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No room for Obi, Atiku, Amaechi’s coalition in Ondo, says Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that those flouting the coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections are day dreamers and unserious politicians who have no better plans for the country.

Speaking on Monday while receiving Hon. Dayo Awude, a former deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), into the fold of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure, Aiyedatiwa declared that there is no room for the coalition of the opposition figures in Ondo.

The governor said that the governing APC remained the sole rallying force for credible politicians in the state ahead of the 2027 general election.

“In Ondo State, there is no room for coalition. It is one APC. People join political parties for different reasons, but the interest of the party must always supersede every other interest, and for us in the APC, that interest is to retain power,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa lauded the defectors, led by Awude under the Sunshine Grassroots Network (SGN), saying they have made the right decision ahead of the general election to join the APC.

He told the defectors to begin grassroots mobilisation in earnestly for the party ahead of the general elections, saying the APC must retain power at the federal and states levels.

“You have made the right decision. This is the right place to be because the utmost interest for any political party is to be in power. For us in APC, we want to retain power, and we must do everything that is needed to retain the power.

“We acknowledge that you have decided to join us. Your coming will be rewarded. As you can see, the dividends of good governance are showing itself under the leadership of President Tinubu and i as your governor in the state,” he said.

While likened the party’s confidence to “the evidence of good governance” under President Bola Tinubu and his own administration, the governor added that the latest wave of defections to the APC will deliver greater numbers” of votes for the party in the election.

“Our declaration for Asiwaju is that Ondo State is for Tinubu in 2027. The whole of Ondo state is for Tinubu come 2027, and to realise that, you have decided to join us. We know winning Ondo state is not an issue but to have overwhelming votes, and you are the evidence of those votes.”

Awude, who ran alongside LP’s governorship candidate, Sola Ebiseeni in 2023, said he joined the APC to add value, adding that he was willing to support President Tinubu and governor Aiyedatiwa’s developmental agenda.

Ade Adetimehin, the state chairman of the APC, who welcomed the decampees, urged them to strengthen the party from the grassroots.

Read Also: We’re intentional in preventing emergencies, disaster, flooding in Ondo – Aiyedatiwa

He also urged them to begin canvassing votes for the party starting their units and wards levels.

The latest defection marks a blow to the LP’s influence, especially in Ondo state and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as political realignment intensifies ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi had joined Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the former minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi to form the coalition of opposition figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

August 11, 2025
NLC, Atiku demand Sowore’s release

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have called for the release of rights activity, Omoyele Sowore.

A statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero reads: “We strongly condemn the frequent arrest and long spells in detention of Sowore, a renowned civil rights activist. It is all the more unacceptable if he was injured in the course of his arrest, as it is being alleged.

“If Sowore has offended any big man or woman in government or has in any way offended the law, they should be bold enough to explore the legal options available, such as going to court, but certainly not to resort to this level of harassment. How many times has Sowore been arrested this year alone?

“Freedom of speech and freedom of association are some of the inalienable rights guaranteed by our constitution, and it is only fit and proper that the government is seen to respect these citizen rights.

“The NLC warns that silence in the face of such repression is complicity. If the state can arbitrarily detain Sowore today, no journalist, no trade unionist, no activist, and no ordinary citizen is safe tomorrow.

“We cannot allow Nigeria to slide back into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaces freedom and dissent is met with brute force.

“It soils the image of the government before its citizens and the international community when it behaves in a way that suggests that it is above the law.

Read Also: NLC strike paralyses govt activities in Ogun

“We are duty-bound to not only alert the nation to the inherent dangers of government observing these rights in breach but to point out the consequences of an observance in breach. The government, like all the other citizens, should be law-abiding, not when it suits it but unconditionally…”

In a statement on Sowore’s arrest, Atiku said: “The treatment of Omoyele Sowore by the IGP Monitoring Team is a shameful abuse of power. It is wrong, unlawful, and must be condemned by all who believe in justice. Sowore’s only offence is speaking out against injustice, nepotism, and misrule.

