Paul Ibe, media aide to ex- Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports in some section of media alleging that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu through Ms Aisha Achimugu made available to his boss money purportedly belonging to Lagos State.

Ibe described the allegation as a blatant lie from the pit of hell and a futile campaign of calumny aimed at advancing the political interests of President Bola Tinubu.

The Atiku spokesman stated that the goal of the allegation is get rid of Sanwo-Olu and to discredit the coalition being put together by the opposition political leaders, of which Atiku is a key stakeholder.

Ibe made this known in a statement on his X handle on Thursday, warning that the campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku must be halted immediately.

Part of the statement read: “We at Atiku Media Office have taken note of reports in a section of the media that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu through Ms Aisha Achimugu made available to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007 money purportedly belonging to Lagos State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is also credited with investigating the matter.

“Let it be known, that this is a blatant lie from the pit of hell; a contrived political hogwash, and a futile campaign of calumny aimed at advancing the political interests of President Bola A. Tinubu.

“Indeed, their strategy is two-fold: get rid of Sanwo-Olu and to discredit the coalition being put together by the opposition political leaders, of which Atiku Abubakar is a key stakeholder.

“This voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku Abubakar must be halted immediately and with alacrity, too.”

Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesman of the ex-Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday insisted that Samuel Anyanwu is the Secretary of the party.

Sowunmi disclosed this while reaffirming the judgment of the Supreme Court over the embattled position of PDP’s National Secretary.

Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye have been at loggerheads over who occupies the position of the PDP’s National Secretary.

However, the Supreme Court had affirmed Anyanwu as the party’s secretary.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Sowunmi said: “By the decision of the Supreme Court today, Anyanwu is the National Secretary. If the NWC considers the judgment now that they have been given powers that it’s an internal affair, then when we get to that bridge, we will cross it.

“I think that for the sanity of the nation, especially for the integrity of the party, it’s totally wrong that one member of the NWC will jump the gun and not wait for the orders before taking the position, however right he may think his position is.

“You can do the right thing in the wrong way, and in this instance, he’s wrong.

“The court said the appeal succeeds and the reliefs sought by Anyanwu are granted. If he is celebrating that relief, it’s correct to do so.

“The court then gave us another window by saying that ‘parties were under a lot of constraints to take decisions in the best interest of matters before us.’

“In my opinion, without taking over the duties of the Governors’ Forum, the BoT, and the NWC, and in understanding that judgment, Samuel Anyanwu is the Secretary of the party.”

Prominent APC chieftain, Hon. Gudaji Kazaure, has expressed his readiness to collaborate with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that Nigeria requires urgent political realignment to address its challenges.

Speaking in a video posted by one Imran U. Wakili (@IU_Wakilii) on X, Kazaure hinted at cross-party cooperation, stating:
“We cannot sit back while Nigeria continues to struggle. If Atiku’s plan is truly about rescuing the nation, we are prepared to align and support the vision.”

His remarks come amid speculation over Atiku’s political moves ahead of the 2027 elections, fueling discussions on potential opposition strategies against the ruling APC.

With shifting alliances shaping Nigeria’s political landscape, Kazaure’s stance signals a possible reconfiguration of forces ahead of the next general elections.

As the move to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 intensifies, Sunday TheNigerian has learnt that the ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and zoning dispute are stalling negotiations among political leaders.

A reliable source involved in the coalition discussions revealed that the camps of 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, were demanding that power should stay in the South for eight years.

The source revealed that the delay in negotiations was due to uncertainty surrounding whether Atiku would run.

According to him, the participants in the coalition drive, particularly from the South, were hesitant to fully engage in the discussions to avoid jeopardising their ambitions and zones.

Coalition moves unveiled

On Thursday, the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku; Labour Party’s Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the formation of a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

There had been a growing debate about whether opposition parties should unite to challenge President Tinubu’s administration. The discussion later gained momentum, as various political figures expressed differing views.

Atiku had consistently emphasised the need for unity among opposition parties.

