Economy
Peter Obi Set To Declare 2027 Presidential Bid As Fresh Details Of ‘Deal’ With Atiku Emerge
Peter Obi Set To Declare 2027 Presidential Bid As Fresh Details Of ‘Deal’ With Atiku Emerge
Peter Obi sets to declare 2027 Presidential bid as fresh details of ‘Deal’ with Atiku Emerge. Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, is set to announce his intention to run for the 2027 presidential election, amid emerging details of a failed political arrangement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Sources familiar with the development indicate that Obi will make a formal declaration in the coming days and is expected to unveil the political platform under which he will contest.
It is understood that he has ruled out the possibility of playing a subordinate role in any alliance.
The move follows the collapse of a proposed coalition between Obi’s camp and that of Atiku, who is now said to be in advanced talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu. Insiders reveal that Atiku has reached an understanding with the ADC and may contest on its platform if reconciliation with Obi remains stunted.
A recent three-day meeting in London between representatives of both camps, Obi’s team and a delegation led by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, ended without resolution, according to those briefed on the discussions.
Elder statesman and founding national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Chekwas Okorie, disclosed that Obi’s declaration is imminent.
“I am in a position to know. Peter Obi will not run as anyone’s running mate. He led his team in a three-day meeting with Atiku’s team, and they could not agree on the vice-presidential offer being speculated in the media,” Okorie said.
“Obi has achieved a level of political mileage that cannot be subsumed under another candidate. Within the week, he will present himself as a presidential contender and may unveil the party platform he intends to use.”
Okorie also hinted at a potential leadership restructuring within the ADC to accommodate Atiku’s political interest. According to him, several prominent figures, including former ministers from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), are aligning with the ADC under the influence of El-Rufai and former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.
“The new ADC will include a substantial part of the old CPC network. This is shaping up into a three-horse race for 2027,” he noted.
When contacted, ADC National Chairman, Chief Nwosu, acknowledged that the party had been approached by multiple political interests, but declined to confirm any direct engagement with Atiku. He emphasized that the party’s flag bearer for 2027 would emerge through its primary election and national convention.
Meanwhile, both camps of Atiku and the Obidient Movement yesterday dismissed reports suggesting the two men would pair up on a joint presidential ticket in 2027. They described the reports as fabrications by “fifth columnists” aimed at undermining the evolving coalition of opposition forces.
Atiku has also publicly refuted claims that he offered Obi the position of running mate, branding such suggestions as speculative and divisive. His spokesman, Paul Ibe, cautioned against misleading reports.
“A thing like this isn’t something you throw around carelessly,” he said, adding that opposition figures are focused on building a strong coalition to offer Nigerians credible leadership.
“What I can officially confirm to you is that they’re working seriously with all the opposition leaders to build a very viable coalition platform. Some of the details are still under wraps, not yet public. But the process is ongoing, and change is going to happen sooner than later. When the coalition finally comes together and takes off, you can be sure people will get on board at multiple stations along the track.”

Peter Obi Set To Declare 2027 Presidential Bid
Responding to questions about the reluctance of some PDP governors to back the coalition, Ibe noted: “Well, PDP governors are respected stakeholders. But Nigerians know what direction they want. That much is clear. Power truly belongs to the people. And the people are powering this coalition process. What does that tell you?”
Also weighing in, Obi himself dismissed any personal ambition behind his political activities. During a visit to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa in Abuja, he reaffirmed his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s core socio-economic challenges.
“I am in a coalition against hunger, in coalition against poverty, in coalition against the bad state of health. Politics for me is not about position; it is about doing the right thing.
“In this country we talk about politics and abandon what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we are going to educate the children,” Obi said.
His comments followed media reports that Atiku had proposed a one-term presidency with Obi as running mate—an offer allegedly backed by a written agreement. Obi neither confirmed nor denied the proposal but remained firm in his stance.
“You can make the report what you want, but I’m in a coalition against bad governance, hunger, and poverty,” he said.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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