KANO — Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a leading figure in the party and former governor of Kano State.

The announcement comes amid ongoing political realignments within the NDC in Kano. The party recently unveiled Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as its governorship candidate for the state, following consultations among party stakeholders.  

Political observers say the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as running mate is expected to generate discussions within Kano’s political landscape, given his family ties to the influential Kwankwasiyya movement led by his father.

The NDC has continued to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party’s leadership expressing confidence in its chances across key states, including Kano.  

Party officials are expected to provide further details on the candidature and campaign strategy in the coming days.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has alleged that some persons are sponsoring insecurity to distract President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign for Local Government Council elections in Edo South Senatorial District, the governor said, “They can even kidnap all of us—yes, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”

He said insecurity had suddenly increased in the country, alleging that it is being orchestrated to tarnish the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Okpebholo said promoting insecurity would not guarantee the perpetrators seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, or the presidency, as there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition.”

“They have failed. Have they not failed? Is it by kidnapping children? Then who are you going to govern? There will be nobody for you to govern. So let them give us peace so that we can rule well,” Okpebholo said.

The governor said the President had done more for the country than his predecessors.

He noted that the impact of removal of the fuel subsidy had been seen and felt in various projects dotting the state.

He commended those, who scaled through the party’s primary election to emerge as candidates for the forthcoming council elections.

He said their victories would signal the possibility of delivering the 2.5 million votes pledged to President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking also, the party’s chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, described the APC as the only viable party in the state.

He urged the candidates to take the message of the governor’s developmental strides to the nooks and crannies of the state, and to replicate it in their various local government areas.

Highpoint of the event was the official unveiling of the Edo South candidates of the party by the governor, including Ogbeide Ihama as – senate, Dr Paddy Iyamu -Oredo federal constituency, Omorede Igbinedion -and Ovia Federal constituency among others.

Actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has released what he terms documentary evidence to double down on his corruption allegations against the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and other Southeast party leaders.

Okonkwo insists that aspirants were pressured into making illicit payments to secure tickets during the party’s primary elections.

The disclosure follows a pre-litigation warning from Obi’s legal team threatening a five-billion-naira defamation lawsuit over claims Okonkwo originally made on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily.” In the interview, he claimed that House of Representatives aspirants were coerced into paying a 10 million Naira bribe under Obi’s watch.

Responding through a series of tweets on Wednesday morning, Okonkwo dismissed the legal threats and revealed private conversations with Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency.

Although Ohaegbu reportedly downplayed his accusation of the party in subsequent media appearances, Okonkwo insisted that the aspirant had privately labelled Obi as the chief coordinator of the extortion scheme.