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Tag: atiku

  • Obi and Atiku’s failed romance

    Obi and Atiku’s failed romance

    A sort of romance is steaming between Obi and Atiku, but a wedlock is forbidden by the gods. Not even the courts can help. The crises eating away at both the Labour Party and the People’s Democratic Party sought succour at the judiciary, culminating at the Supreme Court. Each had fighting factions, and peace was sought not within them but by an arbiter. The arbiter, however, said it was not their business. They did not want to be interlopers. They were not elders in a village and would not bring peace by fiat. The beds remain cold for Pitobi and Atiku.

    They wanted dictatorship by court order. Obi and his faction thought they would win. So did the hard-fighting Abure and his group. Neither won. Atiku and his men wanted to hector their way to control. They could visit Buhari till eternity with his friend El Rufai, but the court would not help. In PDP, we cannot say neither won. The winner is Wike and his men.

    That brings us to the core of the matter. If neither Obi nor Atiku could bring the fighting soldiers of their parties to a truce, how could we trust them to resolve a nation as fractious as Nigeria. They exposed their failures as leaders.

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    Obi has not been able to rein in the protests in his party. As we have it today, the Labour Party started to fight over power, but at the bottom is that the no shishi party now realises there is a lot of chin chin in the bag. All the fanatics who are “agba dollars” have stuffed the Labour Party purse with a lot trouble. And all of them, including Apapa, are fishing. We can say they are fishing for trouble.

    As for PDP, Atiku should have continued lounging in Dubai rather than visiting the dusty city of Ibadan only to be dusted out by the governors who would not give him a nod to merge with other parties. Already, the Social Democratic Party has said no to the squat man of Kaduna, and have asked him to go to his ward. The man may not even know anybody of grassroots value in his ward. We have not seen him there after they asked him to abide by the party protocol. Atiku wanted to put Band-Aid on a wound by saying the party should merge. Merge with who? LP? Both of them are wounded, and limping.

    The governors said if we cannot fight with a sore head, let us die like men. Atiku says, let us pretend we are men. He wants to imitate APC. He was not in the kitchen when the soup was  made. Now he is acting like the chef. No menu for wedlock with Pitobi.

  • PDP governors throw Atiku under the bus

    PDP governors throw Atiku under the bus

    We, the undersigned leaders and committed members of the former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) who were part of those instrumental in the historic merger that gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC), hereby issue this statement to clarify our unalloyed loyalty to our great party and express firm solidarity with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

    Recent misleading narratives suggesting a defection or disaffection among CPC stakeholders are false, mischievous, and should be ignored.

    We remain integral to the APC and are fully aligned with its leadership and vision.

    We stand firmly with the APC and wish to state, categorically, that we have neither left the APC, nor do we intend to leave.

    The CPC bloc remains one of the legacy foundations of the APC and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals. The APC is our collective project”.

    These are the same leaders El Rufai must have convinced VP Atiku had been commandeered, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, to dump the APC because in the words of President Olusegun Obasanjo  El Rufai:”has a penchant for lying, for unfair embellishment of stories …”.

    By the time former Vice President Atiku Abubakar read the above statement by some core members of the former CPC, reaffirming not only their loyalty to the party, but also expressing their unalloyed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, two things must have become obvious to him: that Nasir El Rufai has gamed him like some before him did and also, that the only way he had envisioned to see his marabouts’ prediction of becoming the President of Nigeria has, again, gone up in smoke.

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    In order to coral many an unthinking politician to whatever was to become his next obsession, having lost it all in Kaduna State where he had been a luckless governor for 8 years, with a commissioner whose principal responsibility was to, every week, announce the number of persons and houses incinerated by murderous Fulani herders – particularly in Southern Kaduna where original land owners were being deliberately uprooted, and their lands forcefully taken over by the Fulani invaders as they are currently doing in Plateau and Benue states – he had rushed to former President Buhari, solely as a camouflage to be able to claim that the former President has endorsed whatever he might be cooking  up in the political space.

    Ordinarily, the former Vice President ought to have seen through El Rufai but he is, unfortunately, too far gone in his  desperate infatuation with the presidency. If he contests in 2027, it will be his seventh successive attempt.

    That he couldn’t properly decipher who El Rufai truly is stands out as a major difference between him and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to whom he introduced the petit gentleman earlier in life.

