Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has queried claims of political leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticizing Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for declaring himself the party’s “001” in the state.
Fayose argued that political leadership within a state cannot be self-proclaimed, insisting that it must be earned through influence, structure, and recognition by party stakeholders. He questioned whether similar claims could be made in other states, asking rhetorically if Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, could unilaterally declare himself the political leader of Lagos.
According to Fayose, such declarations risk deepening internal divisions within the party and undermining established party hierarchies. He advised party leaders to prioritize unity and internal democracy over personal assertions of dominance.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may struggle for relevance in the 2027 general election if it fails to present former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate.
Fayose made the assertion while commenting on the ongoing realignments and coalition talks among opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 polls. According to him, Obi remains the most influential political figure capable of galvanising national support and giving any opposition platform a realistic chance against the ruling party.
He stressed that Peter Obi’s political appeal, especially among young Nigerians and urban voters, makes him indispensable to any serious opposition movement. Fayose argued that without Obi at the centre of its presidential ambition, ADC risks fading into political obscurity.
“As far as 2027 is concerned, Peter Obi is the only person that truly matters in ADC. Any party that fails to recognise his political weight is only deceiving itself,” Fayose said.
The former governor noted that the 2023 presidential election fundamentally altered Nigeria’s political landscape, with Obi emerging as a dominant force beyond traditional party structures. He added that Obi’s performance at the polls proved that Nigerians are increasingly driven by personality, credibility, and perceived competence rather than party loyalty alone.
Fayose also cautioned opposition parties against internal power struggles and ego-driven politics, warning that such tendencies could weaken collective efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
He urged ADC leaders to prioritise strategic decision-making and national interest over personal ambitions, stressing that failure to do so would limit the party’s ability to attract voters, allies, and relevance on the national stage.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum, Fayose’s remarks are expected to further intensify debates around opposition unity, candidate selection, and the future political direction of Peter Obi, whose next move remains a subject of nationwide interest.

A former Nigerian military general, Enenche, has described opposition to United States support and strikes against terrorists as unpatriotic, insisting that such resistance only aids insecurity or serves personal interests.
Reflecting on his experience in active combat zones over two decades ago, Enenche said he witnessed firsthand the human cost of insecurity. According to him, security goes beyond the battlefield, affecting human lives, the economy, and even cyber space.
“As a military man who fought in that area over 20 years ago, I saw with my own eyes the casualties, the rage and the devastation. When you talk about security, you are talking about human security, economic security, cyber security. It affects everyone,” he said.
He welcomed the United States’ decision to support Nigeria, describing it as a positive development for the country. Enenche referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to assist Nigeria, noting that such cooperation signals hope rather than danger.
“America has come out boldly to say, ‘We are going to help you’. President Donald Trump said they will assist Nigeria. For me, this is the beginning of good things to come for this country,” he stated.
The retired general criticized individuals who consistently oppose foreign support, accusing them of spreading fear and pessimism.
“Where some people see negatives, we should see positives. Those who constantly project fear and pessimism, I see them as enemies of this country,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with Nigeria’s past peacekeeping missions, Enenche questioned why similar objections were not raised when Nigerian troops intervened in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Congo.
“Anytime Nigerians cooperate and act as a team, we get results,” he added.
He further clarified that while foreign allies may not deploy ground troops, Nigeria must still take responsibility for on-ground operations, with strong backing from state and local governments.
“They may not put boots on the ground, but we must do the foot-on-ground work. We must deploy the necessary resources, and that is where state governments and local governments must support this effort,” he said.
Highlighting the sophistication of recent operations, Enenche emphasized that the strikes were intelligence-driven and precise, targeting terrorist strongholds.
“Look at the capacity, look at the weapons used. Do we have that capability? This was intelligence-driven and precise. These terrorists do not want to be followed to their staging or assembly areas,” he concluded.