2027 election: Atiku accuses Obasanjo of reviving false allegations to favour preferred candidate

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of reviving what he described as false allegations against him to create political advantage for his “kinsman” ahead of the 2027 general election.

The fresh exchange marks another chapter in the long-running political rivalry between the two former allies, whose relationship has remained strained since the closing years of the Obasanjo administration.

The latest dispute was triggered by Obasanjo’s claim that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, ₦5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office.

Obasanjo made the allegation while reflecting on political developments leading to the 2003 general election. According to the former president, Atiku allegedly held a private meeting with Na’Abba, encouraged him to ensure he served only one term as president, and later provided funds to commence impeachment proceedings.

The former president also claimed that the alleged meeting and payment were documented and reported to him by his then Chief of Staff, whom he described as a trained intelligence officer.

However, Atiku has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless, politically motivated and designed to influence public perception ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the accusations were nothing more than an attempt to rewrite history for political purposes.

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According to Atiku, the timing of the allegations raises questions, coming at a period when political consultations and alignments ahead of the next general election are gathering momentum.

He argued that the claims were intended to damage his credibility while giving an unfair political advantage to a preferred presidential hopeful whom he referred to as Obasanjo’s “kinsman.”

Although Atiku did not identify the individual, he maintained that Nigerians would not be deceived by what he described as recycled accusations that had resurfaced more than two decades after the events in question.

The former vice president also questioned why no criminal investigation or prosecution was initiated during Obasanjo’s administration if there had been credible evidence that he bribed the former Speaker.

According to him, the federal government at the time controlled all relevant security and anti-corruption agencies and had sufficient authority to investigate or prosecute anyone found guilty of such an offence.

He argued that the absence of any legal action undermines the credibility of the latest allegations.

Atiku further criticised Obasanjo for making allegations involving the late Na’Abba, saying it was inappropriate to rely on the name of someone who is no longer alive to confirm or deny the claims.

He described the development as contrary to African values, arguing that the dead should not be drawn into political controversies because they cannot defend themselves.

The former vice president also revisited the political disagreements that strained his relationship with Obasanjo while they were in office.

He insisted that their fallout was rooted in his opposition to the controversial third-term agenda, which sought constitutional changes that would have allowed Obasanjo to remain in office beyond the two-term constitutional limit.

Atiku said he resisted the proposal through lawful and democratic means because he believed protecting Nigeria’s constitutional democracy was more important than personal political interests.

According to him, the latest allegations appear to reflect lingering resentment over his opposition to the third-term bid rather than a genuine effort to establish historical facts.

The ADC presidential candidate also stated that Obasanjo is constitutionally free to support any candidate of his choice ahead of the 2027 election, but urged him to do so openly instead of reviving allegations that cannot be independently verified because the principal witness, Na’Abba, is deceased.

He added that he would not allow himself to be distracted by prolonged exchanges over events that occurred more than two decades ago while millions of Nigerians are grappling with pressing national challenges.

According to Atiku, the country’s priority should be addressing rising inflation, economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and governance issues rather than reopening old political disputes.

The renewed war of words comes as political parties continue consultations, coalition talks and strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with several leading politicians expected to declare their presidential ambitions in the coming months.

Political observers believe exchanges between prominent figures such as Atiku and Obasanjo are likely to shape public discourse as preparations for the next election gather pace.

2027 election: Atiku accuses Obasanjo of reviving false allegations to favour preferred candidate

ADC leadership crisis deepens as court dismisses objections by David Mark, Aregbesola

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed objections filed by African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman Senator David Mark and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, against an application seeking to amend a suit challenging their emergence as the party’s national leaders.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu described the objections raised by the two defendants as “frivolous, baseless and without an iota of merit,” holding that the plaintiff’s request to amend his originating summons was a lawful and necessary step to ensure justice.

The court subsequently granted the application filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, and ordered David Mark and Aregbesola to pay ₦500,000 each as costs to the plaintiff.

Justice Lifu ruled that the amendment became necessary following a change of legal counsel and emphasized that it did not prejudice the defendants, who still have the legal right to respond by filing fresh counter-affidavits to the amended suit.

According to the judge, amendments to court processes before judgment are well-established in law and are often allowed to enable courts determine disputes on their merits rather than on technicalities.

“The defendants have not shown how the amendment will occasion any miscarriage of justice against them,” the judge held while dismissing all objections to the application.

The latest ruling marks another significant development in the legal battle over the leadership of the ADC, which has intensified since the opposition party emerged as the platform for a coalition of opposition politicians preparing for the 2027 general election.

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The substantive suit was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is challenging the emergence of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

Gombe contends that the process leading to their emergence violated both the ADC Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act. He is asking the court to declare their appointments invalid and restrain them, alongside other members of the party’s National Working Committee, from presenting themselves as the legitimate national leadership of the party.

Represented by senior lawyer Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), the plaintiff argued that he was legally entitled to amend his originating summons before judgment and that the proposed amendments were necessary to enable the court effectively determine all issues in dispute.

However, counsel to David Mark, Dr. Suleiman Umar (SAN), urged the court to reject the application, arguing that the parties had already exchanged legal processes and joined issues.

According to him, allowing the amendment after the defendants had disclosed their legal arguments would hand the plaintiff an unfair advantage and offend the principles of fair hearing.

