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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

APC begins nationwide memberships e-registration

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a post obtained from APC’s X handle on Friday, said the exercise is being conducted in all wards nationwide.

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•APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka

The All Progressives Congress has invited all stakeholders, supporters, and members, both old and new, to participate in its ongoing Membership Electronic-Registration Exercise across the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a post obtained from APC’s X handle on Friday, said the exercise is being conducted in all wards nationwide.

“Existing members are expected to validate their membership, while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the party.

Participants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN) to complete the registration process,” he said.

Morka said that the e-Registration exercise is designed to digitise the Party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, provide efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions, promote internal democracy, and strengthen APC’s commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria.

He urged all eligible Nigerians to take part in the exercise and join the progressive family of Nigeria’s ruling party.

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Tinubu Urged To Emulate Atiku’s Political Tolerance

Atiku has now equalled the Saraki Dynasty in political tolerance, sagacity , acceptability and cohesion”, Eze said

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•Atiku Abubakar

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to emulate the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the area of political tolerance and sagacity.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze , a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State , made the call referencing the recent defection of Atiku ‘s son to APC, from the PDP.

Describing Atiku as an iconic, humane, trailblazer and sagacious politician, who has distinguished himself on the list of Nigeria and Africa’s democrats, Eze stated that by that singular act, the former Vice President equals the Abubakar Olusola Saraki dynasty in political tolerance.

Eze, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said that the defection of Atiku’s son was historic, personal and a big moral and political lesson to Tinubu and others who parade themselves as democrats in Nigeria.

He opined that the defection of Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, has further exemplified and projected Abba’s father, the former Vice President as one of Africa’s seasoned democrats, with unblemished democratic principles and accolades.

“By supporting his son’s defection from PDP to APC, Atiku has risen the bar of democracy, thereby showing and proving to the world that he is truly in words and actions, a refined and principled democrat.

Does anyone question Atiku’s status as a democrat? Certainly, the answer is no. In deed, Atiku by all ramifications is a leading democrat in Africa.

His democratic credentials have continued to soar high by the day”.

“Atiku has now equalled the Saraki Dynasty in political tolerance, sagacity , acceptability and cohesion”, Eze said.

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Rivers High Court Halts Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara

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In a significant development amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Port Harcourt, has granted an interim injunction restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly from proceeding with impeachment steps against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The ruling, delivered by Justice F.A. Fiberesima on Friday following ex parte motions in two separate suits filed by the governor (Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026) and his deputy (Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026), bars the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, the Clerk of the House, and other defendants from forwarding any resolution, articles of impeachment, or related documents to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi.

The court also specifically restrained the Chief Judge from receiving, considering, forwarding, or acting on any such communications for the purpose of constituting a seven-member investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and deputy.

The interim order is effective for seven days, pending the hearing of the substantive motion, adjourned to January 23, 2026.

This judicial intervention comes hours after the Rivers State House of Assembly, during its plenary on Friday, unanimously resolved to press ahead with the impeachment process.

The lawmakers formally requested the Chief Judge to set up the panel, insisting the move was in line with constitutional provisions despite earlier withdrawals and reversals by some members.

The impeachment proceedings were initiated on January 8, 2026, with the Assembly citing alleged gross misconduct by Fubara and Odu, including issues related to the demolition of the Assembly complex and unauthorized spending.

The process has seen fluctuations, with four lawmakers initially withdrawing support in favor of dialogue before some reversed their stance.

The Assembly has reportedly dismissed the court order, arguing that the judiciary lacks the power to intervene in legislative impeachment processes under the constitution.

The ruling provides temporary relief to Governor Fubara amid heightened tensions in the oil-rich state, where the political rift has drawn national attention.

The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for the next court date.

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