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UPDATED: Atiku Announces Coalition To Unseat Tinubu In 2027 [FULL SPEECH]

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 General Election, Atiku Abubakar, has announced the formation of a coalition of opposition political parties to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku, made this known while responding to a question on behalf of the opposition leaders at an ongoing press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

He said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

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This announcement comes amid the chaos in Rivers State.

Recall that on Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration has sparked condemnations among Nigerians.

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See full speech below:
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY CONCERNED LEADERS AND POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS IN NIGERIA ON THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU

Fellow Nigerians,

We, a cross-section of leaders and political stakeholders from across the country, have come together to address the dangerous and unconstitutional actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025—to wit, the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the illegal suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly.

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This action is not only unlawful but a clear attempt to subvert democracy and impose federal control over a duly elected state government. We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on constitutional governance.

Seemingly, Mr President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, culminating in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Ordinarily, all parties involved would have been expected to follow laid-down procedures, motivated by good faith, to quickly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land. We note that Governor Fubara’s disposition is geared towards full implementation of the ruling of the Supreme Court, despite provocative statements from opposing quarters.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Atiku Confirms Opposition Coalition To Oust Tinubu In 2027 Election

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It is also notable that Mr President’s broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and is infra dig of the sophisticated communication expected from the highest office in the land. By so doing, the President dragged himself and his highly exalted office into the arena of the political brawl, thereby denigrating his high office through inelegant language, predisposed excessiveness and malignant deportment.

The Constitutional Violations

1.Illegal Removal of a Governor and State Assembly

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The Nigerian Constitution does not empower the President to remove an elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or State Assembly under any circumstances. The procedure for removing a Governor is clearly outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) through an impeachment process initiated by the State House of Assembly—not by presidential proclamation.

2.Misuse of Section 305 on State of Emergency

Section 305 of the Constitution allows the President to declare a State of Emergency only in extreme cases where public safety, national security, or Nigeria’s sovereignty is at serious risk. However, it does not grant him the power to suspend elected officials or to demolish democratic structures as is currently being attempted.

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Furthermore, Section 305(1) states that any proclamation of emergency is subject to the provisions of the Constitution—meaning it cannot override the tenure and removal procedures of a Governor.

3.Failure to Meet Constitutional Requirements for Emergency Rule

The conditions under Section 305(3) for declaring a state of emergency include:

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READ ALSO: NNPCL Breaks Silence On Report Of Explosion At Port Harcourt Refinery

War or external aggression

Breakdown of public order and safety

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Natural disasters or any other grave emergency threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence

None of these conditions exist in current circumstances in Rivers State. There is no war, no widespread violence, and no breakdown of law and order warranting emergency rule.

4.Failure to Follow Due Process

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Even if an emergency declaration were valid (which it is not), it would still require a two-thirds majority approval of ALL members of the National Assembly—that is, at least, 72 Senators and 240 members of the House of Representatives. If this approval is not secured, the proclamation must automatically cease to have effect.

5.Alternative Legal Avenues Were Ignored

If the issue was the dysfunction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the President could have encouraged the National Assembly to intervene under Section 11 of the Constitution. However, even under such an intervention, the Governor and Deputy Governor cannot be removed by any arm of government except through constitutional means, as the proviso to S. 11(4) clearly provides.

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A Manufactured Crisis for Political Control

This State of Emergency declaration is not about security—it is about power. The disagreements within Rivers State stem from the defection of 27 Assembly members from the PDP to the APC, their loss of seats under constitutional provisions, and the subsequent political manoeuvring to undermine the Governor’s mandate.

Rather than allowing the law to take its course, the federal government has engineered a crisis to justify this unconstitutional action. The excuse of pipeline vandalism—an issue squarely under the control of federal security agencies and privately contracted security firms—is laughable. If security breaches are the concern, the first question should be: Who controls the police, the military, and the DSS? The Governor or the President?

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READ ALSO:Nigeria, Seven Others May Face HIV Drug Shortages – WHO

Our Demand and Call to Action

1.Immediate Reversal: We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State.

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2.National Assembly’s Rejection: We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must not be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.

3.Judicial Intervention: We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.

4.Nigerians Must Defend Democracy: We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR.

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Conclusion

A peaceful Niger Delta is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria. The federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt this fragile stability.

We must never allow personal political interests to override the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State—it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

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We thank you all.

Thursday, 20th March, 2025.

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Politics

2027: Jonathan Will Contest Under PDP, Return To Aso Rock — Jerry Gana

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Former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, has disclosed that ex-president Goodluck Jonathan will contest again in 2027.

Gana made this remark while speaking to journalists in Minna, the Niger State capital.

According to him, Jonathan will contest in the next presidential election, as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

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READ ALSO:2027: Jonathan, Obi Hold Closed-door Meeting

According to him, Nigerians had experienced life under two presidents after Jonathan and were now yearning for his return.

In 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan said his ambition was not worth the blood of Nigerians,” Gana said.

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“After him, another President ruled for eight years, and now another has ruled for two years.

READ ALSO:2027: Details Of Jonathan, Peter Obi Meeting Emerge

“Nigerians have seen the difference, and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

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“I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as President again,” he added.

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How I Survived Kidnap, Assassination Attempt – Rivers Speaker

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The Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, said he is thankful to God for surviving a kidnapping and, an assassination attempt in the past years.
Amaewhule made this known during his 52nd birthday thanksgiving service at the All Saints Anglican Church, Eliozu, Obio/Apkor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

I am not just marking another birthday but acknowledging that many people had planned to take his life in the last one year, but God didn’t allow them,” he said.
Recounting how he survived a harrowing experience in 2008, he said that he narrowly escaped death during the incident.

Amaewhule noted that he was abducted by some unidentified gunmen at his residence as he arrived after a Sunday church service.

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: EFCC Chairman, Former Rivers Sole administrator Ibas In Aso Rock

“Some of you were here in 2008 when a preacher was preaching right here on a Sunday service, on that faithful day, I didn’t know the people who came to kidnap me were also in the service,” he said.

After service, they tactically followed me to my residence, tied up my security guard, and abducted me and took me to a forest where they held me hostage for five days.

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“They placed thorns under my feet and inflicted several injuries on my head and body in the process of moving me from one hideout to another within the forest.

READ ALSO:Rivers: Supporters Disappointed As Fubara Fails To Show Up

They fed me with biscuits throughout the period even as I almost bled to death.”

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The speaker, however, expressed gratitude to God for his numerous blessings, guidance, and preservation over the years.

When God does things for you, it is important to appreciate him for more.”

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Edo: Chief Ben Bowei Sworn In As Vice Chairman, Ovia South-West

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High Chief Ben Bowei (Left) taking oath of office at the council secretariat on Monday

An Activist and politician, High Chief Ben Bowei has been sworn in as Vice Chairman, Ovia South-West Local Government Council of Edo State.

Bowei, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), deputises Hon. Nosakhare Edobor who happens to be the Chairman of the council.

The Vice Chairman, a committed member of the APC in the local government and state, is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the local government council being a former National Treasurer of the most respected youth body in west Africa — Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

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READ ALSO:Edo To Immortalise Late IGP Solomon Arase

Bowei, an advocate and promoter of governance, is the founder of Niger Delta Volunteer for Good Governance, said he’s poised in promoting good governance and taking the dividends of democracy to the most interior part of the local government.

The Vice Chairman urged sons and daughters of the local government to cooperate with the council’s leadership in their bid to extend the dividends of democracy to them.

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Bowei, while appreciating governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, for the good work the current administration has been doing in the state, expressed optimism that the current state government would perform beyond expectations.

 

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