“For that, he was reportedly attacked at dawn, beaten, had his arm broken, and sprayed with chemicals by policemen acting on petitions from the IGP’s own office. This is a personal vendetta, not policing. Even the Nigerian Police Regulation forbids this.

“Regulation 367 states: ‘No police officer shall institute any legal proceeding in his interest or in connection with matters arising out of his public duties.’ The IGP cannot be a complainant and still deploy the force to carry out his grievance.

“This is not about Sowore alone; it is an attack on every Nigerian who dares to speak truth to power. This must stop. And Sowore should be released immediately, and unconditionally, too.”

August 8, 2025
Atiku Abubakar foundation awards full scholarships to TeenEagle champions

The dreams of three brilliant Nigerian girls—Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukaiya Mohammed Fema, and Khadija Kashim Kalli, have soared higher as they secured fully-funded scholarships from the Atiku Abubakar Foundation (AAF) following their triumph at the TeenEagle global finals.

The trio, who emerged as global winners in the prestigious international academic competition, will have their education fully funded from secondary school through to university at any institution of their choice.

According to a letter from the Foundation, the scholarship is a long-term commitment that will cater to the rest of their secondary education and their entire university journey—an investment in their future and a reward for their outstanding academic achievement.

Read Also: No crisis in PDP after Atiku’s exit, says Wike

The scholarship, the AAF said, reflects its unwavering dedication to advancing quality education and empowering young Nigerians, particularly girls from underrepresented or vulnerable backgrounds.

“For these girls, their victory at the TeenEagle competition is a testament to their hard work, and this scholarship is a recognition of their potential and a promise of what they can achieve,” the Foundation stated.

The Atiku Abubakar Foundation, founded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has consistently supported educational causes across Nigeria.

Atiku has been a strong advocate for girl-child education, once stating: “When you invest in the education of a girl child, you are invariably investing in the education of a prospective family and community.”

The gesture not only affirms the Foundation’s commitment to education but also sends a powerful message: with the right support, academic excellence can break barriers and turn aspirations into reality.

August 7, 2025
2027: Why North won’t back Atiku, Obi – Ex-ACF Scribe Sani
- Says odds favour Tinubu for reelection
A former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Chief Anthony N.Z. Sani has said the North would rather allow President Bola Tinubu have a second term in 2027 and wait till 2031 to have one of its own installed as the next president.

This, according to Sani, will enable the North to also have the presidency for two terms of eight years.

The ex-ACF scribe told The Nation in an interview in Kaduna that this thinking in that part of the country will likely count against the ambition of former vice president Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, in 2027.

“The political dynamics surrounding zoning currently favour President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

Continuing, Sani said Tinubu “has only one term left, and after 2027, power is expected by many to return to the North in 2031. That prospect alone will influence how the North votes.

“Tinubu, being the only southern candidate constitutionally limited to one more term, is likely to get the support of voters who are thinking beyond 2027.

“Southern voters, because of the zoning arrangement and the quest for fairness, would not want the presidency to return to the North just yet.

“They would prefer the presidency remains in the South until 2031 so they can complete their expected eight years before power shifts again.

“Therefore, it is unlikely that the South would vote massively for a Northern candidate in 2027.”

Sani also said most northern voters “would also strategically vote for Tinubu, not only out of loyalty to the late Buhari, but also because it aligns with their long-term interest of producing the next president in 2031.

Read Also: SSANIP decries delay in review of schemes, conditions of service for polytechnics, TVET

“Supporting Tinubu in 2027 means the North can present a strong case for power to return to their region after his final term.”

Sani said the influence of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari would also play a role in Tinubu’s bid for a second term, especially in the North because, according to him, “Buhari was able to command the loyalty and support of most northern voters largely because he was widely perceived as an honest, disciplined, transparent, principled and austere leader.”

