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BREAKING: Atiku speaks on gifting SUV to Soldier that confronted Wike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports claiming he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lt. Ahmed Yerima, the soldier who recently confronted Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a viral video.

The story, which has been widely circulated across social media platforms, alleged that Atiku rewarded the officer with a luxury vehicle for his “boldness”. However, the former Vice President has now debunked the claim, describing it as pure fabrication.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima or any other individual a brand new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating on social media,” Ibe said.

“The story is entirely fabricated and should be completely disregarded by the public.”

He further cautioned Nigerians against the deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at tarnishing reputations or stirring public controversy.

The false story had gained traction amid heightened public interest following the altercation involving the soldier and the FCT Minister.

LEADING REPORTERS earlier reported that Lt. Ahmed Yerima made headlines earlier this week after confronting and preventing Mr. Wike from accessing a disputed property belonging to a Former Naval Chief.

Atiku’s camp reiterated that the former Vice President had no involvement in the matter.

 

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ADC Adamawa Gives Atiku, Babachir Ultimatum to Register Membership

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued an ultimatum to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and other prominent figures in the party to revalidate their membership at their respective wards before the end of the year or risk losing recognition.

Speaking in Yola, the Adamawa State Chairman of the ADC, Shehu Yohanna, said the party had unveiled its membership register and stressed that only those with valid membership cards would be acknowledged.

“Atiku Abubakar should go to his ward in Jada Local Government and register, while Babachir Lawal should do the same in Hong Local Government. That is the only way they can be treated as legitimate members of the party,” Yohanna stated.

He warned that it was unconstitutional for individuals to take decisions or hold leadership positions in the party without being duly registered.

“You cannot be taking decisions for a party you are not constitutionally a member of. All of you should register for the greatness of our party. It is illegal for someone to hold a leadership position at the national level without being a registered member. That makes a caricature of the party,” Yohanna declared.

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BREAKING: I Will Run in 2027 – Atiku

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he will contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing speculations that he may withdraw from the race.

He also used the opportunity to defend the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, stressing that although it could not influence the outcome of recent by-elections, it remains a formidable force capable of reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

Atiku’s position was made public through his long-time associate and spokesperson during the 2023 elections, Tunde Olusunle, who disclosed the remarks to Thisday Newspaper on Sunday night.

Olusunle explained that Atiku was determined to rescue Nigeria from what he described as “intensive care” under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The former Vice President, who recently resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is aligned with the ADC, a party that has attracted several heavyweight politicians in recent months.

Atiku lamented what he described as the “mega-scale thievery, loss of values, and lack of accountability” under the present government, vowing that the ADC movement would “shock the world” by mobilising Nigerians to upstage the status quo in 2027.

“I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland,” Olusunle quoted him as saying after a private engagement with the former Vice President.

He further clarified that the coalition, which was adopted only a few months ago, could not have been expected to perform spectacularly in the by-elections that were just held. Nonetheless, he insisted that the ADC-led movement was a potent force with the capacity to deliver an upset in the next general election.

Atiku’s renewed declaration also comes amid reports suggesting that he might step back from the race. Over the weekend, Prof. Ola Olateju of Achievers University, Owo, who represented Atiku at a defection event in Lagos, had suggested that the former Vice President was more focused on building a better Nigeria than on becoming president “at all costs.”

However, Atiku has since distanced himself from Olateju’s remarks. From his holiday home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he reportedly clarified that the statement was not authorised.

“When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the instant subject. In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distill my thoughts. Prof. Olateju was not speaking for me,” Atiku was quoted as saying.

“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable.”

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Tambuwal’s Arrest a Plot to Weaken Opposition – Atiku

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of using the detention of former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a political weapon.

In a statement posted on X, Atiku described the arrest as part of a strategy by the Tinubu administration to intimidate and weaken the opposition. He alleged that the anti-graft campaign was being used to pressure opposition leaders into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“It is as though anyone who associates with the opposition is a target for phantom corruption allegations, and as soon as they are coerced into the political agenda of President Bola Tinubu, their ‘sins’ are forgiven,” Atiku said.