    Unlike him the highly introspective Obasanjo was not, in any way, deceived by El Rufai’s brilliance, something that might have rattled  Atiku. Rather, he saw through him and wrote, inter alia, as follows about him in “My Watch” Vol 2; pages 110-112:

    “A leader must know the character and ability of his subordinates. Character wise, Nasir has not much going for him. But he is a talented young man who can always deliver under close supervision. So, when Osita Chijoka approached, among others, propping Nasir as my possible successor, believing that whoever I supported would make it, which was a false belief; I did not hesitate to point to Nasir’s naivety and immaturity, talk less of his inability to give honour to whom honour is due.” “My vivid recollection of him is a penchant for lying, for unfair embellishment of stories and his inability to sustain loyalty for long”.

    That is the man a respected Atiku now follows everywhere,  genuflecting to persons with whom he is not known to be on particularly good terms, politically.

    If the Press Statement by those CPC leaders was tangential to Atiku’s 2027 plans, not so the PDP governor’s complete ruination of the alliance talks which had taken him to Peter Obi, Kwankwaso and to the now absolutely politically marginal individuals like one time Nigerian Transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi, in addition to spending stupendous quality time partnering with El Rufai on drawing up plans about how to hijack the SDP from  Adewole Adebayo, its wily, and sure-footed, 2023 Presidential candidate.

    All this is, however, in character.

    Atiku is a master of impunity and always believes he owns whatever group he belongs to.

    He did it in the ACN  where he was merely done a favour and made the Presidential candidate, but went behind Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande’s back to, single handedly select a Vice- Presidential candidate.

    His obduracy

    in having Iyorchia Ayu, a Northerner, retained as PDP Chairman during the 2023 Presidential election at which he, another Northerner was the candidate, arose from the same mindset. Nor can one forget how he ditched governor Nyesom Wike who was recommended by the screening committee as his running mate, as another streak of his annoying arrogance.

    Believing that the Northern elders who threatened Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal  out of the 2023 election for him would repeat the same thing and flush out Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed from contesting the 2027 election, he has gone ahead, allegedly, promising Peter Obi the Vice Presidency of whatever new party he believed he would take the unsettled PDP.

    But not so fast, hollered the PDP governors at their meeting in Ibadan this past weekend.

    Ordinarily, one would have expected that an elder of Atiku’s standing would be keener in having the party itself restored to some level of normalcy.

    But that won’t be Vice President Atiku, whose entire focus is once again solely on the office; if not on the PDP, then on the SDP platform.

    Shedding more light on the rejection of any alliance by the governors, host of the Ibadan meeting, and governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, said in a television interview later:”the merger or coalition talks are unknown to the Peoples Democratic party. Nobody can just wake up and draw the party into any arrangement when the party organs do not have a clue as to what is being done”. “We have no clue, whatever, of what is in this coalition. We also do not know whether it is personal, or is being done in the best interest of the party and the people of Nigeria. These are very critical questions.”

    But as the Yoruba would say:’aja to ba ma sonu ki gbo fere olode’, meaning that the dog that would get lost, would not hear the hunter’s whistle.

    Rather than take things easy, explain matters to members, and seek their concurrence, the former Vice President, who has oscillatted between the following parties in his political odyssey- Peoples Democratic Party (1998–2006; 2007–2014; 2017–present)

    Peoples Front of Nigeria (1989)

    Social Democratic Party (1989–1993)

    United Nigeria Congress Party (1997–1998)

    Action Congress (2006–2007)

    All Progressives Congress (2014–2017) and contested the presidency six times, would rather contest and fail as usual out of arrogance.

    His answer to the governor’s decision was, therefore, to flaunt an alliance that can hardly be so properly described in their face, telling them:”Indeed, the Coalition Train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades”. 

    Also as an indication that he wont mind parting ways with the PDP in the build-up to the 2027 elections, he went further:”Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren; that is the vehicle we are going to ride on”.

    Nigerians have heard words to that effect from VP Atiku since he started contesting for the presidency in 1993. They can now barely wait to hear his usual result, come his historic 7th attempt in 2027.

  • I will work against Atiku again – Fayose

    I will work against Atiku again – Fayose

    Former Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against running for the 2027 presidency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Fayose vowed to work against Atiku should he dare to contest under the PDP platform.

    He spoke while featuring on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday.

    Fayose asserted that a southerner would not be able to succeed President Bola Tinubu after his tenure.

    He said: “I’m telling you that if Atiku comes again, I will work against him. It’s time to learn our lessons. Nigeria’s want to hear and make a decision and have an understanding.