He added: “Northerners saw him (Buhari) as someone who would never dip his hands into public funds for personal gain. That image gave him an uncommon kind of cult followership, especially among the poor.

“With his demise and the evolving political alignments ahead of 2027, I do not think that his political influence will fade or wane substantially, at least not so soon.

“His legacy is still fresh in the hearts of many, especially in the rural North, and that will continue to shape voting patterns for some time to come.

“With the passing of President Buhari, I believe President Bola Tinubu may still prevail among northern voters for two key reasons.

“First, because the influence of Buhari, particularly in the North, is still very strong and may not diminish significantly before the 2027 elections.

“Second, because of the politics of zoning and rotational presidency, which is very important to many Nigerians today.

“You may recall that when Buhari was still alive, he made it clear he did not support the coalition of opposition forces against the APC.

“He publicly distanced himself from such efforts, which showed that his loyalty remained with the APC platform that brought him to power.

“That endorsement of continuity with the APC by Buhari still matters to many of his supporters today.”
July 27, 2025
Atiku: Now that the admin has left the group…
- By Tochukwu Jimo Obi
Sir: In the fast-moving world of Nigerian politics, few metaphors capture the moment better than the phrase: “Now that the admin has left the group.” It is the phrase that encapsulates the sudden, dramatic, and disruptive exit of a central figure from a collective—someone whose presence once defined its operations, even if not always positively.

This week, that “admin” is none other than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose official defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sent ripples across the nation’s political waters.

Atiku’s departure, long speculated, is the symbolic end of a chapter in PDP’s troubled history.

For many observers, Atiku’s exit is not a loss, but a relief. After all, it is no secret that the PDP has been embroiled in internal crises for years, but the height of its dysfunction came in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections. Atiku’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate was seen by many as a betrayal of the South’s aspiration for power rotation. Key stakeholders, especially from the southern wing of the party, felt side-lined. Most notably, Governor Nyesom Wike and his G5 colleagues openly rebelled against the party’s decision and, by implication, Atiku himself.

Read Also: Tinubu urges unity, pays tribute to late Awujale of Ijebuland

By moving to the ADC, Atiku may be hoping to reinvent himself yet again. But questions abound. Can a man who has switched political parties more than five times be trusted to stay long enough to build one?

For the ADC, Atiku’s entrance may bring media attention and a flurry of new followers, but it could also disrupt the party’s internal cohesion. Whether the ADC will give him free rein remains to be seen.

Now that the proverbial “admin” has left the group, can the PDP finally find peace? That’s the question party loyalists are asking. With Atiku out of the picture, one of the major polarizing forces is gone. It opens up a rare opportunity for introspection, restructuring, and reconciliation. The wounds of 2023 may not heal overnight, but the source of much of the irritation has now exited the stage.

In politics, as in life, sometimes subtraction brings addition. Atiku’s departure may provide the PDP the breathing space it sorely needs to rediscover its soul and chart a new, inclusive course. But this will require honest conversations, sincere apologies, and a departure from the culture of impunity that has plagued the party for years.

While Atiku starts a new chapter with the ADC, the PDP now has a chance—perhaps its last—to heal, unite, and become a true opposition force. The admin may have left the group, but what the group becomes from here on will determine whether his exit was a tragedy or a turning point.

•Tochukwu Jimo Obi,

<jimobi83@gmail.com>
July 21, 2025
Atiku’s presumptuous politics

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be the third from the party since he began participating in Fourth Republic politics. He had defected from the PDP to the Action Congress (AC) in 2006, fled back to the PDP in 2009, then sauntered to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, and then crawled back to the PDP in 2017 for the purpose of contesting the 2019 presidential poll. After a long hiatus, in which he virtually abandoned the party to the likes of former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike, he rekindled his interest in the party essentially to contest the presidency in 2023. Finally, to cap an inglorious culture of political peregrinations, the nomad again resigned last week from the PDP to seek solace and fulfillment in another adopted party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). After his 2023 presidential election debacle, analysts concluded that he had blown his last chance at winning the presidency. But he thinks he still has another ‘last chance’, hence his orchestrated mass migration to the ADC.