The former vice president, who noted he played a key role in the creation of the EFCC during his tenure, condemned what he called the agency’s partisan use. He warned that such actions undermine institutional integrity and create an enabling environment for corruption to flourish.

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2027: Obi Running with Atiku, sign of unseriousness – Keyamo

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the rumoured possibility of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi running as vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 elections.

The minister has described such a move as a sign of desperation and political inconsistency.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Monday night, Keyamo said Obi’s possible return as Atiku’s running mate, eight years after they first teamed up in 2019, would project him as “a desperate, unserious individual.”

“It is doom for them. There is no way forward for them in that coalition,” Keyamo said, in reference to opposition efforts to form a united front under the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition.

“You will now have that Obi picture of a vice-presidential candidate in 2019, presidential candidate in 2023, and again vice-presidential candidate in 2027. It gives a picture of a desperate, unserious individual.”

Obi and Atiku had first contested on a joint ticket under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, where they polled 11,262,978 votes, coming second to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 15,191,847 votes.

However, in 2023, both men went their separate ways, Atiku remaining the PDP flagbearer, while Obi defected to the Labour Party. In the 2023 election, Atiku garnered 6,984,520 votes, while Obi received 6,101,533 votes, finishing second and third respectively, behind APC’s Bola Tinubu, who won with 8,794,726 votes.

 

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2027: We will vote Atiku if Shettima is dropped – APC members threaten as Crisis rocks Party

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Tension gripped Sunday’s All Progressives Congress North‑East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe after delegates threatened to back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if current Vice President Kashim Shettima is removed from President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 ticket.

The gathering at the International Conference Centre was intended to reaffirm support for Mr. Tinubu’s second‑term bid, but erupted in chaos when Zonal Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu concluded his speech without mentioning Shettima. Video footage showed an enraged party member hurling a chair at Salihu as he fled the stage, while another delegate lobbed a plastic bucket in protest.

Salihu had told the audience, “We have no business not supporting this party with all the juicy appointments and responsibilities given to us by this government. I would want all members of the zonal executive committee to stand up so that we will do the proper endorsement, because it is the zonal executive committee that holds the ticket. We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the national working committee, that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election.”

The omission prompted a chorus of “Shettima! Shettima! Shettima!” and swift intervention by security operatives. “It’s an insult to the entire region that our own son, the Vice President, was not even mentioned,” fumed a Borno delegate. “This is a calculated attempt to sideline Shettima, and we will resist it with everything we have.”

Before the fracas, the governors of Yobe, Borno and Gombe—Mai Mala Buni, Babagana Zulum and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya—had each voiced their backing for the Tinubu‑Shettima ticket. Governor Yahaya declared, “The North‑East is fully behind the President and the Vice President. Their leadership has brought renewed hope to this region.”

LEADING REPORTERS learned that Despite that show of unity, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s closing remarks failed to quell anger. Though he acknowledged Shettima—“we are proud of his deputy, his Vice President, it is one ticket according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”—many delegates remained unconvinced and chanted, “No Shettima, no APC in the North‑East.”

Several threatened mass defection to the Peoples Democratic Party. “If Shettima is dropped, I will personally lead my people to vote for Atiku,” warned an Adamawa chieftain. “We won’t be taken for granted.”

The meeting ended abruptly as dignitaries exited amid shouts and chairs being thrown. Outside, police deployed teargas to disperse hundreds of agitated party faithful. An eyewitness, James Abass, warned, “This is more than just a misunderstanding. It’s a sign of serious internal divisions within the ruling party that could trigger mass defections or the rise of a counter‑movement if not urgently addressed.”

A source familiar with the zonal working committee disclosed that all North‑East NWC members—except Mustapha Salihu—had formally supported Tinubu and Shettima. The lone dissenting voice, the source said, was Salihu himself, against four colleagues who backed the joint ticket.

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2027: Confusion hits APC over Gov Idris’s rumoured plans to join Atiku’s coalition

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There is currently growing confusion within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State following widespread rumours that Governor Nasiru Idris may be planning to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The speculation was fueled by a viral report which named Idris among five serving APC governors who are said to be considering joining forces with the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in a bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

However, despite the report going viral on social media, the state government has remained silent on the issue for over 48 hours, fueling speculation that there might be some truth in the rumours.