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    “The power of a Chief Executive continues to hold life when he does not abuse the command of such powers.

    “If an Asiwaju says because I’m the commander-in-chief, my ADC should shoot that man, should the ADC shoot the man? No.

    “The reality is that it’s the party’s supremacy which must be equitable and responsible. Parents who are irresponsible will produce irresponsible children, they will have irresponsible situations, rebellion, and anger.

    “People can say what they like, but after Asiwaju’s tenure, let a Southerner come out, I will also come out and say a Southerner can’t be president of Nigeria.”

  • Arewa youths blast Atiku over attacks on Tinubu, says ex-VP is bitter, hypocritical

    Arewa youths blast Atiku over attacks on Tinubu, says ex-VP is bitter, hypocritical

    The Arewa Youth Council has slammed at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his continued criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, branding his actions as bitter, hypocritical, and driven by desperation after years of failed attempts to become president.

    In a statement released on Thursday in Kaduna, the Council’s President, Comrade Adams Reuben, said it was both “laughable and shameful” that Atiku—who he accused of overseeing the “reckless sale” of Nigeria’s national assets to allies during his tenure as head of the National Council on Privatisation—now presents himself as a reformer and moral authority.

    “Atiku might be suffering from his serial rejections at the polls,” Reuben said. 

    “How does a man so deeply involved in the systemic weakening of Nigeria’s economic backbone now question a leader who is working tirelessly to repair the damage?

    “He supervised the transfer of Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), and other prized national assets to associates under the guise of reforms that left millions of Nigerians worse off. That’s the legacy he’s running from, and he thinks we’ll forget by screaming ‘coalition’ and throwing jabs at Tinubu.”

    Responding to Atiku’s recent push for a coalition ahead of 2027, the group dismissed it as another “failed train heading nowhere”.

    “Nigerians have seen through that smokescreen. This so-called coalition is nothing but a gathering of political orphans, desperate to regain relevance. It is a failed train heading to nowhere — and Atiku is not only the conductor, he’s the last passenger too,” Reuben declared.

    The northern youth group emphasized that while Atiku has been perpetually chasing the presidency, Tinubu got it right on his first attempt because of Nigerians’ trust in his leadership.

    Reuben called on Atiku to take a bow from public discourse and stop distracting the current administration from delivering on promises made to Nigerians. 

    Read Also:2027: Atiku’s candidacy won’t destroy PDP but anti-party activities – Segun Adewale

    “This is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first time on the presidential ballot — and he won because Nigerians believe in his vision, his intellect, and his ability to take tough decisions. Atiku has contested six times, lost each time, and still thinks we owe him the presidency?,” the group queried. 

    “He has failed. Nigerians have moved on. It’s time Atiku does the same. His bitterness will not change the fact that the country is finally in the hands of a thinker, a builder, and a leader.”

    The Arewa Youth Council concluded by warning that it would continue to speak against “those who sow division, incite bitterness, and attempt to whitewash their tainted legacies in the name of political opposition.”

  • 2027: Atiku’s candidacy won’t destroy PDP but anti-party activities – Segun Adewale

    2027: Atiku’s candidacy won’t destroy PDP but anti-party activities – Segun Adewale

    Former Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Adewale, has dismissed concerns that the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could harm the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

    Adewale, popularly known as Aeroland, made this assertion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to a recent statement by Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, who claimed that Atiku’s ambition would be detrimental to the party’s future.

    Atiku was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, where he emerged second behind President Bola Tinubu.

    Adewale countered George’s remarks, saying, “No one should claim that Atiku’s 2027 candidacy will destroy the PDP. What truly threatens the party are the anti-party activities of some of its leaders during elections.”

    He said: “Atiku has been contributing to the party for years. 

    “Atiku would have won in the 2023 presidential election if not because of the anti party activities of some people.  

    “Anti-party activities are what led the PDP to where it is today, where people are suffering. PDP would have been in power after 2023 election.

    “They (some party leaders) made sure that the PDP votes were divided in Lagos and other states. That’s why PDP lost that election.”

    He said that the party leadership should rather focus on curbing anti-party activities among leaders instead of attacking Abubakar’s candidacy.

    The chieftain said that the party should take a firm stand against those destroying the party through their actions and inactions.

    “Some PDP leaders should be ashamed of themselves, especially those working for the opposition openly and without looking backward in every election.

    “These are activities that slim down our chances and destroyed the party in Lagos State and at the national level in all electoral cycles since 2015.