He resigned from the PDP a day after former president Muhammadu Buhari died in London on July 13. While one of his aides, Paul Ibe, claimed the resignation letter was leaked and was not meant to overshadow the burial of the former president, another aide posted the letter on X (Twitter). There was of course no leak. Having tendered the letter to the appropriate authority in line with the PDP constitution, and with no caveat attached to its circulation, it was only natural that so significant a resignation should be publicised. More, for a man so taken by the inscrutable art of political metaphysics, he saw the death of the former president as a good omen for his political ambition, an augury that beckons immediate action. In any case, by July 16, Alhaji Atiku was reveling in the announcement of his resignation. He had attended the burial of the late president on July 15 flanked by former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai and former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal as they walked to the late president’s residence on account of the crowd that thronged the funeral. Hailed extravagantly like heroes just back from battle, he and his cohort interpreted what seemed like a festival of welcome directed at them on the approaches to the Buhari residence as proof of resounding victory in the 2027 presidential election.

The former vice president’s resignation letter illustrates a man who consistently labours under grand illusions. Apart from opportunistically projecting himself as the inheritor of the Buhari mystique – and it is extremely hard to see how or why – the letter also tells brazen lies about his intentions, his worldview, and his ambitions. He predicated his resignation, or ‘parting of ways’ as he put it, on “the current trajectory the party has taken”, which he argued diverged from the PDP’s ‘foundational principles’. This was of course an egregious lie. The party’s trajectory has not changed a jot, notwithstanding the convulsive politics of some of its panjandrums. What is more, its ‘foundational principles’ have remained neither fully conservative nor passably progressive. The party has in fact engaged in ideological straddle for decades, indeed from its birth. If anything has changed, it may perhaps be its repeated failure to muster the kind of subliminal confidence that attended its birth and weaning. Nothing else has changed except the defeats that have corroded its essence and denuded it of courage, a malaise contributed in no small measure by the political whoredom Alhaji Atiku practiced in and around the party and programmed into its mindset.

Read Also: Presidency slams ADC over Buhari’s burial remarks

Not done with exaggerations and fondness for outright mendacity, the former vice president boasted that he was a founding father of the party and was therefore heartbroken to resign. If indeed he was a founding father, no child should ever aspire to be groomed by such a truant and absentee father, one who kept running off with every voluptuous temptress in the neighbourhood. The truth is that Alhaji Atiku is totally bereft of conviction; he has no idea what the term ‘founding father’ means. Worse, to speak of heartbreak, a word he used twice in his impassive resignation letter, is to indicate a lack of lexical integrity to capture his false emotions or crystallise his thoughts. There was of course nothing heartbroken about his exit from the PDP. Had he been truly heartbroken even once, having exited the party three times in this republic, his heart would have been broken into a thousand pieces. The unvarnished truth is that he left the PDP because he had overstayed his welcome. He had played ducks and drakes with their affections, and had taken them for granted. He used and dumped them so many times that they grew weary of his excesses and shenanigans. He was indifferent to leaving the party, so, too, was the party in gladly getting rid of him, his kept aides, and his unfeeling cohort. Had the party pandered to his political whims, he would have stayed put and massaged their ego. He would have thrown a few bones to the party dogs and deployed them for his so-called last electoral stand.

After many years of being tossed hither and thither by users and political adventurers, the PDP has finally come into its own. If they can leverage their newfound determination, if they can manage to refine their ideology and spruce up their platform, and if they can face their seemingly dire future with courage and pertinacity, they might yet confound sceptics and revivify their electoral chances. Their hope is not as grim as it seems on the surface, especially with the exit of the political wayfarers led by the former vice president. Despite the emergence of a third force in the shape of ADC, the PDP still has better footing than any other party save the ruling APC. One PDP leader said of Alhaji Atiku that his exit was good riddance to bad rubbish. That might seem harsh; but judging from the cavalier manner the former vice president plays his politics, every negative metaphor hurled at him must be deemed an absolute understatement.

