society
The Betrayal of a Dream: How Atiku Abubakar Undermined the PDP Legacy
The Betrayal of a Dream: How Atiku Abubakar Undermined the PDP Legacy
By George O. Sylvester (According to Chief Frank Anagu)
Once upon a time in the annals of Nigerian political history, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stood tall as the most beautiful bride of the Fourth Republic graceful, purposeful and built on the sacrifice of visionaries who gave their sweat and soul to end military tyranny. Founded in the wake of national despair, the PDP was not just a party it was a mission, a covenant between the people and democracy.
The party’s roots trace back to the courageous G34 group, a coalition of Nigeria’s finest elder statesmen led by the likes of the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Olu Falae, Pa Abraham Adesanya and other political patriots. Their singular goal: to oust the dictator Sani Abacha and restore the rule of law in a bleeding nation. It was not a game of power, but a fight for Nigeria’s survival. The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), originally founded by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, played a crucial role in that struggle. Upon Yar’Adua’s death, his political heir, Atiku Abubakar, took the reins of PDM and merged it with G34. This union birthed the PDP, a party we all laboured to build.
It is within this historical backdrop that the tragedy of Atiku Abubakar’s political missteps must be critically examined. According to Chief Frank Anagu, a founding member and former Chairman of the PDP South Africa Chapter and former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), the party’s decline is not accidental it is the result of avoidable betrayals, unholy alliances and a chronic lack of discipline and ideological clarity from leaders who should have known better.
When the PDP was being formed, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was still incarcerated. Upon his release and in a spirit of national healing, the party’s founding fathers approached him to serve as a one-term transitional president. His mission was clear: to rein in the military, professionalize the armed forces and restore Nigeria to democratic sanity. Atiku Abubakar, in what was then considered an act of patriotism, supported Obasanjo’s emergence against the grain of party elders.
But power, as always, reveals the character of men. Once in office, Obasanjo reneged on the gentlemen’s agreement and sought a second term. Rather than defend the original covenant with the party’s founders, Atiku betrayed that agreement and justified it by saying Obasanjo had “knelt down” to beg for his support. At that time, Atiku wielded immense power controlling 28 PDP Governors and could have restored principle over politics. Instead, he enabled the betrayal. That was the first mistake.
On December 14, 2004, during the African National Congress (ANC) Convention in Stellenbosch, South Africa, a defining moment unfolded. Chief Frank Anagu, then PDP Chairman in South Africa, was at the Cape Town International Airport to receive Vice President Atiku Abubakar. With him were Chief Charles Rapuluchukwu Ufochukwu (PDP Chairman, Western Cape) and Dr. Tunji Olagunju (then Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa). But to their astonishment, the first person to step off Atiku’s flight was none other than Bola Ahmed Tinubu accompanied by Bayo Ojo. A chill ran down the spines of those present. This was no ordinary visit; it was a political omen.
Chief Frank Anagu, addressing Atiku, cautioned him strongly: “Be very careful about those who do not want you to be President of Nigeria.” The ambassador himself nodded in agreement and clapped, a silent but firm endorsement of the warning. Yet, Atiku, ever dismissive of internal wisdom, defended his closeness with Tinubu in front of the Nigerian community. Worse still, he uttered the words that would haunt him for years: “I can be President of Nigeria with or without Obasanjo.” That arrogance, that detachment from political reality, marked the beginning of his downfall.
Atiku’s perpetual DECAMPING from PDP to Action Congress (AC), then back to PDP, then to APC and again back to PDP reflects a man not anchored by principle but by political survivalism. Such instability has led to the erosion of the PDP’s ideological identity, resulting in the disillusionment of party faithful across the nation and in the diaspora.
Today, the PDP is a shadow of its former self not because it lacked talent or vision, but because leaders like Atiku failed to embody consistency, discipline and loyalty. Chief Frank Anagu, having served in several capacities within the PDP and having witnessed firsthand the integrity of the party’s formation, laments what the party has become: “This is not the party we fought to build. It was a dream born from sacrifice. Now, it is threatened by selfish ambition.”
The lesson here is simple: no political movement can survive the constant betrayal of its founding ideals. The PDP was never designed to be a one-man show, but a collective platform of patriotic Nigerians committed to unity, equity and justice. Atiku’s political zig-zagging and refusal to reconcile sincerely with key party blocs has cost the PDP dearly.