    “If Atiku’s candidacy will destroy the PDP, what do we say of party leaders who openly tell PDP members to vote opposition? Will that build or brighten the our chances?

    “We must address the substance and stop chasing shadow, ” the chieftain said.

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    According to him, some leaders are always fighting PDP candidates, coming out forcibly against them in every election.

    “We should rather concentrate on those in the party but working for the opposition. This anti-party is our problem not Atiku’s candidacy,” he said.

    Adewale said that George should stop speaking as if he was the voice of Lagos PDP.

    “Bode George’s comment that Atiku, a PDP chieftain getting the party’s ticket in 2027 will be a downfall of the party, is not true,” Adewale said.

    NAN recalls that George has on Monday, on Channels Television’s Politics Today said that PDP would meet its end if Abubakar secured the party’s 2027 presidential ticket. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • PDP governors can’t stop coalition train, says Atiku

    PDP governors can’t stop coalition train, says Atiku

    • Ex-VP hints of likely exit from party

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who rejected coalition or merger with any other political party.

    “Indeed, the Coalition Train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades” Atiku wrote on his X handle yesterday.

    This comment is an indication that the former Presidential candidate and his political party have parted ways in the build-up to the 2027 elections.

    He also gave a hint of likely dumping the PDP to realize his bid to contest the election.

    He said: “Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren; that is the vehicle we are going to ride on”.

    The PDP National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dan Orbih blamed the party’s protracted crisis on an entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election without respecting the provisions of the PDP constitution.

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    Although, he did not name the entrenched interest, Atiku had contested for president two times on PDP platform and one time, using the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform.

    In their communiqué after their meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the governors said their decision on rejection of coalition, was taken after due consultation with all PDP party organ.

    But at a meeting with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa State, Atiku insisted that the merger train had already left the station.

    The team was led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana and members of National Opinion Leaders, headed by Yusuf Sheriff Banki.

    “Yesterday, I met with a delegation of two groups, during which I briefed them about the status of the pan-Nigerian coalition that I am building in conjunction with other leaders and stakeholders across political divides and regions.

    “I informed them that the Nigerian Movement is being powered by Nigerians desirous of reclaiming and rebuilding their country from across the nooks and crannies of our country.

     “First was the meeting with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa State, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and a delegation of National Opinion leaders, led by Yusuf Sheriff Banki,” he added.

    Atiku also warned them against being distracted by minor financial offers that could jeopardise their future.

    He said leaders from various parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Labour Party (LP) and others, have been meeting to forge a new path towards a better Nigeria.

    He referred to the initiative behind the coalition as “Sabuwar tafiya” in Hausa, translating to “a new pathway” in English.

    Atiku, who was PDP presidential standard bearer in 2023 expressed optimism about announcing the coalition soon and appealed to the public to join the movement.

    “Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned – APC, PDP, Labour, and others – have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa Sabuwar tafiya, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria,” he added.

    “And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon we will announce. We hope and we appeal to you all to be part of this movement.

    “Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren; that is the vehicle we are going to ride on.

    “Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway.”

    Wike not the problem

    According to Orbih, blaming the crisis tearing the PDP apart on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike will amount to standing logic on its head.

    He identified the real problem as those with entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election in flagrant disregard to the PDP constitution.

    Orbih, also leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo, stated this while handing over the PDP new secretariat, he donated to the party on Wednesday in Benin.

    He urged the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador  Iliya Damagun to initiate congresses that would bring in new leaders capable of repositioning the PDP and restoring its lost glory.

    Orbih said: “PDP is a strong and formidable party, but it still has challenges that we cannot afford to ignore or sweep under the carpet.

    “Wike is not the party’s problem. The real issue is those who want to run every time without following the party’s constitutional guidelines.

    “We must put our differences aside and work with sincere party members to rebuild and reposition the PDP for future political battles ahead.

    “People are mocking the PDP and asking where we are, but I tell you today, the PDP in Edo is fully back.”

    But a former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Segun Adewale disagreed with Chief Olabode George, who said that another shot at the presidency by Atiku on PDP ticket will kill the party.

    Adewale, who said it was wrong for anyone to say the emergence of Atiku would undermine the party’s victory in 2027, contended that the chances of the party would rather be affected by anti-party activities and selfishness of some party leaders.

  • Atiku’s coalition motive unknown to PDP, says Makinde

    Atiku’s coalition motive unknown to PDP, says Makinde

    • Party organs with PDP governors
    • Anyanwu kicks

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday shed light on the rejection of coalition, alliance and merger proposed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    He said the merger or coalition talks are unknown to the main opposition party.