July 20, 2025
2027: Southwest SDP rejects Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai coalition

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the South-West region has distanced itself from the coalition of opposition political parties.

It said no part of the party in the Southwest region had joined a coalition with any party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recall that a coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria had adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

This decision was arrived at a meeting which had in attendance former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, among others.

Speaking in Ibadan during the Southwest stakeholders’ meeting of the party, the Chairman of chairmen in the 36 states of the federation and FCT, Abuja, Hon. Femi Olaniyi, otherwise known as ‘Ferrari’ maintained that nobody can take any decision on behalf of the party concerning joining the coalition, except directive from the party National Working Committee (NWC).

He noted that the SDP in the Southwest region still awaits the NWC of the party to come up with its stand, and everything regarding the coalition.

Olaniyi said, “As it stands now, there is nothing like a coalition in SDP.”

He allayed the fear of party members on various challenges confronting them in their respective states, saying, “The NWC has promised to guide us and assist each state with membership cards, register and every other thing at the appropriate time.”

Olaniyi maintained that there is unity among leaders and all stakeholders in the region as they always speak with one voice for the progress of the party.

Read Also: FAAC shares highest allocation of N1.818tr in June

“In 2027, we will rescue Nigeria from the current administration, bring a formidable government and show all Nigerians a true and real democracy.”

Olaniyi, who also doubles as Lagos State Chairman of the party, said, “We discussed the challenges, progress and the coalition at our meeting.

“We have seen how everything is being played out in our party. So, we need to brief our members, especially our stakeholders in the region.

“In the six states of Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo, respectively, we have been asking a series of questions regarding this so-called coalition, and we just called our people to intimate our resolve not to be part of any coalition at the moment.”

Also speaking, a serving lawmaker representing Ise-Orun Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly under SDP, Babatunde Omotayo, said, “We are here to resolve some issues. We resolved issues and dialogued for the development of our party- SDP.

“The most important among what we discussed was how we can remain one and speak with one voice to move the party forward in the region. So, SDP as a political party doesn’t have a plan to join the so-called coalition.”

July 20, 2025
PDP chair mocks Atiku over exit from party
- His exit, not new, we’re expecting his return, says Damagum
- Many people congratulating us on his resignation – Spokesman
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar came under some mocking yesterday from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his Wednesday exit from the party, his third since 2007.

Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, said Atiku’s latest departure did not come to the party as a surprise.

He said the former VP would be back in the party as he has always done.

Atiku’s resignation, according to him, is consistent with his history of switching political affiliations.

“This is not the first time; we’re expecting him back,” he said, flanked by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Damagum said PDP remained strong and unbothered by Atiku’s resignation.

Why PDP is not losing sleep over Atiku —Abdulahi

Also speaking on Atiku’s exit from the PDP, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulahi, said it (exit) has no consequence for the party.

Atiku, according to him, “is a person who is given to driving and pursuing his ambition with every vehicle, and there’s nothing wrong with that in the face of the law.

“But we as a party are not deterred; we are not losing any sleep over Atiku Abubakar.”

Continuing, Abdulahi, who spoke on Arise Television, said: “When he said the other previous instances were not as justified as this present one, it leaves much to be desired about his commitment to the party. But suffice to say PDP is moving on; we are beginning to get our house together.

“If only you know the number of persons that are calling to congratulate the PDP on his exit, because there were a lot of persons who, all along, wanted to identify with the PDP but they were apprehensive of his involvement for the simple reason that as long as he remained within the party all the time, he would get the ticket, and it doesn’t matter to him if the zoning favours the north.