In his comments on March 8, 2025 he revealed that he was actively working to unite opposition groups to form a coalition to remove the APC from power.

Following El-Rufai’s shift from the APC to the Social Democratic Party on March 10, discussions among opposition leaders gained momentum.

Atiku, along with other opposition figures, declared that the last Thursday gathering marked the official beginning of the coalition.

He said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

Other opposition leaders present at the press conference included a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh; and the Convenor of the Alternative, Segun Showunmi, among others.

Among those involved in the coalition, but whose apologies for absence were noted, were leaders from the ruling APC, including former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); and the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, among others.

Why talks stalled

Our source disclosed that negotiations were stalled because the key figures in the coalition discussions intended to run in the 2027 election.

He stated, “What I can tell you is that quite a lot of people are involved in the coalition. However, they fear zoning. You know that Obi and Amaechi are very much interested in replacing Tinubu, so their camps want power to remain in the South.

“Meanwhile, the Atiku camp is also pushing for the former Vice President to take another shot at the presidency in 2027. So, largely, the zoning issue and Atiku’s uncertain position on 2027 are stalling the negotiations.

“The southerners who want to replace Tinubu are afraid to get involved without knowing Atiku’s stance. If they get involved and, in the future, the coalition declares the race open to all, and Atiku grabs it like he did in 2019 and 2023 in the PDP, most of them would jeopardise their ambitions and potentially shortchange their region.

“This is why many are not participating openly or attending the meetings, like at the last press conference. So, that’s the situation. It’s one thing to agree on a coalition, as they have all agreed on the need for opposition political parties or their leaders to come together. But without clarifying whether they support another Southerner taking over from Tinubu (zoning), the discussion will remain unresolved. It may even give a few leaders reasons not to participate.”

Speaking on this, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, and a close ally of Obi confirmed the camp’s position, stating that stakeholders should support a Southern candidate to run in 2027.

In an interview with Sunday TheNigerian, Ahmeh expressed confidence that a Southern candidate could defeat Tinubu in 2027.

He stated, “We cannot disregard the unwritten agreement between the North and South. So, the best option for those of us in the coalition is to allow the South to complete their eight years, so that the North can come. So, we have to get a southern candidate with the momentum to lead the coalition.

“I am a northerner. By all definitions, by all geographical location, I am a northerner. But one thing I am stating clearly is that we already have an unwritten agreement. We agree that power shall rotate between the South and North. And it shall be on eight years basis. But it is not automatic because it is still subject to elections. People will contest elections, and Nigerians will decide.

“Parties involved in the coalition should be able to consider that this agreement is already there, and we should honour it. The North must understand that all it takes for a country to develop is the principle of understanding, sharing and co-existence, dictated by the fact that we carry and accommodate all corners, regions, and tribes of this country through consensus.

“For me, I believe that this arrangement will be of benefit to the North. The reason why the government system has failed in Nigeria is that we are driven by mediocrity. We are not looking at competence, merit, and ability. If we are looking at competence, merit, and ability, and governance starts to work, I know that in the nearest future, when we have a robust democracy, governance will work for the interests of the people. Then this issue of region, this issue of tribe, will disappear automatically.

“But for now, since it exists, it is in our interest that we do not break that unwritten agreement. Because if we break it, and if a Northern is running on the mutual coalition discussion, I assure you that before 12 o’clock, there will be a consensus with the South to defeat that coalition.”

He insisted that for the coalition to grow into a majority and for the opposition to win the election, there must be an agreement for a southern candidate.

NNPP, PDP oppose zoning

Buba Galadima, a leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and a close ally of the NNPP’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, clarified that there was no agreement between the North and South.

While speaking with Sunday TheNigerian, Galadima emphasized that opposition parties should focus on ensuring credible elections rather than worrying about the zones from which presidential candidates originated.

He stated, “I don’t discuss the North and I don’t discuss the South when I speak on democracy. Okay. If Tinubu is finishing and has done well, and Nigerians decide to vote for Seyi Tinubu, I have no grudge, provided that there is a free and fair election.

