Senator Akume made the clarification on Tuesday while responding to questions during the World Press Conference held in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day Anniversary.

The SGF recalled that the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history and won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, necessitated far-reaching political decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening the country’s democratic foundation.

According to him, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to deliberate on the way forward, with power shift and the party’s presidential candidature featuring prominently on the agenda.

“It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this. June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing. It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South.

“Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement,” Senator Akume stated.

The SGF explained that the decision to alternate presidential power between the North and the South emerged from the need to address the political consequences of the June 12 annulment and to promote inclusiveness and national cohesion.

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Senator Akume described the annulment as a painful setback to the democratic aspirations of Nigerians, noting that the election was adjudged free, fair and credible.

“Abiola won that election round and square. That election was annulled by the military government. It was very painful because the people spoke and they spoke freely. They made their own choice,” he said.

He added that one of the most enduring lessons from the June 12 experience is the supremacy of the people’s will in a democratic society.

“The first lesson is that the voice of the people must always be supreme; it must be sacrosanct. That’s the beauty of democracy. We prefer the ballot to bullets,” he said.

Senator Akume expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the country has learnt valuable lessons from the events of 1993 and would never allow a repeat of such an annulment.

“If an election is conducted very fairly, and one wins no problem. The actors at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are not young people, they were adults when this thing happened. If we were to take a poll at that time, over two thirds of Nigerians would have condemned that act of annulment.

“Fortunately, for us, those at INEC are men of honour and integrity, they are well read that patriotic Nigerians, and they’re determined to also make a difference. Never again would such happen in this country.
You win, you win. When you lose, go back and prepare for another election. Look at the American example. President Trump lost to Joe Biden. He didn’t bring America down.
He went back prepared and came back and won. That’s the beauty of democracy.

“We have decided to embrace democracy. That is why, for 27 broken years, we are enjoying this freedom in a democratic setting. We love the values and the morals of democracy, and there is no system that is as beautiful as democracy.

“It is under a democratic system that you can insult your president and to insult anybody and still go to bed, and you don’t receive a midnight knock on your door. Try it under a totalitarian regime.” Akume stated.

He urged political actors to embrace democratic principles, respect electoral outcomes and continue to strengthen the nation’s democratic culture.

The SGF further noted that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule underscore the country’s commitment to democratic values, freedom of expression, the rule of law and peaceful political participation.

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Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Okonkwo addressed growing speculation that Obi could exit the ADC if he fails to secure the party’s presidential ticket. He cautioned that such a move would raise serious concerns about Obi’s political consistency and long-term commitment.

According to Okonkwo, any aspirant who leaves the ADC after witnessing ongoing coalition-building efforts risks being labeled politically unstable. He argued that repeatedly switching political platforms in pursuit of ambition could damage public perception, describing such politicians as “political wanderers.”

Okonkwo further claimed that abandoning the ADC project at this stage could indirectly strengthen the re-election chances of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He suggested that such an action might be interpreted by observers as working against opposition unity or even being compromised.

The comments come amid ongoing discussions about opposition alliances and the search for a strong platform capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027. While Obi has not confirmed any intention to leave the ADC, the speculation continues to generate reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape.

With opposition unity seen as a critical factor in the upcoming elections, Okonkwo’s remarks highlight the growing tensions and strategic calculations shaping the race toward 2027.

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Mustapha, who served in Buhari’s administration, said the former president had already built a formidable and loyal support base long before the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the book launch by Garba Shehu, a former aide to Buhari, he noted that Buhari commanded a consistent voter base of nearly 12 million people, mainly from the North, which existed independently of Tinubu’s political structure.

“President Buhari was a political force on his own. His supporters were deeply rooted and consistent even before the APC came into existence,” Mustapha stated, dismissing Tinubu’s repeated claims—made prominently during his 2022 campaign—that he “made Buhari president.”

Interestingly, Boss Mustapha is among the northern political figures reportedly listed as a potential vice presidential candidate by Tinubu before he eventually settled for Kashim Shettima. His growing criticism of the current administration has therefore sparked speculation about deeper fractures within the ruling party.

