Politics

Atiku challenges Tinubu to one-hour debate

Published

4 years ago

July 24, 2022

Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election may have been dodging being a hot-seat interview.

He therefore the former Lagos State governor to submit himself to an hour-long interview with Atiku to thrash several issues bordering on corruption and good governance in relation to the activities of both presidentail candidates.

Atiku, in an interview he granted the ARISE TV on Friday, made many claims including saying he rejected an offer by Tinubu to be his running mate in 2007, so as not to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

But reacting to the interview, the Bola Tinubu campaign organisation said the PDP presidential candidate told “many lies” and displayed ignorance on issues in the country.

In a statement on Saturday, Ibe said the response of the Tinubu campaign organisation was “knee-jerk”, adding that the APC presidential candidate was not in a position to “point fingers” at Abubakar.

The statement read, “We would like to challenge Bola Tinubu to subject himself to an hour-long interview, as the Waziri did, and if he is able to be as articulate and mentally present as our candidate, then he can talk.

“Until then, we will only want to remind him and his yes men that they are not in a position to point fingers when they have not sat on the hot seat.”

Ibe also countered the position of the Tinubu campaign organisation on some of Atiku’s claims.

“We were rather amused to read the knee-jerk response from the Tinubu Campaign Organisation to the wave-making interview granted by Waziri Atiku Abubakar to Arise TV on Thursday, July 21, 2022,” he said.

“Amusement, because we expected this. Mr. Tinubu has not sat down to do any prolonged interview for obvious reasons. Nigerians have seen him talk in public and can themselves gauge the reason why he is mortified to do so.

“Nevertheless, I will now take the issues in their statement one after the other.

“The Tinubu campaign exposed its gross desperation and vacuousness by citing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999, to declare Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s stance on engaging in a side business while he was a young custom officer as a breach of the law. It is pertinent to educate the Tinubu campaign organisation that Nigeria is not under a military regime and our Constitutions are not retroactive in nature.

“Again, the Tinubu campaign betrayed either dishonesty or lack of attention to detail by claiming that Atiku Abubakar said oil contributed 20% of Nigeria’s GDP. That is a lie. What the Waziri said is as follows: “Oil only maybe accounts for about 20% of our GDP”.

“The use of the word maybe by the Waziri was in reflection to the different figures given. While the National Bureau of Statistics states a figure close to 10%, other multilateral organisations have given a much higher figure of between 15-20%. So, while the jury is still out, it is right to qualify the contribution of oil and gas as a maybe. However, we do like to point out that Waziri Atiku Abubakar mentioned both the PDP and the APC during the interview and did not forget the name of his own party.

“It seems the Tinubu campaign organisation (can a disorganised body be called an organisation?) does not know the meaning of rotation of power and micro zoning. So, we will gladly educate them. Rotation of power refers to a constitutional provision where power is zoned between North and South. Micro-zoning refers to a non constitutional idea, where power is zoned not between North and South, but amongst geo-political zones. We hope this cures the political illiteracy of the authors of that document.

“The rude response also accuses Waziri Atiku Abubakar of having “limited education”. Atiku Abubakar has an earned Masters degree from Anglia Ruskin University. We challenge any of the present Presidential candidates to present an equal or higher degree. Moreover, his university attendance is a matter of verified record. Can we say the same about some other persons?

“On President Lincoln, we are afraid the poor student of history is the Tinubu campaign disorganisation. Yes, it is true that Lincoln ran for President with his name on the ballot twice. But he ran at other times, and failed to get his name on the ballot.”

Related Topics:Atiku debate Featured Tinubu

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Kwankwaso Resigns from NNPP, Signals Political Realignment

Published

9 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Kwankwaso Resigns from NNPP, Signals Political Realignment

Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has formally announced his resignation from the party, citing the need for strategic political realignment.

In a press statement dated March 29, 2026, Kwankwaso said his decision to quit the New Nigeria People’s Party takes immediate effect.

The former NNPP National Leader described the decision as difficult but necessary in view of the evolving political landscape in the country.

“Considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he stated.

Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general elections, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the party at the highest level. He thanked the NNPP leadership, including the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, as well as members of the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and National Executive Committee.

He also acknowledged the contributions of party members across all levels, from ward to state structures, and paid tribute to supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their loyalty and commitment.

Despite his exit, the former governor assured that collaboration with party members and stakeholders would continue in pursuit of a better future for Nigeria.

Kwankwaso’s resignation is expected to trigger fresh political alignments ahead of future electoral contests, as attention shifts to his next political destination.

Kwankwaso Resigns from NNPP, Signals Political Realignment

Politics

Kwankwaso Set for ADC Defection as Mark, Aregbesola Prepare Grand Reception

Published

17 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Kwankwaso Set for ADC Defection as Mark, Aregbesola Prepare Grand Reception

Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is set to formally defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a move that signals a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources within the party disclosed that the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, will officially receive Kwankwaso during his declaration ceremony scheduled to hold in Kano.

Kwankwaso, who was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in 2023, is expected to join the ADC alongside key political allies, including former Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo.

The defection follows months of negotiations between Kwankwaso and the ADC leadership, as the party intensifies efforts to build a formidable opposition coalition.

Initially, talks nearly collapsed after Kwankwaso reportedly demanded the party’s vice-presidential slot as a condition for joining ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the ADC leadership declined to guarantee such a position, insisting that no prior commitments could be made.

The deadlock was eventually resolved after a private meeting between Kwankwaso and Aregbesola in Abuja, with insiders confirming that the former governor has now agreed to join the party without any preconditions.

Kwankwaso’s move is widely seen as part of a broader opposition strategy involving key political figures such as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, aimed at strengthening alliances ahead of the next general election.

His formal entry into the ADC is expected to reshape political dynamics, particularly in northern Nigeria, where he maintains significant influence.

Kwankwaso Set for ADC Defection as Mark, Aregbesola Prepare Grand Reception

Politics

Naira Strengthens for Third Day Against US Dollar as Forex Reforms Take Effect

Published

2 days ago

March 28, 2026

Trends Admin

Naira Strengthens for Third Day Against US Dollar as Forex Reforms Take Effect

The Nigerian naira recorded its third consecutive gain against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange market, closing Friday at ₦1,380.57 per dollar, up ₦3.30 or 0.23% from Thursday’s ₦1,383.88. This follows a gradual rebound earlier in the week, after the currency weakened to ₦1,386.70 on Wednesday.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) show that the steady appreciation reflects renewed confidence in the official FX window, driven by better liquidity, policy consistency, and ongoing foreign exchange reforms. Analysts attribute the gains to sustained forex inflows and tighter monetary measures that are gradually stabilising the exchange rate and reducing market volatility.