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Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • ‘Rein in your son’ — Atiku urges Tinubu over alleged NANS interference

    ‘Rein in your son’ — Atiku urges Tinubu over alleged NANS interference

    Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to restrain members of his family, particularly his son, Seyi Tinubu, over an alleged attempt to interfere in the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    In a statement released Friday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said Nigeria should not be treated as “a private estate,” describing recent developments as a threat to democratic principles and civil liberties.

    The statement, titled “Tinubu Must Call His Family To Order: Nigeria Is Not A Private Estate”, followed allegations by a factional president of NANS, Comrade Atiku Isah, who claimed Seyi Tinubu attempted to bribe him with N100 million to endorse President Tinubu.

    Isah, during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, said the bribe attempt took place in Lagos and was followed by his alleged abduction and assault by thugs on April 15 after he rejected the offer.

    “I could not endorse a president who had failed to deliver on his campaign promises,” Isah stated. He also alleged that after refusing the bribe, he was “assaulted, stripped, and abducted.”

    Seyi Tinubu has since denied the allegations, saying he had never met Isah and accusing him of fabricating the story to smear his name.

    Reacting to the development, Atiku Abubakar condemned the alleged attempt by the president’s son to exert control over NANS through coercion.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must urgently rein in his family members, particularly his son, Seyi Tinubu, who appears determined to purchase political loyalty for his father by any means necessary, including coercion, violence, and intimidation,” Atiku said.

    He described the allegations made by Comrade Isah as “deeply alarming and strike at the core of democratic norms and civil liberty,” warning that such accusations against a member of the First Family were both “disturbing and dangerous.”

    “Had this incident ended fatally, it would have been recorded among the growing list of atrocities committed by criminal elements in the country,” he stated. “That it is allegedly tied to the President’s own son makes it even more horrifying. What’s worse is the emerging suggestion that even top security officials are not beyond Seyi Tinubu’s overreaching influence — an unacceptable compromise of state institutions.”

    Atiku warned against any effort to “subjugate” civil society organizations such as NANS through “threats, bribes, or brute force.”

    “Nigeria is a democratic republic, not a monarchy handed down to one family,” he said.

    The former vice president also dismissed claims that he was politically aligned with Comrade Isah, noting that their past meeting was focused solely on education reform and student welfare.

    “Attempts to drag former Vice President Atiku Abubakar into this scandal by alleging a political alliance with Comrade Isah are baseless, malicious, and desperate,” the statement read. “Comrade Isah’s advocacy and public stance must be evaluated based on fact, not fiction.”

    Atiku further called for an independent investigation into the allegations, expressing concern over possible complicity by security agencies.

    “We issue a clear warning: nothing must happen to this young man. Any harm to him will not go unnoticed or unchallenged. Nigerians deserve truth, accountability, and a leadership that respects the rule of law — not a regime that weaponises power to silence dissent,” he added.

  • 2027: Atiku’s coalition, PDP govs clash over fronting for Tinubu

    2027: Atiku’s coalition, PDP govs clash over fronting for Tinubu

    ABUJA—THE decision of the governors, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not to be part of the planned coalition did not go down well with the organisers as the anti-Tinubu coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, accused the PDP governors of playing the spoiler for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

    The anti-Tinubu coalition also accused the PDP governors of usurping the powers of other organs of the PDP and killing the opposition.

    This came on a day the former Vice President noted that the coalition of opposition forces, he is championing, would adopt any platform that ensures good governance in its bid to unseat the President in 2027.

    Recall that the PDP Governors’ Forum, at its meeting on April 14, resolved that it would not be part of any coalition with opposition political parties, politicians and other groups.

    PDP Govs killing opposition — Atiku’s coalition

    Reacting to the PDP governors’ position, spokesman of the coalition, Salihu Moh. Lukman said the coalition is a viable option to not only defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Tinubu but also to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.

    Lukman, in the statement, said: “For more than 10 years that the PDP had been out of power, Nigerians had waited for the party to dust itself up and provide the viable opposition that Nigeria needs. Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest. The governors know that the virus that afflicts the PDP has no cure. They are only grandstanding. They know that Nigerians cannot accept this PDP as the alternative because it is clear to all discerning Nigerians that the ruling party has hijacked its soul.

    “Nyesom Wike is the untouchable super minister in Asiwaju’s government not because of the sterling job he is doing in the FCT, but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu for power in 2027.

    “However, with the growing coalition, that mandate has been adjusted in recent weeks. The new agenda is to revive the PDP to stand as a counterforce to the coalition and present a candidate that would split the vote in 2027. This PDP Governors’ Forum is wittingly or unwittingly, playing Asiwaju’s spoiler game and they expect Nigerians to take them seriously.”

