Tag:

Atiku

2027: Atiku visits Obasanjo as politicians begin early preparations

by Folarin Kehinde February 10, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is currently meeting with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Atiku’s convoy arrived at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, at exactly 12:36pm.

The former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party was received by Obasanjo’s ally, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe.

In Atiku’s entourage were, former Governors of Cross River and Sokoto States, Liyel Imoke, Senator Aminu Tambuwal and Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi.

Daily Trust reports that Atiku went in straight into a closed door meeting with his former boss.

Details later…

February 10, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Atiku, Tambuwal, El-Rufai Indicted in Plot to Overthrow President Tinubu

by Folarin Kehinde January 29, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and other prominent politicians have been accused of planning to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

The allegation was made by a group known as Joint Action on Democracy (JAD).

According to JAD, these politicians are aggrieved because President Tinubu has initiated reforms that are already showing positive results. The group believes that this has made the politicians realize they have no chance of winning the next general elections, even if they work together.

JAD specifically mentioned that Atiku, El-Rufai, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Abubakar Malami are involved in this alleged plot.

The group warned that these politicians should be held accountable for any harm they cause to the country.

“We have also seen in the past how the likes of Atiku and Obi incited public sentiments against the government, something they will continue to do irrespective of who occupies the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are further concerned that given utterances from the recent meeting at which these people alluded to a ‘weak government’, desperate attempts to cobble together an alliance that is doomed to fail, and baseless attacks on the government, this collection of politicians are up to mischief that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement added.

The group also criticized Tambuwal’s role in the rise of banditry during his time as Sokoto State governor. Similarly, they condemned El-Rufai’s alleged payment of millions of naira to herders, which they believe contributed to the emergence of kidnap for ransom and banditry in the country.

JAD accused the opposition politicians of planning to replicate a failed state scenario on a national scale.

The group called on the authorities to place these politicians, particularly El-Rufai, on a watchlist to prevent any attempt to destabilize the country.

January 29, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Move to Frustrate Atiku’s Chances Begins as Pro-Wike PDP Faction Looks to North for Makinde’s 2027 Running Mate

by Folarin Kehinde October 22, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

There are indications that top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, have initiated a clandestine move to edge out former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the 2027 presidential race.

Instead, they are backing Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to battle with Bola Tinubu who is expected to seek reelection.

The pro-Wike faction, comprising members of the National Working Committee, has begun pushing for Makinde’s candidacy, citing Atiku’s perceived weaknesses.

Atiku’s decision to protect former PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu during the “Ayu-must-go” campaign has not been forgiven by some party chieftains. They believe Atiku’s actions cost the party the 2023 presidential election, lost by a margin of just over one million votes.

Atiku’s age is seen as a liability, making him less sellable in 2027. According to the group, there is a need for a younger, more vibrant candidate like Makinde has become apparent. Makinde’s capacity, being a Christian and a Southerner, is also said to make him an attractive option. Furthermore, Atiku’s perceived lack of sincerity in winning the presidency has fueled the move against him.

“Every election cycle, you will be given a presidential ticket; you will bungle it. Look at the mess that he caused for us at the 2023 election. What was difficult in going to kneel before the aggrieved five governors (G-5) and winning the election for us?

“Now, it is one of those same men you cried about that is giving you a problem. He could have waited till after the election and deceived Wike as (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo did during his time. Atiku was not serious and sincere about winning that presidency,” a source said.

“The same (Iyorchia) Ayu he was protecting told us during the campaign that both Atiku and Tinubu are his friends. But you were there playing politics like a greenhorn.

“Just because of Ayu, you sacrificed five governors. There was no way those five governors would not have changed the story for us. We lost the presidential election by less or a little over one million votes.

“That is why we are seeking a way out. Nobody can just be coming and using the PDP to experiment every four years. For now, we are supporting Seyi Makinde. Let this aspiration go to the South West this time. Makinde has shown capacity. He is a Christian and a Southerner.

“Let us try the other side of the country for a change. Seyi is young and vibrant. He can connect with both the young and old. We only need to get a powerful northern candidate for him, and he is good to go,” an NWC member disclosed.

The pro-Wike faction is now scouting for a powerful northern running mate to pair with Makinde.

October 22, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

PDP Postpones NEC Meeting As WIKE, ATIKU Crisis Deepens

by Folarin Kehinde August 9, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caucus meeting, following the protracted rift between its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

The meetings of the two critical organs were originally scheduled to hold tomorrow and Thursday.

A statement by the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said ponement was due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

He said new dates for the meetings would be announced in due course.

Although the secretary did not disclose the “unforeseen circumstances” that warranted the postponement, party sources said the decision was informed by a hardline position taken by the Rivers State governor in the ongoing effort to reconcile him with Atiku.

