Politics

Tinubu campaign accuses Atiku of gross misconduct, teaches him Lincoln history

Published

4 years ago

July 24, 2022

Tinubu campaign accuses Atiku of gross misconduct, teaches him Lincoln history

The Tinubu Campaign Organisation has reacted to the Arise TV interview granted by Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, exposing what it calls the candidate’s lies, misconduct and poor knowledge of history.

The reaction on Saturday by media director Bayo Onanuga, was titled, Mr Presidential candidate: Lincoln did not contest US Presidency five or six times, Takeaways from Atiku Abubakar bungled interview on ARISE Television.

Read the full statement:

We have watched Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s interview on ARISE Television and were extremely shocked by the many lies and ignorance displayed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.

In the interview, Alhaji Atiku exposed himself as a man who is not prepared for the job he is applying for and a man who can not be entrusted with our commonwealth. He was flippant in his response to important questions about his record of service and how he made money while serving in Customs. He muddled up facts and exhibited befuddling absence of mind.

Here are our Takeaways from the bungled interview:

1. PDP Candidate is a law breaker: It was most shocking Atiku admitted that he cheated the system for decades and engaged in gross misconduct as a government worker. As a customs officer at the Idi-Iroko border, Atiku revealed that he ran a commercial taxi service, claiming ‘there is no law stopping public officers from doing business in Nigeria”. He punched harder, claiming there is no conflict of interest in doing so.

We found this to be untrue. Every officer in the civil service is expected to comply with a code of conduct and service rules which bar civil and public servants from engaging in private business while in government employment to the detriment of the service he/she is employed to render to the public. The 1999 constitution further codifies this in Part I, Fifth Schedule, Section of 2 (b).

It says a public officer shall not, except where he is not employed on full-time basis engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade. The rules however allow a public officer to engage in farming.

We wonder which rule or which law Atiku was relying upon for his gross misconduct as a public officer. It is our considered view that Atiku gamed the system all through his career in public service, culminating in his founding of the Intel Logistics along with Late Shehu Yar’Adua and some Italians, even while he was still in the employment of the Nigerian Customs Service.

2. Poor Knowledge of key sectors of the economy: We also found it surprising that the PDP presidential candidate does not know the contribution of oil and gas industry to Nigeria’s GDP. He claimed the sector represents 20% of our national GDP whereas it is below 10 percent and it is still falling owing to the growth of non-oil sector under the current All Progressives Congress led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

3. False Data from Egypt: Atiku Abubakar wanted to impress his audience with his supposed knowledge of international and he ended up embarrassing himself with false data he cited about Egypt. We found his claim that Egypt has 2 million police officers on the streets to be untrue. Various sources put the number at about 500,000 for a population of 104 million.

4. Rotational Presidency: Asked to justify why the PDP jettisoned Section 3C of its own constitution which enshrines power rotation between the North and South, Atiku tried to fudge his answer by focussing on Governor Nyesom Wike and his effort to reconcile with him after he, a northerner snatched the presidential ticket that ought to have been taken by a southerner. While Atiku was playing to the gallery on APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket he didn’t see seeking to be President after 8years of a President from his part of Nigeria as politics of exclusion.

Probed further, Atiku provided several contradictory answers. In one breath, he said power rotation is not in the constitution. In another breath, he said the PDP has never “micro zoned any position’. Then he admitted that the party has always rotated power between the North and the South. Atiku’s justification as to why he became PDP’s presidential candidate, instead of a southerner is a perfect example in ellipsis: “In politics”, he said, “we negotiate power through negotiations(Sic)”. Whatever that means.

Atiku ever an expert in not telling the truth did also not come clean over his once-upon a time preference for same-faith ticket. In 1993, after Atiku and Kingibe lost to MKO Abiola in the SDP presidential primary in Jos, Atiku was the choice of the Yar’Adua camp to become Abiola’s running mate. Abiola overlooked him and picked the more cerebral diplomat and bureaucrat, Babagana Kingibe. In all the tonnes of biographies written about him, there was no where he said he opposed Shehu Yar’Adua’s support for his candidacy as Abiola’s VP. He was not against it, since it favoured him. Now, it is politically convenient and opportunistic for him to oppose Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

5. Political Credentials: Most reprehensible was Atiku’s lies about how many times he ran to become the governor of Adamawa or old Gongola state.

Mr. Presidential candidate, in case you don’t know due to your limited education, you run for an office, only, when you are on the ballot in an election. Your signifying interest in an office does not mean the same as running for the office. From available records, the first time you contested the governorship election in your state was in 1999. Your name entered the ballot for the first time and you won.

6. Poor grasp of history: Atiku Abubakar also exhibited poor Knowledge of history when he claimed that Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s famous leaders contested the presidency five to six times before he eventually won.

This is a beer parlour tale that has been recycled over time. Lincoln contested U.S. presidency twice. He ran in 1860 and 1864 and won both, before he was assassinated 15 April 1865.

The false story about Lincoln’s failed presidential bids sprang from his previous failed state and national elections, from his state of Illinois. They were not the same as America’s presidential election.

According to historians, Lincoln lost his first election in 1832 for Illinois state legislature. In 1834, he ran again and won.

