In a statement issued by his media office, Atiku argued that the return of the girls should not be celebrated as an achievement, but rather as a stark illustration of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity. He referred to the situation as “not a trophy moment,” but a “clear indication that terrorists now operate with impunity, negotiating openly and dictating terms, while this administration merely issues press releases to save face.”

Atiku’s comments were a direct response to statements made by Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, during an interview onNational Television, Onanuga had praised the role of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military in tracking the kidnappers in real time and facilitating the girls’ release without paying a ransom.

“The security forces know the bandits operating in that area, they know where they are, and they know the risk of collateral damage,” Onanuga said, defending the government’s actions. He added that security personnel must carefully balance their operations to avoid harm to civilians.

However, Atiku rejected Onanuga’s narrative, calling it a “shameful attempt to whitewash a national tragedy” and mask the government’s incompetence.

“If, as Onanuga claims, the DSS and military could ‘track’ the kidnappers in real time and ‘made contact’ with them, then why were these criminals not neutralized or arrested on the spot?” Atiku asked. “Why is the government boasting about talking to terrorists instead of eliminating them? Why has kidnapping become just another routine phone call between criminals and state officials?”

READ ALSO:

ATIKU: ADC COALITION WILL DEFEND NIGERIANS AGAINST ‘EMERGING DICTATORSHIP’

He added that the administration’s explanation suggested that “terrorists and bandits have become an alternative government, negotiating, collecting ransom, and walking away untouched, while the presidency celebrates their compliance.”

Atiku further emphasized that no responsible government would applaud itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance, nor would it congratulate itself for allowing criminals to remain free to continue their operations.

The abduction occurred on November 17, when gunmen attacked the school in Maga, killing one staff member and kidnapping 25 students from their dormitory. One girl managed to escape, leaving 24 girls in captivity until their release on Tuesday.

In response to the release, President Bola Tinubu expressed relief that all 24 girls had been accounted for, praising the efforts of security agencies. A statement issued by Onanuga emphasized that the federal government would continue to prioritize security operations in troubled areas and urged for an increased presence of security forces in regions facing similar threats.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris also confirmed that no ransom had been paid, crediting the release to the coordinated efforts of security agencies.

Source: Punch

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This signals a major development in Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku’s defection was confirmed by Abdul Rasheeth, an aide to the former vice president, in a statement obtained by journalists.

Read Also: ADC Explains Absence of Atiku and Obi at Secretariat Launch

Videos and photos from the event showed Atiku’s convoy arriving in the town to the cheers of supporters, who beat drums, sang, and carried placards with his image.

In a brief X post on his handle shorty after his registration, Atiku wrote,” It’s official. -AA”

The post Ex Vice President, Atiku Formally Joins ADC appeared first on Afinju FM.

Sani, in a post via his official X handle said it would be extremely difficult to defeat the former vice president in a party primary.

He wrote, “His Excellency the Waziri reportedly said he would step aside if a younger candidate wins the primaries… The keyword here is PRIMARIES… It’s easier for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle than to beat the Waziri in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people.”

In an interview, Atiku stated that he would withdraw from the race and support a younger candidate if he was defeated in the ADC primaries, pledging his support for the winner.

“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” Atiku had said.

Read Also: Atiku Slams Govt Over El-Rufai Summon

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party however, could not confirm whether he would contest the presidency again.

“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” Atiku said.

Source: Punch

The post Shehu Sani: Defeating Atiku In Primaries Will Be Tougher appeared first on Afinju FM.

In a statement after meeting with Senator Aminu Tambuwal and former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, Abubakar said opposition leaders are committed to “rescuing democracy” in Nigeria.

“We will be unrelenting in defending the rights of every Nigerian being harassed by anti-democratic forces,” he said. “The coalition we are building is aimed at freeing our democracy from the stranglehold of this emerging dictatorship.”

Read Also: 2027 Election: Atiku Makes Fresh Bid For Presidency

He cited police invitations to former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai and ADC leaders, an attack on Malami’s convoy, and the disruption of a Katsina Elders Forum meeting as signs of a disturbing trend.

“These are not isolated incidents,” Abubakar said.

Source: TheCable

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Describing the incidents as a “coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices,” Atiku warned that Nigeria risks slipping into authoritarian rule if such actions persist.

