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  • 2027: Atiku, Tambuwal, Imoke visit Obasanjo, hold close-door meeting

    2027: Atiku, Tambuwal, Imoke visit Obasanjo, hold close-door meeting

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited his former principal, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday for reasons not yet disclosed.

    Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arrived at the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta around 12:36 p.m. and quickly went to the Penthouse arm of the facility to meet his host, Obasanjo, who was waiting for him for a closed-door meeting.

    Read Also: How Tinubu saved Atiku from OBJ, El-Rufai

    Atiku who is believed to be nursing 2027 presidential ambition was accompanied by Abdul Mingi of Bauchi, former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, former of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, Obasanjo’s personal friend, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe among others.

    Atiku also visited Obasanjo during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election. 

  • Tinubu unbothered by criticisms from Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi – Jimoh Ibrahim

    Tinubu unbothered by criticisms from Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi – Jimoh Ibrahim

    Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) at the weekend said President Bola Tinubu remains untroubled by recent criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Amaechi had urged Nigerians to be vigilant in defending their mandate during the 2027 election, warning that politicians, including the current President, would not easily relinquish power.

    El-Rufai, on his part, criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a “zero-man show.” 

    He also called on opposition parties to unite and form a coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.

    Atiku accused the Presidency of offering a N50 million bribe to opposition parties to undermine their structures ahead of the 2027 election, though most political platforms denied the allegation.

    Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ibrahim dismissed the concerns, asserting that Tinubu was unfazed by the criticisms.

    “Is El-Rufai saying that Tinubu doesn’t have legitimacy now and in 2027? If the answer is no, what are you worrying yourself about?” Ibrahim questioned. “If Atiku says people give bribes, he needs to provide evidence. We deal with empirical evidence to do reaction. We don’t react by narratives.”

    He emphasised that the legitimacy of governance remains intact despite opposition sentiments. 

    “The key point is that the opposition will say whatever they want to say. But that does not take away the legitimacy of governance. I don’t think Tinubu is bothered by all the comments and sentiments that have been expressed,” he added.

    Addressing El-Rufai’s criticism, Ibrahim said: “El-Rufai was in the National Assembly to be cleared as a minister and answered questions. At the end of the day, he didn’t get the ministerial appointment, probably because of some challenges or whatever happened. 

    “Another time, he claimed he had never applied to be a minister. If you don’t apply to be a minister, who forced you to come to the National Assembly? It’s not about whether he was treated fairly or not. It’s about the issue of security.”

    The senator also questioned the motives of those criticising the current administration, suggesting they were mainly aggrieved party members and candidates who lost in the 2023 election.

    Read Also: Rich people not paying adequate tax in Nigeria, says Jimoh Ibrahim

    He further dismissed fears about defections from the APC, noting that for every member who leaves, more join from opposition parties. “Look, when I contested the governorship election in Ondo State and didn’t get the ticket, did I gather a storm and destroy the government?” he asked.

    Highlighting the influx of new members, he said: “This argument is one-sided. What about those from the PDP who have joined us? How many governors have crossed to APC, and how many of them are still planning to come? How many senators have left there?”

    When asked if more Governors were considering joining the APC, Ibrahim affirmed: “Of course. A sitting governor is planning to come to the APC. I don’t want to mention names so that I don’t embarrass people.”

    Recalling a previous prediction, Ibrahim concluded: “When I came here the last time, I told you Donald Trump would win the US election. You shouted at me.”

  • Presidency to Atiku, El-Rufai, Obi, others: we’ll meet in 2027

    Presidency to Atiku, El-Rufai, Obi, others: we’ll meet in 2027

    • No alternative to APC, says Masari
    • Why opposition leaders can’t be president, by Lukman

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready for any challenge from opposition leaders during the 2027 general election, the Presidency said yesterday.

    It faulted comments by the political opponents against the administration, describing them as “distracting” and “Machiavellian.”

    The Presidency advised the leading opposition figures and other critics – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi – to wait till the next poll before they flex muscles.

    According to the Presidency, the activities of the opposition leaders are premature.

    “This is 2025, not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election,” Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, said.

    Also peeping into the future, former House of Representatives Speaker and ex-governor of Katsina State, Bello Masari, said there was no alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Salihu Lukman, said some of the opposition figures lacked the quality of leadership, urging them to drop their presidential ambitions.

