Politics
Atiku, Obi condemn Tinubu over decline of June 12 democratic values
Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have accused President Tinubu of betraying June 12 ideals and dismantling Nigeria’s democracy
Atiku Obi condemn Tinubu in scathing Democracy Day statements, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of betraying the spirit of June 12 and dismantling Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
Also read: June 12: Lagos Speaker Praises President Tinubu’s Achievements, Calls for Civic Engagement
Both opposition leaders painted a bleak picture of the nation’s political direction, saying the country can no longer be called a functioning democracy under the current government.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the Tinubu administration as the worst period in Nigeria’s democratic journey, alleging a slide towards one-party dictatorship. According to him, the progress made since the return to civilian rule in 1999 is being systematically undone.
He claimed that Nigerians today are subjected not to governance but to domination, and warned that the country is edging dangerously close to authoritarianism.
Atiku recalled his personal sacrifices for Nigeria’s democracy, including stepping down for the late MKO Abiola in the 1993 election, which symbolised the birth of modern democratic aspirations in Nigeria.
He paid tribute to fallen pro-democracy figures such as Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Alfred Rewane, warning that their legacy is being trampled by the current regime’s actions.
Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Nigeria no longer meets the basic criteria of a democratic state.
He said none of the key elements of democracy—government of, by, and for the people—exist today. Obi accused the government of enabling electoral fraud, economic mismanagement, and the erosion of public institutions.
He listed stark economic indicators to illustrate the depth of national decline, including a drop in Nigeria’s GDP from \$364 billion in 2023 to \$188 billion, and a fall in per capita income from \$1,640 to \$835. He also noted a surge in poverty, with 129 million Nigerians now living below the poverty line, and 75 percent of rural residents classified as poor.
Obi criticised the Federal Government for focusing on controlling the narrative rather than solving problems, accusing it of gaslighting the public and shifting blame.
He lamented the condition of education, pointing to 18.3 million out-of-school children and poor infrastructure that forces students to take exams under candlelight.
Also read: Atiku reportedly offers Peter Obi VP slot in 2027 coalition bid
Both leaders called for a return to the values of June 12 and urged Nigerians to resist what they see as a deepening democratic crisis. They pledged to continue advocating for a government that respects the will and welfare of its people.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal Signs Peace Accord Ahead of 2027 Elections, Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Poll
Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, has signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, reaffirming the importance of peaceful political participation, mutual respect, and democratic responsibility.
The signing, which took place at the invitation of the Nigeria Police at its headquarters in Gusau Zamfara State, brought together all candidates contesting in the forthcoming elections. Speaking to newsmen after the exercise, Governor Lawal described himself as a peace-loving person and expressed satisfaction with the process, expressing optimism that the 2027 election would be violence-free.
“We need to understand where we are and the responsibility on us that are running for the election,” the Governor said.
He advised youths to stay clear of violence and warned them against allowing themselves to be used as tools by politicians to foment chaos during the election season.
“It is important to know that violence is not the way forward; going round carrying weapons is not the way forward. We should be able to conduct ourselves peacefully during the campaign and election period,” he said.
Governor Lawal also appealed to politicians across the country to remain law-abiding, noting that doing so makes the electoral process seamless.
As political activities gather momentum, the message from the signing remains clear: political competition must never come at the expense of peace, unity and the safety of citizens. Zamfara, according to the Governor’s camp, deserves an election defined by ideas, credible processes, and the will of the people not violence, intimidation or division.
The Governor’s supporters expressed optimism that his achievements will speak for him, stressing that good governance and the dividends of democracy should never be taken for granted. They argued that Zamfara needs continuity to consolidate the gains already made and sustain the progress being recorded across the state.
A group, the Imo First Group (IFG) has described the purported Magistrate court order to arrest Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and the former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, over alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery, as a ruse and fake news
The group stated this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
IFG challenged those peddling the fake news to make the court order public.
The statement reads ” The fabricated and concocted story was first posted on social media by Hon. Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, a media aide to Governor Hope Uzodimma, before it was picked up by other media outfits, including Arise TV.
According to the statement, those behind the report claimed that a Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja issued a Bench Warrant dated September 9, 2026, following a petition written by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State, Barr. Chukwuemeka Ibejiako, to the Police and DSS on October 8, 2026, over alleged presentation of fake APC primary results.
The Group debunked the existence of any such order.
“We want to state categorically and unequivocally that no jSenior Magistrate ordered or issued any bench warrant for the arrest of Araraume”
IFG however challenged anyone in possession of the purported court order to publish it.
“If you claim to have a court order present same for the public to see,
“This fabricated bench warrant contain in the report is filled with inconsistencies, the bench warrant was dated September 9, 2026, while the REC’s petition that supposedly triggered it was dated October 8, 2026, with case number CR/M/084/2026.
The statement further stated that the purveyors and harbinger of the fake news tried to trick the magistrate via exparte order but was rebuked
“The magistrate bluntly refused to grant their exparte and threatened to arrest them, yet they carried their falsehood about. What’s the problem of occupants of office that never won free and fair elections and tried to destroy reputable Imo sons that have won elections. We challenge anyone in this macabre surugede dance to show the court order or warrant of arrest. It’s preposterous to blackmail decent Imo sons on the altar of dirty politics.”
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