The prolonged silence has intensified anxiety among party members and residents, who are now left to wonder about the political future of the governor and the state’s political dynamics.

DAILY POST observed that despite being in the opposition, the PDP has a strong presence in Kebbi State.

The three senators representing the state in the National Assembly – Adamu Aliero (North), Yahaya Abdullahi (Central) and Garba Musa Maidoki (South) – are all members of the PDP.

Amid growing uncertainty surrounding Governor Nasiru Idris’ future in the APC, former Governor Adamu Aliero continues to wield significant influence in Kebbi State politics.

Although Aliero switched to the opposition PDP, his political experience remains undeniable, with many viewing him as a key decider in the state’s electoral outcomes.

This strong representation has given the opposition party a strong foothold in Kebbi.

In the 2023 gubernatorial election, Governor Idris of the APC won by a narrow margin, securing just 52% of the votes to defeat his main rival, retired Army General Aminu Bande of the PDP.

The rumours of Governor Idris’s defection have triggered an internal crisis within the APC, with several party members expressing concern over the future direction of the party.

In particular, some top members have been reported to be in talks with opposition parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in anticipation of a possible defection by the governor.

These have led to widespread uncertainty among APC members, especially in the governor’s ward, Nassarawa II, where there is growing confusion over what lies ahead.

To quell the growing unrest, the Chairman of the APC in Kebbi State, Muhammad Zuru, issued a public statement cautioning party members against aligning with what he described as “so-called emerging political parties,” including the SDP.

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2027: PDP govs reject Atiku-led opposition coalition

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, have distanced itself from a coalition of opposition politicians.

The Forum under the leadership of the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, said it won’t join any alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

It disclosed this during a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday.

The Forum also heightened the crisis over the authentic national secretary of the party by backing the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, as Acting National Secretary.

Recall that PDP’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar had announced the birth of an opposition alliance.

The coalition is believed to include former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, among other politicians.

Atiku had said the coalition is aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The announcement of the coalition came after El-Rufai defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

El-Rufai had accused the APC of lack of internal democracy since Tinubu assumed power.

However, former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewale Adebayo, had said Atiku and Obi were in talks to join the SDP.

He said if Atiku, Obi and other prominent politicians willing to join SDP can stick to the party’s culture, they would defeat and retire Tinubu and the APC.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima said El-Rufai was Atiku’s placeholder in the SDP should the PDP deny him its presidential ticket.

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2027: I will ensure you lose again – Wike taunts Atiku

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday declared that he would ensure that former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, fails in his push for the presidency.

Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike said he has no regret that Atiku refused to pick him as his running mate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, Atiku said he had “no regrets” for ignoring Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

DAILY POST recalls that the rift between Atiku and Wike dates back to the controversial PDP primaries of 2022.

Wike had expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential slot, but Atiku picked former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Addressing why he chose Okowa over Wike, Atiku stated that he deliberately left the decision to the PDP.

They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate, so in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names,” Atiku said.

Atiku said the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in third.

“So I picked number one,” he said.

Responding, Olayinka said Wike has no regret over losing the slot to Okowa.

Posting on X, Olayinka wrote: “Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.

“Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again.”

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Atiku, El-Rufai, Tanko, Ihedioha Form Coalition To Challenge Tinubu In 2027

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has announced the formation of a new coalition of opposition political parties aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Atiku made the declaration on Thursday at a press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where he addressed journalists on behalf of the opposition leaders. The coalition, comprising key political figures, seeks to present a united front against what they describe as the president’s unconstitutional actions and governance failures.

As part of its agenda, the coalition strongly criticised President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

Atiku, flanked by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, called on the National Assembly to reject the move.

He also urged the judiciary to swiftly overturn the president’s pronouncement, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for arbitrary removal of governors in the future.

“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 he has brazenly done,” Atiku stated.

He described Tinubu’s decision as “a clear subversion of democracy and an imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government.”

The coalition urged civil society organisations, political groups, and all Nigerians to reject what they termed an assault on the Constitution and democratic institutions.

The coalition leaders pledged to engage stakeholders across party lines in preparation for 2027, signalling the beginning of an intensified political battle against Tinubu’s administration.

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