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Political Gladiators To Watch Out For in 2025

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2 days ago

Dec 29, 2024.

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The political landscape in Nigeria is set to undergo a significant shift as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu moves towards its midterm with the fierce criticism of the PDP, LP taking the center stage to put the president on his toes.

Eko Hot Blog has gathered Key political actors seeking to maintain their influence are expected to form new alliances and realign their forces in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

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This process is likely to bring about a mix of outcomes, with some players strengthening their grip on power while others see the emergence of fresh faces

Below is the list of gladiators Nigerians will watch out for in the months ahead.

President Tinubu

As President Tinubu’s administration prepares to implement its ambitious budget, the focus will be on how the government plans to tackle the pressing challenges facing the country, including economic hardship, insecurity, and rising food inflation.

One key issue that has drawn attention is the proposed reduction of the inflation rate from 35% to 15%. While this is an ambitious target, many analysts remain skeptical about its feasibility.

During the outgoing year, Nigerians experienced significant hardship due to various factors such as the fuel subsidy removal.

This policy decision led to numerous hunger protests, as the public urged the government to review its measures causing difficulties for the average citizen.

However, the administration failed to make any significant changes to alleviate the challenges arising from the reforms.

With the new budget in place, the president will be under immense pressure to address these issues and provide tangible solutions for the citizens.

Damagun

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been grappling with a leadership crisis since its loss in the last presidential election.

The National Working Committee (NWC) has been blamed for the ongoing crisis, with some stakeholders calling for the removal of the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

However, the party has decided to postpone this decision until its February convention.

In a recent meeting held in Jos, the PDP Governors Forum, along with Damagum and other leaders, agreed to hold the party’s 99th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in the first week of February 2025.

During this meeting, a vote of confidence was passed in support of Damagum’s leadership.

As political observers closely watch the developments within the PDP, there is growing speculation about the potential political maneuvering that may occur during the upcoming February meeting.

The party’s leadership crisis has deepened, with many believing that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike is using Damagum as a proxy in his ongoing feud against former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

Bukola Saraki

Following Iyorchia Ayu’s ouster as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, prominent stakeholders from the North-central region, including Governor Caleb Muftwang, former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, and other key figures, have demanded that the chairmanship be returned to their zone to complete its tenure.

In a bid to reorganize the party, several PDP governors and National Assembly members are reportedly urging former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to accept the position of national chairman.

It remains to be seen whether Saraki will accept this offer, as he has not publicly expressed interest in the role.

While some party members believe that Saraki’s leadership could help reunite the PDP and address its internal conflicts, others argue that the party should focus on addressing the systemic issues that have led to its recent electoral defeats.

David Mark

Reports indicate that Mark’s supporters are promoting him as a consensus candidate capable of uniting the various factions within the PDP and revitalizing the party’s fortunes.

A former National Security Adviser and several retired generals and top government functionaries are reportedly backing Mark’s chairmanship bid.

While the campaign for Mark’s candidacy has encountered some resistance, it remains a subject of intense speculation within the party.

Fubara

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are the two dramatis personae dominating the politics of the oil-rich state.

Earlier in the year, the face-off between the duo had led to the defection of 27 members of the state House of Assembly loyal to Wike to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ensuing litigation battle is still ongoing. A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has adjourned till January 21, 2025, to rule on applications in a suit filed by the Labour Party seeking to declare vacant the seats of the 27 lawmakers.

The suit also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election to fill in the vacant seats of the lawmakers to enable the LP and other interested parties to participate

As the peace deal earlier brokered by President Tinubu could not resolve the impasse, the final judgment of the judiciary will determine the stability of the tenure of Governor Fubara.

Wike

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to deepen, with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike at the center of the storm. Despite attempts by the Board of Trustees (BoT) to reconcile Wike and the party, many political analysts remain skeptical about the chances of success.

Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been a vocal critic of the PDP leadership, particularly regarding the control of the party’s structure in Rivers State.

The acting National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum, recently handed over the party’s structure in the state to Wike, recognizing the congresses held by his loyalists.

While the BoT is determined to pursue reconciliation, some members have expressed concerns over the delay in convening the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, stating that it erodes the trust and confidence of PDP members.

The BoT plans to meet with Wike in January to address the ongoing crisis.

Political Gladiators To Watch Out For in 2025

Soludo

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been grappling with a protracted leadership crisis, which has intensified ahead of the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

The current Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, who seeks re-election on the APGA platform, may face challenges due to the party’s internal turmoil.

Kwankwaso

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, has been exploring new alliances in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

His recent meeting with Labour Party (LP) counterpart Peter Obi has sparked speculation about a potential collaboration between the two.

One possibility is the formation of a new party, combining the strengths of both the NNPP and LP, to challenge President Tinubu in the next election cycle.

However, it remains unclear what terms and conditions would be agreed upon, as well as the viability of such a merger.

Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last general election, remains a significant figure in Nigerian politics.

With his Obidient Movement still active and ready to mobilize, Obi continues to serve as an important opposition voice against President Tinubu’s administration.

Many Nigerians anticipate that Obi will play a key role in holding the government accountable to the people, especially as the administration’s policies begin to impact the masses.

However, there are concerns that the Labour Party’s internal crisis could negatively affect Obi’s future ambitions if not managed properly.

Atiku

The clash of interests between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been a significant source of tension within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku’s alleged obsession with power and the ensuing conflict with Wike have been blamed for the party’s defeat in the last general elections.

Atiku’s support for the removal of acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, has further divided the PDP governors into two factions.