‘Nigeria Is Bleeding’: Ojudu Warns Political Violence Could Push Country Into Another Crisis

ABUJA — Former senator and presidential adviser, Babafemi Ojudu, has raised concerns over growing political violence, ethnic tensions and declining public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that the country risks sliding into another major political crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ojudu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said recent attacks and disruptions involving political figures and campaign teams across different parts of the country were disturbing signs that required urgent intervention by political leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders.

In a statement titled A Dark Cloud Is Gathering Over Nigeria, the former presidential aide warned that the growing atmosphere of political hostility could undermine national unity and threaten the survival of democracy if left unchecked.

He cited reported attacks on the campaign teams of former presidential candidates Omoyele Sowore and Peter Obi in Ado-Ekiti and Calabar respectively, as well as an alleged attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign convoy in Kebbi State, where equipment belonging to its media crew was reportedly destroyed.

Ojudu also expressed concern over incidents involving the ruling APC, including the reported disruption of its campaign activities in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s convoy was allegedly obstructed.

He further referenced the burning of vehicles and destruction of political posters in Yankara, Katsina State, stressing that political violence should be condemned regardless of the party or individuals affected.

According to him, every Nigerian has the constitutional right to support or oppose any political party, while all political parties must be allowed to campaign freely without intimidation or attacks.

“A citizen has every right to call for a president to be voted out. Every party has an equal right to campaign peacefully. A democracy depends on our willingness to defend both rights at once,” he said.

Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s political history, Ojudu recalled the disputed 1965 Western Region election, which was followed by widespread violence before the collapse of the First Republic in January 1966.

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He also referenced the disputed 1983 general elections, which were followed by political violence and the eventual collapse of the Second Republic in December of that year.

The former senator warned that declining public confidence in democratic institutions and the inability of political actors to resolve disagreements peacefully could have far-reaching consequences for the country.

He also recalled the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, noting that the widespread support enjoyed by the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola across ethnic and regional lines demonstrated how credible elections could strengthen national unity.

Ojudu further expressed concern over a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja concerning the leadership of the ADC and the party’s presidential nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

He noted that the party had indicated its intention to challenge the judgment, insisting that any appeal should receive a fair, independent and timely hearing.

The APC chieftain urged presidential aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections to explain how they intend to restore public confidence in democratic institutions, promote national cohesion and protect the rights of Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations.

He also said President Bola Tinubu had a special responsibility to ensure that government institutions remained impartial and provided equal protection for all political parties throughout the electoral process.

Ojudu called on labour unions, professional associations, traditional and religious leaders, student organisations, journalists and civil society groups to unite in demanding credible elections, press freedom and the protection of peaceful political activities.

He particularly urged political leaders to reject ethnic incitement, defend the rights of their opponents to campaign and commit themselves to accepting credible electoral outcomes.

“Our responsibility is to preserve a country in which we can lose an election and still belong, win an election and still answer to the law, and disagree with our neighbours without fearing one another,” he stated.

He warned that efforts to protect Nigeria’s unity and democratic institutions must begin before the 2027 elections, rather than waiting until electoral disputes and political tensions escalate.

‘Nigeria Is Bleeding’: Ojudu Warns Political Violence Could Push Country Into Another Crisis

Tinubu Failed to Honour Our Agreement After I Took Political Risk for Him – Makinde

IBADAN, Oyo State – Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to honour a written agreement reached ahead of the 2023 presidential election, saying he took a significant political risk by supporting the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate despite belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makinde made the revelation during an interview with ARISE News, where he explained the circumstances surrounding his decision to support Tinubu in the 2023 election and why he has since become critical of the President’s administration.

The governor disclosed that his decision was based on an agreement to establish a Government of National Unity (GNU) after the election, insisting that the understanding was documented and signed by the parties involved.

According to him, he still has a copy of the agreement, which he said formed the basis of his decision to support Tinubu despite the potential political consequences.

“I’ve had a certain experience with him, you know, where agreement was signed. And he didn’t keep to it,” Makinde said.

He added that the arrangement was not primarily about personal benefits but about ensuring that different political interests would be accommodated in the governance of the country.

Why I Took the Political Risk

Makinde explained that backing Tinubu while seeking re-election as Oyo State governor in 2023 was a risky political decision because he was uncertain how voters in the state would react to his support for a presidential candidate from another political party.

