Nigeria in April 2026: the most important developments in politics
Nigeria's politics in April 2026 was dominated by preparations for the 2027 elections, with activity intensifying in Lagos and across the parties. In Lagos, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat began consultations on the state's future political leadership, was endorsed for the governorship by Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and met President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. The Lagos government dismissed calls for Sanwo-Olu's resignation, saying he is in good health. Elsewhere, Senator Solomon Adeola became the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, and Shehu Sani picked up APC senatorial nomination forms for Kaduna Central.
The opposition was the second theme. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the electoral commission INEC would not stop it from contesting in 2027 on its own platform. Opposition parties met in Ibadan and agreed to field a single presidential candidate, but factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ADC at the summit rejected a joint ticket. The Oyo APC criticised Governor Seyi Makinde and Atiku Abubakar over the summit, and Peter Obi and Makinde met in Ibadan. Atiku called on the judiciary to protect democracy rather than align with the APC, and it was reported that he hired a US lobbying firm for $1.2 million. The Supreme Court granted an expedited hearing of an appeal by the PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki, and the PDP in the South-West disowned the Ibadan conference and declared support for Ayo Fayose. Labour Party figure Nenadi Usman said it would be too late for Obi to return to the party.
Support for Tinubu formed a third strand. Labour Party leaders and Governor Alex Otti were reported to back his re-election bid, and APC officials said major voting blocs in Kano and Katsina had aligned with the party. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin distributed 47 cars and 282 motorcycles to APC members in Kano, and the Kano governor nominated a new deputy. Oyo lawmakers denied an impeachment plot against Makinde. A US lawmaker urged Tinubu to redeploy Matawalle, citing security concerns, and the broadcasting regulator announced tighter rules for broadcasters ahead of the elections.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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