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Atiku, Obi, Mark, Oyegun to Tinubu: Nigeria must not become one-party state

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Anti-Tinubu coalition

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – Senior opposition leaders have issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of presiding over a gradual drift toward a one-party state and using state institutions to intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a joint statement, the leaders expressed concern that Nigeria’s anti-corruption and security agencies are increasingly being viewed by the public as instruments of selective justice rather than independent institutions committed to the rule of law.

The statement was jointly signed by former Senate President David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George; former APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and Mallam Lawal Batagarawa.

“We are compelled by duty to nation and conscience to alert our compatriots and the international community to the unfortunate and gradual slide of our country into a state where key national institutions are increasingly perceived as tools of political intimidation, selective justice and systematic persecution of opposition leaders,” they said.

According to the opposition figures, there is a deliberate but covert effort to bring all state governments under the control of the ruling party, not through open electoral contests but through pressure allegedly exerted via anti-graft investigations. They said opposition governors and influential political figures are the primary targets of this pressure.

They pointed to the recent wave of defections of opposition governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as reinforcing public suspicion that coercion, rather than political conviction or ideology, is behind the realignments.

“More than ever before in our democratic experience, Nigerians have witnessed what many now describe as a covert, undemocratic agenda to ensure that all state governments fall under the control of the President’s party, not through transparent electoral contests, but by intimidating opposition governors via the anti-corruption apparatus,” the statement said.

The leaders warned that the alleged campaign goes beyond sitting governors and extends to key opposition figures involved in coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the trend as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic future.

They accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being particularly vulnerable to political manipulation, alleging that cases involving members of the ruling party are often ignored or stalled, while opposition figures face swift investigation and intense public scrutiny.

“Allegations against members of the ruling party are routinely perceived to be overlooked, while even unsubstantiated accusations against opposition figures are vigorously pursued and subjected to media trial,” the opposition leaders alleged.

The statement recalled past remarks by a former APC national chairman suggesting that defectors’ ‘sins’ were forgiven upon joining the ruling party, arguing that the comment has since come to symbolise what many Nigerians perceive as selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

The opposition leaders warned that such practices undermine the credibility of the anti-graft fight, weaken public trust in state institutions and risk fuelling instability as another election cycle draws closer.

“An agency designed for prevention and accountability risks becoming an instrument of political persecution, undermining both justice and democracy. Evident social and political injustice could snowball into mayhem as the nation approaches another election cycle,” they said.

The statement called for urgent reforms, including the depoliticisation of the EFCC, a return to its statutory mandate and concrete safeguards to prevent Nigeria from sliding into a de facto one-party state.

As part of preventive measures, the leaders proposed embedding anti-graft operatives directly into government payment and expenditure processes at federal, state and local government levels, citing a Supreme Court ruling affirming the EFCC’s oversight powers over public accounts.

They also demanded the establishment of an independent review body to scrutinise public accounts of the federal government, all states and local governments from 2015 to 2025, with powers to publish its findings and recommend amendments to strengthen the EFCC’s enabling law.

The proposed body, they said, should be chaired by an eminent judge and include representatives of civil society organisations, professional bodies, security agencies, anti-graft institutions and all political parties represented in the National Assembly.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, not to a single party or a single leader. We must make a deliberate choice not to be remembered by posterity for our silence,” the statement reiterated.

The opposition leaders disclosed that they plan to engage Nigeria’s international partners and diplomatic missions in the coming weeks to express concerns over what they described as the growing politicisation of anti-graft institutions and to push for reforms aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.

The post Atiku, Obi, Mark, Oyegun to Tinubu: Nigeria must not become one-party state appeared first on Vanguard News.


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Politics

Atiku, ADC can’t recover from Babachir Lawal’s damage – Imran Wakili

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Political commentator, Imran Wakili has claimed that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be unable to recover from the political setbacks allegedly caused by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, Wakili argued that Babachir’s actions had led to the exit of several prominent political figures from the ADC, leaving the party significantly weakened.

“The damage Babachir did to Atiku and ADC—there is no coming back from it! BINDOW is GONE, nobody is left in ADC except Atiku himself.

“Bindow gone, why? Babachir. Abbo gone, why? Babachir. Binani gone, why? Babachir. Nyako gone, why? Babachir. Nafiu Bala legal case, why? Babachir,” Wakili wrote.

DAILY POST recalls that Lawal resigned his membership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, last month.

The former SGF said he could not remain in a party he accused of operating a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also accused Atiku and his allies of pursuing ethnic and religious interests, arguing that the former vice president’s emergence as a presidential candidate would ultimately strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.




