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Jonathan 2027: They failed him in 2023, now want him to revive dead PDP — Sani

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Jonathan 2027: They failed him in 2023, now want him to revive dead PDP — Sani
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani

Jonathan 2027: They failed him in 2023, now want him to revive dead PDP — Sani

ABUJA – Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has criticised moves by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race, describing the effort as belated and politically motivated.

Sani made the remark in a post on his X platform on Monday while reacting to the adoption of Jonathan as the presidential candidate of a PDP faction ahead of the 2027 general election. According to the former lawmaker, those now promoting Jonathan’s candidacy failed to support him when the party was in a stronger position and more capable of mounting a serious electoral challenge. “If they actually wanted GEJ, they should have fielded him in 2023 when the party was relatively alive and in good shape,” Sani wrote. He argued that the current move appears less about giving Jonathan a realistic opportunity to lead the country again and more about using his political stature to revive a struggling political platform. “They just now want him to help them carry the coffin,” he added. Sani’s comments come amid growing reactions to the emergence of Jonathan as the presidential candidate of a PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki following a special convention held in Abuja on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

The Turaki-led faction of the PDP went ahead with its planned special convention on Saturday, where former President Goodluck Jonathan was symbolically ratified as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The event, which initially faced disruption, was relocated from the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Wuse 2 to a venue in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, following heightened security presence and reported roadblocks by police operatives. Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, received the Certificate of Return on behalf of Jonathan during the factional gathering, as the former president was not present at the convention. According to earlier reports, the faction had announced plans to hold the special convention after former President Jonathan was reportedly cleared as the party’s sole presidential aspirant following his failure to appear before the faction’s presidential screening committee for two consecutive days. A member of the Presidential Screening Committee, Babangida Aliyu, disclosed that Jonathan had been cleared as the party’s sole presidential aspirant, stating that the party’s leadership had granted Jonathan the necessary waiver to participate in the primary process. “As you know, the party had already given a presidential aspirant the waiver. Like I said in the beginning, he was a deputy governor, became governor, became vice-president and became president. So, we didn’t see anything that needed screening. Therefore, the party had given him a waiver,” Babangida Aliyu said.

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Despite the ratification by the Turaki faction, former President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to publicly confirm whether he intends to return to active presidential politics or contest the 2027 election. In early May 2026, when youth groups visited him urging him to contest, Jonathan responded that the presidency was “not a computer game” and that he would consult widely before making any decision. “You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” Jonathan said at the time. As of the time of filing this report, Jonathan has not publicly responded to the nomination announced by the Turaki-led PDP faction.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) , has also weighed in on the issue, urging former President Jonathan to publicly reject the presidential nomination extended to him by the PDP faction. Keyamo argued that the faction behind the nomination is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , questioning the legality and political weight of its actions. He described the move as “bizarre comedy taken too far” and criticised what he called the absurdity of offering “a whole Presidential ticket to an ex-president and statesman by proxy and by a bunch of people not even registered on INEC’s website.” “For the sake of his global image, President Goodluck Jonathan must IMMEDIATELY issue a strong ‘no, thank you’ statement,” Keyamo said.

The development has further exposed the deep divisions within the opposition PDP, which remains embroiled in an internal leadership crisis that has resulted in the emergence of rival factions. While the Turaki-led faction, backed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed (who has since left the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement, APM), lays claim to the party leadership on one side, the group aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike controls the other faction. The Wike-backed PDP faction has called on Jonathan to dissociate himself from the Turaki group’s endorsement, describing the planned convention and ratification as “misleading, unfounded, and intended to create confusion within the polity.” In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction stated that no such convention, meeting, or process had been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the PDP. “We respectfully call on former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation,” the statement read. INEC has recognised the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed as the legitimate leadership of the party, meaning the Turaki faction that nominated Jonathan may not be recognised by the electoral umpire for the 2027 elections.

Following the development, there were speculations that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, could become Jonathan’s running mate under the factional arrangement. However, Mohammed has dismissed such reports. In a response on X, Mohammed said his focus remained on contesting the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat in 2027 under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) . “Thank you for your interest in my political aspirations. However, for the sake of clarity, my focus remains firmly on contesting for the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM),” he wrote. “Any reports suggesting a different political course should be disregarded as speculative and inaccurate,” the governor added. Mohammed recently left the PDP for the APM following the crisis rocking the opposition party.

Despite the political uncertainty, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently dismissed a suit seeking to stop former President Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, describing the action as an abuse of court process. This ruling effectively clears any legal barriers that could have prevented Jonathan from running, should he decide to accept the nomination.

