Donald Duke Recounts How IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku: 'This One Cannot Rule Nigeria' - Newstrends
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Donald Duke Recounts How IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku: ‘This One Cannot Rule Nigeria’

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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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Nine Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC for ADC Ahead of 2027

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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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2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices

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2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi

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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2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

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2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, led by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has launched its grassroots mobilisation campaign in Taraba State ahead of the 2027 presidential election, calling for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The campaign was launched in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, with Tompolo represented by High Chief Kestin Pondi.

Tompolo, who is the Grand Patron of the movement, said the Tinubu administration’s reforms required more time to consolidate and deliver further benefits to Nigerians.

He said Taraba State was benefiting from federal government policies and argued that continuity would help sustain the gains recorded so far.

According to him, the challenges associated with economic reforms were expected but should not prevent the government from completing and consolidating its programmes.

The movement urged its supporters to take the 2027 campaign to homes, religious centres, wards, local government areas and polling units across the state.

The event also featured the donation of 25 campaign vehicles, generators and electronic speakers to strengthen the movement’s grassroots mobilisation activities in Taraba.

Speaking at the event, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas said residents were already witnessing the impact of the Tinubu administration through federal projects being implemented in the state.

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Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and said the state would continue to work with the Federal Government on development projects.

The governor also declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign, saying his administration would mobilise support for the President across the state.

Kefas said Taraba was ready to support Tinubu, while urging residents to assess the projects and programmes being implemented by the Federal Government.

The National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Asuku, said the group was in Taraba to expand its grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu and Kefas.

Asuku urged Nigerians to maintain the current political direction, arguing that abandoning the Tinubu administration’s reforms would be counterproductive.

He also praised the Taraba government for what he described as achievements recorded over the past three years and said the movement would strengthen its structures across wards and polling units ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Taraba mobilisation is part of a wider campaign by the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement to establish grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

The movement has been taking its campaign to different states while calling for support for Tinubu and other candidates it backs in the forthcoming elections.

The latest mobilisation in Taraba comes as political parties and support groups intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with grassroots structures becoming a major focus of campaign activities.

2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

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