Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has renewed calls for urgent restructuring in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a united political movement to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a coalition meeting in Yola, attended by members of various political parties, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed concerns over the country’s direction.
“We need a new movement we can use to correct things; if we do not act this time, our children will become slaves in their father’s land,” Atiku stated, stressing the urgency of collective action.
He also assured his supporters that he would soon clarify his political stance.
“It is not yet time for me to speak on the politics of the country, but very soon, I will break my silence on my political position and other things that are going on wrongly in the country,” he added.
The event’s convener, Senator Elijah Abbo, affirmed Atiku’s continued leadership, saying that regardless of party affiliation, “Atiku remained their political leader.”
Addressing a crowd in Adamawa, Atiku further underscored the importance of reclaiming Nigeria’s path to progress.
“The future of our nation depends on our ability to unite and take decisive steps towards real change. Nigeria deserves better leadership that is accountable, inclusive, and focused on the people’s needs rather than the political elite,” he said.
He commended Abbo for organizing the meeting and encouraged other political leaders to intensify efforts in mobilizing support ahead of the next election cycle.
Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement strongly criticized the Tinubu administration for what it described as a “growing descent into dictatorship.”
This follows a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who warned Peter Obi to “watch his mouth” after the former presidential candidate condemned the government’s authoritarian tendencies at Emeka Ihedioha’s 60th birthday colloquium.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications and Media, Nana Kazaure, the movement denounced Onanuga’s remarks as a veiled threat.
It also questioned whether the administration had “sinister plans against opposition voices.”
The group accused the government of focusing more on “suppressing dissent than addressing the economic and security crises facing the nation.”
It warned that any harm to Obi, his family, or associates would be blamed on those issuing such threats.
“The tendency for the Tinubu administration to play the ostrich has become one of its defining characteristics,” the statement read, urging Nigerians and the international community to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable.
Meanwhile, Minister of Works David Umahi has urged South East governors to rally behind Tinubu in the 2027 election as a sign of appreciation for his administration’s support for the region’s infrastructure.
Speaking at the flag-off for the Second Niger Bridge, which will link Delta and Anambra states, Umahi praised Tinubu’s commitment to South East development.
He highlighted ongoing projects and emphasized the region’s reintegration into national politics.
“We owe Tinubu three things. One is to pray for him and his government. As you are praying for him, you also pray for the governor. If you pray six days, the seventh day, you join me, you add me in the prayer,” Umahi stated.
He also called for unwavering support for the President, urging Ndigbo to distance themselves from dissenting voices.
“The second one is to support him. If our disgruntled brothers are criticising, we must say no, they don’t represent us. I thank Ndigbo; when there was a demonstration, the last one, the entire Igbo, whether in Nigeria or outside, said no. We didn’t demonstrate again. We have woken up to support the central government, and we have been reintegrated into the central government, and we are benefiting,” he added.