Jonathan 2027: They failed him in 2023, now want him to revive dead PDP — Sani

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Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to ‘Terrorise’ Party Over Family Ordeal

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August 29, 2026

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Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to 'Terrorise' Party Over Family Ordeal
Bashir El-Rufai

Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to ‘Terrorise’ Party Over Family Ordeal

KADUNA, Nigeria – Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has declared he will never forgive the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what he described as attacks on his family during its most vulnerable period, vowing to acquire political power specifically to “terrorise” members of the ruling party. In a series of incendiary posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Bashir declared that even if his father emerged from his ongoing legal ordeal and chose to forgive his perceived adversaries, his personal resolve would remain unchanged. “Even if my father emerges from his ordeal like Gandhi and forgives and forgets, I won’t,” Bashir wrote. He added: “I will acquire power somehow for the sole reason of terrorising those (APC) that attacked like wolves upon my family at our weakest. Friend or foe, it won’t matter”. Bashir, however, made a notable exception in his tirade, singling out Mahmud Ribadu as the only person who would be spared from his intended retribution. “Caveat: Only @mahmudribadu will be spared. That one is my biological brother. Everyone else is fair game,” he stated.

The explosive outburst comes amid an escalating family dispute between Bashir and his elder brother, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. On Friday, Bashir launched a scathing social media attack on Bello, accusing him of substance abuse, hypocrisy, and betraying the family over the political rift between their father and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Bashir used deeply personal and expletive-laden language, making allegations about Bello’s fertility and accusing him of drug use. In one post, Bashir wrote: “I have a useless excuse for a brother, with his bony-ass face coated with an unknown white substance around his nostrils every night. That is your Member of the House of Representatives, representing a whole constituency, but he prefers alcohol and cocaine.” In response to an X user who questioned the public nature of the dispute, Bashir also disclosed that he keeps “guns and knives at my bedside.”

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The dispute is rooted in the broader political fallout between Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani, his former political protégé. Tensions flared after Sani revealed that his administration inherited a massive debt profile of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from El-Rufai’s tenure, claims that deepened the political divide. While Bashir consistently criticised Governor Sani online, Bello initially remained loyal to Sani, maintaining his support for the governor. However, Bello subsequently defected from the APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in May 2026, joining his father, who had left the APC in March 2025. Bashir accused Bello of only returning to the family’s political fold after realising he was being sidelined by Sani, describing the move as self-serving and hypocritical. “He was stuck with Uba Sani until he realised he was being dumped, then suddenly remembered family loyalty and moved to ADC. Where was he before then? Purely serving his own interest,” Bashir wrote.

The El-Rufai family has faced intense scrutiny following Nasir El-Rufai’s prolonged detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The former governor, who governed Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, has been in custody for approximately 200 days over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and fraud during his tenure. In April 2026, he was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court on an amended nine-count charge filed by the ICPC. He is also facing separate charges relating to alleged wiretapping, brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a related development, Nasir El-Rufai has filed a N10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC, its Chairman, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, alleging that the anti-graft agency denied his wife and son access to him during his detention. He alleged that officials of the Commission physically restrained and intimidated both his wife and son when they attempted to see him on July 7, 2026. The former governor is seeking an order compelling the respondents to grant him unhindered and reasonable access to his family members and legal representatives throughout the period of his detention.

The public clash between the El-Rufai brothers highlights fractures within one of northern Nigeria’s most prominent political families and underscores the deepening political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Bello remains a member of the House of Representatives, his move to the ADC signals the consolidation of the El-Rufai political camp under an opposition platform. Observers note that the outcome of Nasir El-Rufai’s legal challenges and the brothers’ ability to reconcile may shape the family’s future political influence in Kaduna and beyond.

Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to ‘Terrorise’ Party Over Family Ordeal

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2027: Atiku Pledges $100bn Start-up Fund, Slams Tinubu Over Cost-of-Living Crisis

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August 29, 2026

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2027: Atiku Pledges $100bn Start-up Fund, Slams Tinubu Over Cost-of-Living Crisis
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar 

2027: Atiku Pledges $100bn Start-up Fund, Slams Tinubu Over Cost-of-Living Crisis

ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has taken another swipe at President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the worsening cost-of-living crisis, promising to restore purchasing power and provide $100 billion in financing for start-ups and entrepreneurs** if elected president in 2027. Atiku said Nigeria’s young population does not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship but one that creates the conditions for them to prosper. The former Vice President said the economic crisis under the present administration had stripped millions of Nigerians of purchasing power, weakened small businesses, and made it increasingly difficult for young people to secure jobs, access capital and achieve economic independence. “My commitment is to change that,” Atiku said in a statement following a meeting with a nationwide delegation of **N-Power beneficiaries** who declared their support for his presidential candidacy. According to him, his administration would restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living, and deliberately expand economic opportunities for young Nigerians. This would include a **$100 billion financing programme targeted at start-ups and entrepreneurs.