Similarly, counsel to Rauf Aregbesola, Realwan Okpanachi, opposed the application, insisting that the amendment substantially altered the character of the case by introducing fresh claims and additional documents.

He maintained that the ADC National Executive Committee (NEC) validly restructured the party’s leadership during its meeting on July 29, 2025, after giving the required statutory notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 1, 2025, in compliance with the Electoral Act.

Okpanachi further alleged that Gombe initially relied on an unsigned copy of the ADC Constitution before later introducing a signed version after seeing the defendants’ objections.

He argued that the action was an attempt to strengthen a weak case and urged the court to reject the amendment, insisting that a litigant seeking equitable relief must approach the court with clean hands.

Justice Lifu, however, rejected those arguments, ruling that the proposed amendments neither changed the substance of the dispute in a manner that would prejudice the defendants nor denied them the opportunity to adequately defend themselves.

Consequently, the court dismissed the objections filed by David Mark and Aregbesola, granted leave for Gombe to amend his originating summons and awarded ₦500,000 in costs against each of the two defendants.

The ruling is the latest twist in the prolonged ADC leadership crisis, which has generated multiple legal proceedings since the party’s leadership restructuring.

Earlier in the dispute, conflicting court orders created uncertainty over the party’s leadership, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to temporarily suspend recognition of the David Mark-led National Working Committee.

The uncertainty was later eased after the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal’s order that directed parties to maintain the status quo. The apex court subsequently ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit, after which INEC restored the David Mark-led leadership on its official records pending the final determination of the case.

Despite Friday’s ruling, the court did not determine the substantive issues surrounding the legitimacy of the party’s leadership.

Instead, the decision clears the way for the plaintiff to proceed with his amended claims, while the Federal High Court continues hearing the suit that could ultimately determine the future leadership of one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

ADC leadership crisis deepens as court dismisses objections by David Mark, Aregbesola

Tinubu hits Atiku hard, says: ‘I’m clearing the mess you created’

President Bola Tinubu has intensified his criticism of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, accusing the former vice president of leaving behind huge unpaid pension liabilities after overseeing the privatisation of federal government enterprises during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The President said his administration is now paying pension arrears and addressing long-standing obligations neglected for years, insisting that Nigerians are more interested in economic stability and improved social welfare than political rhetoric.

Tinubu made the remarks on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during separate meetings with members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Association (NDMA) and leaders from the North-East, who visited to appreciate him for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu said the government remains committed to stabilising the economy despite inheriting significant fiscal and structural challenges.

According to him, the difficult policy decisions taken since assuming office are aimed at restoring investor confidence, strengthening public finances and creating a more sustainable economy for Nigerians.

“The old age is here now. If you can stabilise the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much—simple stability and social welfare,” Tinubu said.

Without initially mentioning Atiku by name, the President accused one of his expected political challengers of supervising the privatisation of government-owned enterprises while failing to ensure workers received their pension entitlements.

“Somebody among my prospective opponents privatised government investment in public entities but forgot to pay the pension. I’m clearing the pensioners now, so clearing the mess they created,” Tinubu stated.

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The remarks are widely seen as a direct reference to Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007 and chaired the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) under the Obasanjo administration.

During that period, the council supervised the sale, concession or commercialisation of more than 100 federal government enterprises, including Nigeria Airways, NITEL, Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, Nigerian National Shipping Line and several manufacturing, hospitality and utility companies.

While the privatisation programme was designed to improve efficiency and reduce government spending, it also resulted in the restructuring or closure of several public enterprises. Thousands of workers exited the organisations, with labour unions and affected employees raising concerns over delayed pensions, gratuities and severance benefits that remained unresolved for years.

Successive administrations have continued to make payments to clear some of the outstanding liabilities.

Tinubu maintained that his administration is committed to resolving inherited challenges while implementing reforms aimed at rebuilding the economy.

The President also called for greater national unity in addressing security challenges, particularly terrorism and banditry in the North-East.

He urged political leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders to work together in supporting ongoing efforts by security agencies to restore peace across affected communities.

“The leadership of the North-East is challenged because of terrorism and banditry. I could see a collaboration that would work together. Only if we stick together, work together and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country,” he said.

Tinubu also reflected on his professional experience in the United States before returning to Nigeria, describing his years in accounting and finance as instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership.

“There is nowhere like home. I have experienced being in America and have taken the best of America in my chosen profession, accountancy and finance. Where can I apply it best after initial training with Deloitte & Touche? I can’t forget the Standard Oil Building in Chicago and my first week there,” he said.

The President’s comments come amid escalating political exchanges between the Presidency and Atiku’s camp over Tinubu’s decades-old civil forfeiture case in the United States.

Earlier on Friday, Atiku’s Special Adviser on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, challenged the Presidency to release documentary evidence instead of issuing public statements defending the President.

In a post on X directed at Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Shaibu argued that the matter had become “a contest of evidence” and urged the Presidency to publish documents it believes would settle the controversy.

His remarks followed Onanuga’s allegation that Atiku spent $1.2 million on American lobbyists to revive Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case. The Presidency has dismissed the renewed controversy, insisting that the matter was resolved decades ago and that the President remains focused on governance and delivering his reform agenda.

With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, the latest exchange underscores the growing rivalry between Tinubu and Atiku as both camps continue to trade accusations over governance, accountability and Nigeria’s economic future.

Tinubu hits Atiku hard, says: ‘I’m clearing the mess you created’