Among other demands, the Wike camp has called on the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to step aside and allow one of his deputies from the South to take the office.

The demand is being made in view of the fact that the PDP presidential candidate, the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Chairman are all from the North.

A source said the invitation extended to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu by Wike to commission projects in Rivers State ruffled some feathers in the top party hierarchy of the PDP.

According to the source, Wike’s decision to invite the Lagos State governor, who is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to commission projects in a PDP-controlled state, was meant to spite the party leadership.

Wike had on July 8, received three APC governors – Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Sanwo-Olu – a few days after Atiku announced Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

PDP stakeholders are said to be uncomfortable with the latter-day hobnobbing of the Rivers governor with APC chieftains, especially close allies of the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Wike was reportedly favoured by some highly placed PDP stakeholders and powerful interest groups for the party’s vice-presidential slot.

But Atiku on June 16, announced Okowa as his running mate, against a recommendation by a selection committee, which tipped Wike for the position.

Atiku had won the May 29 PDP presidential primary with 371 votes while Wike came second with 237 votes.

UNDERATE RIVERS AT YOUR PERIL, WIKE WARNS

Wike yesterday vowed that anybody undervaluing his state’s political capability would be taught a painful lesson in 2023.

He spoke in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines junction) Flyover by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to him, the dynamics of contemporary politics had made it unpopular to just gift votes away without the assurance of derivable benefit for the people.

Wike said: “If you say Rivers State does not matter, Rivers State will tell you that you don’t also matter at the appropriate time. If you don’t like us, we will not like you. If you like us, we will like you.

“Nobody will use our votes for nothing. Our votes will matter and Rivers State must benefit from anybody that we are going to support.

“Politics now is no longer just voting for somebody; it is about what you will do for the people of Rivers State.”

He said it would be difficult for any conspirator to upset the voting pattern of Rivers State and support for the PDP.

The governor added that those who looted the treasury of the state would not be supported to become Rivers State governor.

He said: “Those who looted the treasury of the State will not come here to be governor of Rivers State and I have challenged them.

“I am fully in charge. I am not that kind of governor people will go to Abuja and hold meetings against. I am fully in charge here.”

Wike also berated a columnist, Mr. Yemi Adebowale over an article titled, “Wike, a Governor Possessed By Spirit of Flyovers.”

He said the writer goofed on claims the governor was building flyovers at the expense of pension gratuities, salaries and promotion arrears to civil servants.

He further explained that the invitation of the Lagos State Governor was not the first time persons of other political parties were urged to inaugurate projects in Rivers State.

Sanwo-Olu, who inaugurated the flyover, commended Wike for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State.

He said: “I would like to specially commend my brother, Governor Wike, for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State, a commitment that has been recognized by all and sundry, and which has earned him the appellation of ‘Mr. Projects’ within and outside Rivers State.”

Sanwo-Olu said though he and Wike belonged to different political persuasions, the invitation extended to him sent a very strong message that politicians and political leaders, could come together across political and ideological divides, for the good of the people.

He said: “There is also a strong message being made today about expanding our capacity to play politics without bitterness. This symbolic gesture by my friend and brother is one that should become standard practice across Nigeria.

“There is also a lot that we can learn from one another, and experience that we can translate from one part of the country to the other.

Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dakorinama George-Kelly said the project had been completed on schedule with specified quality.

He said: “The project has an overall length of 840 meters and the overall cross-sectional width of 17.6meters, 7.3 meters on each lane. It has a one-meter walkway on both sides and two meters of media. We have a total asphaltic pavement area of 29000 square meters.”

Source: NigeriaDispatch

August 9, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Just In: Atiku picks Okowa as running mate

by Folarin Kehinde June 16, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has emerged as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Mr. Okowa’s nomination was announced and confirmed by Atiku himself on Thursday at an unveiling event of his running mate held in Abuja.

Atiku while speaking on his choice said his Vice President must fulfill the qualities to be president and one that could complement him as a President.

He added that he should symbolize the quality to unite Nigeria, who is not afraid to speak and give advice on governance in the country.

He also added that his running mate must understand what he described as the depth of rots in the Nigerian system, with understanding of critical needs of economic growth.

Following the announcement, Okowa will thereafter be screened by a committee already setup for that purpose.

Recall that Wike, who has been the foreman in the radar of the PDP heavyweights was speculated to be selected as the vice presidential candidate of the main opposition party, was rumoured to have been selected as Atiku’s running mate.

But the party, yesterday (Wednesday), dismissed reports that its Selection Committee has settled for the Rivers State governor as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

June 16, 2022 0 comments

Newer Posts

Older Posts