Unbiased Reporters

By Mohammed Bello Doka

A fresh political storm is brewing ahead of the 2027 general elections as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken political allies of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has openly challenged him to rescind his shocking decision not to contest for any elective office.

The former governor, a frontline leader in the opposition coalition movement and a key figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stunned his supporters on Wednesday in Kaduna when he publicly declared that he was not interested in contesting for Senate, Presidency, or any political office come 2027.

El-Rufai, who made the statement while receiving a group of PDP youths defecting to the ADC under the leadership of the party’s former youth leader, Aliyu Bello, declared with finality:

> “I am not contesting for anything; I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. That is why I am calling on you: let us join hands and ensure we remove the oppressors.”

The declaration, which many political watchers have described as “a bombshell,” immediately sent ripples across Nigeria’s political space, especially among his ardent followers who have long believed that El-Rufai would play a decisive role in 2027.

In a swift and passionate reaction, however, a staunch ally of the former governor, Dr. Uche Diala, fired back with a strong message to El-Rufai and his supporters. Speaking to journalists who pressed for his reaction, Diala minced no words in describing El-Rufai’s decision as not only unpopular but also a “disservice” to the nation at large.

According to him:

> “Mallam is one of the most consequential politicians in Nigeria today who has the capacity, qualification and experience to make a real difference under our present realities. His not participating will not only dampen the spirits but would mean deliberately denying the nation the opportunity of benefitting from his immense wealth of experience.”

Diala emphasized that El-Rufai’s character has always been one of service rather than blind ambition. He recalled how the late President Muhammadu Buhari personally persuaded him to run for Governor of Kaduna State, and how El-Rufai reluctantly yielded to pressure from the current President to stay back and support his administration after his tenure.

But this time, Diala insisted, El-Rufai has no choice but to reconsider:

> “Mallam needs to understand that this is beyond him. Nigeria needs him now more than ever, and he must be sensitive to that reality.”

While clarifying that his call does not seek to undermine other leaders within the growing coalition movement, Diala argued that El-Rufai’s presence in the race would only enrich the contest, broaden democratic options, and give Nigerians a formidable alternative in 2027.

He went further to disclose that he and other like-minded allies have been working silently to mobilize Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides in preparation for the 2027 showdown. But with El-Rufai’s shock announcement, they would now step up their efforts openly and vigorously.

Addressing the contentious issue of rotational presidency, Diala remarked:

> “Even as I am not a fan of rotational presidency because it promotes mediocrity, I am sensitive to that conversation. However, that is not the issue now. What is important is for Mallam to be open and available to run for the ticket.”

Promising an intensified campaign of persuasion, Diala concluded with a bold declaration:

> “Mallam will hear from us and he will listen to us. It is not about him. It is about our dear nation. We shall spare no effort in making him rescind his unpopular decision.”

Already, El-Rufai’s decision not to run has triggered heated debates across social media platforms, where his supporters are expressing shock, disappointment, and in some cases, outright rejection of his stance. While the former governor has never explicitly declared an intention to run, the pressure mounted on him by his allies is fast turning into a full-scale political movement.

Observers say the unfolding drama could mark the beginning of a long battle to draft El-Rufai back into active contention. With growing discontent in the country and Nigerians eagerly searching for credible alternatives, El-Rufai’s eventual decision - whether to stand firm or yield to pressure - may become one of the most defining political stories ahead of 2027

NIGERIANS SHINE YOUR EYES

As we speak, some Nigerians are still being held in detention, their only sin being that they exercised their democratic rights to participate in a political party process.

One person relentlessly fighting to challenge the injustice being meted to these our fellow citizens (irrespective of what side of the political divide they are on) and secure their release is the irrepressible Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Agents of the government in power and some section of the media have been running with the narrative of "El-Rufai's men in SDP". Nothing could be more disingenuous and misleading.

Need I remind anyone that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is one of the few brains behind the coalition movement and unarguably a strong catalyzer of the movement as well as a key player in navigating the coalition movement through shark infested waters and land mines to the point it is today with the adoption of the ADC as the coalition party platform.

Look no further for the proof of that than the fact that Mallam El-Rufai was the one who moved the motion for the adoption of the ADC as the coalition platform for the 2027 elections.

Mallam El-Rufai is also deeply involved in the organisation and setting up of the leadership and administrative structures of the party (ADC), which is very vital - to avoid past mistakes.

Yet, he is not known to be one to abandon his comrade colleagues or one to run away from a just fight, the same way he stood to be counted when the North-South Presidency stalemate arose in 2022 in the lead up to the 2023 presidential election.

He surely is determined not to allow the SDP to fall into the hands of "urban bandits" and political night soil men. He clearly understands that doing so would have dire consequences, not just for the burgeoning coalition movement, but for our democracy and our nation at large.

With the PDP already captured and conquered with the help of the likes of Barrister Nyesom Wike and the Labour Party fighting all manners of viruses within, the sights of the political undertakers are firmly set on the SDP. It is important not to allow them to perch firmly on the SDP. That is what the battle is about. It is not about control or hijack of the party.

I find it truly unfortunate that some people still either do not see or understand the dangerous political poker games being played with our political parties and by extension our democracy.

Sadly, many Nigerians have been programed to hate those they should embrace and embrace those they should have nothing to do with.

