Politics

Atiku Hints On Supporting Obi For 2027 Presidential Race

Published

2 years ago

May 18, 2024

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that if in 2027, the party decides that it is the South-East’s turn and selects Peter Obi as its candidate, he will readily offer his support.

“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” Atiku declared in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.

He added that a merger between the PDP and Labour Party is possible.

Atiku added that members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

The former Vice President mentioned that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Responding to questions about the meeting with Obi, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

On whether this will bring about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”

The former Vice President, who denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

On why he’s still in active politics, Atiku said, “Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

“It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

“My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”

Regarding his 2027 Presidential ambition, the former Vice President said “That would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

“Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

“It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.”

Last week, Obi held a private meeting with Atiku and some other PDP leaders in Abuja.

Obi also met separately with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, sparking speculation about a possible coalition for the 2027 general elections.

Obi was a PDP member until 2022, when he left to pursue his presidential ambitions with the Labour Party.

He finished third behind Atiku in the February 23 presidential election, which was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

Atiku blamed Obi’s departure from the PDP for his loss to Tinubu.

Analysts argued that Atiku’s 6,984,520 votes combined with Obi’s 6,101,533 votes could have secured a win against Tinubu, who received 8,794,726 votes.

Monday’s meeting marked the first public interaction between Obi and Atiku since the election.

Social media and online platforms were flooded with viral photos of Obi’s meetings with the three PDP figures on Monday.

In 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together on the PDP ticket but were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

However, due to internal conflicts, Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019, left the PDP and ran as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Politics

APC Queries Minister For Insubordination As Fresh Crisis Rocks Party In Kano

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, for making “unguided” comments capable of provoking misunderstandings and disunity within the party.

In a query letter signed by the Kano State APC Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the party threatened disciplinary action against the Minister if he failed to respond to what it considers acts of insubordination.

The letter was copied to the party’s national leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and zonal leaders.

The letter reads: “The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has observed with concern recent comments you made in the media regarding internal party matters and aspirants.

“These statements have the tendency to provoke misunderstandings and disunity among members. Issues relating to party affairs fall strictly within the purview of the APC leadership and its designated spokespersons.”

Abbas added: “You are not assigned any public relations role within the party, and such public comments may be wrongly interpreted as official party positions.

“Although you have the right to support and promote any aspirant of your choice, by virtue of your position as a Minister and member of the Federal Executive Council, you are expected to engage on issues that facilitate the unity of all party members.

“The party has observed that you habitually make uncomplimentary and derogatory public pronouncements. You are hereby warned to restrain from such behavior; failure to do so may compel the party to take further disciplinary action.”

In response, Minister Ata described the query as baseless, lacking specific accusations, and said he had not received an official copy of the letter, learning of it instead through social media.

He insisted that he possesses the constitutional right to express his opinions freely and would not relinquish that right.

Ata stated: “I am not aware of any offense or breach of party rules. I believe it is inappropriate for a Minister of the Federal Republic or any party member to first see a letter intended for them on the internet before it is officially delivered.

“The letter does not cite any specific statement, action, or conduct that amounts to wrongdoing. As a Nigerian citizen, I fully reserve the constitutional right to express my personal opinions.

“At no point have I claimed to speak on behalf of the party. Every comment I made was strictly in my personal capacity. I remain firmly committed to the constructive policies and renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.”

The exchange between the party leadership and the Minister has further exposed internal crises within APC in Kano, as various factions jockey for influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Members of the party are reportedly divided among major power blocs, with some supporting the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, while others back former National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The crisis deepened when some party stakeholders endorsed Ganduje as the state party leader, bypassing Barau, who is the highest-ranking political officer in Kano APC. Although the endorsement was claimed to be unanimous, Barau denied any involvement.

Recently, party stalwart Hon. Alwan Hassan accused Barau of obstructing the confirmation of Ramat Garba at the National Assembly for the presidential nomination as head of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Hassan also alleged that Barau orchestrated the removal of former Minister of Housing, Alh. Abdullahi Gwarzo, replacing him with Ata.

In a counter statement, Muhammad Abubakar, leader of the Coalition Tinubu Support Organization, dismissed Hassan’s claims, accusing him of advancing the interests of certain leaders to tarnish the reputation of the Deputy Senate President.
(GUARDIAN)

Politics

APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

APC Ward 4 in Sagamu says it suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel because he refused to appear and defend himself over allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking to journalists at the ward office in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, said he spoke for the 19-member executive committee.

He explained that their clarification was necessary after a statement issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, reacting to a November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

Aduroja, who stood with the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail, said the Ward Executive Committee agreed to suspend Senator Daniel because he failed to appear before a panel set up to review petitions against him.

The petitions accused him of working against the party.

He said the problem started during the last general elections, when Senator Daniel “acted in open defiance of the party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.”

Aduroja added that after the elections, the senator, “attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates.”

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He said these actions remain unchallenged.

Reacting to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, in the November 17 letter, Aduroja insisted that the APC Constitution allows Executive Committees at all levelsward, local government, state, zonal or national to discipline any member.

He said Article 21(5)(vii) gives the National Working Committee the power to suspend members, but does not override the powers of Executive Committees at other levels, and does not require them to seek approval from the NWC.

He explained that “any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4).”

He added that nothing in the constitution makes their decision dependent on NWC review.

Aduroja said Ward 4 is committed to discipline, fairness and due process, and stressed that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

Politics

Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria for blaming the wave of attacks, especially in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume on Wednesday, said recent statements by Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups across the country.

Responding to the SGF, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement said Akume’s comment was an attempt to deflect responsibility.

According to him, it is appalling that the APC-led government suggested that insecurity in Nigeria was triggered by a statement made by a foreign president.

The ADC mouthpiece further stated that the claim amounted to a shameful abdication of responsibility and a confirmation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is overwhelmed by the security crisis.

He added that Nigerians had endured massacres, mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship for years under the APC-led government.

Abdullahi said the situation has worsened under the current administration because of the government’s failure to respond decisively.

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“It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria,”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump; they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned into a killing field,” he said.