“A lot of persons are now calling across the strata, saying that now you people seem to be getting it right, and by the grace of God, you will cross the bridge for the first time since those of them who you know kept constituting a clog in the wheel of the progress for the party are now giving way.

“So, we bid him farewell. Let him go and try somewhere else. I only pray he will not fail in his promise by coming back after the so-called coalition hits the rocks, which is going to be the case ultimately.”

Abdulahi said PDP would not have found itself in the crisis it currently battles with if Atiku had managed the post-2022 PDP presidential primary situation carefully.

He added: “All that he is obsessed with is to contest for the presidency of Nigeria at all cost. And when a person begins to think that he is indispensable in a movement, then it leaves much to be desired about his sincerity in that mission.

“By now one would be expecting Atiku to have called it (presidential bid) off; to have raised some other successors to say three decades after he started, he’s not still aspiring for the presidency.

“It mustn’t be you; if you can’t see anybody all along to back for it, it’s very unfortunate. So, PDP is not losing any sleep over his exit.”

Abdulahi said Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, remains a member of the PDP as he hasn’t come out to denounce his membership.

He spoke of PDP’s plan to utilise an ongoing internal process to ensure reconciliation and also deal with any member who perpetuates division within it.

He said that with the resolution of the dispute over the authentic national secretary, the party was now poised to put the past behind it and move boldly forward ahead of the 2027 general election.

“PDP is still there and we are priding ourselves with 10 performing governors who have carved a niche for their states and who have stood out in the crowd relative to what obtains in the APC-governed states.

“Our governors have done so well and it doesn’t matter if we are receiving a lot of pressure from the ruling party APC, for them to join the few elements that were cowed into joining the ruling party.

“PDP is not intimidated; we’ll truly come out triumphant in 2027.

“We came out of a storm, we suffered some problems but we are now navigating the waters safely.”

Atiku, in his resignation letter, cited irreconcilable differences for his ‘heartbreaking’ action.

He claimed that the party has diverged from “the foundational principles we stood for.”

Following his first exit from the PDP in 2007, he contested for the presidency on the platform of the Action Congress (AC).

He returned to the PDP only to dump it for the second time in 2014 to seek the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Read Also: Keyamo slams Atiku over PDP exit amid Buhari’s mourning

He lost the ticket to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and four years later found his way back to the PDP.

He has his eyes on the presidential ticket of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.

The same ticket is being sought by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Mr.Peter Obi and former Transportation Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

PDP’s survival depends on National Convention —Ologbondiyan

The survival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be determined by the party’s ability to hold a national convention through which it can overhaul its leadership and inject fresh energy, a former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, has said.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, yesterday, Ologbondiyan said: “As we speak, the party is going ahead, saying it is organising congress, and I find it laughable because who are those that will buy forms in the first place for you to conduct a congress?

“What the party needs at this critical moment of its life is to go into a convention, replace the leadership, or recalibrate it in a situation wherever it can and allow a new life to run the party.”

He argued that without urgent reforms and a clear strategy to revive the PDP, the party risked sinking deeper into irrelevance.

According to him, factions within the PDP had taken divergent paths from those pushing for a strategic alliance with President Bola Tinubu to others who are seeking alternative platforms or simply staying neutral.

Ologbondiyan noted during the show that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is a serving member under the PDP, has his sympathy for trying to revamp the party’s structure, but expressed doubt about the possibility of success unless steps were taken.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has my sympathy and possibly support because he is in a desire to say we can revamp the situation, and in revamping the situation, we can still use it effectively as an opposition political party.

“But to be honest with you, from the look of things, I don’t see how that will manifest, and I say this from a responsible position,” Ologbondiyan stated.
July 19, 2025
Group slams Atiku, El-Rufai over ‘political opportunism’ at Buhari’s funeral

A pro-democracy group, Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI), has condemned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for what it described as blatant political opportunism during the funeral rites of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the group’s Director of Strategic Communication, Dr. Tunji O. Bamidele, described the actions of the two political figures at the funeral as a “shameless and unseemly spectacle,” accusing them of attempting to exploit the solemn event for personal political advantage.

