait until the challenge is imminent before making plans. We are seeing posters in some states in preparation for 2027. However, in relation to the Electoral Act, it is still premature campaigning since the official ban has not been lifted,” he explained.

Cisse cited political theorist, Nicholas Spykman, arguing that “he who controls the law is not affected by it.” He noted that the current leadership, seeking re-election in 2027, is in control of power.

“But this will have significant implications for governance. Printing posters and organising these rallies means diverting funds that should be used for productive purposes to an election still over two and a half years away,” he concluded.

Presidency mum

Efforts to get a reaction from the Presidency on the development were unsuccessful.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, could not be reached for comment.

Telephone calls as well as text and WhatsApp messages sent to them by Daily Trust were not responded to.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering an extension for the sale of its expression of interest (EOI) and nomination forms for the upcoming Anambra State governorship primary, following concerns over the party’s participation in the November 8 election.

Initially scheduled between February 26 and March 5, the sale of forms had been set at N5 million for expression of interest and N35 million for nomination.

However, sources disclosed to Daily Sun that due to the lack of interest from aspirants, the party is considering extending the deadline to March 12.

Reports suggest that no aspirants have purchased the nomination forms, largely due to the ongoing leadership dispute between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the position of PDP National Secretary.

The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, had ruled in December that Ude-Okoye was the rightful nominee for the position, but Anyanwu has since appealed the decision at the Supreme Court.

Speaking to Daily Sun, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had resolved to extend the sale of forms. However, he refuted claims that no nomination forms had been sold.

“We want to give more room for people to participate. That is the essence of democracy,” Ologunagba stated. “It is not correct that people have not collected forms. If that is part of your story, then it will be fake news.”

He emphasized that extending the deadline was a routine practice and unrelated to the Supreme Court case over the national secretary position. The party is expected to release an official statement on the new deadline soon.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has revealed he rejected a prayer to be 140 years.

He made the revelation during a sermon.

He recalled how some of his followers prayed for him to live to different ages. He said when they prayed for him to reach 80 years, he responded with a hearty “Amen.”

Similarly, when they prayed for him to live up to 90, he accepted the prayer. However, when the number increased, his response changed.

He said: “When I was 70 years old, some children of mine began to pray for me. And they said, ‘Daddy, you will live to be 80,’ I said Amen. ‘You will live to be 90,’ I said Amen. They said, ‘You will live to be 100,’ I didn’t answer them.

“And then one fellow got excited and said, ‘You will live to be 120,’ I said na lie! What will God say I have done wrong? I have been here for 70 years, He will now keep me here for another 50 years? In this world?

“Where today you have electricity, tomorrow you don’t have? But there was one lady who got really excited, and said, ‘You will live to be 140,’ I said no be me.”