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Atiku Campaign Council Knocks Wike Over Sealed Secretariat

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The Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to the sealing of the campaign secretariat of its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Rivers State.

The spokesman for the PCC in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubassa, made the confirmation while speaking with The PUNCH, Saturday morning.

Nwibubasa said the sealing of the secretariat located at No. 32, Onne Road, new GRA in Port Harcourt, was clearly the handiwork of the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration to stifle perceived political opponents.

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READ ALSO: 2023: Atiku Abubakar Campaign Office Sealed Off In Rivers

Nwibubassa said the sealing of the Atiku campaign office had again shown that Wike had misused his powers as Governor of the state.

He said, “It is very unfortunate and I think that all civil society groups, the international community, all lovers of democracy all over the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers as governor.

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“Not just to suppress and oppress, but to intimidate the people of Rivers State from expressing their free will to support any candidate of their choice or to be a member of any party of their choice, as expressly guaranteed in the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the governor.”

The State PDP PCC spokesman further said it was sad that Wike by his actions did not appreciate what he benefited from, in the present democracy, having been a two time chairman of a local government in 1999, and also became a Chief of Staff. He was Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and completing his second tenure as Governor,” he said.

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Nwibubassa however said, “By closing down the political space in Rivers State; by intimidating and suppressing voices that are in opposition to his own bidding, Governor Wike is exalting himself to become the leader of all anti-democratic forces in Nigeria militating against the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of association, freedom of lawful and peaceful assembly.

READ ALSO: PDP Crisis: I Have No Issue With Atiku, Iyorchia Ayu Must Resign, Wike Insists

“Everything about that secretariat and campaign office, every requirement has been made.

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“So the governor is left with no excuse that the action that he has taken is completely outside the law. It is vindictive. It is against the right of the people,” he added.

Continuing, he said, “So, for us, it is unfortunate and we think that all well- meaning lovers of democracy should speak out against Governor Wike’s intent on his actions so far.

“Is it simply that Governor Wike lost the primary election to clinch the ticket of the PDP or there are other motives behind Governor Wike to try to truncate the democracy of Nigeria, using Rivers State as his experimental space?

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“We are also aware that there are other governors trying to do similar thing.

“So if people like Governor Wike are allowed freely disregard the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by his actions, by the things he is doing today and if people will copy from his example, before you know, Nigeria will become a theatre of anarchy, and this is exactly what everyone must come and condemn and to avoid.”

Meanwhile, a letter from the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and addressed to the Director-General of the PCC, gave an insight to the development.

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The letter signed by the Director, Physical Planning and Transport, Stella Enyadike, on behalf of the Commissioner obtained by our correspondent was titled, ‘Re-application for change in use.’

The letter dated December 19, 2022 read, “We write in reference to your application for change in use/purpose dated November 28, 2022, for your campaign office at No. 32 Onne Road G.R.A phase 2 Port Harcourt.

“In your response letter to our notice served, no title document was attached. Also, your contact phone number cannot be reached.

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“We have sent text messages to this effect to you on the subject matter for you to furnish this office with your title documents.

However, we are aware that the area, G.R.A 1and 2, is designated for residential purpose.

READ ALSO: 2023 Presidency: What I Will Do If I Lose Again – Atiku

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Therefore, the use of the property as a campaign office (semi-public) is contrary to the designated use.

“In the light of the above, your application for change in use/purpose cannot be approved.

“Please accept the assurance of the Hon. Commissioner.”

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Probe Natasha’s Allegations Against Akpabio, Afenifere Urges FG

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The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged the Federal Government to investigate sexual harassment allegations levelled by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The call followed the Senate’s decision to lift Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.

This, Afenifere said should not overshadow the need to establish the truth of her claims.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, said the senator’s recall reflected commitment to the rule of law.

We commend the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate leadership for taking a decision that further reinforces the country’s rule of law,” Omololu said.

READ ALSO:Natasha Resumes At Senate, Calls Akpabio Dictator

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The group, however, insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations must not be ignored.

For over six months, where are the facts and evidence of her grave allegations?” Afenifere asked.

It called on the “Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to carry out a full investigation into the matter.”

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Afenifere also recalled Akpoti-Uduaghan’s past false sexual harassment claims against former presidential aide Reno Omokri, which ended in an out-of-court settlement.

Does this not suggest that, without proof, her allegations against Akpabio are suspicious?” Omololu asked.

READ ALSO:UK Regulator Reports Air Peace Over Alleged Safety Violation

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The group further criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for taking her claims to international media, including BBC, CNN, Sky News and Deutsche Welle, saying the move portrayed Nigeria negatively abroad.

It also queried her participation in a session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York.

“If Natasha truly participated in the IPU meeting without due nomination, then it simply revealed her compromise or manipulation of our public institutions for pecuniary ends,” the group said.

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In March 2025, Natasha was suspended for six months after a row in plenary and her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

READ ALSO:Naira Appreciates Massively Against US Dollar In The Black Market, Highest In 15 Months

She claimed the incident happened in December 2023, but the Senate’s Ethics Committee dismissed her petition on procedural grounds. Despite a court order halting disciplinary action, the Senate went ahead with her suspension, which also froze her pay and barred her from official duties.