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Electoral Act: National Assembly bought to get Tinubu back to power – Udenta

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A political analyst and founding National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy, Professor Udenta Udenta, says the National Assembly was procured to amend the Electoral Act to get President Bola Tinubu reinstated into power.

Udenta made this statement on Thursday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He also questioned how the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under Tinubu’s administration stopped primaries in 30th May.

“The National Assembly was procured to amend the Electoral Act to get Tinubu reinstated into power.

“Since the inception of this government in 2023, we have discussed this matter. The dwindling or shrinking civic spaces, the brutal assault on labour centres, the weaponization via lawfare of the criminal justice system.

“The war declared on political parties, that is multi-party democracy, by a regime tiptoeing into totalitarianism, not just even what they call authoritative sort of construct of power, but a hybrid regime.

“How come the same INEC under Tinubu stopped primaries in 30th May? Because they didn’t even think opposition parties would succeed at their primaries,” he said.




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2027: Imo APC chieftain, Nlemadim dumps party over marginalisation of Ngor Okpala

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A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bona Nlemadim, has officially dumped the party and joined the opposition Action Peoples Party, APP.

Nlemadim cited the age-long  marginalization of Ngor Okpala local government Area of the state where he hails from as reason for his decision.

This was contained in an open letter he personally signed and made available to APC members in Ngor Okpala, dated June 25, 2026.

The APC chieftain, who was an active member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2014  transiting with the former governor of lmo state, Rochas Okorocha, supported the party and its candidates in various election cycles. 

He said, “Like you all, I stand on the mandate of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Not only will I vote for him in the forthcoming election, but I will also encourage my followers to do the same.”

The party chieftain expressed dismay at the continued marginalization of the local government in the politics of Imo State, using the case of Dr. Chijioke Kaduru  as an example.

He said, “When he came strongly into the arena and expressed interest to represent Owerri Zone in the senate in the coming political dispensation, I was excited. I believed that God had sent us a candidate without blemish– a young man with integrity, sound education and sufficient resources to pursue his ambition.

“For over two years, he transversed the component LGAs that make up Owerri Zone. 

“He touched the lives of many in the zone, more so in our own local government, and left no one in doubt about his capacity, his vision as well as his political direction.

“Most of us on this platform participated in his programs and supported his ambition. I salute those patriotic sons and daughters of Ngor Okpala.

“Unfortunately, our hopes were dashed. At the end of the consensus primaries, Ngor Okpala was denied the ticket; which was instead, returned to Owerri North, where Senator Ezenwa Onyenwuchi has held sway for the past seven years. 

“The Imo Charter of Equity enunciated by our amiable Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was jettisoned. Like the late music legend Sir Warrior sang, “Oke ru anyi aka ekearia ya”.

“I was disillusioned by the outcome, which was unfair and devoid of equity. To rub it in, Ngor Okpala was also denied the House of Representatives ticket for our constituency. 

“As much as I would like to remain a loyal party member, I must state unequivocally that these developments are painful and unjust, as they suggest that no one cares about us. Yet we are pressured to sing hallelujah while enduring severe pains.”

According to Nlemadim, over 14 years of APC rule in Imo state and the full participation in party activities, he cannot drive from Orie Nguru to Umuewere, a distance of one kilometer, adding that the gains of democracy have completely eluded Ngor Okpala people despite the loyalty and commitment to party ideals.

“The low hanging fruit being peddled around now is that the governorship ticket will be ceded to Ngor Okpala. Really? As much as I would wish this becomes a reality, I must restrain myself from such an illusion.

“If it happens, though, we will forever be grateful to our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and will support any of our own that gets the ticket. 

“For now, we have become the proverbial “Achara di woro miri” and must seek our own water fountain. No outsider will do it for us. Without mincing words, let an Ngor Okpala man fix Ngor Okpala!ll

“I love our party, and have enjoyed beautiful relationships with most of our leaders and members. However, patriotism and love for my people and their welfare far exceed my love and loyalty for the party. 

“To be at peace with myself, I have decided to give my unalloyed support to any son or daughter of Ngor Okpala who secures a ticket for an elective position irrespective of party affiliation. 

“Arising from the above, I would like to take a sabbatical leave from the party to enable me to devote my time and commitment to the Mazi Senatorial Project. I hope that in the end, this will give me the peace of mind and satisfaction that comes with supporting one of our own.

“I will excuse myself from this platform within the next 24hours to avoid being accused of engaging in anti-party activities. Despite this, we remain friends.

“Politics will come and go. Political parties will come and go. But we will remain sons and daughters of Ngor Okpala until the very end,” he further stated. 




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