Buhari’s allies and appointees are said to be aligning with a new opposition front, which has reportedly adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

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In a statement he shared on social media platform “X” wrote: “Coming days after he made an equally reckless allegation against the President on the crude for loan deal for NNPC Limited, his latest statement fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman.

“We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu.

“President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabouts. He announced a private visit to France and announced a return date.

“While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home and he is on top of the situation in the country. Today’s inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum wage bore his imprimatur .

“He is in constant touch with his officials and security chiefs and has directed them to stamp out every form of criminality in the country.

“He has particularly ordered them to apprehend those criminals responsible for the murder of two monarchs in Ekiti State and the kidnapping of some pupils in the state.

We are already seeing results with the arrest of over 139 kidnappers around Abuja, Kaduna and Benue States in the last one week. The police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and DSS have also rescued 154 abducted persons in the last few days.

Just last week President Tinubu approved N50billion as Special Fund to address some of the lingering security challenges in North East where Alhaji Atiku hails from. To cope with the kidnapping challenges in the FCT, President Tinubu also approved funds for the acquisition of equipment to track criminals.

If Alhaji Atiku is really concerned about security issues and not playing cheap politics, he should have known that President Tinubu is on top of issues and working hard to restore peace to every part of our country.

Our security agencies are working very hard to bring the security situation under control. President Tinubu is giving them all the necessary support they need to win the battle against criminal elements and secure every inch of our country.

The post Atiku Is Still Nursing Hangover Of Electoral Defeat – Bayo Onanuga appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Peter Obi of the Labour (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed the appeals after the PEPC judgment.

Citing section 182 of the Electoral Ect, Justice Okoro says Atiku failed to apply to the court to amend his petition to bring fresh evidence against Tinubu.

Justice Okoro noted that Atiku’s attempt to introduce fresh evidence with a view to extend the time to adjudicate the case is unfortunate.

Consequently, he said, since the Presidential Election Petition Court has no jurisdiction to entertain fresh evidence, the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to accept fresh evidence.

He said it has to be noted that the 180 days imposed is immutable, and cannot be extended.

According to him, on this application, fresh evidence is not received as a matter of cause.

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Fayose, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealed that he worked against Atiku “100%” because the “PDP has not been fair to me”.

The PDP stalwart said he worked for the victory of the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, in Ekiti in the last general elections.

“I never worked for PDP during the last election. I cannot work for two people at the same time,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.

“The reality is that I worked for Asiwaju (Tinubu). He is a respectable person from the South-West. It is the time of the South.”

The ex-governor, and member of an aggrieved group within the PDP known as the G5 or the Integrity Group, said his party played games with Nigerians by giving its presidential ticket to Atiku, an ex-Vice President who is from Adamawa State in North-East Nigeria.

The post I Supported Tinubu In 2023 Elections, Worked Against Atiku – Fayose appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

A close aide of the deceased, Godwin Omonya, who confirmed the death to journalists said Zhin, who was a former chairman of Kuje area council of the FCT, died in the early hours of Sunday, at a private hospital in Abuja.

Omonya, who was also the special adviser on Media and Publicity to the former chairman said Zhin had been hospitalised for over a month as a result of ailment and died early hours of Sunday.

He disclosed that the remains of the deceased have been deposited at a hospital morgue in Abuja by family members.

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Tinubu wrote on his verified Twitter account: “Oluremi and I send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to David, Chioma, and the entire Adeleke family over the tragic loss of their son, Ifeanyi. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May the Lord grant them the fortitude and strength to deal with this painful tragedy.”

In his message, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi prayed that God grant Davido and his partner Chioma healing.

“I send my sincere condolences to Davido and Chioma, over the death of their son Ifeanyi. I cannot begin to imagine the pains they are going through at the moment. May God grant them healing, strength, and comfort in this trying time. My thoughts and prayers are with the family,” the former Anambra State governor wrote on his verified Twitter page.