The statement reads, “Their actions, characterized by a shameless attempt to project themselves as genuine admirers and loyalists of a leader whose legacy they have historically opposed, are not only disingenuous but also an affront to the memory of President Buhari and the sentiments of the Nigerian people.

“As we gather to pay our respects to a leader who dedicated his life to the service of our nation, it is disheartening to witness two notorious political figures, Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, attempting to capitalize on the sorrowful occasion for their own political gain.

“Their behavior at the funeral in Daura was nothing short of an unseemly spectacle, as they paraded around as though they owned the event, seeking to associate themselves with Buhari’s immense popularity in a desperate bid to win favor with the northern electorate.

“Let us remind the public that Atiku Abubakar has been a major political adversary of Buhari since 2003, challenging him in several elections and consistently undermining his agenda. His political history is marked by opportunism; after splintering the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he shifted allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) only to abandon it once Buhari secured victory in the elections.

“Atiku’s return to the PDP was not born out of loyalty but rather a calculated move to further his own ambitions, culminating in his recent challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is widely regarded as Buhari’s preferred successor.

“It is painfully clear that Atiku’s current display of affection for Buhari is nothing more than a façade, a mere attempt to manipulate the sentiments of the northern populace in a time of mourning.”

Reminding the two opposition leaders that the northern voters are not as easily deceived as they might hope, the group said, “The memories of their past betrayals and political machinations remain fresh in the minds of the electorate, and they will not be swayed by hollow gestures during this time of grief.”

Read Also: Atiku: Timeline of serial defector, wanderer

Urging all Nigerians to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of such opportunism, as the nation honor the legacy of Buhari, Bamidele advised “let us not allow his memory to be tarnished by those who seek to exploit it for their own gain.”

The initiative then called on political actors to engage in genuine and respectful discourse, honoring the values that President Buhari stood for, integrity, service, and commitment to the Nigerian people.

“We reject the attempts of Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai to politicize the funeral of a beloved leader. We stand united in our belief that the politics of deception will not prevail, and we call upon the people of the North to remember the past and hold their leaders accountable.

“Let us honor President Buhari’s legacy by fostering a political environment rooted in sincerity and respect, free from the manipulative tactics of those who have historically sought to undermine it.” he advised.”

July 17, 2025
Atiku: Timeline of serial defector, wanderer

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a serial defector and sixth-time contender for the presidency, is in the news again.

He has criss-crossed different parties to pursue his presidential ambitions. Atiku is not alone on this road. In fact, it is a path widely taken by most Nigerian politicians.

Atiku has wanted to be president for over 25 years. A successful businessman, he first entered the national political scene in 1992 when he ran to be the Social Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, losing to MKO Abiola.

Atiku was elected Governor of his home state, Adamawa, in 1999 on the PDP ticket.

Before he could be sworn in as governor, he was picked as running mate by Olusegun Obasanjo who secured the PDP presidential ticket. The ticket proceeded to win the presidency, with Atiku becoming Vice President from May 29, 1999 and for a second term in 2003.

Since 1999, Atiku has left the PDP on three different occasions — each time to further his presidential ambition.

Read Also: Atiku and serial defection

In 2006, ahead of the 2007 presidential election, he defected to the Action Congress. In February 2014, he again left the PDP for the newly formed APC before his latest defection to the ADC.

Here’s a timeline of how he defected and what led to his defection:

* 2006: PDP to AC (after fall out with Former President Olusegun Obasanjo)

*2009: AC to PDP (after fall out with Tinubu)

*2013: PDP to APC (after fall out with Former President Goodluck Jonathan).

*2017: APC to PDP (after fall out with Former President Muhammadu Buhari).

*2025: PDP to ADC (after fallout with Nyesom Wike)

July 17, 2025