    The Oyo State governor said: “We didn’t just wake up and say me as xyz in the party just draw the party into any arrangements when the party organs do not have clue on what you are doing.

    “They have no clue of what is in this coalition. They also have no clue whether this is personal or whether you are doing this in best interest of the party and the people of Nigeria. Those are critical.”

    He spoke on a television programme.

    The former vice president on March 20 at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, along with some others, including Malam Nasir EL-Rufai, declared the formation of a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 election.

    The governor reiterated the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum, which distanced itself from the coalition.

    Defending the communique of the meeting, Makinde said the resolutions reflected the wide consultations with party stakeholders.

    Emphasising that the Ibadan meeting was validated by the leadership of his party, he pointed out that the governors did not only meet as PDP Governors’ Forum, but they also invited the managers of the party.

    He added: “The acting National Chairman, National Legal Adviser and the National Organizing Secretary were there with us. Other members of the NWC were waiting around the venue of the meeting, just in case there would be any need for them.

    “We decided to tackle headlong the challenges within our party, and I’m quite glad we were able to make those decisions.”

    Makinde added: “There must be a process. If the managers of the party, the organs of the party are going into a merger or coalition, there’s need for the managers of the party to know.

    “But, if you have individuals, it is still within their right to associate with whoever they want to associate with. However, as a party, we haven’t gotten there. Our first assignment is to put the party on a sound pedestal.

    “Politics is a game of interest. You must be interested, you must have alignment with the wider organs of your party before you go out to meet other people.”

    The governors also rejected the claims by Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Monday Ude-Okoye to the position of the National Secretary.

    But rejecting the Forum’s directive that the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, should act as secretary in the interim, Anyanwu said it contradicted the judgment of the Supreme Court on the party’s leadership crisis.

    I remain PDP national secretary, says Anyanwu

    Anyanwu said the position of the National Secretary is not vacant, adding that he cannot be supplanted.

    He said: “I remain the National Secretary of the PDP; this is not the first time that some people are trying a shortcut that falls short of the PDP constitution and contradicts the orders of the court.”

    Anyanwu said those influencing the governors to remove him from office are not helping the party.

    Read Also: Olunloyo will get state burial, says Makinde

    He said the Supreme Court judgment of March explicitly invalidated two previous judgments that those involved in the proxy war against him had relied upon.

    He also pointed out that a subsisting Federal High Court order of January clearly restrains the PDP, its leaders, Deputy National Secretary, Koshoedo, or any other person from acting as the National Secretary.

    Anyanwu said he would resume fully at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, insisting that there is no vacancy.

    He added: “It seems that they deliberately want to kill the PDP today and tomorrow and blame Wike for it.

    At the governors’ meeting, the party’s National Legal Adviser  told them that such decision on the position of PDP National Secretary is wrong, that the Supreme Court had spoken on the matter.”

    Anyanwu said the copy of the Supreme Court judgment affirming his position as National Secretary has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by his lawyer.

    Group to governors: leave Anyanwu alone

    A group, ‘PDP Youth Group in the Southsouth,’ warned the governors against troubling Anyanwu, saying that they are creating tension in the party.

    It accused the governors of hypocrisy, adding that five of them are supporting President Tinubu for a second term.

    The group said in a statement: “Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s reinstatement by the Supreme Court in March 2025 confirms his position as the authentic National Secretary of the party, but some governors who are reportedly upset over his ties or friendship with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, are pushing for his ouster, even in ways contrary to the party’s constitution.”

    I won’t be distracted, says Makinde

    Speaking further on the programme, Makinde said he would not be distracted by the clamour in some quarters for him to run for President in 2027.

    The governor said he would not allow anyone to set an agenda for him, adding that as of now, he remained committed to delivering infrastructure, policies and programmes that will make lives more meaningful for the people, which is the mandate given to him.

    He maintained that though he has the capacity to occupy the highest position in the land, he would put into consideration what the Nigerian people want, what his political party wants and what would be in the best interest of the people.

    He added that if his political journey ends with being governor of Oyo State, he would cherish the opportunity given to him by the people.

    The governor maintained that his administration has been able to build road infrastructure and put in place adequate security across the state, noting that these are the enablers for the agribusiness success and economic expansion being witnessed.

