A former presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for allegedly prioritising politics over governance
He accused the ruling party of paying greater attention to fuelling internal conflicts within opposition parties to gain undue advantage in the political space than it was giving attention to the task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
Obi, who said this in a post on his verified X handle yesterday, said that when a few weeks ago President Trump described the country as “now disgraced”, it sparked outrage, but he wondered if this could honestly be disputed today.
In the post, titled “Now Disgraced Nation,” the former LP standard-bearer said: “A few weeks ago, when President Trump described our country as ‘now disgraced,’ many were outraged.
“Yet, how can we dispute it when, within a single week, 25 people were kidnapped, and one of our generals, along with other officers, was killed?
“Today, we witness another troubling terror attack in Kwara State. Rather than uniting in this critical moment, we are consumed by internal wrangling, party squabbles and distractions.
“Look closely at what is happening in the PDP, the Labour Party, SDP, and other political formations—crises deliberately orchestrated by a government that should be embracing everyone, so we can unite in this troubling period.
“I am reminded of a pivotal moment under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. During an internal crisis in my then-political party, he instructed the INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, that the stability of every political party, not just the ruling party, was essential for democracy. No party was to be undermined; all were to function within the law.
Atiku tackles Tinubu over ‘On Your Mandate’ rendition at judges’ conference
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the playing of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign anthem, “On Your Mandate,” at the opening of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference.
He described the incident as an “assault on national dignity” and proof of what he called the administration’s capture of state institutions.
In a statement on Wednesday, Atiku said he initially dismissed the clip — which aired on Channels Television — as fake until it was confirmed to be authentic.
What I saw was nothing short of an assault on our national dignity,” he said, adding President Tinubu allowed his “personal political anthem” to replace the National Anthem at the end of the Chief Justice’s address.
Atiku criticised the Presidency and the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for failing to offer any explanation.
“What I saw was nothing short of an assault on our national dignity,” he said, adding that President Tinubu allowed his “personal political anthem” to replace the National Anthem at the end of the Chief Justice’s address.
Atiku criticised the Presidency and the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for failing to offer any explanation.
I waited for an explanation from the Presidency or the office of the CJN. Silence. Total, deafening silence,” he stated.
The former vice president said the incident fits into what he described as the Tinubu administration’s systematic weakening of democratic institutions.
“The Tinubu-led APC government has consistently pursued a systematic capture of state institutions, crushing opposition voices, and steering Nigeria toward a de facto one-party state,” Atiku alleged.
He argued that the playing of the tune at a judicial gathering undermined President Tinubu’s own remarks at the event on protecting judicial integrity.