Meanwhile, the police said about eight domestic workers of the singer have been invited for questioning.

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PDP Caretaker Chairman in the state, Adekunle Akindele in a condolence message to the Adeleke family on Tuesday described the incident as “a very sad occurrence”.

Akindele directed all party organs and committees to suspend activities in commiseration with the family.

“Our condolence goes to Davido, our youth ambassador. We commiserate with our father figure, Dr. Deji Adeleke, and the entire Adeleke family. We pray the good Lord to grant the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Akindele said.

Ifeanyi Adeleke drowned on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed his condolence message to the Adeleke family.

My thoughts and prayers are with Davido and Chioma and the Adeleke family at this time. I pray for God to strengthen and comfort them. -AA

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) November 1, 2022

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Ndukwe, who was the former deputy speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, whose name didn’t appear in the suit, confirmed to Sunday Vanguard, in an interview that he instituted the case.

Prior to Ndukwe’s admittance, Wike had on Friday denied instituting any case to court against the party. Also Chieftains of the PDP including Iyorcha Ayu, its national chairman and Jerry Gana, former minister of information, had issued statements absolving Wike from the court case quagmire.

However, Ndukwe said: “That suit they are saying Wike went to court is my suit. Wike did not go to any court. It’s I that went to court because PDP violated its constitution. The matter is now at the Supreme Court. The court processes were served on the necessary parties on Thursday. That’s why they thought it was Wike”.

He said he thought PDP had learnt its lessons on the consequences of impunity but regretted that the party still violated its constitution because of vested interest of some people.

The alleged plaintiff, who is also a former general manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, vowed that the party should not be allowed to get away with the gross violation of its constitution.

He argued that nobody compelled PDP to factor in zoning in its constitution, and insisted that the party must be made to obey its constitution not minding who it favoured.

“We decided to move to the Supreme Court. The apex court will hear the matter and decide within 45 days”, he stated.

“I am very optimistic that the Supreme Court will give its judgment based on equity and justice. It is a constitutional matter and nobody will violate the constitution and be allowed to go free.

“How can PDP not obey the constitution it made for itself? Now they are claiming they are operating the Nigerian constitution that allows for freedom of association. But the question is: was the party forced to make its constitution that recognised zoning?

“You know there is Nigerian Constitution that allows for freedom of association and you decided to make your constitution which of course is binding on you.

“PDP agreed on zoning even when other parties were not interested in it, and the party has always respected it. You said zoning is for fairness and equity, so, why is it at this point that PDP wants to throw away zoning?

“The party used the same zoning in selecting its hierarchy but when it came to presidential candidates it jettisoned zoning.

“Now, every serious position in PDP is occupied by northerners. The North has the presidential candidate, National Chairman, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Where is South in all these? The South, especially South East, is totally out of the game.

“Atiku is even thinking of picking his Campaign Director General from the West. So, where is South-East in PDP which the zone invested so much to form and incubated?”

Realnews reports that in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, listed Wike and Newgent Ekamon, a chieftain of the PDP,  as plaintiffs while the originating summons, had PDP as the first defendants and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the second. Tambuwal and Atiku were listed as the third and fourth defendants, respectively.

Ekamon want the court to determine eight points including whether the transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku in the primary was illegal and void.

According to him, he took Atiku and PDP to court for gross violation of the party’s constitution on zoning. Over the years, he said that the PDP enshrined zoning in its constitution to ensure equity and justice but expressed shock that the party for no justifiable reasons decided to jettison zoning in choosing its presidential flag bearer for 2023.

The former chief of staff to Abia State governor said he had before the primaries gone to court to challenge the refusal of the party to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

According to him,when the matter was decided in his favour at the High Court, the defendants appealed the judgement at the Court of Appeal which overturned the decision of the High Court.

The former Commissioner for Trade and Industry in Abia State said he decided to take the matter to the apex court for final determination.

He said the necessary parties were on Thursday served with the court processes, adding that it was likely that some people misunderstood it and attributed it to Wike.

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