    He said: “Based on their records, they exhibit intolerant dispositions and poor relationships on account of which they have mismanaged their transitions and are today hardly in control of political structures in their states.”

    At a two-day democracy conference in Abuja, Atiku, 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Obi, and former Katsina State Governor El-Rufai fired salvos at the Federal Government, saying that it was not living to expectation.

    Atiku alleged that the ruling party had doled out N50 million as a bribe to each of the opposition parties to disorganise and silence their leadership.

    El-Rufai, a chieftain of APC, alleged a lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the ruling party.

    “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” he said.

    Amaechi called for “brutal force” to take from President Tinubu in 2027, adding that if he had been president, he would have run the country differently.

    Taking an exception to the comments, Dare, in a post on his verified X handle, urged Nigerians to scrutinise the antecedents of these politicians.

    He described the attacks on the Tinubu Administration as predictable attempts to stir controversy while the President was away in Tanzania addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.

    “While the President was seeking solutions to Nigeria’s energy problems in Dar es Salaam, some ‘wannabes’ were heating up the polity,” Dare added.

    The Special Adviser described the recent Abuja gathering as an effort to spread ill will, noting that some participants resorted to undemocratic rhetoric.

    “Expectedly, it was a gathering convened to further spread ill will.

    “Nothing new came out of the gathering different from the opposition script we are used to,” Dare stressed.

    He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the antecedents of these “political gladiators” and choose between “political hecklers and real progressives.”

    Dare emphasised that President Tinubu remains focused on his mandate to improve the lives of Nigerians and build a resilient economy, despite the distractions.

    “The only conversation he wants to have now is how to improve the lives of Nigerian citizens and constructive discourse on building a resilient economy,” he said.

    Dare assured Nigerians that President Tinubu, an “avowed democrat,” remains “undistracted and unperturbed” by the opposition’s tactics.

    Masari: No credible alternative to APC

    Masari said that there was no credible alternative to the APC administration.

    He spoke in Kafur, Kafur Local Government Area, during the flag-off of the campaign for the Katsina State local government elections scheduled for February 15.

    He said: “The news making rounds in the social media that some politicians are teaming up for merger is nothing but regrouping of those who lost political favours in the APC, in terms of appointments or patronage.

    “Their attempt to form an alliance will not divert the attention of APC from conceiving and implementing programmes that could assuage the pains of the common man.”

    Masari urged Nigerians to exercise more patience with the APC administration, adding that the harsh economic hardship is a global phenomenon.

    He added: “I am in APC today, tomorrow and always because I am not in the party for any political position or appointment.”

    The former governor urged  APC loyalists to propagate the good works and ideals of the party, pleading with them to take any shortcoming as a human error.

    Read Also: You’ve lost direction, stop blaming Tinubu for your woes, LP tells PDP, Atiku

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir-Masari, urged APC members to close ranks and work assiduously to ensure the success of the party at all times.

    He said the president had awarded a contract for the reconstruction and upgrading of  the Zaria/Malumfashi/Funtua/Yashe Roads, in a bid to facilitate socio-economic activities.

    The presidential aide also said the president had approved the establishment of a Federal College of Agricultural at Nabanje, Masari.

    He added: “I can assure you that more developmental projects will be awarded to the people of the area in due course.”

    ‘Amaechi’s remarks inflammatory’

    The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) chided Amaechi for making inflammatory remarks about the Tinubu administration.

    It hailed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who warned the former Rivers governor against rhetorics.

    AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima, said Amaechi incited violence to destabilise the country.

    Shettima said Matawalle had sent a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that those who engage in it would face consequences.

    He said leaders at all levels should take a firm stand against any form of speech that could lead to violence or civil unrest.

    Shettima said Amaechi’s comment constituted a threat to national security, adding that his action undermined the democratic process.

    Lukman: Atiku, Obi should drop ambitions

    Lukman advised Atiku, Obi, Senator Kwankwaso and El-Rufai to drop their presidential ambitions and provide leadership for the proposed opposition political party.

    Lukman, former APC National Vice Chairman (Northcentral), said in a statement: “Based on laypersons legal knowledge, many of these politicians would be adjudged to being accessories, whether before or after, to our current political travesty.

    “Some of them, on account of their influential roles in past administrations and the failures of those administrations should be humble enough to take a backseat to build a strong coalition to strengthen Nigerian politics.