“I have no grudge because that is democracy. Opposition should be more concerned about credible election, than this North and South thing.

“And anybody who tells you there is any understanding or agreement between the North and South, tell him he’s a liar. And he doesn’t understand what democracy is. He doesn’t understand what politics is. As far as I am concerned, I am talking about democracy, I am not talking about North and South.”

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the coalition ticket should be open to all Nigerians.

In an interview with The TheNigerian, Osadolor claimed that President Tinubu, a Southerner, had damaged the economy, and therefore, coalition leaders should abandon the North-South zoning system.

APC, Atiku trade words over coalition

The APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, ridiculed the coalition discussions, stating that a building could not stand on a faulty foundation.

Ibrahim, while speaking to Sunday TheNigerian, referred to Atiku as a contestant who was solely focused on his ambition.

He stated, “A building on a weak foundation cannot stand. So, the coalition is already faulty from the beginning. Atiku is always advancing just his interest. Atiku is just a contestant. He is not a democrat. He is a contestant as far as he is concerned. Everything he is doing, if it is not going to favor his candidature, he is not going to do it.

“So, he is not doing it in the interest of the nation. He is doing it in his own personal interest. Now, when personal interest supersedes national interest, there is just no way you can win the heart of the nation.

“So, no way, it won’t work. This thing has been done before. It failed, they are going to do it again, and they will fail.”

In response, the media adviser to the former Vice President, Paul Ibe, criticised the APC, stating that if the party had performed well in governance, there would be no need for coalition talks to remove them.

Addressing the suggestion that Atiku’s unclear stance on the 2027 presidency and zoning was hindering coalition negotiations, Ibe told Sunday TheNigerian that the leaders involved would prioritise what was best for the nation.

He also urged stakeholders and Nigerians not to rush the process.

Atiku’s media adviser said, “It’s clear they (APC) don’t know what to do with the mandate given to them; instead, they are scheming for the future. Everything happening, from the declarations of state of emergency in Rivers State, to the destruction of the democratic space, stripping Nigeria of freedom and liberty, silencing people so that no one would have a voice. The emasculation of opposition parties is what they excel at—dividing Nigerians and creating instability.

“Prices are rising, and Nigerians can barely afford a meal. This situation makes you question the true agenda of the APC government. Is it to preside over the destruction, decimation, and obliteration of Nigeria? Is that why they sought power? They should focus on governance. If they had made something out of the mandate given to them, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

He explained that the main focus of all the leaders and stakeholders was to solidify the coalition.

“It’s not just about one individual; it’s a collective effort. I believe they are discussing what is best for them, so we shouldn’t preempt them. Let’s not put the cart before the horse. I believe the priority of all these leaders and stakeholders is how to firmly establish this coalition to have a robust one.

“The goal is to oust the All Progressives Congress (APC), and I believe that’s what’s most important to them right now, not what has been suggested so far,” he added.

Paul Ibe, the media aide to former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, insisted that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, was involved in anti-party activities.

Ibe maintained that Wike was a willing tool being used by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to destroy the PDP.

He was reacting to PDP’s letter to the Independent National Electoral Commissio, INEC, regarding the recently conducted South-South Zonal Congress.

Ibe noted that the letter affirmed Wike and his cohorts worked against the PDP, adding that it was a deliberate plot to create a crisis.

Posting on X, Ibe wrote: *”It is no longer news that Wike is engaging in anti-party activities; that he is a willing tool used by Tinubu’s APC administration to destroy the @OfficialPDPNig and other opposition parties.

“This letter from the PDP to the @inecnigeria is a confirmation that the actions of Wike and his cohorts regarding the party’s South-South Zonal Congress are contrary to the position of the PDP.

“It is a deliberate ploy to create a crisis to serve the interest of his paymaster.”*

In a letter dated February 20, 2025, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, the PDP stated that the scheduled zonal congress was postponed due to operational constraints.