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The governor said he could not predict whether the decision would strengthen or undermine his chances of securing another term in office.

He maintained that his endorsement was not motivated by ethnic considerations or the fact that both he and Tinubu are from the South-West, but by his expectation that the proposed government of national unity would promote national inclusion.

Makinde challenged those questioning his political position to examine whether the agreement had delivered the intended outcome.

“Tell us if the agreement was fulfilled. That’s wrong. Tell us if, not in terms of something personal, what has Nigeria got out of this? Are we having a government of national unity right now?” he asked.

Why I May Not Work With Tinubu Again

The Oyo governor’s latest comments also shed light on his reservations about renewing political cooperation with Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

When asked about the possibility of working with the President again, Makinde contrasted his experience with Tinubu with his dealings with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

“I’ve not had that issue with him before, with Atiku Abubakar, or H.E. Peter Obi,” he stated.

His remarks suggest that his reservations about further cooperation with Tinubu are connected to what he described as the failure to honour their earlier agreement rather than an unwillingness to work across political party lines.

Makinde’s 2027 Presidential Ambition

Makinde, who is positioning himself for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has increasingly criticised the direction of Tinubu’s administration.

The governor has also questioned the administration’s handling of the economy, national unity, governance and the impact of economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.

He has argued that although he initially supported Tinubu because he believed the President could bring Nigerians together and establish a government of national unity and competence, he no longer believes the administration is moving in that direction.

Makinde’s disclosure has brought renewed attention to the political negotiations and agreements that preceded the 2023 presidential election, particularly the expectations of opposition figures who supported Tinubu despite belonging to different political parties.

However, the governor did not publicly disclose the full contents of the alleged agreement, the identities of all its signatories or the specific arrangements expected under the proposed Government of National Unity.

The document was not independently examined during the interview, and neither Tinubu nor the Presidency had responded to Makinde’s allegation at the time of reporting.

Tinubu Failed to Honour Our Agreement After I Took Political Risk for Him – Makinde

What Will Happen to Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Bid If He Loses Court Battle? Amupitan Speaks

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that the commission will abide by the final court decision regarding former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking at Chatham House in London during a policy dialogue on Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The event, organised in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative, was themed, “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot.”

Responding to a question about whether Atiku would remain eligible to contest if he failed to overturn the Federal High Court judgment affecting the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the INEC chairman said the commission had no option but to comply with lawful court decisions.

“If it travels through the courts and, as you said, he eventually fails, well, I’m obligated under Section 285 of the Constitution of Nigeria to obey every court order, especially if it is from the Supreme Court,” Amupitan stated.

He acknowledged that implementing politically sensitive judicial decisions could expose INEC to public criticism, even when the commission was simply carrying out its legal responsibilities.

“The danger is that whenever there’s such a decision and it’s you who now has to implement it, you become the problem. The problem now is transferred to you, but that is the position of the law,” he added.

The development comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Atiku’s presidential ambition under the ADC following a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja on November 5.

The court nullified the leadership arrangement of the ADC faction led by former Senate President David Mark and set aside decisions taken by the disputed leadership structure, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman, who challenged the party’s leadership arrangement.

However, the ADC has rejected the judgment and initiated legal proceedings to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. Atiku has also maintained that he remains in the 2027 presidential race.

Meanwhile, Amupitan disclosed that INEC was currently dealing with more than 300 court cases as preparations for the 2027 general elections gathered momentum.

He expressed concern that prolonged pre-election litigation could disrupt the commission’s preparations, particularly its procurement of sensitive election materials and other logistical arrangements.

The INEC chairman called for reforms to ensure that pre-election disputes were resolved at least six months to one year before general elections.

According to him, early resolution of such cases would give the electoral commission sufficient time to concentrate on election preparations rather than being caught up in prolonged legal battles.

He stressed that the commission had already commenced procurement processes for sensitive election materials, making timely resolution of outstanding disputes particularly important.

Amupitan’s remarks indicate that INEC will allow the judicial process to determine the fate of Atiku’s ADC presidential ticket, with the commission pledging to implement the final decision of the competent courts.

What Will Happen to Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Bid If He Loses Court Battle? Amupitan Speaks