    Lukman insisted that rescuing Nigeria’s democracy, which is about rebuilding trust between citizens and politicians, is the main objective of the coalition.

    According to him, the coalition has also become necessary if the integrity of political institutions, especially political parties in upholding and promoting political competition in the country is to be restored.

    He said nothing represents the sad reality of the destruction of Nigeria’s democracy than the party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years and arrogantly boasted of ruling for 60 years, the PDP.

    He said: “The mere fact that the NEC meeting of the party has not been held for two years and no Nigerian can confidently tell who is really in charge of the party is evidence of this collapse. This should be the concern of leaders of the party, including its Governors.

    “Unfortunately, all we have seen of the PDP Governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the organs of the party. This is wrong. It is also a clear demonstration that if left alone, the PDP Governors will only continue the path of destroying democratic institutions in the country.

    “As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognize that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of its leaders operating as Trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government. It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC Government or undercover supporters. Otherwise, how can anyone justify the way PDP and its leaders are mismanaging themselves and practically putting themselves on the path of self-destruction and political irrelevance?

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigerian democracy. Leaders of the coalition recognize this and more importantly, recognise all the challenges ahead. Resolving these challenges and building the confidence of Nigerians is about restoring the value of political negotiations as critical and fundamental to guaranteeing the survival of democracy. Over the years, both the PDP and APC have demonstrated contempt for political negotiations and to that extent disrespected agreements in various ways.

    “The survival of Nigeria and the future of democracy largely depends on how political actors seek to reverse this ugly reality. This is what leaders of the coalition have been painstakingly working on. The coalition is working hard to finalise negotiations towards unveiling the coalition, along with its structure, and programme of action for rescuing Nigeria. The expectation is that all political actors, including leaders of PDP would recognise the danger facing the country and join the coalition as a necessary and perhaps strongest response towards rebuilding Nigerian democracy.

    “This has not happened. However, even as the PDP Governors and some leaders of PDP express opposition to joining the coalition, we extend hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country to join us to rescue Nigerian democracy.”

    We’ll ride any vehicle that guarantees good governance—Ex-VP

    Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed that the coalition of opposition forces he is championing would adopt any platform that ensures good governance in its bid to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    Atiku made the declaration on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation of National Opinion Leaders.

    In a video of the meeting shared on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, he assured that the “coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades.”

    Reacting to the PDP Governors’ Forum’s position on any planned coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, Atiku said the coalition train had left the station.

    While addressing the youth-dominated delegation of National Opinion Leaders, the former VP urged them to remain focused and not be swayed by short-term inducements.

    His words: “Don’t be disrupted by people giving you pennies or kobos here and there, and nairas here and there, and then abandon your future, and the future of your children.

    “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.

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

    The former Vice President said the primary objective of the coalition was to ensure good governance.

    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.”

    While he urged the delegation to start planning and mobilising support, he said: “Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway.”

    They’re delusional— PDP govs

    Reacting to the allegations of acting as spoilers for the President, the PDP governors described the coalition as being delusional.

    Speaking on behalf of the forum, Director-General of the PDPGF, Dr Agbo Emmaneul said: “The PDP governors cannot dignify such over the bloated image of some self-delusional characters with unbridled sense or entitlement with any response.”

  • Atiku blasts Tinubu for declaring state of emergency in Rivers

    Atiku blasts Tinubu for declaring state of emergency in Rivers

    Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lambasted President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State following a lingering and unresolved political crisis that led to the bombing of pipeline infrastructure in Rivers.

    Atiku said the development reeks of political manipulation and outright bad faith.

    The former VP blamed the president for the crisis in Rivers, accusing him of being a “Partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers.”

    Atiku, who took to X to react to the development shortly after the president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

    Tinubu said, “I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers. The state has been at a standstill, and the people have been deprived of good governance.

    “Fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remains unbuilt. Many Nigerians have intervened, just as I did. But their efforts have been to no avail.

    “No responsible President will stand by without taking action. To restore good governance and peace in this circumstance, it has become imperative to declare a state of emergency.

    “By this declaration, Governor Fubara is hereby suspended.”

    However, in his reaction, Atiku said it is disgraceful that the president refused to stop the crisis from escalating.

    “Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers.

    “His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.

    Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk.

    “Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent,” Atiku said.

    Continuing, the former Vice President said it is a failure on the part of the president that the Niger Delta region has been thrown back into era of unrest, adding that the president should bear responsibility for the bombing of pipeline infrastructure in the region.

    “It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.

    “If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and @officialABAT’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest,” Atiku stated.

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  • Atiku Condemns Lagos Assembly Crisis, Calls It a Threat to Democracy

    Atiku Condemns Lagos Assembly Crisis, Calls It a Threat to Democracy

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the ongoing crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly, warning that the situation poses a serious danger to Nigeria’s democratic values.

