By Our Correspondent

Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused President Bola Tinubu of intentionally creating division between the southern and northern regions of Nigeria to further his personal political ambitions.

He alleged that Tinubu views the 2027 election as a personal contest against the north, explaining that this is why Tinubu is allegedly using manipulation and deception to secure support from the south.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Frank cautioned both the northern and southern regions against being deceived by Tinubu’s alleged tactics to retain power in 2027.

He claimed that Tinubu is simultaneously blackmailing southern politicians, particularly opposition governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), by appealing to ethnic sentiments, while also threatening them with consequences such as declaring a state of emergency in their states based on fabricated accusations of violence and corruption if they refuse to support him.

Frank emphasized that the 2027 election should not be about regional affiliations, but rather about electing a leader capable of addressing the numerous challenges facing the nation.

He noted: “He has increased the intensity now by blackmailing, intimidating and putting at least five PDP governors from the south under duress to defect along with their members in the National Assembly to the APC.

“To Tinubu, the 2027 election is about him versus the north and that is why he is trying desperately to enlist the support of the south through manipulation and subterfuge. He has forgotten so soon that the north helped him to get to power in 2023.

“Nigerians are in need of a president who will help Nigeria become better, not ‘Northern candidate or Southern candidate’ or ‘Northern President or Southern President’.

“The country is overcharged already with divisions along ethnic lines. We therefore can’t afford to have a president who is setting one region against another for the sake of his own personal ambition.

“For me, Timi Frank, as a southerner, I don’t believe in tribalistic and a divisive president. I believe in a leader that will come and unite rather than divide Nigeria.

“I advise every northerner still supporting Tinubu to have a rethink. They should know that the north that apparently ‘assisted’ Tinubu to gain power in 2023 are suffering the most today.”

Frank asserted that the northern region has been significantly marginalized in appointments and infrastructure development initiatives under Tinubu’s administration, claiming that the president has prioritized his personal and tribal interests above all else.

The former APC chieftain urged the north to unite, rise, and speak with a collective voice in the 2027 elections.

According to him, “I want the northern leaders to know that should Tinubu find his way back to power in 2027, the north will suffer untold neglect as Tinubu and the APC don’t have their genuine interest at heart.

“As we speak, at least five opposition governors are set to defect to APC not because they like Tinubu but due to intense political pressure, intimidation and blackmail, while those who will remain have been made to sign undertakings to deliver their states to Tinubu otherwise they will be made to lose their second terms elections.

“Tinubu does not believe in the power of the people. Tinubu is working to steal the election results, to grab it and run away with it like he did in 2023.

“If the north can’t see the omen of imminent regional stagnation and destruction, they will regret it if they do nothing to stop Tinubu in 2027.”

By Our Correspondent

In a decisive move to reaffirm party loyalty and unity, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with key party stakeholders, have rejected any plans to join a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The decision followed a closed-door meeting held from Wednesday night through the early hours of Thursday in Abuja, where party leaders resolved to channel all efforts and resources towards rebuilding the PDP rather than forming alliances with other opposition groups.

This comes amid recent comments by former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who hinted at a possible coalition with other opposition figures to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

However, party leaders at the meeting stressed that rather than seeking external alliances, the PDP must focus inward, reconcile differences, and strengthen its structures across the country.

Prominent attendees included two former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Bukola Saraki; former governors Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); former Ministers Adamu Maina Waziri (Police Affairs) and Lawal Batagarawa (Defence); as well as Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), who represented their colleagues.

A source at the meeting told Daily Facts that discussions were frank and focused on repositioning the PDP as a strong, independent alternative.

“They resolved that there is no need to abandon the party or pursue any coalition,” the source said. “The same energy, resources, and strategies being considered for coalition efforts should instead be invested in rebuilding and strengthening the PDP.”

Leaders at the meeting also acknowledged that all parties, including the APC, face internal challenges. They emphasized the need for the PDP to resolve its internal issues, reunite its ranks, and present a united front ahead of 2027.

By Our Correspondent

In a dramatic political development that could reshape the dynamics ahead of future elections, seven influential ward executives of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe Local Government Area have officially resigned their membership and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The defectors, who held key positions within the APC structure, cited “gross incompetence, deception, unfulfilled promises, and unbearable hardship” as reasons for their departure from the party. They described the APC-led government as a “failed system” and apologized to the people of Gombe for having once supported it.

The high-profile defectors include:

1. Babangida Ari – Ward Legal Adviser

2. Bello Siddiqi – Assistant Welfare Secretary

3. Sidi Ali – Assistant Youth Leader

4. Abdu Ibrahim – Ex-Officio

5. Nasiru Sani – Ex-Officio

6. Shuabu Uban Kudi – Assistant Financial Secretary

7. Muhammad Dangombe – Assistant Organising Secretary

At a well-attended event in Gombe, the former APC stalwarts were formally received into the SDP fold by the State Acting Chairman of the party, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, and Hon. Sunusi Ataka. Both leaders commended the courage of the defectors and welcomed them into what they called a “new dawn of inclusive and people-oriented leadership.”

Comr. Modibbo assured the new members of full integration and a level playing field within the SDP. “This is not just a political movement—it is a mission to rescue Gombe from the hands of maladministration. We are glad to have you join this mission,” he said.

The defectors, in a joint statement, vowed to mobilize grassroots support for the SDP and ensure victory for the party in future elections. They expressed optimism that the SDP represents the hope of the people and the promise of good governance.

“This is about the future of our children and the dignity of our people. We can no longer stand by while a select few toy with our destiny,” said Babangida Ari, the former Ward Legal Adviser of the APC.

Political analysts have described the defections as a major setback for the APC in Gombe, especially as it involves grassroots mobilizers with strong influence in their communities. The development also signals deepening cracks within the ruling party’s structure in the state.

The statement announcing the defection was signed by Engr. Muhammad Abdulkadir Kumo, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Acting Chairman of SDP in Gombe State.

With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, this wave of defections could mark a turning point in Gombe’s political landscape, with the SDP positioning itself as a formidable alternative to the ruling party.