    He made a reference to his recent trip to France, saying that it was to finalise the deal to have a Food Wholesale Market established in Ijaiye by the Rungis International. He described the project and the Special Agro-Processing Zones springing up in Eruwa and Ijaiye as some of the gains of the agribusiness policy of the administration.

  • Atiku, El-Rufai face backlash over alliance plan

    Atiku, El-Rufai face backlash over alliance plan

    The South-South Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Amalgamation on Tuesday condemned the reported political alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The group described it as a desperate attempt by “political jobbers” to regain relevance.

    It said the proposed alliance is a “last-ditch effort” by two political actors desperate to stay relevant in a changing political environment that is increasingly rejecting their brand of politics.

    In a statement by the group’s convener, John Clarkson, said the coalition between the two political heavyweights lacked credibility and integrity, accusing them of being inconsistent and self-serving throughout their careers.

    He further criticised Atiku and El-Rufai for what he described as careers marked by broken promises and political contradictions.

    Clarkson said: “We wholeheartedly support the bold and principled stance taken by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who have rejected this ill-conceived coalition.

    “Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai have long been figures in Nigerian politics who have made promises and declarations that often fail to materialise. Their political journeys are marked by a series of contradictions that have left many Nigerians disillusioned. 

    “Atiku, once a stalwart of the PDP, has oscillated between parties in pursuit of power, demonstrating a lack of commitment to the very ideals he professes to uphold. 

    Read Also: PDP will collapse if Atiku secures 2027 ticket-Bode George

    “Similarly, their recent coalition reeks of desperation, a last-ditch effort to regain relevance by political opportunists and job seekers in a political environment that is increasingly rejecting their brand of politics.

    “The actions of the PDP Governors Forum serve as a beacon of hope in these turbulent times. By rejecting the coalition, the forum has sent a strong message that the PDP remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians. 

    “Under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, the Governors Forum has demonstrated that it prioritises the needs of the people over personal ambitions. This is a refreshing departure from the self-serving politics that have plagued our nation for far too long.

    “The current political climate in Nigeria demands a credible and dependable platform that can navigate the complexities of governance and deliver tangible results. The PDP, under the stewardship of its dedicated leaders, has proven to be that platform. 

    “The rejection of the Atiku-El-Rufai desperation is not merely a political maneuver; it is a declaration of intent to uphold the values of integrity, accountability, and service to the Nigerian populace. We believe that the PDP is now positioned to lead Nigeria through its limitations, offering a path toward sustainable development and genuine progress.”

    He called on Nigerians to rally behind the PDP as the only party capable of navigating the country through its challenges and delivering meaningful progress.

    He added: “The time has come for us to rally around a party that demonstrates a genuine commitment to the people, a party that is willing to listen, to learn, and to lead with integrity. The South-South Youth Amalgamation stands firm in its condemnation of the desperate opportunism by Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai. 

    “We commend the PDP Governors Forum for their courageous stance and reiterate our belief that the PDP is the only credible platform capable of steering Nigeria toward a brighter future. Together, let us unite under the banner of the PDP and work towards a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations and dreams of all its citizens.”

  • Fresh headaches for Atiku, El-Rufai, others over coalition

    Fresh headaches for Atiku, El-Rufai, others over coalition

    • Other parties should empty into PDP – National Secretary

    • ‘Party’s governors focusing on re-election, not merger’

    • Three PDP governors may join APC rather that go with coalition

    • Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, others pay post-Sallah visit to Buhari

    The prospects of a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election are not looking good yet despite spirited efforts by its promoters to work out a coalition, an investigation has revealed.

    Several issues, including zoning of the presidential ticket and the platform for contesting the election, are already giving the promoters of the deal cause for concern, it was learnt.

    Notwithstanding, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufai and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal are pushing hard to give their supporters some hope.

    Yesterday, Atiku led other members of the group to pay what they called post-Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.

    But observers said it was all part of giving some semblance of progress in the coalition talks. 

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from which Atiku in particular hopes to draw much support for the coalition is already split down the line over the issue.

    While top party leaders like the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara appear to back the idea of rallying the nation’s political opposition towards re-enacting the opposition success in Senegal and other places, other critical forces within the party are having none of it.

    National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, told The Nation that it would be too far-fetched to assume that the party would be involved in any ongoing arrangements for a merger or political coalition for the 2027 presidential race.

    “As far as I know, such issue (merger) has not come up for the PDP to discuss as a party,” he said.

    “Besides, with PDP’s history, size and presence across virtually all local government areas across Nigeria, it is logical to expect that other political parties, including those ones that arrived yesterday, should empty themselves into the PDP; no party should expect PDP to join or follow,” he added.

