Politics
Belarus’ Lukashenko to face only pre-approved challengers in presidential election
Belarus’ election commission on Monday allowed only seven politicians loyal to leader Alexander Lukashenko to start collecting signatures to oppose him in upcoming presidential elections.
Lukashenko, who has led the country for over 30 years, is set to seek a seventh term in January.
The authoritarian ruler faced criticism after he was elected in 2020 in a vote that was rejected by the country’s opposition and the West as rigged with fraud.
The election results triggered nationwide protests and resulted in the arrest of around 65,000 people — many of them opposition figures.
Human rights groups say Belarus holds around 1,300 political prisoners who are denied adequate healthcare and are often forbidden from contacting their families while in prison.
Last week, the country’s election commission registered an initiative group for Lukashenko to prepare for the upcoming election.
Sergei Syrankov of the Communist Party, Oleg Gaidukevich, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, and former Interior Ministry spokeswoman Olga Chеmоdanova are three of the seven candidates chosen to start collecting signatures.
The candidates are each required to collect at least 100,000 signatures by 6 December in order to qualify to run in the race.
“Those are alternative candidates, and I believe they just want to safeguard the incumbent,” Lukashenko said of his challengers.
The commission rejected two opposition politicians who requested to register initiative groups.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a key figure of the Belarusian opposition who is currently living in exile, has denounced the upcoming elections as a farce.
“This is not an election but an imitation of an electoral process held amid terror when alternative candidates and observers aren’t allowed,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
In February, when the country held parliamentary and local elections, independent Western observers were not invited to monitor the vote for the first time since the country’s independence in 1991.
The embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party in Abuja. The private consultation is seen as a fresh round of political moves as the ADC continues to battle a lingering leadership crisis and growing internal divisions.
Top figures from both parties were said to be present at the meeting, including PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and senior ADC officials. The development is already drawing attention as opposition parties continue realignments ahead of the 2027 political season, with many watching closely for possible alliances and next steps in the party crisis.
Politics
“ADC is a Holy Party, Cannot be used to Scam Nigerians Again” – Hon Success Opara tells David Mark
ADC Party in Turmoil: Hon Success Opara Slams Leadership, Warns Against Scamming Nigerians
Abuja, Nigeria – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing internal strife as Hon Success Opara, a prominent party official, has warned against attempts to use the party to deceive Nigerians. Opara specifically criticized the leadership of David Mark, stating that the party cannot be used to scam citizens again.
“ADC holy Party cannot be used to scam Nigerians again,” Opara said, emphasizing that those forming coalitions are hindering the party’s growth and denying youths opportunities to thrive.
“Those who are forming coalition don’t want to give the youths the chance to strive in the party,” she added.
Opara’s statement highlights the deepening divisions within the ADC, with concerns over leadership and the party’s direction.
The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has announced that the party under his leadership will bar individuals above the age of 55 from contesting for political positions.
Gombe made the disclosure during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he outlined a vision centred on generational change and greater youth participation in politics.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a party that belongs to all Nigerians. What we are doing now is to ensure the party moves forward properly.
“We have decided that we will give the youths a real chance. The time has come for young people to take the lead in politics.
“If you are over 55 years old, you are not going to contest for positions in the ADC under our leadership.
“We want to bring in fresh blood, new ideas, and energy from the youth. Nigeria’s future depends on the young generation.
“The old ways have not worked well for the country. We need to open the door wide for youths to participate fully as candidates, leaders, and decision-makers,” he said.
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