Politics
Atiku Bombs Tinubu Over Violence In Osun State
The widespread violence which engulfed Osun State over Local Government Election, marked by bloodshed over the weekend, is being widely condemned in Nigeria’s political circles.
In frowning at the aberration, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s November 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar insisted that “the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs”.
The former vice president of Nigeria, vented his anger on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement on his social media handles/pages on Tuesday, insinuating that that level of violence would not have been possible without the backing of the APC at national level.
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He asserted that “Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honored warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
Atiku commended the people of Osun State for displaying courage in defence of democracy and the rights to choose their leaders.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression,” he stated.
Atiku wrote, “Nigerians bore witness to a chilling display of lawlessness yesterday, as the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs — through sheer political brigandage and the subversion of democracy.
“In Osun State, the APC orchestrated a full-scale assault on the democratic process, attempting to hijack the local government elections through brute force. Armed thugs and mercenaries, operating under the party’s protection, launched an audacious bid to seize control of all 30 local government area council secretariats. And yet, the so-called national leadership of the APC and the presidency watched in complicit silence.
“Had it not been for the fearless resistance of Osun people — who stood their ground against the APC’s rampaging foot soldiers — democracy in the state would have been trampled under the boots of political marauders acting at the behest of their party’s overlords.
“Let this be clear: Osun State will never bow to anti-democratic forces. The people have shown beyond doubt that they will not allow their electoral rights to be stolen, no matter the level of intimidation.
“We demand that security agencies deployed for Saturday’s elections uphold their constitutional duty with professionalism, refusing to be used as enforcers of APC’s criminal agenda. The world is watching.
“These are dangerous times. The APC has abandoned any pretence of democratic legitimacy, resorting instead to brute force in its bid to cling to power — even as the people have overwhelmingly rejected it.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression.
“Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honored warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
“President Bola A. Tinubu and his dwindling band of enablers must cease their reckless acts of political sabotage — not just in Osun or Lagos, but across Nigeria. The people demand governance, not chaos. Nigerians will not sit idly while their democracy is hijacked by a power-drunk regime intent on setting the country on fire.
“Enough is enough. –AA”
The judge to whom the suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was assigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja has stepped down from the matter.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu made the disclosure on Tuesday, in Abuja, explaining that his decision was informed by a petition questioning his impartiality, which was submitted by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The matter had been scheduled for hearing, however, when the court clerk called it up, the judge held that he was stepping aside.
He said he would return the case file to the Chief Judge, who would assign it to another judge.
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Recall that on March 4, 2025 Justice Egwuatu issued an interim order stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The embattled senator was accused of violating the Senate’s rules.
The judge ruled that the disciplinary process should be stood down, until the case was decided.
He also gave the defendants 72 hours to explain why the court should not stop them from investigating the senator without following the rules laid out in the 1999 Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
In addition, Justice Egwuatu allowed the senator to serve legal documents on the defendants using substituted means.
The court ordered that the documents be given to the Clerk of the National Assembly or pasted at the National Assembly premises.
They were also to be published in two national newspapers.
The interim order came after the senator filed an urgent application.
However, despite the court’s ruling, the Senate Committee still held its meeting and suspended her for six months.
Later, after the defendants applied, Justice Egwuatu amended his earlier order.
He removed the part that prevented the Senate from taking any action while the case was ongoing.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, questioned the court’s authority to interfere in Senate affairs.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that decisive action was necessary to prevent further deterioration of the crisis.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, stressed that no responsible government would sit back and allow instability to escalate unchecked.
“President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria. The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in public purview,” Major said.
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He added that the decision to suspend the state government was based on the severity of the crisis, which could have worsened without swift intervention.
“The government in Rivers was suspended, and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.
“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize,” he stated.
Major described the security situation in Rivers State as unacceptable, warning that it posed a threat to lives and property.
He defended President Tinubu’s leadership style, noting that making tough decisions, even when unpopular, was a mark of true governance.
“It was a difficult decision to remove the oil subsidy; one that no previous administration was willing to make, whether right or wrong. Tinubu took that step, and we are gradually emerging from the crisis, moving forward for the better,” he explained.
According to him, the government must have had access to intelligence beyond what was available in the public domain before making its decision.
“Six months or less of the emergency rule is in the interest of Rivers residents, democracy, and Nigeria. It is our hope that indigenes of the state shall be streetwise and disregard those with personal interests, who are crying foul,” Major added.
The NNPP chairman urged Nigerian leaders to be mindful of their statements, warning that inflammatory remarks could worsen tensions in Rivers State and affect national stability.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda for a greater Nigeria should be our focus. It is centered on hard work, trust, science and technology, agriculture, education, the rule of law, and more. Focus should be on constructive criticism that will make for greater performance,” he advised.
Addressing concerns about Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s involvement in Rivers politics, Major argued that Wike, as a former governor and indigene, naturally has interests in the state.
“Wike as a minister is neither the Inspector General of Police, Chairman of EFCC, Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Judge of the Federation, nor President of Nigeria. If our institutions are not compliant with their statutory functions, why can’t we leave Wike alone to live his life?”
He also emphasized that while opposition to government is vital for democracy, it must be constructive and aimed at fostering good governance.
“Opposition to the government at the center is the lifeblood of democracy and a catalyst for good governance when it is constructive and aimed at enhancing productivity.
“However, if opposition simply means dismissing everything the government does as wrong, then something is definitely amiss,” Major concluded.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has expressed solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, vented this in a statement in Benin City on Thursday night, asserting that his principal was not consulted by his colleagues in the South-South Governors’ Forum before going public with their view.
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Itua wrote, “The position by the Governors of the South-South, opposing the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, did not get the nod of Governor Okpebholo. Governor Okpebholo was neither consulted nor informed.
“While Governor Monday Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other Governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however dissociates himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake.
“Governor Okpebholo supports actions so far taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone.”
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