President Bola Tinubu and his former close ally Rauf Aregbesola have met at least three times since their political falling-out, according to a senior figure in the ruling party.

What he said

Professor Sola Adeyeye, director of electioneering planning for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in the South-West, said in an interview reported on Sunday, 15 November 2026, that he knew the two men had met about three times since the rift began. He described them as former very close friends, said the hurt is deeper when people who care about each other feel betrayed, and suggested time could heal the relationship. He said he had personally tried to broker a reconciliation but did not give details.

Background

Aregbesola, a former Osun governor and minister, was one of Tinubu's closest political allies for decades before they fell out. He is now national secretary of the Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose leadership was voided by a Federal High Court this month, a ruling the party has appealed. Aregbesola has not commented on Adeyeye's claim.

Representatives of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde have reportedly been meeting to discuss a possible alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The talks

According to reports on Sunday, 15 November 2026, sources from both camps say the prospect of an alliance is looking increasingly likely. An ADC leader in the South-West, speaking anonymously, described the discussions as fresh, purposeful and promising, and suggested an announcement would come before the 16 January election. The talks are said to be separate from wider opposition efforts to agree on a single candidate. Neither Atiku nor Makinde has publicly confirmed any deal.

Background

Atiku is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Makinde is running on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Makinde hosted an opposition summit in Ibadan in April to discuss a joint candidate, but no agreement emerged, with Atiku, Makinde and Peter Obi each pressing ahead with their own campaigns. Makinde said this week that talks with both Atiku and Obi remained open. ADC running mate Rotimi Amaechi also told a rally in Bauchi that the APM would win one South-West state.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned its members and officials not to use the union's name to endorse political candidates or parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

What ASUU said

Speaking at the union's 2026 Heroes' Day celebration in Abuja, reported on Saturday, 14 November 2026, ASUU National President Professor Christopher Piwuna said individual lecturers keep their constitutional right to vote and take part in politics, but must not present their personal choices as the union's position. He said no member had permission to use ASUU's name to support any candidate or party, that the union remained apolitical, and that any official found compromising that stance by associating with parties or politicians would face disciplinary action.

Background

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Details of the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have emerged from the certified true copy of the ruling.

The resignation letter

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on 5 November 2026, examined three main issues. The first was a letter said to show that the party's deputy national chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, had resigned in May 2025, before the meeting that installed the new leadership. After comparing signatures, the judge found clear differences, described the letter as fictitious or fabricated and rejected it as evidence.

Powers of the executive committee

The ADC argued that its constitution allowed the National Executive Committee to dissolve the old leadership and appoint a new one. The judge accepted that parties may run their internal affairs, but held that this cannot override the Constitution and the Electoral Act, which require parties to elect their principal officers through periodic democratic elections. He ruled that the committee's administrative powers did not allow it to appoint national executives in place of an election.

No proof of a vote

The judge also found that the party could not show that members or delegates had been given the chance to vote for candidates of their choice, and said notifying INEC of a meeting was not the same as complying with the law.

Background

The judgment also voided the primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the ADC's presidential candidate. The party has appealed, and INEC says it will obey the final court decision. Atiku and his running mate Rotimi Amaechi are continuing to campaign.