    “Instead, it is more like a case of unrepentant show of shame.”

    Lukman lamented that the mindset of most opposition leaders is more inclined towards blocking political competition in the country.

    He stressed: “The truth is that any political leader who is prioritising the debate about power shift over and above building a strong political party, which can set the rules and enforce it, may only be hiding behind such arguments to impose himself/herself and perhaps invariably continue the political practice of emperors and dictators.”

    Atiku kicks

    YESTERDAY’S reaction to opposition leaders’ criticisms of the Federal Government by the Presidency is an attack on democracy, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Media Adviser Paul Ibe, has said.

    The one-time vice president, former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Nasir El-Rufai have been under attack for condemning the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    In a statement, Ibe claimed that Dare’s statement showed “the Tinubu administration plans to take the next election in the country as ‘a combat and a fight”.

    He said the Tinubu government should unite and heal the nation and desist from making careless remarks about other countries.

    The statement reads: “It therefore, becomes pertinent to tell the Tinubu administration that last week’s gathering of political leaders across the country is aimed at fostering the ethos of democracy in Nigeria, making sure that elections in Nigeria are credible, and that democracy is the vehicle for progress and social justice in the country.

    “We find it curious that the Tinubu government would react to these noble ideals as ‘Machiavellian inclinations

  • 2027: Drop your presidential ambition, Lukman tells Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso others

    2027: Drop your presidential ambition, Lukman tells Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso others

    Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former National Working Committee (NWC) member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Moh’ Lukman, has advised key political figures to abandon their presidential aspirations and instead provide leadership for a proposed new political party.

    Lukman urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to prioritize party-building over personal ambitions. He also extended the advice to former APC members and opposition figures, including Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, titled “Re: Early Outline of the Permutations for 2027”, Lukman reacted to the recent National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria. He argued that if these leaders set aside their personal ambitions, it would prevent the imposition of candidates in 2027 and foster a stronger political alternative.

    Read Also: Improve security funding to boost security, former CDS tells FG

    The former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) also criticized the political class, stating that many opposition and displaced politicians lack the necessary credentials to emerge as better leaders.

    He maintained: “Based on laypersons legal knowledge, many of these politicians would be adjudged to being accessories, whether before or after, to our current political travesty. Given their records of service, they are most likely to be worse than former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and now President Tinubu. 

    “Based on their records, they exhibit intolerant dispositions and poor relationships on accounts of which they have mismanaged their transitions and are today hardly in control of political structures in their states. Some of them, on account of their influential roles in past administrations and the failures of those administrations should be humble enough to take a backseat in effort to build a strong coalition to strengthen Nigerian politics. Instead, it is more like a case of unrepentant show of shame.”

    He further said: “Just imagine Alh. Atiku Abubakar, or Mr. Peter Obi, or Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, or or Dr. Kayode Fayemi, or Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal or Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, or other opposition and displaced leaders with ambitions to contest becoming leaders of the new party. Imagine all these people decide that in order to lay a solid foundation for the emergence of strong party, all of them or majority of them will instead aspire to become part of the leaders of the new party. 

    “Certainly, if that happens, the new party can guarantee collegiate leadership similar to what we had in second republic political parties especially the NPN. Failure to have that could simply mean that the new party risked being oriented in old ways with political culture of imposition becoming dominant.”

    Lukman noted that in the last one year, he has engaged virtually all the aforementioned leaders on the need to cut a new trajectory of taking the path of honour and providing new political leadership to the country.

    According to him, “The new desirable political leadership required is that of selflessness, which can unite both politicians and citizens in the country in a new direction. The new direction if it has any potential to strengthening Nigerian democracy should promote political competition both internally within the new party and nationally.”

    He however lamented that the mindset of most opposition and displaced political leaders is more inclined towards blocking political competition in the country. 

    “The truth is that any political leader who is prioritising the debate about power shift over and above building a strong political party, which can set the rules and enforce it, may only be hiding behind such arguments to impose himself/herself and perhaps invariably continue the political practice of emperors and dictators. Everything must be done to depart from that and create new political reality in the country.”

  • Alleged N50mn bribery: PRP challenges Atiku to provide proof

    Alleged N50mn bribery: PRP challenges Atiku to provide proof

    The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has refuted recent allegations of bribery made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling on him to provide concrete evidence to support his allegations of bribery within the opposition.