“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said. Atiku argued that the current economic situation required a fundamental change in policy direction, contending that Nigeria could not build a sustainable future by merely distributing palliatives to citizens struggling with rising living costs. “I thanked them for their confidence and reiterated that Nigeria cannot build its future by distributing poverty. We must build an economy that creates jobs, rewards enterprise and gives every young Nigerian a fair chance to succeed,” he said. The ADC candidate emphasised that the 2027 election would offer Nigerians a choice between maintaining an economy that limits opportunities and building one capable of restoring purchasing power, dignity, and prosperity. “We will make Nigeria affordable again,” Atiku declared.

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The endorsement from N-Power beneficiaries came after nearly three days of consultations and stakeholder engagements in Abuja. The group cited years of hardship and unpaid stipends under the Federal Government’s social intervention programme as reasons for withdrawing support for President Tinubu and backing Atiku’s candidacy. According to the beneficiaries, their decision was influenced by what they described as the Federal Government’s reluctance to listen to their concerns, particularly their complaints over outstanding N-Power stipends. The group alleged that years of delayed or unpaid stipends had subjected many participants to prolonged financial hardship, despite the programme being introduced to provide young Nigerians with employment opportunities, skills and financial support. The beneficiaries called on their members and other Nigerians to support Atiku’s candidacy, expressing hope that his emergence would bring renewed attention to youth empowerment, job creation and social intervention programmes.

The former Vice President has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the government’s approach to managing Nigeria’s borders. Atiku had argued a few days ago that the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy contributed significantly to the rise in transportation costs, food prices, and the general cost of living. He proposed a different approach to petrol subsidy, insisting that the government should have maintained it temporarily while putting in place measures to cushion its removal and prevent a severe shock to households and businesses. The ADC candidate also linked Nigeria’s economic difficulties to the closure of the country’s land borders, arguing that restrictions on cross-border trade had compounded hardship for Nigerians who depend on affordable imported goods and regional commerce. However, the government mocked Atiku over the subsidy restoration policy and border closure statement, stating the borders were not closed. Atiku, however, insisted that policies which restrict trade without providing adequate domestic alternatives can drive up prices and reduce the purchasing power of citizens. His position contrasts with the Tinubu administration’s decision to remove petrol subsidy as part of its broader economic reforms, which the government has defended as necessary to eliminate costly distortions, free resources for development and place the economy on a more sustainable footing. The government has also maintained that its reforms are intended to attract investment, increase production and create jobs in the long term, despite the immediate economic pains acknowledged by the administration.

The fuel subsidy war between President Tinubu and Atiku has intensified, with the Presidency accusing the former Vice President of offering Nigerians conflicting explanations of his subsidy policy. The latest round began when Atiku’s spokespersons gave differing accounts of his subsidy position, with one saying he would restore it and phase it out, while another insisted he would retain it until domestic refining capacity improved. Atiku personally intervened, declaring that his position had not changed and that he would restore what he called a targeted subsidy, adding that Nigeria was rich enough to look after its own people. According to Atiku’s camp, the proposal is not a return to the open-ended import racket he once called a fraud, but a capped, audited production subsidy, preferential crude for qualifying Nigerian refineries, and support that follows the barrel rather than the middleman. Reacting, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the sequence as Atiku’s third U-turn in one week and accused him of playing politics with Nigerians’ hardship rather than proposing serious economic policy. Onanuga also disputed the claim that petrol prices alone were driving food inflation, citing insecurity, exchange rates, logistics, storage, flooding, and input costs as other factors, and challenged Atiku to state the cost and financing plan behind his proposed targeted subsidy. Atiku’s camp, however, hit back, arguing that the administration had triggered simultaneous fuel-price, exchange-rate and cost-of-living shocks, leaving millions of Nigerians poorer. Shaibu described it as “economic arson followed by propaganda about the ashes.”