The letter, signed by PDP’s acting Chairman, Umar Damagum, and Secretary, Sunday Ude-Okoye, noted that a new date and venue would be announced, and the commission would be duly notified.

Despite this letter, Wike and his camp went ahead with the South-South Zonal Congress, which was attended by former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

During the congress, the South-South Zonal Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, was re-elected.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, with the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, on Sunday.

El-Rufai visited Adamu at the latter’s residence in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

This was made public by an X user and staunch follower of El-Rufai, @UI_Wakili.

He wrote: “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accompanied by Mallam Bashir Saidu and Dujima Adamawa, paid a visit to former APC Chairman Abdullahi Adamu today at his residence in Keffi.”

The meeting comes barely 48 hours after El-Rufai accompanied former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on a condolence visit to the family of the late Niger Delta activist, Edwin Clark.

Following the condolence visit, El-Rufai and Atiku observed the Friday Jummat prayer together.

Recently, El-Rufai fell out with APC over what he described as the party’s lack of internal democracy.

He claimed that the party’s organs have not convened in the last two years.

Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant to former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, said President Bola Tinubu is gaslighting poor Nigerians with “phony statistics.”

Shaibu expressed his dismay at the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, for allowing itself to become a political tool.

He demanded an explanation as to how Nigeria’s unemployment rate suddenly dropped from 33.3 percent to 5 percent after the NBS rebased.

Shaibu was reacting to an X post by Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, where he said in April 2024, during challenging times, President Tinubu “expressed confidence that conditions would improve, as evident today by the massive decline in inflation, particularly food inflation.”

“At the Ramadan dinner for the APC Presidential Campaign Council members on April 3, 2024, President Tinubu stated:

‘I campaigned on HOPE, and I am committed to delivering that HOPE. The economy is looking GOOD. Yes, we face inflationary challenges, but we will bring it down! We are reengineering, reclaiming our sovereignty, and restoring Nigeria’s respect on the global stage.’”

This comes as the NBS said inflation in Nigeria dropped to 24.48 percent.

However, Shaibu wondered how inflation dropped miraculously while the prices of commodities continued to rise.

Shaibu posted on X:

“Not done, the NBS decided to shift its focus to the inflation rate, which had been over 34%, the highest in over three decades. Rather than actually do the real work, Tinubu boasted at the budget presentation last December that the inflation rate in 2025 would drop to 15%, which every economist, including Bismark Rewane – who serves in his economic advisory committee – dismissed as overly optimistic.

“The attempt by the @officialABAT Presidency to gaslight Nigerians is appalling, to say the least. It is also nauseating that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which is mostly funded by the World Bank, has allowed itself to become a willing political tool.

“How do we explain it? At the start of the Tinubu Presidency, the unemployment rate was 33.3%. Suddenly, the NBS rebased unemployment figures and redefined employment to mean anyone who works for at least one hour a week. The NBS subsequently announced that the unemployment figure is now 5%, meaning Nigeria has nearly the same unemployment rate as the United States and the United Kingdom. How laughable!

“Not done, the NBS decided to shift its focus to the inflation rate, which had been over 34%, the highest in over three decades. Rather than actually do the real work, Tinubu boasted at the budget presentation last December that the inflation rate in 2025 would drop to 15%, which every economist, including Bismark Rewane – who serves in his economic advisory committee – dismissed as overly optimistic.

“However, the NBS came again with its abracadabra by rebasing the Consumer Price Index. The result? Inflation is now 24.48%. Inflation drops miraculously while prices continue to rise, including just last week when all Telcos increased their call tariffs by 50%, and some increased data services by as high as 200%.

“In the coming weeks, the GDP, which is now about $200bn after over 73% devaluation of the naira, is also going to see a miraculous increase. Already, APC supporters are projecting that the GDP will exceed $600bn, which will boost Tinubu’s dream of a $1tn economy.