    However, in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, the PRP expressed “astonishment and deep concern” over Atiku’s assertion that opposition leaders were receiving N50 million each from President Bola Tinubu’s administration in a bid to weaken Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “These serious allegations against the leadership of opposition political parties demand closer scrutiny,” the PRP said.

    Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, had accused unnamed opposition leaders of accepting financial inducements from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine opposition unity. 

    However, the PRP rejected the claim outright, insisting that it had never engaged in bribery or corruption and would not do so.

    “We categorically affirm that the PRP has not engaged in, is not engaged in, and will not engage in the bribery and corruption that have long plagued our nation’s governance,” the statement read.

    The party also challenged both Atiku and the APC-led government to provide proof of the alleged payments.

    “We call for a thorough investigation into these allegations, including the disclosure of any party leaders who may have accepted N50 million monthly from President Tinubu and the APC government,” the PRP stated.

    Read Also: Atiku absent as PDP North East leaders seek reconciliation, unity ahead 2027

    Criticizing the dominance of the APC and PDP in Nigerian politics, the PRP noted that both parties had contributed to systemic corruption, unaccountable governance, and economic hardship for Nigerians over the past 26 years.

    In a pointed remark, the PRP urged Atiku to reflect on his own political history before accusing others of wrongdoing.

    “The PRP remains resolute in our mission to advocate for the true redemption of Nigeria—one that is liberated from the chains of corruption, deceit, and hypocrisy,” the statement concluded.

  • You have lost direction, stop blaming Tinubu for your woes, LP tells PDP, Atiku

    You have lost direction, stop blaming Tinubu for your woes, LP tells PDP, Atiku

    The opposition Labour Party (LP) under the leadership of Barr. Julius Abure has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to stop blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the intractable crisis plaguing the PDP, saying it is a self -inflicted woe.

    The Labour Party also asked the PDP to recuse itself from contesting or presenting any candidate for the country’s next presidential election in 2027, declaring that the hitherto largest political party in Africa has lost both “direction and focus.”

    Highlighting the alleged leadership crisis within the party, the Labour Party (LP) pointed to the violent clash at its Abuja headquarters during a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, where Samuel Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye both claimed the position of National Secretary. 

    The party also referenced Atiku Abubakar’s allegation that opposition leaders were each paid ₦50 million by the central government to undermine democracy. Given these developments, LP asserted that the party can no longer be relied upon to provide the much-needed leadership in the country.

    In a statement on Friday by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the LP said if the PDP had not been able to put its house in order and work in unity since losing power in 2015 to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it will also be quite difficult for it to reclaim power in 2027 let alone summoning the requisite direction, focus and organisation to manage the affairs of Nigeria.

    Arabambi added that given the precarious situation of the opposition PDP today, it will be a deft move if the once ruling political party in Nigeria should heed the wise counsel, recuse itself from the next presidential election and join forces with the Labour Party and Mr Peter Obi to make the union formidable enough to wrest power from the APC in 2027.

    The LP Publicity Secretary said the advice became necessary and timely as the nation inches closer to another general elections season so as to avert a repeat of what happened in 2023, when the PDP and LP went to the presidential election separately and lost  to the APC instead of joining hands together as a single entity to upstage the ruling party.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Dr. Okeowo at 70

    He expressed the confidence that with the over six million votes garnered by the LP in 2023, there is hope in the horizon that the party will pull winning votes in 2027 and more victory votes if the PDP aligned with LP ahead of the next presidential election.

    “PDP is in a serious leadership crisis. They have not been able to put their house in order and how can they manage the affairs of the country? PDP should recuse itself from participating in the 2027 presidential election and support the Labour Party to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress, APC. 

    “We don’t want what happened in 2023 to repeat itself in 2027 when the PDP and LP went separate ways to contest in that election and divided their votes. If they had worked together as one their combined votes would have defeated the APC. 

    “We don’t want such to happen in 2027.  Nigerians should not listen to Atiku Abubakar who is blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ills of PDP. The implosion is self – inflicted. Has Atiku been around to organise the party? He is not serious,” Arabambi stated.