    Party sources said it was inconceivable that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, both of whom are nursing presidential ambition, would encourage the party to join any coalition move.

    Answering reporters’ questions after a four-hour closed-door meeting at Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja mid last year, Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, lashed out at those who were promoting such agenda.

     “We are aware that there are some marauders hanging around somewhere, trying to factionalise our party and take one faction to go and do coalition (with another party); we are not going to allow that,” he said.

    In a  subsequent statement on June 4, 2024 entitled “We Are Not in Any Merger Talks with Another Political Party,” PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba emphasised that the National Working Committee of the PDP had taken a resolute position that formally foreclosed any possibility of merger with any other political party.

    Ologunagba said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after its 587th meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, restates for the umpteenth time that the PDP is not engaged in any merger, fusion or amalgamation talks with any other political party or interest.

    Labour Party’s (LP’s) presidential candidate in the last election, Mr. Peter Obi, who appeared uncomfortable with Julius Abure as National Chairman, has now fully embraced the party’s National Caretaker Committee and his supporters are confident that he can have a fresh shot at the presidential race in 2027 on the party’s platform.

    They do not see the need for him or the party to go into coalition with anyone where he may not stand a good chance of getting the ticket.

    While Governor Bala Mohammed’s position against the coalition agenda is well known, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Atiku’s Adamawa state may be the most unlikely supporter.

    Although he and Aiku belong to the same political party, PDP, many believe that Atiku’s support for APC governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Aisha Ahmed Binani, contributed to her superlative electoral performance.

    Now that three North East governors – Fintiri (Adamawa), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) will not be seeking re-election after the completion of their second terms in 2027, much independence can be asserted.

    Besides, Fintiri remains a strong loyalist and personal friend of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has pledged to ensure President Tinubu’s re-election, but he accords Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the basic courtesy of his position as former Vice President.

    In Gombe State, two former governors, Danjuma Goje and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who both exert much political influence, appear more likely to be focused on a return to the Senate.

    In Plateau State, there are speculations that Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang may be one of the PDP chieftains contemplating a move to the APC before the 2027 elections.

    While the SDP-led coalition is said to be making very little success in Delta State, there are increasingly loud whispers that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori may be on his way to the APC.

    Till date, other than the Benue State governor, Rev Father Hycinth Alia, who denied plotting to join the SDP, no state governor has been identified as a supporter of the opposition coalition.

    Part of the factors adduced for explaining the success of the APC opposition coalition in 2015 was the vibrant support of some state governors, Senators and other influential politicians across the country before the APC was founded on 6 February 2013 – a clear two years before the subsequent general elections.

    With only 678 days to the February 20, 2027 presidential elections today, opposition forces in Nigeria may be facing an uphill task in their agenda to unseat the APC in 2027.

    Coalition talks doomed, says Bwala

    In an interview posted on YouTube yesterday, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Communications, Daniel Bwala, roundly dismissed the merger/coalition.

     “Yes, I’m aware of the movement for a wild goose chase, a movement for the chase of a rabbit that is nowhere in sight; I’m aware of the association of aggrieved politicians who are desperate for power,” he said.

    “The perceived coalition is going to be a silo where you’ll find different characteristics of politicians – there are some who are just aggrieved and want to be in power, there are those who have left power and cannot survive without it and there are those that have kept trying to get back into power while Nigerian people are saying that ‘we don’t want you’ and there are still others whose mission is based on sentiments.

    “One peculiar thing is that none of them is anchored upon the national interest, they don’t push forward any logical argument to justify their coalition movement: normally, people in new political movements bring alternative programmes and policies if they think that the ones being implemented by those in government are not good enough, but for the past two or three months, they are only talking about themselves, none of them is talking about any serious policy,” Bwala stated.

     Atiku leads El-Rufai, Tambuwal on Sallah homage to Buhari

    Atiku’s visit came on the heels of a similar one on ex-President Buhari by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former VP, who holds the title of Waziri Adamawa, said he could not come earlier as he had to stand in for the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, during the Eid celebrations.

    Details of yesterday’s discussions were not disclosed.

    But Atiku said on his X handle that he had a “wonderful time” with Buhari.

    He wrote: “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations.

    “Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”

    Speaking on the visit, former Governor El-Rufai said, “We are here to pay Sallah visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari because I was not around during the Sallah period”.

