News
Obi, Kwankwaso meet NDC guber candidates ahead 2027 polls
...ADC pledges to scrap security votes if elected
.Denies asking soldiers to reject Tinubu’s salary hike
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have met with the party’s governorship candidates for Bauchi, Sokoto and Borno states as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, held at Kwankwaso’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, brought together Bauchi governorship candidate, Ibrahim Kashim; Sokoto candidate, Dr Shamsu Aliyu; and Borno candidate, retired Admiral Sunusi Ibrahim.
According to the NDC on Monday, the meeting “availed the leaders the opportunity to discuss strategies, assess readiness for the upcoming elections,” with emphasis on “coordinated campaigns designed to deliver victory for its candidates at every level.”
Also in attendance were Buba Galadima, the party’s Kebbi State Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Umar, and Sokoto State Chairman, Alhaji Bello Yabo, alongside other party leaders.
The party said the discussions focused on campaign strategies and the readiness of its candidates ahead of the elections.
The meeting comes as the NDC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, with the party seeking greater coordination among its candidates and structures across the northern states.
In a related development, the African Democratic Congress, ADC has proposed sweeping restrictions on the way public funds are spent, including the abolition of opaque “security votes”, tighter controls on official travel and a ban on the use of government assets for private purposes if it forms the government in 2027.
The party said the measures formed part of a broader governance overhaul designed to cut waste, strengthen public accountability and redirect government resources towards improving the welfare and economic prospects of Nigerians.
The proposals are contained in the ADC’s 25-page governance principles and code of ethics, titled ‘The Orange Book,’ which was unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The document places considerable emphasis on fiscal discipline and institutional accountability, with the party arguing that government must operate with greater transparency if Nigeria is to overcome its economic difficulties and restore public confidence.
One of its most far-reaching proposals is the abolition of single-line budgeting for “security votes” and other security-related expenditure that, according to the party, is not subjected to effective legislative scrutiny.
Under the proposed arrangement, all security spending would require formal legislative oversight, approval and audit in accordance with existing laws.
The ADC said the measure was intended to close avenues for the diversion or misuse of public funds while ensuring that security allocations were deployed for their stated purposes.
The party also wants to substantially reduce the cost associated with official travel by elected and appointed public officers.
It proposed limiting domestic and international trips to engagements considered essential, mission-driven and cost-effective. Bloated official delegations, as well as the inclusion of family members and political associates, would not be permitted under its proposed rules.
The party further said public officials would not be allowed to receive per diem or estacode payments above rates approved by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Government property would similarly be placed under tighter controls. The opposition party said official vehicles, residences, aircraft, offices and other public infrastructure assigned to political office holders must be used exclusively for official purposes.
Beyond expenditure controls, the opposition party proposed a tougher approach to the handling of alleged corruption and diversion of public resources.
“All forms of looting of public resources would be treated as a form of banditry,” the ADC stated.
The declaration represents one of the strongest elements of the party’s governance agenda, coming at a time when concerns over the cost of running government, public-sector waste and the management of scarce resources have remained prominent in Nigeria’s political discourse.
The ADC said its proposed reforms would be accompanied by stronger institutions, including greater independence for the judiciary, legislature and the Independent National Electoral Commission, as well as enhanced protection for whistleblowers.
The party also pledged to promote prudent management of public resources and make accountability a central feature of government.
Its governance proposals extend beyond public finance to the economy, with the ADC promising to pursue what it described as a job-led and opportunity-driven model of economic growth.
Rather than relying solely on aggregate economic expansion, the party said its policies would be directed towards reducing poverty and hardship, expanding access to wealth and creating opportunities for Nigerians to participate meaningfully in economic activity.
It said private enterprise would be encouraged, but within a framework that guarantees fair competition.
“The ADC shall promote private enterprise while ensuring fair competition. The party shall eliminate all forms of monopoly and cronyism and guarantee equal opportunities for all. The ADC shall pursue a job-led opportunity-driven economy founded on shared prosperity where economic growth is inclusive, productive and designed to expand access to wealth, opportunity and economic power across society.
“The ADC will ensure that the education system is directly aligned with the party’s vision for economic development and technological advancement,” the party wrote on page 9 of the book.
The party said its education policy would therefore be tied more closely to national productivity, technological advancement and the skills required to support economic transformation.
On the political front, the ADC pledged to uphold the federal character principle, strengthen national unity and promote equal access to opportunities, particularly for youths, women and persons with disabilities.
Abdullahi, while presenting the document, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of failing to provide effective governance, alleging that the country had been turned under the party into what he described as a “Yoruba Nation.”
He said the ADC would seek to reposition Nigeria to meet international standards if elected in 2027.
The party’s governance blueprint comes as political parties and emerging opposition alliances intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship, insecurity, corruption and the cost of governance expected to feature prominently in the contest.
For the ADC, the proposals in The Orange Book are intended to provide a framework for a government that it says would place citizens’ welfare at the centre of economic decision-making while subjecting public expenditure to stronger controls.
ADC National Working Committee members and other senior party leaders attended the Abuja presentation.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied reports that he called on Nigerian soldiers to reject the salary increase approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Obi described the report as false and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
He stated this in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday.
“I wish to address a recent report that falsely attributes a statement to me, suggesting that Nigerian soldiers should refuse any salary increments until after the elections. This assertion is entirely untrue,” he said.
Tinubu had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the armed forces, effective September 1, 2026.
The pay package, which is expected to benefit about 250,000 personnel, will raise the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660bn to N924bn, according to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Reacting to the report, Obi said his respect for members of the security forces remained unwavering.
He said he had consistently advocated adequate equipment, motivation and protection for security personnel.
“My profound respect for our security forces, particularly the Nigerian Army personnel who diligently serve and protect our nation under challenging conditions, is unwavering.
“I have consistently advocated for the adequate provision of equipment, motivation, and protection for our security personnel,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor recalled an incident in which soldiers were killed by insurgents, saying it prompted him to question the protection provided to troops.
“My concern was palpable when soldiers were lost to insurgents due to a delayed rescue effort, prompting me to question how those defending us could be left vulnerable in their time of need.”
Obi said the welfare and safety of security personnel would be a priority if he were elected president.
“Should I be elected President, the well-being, resources, safety, and honour of our soldiers will be a paramount priority,” he said.
“Those who ensure Nigeria’s security must never be relegated to a secondary concern. Our soldiers are deserving of our utmost respect, unwavering support, and a government that will unequivocally stand by them.”
He pledged that troops would not be left unprotected in dangerous situations under his leadership.
“Under my leadership, scenarios where our servicemen and women are left unprotected in the face of peril will be eradicated,” Obi said.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as the misleading report.
“I implore the Nigerian populace to dismiss this misleading report. I remain committed to articulating a clear and consistent vision for a secure and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
