Former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would have secured the presidency in 2027 if he had supported Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding recognition of its interim National Working Committee (NWC).
Datti Baba-Ahmed's Remarks
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's 'Inside Sources', Baba-Ahmed argued that if Atiku had demonstrated patience similar to President Bola Tinubu, who provided others with a platform to contest presidential elections, he (Baba-Ahmed) would have stepped down in 2027 and urged Obi to do the same. He said, 'If in the 2023 elections, he surprised everyone by doing what Tinubu typically does—calling Obi and me and saying, "Hey, you are my juniors, I will support you. No 2027 for you"—I would have agreed, and I would have convinced Obi to agree. Atiku would then have become the 2027 president of Nigeria. But once they enter that trance, they tend to see themselves as president.'
PDP BoT Sues INEC
The PDP BoT and other party members have filed a suit seeking an order compelling INEC to update its records and publish the NWC as forwarded by the plaintiffs and the National Executive Committee (NEC). They assert that the names of the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC were submitted to the electoral body via letters dated May 4, 2026. The originating summons, filed on June 4 under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN). Plaintiffs include former Senate President Wabara, BoT Secretary and former Niger Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Information Minister Professor Jerry Gana, PDP chieftain Olabode George, former Women Affairs Minister Maryam Ciroma, former Women Affairs Minister Zainab Maina, BoT and NEC member Esther Uduehi, and the PDP itself. INEC is the sole defendant.
On June 3, the Court of Appeal in Abuja set aside key aspects of an Ibadan Federal High Court judgment that had recognized a factional caretaker committee in the PDP. The appellate court held that the trial court granted reliefs not sought by any party. Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, delivering a unanimous judgment, faulted Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, for exceeding the issues before him. Justice Agomoh had on January 30 recognized the caretaker committee led by Abdurahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu from Nyesom Wike's camp as the legitimate leadership faction. However, the Court of Appeal noted that no party had requested such a declaration.
NDC Internal Crisis
Fresh political controversy has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following allegations that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is attempting to monopolize party structures and candidate selection processes in Kano State, causing tension among senior officials. The allegations were made in a statement by NDC North-West Vice Chairman Mohammed Serina and Kano State Chairman Hussaini Mariga, who warned that the internal crisis could threaten the party's unity and credibility ahead of future elections. According to Serina, the dispute dates to Kwankwaso's integration into the party, initially welcomed under the directive of National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, who instructed stakeholders to accommodate Kwankwaso and work collaboratively.
In Imo State, former Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Chairman and NDC chieftain Sam Amadi accused party officials of collecting money from aspirants in exchange for tickets. Commenting on the primary election outcome, Amadi alleged that several aspirants complained that officials demanded and received payments without delivering tickets. He called on affected aspirants to reach out to him, pledging to help recover their funds.