    Atiku likened recent developments to authoritarian practices, expressing concern over what he sees as a deliberate effort to undermine legislative independence.

    The crisis erupted following the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the subsequent election of Hon. Mojisola Meranda as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly. However, the transition has been marred by controversy, leading to heightened political tensions.

    In a statement released through his media aide, Paul Ibeh, Atiku described the unfolding situation as a troubling sign of democratic erosion in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub.

    Atiku said, “Nigeria’s democracy was hard-fought and must not be undermined by those who should be its foremost guardians. We call on President Tinubu to publicly denounce any attempt to subvert the democratic process in Lagos and ensure that the principles of fairness, justice, and due process prevail.

    ”What happened at the Lagos State House of Assembly today is nothing short of an assault on democracy and a throwback to the dark days of military dictatorship. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute in defending the sanctity of our democratic institutions,” Atiku stated.

    He emphasized that Obasa’s removal, which was backed by an overwhelming majority, should have marked a progressive step for democracy.

    Instead, he lamented that “there is an orchestrated attempt to override the legislature’s decision through undemocratic means, including the use of security forces to intimidate lawmakers.”

    Tensions escalated further when security operatives reportedly entered the House complex in an attempt to reinstate Obasa as Speaker.

    Atiku condemned the action, arguing that it reflected tactics reminiscent of Nigeria’s military era. He stressed that such maneuvers threaten the credibility of the democratic process in Lagos.

    Despite his influence over Lagos politics, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained silent on the matter. Atiku sees this silence as an implicit approval of efforts to impose a preferred candidate against the will of Assembly members.

    ”Despite his undisputed influence over Lagos politics, President Bola A. Tinubu has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. His refusal to address the crisis suggests a tacit endorsement of the anti-democratic manoeuvres aimed at imposing his preferred candidate against the overwhelming will of Assembly members. This silence is deafening and deeply concerning.”

    Atiku also referred to recent comments by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had accused President Tinubu of selective political practices.

    ”Just days after Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, a founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kaduna State, publicly accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of engaging in selective machine politics, the crisis in the Lagos legislature has provided troubling validation of these claims.”

    ”As Mallam El-Rufai rightly pointed out, Lagos politics has become a battleground between the noble values of Omoluabi – rooted in integrity, fairness, and public service – and the crass, strong-arm tactics of Area Boy politics, where power is retained through coercion rather than consensus.”

  • “With Atiku Abubakar in Charge, Nigeria Will Experience Rapid Economic Progress” – Dr. Kalu

    “With Atiku Abubakar in Charge, Nigeria Will Experience Rapid Economic Progress” – Dr. Kalu

    In a recent statement, Dr. Emeka Kalu, President of the ECK Foundation, expressed confidence in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ability to address Nigeria’s economic challenges if elected in the 2027 presidential race.

    Kalu highlighted Atiku’s leadership experience and vision as essential assets for revitalizing the nation’s economy.

    Kalu criticized the current administration’s management of Nigeria’s natural resources, emphasizing the need for effective exploration and utilization to stimulate economic growth.

    He urged citizens and political figures to support Atiku, whom he described as a “rational game-changer,” to implement necessary reforms.

    Addressing the nation’s economic decline, Kalu pointed to issues such as rising hunger, escalating living costs, currency depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, corruption, increased tariffs, and unemployment.

    He stressed that overcoming these challenges requires “selfless, capable, trusted, and competent hands” like Atiku’s to restore Nigeria’s economic stability.

    “The sorry state of our economy should remind all Nigerians that we are under a failed leadership. The rising hunger, high cost of living, naira depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, treasury looting, tariff hikes, and unemployment have set us back significantly. The only hope for recovery lies in supporting competent political leadership in 2027,” Kalu said.

    Reflecting on Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, Kalu noted his significant contributions to economic liberalization, trade investments, job creation, and other reforms. He lamented that electoral malpractices have previously hindered Atiku from leading the nation.

    Kalu also criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its lack of transparency in managing the fuel subsidy regime, identifying it as one of the numerous economic issues facing the country.

    “With Atiku Abubakar in charge, Nigeria will experience rapid economic progress,” Kalu asserted. “This is not a campaign or political propaganda, but a statement of facts whose impact cannot be erased.”

    In response to Kalu’s endorsement, critics have raised concerns about Atiku’s economic proposals. The All Progressives Congress (APC) described Atiku’s economic plan as a rehash of previous policies, lacking clarity and concrete implementation strategies.

    APC spokesman Felix Morka stated, “Atiku’s proposed Economic Stimulus Fund and Infrastructure Development Unit is opaque, lacking clarity and concrete implementation plans.”