Category: Politics

By Kamal YalwaJuly 26, 2025 A political storm is brewing following a controversial statement by Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in which he accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of favoring Christians in key appointments across his administration. In a widely circulated message, Na’ibi claimed that President Tinubu’s government has disproportionately handed top federal positions to Christians, despite running a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. He suggested that Muslims must “rise up and take over the country” from what he referred to as a “Christian government.” The statement has sparked outrage and renewed religious tensions in the political space, with critics accusing Atiku’s camp of fueling division and promoting an anti-Christian agenda. A counter-narrative has since emerged, highlighting the religious identities of high-profile Christian appointees under the Tinubu administration. The list includes: Observers note that the religious composition of Tinubu’s cabinet and appointees reflects a diverse, multi-faith balance—contrary to accusations of sectarian bias. “This administration’s appointments are arguably among the most inclusive Nigeria has seen in recent years,” a political analyst commented. “To frame this as anti-Muslim or pro-Christian is disingenuous and dangerous.” Meanwhile, the presidency has yet to issue an official response to Na’ibi’s remarks. However, civil society groups and interfaith organizations have urged political actors to refrain from incendiary language capable of destabilizing the country’s fragile unity. Political tensions are expected to rise further as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, with religion and ethnicity once again taking center stage in national discourse.

The Presidency has dismissed recent claims by former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is marginalising northern Nigeria. Kwankwaso, speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment held in Kano on Thursday, accused the federal government of concentrating resources and development efforts in the South, while poverty and insecurity continue to escalate in the North. He also decried the poor condition of infrastructure in the region, citing a recent journey from Abuja to Kano via Kaduna. The trip, he said, was a “hellish” experience due to the deteriorating state of the federal highways. In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday to counter the accusations. Dare described the allegations as unfounded and insisted that the Tinubu administration is committed to inclusive and equitable development across all regions of Nigeria. He reaffirmed that no section of the country is being neglected or treated unfairly in the current dispensation. “The North has not been sidelined,” Dare said, adding that the administration’s infrastructure and economic policies are designed to benefit the entire nation, irrespective of geography or political affiliation.

A new controversy has erupted over the involvement of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the emerging opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with claims surfacing that he was tricked into joining the alliance under false pretenses. Reports suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be positioning himself as the coalition’s leading presidential hopeful for the 2027 elections, following recent statements hinting at his intention to run again. At a public event, Atiku vowed to clamp down on corruption if elected, saying, “I swear to God, if elected, whoever steals or engages in any corruption-related activities, we will declare war against them and they must be punished.” Meanwhile, Peter Obi clarified that he has not discussed any joint ticket arrangement with Atiku or anyone else. He reiterated his commitment to serve only a single term if elected president. “If there is any form of agreement that will restrict me to four years in office, I will comply with the agreement and be ready to leave office on the 28th of May 2031,” Obi said. Obi Was Deceived into Coalition – Ex-Adviser Alleges Katchy Ononuju, a former Special Adviser on Public Affairs to Obi during the 2023 presidential campaign, alleged that Obi was misled into joining the coalition. According to Ononuju, the promise was that Obi would emerge as the presidential candidate after the coalition’s launch, but those behind the move had other intentions. “They tricked Peter Obi, saying don’t worry, go and register, go, let us inaugurate. After the declaration, we will start negotiating on you being the presidential candidate,” Ononuju told DAILY POST. “But ADC is an Atiku Abubakar construct. You’re not going to get it.” Ononuju claimed he had warned Obi against trusting the arrangement and cautioned that any attempt to accept a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or anyone else would result in a “political death.” He stressed that the youth-led Obidient Movement would reject such a compromise. “Peter Obi as a political creation will die if he abandons the youths. In every single administration, the voice of the Vice President does not matter; it is muted and if he complains, he is degraded,” he said, citing past vice presidents such as Osinbajo and Atiku himself. Obi Remains with Labour Party – Tanko Reacts Reacting to the claims, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, dismissed Ononuju’s assertions as attempts to sow discord. He denied that Obi was tricked into joining the coalition and reaffirmed his continued membership in the Labour Party. “They are trying to create distractions and disharmony,” Tanko said. “If Peter Obi is going to make any statement as regards the coalition, you will get it from him directly, from me, or from any of his aides.” Tanko emphasized that the coalition was being formed with 2027 in mind and does not affect Obi’s current affiliation with the Labour Party. “He has made it clear that he is a member of the Labour Party to protect the interest of his followers… The coalition is a coalition he is interested in for the 2027 general elections and we are in 2025,” he added. While the ADC-led coalition remains in the early stages of formation, internal power struggles and conflicting ambitions appear to be threatening its cohesion even before any formal structure has been agreed upon.

Adamu Garba, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned that sycophants around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are misleading him about the true state of the country and the ruling party. Garba made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He noted that the recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as APC national chairman has exposed the party to attacks from opposition forces, particularly a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as “vultures” seeking to exploit the party’s internal cracks. “There are a lot of sycophants around the president, people telling him that things are okay — but things are not okay,” Garba said, stressing the need for sincere and capable leadership within the APC. He also lamented that the party’s popularity in the north has declined since the exit of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. According to him, the APC secured only 5.5 million votes in the region during the 2023 elections, compared to Buhari’s historic 12 million votes. Garba urged the party to “re-engineer its strategies” to remain politically relevant in Buhari’s absence.