“These are not isolated incidents,” he said. “They represent a troubling pattern of repression, targeting opposition figures and civic engagement. Dissent is vital to democracy. Criminalising opposition and using security agencies to silence reformist voices undermines our democratic foundations.”

Atiku stressed that defending democracy must go beyond partisan lines, urging Nigerians to recognise the urgency of preserving civic freedoms.

Read Also: Atiku delays ADC membership card collection

“Power is transient, but history will harshly judge those who wield it against the people,” he said. “Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just the ruling party.”

His comments follow growing concerns over the alleged use of security forces to suppress political opposition and gatherings, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

El-Rufai had recently accused the police of halting a scheduled ADC meeting in Kaduna, citing a violation of constitutional freedoms. Similar disruptions and attacks have also been reported in Katsina and elsewhere.

Source: Punch

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The 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a key promoter of the ADC opposition coalition, announced his plans to contest again through his spokesperson, Tunde Olusunle, during an interview.

“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned to. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable. Atiku said.

“The accompanying deceit, the loss of values, the mega-scale, unimpeded thievery and the absolute lack of accountability must disturb every concerned patriot. I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland,” Mr Olusunle quoted Atiku as having said, after conferring with him.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of doubts about whether the former vice-president would throw his hat in the ring again.

Read Also: Atiku Denies Desperation for Nigeria’s Presidency

Some of his allies had previously claimed that Atiku might be taking a step back from the election.

Recently, Ola Olateju, a professor, who represented Atiku at an ADC event in Lagos to receive defectors into the coalition, hinted that the former vice-president was no longer interested in contesting. This had generated speculations that Atiku might play a backseat role in brokering unity within the opposition rather than actively pursuing the presidency.

However, Atiku’s declaration is also expected to complicate ongoing negotiations within the ADC-led coalition, which is struggling to balance regional power demands and the ambitions of its leading members.

While the former vice president is positioning himself as the coalition’s northern candidate, former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, both of whom have declared their interest in contesting, are pushing for the presidential ticket to be zoned to the south.

Source: PremiumTimes

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Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar led a delegation of prominent political figures on a courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

According to Atiku, the visit was solely to extend Sallah greetings and not politically motivated or related to ongoing talks about a possible coalition among opposition parties.

The visit has generated interest among political observers, especially with the 2027 general elections at the corner.

The delegation included former governors of Kaduna and Sokoto states, Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal, among other notable politicians.

Atiku clarified that his delayed visit was due to his responsibilities in Adamawa State during the Sallah period.

While speaking on plans to form a major opposition party, Atiku acknowledged ongoing discussions but made it clear that this was not the purpose of the visit.

The post My meeting with Buhari not for coalition talks – Atiku appeared first on Afinju FM.

Atiku said reports of his defecting from the PDP were part of efforts to confuse the coalition in process.

Lately, there have been speculation reports of Atiku finalizing plans to defect from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

However, Atiku’s media office  insisted that the former Vice President is a bonafide member of the PDP.

A statement by his media office noted that they are aware that some news platforms are peddling unverified information that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party.

The statement stressed that the defection claims were an attempt to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition that is at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC, adding that coalition would accommodate all opposition parties, including the PDP.

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Atiku and Obi made the remark against the backdrop of their breakfast meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.

Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe while speaking with some journalists disclosed that the meeting was a reunion of two old friends. He said the fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day, which was a milestone. Obi is part of that celebration.

Read Also: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido begin 2027 coalition talks

The university he added, was founded by Atiku Abubakar, who was more like his host but people think it is because of politics. Ibe said the truth is that politics cannot separate friends.

On his part, Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, said the meeting had no political undertone.

Umar hinted that they just invited him (Obi) to deliver a speech there and ihas nothing to do with politics.

The post We’re friends – Atiku, Peter Obi play down 2027 presidential ambition appeared first on Afinju FM.

Atiku and Obi made the remark against the backdrop of their breakfast meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.

Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe while speaking with some journalists disclosed that the meeting was a reunion of two old friends. He said the fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day, which was a milestone. Obi is part of that celebration.

The university he added, was founded by Atiku Abubakar, who was more like his host but people think it is because of politics. Ibe said the truth is that politics cannot separate friends.

On his part, Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, said the meeting had no political undertone.

Umar hinted that they just invited him (Obi) to deliver a speech there and ihas nothing to do with politics.

The post We’re friends – Atiku, Peter Obi play down 2027 presidential ambition appeared first on Afinju FM.