Aisha Yesufu, activist and ally of Peter Obi, has withdrawn from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senate race for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On May 6, Yesufu declared interest in the 2027 FCT senatorial race after joining the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

She said her decision was informed by the leadership experience she garnered in the ADC.

However, in recent days, there have been speculations that the party has ceded the FCT senate ticket to Amanda Pam, another aspirant who had been in the party before Yesufu joined.

In a statement on Friday, Yesufu said the party would not be conducting primaries for the FCT senate seat, effectively ending her ambition for the position.

“Our party has decided not to conduct primaries for the Senatorial seat in FCT Abuja. It however intends to conduct primaries for House of Representatives! Go ahead and make your choice known!” she said.

She urged her supporters to remain calm and to focus on the broader political objective ahead of the 2027 general election.

“I urge each and everyone of you to remain calm and focus on the bigger picture which is the presidential election. Nigeria will be OK!” she said.

“I appreciate all your support, dedication and commitment towards #AishaForSenate project.”

She added that she would continue engaging residents across the FCT.

“In the coming week I will be returning back to all the 6 Area Councils God willing to appreciate them for the warm welcome and continue to forge ahead for a #BetterFCT.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed details of a private meeting with former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja, where both leaders discussed the current challenges facing Nigeria.

Atiku, in a statement shared on Thursday, said he visited Amaechi at his Abuja residence and engaged in what he described as “deep and honest conversations” about the nation’s worsening economic situation, insecurity, and the urgent need for patriotic Nigerians to work towards finding solutions to the country’s problems.

According to the former presidential candidate, the discussion centered on the growing hardship faced by Nigerians and the responsibility of leaders to prevent the country from drifting further into despair.

“Atiku said the meeting went beyond friendship and camaraderie, focusing largely on the troubling state of the nation and the search for solutions that can rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.”

The former Vice President also used the opportunity to celebrate Amaechi on the occasion of his birthday, which was marked a day earlier.

Adding a lighter tone to the visit, Atiku joked about Arsenal’s recent historic triumph, noting that the victory came at the perfect time for Amaechi, whom he described as a passionate Arsenal supporter.

He further disclosed that Amaechi promised to host him with a local delicacy, Fisherman Soup, during a future visit, admitting that there was not enough time to prepare the meal during the current meeting.

The meeting between the two political heavyweights comes amid growing national conversations about Nigeria’s economic and political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on some media platforms alleging that the National Working Committee (NWC) has nullified the recently concluded party primary elections conducted across the federation.

In a statement issued by the media team of the APC National Secretariat, the party clarified that the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, never announced or authorized the cancellation of any primary election results from any state chapter of the party.

The statement described the reports as the handiwork of fake news peddlers and political mischief-makers seeking to create confusion, tension, and uncertainty within the party following the successful conduct of the primaries nationwide.

“It has come to the notice of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress that fake news merchants are circulating false claims suggesting that the National Chairman of our great party has nullified the results of the primary elections conducted in various states of the federation,” the statement read.

The party leadership emphasized that the National Working Committee does not arbitrarily annul primary election results except in situations where there are officially established irregularities backed by reports from duly constituted election committees and appeal committees.

“The primaries conducted across the federation remain valid, as it is not within the powers of the National Working Committee to arbitrarily nullify primary election results except where there are contrary reports from the election committees and appeal committees,” the statement further stated.

The APC National Secretariat reassured party faithfuls, aspirants, stakeholders, and supporters that there is no crisis or disagreement regarding the outcomes submitted from various states, stressing that all legitimate reports received by the party are being treated in accordance with the constitution and guidelines of the APC.

The leadership of the ruling party also warned individuals and groups spreading such falsehoods with the intention of extorting aspirants or misleading party members to immediately desist from such fraudulent activities.

According to the statement, the APC remains committed to protecting the integrity of its internal democratic processes and safeguarding the interests of members who participated peacefully in the primaries.

The party further commended members and delegates across the country for their massive turnout and orderly conduct during the just concluded exercises, noting that the overwhelming participation demonstrated the strength, unity, and democratic spirit within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The National Leadership of the All Progressives Congress assures all party faithfuls who came out en masse to vote for their preferred candidates during the just concluded primary elections that their mandates and interests will be protected and defended at all times,” the statement concluded.

The APC urged members of the public to disregard the fake reports and rely only on official communication channels of the party for authentic information concerning party activities and decisions.