Politics

2023: Obasanjo Sparks Fresh Fears For Atiku

Published

3 years ago

December 10, 2022

There is fresh panic in the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over his chances in the February election, following the latest verbal attack on some of his key allies by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo, at a recent meeting with a PDP delegation at his Abeokuta residence ,had come hard on two Atiku’s allies ,branding them betrayers.

The duo,who hold top positions in the ‘Atiku for president’ team, were part of the party’s delegation to Abeokuta last weekend.

The Rivers State chapter of the PDP also flayed the Atiku camp yesterday in response to allegations of thuggery leveled at its members by persons supporting the party’s presidential candidate in the state.

The PDP delegation to Obasanjo had gone to seek his support for the party in the February election but got more than it bargained for when the former president tongue lashed two members of the team for what he called their betrayal acts.

One was accused of betraying the collective decision of Southern governors that the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023 while the other was accused of betraying his party over sharing of positions way back in 2011.

Party sources said the dressing down was not a good omen for the PDP especially in the South West where Atiku’s chances are generally seen as nothing to write home about.

On the delegation were former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Sule Lamido as well as Atiku’s running mate,Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

A source privy to the discussion said : “Baba was categorical in disappointment with one of the men over his support for Atiku. While he recognised the person’s right to freedom of choice, he expressed surprise that a prominent southern politician could oppose the clamour for power to shift to the south after eight years of northern presidency.

“He (Obasanjo) also recalled how the other person similarly betrayed the leadership of the PDP to pitch tent with the opposition to thwart the emergence of the party’s anointed candidate for the position of the Speaker.

“He kept wondering if such persons could be trusted to keep promises and show patriotism. His displeasure with the duo created tension throughout the parley as the former president refused to endorse Atiku’s presidential ambition.”

A party leader from Osun State said: “Our concern in the Southwest has been heightened by what is reported to have transpired when some PDP leaders met with former President Obasanjo in Abeokuta.

“The elder-statesman wasted no time in telling our representatives at the meeting that it was wrong for southerners to oppose power shift to the South in 2023. He has his reasons, but his position, as a prominent political force in the zone, will not help our party’s chances in the Southwest.

“ So, it is proper for us to be worried. But I can assure you that we are not deterred by the development.

“There are numerous prominent south westerners who are supporting Atiku’s aspiration. We are working hard to ensure that their voices are heard too. “Obasanjo’s position is personal to him and he is free to make his choice. We do not begrudge him.

“Those who were at the meeting too did not leave the place without explaining what he didn’t understand to him. The PDP wants to win election and we believe that with Atiku, we stand a good chance. We will not give up on canvassing the good people of the zone to vote PDP. Don’t forget that Tinubu (APC presidential candidate) is from the Southwest and we have him to contend with in the zone.”

Besides the feared backlash of the Obasanjo dressing down,The Nation also gathered that Atiku’s supporters are bothered about the poor turnout at his presidential campaign rally in Lagos during the week.

A source said not only was the PDP presidential candidate displeased with the abysmally low turnout of supporters at the event, he saw the development as a bad omen.

“To many of us, if Atiku must do well in 2023, we must do something about Lagos. The last rally in Lagos frightened us all. The turnout was nothing to write home about. Truth be told, we were all jolted by the reality of the situation in Lagos,” he said.

“But I must tell you that the situation is not a true reflection of Atiku’s popularity in the state. He has massive followership in the state and he will enjoy support during the election.

“What happened was the result of infightings among our party leaders in the state. We are working hard to resolve some issues going forward and I believe very strongly that things will change for good before the next election. PDP is strong in Lagos and we will prove that at the general election.”

The Nation also learnt that developments within the Oyo State chapter of the party are bothering Atiku’s allies as they fear that Governor Seyi Makinde’s disposition to the PDP candidate’s ambition will hurt the chances in February.

Atiku’s photograph is conspicuously missing on the branded vehicles for Makinde’s re-election campaign in the state.

Shedding light on the issue, the Oyo State governor said it was not compulsory, as every politician is free to choose his own campaign strategy.

The G-5 PDP governors -Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), Ifeanyi Ugwunayi (Enugu) and Makinde – had pulled out of the party’s presidential campaign team after the party failed to meet their demand for the removal of the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

They publicly announced that they would not campaign for Atiku in their various states. Makinde was the only PDP governor in the Southwest before the recent emergence of Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun State.

Makinde said:“I have seen branded cars by state House of Assembly candidates with just pictures of others running for House of Representatives in their localities. “Anybody that branded cars with his own money… You see, you can’t force them to put my own picture or someone else’s picture so as to vote for him.

“ I believe those that left the party did so owing to their political ambitions. Work is ongoing at bringing every party member together ahead of the 2023 general elections. Of course, we are reaching out to them, while some are vindicated on dropping their ambitions to join back in the party.”
NATION

Politics

2027: Bauchi Speaker Responds To Call To Join Guber Race

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has responded to those calling him to declare interest in the 2027 governorship race, saying it’s not the right time considering the fact that a lot of works are to be done.

Recall that Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, during a press conference held earlier this week, urged the Speaker to consider contesting for the top seat, citing his experience and achievements in public service.

Responding to the call in a statement made available to INFO DAILY, the Speaker, who appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the coalition, however, maintained that governance and the fulfillment of his current mandate remain his immediate priority.

“While we sincerely appreciate the compliments and support expressed by the Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, we believe that now is not the appropriate time to declare interest in any political position, including the 2027 gubernatorial race,” he said.

He added, “This is not the time. There is still a lot to do. Our primary focus at this moment is on representation and governance, serving the interests of our constituents faithfully.”

The Speaker stated that when the time is right to pursue such political ambitions, it would be done transparently and in consultation with party leaders, political allies, and the people of Bauchi State.

“We hold a mandate entrusted to us by our constituents, and it is our duty to act in their best interests,” he noted.

He urged the coalition and supporters to continue praying and supporting his efforts in delivering impactful governance.

“Our commitment remains to serve with integrity and to prioritize the welfare of our constituents above all,” he said.

Politics

Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.

“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”

The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.

Politics

Rivers LG Administrator Appointed By Ibas Resigns

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The administrator of the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Goodluck Ihemnacho, has resigned.

Ihemnacho is one of the administrators appointed by the state Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), for the 23 LGAs of the state.

The resignation was contained in a letter dated June 20, 2025, addressed to the state sole administrator and obtained by our correspondent.

In the letter which has flooded the social media space, Ihemnacho said his resignation was informed by his desire to return to the private sector.

The resignation letter partly read, “I humbly write to your noble office to convey to you my resignation as the administrator, Ahoada East LGA.

“My sincere gratitude goes to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada East for finding me worthy to serve as Ahaoda East LGA from 11th day of April 2025 to 20th day of July 2025.”

Meanwhile there are speculations that Ihemnacho resigned to pave the way for him to contest the forth-coming LG elections in the state, though this has not been verified.