The policy debate has been described by some commentators as a rare moment in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, where elections have typically been fought over zoning, godfathers, and ethnic arguments rather than substantive policy. Atiku’s change of heart on subsidy has forced the political class to debate an actual policy issue, marking what some see as progress in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. Atiku has also questioned the administration’s claim that subsidy had been completely eliminated, citing what he described as approximately ₦17.5 trillion in energy-security costs and petroleum under-recoveries in NNPC’s audited accounts. He asked why under-recoveries remained if subsidy had been abolished and questioned whether the reform had eliminated the opacity associated with petroleum-sector costs. The former Vice President further challenged the government to explain how more than ₦600 billion was spent under its cash transfer programme, citing conflicting figures released by government officials on the number of households that benefited. He demanded verified household records, payment tranches, state-by-state distribution, failed transactions, reversals and an independent audit to prove cash reached beneficiaries.

2027: Atiku Pledges $100bn Start-up Fund, Slams Tinubu Over Cost-of-Living Crisis

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‘Tinubu is a lion with horns’ — Donald Duke warns opposition ahead of 2027

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August 29, 2026

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‘Tinubu is a lion with horns’ — Donald Duke warns opposition ahead of 2027

‘Tinubu is a lion with horns’ — Donald Duke warns opposition ahead of 2027

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate Donald Duke has urged Nigeria’s opposition parties to put aside personal ambitions and unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that President Bola Tinubu is too experienced and politically formidable to be underestimated.

Duke, a former Cross River State governor, said opposition parties would struggle to defeat the incumbent if they continue to pursue separate interests rather than building a coordinated political alliance.

He made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni, where he discussed the prospects of the opposition and the challenges of confronting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.

Duke argued that opposition politicians must first recognise the structural advantage that comes with occupying the presidency.

According to him, the incumbent has access to government institutions and machinery that gives the ruling party a significant advantage during elections.

“Even if the APC did nothing, they’re the party in power. If there’s a problem on that day, the IG of Police will not go to any of the contestants. He’ll go to the president.

“So everything is skewed in favour of the incumbent. Respect that,” Duke said.

The PRP candidate said opposition politicians must therefore work together if they hope to mount a serious challenge against Tinubu.

He warned that allowing individual presidential ambitions and political differences to dominate the opposition camp could result in the votes of anti-APC supporters being divided among several candidates.

“The only way you can seriously tackle the incumbent is to come together and have the force. Otherwise, you’ll be factionalised,” he said.

Duke also blamed what he described as political ego for some of the divisions within the opposition.

He argued that opposition politicians could end up undermining themselves by refusing to make the compromises necessary to build a common political platform.

“So when you talk of rigging, I think we are rigging it against ourselves because of our ego. We need to come together,” he said.

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The former governor also issued a warning against underestimating Tinubu’s political experience and ability to navigate Nigeria’s electoral landscape.

“Bola Tinubu is not an average politician. You don’t go to fight a lion who also has horns,” Duke said.

Explaining the analogy, he argued that an already powerful political opponent would become even more difficult to defeat if the opposition approached the contest without adequate preparation and unity.

“Can you imagine a lion with a horn? It’s already a dangerous animal. Then you now give it a horn and you say go and fight it with knife and fork. You’ll be the dinner. So, let’s get real,” he added.

Duke’s comments come amid growing efforts by opposition politicians and parties to explore the possibility of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

Several prominent opposition figures have held consultations over a possible alliance to challenge the APC and present a stronger alternative to Tinubu.

Among those associated with the wider opposition realignment are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other political leaders.

The proposed coalition has generated significant political debate, with supporters arguing that a united opposition would have a better chance of challenging the APC than multiple parties contesting independently.

However, the coalition effort faces challenges, particularly over leadership, presidential ambitions, party structures and the choice of a consensus candidate.

The competing interests among opposition politicians could make it difficult to persuade major contenders to withdraw their individual ambitions and support a single presidential candidate.

Duke’s own political position also places him within the opposition’s presidential contest. He is the PRP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election and has continued to advocate a broader alliance among opposition forces.

His call for unity therefore comes at a time when opposition parties are weighing whether individual candidates should maintain separate campaigns or work towards a common platform.

The former Cross River governor, who served from 1999 to 2007, believes the opposition must be realistic about the strength of the incumbent and the advantages associated with controlling the federal government.

His argument is that defeating an incumbent president requires more than criticism of the ruling party. Opposition parties, he said, must build an effective political structure capable of competing across the country.

The debate over opposition unity is expected to intensify as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

For the opposition, the central challenge will be whether competing political interests can be reconciled early enough to create a credible coalition and prevent the fragmentation of votes among multiple candidates.

Duke’s latest warning adds to the growing calls for opposition politicians to prioritise a collective strategy over individual ambitions if they are serious about mounting a strong challenge to Tinubu in 2027.

‘Tinubu is a lion with horns’ — Donald Duke warns opposition ahead of 2027

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