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Atiku: “I bear no grudges against PDP Members’ Defectors to APC “

Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights

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Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the 2023 presidential election wrote today on his official Facebook page :

“I have been overwhelmed with inquiries from concerned Nigerians, all eager to understand my position on the latest political shifts, particularly the defection of some PDP members to the ruling party.

Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights.

Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.

As someone who holds fast to these values, I bear no grudges against anyone for exercising their right to political alignment.

Defections, alliances, and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics.

We’ve seen them before, and we’ll see them again.Some have resorted to insults because I visited former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Let’s not rewrite history: Buhari is not only a former leader but a significant statesman in the Nigerian political landscape.

During the 2013 opposition merger, the leaders of the time consulted widely — including visits to Obasanjo and Babangida.

So why is it now sacrilegious for me and other leaders to visit Buhari in Kaduna? If you truly believe in freedom of association, then you must respect the rights of all political actors to engage, regardless of party lines.

Defections, alliances, and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics.

When PDP leaders are busy sipping tea and brokering power deals with President Tinubu, it’s called strategic alliance.

But the moment I greet Peter Obi, el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national emergency. Hypocrisy and the politics of selective outrage have never been this fashionable!

Let us be clear: the coming political battle is not APC versus PDP or LP versus APC. It is Nigerians versus an administration that has plunged the nation into untold suffering.

The economy is in freefall. Inflation is choking the masses. Jobs are vanishing.

Youth restiveness is surging to terrifying levels. Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry, and rightfully so.

This moment is about collective survival. The real enemy is not one another — it is the Tinubu administration’s abysmal failure.

We must reject every attempt to distract us with ethnic, regional, or religious sentiments. These are tools of manipulation, designed to divide and conquer, used by those with nothing else to offer.

The Tinubu administration has no achievements to stand on and no credible record to defend. Its only strategy is chaos and division because that’s the last refuge of the incompetent.

And make no mistake— an incompetent captain does not only wreck his ship; he endangers the lives of everyone on board. -AA”

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Politics

Hamzat emerges Lagos APC governorship candidate

Hamzat secured a commanding 657,917 votes out of the 657,974 accredited votes cast, while Jim-Kamal managed just one vote, underscoring the overwhelming support for the deputy governor.

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The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 election.

The party’s direct primary was held at the APC Secretariat on Acme road, Ogba in Ikeja, the State’s capital.

Hamzat defeated his challenger, Lanre Jim-Kamal, in what party officials described as a peaceful and transparent exercise.

Hamzat secured a commanding 657,917 votes out of the 657,974 accredited votes cast, while Jim-Kamal managed just one vote, underscoring the overwhelming support for the deputy governor.

The results were announced by the Chairman of the Governorship Electoral Committee, Gen. Jon Temlong, , Ogba.Hamzat’s emergence followed a wave of endorsements from key power blocs within the Lagos APC, particularly the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).

The primary was further shaped by the withdrawal of several aspirants ahead of the exercise.

Notably, Babajide Adeniran, popularly known as Jandor, and Samuel Mawuyon Àjọṣe, also known as SMA Gold, stepped down from the race in support of Hamzat, consolidating backing around his candidacy.

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Labour Party shifts primaries over Sallah, Democracy Day anniversary

The change became necessary following a clash between its earlier timetable and key national events

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The Labour Party has rescheduled its 2027 presidential, governorship, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primary elections to May 30.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, stating that the change became necessary following a clash between its earlier timetable and key national events.

The party had earlier fixed its governorship and state House of Assembly primaries for May 27, while presidential and National Assembly primaries were scheduled for May 29.

Asogwa noted that both exercises will now be conducted on the same date, May 30.

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Politics

2027: Natasha emerges PDP Kogi central ticket

The lawmaker pledged to continue representing the interests of the district and maintain close engagement with communities in the zone.

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan wave to crowd of supporters

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Vanguard reported that thousands of party members and supporters turned out across the 57 wards of the district to affirm her candidacy during a simultaneous exercise on Wednesday.

The process was concluded at Kahal Cinema, Okene, where party leaders, stakeholders and supporters gathered for the final collation of results.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and journalists monitored the exercise in the wards and at the collation centre to ensure compliance with due process.

Speaking after the collation, Akpoti-Uduaghan thanked party members for what she described as an overwhelming show of confidence and unity.

“This affirmation is a reflection of the trust and confidence the people of Kogi Central have continued to place in our collective vision for progress, inclusion and development,” she said

The lawmaker pledged to continue representing the interests of the district and maintain close engagement with communities in the zone.

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