  • Group slams Atiku, Tambuwal, El-Rufai, others over coalition against Tinubu

    Group slams Atiku, Tambuwal, El-Rufai, others over coalition against Tinubu

    The Joint Action on Democracy (JAD) has sounded the alarm over a recent meeting by prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Nasiru el-Rufai and Abubakar Malami.

    A statement by JAD President, Ambassador Moses Oriri, said:

    “We have since learnt that these failed politicians’ anger was because President Bola Tinubu bravely initiated reforms that are already showing results. 

    “As a consequence, these charlatans do not stand any chance in the next general elections even if they band together, hence their resort to anti-democratic means to force a regime change.

    “JAD urges Nigerians to note that these people have in the past overseen jurisdictions that descended into violence, some of which continue to manifest as the insecurity that the country is tackling today. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s outing as Sokoto State Governor is pivotal to the birth of banditry.

    “Nasiru el-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna State governor birthed kidnap for ransom after he bizarrely made huge payments to rampaging herders of his ethnic stock, a phenomenon that opened the eyes of criminals to how they can abduct Nigerians to make money, and which later fused into banditry.

    “Rotimi Amaechi’s tenure as the governor of Rivers State cannot be divorced from the arming of militants who later crippled the nation’s oil infrastructure which is now only being rebuilt. This failed state scenario is what they plan to replicate on a national scale.

    “We have also seen in the past how the likes of Atiku and Obi incited public sentiments against the government, something they will continue to do irrespective of who occupies the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Read Also: APC slams Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai over  anti-Tinubu comments

    “Such incitement includes clandestinely sponsoring insurrection in the name of popular citizens’ protests and precipitate an interim or transitional government that is alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    “We are further concerned that given utterances from the recent meeting at which these people alluded to a ‘weak government’, their series of recent clandestine meetings with foreign interests, the incitement of citizens to engage in violent protests, desperate attempts to cobble together an alliance that is doomed to fail, and baseless attacks on the government, this collection of politicians are up to mischief that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.”

    JAD urged the authorities to take firm action against any attempt to destabilise the country.

    The organisation emphasised the situation requires the application of the law rather than just issuing statements.

  • APC slams Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai over criticisms at Abuja conference

    APC slams Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai over criticisms at Abuja conference

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday criticized former PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai over their remarks during the recently concluded 2-day National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja.

    In a statement on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed their positions as baseless and misguided.

    He accused Atiku of repeatedly blaming the APC for issues within his own party, describing his claims as “like a broken record.”

    At the conference, Atiku alleged that Nigeria’s democracy was being undermined by judicial interference in electoral matters.

    He further accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of paying N50 million to certain opposition leaders to destabilize rival parties, a claim APC dismissed as unfounded.

    The APC also criticized El-Rufai’s recent remarks against the party, stating that they were unwarranted.

    Morka emphasized that the opposition leaders’ comments reflected their inability to engage constructively on issues critical to national progress.

    In his reaction the governing party said: “It was in the Atiku era as Vice President, particularly in 2003 and 2007, that the PDP conducted the worst elections in our political history. We cannot possibly forget how Atiku’s PDP heavy-handedly captured most South-West states and vowed to remain in power for 60 years. It was in those same years that Atiku’s former boss and then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, infamously described election as a “do or die affair” in a desperate attempt to annex Lagos.

    “If democracy was neither derailed nor endangered in those perilous days, is it now that elections are by far freer, fairer and more credible that Nigeria risks losing democracy?”

    APC noted that the judicial branch of government is a constitutional creation like the executive and legislative branches with its constitutionally defined powers to adjudicate disputes among citizens and between citizens and the state.

    Morka reminded Atiku that he cannot wish away or seek to abolish enshrined power of the courts to intervene in civil disputes, including electoral disputes, in cases where the authority of the court is validly invoked by a litigant.

    Read Also: Afenifere to Tinubu: Overhaul security architecture to curb kidnappings, banditry

    “It is a thing of irony that Atiku, who is Nigeria’s most prolific electoral litigator, would make such a ludicrous claim that judicial involvement in electoral matters is a threat to democracy. His criticism of the courts and the electoral process rings hollow given his long history of using the courts to further his political agenda. It’s time for him to take a step back and let the democratic process unfold without his interference.

