Ahead of the 2027 elections, the South East Youths for Progressives (SEY4P) has called on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to contest the Abia State governorship election, assuring him of overwhelming youth support across the state.

The  publicity Secretary of the group, Mercy Nwaogu, in a statement issued yesterday said the call became imperative following growing interest and agitation among youths who have continued to express confidence in the leadership capacity of the Deputy Speaker.

The group highlighted the role of Kalu in restoring the confidence of youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a unifying figure whose leadership continues to inspire a new wave of political participation among young people in the South-east.

It noted, “We have received numerous enquiries from members and youths across the state, seeking to know whether Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu will be on the ballot in 2027.

“There is a clear and consistent assurance from these groups that they are ready to mobilise, support, and work tirelessly to ensure his emergence.”

The group added that its endorsement was rooted in the desire to promote credible, youth-friendly leadership capable of advancing development and inclusive governance in Abia State.

The group, therefore, urged Kalu to heed the growing call and offer himself for service, assuring that the youths of Abia State stand firmly behind him.

Former Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has described reports about stepping aside from contesting in the 2027 election and retiring from active politics as false.

Our correspondent  reports that Atiku, in a statement on Monday, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, asserted that the reports are efforts by anti-democratic elements to create confusion and dampen the momentum of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku further dismissed the insinuation of holding any meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level, where the decision to step aside from active politics was made.

The former Vice President further accused the government and its agents of sponsoring the desperate narrative and urged the public to disregard the fake news.

The statement read, “We wish to state, for the record, that information circulating on social media about a purported meeting of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in which the former Vice President allegedly decided to “step aside and retire from active politics,” is entirely false and deliberately misleading.

“The Waziri Adamawa has not in recent times held any such meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level. The only recent engagement he had was with stakeholders of the ADC in Adamawa State last Thursday.

“An issue as fundamental and consequential as exiting active politics cannot, and would never, be communicated through rumours, faceless sources, or third-party fabrication. Such a decision, if ever taken, would be formally conveyed through the Atiku Media Office.

“This latest falsehood bears all the hallmarks of a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to create confusion, dampen momentum, and mislead the Nigerian public.

“Only the government and its agents could have sponsored this desperate narrative out of fear of what is coming.

“We state without equivocation that this mischief is being driven by anti-democratic elements who are deeply unsettled by the growing national consensus to rescue Nigeria from the failures of the current administration.

“We therefore urge supporters of Atiku Abubakar, members of the ADC, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard this fake news in its entirety and remain focused on the collective effort to reclaim and rebuild our nation.”

The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Nigerian President of trivialising governance and raising questions about his commitment to democratic principles.

The criticism followed the President’s remark during an Iftar (breaking of fast) meeting with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), where he dismissed opposition concerns over the Electoral Act 2026 Amendment, telling critics to meet him at the polls and adding that “the game is sweet only when you are winning.”

Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the ADC described the President’s comment as cynical and inappropriate, arguing that it reduces the serious responsibility of governance to a mere political contest.

The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the remark was particularly troubling given the country’s current challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising poverty.

According to the party, democracy should not be treated as a competition for those in power but as a system founded on accountability, respect for institutions and responsibility to the people.

“The President’s remark raises serious questions about his democratic credentials and his understanding of the responsibilities that come with leadership in a constitutional democracy,” the statement read.

ADC further accused the President of demonstrating tendencies that undermine democratic values, alleging that the recently amended Electoral Act was designed to weaken opposition parties and tilt the political playing field in favour of the ruling government.

The party argued that while the administration may claim political victories, it has failed in what it described as the more important responsibility of improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

It questioned whether Nigerians could truly be considered winners amid persistent security challenges, high unemployment among graduates and the increasing difficulty many families face in affording food and other basic necessities.

“If politics is a game to the President, the Nigerian people are the ones paying the price,” the party said, adding that Nigeria requires leadership that recognises the weight of the office and governs with competence and respect for the rule of law.

The ADC concluded that governance must not be trivialised, especially at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with economic and security challenges, stressing that the presidency is not a prize but a responsibility that must be carried with seriousness.