Predictably, some misguided people are ignorantly painting Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as the enemy, when actually he is part of the saving grace. He is one of the few, in these turbulent times, who still have the presence of mind, clarity of thoughts, sincerity of intention and the guts to confront the plan and agenda to emasculate every other political party and turn Nigeria into a one party state.

Nevertheless, I am positive that in the end, even by the indefatigable efforts of a relentless and believing few, light shall overpower darkness in out politics and our nation, by God's grace.




©️ Uche Diala

*Press Release*

*PHANTOM OVERTHROW OF TINUBU GOVERNMENT: LABOUR PARTY LEADERS TARGETED IN DESPERATE FRAME-UP*

The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to a malicious petition addressed to the National Security Adviser, allegedly authored by one Abayomi Arabambi, who continues to falsely parade himself as the spokesman of our party.

In the said petition, Arabambi accused prominent leaders of the Labour Party, including Mr. Peter Obi, Comrade Joe Ajaero, Senator Victor Umeh, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, and Dr. Yunusa Tanko, of plotting a violent overthrow of the Bola Tinubu administration under the guise of organising a "One Million Man March."

He further alleged that the said protest, scheduled for today, 30th July 2025, is aimed at reclaiming the former national secretariat of the party currently occupied by the erstwhile chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, at Utako, Abuja.

Let it be stated unequivocally: the leadership of the Labour Party is not aware of any planned protest anywhere in Nigeria under the auspices of the party. We have neither authorised nor sanctioned any individual or group to march on the streets in the name of reclaiming a property the party has long abandoned.

As a law-abiding political party, following the Supreme Court’s ruling of 4th April 2025, which affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership, we have formally notified relevant law enforcement agencies - urging them to enforce the judgment by vacating the illegal occupants of the former secretariat. Regrettably, the inertia of these agencies forced the party to relocate to a new and more secure location. Since then, the party has moved on, fully focused on its core mission.

It is, therefore, laughable and deeply suspicious for anyone to insinuate that the Labour Party intends to forcibly reclaim a building it no longer uses.

What is, however, more alarming is the fictitious and irresponsible allegation of a planned coup d’état against the Tinubu administration - a claim suspiciously lumped with this so-called One Million Man March. How an alleged protest to reclaim a party office translates to a violent toppling of a sitting government beats the imagination of any right-thinking Nigerian.

This is not merely a reckless lie - it is a dangerous and desperate attempt to frame up respected leaders of the Labour Party in a phoney plot to destabilise the nation. It is a throwback to a dark era when individuals were roped into phantom coup plots simply for opposing the government of the day.

We are already aware that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have begun harassing key party officials on the strength of this concocted tale. We warn that this path is a slippery slope that endangers our democracy.

The Labour Party therefore calls on all security agencies to thoroughly investigate this malicious petition and unmask the true faces behind this sinister agenda to heat up the polity through deceit, misinformation, and fear.

We remain committed to the rule of law and democratic principles, and we urge the Nigerian people to see through this poorly scripted political drama for what it truly is - an act of cowardice and desperation.

*Ken Eluma Asogwa*
Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman

ADC Swears in New Leadership at 99th NEC Meeting

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, where Senator David Mark and Ogbenu Rauf Aregbesola were sworn in as Interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

In his speech, Sen. Mark pledged to uphold internal democracy, transparency, and youth and women inclusion—reserving 35% of leadership roles for women and ensuring youth under 40 are actively involved. He also announced the formation of a 50-member Policy Committee to review the party’s manifesto and drive reforms in key sectors.

Outgoing Chairman, Hon. Ralph Nwosu, praised the party's resistance to pressure and financial inducements aimed at turning Nigeria into a one-party state. “ADC said no to dictatorship. We stood our ground for democracy,” he stated.

During the meeting, expelled members (except 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu) were reinstated, and a motion was passed to dissolve the former NWC and BoT, allowing the new leadership to assume full responsibility until new congresses are held.

The meeting was observed by INEC officials.

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2025

FROM ₦12 TRILLION TO ₦200 TRILLION: ADC TRACKS APC’s FISCAL DISASTER

-Says President’s Borrowing is 10 Times Worse Than Predecessor
-Demands Full Audit of Loans of Last 10 Years

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed outrage over what it describes as “fiscal vandalism” by the Tinubu administration following the approval of yet another $21 billion in foreign loans by the National Assembly. The party says this new wave of borrowing will drive Nigeria’s public debt beyond ₦200 trillion before the end of the year, with no corresponding development or economic revival to justify it.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused President Tinubu of surpassing his predecessor by mortgaging the country’s future in mountains of debts in the name of economic reform. The party also slammed the National Assembly for acting as a rubber stamp, saying lawmakers had abdicated their duty to protect Nigerians from the consequences of unsustainable debt.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply concerned by the Tinubu administration’s dangerous obsession with borrowing. What Nigerians are witnessing, following the approval of a fresh $21 billion in foreign loans, is nothing short of a calculated decision to mortgage the country’s future just to cover up the failures of today.

Under President Buhari, Nigeria borrowed an average of N4.7 trillion per year, and even that caused widespread concern. But under President Tinubu, borrowing has jumped to N49.8 trillion per year. In just two years, this administration has borrowed more than ten times what Buhari borrowed in the same timeframe. At this rate, Nigeria’s total public debt will crash through N200 trillion before the end of the year. We are speeding toward a financial cliff, and those in charge seem to have no brakes, thinking they can borrow their way out of economic problems

I can swear with the holy Qur'an that I didn't still from government. El'rufia