    “Nigeria’s democracy is far stronger than Atiku’s political ambitions. We deserve better than petty politicking and alarmist rhetoric from an elder statesman. As a veteran politician, one would expect Atiku to understand that while democracy may be about winning election, it is, more importantly, about respecting the will of the electorate and working towards the greater good of all. Atiku should focus on rebuilding his party and offering constructive solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

    “Atiku’s allegation that the APC-led administration was paying out 50 Million Naira to some opposition figures is simply bogus and laughable. Atiku knows that his political desperation is responsible for the PDP’s catastrophic disintegration. Peddling rumors and unsubstantiated allegations should be beneath anyone in the standing of an elder statesman, a former Vice President and a serial contestant for the exalted office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The party also frowned at the suggestion by opposition figures like Atiku, Peter Obi, and recently, aggrieved leaders like Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that APC may be complicit in the internal corrosion of opposition parties.

    APC dismissed such suggestions as “pitiful, and only an incompetent alibi for their crass failure to manage their own affairs. They cannot govern their parties but tout their ability to govern Africa’s most populous country.”

    The ruling party maintained that discerning Nigerians know better than to be distracted by the false alarm and hollow allegations of desperate politicians whose only goal is shore up their political relevance in the build up to 2027 general elections.

  • Atiku, Obi disagree over coalition against Tinubu

    Atiku, Obi disagree over coalition against Tinubu

    • Ex-VP: it’s only way to dislodge sitting govt
    • ‘I’m not interested in coalition to grab power’

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) chieftain Peter Obi yesterday disagreed on the proposals for a coalition to dislodge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general election.

    Atiku emphasised the importance of synergy among the opposition parties in a bid to wrest power from the ruling party.

    But Obi said he would not endorse any coalition if the motive is restricted to mere power grabbing.

    The two opposition politicians spoke on the challenge of civil rule, leadership and political reforms at the ‘Democracy Conference’ in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The theme of the two-day conference is: “Strengthening Nigeria Democracy: Partway to Good Governance and Political Integrity.”

    A keynote address titled: “Party Politics and Political Integrity: The Role of Political Parties and Opposition in Democracy” was delivered by a historian, Prof Bayo Olukosi.

    It was the second time the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election and his LP counterpart would differ on how the opposition political parties should collaborate and give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a fight in 2027.

    The leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, had also distanced himself from any proposed mergers and fusion, accusing those behind the move of hypocrisy.

    At yesterday’s conference were other party leaders, scholars, members of civil society groups, diplomats and top government officials.

    Read Also: 2027: I have nothing to do with Atiku, Obi, says Kwankwaso

    To Atiku, the only way to dislodge the sitting government is through the coalition of opposition parties united by similarity of ideas and motives.

    Emphasising the significance of coalition building, Atiku said: “Opposition parties must realise that it is extremely difficult to dislodge a governing party, however unpopular it may be and however fed up the people may be with it.

    “Coalition-building and outright mergers are critical for building the capacity of the opposition to achieve that goal.  Our own history and examples from other countries prove that.”

    However, Obi distanced himself from any proposed coalition, saying: “I’m not interested in coalition for the purpose of power grabbing.”

    The former Anambra governor noted that past moves to evolve a coalition have been reduced to an exercise for power grabbing.

    He wondered why political leaders would allow the country to collapse in their desperation for political power.

    Obi stressed: “For me, what is important is about the country. We must talk about the future of Nigeria. We abandoned the country and all we talk about now is power grabbing.

    “I am not interested in any coalition for the purpose of taking power. It is about discussing Nigeria, how we care about securing Nigeria, about the common people and their education. That is the most important thing in Nigeria for now.”

    The LP chieftain urged Nigerians to get involved in strengthening democracy in their own interest.

    Obi said: “We have seen that whatever happens in democracy affects the citizens. It affects their daily living and the future of their children.

    “So, we must all now get involved to make it because we know that it’s not working in Nigeria.”

    Frowning at the monetisation of politics, he said: “That is what we need to remove because what you are doing is that you are encouraging stealing of public money.

    “Because if I steal it and use it to win an election, then, I get all the power and everything, including immunity, not to be prosecuted. So, we must stop it. That is what driving the stealing.”

    How to strengthen democracy, by Atiku

    Atiku highlighted five critical issues that should be tackled in a bid to strengthen democracy in the country.

    These include the institutional capacity of parties, normative acceptance by party members; consequences for non-compliance; and judicial reform.

