Politics
Donald Duke Recounts How IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku: ‘This One Cannot Rule Nigeria’
Donald Duke Recounts How IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku: ‘This One Cannot Rule Nigeria’
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has revealed how former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida allegedly warned ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his then-deputy, Atiku Abubakar, during a tense political standoff ahead of the 2003 presidential election. Duke disclosed the account in a new book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, written by Seun Oloketuyi, which chronicles the political intrigues of Nigeria’s early Fourth Republic. Duke, who governed Cross River from 1999 to 2007, said tensions between Obasanjo and Atiku had reached a boiling point as the president prepared to seek a second term. Atiku’s political activities had raised serious concerns within the administration about whether the Vice-President would continue to support Obasanjo’s re-election bid. The disagreement became so intense that 10 governors, including Duke, met with then-PDP National Chairman Solomon Lar to discuss possible alternatives for the vice-presidential slot.
Duke recalled receiving a late-night telephone call from Obasanjo, who complained bitterly about what he perceived as betrayal by his deputy. “I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,” Duke recounted. According to Duke, Atiku subsequently arranged for Babangida and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar to meet with Obasanjo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. During the meeting, Babangida reminded Obasanjo of agreements reached following his release from prison and warned that securing the support of northern political leaders for a second term would be difficult. When Obasanjo asked whether that was their final position, Babangida reportedly said further discussions were still possible.
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Duke said the most revealing exchange occurred after the meeting appeared to have ended. As the men were leaving Obasanjo’s private study, Babangida claimed he had forgotten his keys and asked the President to accompany him back inside. Once they were alone, Babangida dropped his diplomatic tone and delivered a blunt warning. “I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” Babangida allegedly told Obasanjo. When they returned to the others, Babangida looked at Atiku, then turned back to Obasanjo and declared: “This one cannot rule Nigeria.” Duke said the episode demonstrated the depth of political distrust between Obasanjo and Atiku at the time and offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring surrounding the 2003 election. Reflecting on his own political experience, Duke said the incident reinforced a key lesson: “Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics.”
The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku has remained strained since their time in office, with both men exchanging allegations over corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal. Their feud resurfaced recently when Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term. On August 1, during a fireside chat with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos, Obasanjo again expressed strong reservations about Atiku and said he regretted choosing him as his vice-president. Atiku, who is now the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, has rejected the allegations, accusing Obasanjo of fabricating claims against him for political reasons. He has also argued that the former president’s criticism stems from his opposition to Obasanjo’s controversial third-term bid while they were in office, insisting that he has no regrets about his stance.
Donald Duke Recounts How IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku: ‘This One Cannot Rule Nigeria’
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Politics
2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA
2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA
The Anambra State Government has declared former governor Peter Obi and his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) a threat to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging APGA supporters to resist the opposition party.
The state government made the declaration in a message issued through its New Media office on Monday, accusing Obi of working to weaken the party that gave him the platform to become governor of Anambra.
The government described its message as a “betrayal alert” to APGA supporters, alleging that Obi had been seeking to undermine the party since leaving it in 2014.
It urged party members in the state not to be swayed by Obi’s current political influence, arguing that APGA remained the political platform responsible for his emergence as governor.
The government said, “Since 2014, Obi has had one mission: to destroy the party that made him,” while calling on APGA members to defend the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development comes amid an increasingly tense political relationship between Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
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Obi governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014 on the APGA platform before leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later joined the Labour Party, under which he contested the 2023 presidential election, before becoming the presidential candidate of the NDC ahead of the 2027 election.
The former governor remains an influential political figure in the South-East, particularly in Anambra, where his 2023 presidential campaign recorded strong support.
The Anambra government’s latest position also comes against the backdrop of APGA’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The state government has previously defended its relationship with the President and maintained that supporting Tinubu does not conflict with APGA’s interests.
However, Obi’s emergence as the NDC presidential candidate has created a new political challenge for APGA, particularly because of his longstanding influence among voters in Anambra and the wider South-East.
The NDC has rejected the allegations against Obi, accusing the Soludo administration of attacking the former governor because of concerns about his popularity.
NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, described the state government’s position as political blackmail and maintained that the party was confident of its prospects in the 2027 election.
The latest exchange has further widened the political divide between the camps of Peter Obi and Chukwuma Soludo, with both sides increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
For APGA, the emergence of Obi and the NDC presents a particularly sensitive political challenge because of the former governor’s history with the party and his continued influence in Anambra.
The 2027 election is therefore expected to produce a major political contest in the state, with APGA seeking to retain its influence while Obi’s NDC attempts to convert his personal support base into wider electoral backing.
2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA
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Politics
Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027
Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027
Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmakers cited concerns over insecurity, internal party divisions and what they described as inadequate attention to the welfare of residents and their constituents as reasons for their decision.
The lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Muktar Nasir, representing Kaura Namoda North; Faruk Dosara Musa, representing Maradun I; Basiru Bello, representing Bungudu West; Bashir A. Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Ibrahim T. Tukur, representing Bakura; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Yusuf Muhammad Anka, representing Anka; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Kagara said their concerns about the security situation in Zamfara had contributed to disagreements with the state government.
He said the lawmakers had raised the issue of insecurity on the floor of the Assembly, but that their position led to disagreements with Governor Dauda Lawal and their subsequent suspension.
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Kagara also alleged that joining the APC did not resolve their grievances, claiming that some party leaders failed to give them what they considered a fair hearing.
Earlier, some of the lawmakers announced their resignation from the APC in separate letters dated October 4, 2026.
In the letters, the lawmakers cited issues including insecurity, alleged injustice, internal divisions, uncertainty and concerns about governance.
One of the lawmakers also alleged that members of the Assembly had gone about 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
The claims about unpaid entitlements and other grievances are allegations by the affected lawmakers and have not been independently established in the reports.
The APC in Zamfara initially said it had not received official copies of the resignation letters. The party’s publicity secretary, Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, said the documents had been seen on social media and that the party was awaiting formal communication through the appropriate party structures.
The defection represents a significant political realignment in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections, with the movement of the lawmakers potentially affecting the political balance within the state legislature.
Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027
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Politics
2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices
2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, have reiterated their plan to reduce the cost of petrol if elected in the 2027 presidential election.
The pair made the remarks during a brief stop at an NNPC filling station in Guzape, Abuja, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, where they were approached by members of the public.
Amaechi was driving the vehicle with Atiku seated beside him when they stopped at the filling station. The encounter attracted a small crowd, with the politicians responding to questions about fuel prices and their proposed policy.
Amaechi said an Atiku-led government would reduce the cost of petrol through what the ADC ticket describes as a production subsidy, rather than simply returning to the previous system of subsidising imported petrol.
Atiku also addressed the crowd briefly in Hausa, saying, “Zan dawo da tallafi insha Allahu,” which translates to, “I will bring back the subsidy, by God’s grace.”
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The encounter came a day after Amaechi challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce petrol to ₦600 per litre.
Amaechi said he would withdraw from Atiku’s presidential ticket and campaign for Tinubu if petrol was brought down to that price. He made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The former Rivers State governor has continued to criticise the impact of the petrol subsidy removal on households, particularly the effect of higher fuel prices on transportation and the cost of goods.
Atiku has separately outlined a proposed domestic production subsidy under which government support would be directed at locally refined petroleum products.
The proposal is intended to reduce production costs for domestic refineries and, according to Atiku, allow the savings to be reflected in lower petrol prices for consumers.
The former vice president has argued that the intervention would be structured, capped and subject to public disclosure and independent auditing. Imported petrol would not qualify under the proposed arrangement.
The fuel subsidy debate has remained a major issue in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration in May 2023.
The Federal Government has defended the removal, arguing that the former subsidy regime imposed a significant burden on public finances. Opposition figures, including Atiku, have instead linked the policy to higher living costs and have proposed alternative measures to reduce the impact on consumers.
The Abuja filling-station encounter therefore provided Atiku and Amaechi another opportunity to restate their position on petrol prices, fuel subsidy and the cost of living as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 election.
2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices
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