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Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension in court, insisting it was tied to her allegations. While the Senate said it acted over misconduct, the case attracted global attention after she granted interviews to international media. The matter remains unsettled, with Afenifere now urging federal authorities to investigate her claims.

Meanwhile, Natasha formally resumed her duties at the National Assembly on October 7, 2025, after her six-month suspension ended – and immediately claimed that Akpabio is a dictator.

And almost immediately, Akpabio’s media aide Kenny Okolugbo debunked the claim.

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2027: Drama As Atiku Disowns Media Consultant Over Statement On Yoruba

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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has denied any association with a media consultant named Kola Johnson.

This is as he also rejected statements released by the media consultant on Wednesday that he would protect Yoruba interests if elected as president in 2027.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, alleged that “faceless mercenaries” are behind the false press statement just to discredit him.

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He also dismissed the claim as “false and offensive,” describing it as part of a calculated propaganda project to ridicule him in the media.

READ ALSO:Alleged Age Falsification: Absence Of Five Ex-police Officers Stalls Arraignment

The statement specifically mentioned one Kola Johnson, described as a “self-styled media consultant,” who allegedly released a publication claiming that an Atiku administration would be dominated by a single ethnic group.

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The statement read, “Our findings point directly to the Presidency, which, in its desperation to smear opposition leaders, has resorted to hiring faceless mercenaries to fabricate fake stories and circulate unauthorised statements on Atiku.

“Particularly offensive is the false claim attributed to this individual that an Atiku administration would be dominated by a single ethnic group. This disinformation is part of a calculated propaganda project designed to ridicule Atiku in the media.

“Let it be clear: Atiku Abubakar has never engaged one Kola Johnson as a media consultant, aide, or associate. Any statement issued in that name is fake and should be disregarded. We urge media houses that have published such falsehoods to immediately retract them.”

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READ ALSO:Why I Resigned From PDP – Atiku

The statement also clarified that authentic information on the former Vice President is only released through his Media Adviser or Special Assistant on Public Communications.

Editors and media gatekeepers are strongly advised to verify with the Atiku Media Office before publication,” the statement added.

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It was widely reported on Wednesday that Atiku has assured people of the South-West geo-political zone that their interest would remain central to his policy direction if elected President in 2027, noting that his long-standing marital and cultural ties to the region make him family.

The report quoted a statement by one, Kola Johnson, as saying that the former Vice President spoke during an engagement with select stakeholders.

READ ALSO:2027 Coalition: Atiku, Secondus, Other PDP Leaders Meet In Abuja

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The report said Atiku described the people of the South-West as one of the finest species of the human race, noting that his marriage to a Yoruba woman in the 1970s forged a permanent bond between him and the Yorubas.

He dismissed fears of Hausa/Fulani domination under his leadership as unfounded, insisting that the Yoruba were his larger extended family and in-laws.

The former vice president added that his Yoruba connections extend beyond family, as some of his closest friends and associates were from the region.

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“In case you don’t know or have forgotten, I was married to my first wife, Titi, a Yoruba woman, in the 70s, and we have four Yoruba children together. She is now over 75 years old, and we are still together.

“Besides, the Yoruba are so sophisticated and highly educated that you can only toy with them at your peril,” Atiku stated. “My Ijesha-born Yoruba wife is more than a wife to me. Aptly put, she is my Jewel of Inestimable value and anybody who knows about my family, even from a distance, can easily tell you this.”

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PHOTOS: Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, Others Attends ADC Meeting In Abuja

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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday attended a meeting of the African Democratic Congress coalition leaders in Abuja, alongside several prominent politicians.

Among those present were former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai; ex-Minister of Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark; former Kwara State governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed; and ex-Sokoto governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

In a post on his official X handle, Atiku described the gathering as part of efforts to resist what he called entrenched interests holding back Nigeria’s development.

READ ALSO:‘We Don’t Monitor Such Record’ —GWR Rejects Nigerian Adult Entertainment Star’s Marathon Sex Attempt

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He stated that the meeting was also against the oligarchs who promote poverty and insecurity in the country.

He wrote, “I am currently at the stakeholders meeting of the Coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja. It’s a meeting of the Nigerian people against the oligarchs who promote poverty and insecurity in the land.”

The ADC coalition was adopted in July by opposition politicians as the platform to challenge for power in the 2027 general elections.

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The African Democratic Congress, originally formed in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change, later changed its name to ADC and was officially registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission in 2011. The party positioned itself as a centrist alternative to the dominant Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress.

READ ALSO:ADC Will Take Over Aso Rock, Lagos Govt House In 2027 — Aregbesola

Over the years, it has attracted defectors and reform-minded politicians seeking to build a third force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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Other members of the coalition include former PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus; 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; former House of Representatives Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; ex-Kogi Central Senator, Dino Melaye, and a former National Chairman of the APC, Odigie Oyegun.

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