    Seen on a video recording of the visit were former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami; former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam; and former Governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow, among others.

  • Tinubu doing a lot for the North, APC zonal Chairman tells Atiku, el-Rufai

    Tinubu doing a lot for the North, APC zonal Chairman tells Atiku, el-Rufai

    National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Garba Datti Muhammad has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was doing a lot to enhance the development and welfare of the North. 

    Datti, who was a member of the House of Representatives, asked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and a former Kaduna Governor Malam Nasir Ahmed El-rufai to thread the part of caution ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

    He said the former Vice President should “perish the thought of another presidential contest” and remain the statesman that he is.

    While stressing that Atiku has been contesting for the presidency since 1993, the APC Chieftain said: “As we approach the next general elections, you are at it again. Having sensed that your party, the PDP may not cede the presidential ticket to you, you are now considering joining forces with some aggrieved politicians to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

    “For you, Alhaji Atiku, our former Vice President, my freehearted advice is, in your best interest and the interest of Nigerians, it is better you drop the idea of contesting for president in 2027, by which time you would have already turned 80 years.

    “The Wazirin Adamawa, you should rather remain the elder statesman that you currently are. I thinks you shouldn’t waste your time and resources. At least, you should take your cue from another former Vice President, Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, who has been operating in the background and remains an elder statesman since he left office in 2015.”

    The former lawmaker said Atiku should not listen to some politicians such as El-rufai who “are dangling the carrot of a coalition” to him ahead of 2027.

    “In truth, even if you contest, you have nothing new to offer. Remember, you are also a proponent of subsidy removal. It is on record that, as Vice President, you spearheaded the privatization of some key national assets when you chaired the committee on privatization during the Obasanjo administration, while former governor El-rufai was the Director General of the Bureau for Public Privatization (BPP).”

    Datti also asked the former Kaduna Governor to reconcile with the APC as he is a founding member of the party who toiled to see its success.

    He said: “It is on record that you were part of the founding members of the APC. Having worked for the party tirelessly and served as governor under its platform for eight years, it is rather worrisome that you decided to leave APC at this critical point.

    “While still serving as governor in 2022, during one of your media chats, you averred that “the moment I leave APC, then I have quit politics altogether.” At this critical point, you should ponder and reconcile with the APC or quit politics altogether.

    “The world knows that it was you who announced that you were not interested in any position in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Why should you turn to a critic overnight just because you perceived things were not going your way when you had unfettered access to the leadership of the party and the President?

    “As someone who was once close to you, I want to advise you to refrain from using emotions, sentiments, and unsubstantiated claims/allegations in politics.

    “I would like to tell you for free that no PDP governor will join the SDP because their party already has a structure on the ground. Who will leave certainty to uncertainty? You may end up committing political a serious miscalculation.

    “Frankly speaking, I think you should reflect deeply. One would expect that as a leading figure who supported the presidency to go to the South in 2023, you would support the zone to finish its eight years before canvassing for the rotation of the position to the North.”

    He said both Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Governor Uba Sani have been working assisuously and harmoniously for the benefit of Kaduna State.

    According to him, the North West never had it this good under any administration, saying “currently in the North-West, we have the Speaker of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State and the Deputy President of the Senate from Kano State. 

    He said: “It has never happened in the history of Nigeria where two Presiding Officers of the National Assembly came from the same zone. We also have the National Chairman of our great party from Kano State.

    “Additionally, the North West also got 12 ministerial appointments some of whom are manning critical ministries such as the two ministers of Defence; Budget and National Planning; Environment; two ministers of Housing; Culture and Creative Economy; Ministers of State for FCT, Education and Works etcetera. The zone also has the two Service Chiefs: the Chief of Defence Staff from Kaduna State, and the Chief of Air Staff from Kano State.

    “The Tinubu administration is also working assiduously to make life better for Nigerians following subsidy removal. Naira is now gaining strength by the day. Prices of foodstuffs are dropping drastically by the day. The economy is gradually taking a new turn.

    “Kaduna State, in particular, has never had it this good with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Governor Uba Sani working harmoniously for the good of the state. The Speaker, working in collaboration with Governor Uba Sani, has so far attracted about seven higher institutions to the state. 

    “The Speaker and Governor Uba Sani have also attracted the metro rail line (intra-city) worth about 250 billion Naira, already approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which will run from Rigachikun to Maraban Rido. This will ameliorate the transportation challenges residents of Kaduna metropolis face on a daily basis. A similar project will be executed in Kano State.”