    He said democracy cannot be sustained without strong political parties, especially opposition, adding that the parties should be strong and democratic enough to fulfil their roles.

    Atiku said party ownership and their subordination to individual big men is antithetical to democracy.

    He frowned at the current method of party funding, saying it cannot lead to party supremacy.

    Atiku said: “Funding by governors and a few wealthy individuals is not a democratic model.

    “As we know, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. Funding must be democratised. Members must invest in and co-own parties.

    “In more effective democracies, parties and candidates raise funds from the mass of members and supporters.

    “When people invest in something, they tend to be more engaged with it. So, our people, especially party members, need to be enlightened.”

    The former vice president also called for reform to curb judicial recklessness.

  • 2027: Shetimma, Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, others to discuss way forward 

    2027: Shetimma, Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, others to discuss way forward 

    A citizen-led national conference aimed at addressing key challenges threatening Nigeria’s democracy is set to take place on Monday in Abuja.

    The two-day event will bring together prominent political figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Others expected to participate are the 2023 presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, among other stakeholders.

    The conference is being organized by a coalition of civil society organizations, including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WfD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), and the National Peace Committee.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the chief organiser, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, emphasized that the conference will tackle the complexities and setbacks facing Nigeria’s democratic system. 

    He noted that the objective is to develop actionable solutions to strengthen governance and restore public trust in the democratic process.

    Igbuzor noted that despite witnessing an uninterrupted 25 years of civilian rule, the country’s democratic journey is beset by structural and functional flaws, hence the need for the two-day conference.

    With the theme “Strengthening Nigeria Democracy: Partway to good governance and political integrity” former Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia will deliver a keynote address while Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim is expected to speak on challenges, prospects and the 2027 elections.

    Igbuzor said: “As conveners, we are committed to addressing the complexities and setbacks Nigeria’s democratic system currently faces, with the purpose of finding actionable solutions that can restore and strengthen our national governance.

    “The very purpose of the conference lies in a vision for a democracy that is genuine, resilient, and inclusive. As many of us know, Nigeria’s democratic journey, though spanning 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, is beset by structural and functional flaws. These range from electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, and weakened governance structures to pervasive corruption and a concerning erosion of public trust. 

    “Despite decades of democratic practice, the realities faced by Nigerians today often reflect disillusionment rather than hope. The goal of the conference, therefore, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a road map toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability.

    “At the heart of our democratic challenges lies the pressing requirement for a political environment free of manipulation, imposition, and exclusion. For too long, the political landscape in Nigeria has been dominated by elite cliques, leaving citizens feeling alienated from the governance processes that directly impact their lives. 

    “Our aim through the conference is to initiate reform efforts that will strengthen our electoral process and ensure that our leadership selection process is credible.”

    On the need to mobilize and strengthen political parties, the organisers said the focus of the conference includes fostering the development of political parties that are truly representative, open to internal democracy, and accountable to the people. 

    “By addressing these issues, we envision political parties that champion the voice and needs of Nigerians, providing viable choices for leadership and governance.

    “Another key reason we are organizing the conference is the need to mobilize citizens for democratic resilience. Democracy is only as strong as the citizens who uphold it. As conveners, we believe that engaging Nigerians at all levels—from grassroots communities to influential stakeholders—is fundamental to creating a resilient democracy. 

    “The conference is, therefore, an avenue to reignite civic engagement, encouraging Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process and to demand accountability from leaders at every level. Through such mobilization, we aim to foster a culture of informed citizenry, with the power to shape and safeguard our democracy.

    “Finally, the conference serves as a platform for building sustainable partnerships and strategies for democratic renewal. Nigeria’s democracy will only flourish when backed by a collaborative approach that brings together government institutions, civil society, the media, and citizens. 

    Read Also: Tinubu, Shetimma to meet APC NWC Wednesday

    “Through the discussions, panels, and technical sessions planned over a period of two days, we will establish a network of partnerships and actionable commitments that will drive us toward our shared vision. The outcomes from the conference will provide a solid foundation on which we can rebuild confidence in our institutions, increase transparency, and set a standard of integrity for future governance.

    Igbuzor maintained that the conference is expected to increased public awareness and engagement, strengthened institutions and accountability, and renewed confidence in democracy. 

    “By setting actionable steps for the future, we seek to empower Nigerians to believe in the possibility of transformative and visionary leadership,” he concluded.