“This is all going on while poverty is worsening and items like rent, school fees, call tariffs, electricity tariffs, and transportation costs are all rising. The question remains, are Nigerians better off today than they were on May 29, 2023, when the Tinubu administration took over? The answer is a resounding NO.

“It is disheartening that since Yemi Kale exited the NBS, the new leadership has lost its credibility and has allowed itself to succumb to political manipulation and intimidation, such that even its website is hardly functional.

“Rather than gaslight poor Nigerians with phony statistics, Tinubu and his ilk should learn a lesson from Sri Lanka, which was putting out fake statistics about its inflation and debt profile. The result was an unprecedented economic crisis, which also eroded investor confidence.”

Key political figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and allies of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, held a private meeting with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday.

The closed-door meeting, which took place at the SDP national secretariat, has sparked speculations about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among the notable attendees were  Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha an ex-presidential candidate and former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen Sani Abacha and Atiku’s former spokesman, Otunba Segun Showunmi.

Although the specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is being described as part of a broader strategy to forge alliances among opposition figures with the aim of presenting a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the next election cycle.

Showunmi confirmed the meeting in a Facebook post, describing it as a “strategic gathering” convened by SDP Chairman, Shehu Gabam, to evaluate the state of opposition politics in Nigeria.

“You must set forth at dawn! A Strategic Meeting was called by HE Shehu Gabam, Chairman of SDP, with HE Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Otunba Segun Showunmi. The alternative to meet, greet, and review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria,” Showunmi wrote.

The SDP Chairman,  Gabam, also confirmed the meeting in an interview with The TheNigerian, saying it was a meeting of like-minded individuals seeking to connect with others who shared their vision for Nigeria’s progress.

Gabam stated “There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any one of them about officially joining SDP. So, as I said, they are open to conversation and negotiations for a better Nigeria. It’s not about a political party; it’s about the future of Nigeria.

“We are looking for like-minded people who believe in the future of the country so that we can work together and uplift the individual standard of Nigeria.

“It’s not just them. The attention of the media only went to them. I have received a lot of dignitaries from different political parties in the office, discussing the way forward, how to stabilise the country, and how to offer productive, progressive advice to this government so that there will not be a crisis.

“Because once the government has a crisis, it affects every Nigerian. So, part of our responsibilities is to make sure we are not facing a crisis. When the time comes, we will decide what to do about other things.

“There is an ongoing conversation. When the time comes, we will arrive at a conclusion, and we will hold an official press conference. Once we agree on what we are going to do together, we will unveil it to all Nigerians. But at the preliminary stage, we are having our own social gatherings and discussing national issues.”

Gabam described the SDP as a responsible and respectable party that engaged in constructive opposition without provocation.

“So, principally, that’s what we are doing. More like-minded people are already on board. So today, there are other heavyweights involved, with whom we are discussing. To me, it’s a normal thing, a normal routine that I go through in the office all the time.

“So, it’s a welcome development, not just for those of us that met, but for everyone willing to come on board. SDP is a responsible party by history and analysis, and we will continue to provide decent leadership for Nigeria.

“Our interest is our country first, above any other consideration. We want to have a peaceful country, a well-coordinated country, economic prosperity, political stability for investors, and so on.

“We don’t have any other objective other than that. So we are playing our role as an opposition party, just the way APC played its role and ousted PDP from power,” he added.

The meeting comes just two days after El-Rufai dismissed rumors of his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party.

On his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the former governor labelled the reports as “patent lies” and indicated he had instructed his lawyers to pursue legal action against those spreading the misinformation.

“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” El-Rufai posted.

A close associate of El-Rufai also refuted the claims, suggesting that such allegations were the work of mischief-makers intent on creating political uncertainty.

The involvement of prominent APC figures like El-Rufai in discussions with SDP leaders has fuelled speculation about potential cracks within the ruling party.

While El-Rufai remains a key figure in the APC, his participation in opposition-related activities is being closely watched by political analysts.

As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 elections, this meeting signals an intensifying effort among opposition groups to consolidate and strategize for a united front against the ruling APC.