But all hope is not lost. In the spirit of political redemption, Chief Frank Anagu offers strategic advice: “Now that the Labour Party is in disarray, Atiku must be bold and humble enough to forge an alliance with the Obidient movement of Peter Obi.” This is not about Peter Obi or Atiku alone, it is about rebuilding the foundation of democratic politics in Nigeria. A merger of credible forces is not only strategic, it is necessary for survival.
The 2027 elections present a critical opportunity. Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of recycled confusion. A coalition that unites the PDP’s experience with the energy and idealism of the Obidient movement may very well be the last hope of rescuing Nigeria from the grip of impunity and visionless governance.
Chief Frank Anagu’s reflections must not be dismissed as mere nostalgia. They are a wake-up call. The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on whether leaders are willing to set aside ego for purpose, ambition for nationhood and manipulation for morality.
Let this serve as a historic record. The PDP was built on blood, sweat and a dream. It must not be allowed to die at the hands of those who benefited most from its birth. Nigeria deserves better. And so does the People’s Democratic Party.
society
How Tinubu’s Government Is Suffering For Ignoring Primate Ayodele’s Early Prophecies On Insecurity
*How Tinubu’s Government Is Suffering For Ignoring Primate Ayodele’s Early Prophecies On Insecurity
After swearing-in on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received goodwill messages from renowned men of God, with many prophesying that his administration would be better, especially in terms of security.
Many of these messages were based on the earlier promise of the All Progressive Congress that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, would tackle insecurity adequately for the country.
However, in the midst of these praises and goodwill messages, renowned prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele, who is known for always revealing the future of any new administration, spoke in a prophetic message that went viral, that insecurity will be used as a great tool against Tinubu’s administration.
The prophet had been talking about another APC government since 2022, noting that Nigerians will face several economic hardships, and he was detested by the ruling party and its supporters because of this. They saw him as an opposition party when they were supposed to listen to his prophetic warnings. However, it happened; the major indices of the economy are energy and currency. The exchange rate and price of petrol have never been so much like it has been for the past three years now.
The prophet warned repeatedly that insecurity and the economy would be the major issues President Tinubu would face in his administration, but did they listen? Absolutely not, because if they did, some of the issues being faced in the country would have disappeared.
Beyond his statement before the election, Primate Ayodele continued to warn the government against insecurity, even as far as warning against an impending coup. The prophet had revealed that some powerful Nigerians are angry with the president and have planned to remove him unconstitutionally. Of course, they never believed this till it happened. If not for the prophetic security alert issued by the prophet, the president may have been removed when the coup came to light.
These were his warnings regarding the coup:
“There will be an attempt to unseat Tinubu unconstitutionally; the NSA, DSS, and Chief of Army Staff must be careful about this. There are some gangs planning between November to January to unseat him.”
https://tribuneonlineng.com/some-powerful-nigerians-plotting-to-remove-tinubu-through-coup-primate-ayodele/
Thankfully, they were arrested, and some of them have been detained.
More recently, there were attacks on some states on Easter Sunday, leading to the death of some Christians. This happened as a result of obstinacy on the part of security operatives because just days before it, Primate Ayodele specifically warned that some states would be attacked from Easter Sunday, and it did happen, with security operatives having nothing to do to stop the incident.
These were Primate Ayodele’s warnings.
“Our security operatives must watch Easter Sunday well because plans have been concluded to carry out attacks in seven states starting from that day.
“The states to watch out for include Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, and Kaduna.
“The security operatives must be extra vigilant in these states starting from Easter Sunday.”
https://theeagleonline.com.ng/easter-sunday-primate-ayodele-warns-seven-states-of-terrorist-attacks/
Yesterday, there was an internal memo released by the Nigerian Customs Service that Boko Haram are planning to attack some prisons and airports in the country.
This corroborated the prophetic warning of Primate Ayodele, which he shared some weeks ago, regarding some prisons, specifically mentioning Kuje prison.
These were his words:
“Break jail is imminent, Kuje prison or they send a bomb into Kuje prison, it’s a midnight work…..”
Meanwhile, Primate Ayodele had warned that there are people sponsoring insecurity in President Tinubu’s government. He also urged him to name some of them in order to curb it, but this has yet to be done.
President Tinubu’s government would have been one of the best, but insecurity has tarnished it greatly, and the country is gradually returning to the days of daily killings; even Nigerian high-ranking soldiers are not spared. This insecurity has given the administration a bad record internationally, with the US naming Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
If the president had listened, Nigerians, and even the government, wouldn’t have suffered this much. However, it’s not too late for them to turn a new leaf.
society
Nigerian Navy Deepens Ties With Ogun Community
Nigerian Navy Deepens Ties With Ogun Community
In a deliberate effort to strengthen civil–military relations, the Nigerian Navy School of Music on Wednesday hosted youths from the Lemode Community Development Committee at its premises, in an engagement designed to foster trust and cooperation between the military and the civilian population.
The initiative, aligned with the civil–military cooperation drive under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reflects a growing recognition within the armed forces that national security is reinforced not only through operations but also through meaningful connections with civilians, particularly the youth.
The visiting youths from Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State were received with warmth and professionalism, as naval personnel ensured seamless coordination, adherence to security protocols, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Central to the engagement was a security orientation session aimed at deepening mutual understanding and encouraging intelligence sharing. This was complemented by cultural and social interactions that helped demystify military life, presenting naval personnel as partners in community development. The exercise underscored the Navy’s commitment to openness and sustained engagement with host communities.
Addressing participants, the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Adelaja Sanni, described the visit as a strategic platform for strengthening ties between the Navy and the civilian population. He emphasised that such initiatives help to build trust, promote unity, and foster a shared sense of responsibility for national development.
“The safety of our collective space relies on the information we share. Security awareness means making the youth our primary partners in intelligence. You understand your environment better than anyone, and we rely on your vigilance to keep our communities safe,” he said.
He commended the discipline and conduct of the participants, noting that while activities of the day may pass, the lessons on cooperation and security consciousness would endure.
Sanni also acknowledged the role of Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, describing him as the key link that made the engagement possible. According to him, Folorunsho’s consistent drive for open communication, and strategic public engagement has been central to bridging the gap.
A highlight of the visit was a novelty football match between personnel of the Nigerian Navy School of Music and the visiting official football team, popularly known as Met Boys. The encounter was lively and competitive, ending 2–1 in favour of the community side. OSBD Hunsa MM scored for the Navy, while Abubakar Onifade netted a brace to secure victory for the visitors in a game defined by skill, energy, and sportsmanship. Officials, however, stressed that the significance of the event extended far beyond the scoreline.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting community, Lateef Owodunni expressed appreciation for the warm reception, noting that the initiative had significantly bridged the gap between the military and the youth.
“The security orientation was enlightening. We now understand that intelligence sharing is not about targeting our own people, but about protecting our communities from criminal elements. We are taking this message of vigilance and cooperation back home,” he said.
Owodunni commended the Nigerian Navy, led by Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, particularly Captain Folorunsho, for promoting a people-centred approach to security communication. He described him as instrumental in fostering inclusive engagement within the Nigerian Navy.
He also applauded the leadership of the institution under Lieutenant Commander Sanni, noting that the Commanding Officer demonstrated that lasting peace and mutual understanding are achievable through consultation, dialogue, and engagement rather than confrontation or exclusion.
The engagement was received by other top officers of the Nigerian Navy School of Music, including the Chief Instructor, Lieutenant Onaolapo Onabolu, senior departmental heads, and other key personnel of the establishment.
society
Ijebu Muslim Professionals advocate Okubadejo for Deputy Governorship Candidate for 2027
Ijebu Muslim Professionals advocate Okubadejo for Deputy Governorship Candidate for 2027
Ijebu Muslim professionals have thrown their weight behind Hon. Dapo Okubadejo, advocating him for the deputy governorship candidate position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State.
The endorsement was made public by the President of the association, Sherik Abdulazeez Malik Odumosun, who addressed members of the media on the group’s position and reasons for backing Okubadejo.
According to Odumosun, Hon. Okubadejo has demonstrated exceptional leadership capacity and commitment to grassroots development through his role as a commissioner, particularly in the area of infrastructure development across Ijebu land.
He noted that several road projects executed under Okubadejo’s influence have significantly improved connectivity and boosted economic activities within the region, earning him widespread commendation from residents.
Odumosun further highlighted Okubadejo’s contributions to youth empowerment, stressing that his initiatives in skills acquisition, ICT training, financial support, and job creation have positively impacted many young people in the area.
On security, the association praised Okubadejo for strengthening safety measures by supporting security agencies with operational vehicles, thereby enhancing their capacity to tackle emerging security challenges in Ijebu communities.
The group also acknowledged his role in facilitating access to government opportunities at the federal, state, and local government levels, describing him as a bridge between the people and the government.
He described the commissioner as one of the most accessible public office holders, noting that his leadership style has translated into tangible and positive achievements across Ogun State.
While urging party stakeholders and the general public to support the call, Odumosun emphasized that pairing Okubadejo with Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as governorship candidate would ensure balanced representation and sustained development in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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