In 1843 he ran for Congress. He lost. Three years after in 1846, Lincoln ran for Congress again – this time he won and went to Washington. From established history, in 1848, Lincoln ran for re-election to Congress and lost. In 1854, he ran for Senate of the United States. He lost. Lincoln also made another failed bid for U.S. Senate from Illinois in 1858. He lost to Democrat Steven Douglas.

Our conclusion is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is ill-prepared to be President of Nigeria if he could bungle a Television interview that was planned well ahead of the day and time the duo of Dr. Reuben Abati and Ms.Tundun Abiola conducted it.

We expected the PDP presidential candidate to be well informed on any issue before coming on national television to expose himself to avoidable ridicule.

Politics

ADC Unstoppable, Like the Sun — Aregbesola Declares at 8th National Convention

Published

19 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ADC Unstoppable, Like the Sun — Aregbesola Declares at 8th National Convention

ABUJA — Former Osun State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that the party remains “unstoppable,” likening its rise to the inevitability of the sun, despite what he described as attempts by the ruling establishment to weaken opposition forces.

Speaking at the ADC’s 8th National Convention, Aregbesola said the party’s existence is rooted in the will of Nigerians and protected by the constitution, insisting that no political pressure or institutional interference could halt its progress.

“Just as no power can stop the sun from rising, so can the ADC not be stopped,” he told delegates.

Blasts Political System, Accuses Ruling Forces of Undermining Democracy

The ADC leader accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of actions he described as anti-democratic, alleging efforts to frustrate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

He criticized what he termed the normalization of political “criminality,” arguing that recent political realignments and electoral practices undermine democratic integrity.

According to him, ADC does not owe its existence to any individual or institution but to Nigerians “tired of deceit and mismanagement.”

Harsh Assessment of Economy, Security, and Governance

Aregbesola painted a grim picture of the nation’s condition, citing economic decline, rising inflation, and worsening living standards.

He noted that the naira’s depreciation from about ₦700 to ₦1,400 per dollar reflects what he described as poor economic management, while fuel prices have surged significantly, making daily life difficult for citizens.

On security, he described the current situation as one of the worst in Nigeria’s history, raising concerns about increasing violence and what he called a lack of empathy from leadership in responding to national tragedies.

ADC Positions Itself as Nigeria’s “Rescue Mission”

The former minister said the ADC has, within months, transformed into a major opposition force, claiming it now represents the “hope of the Nigerian people.”

He outlined the party’s rapid structural expansion, ongoing membership drive, and efforts to build alliances with other opposition groups including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Aregbesola emphasized that the party is preparing to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections through what he described as a “united opposition front.”

Defends Party Leadership Changes, Convention Legitimacy

Providing details of internal restructuring, Aregbesola said the emergence of new leadership, including David Mark as caretaker national chairman, followed due constitutional process and was duly communicated to INEC.

He argued that the commission’s refusal to monitor the convention violates provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that ADC fulfilled all legal requirements.

Alleges Persecution of Opposition Figures

The ADC leader further accused the government of using state institutions such as anti-corruption agencies and security services to intimidate opposition politicians.

He cited cases involving figures like Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal, describing the trend as a dangerous signal for democracy.

Calls for United Front Ahead of 2027

Aregbesola concluded with a rallying call for Nigerians to support the ADC’s mission to restore “freedom, security, and prosperity,” warning against political apathy.

“A democracy without opposition is an autocracy,” he said, urging citizens to reject what he termed any attempt at political “coronation.”

Closing Note

The convention, themed “So that Nigeria will work for Freedom, Security and Prosperity,” brought together party delegates and stakeholders, marking a significant step in ADC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Politics

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO APC CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA YAYI

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Sahara Weekly

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO APC CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA YAYI*

On behalf of our Grand Patron, Dr. Tunde Osinowo (Pepperito Jnr.), we leaders and Members of Ogun East for Yayi heartily congratulate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) for being the consensus Governorship candidate of our party, APC, in the 2027 election.

This is marvelous and indeed great in the sight of God.

Without mincing words, the choice of Yayi by the party stakeholders is the best and the most surest assurance to coast the Party to victory at the general elections come February, 2027.

We commend the maturity, dispositions and spirit of sportsmanship with which all the Gubernatorial aspirants embraced the decision and extended hands of fellowship to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, the Gubernatorial Hopeful.

We beseech God to grant Yayi and all of us, leaders, followers and supporters, the enablements to see him duly elected as Governor of Ogun State at the general election in Jesus mighty name.

We congratulate the incoming Governor of Ogun State and our Excellency in waiting, Yayi.

This is Yayi O’clock.

Praise God!

Mo yo fun e, mo yo fun ra mi.

Politics

Lagos Remains Center of Nigeria’s Economy, Says Obasa

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lagos Remains Center of Nigeria’s Economy, Says Obasa

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has reaffirmed Lagos as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy, stressing that despite Abuja being the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos continues to drive the nation’s economic strength.

Obasa made this declaration on Thursday, April 16, when he received the new leadership of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), led by its President, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, during a courtesy visit to the Assembly.

The Speaker emphasized that Lagos remains the best destination for investment in Nigeria, citing landmark legislations such as the Public Private Partnership Law, the Employment Trust Fund Law, and the Lagos State Lottery Law as evidence of the Assembly’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment. He noted that these laws were designed to support entrepreneurs, attract investors, and sustain Lagos’s position as the economic hub of the country.

“Lagos is the center of Nigeria’s economy. We have always been pro-business and pro-people, and our laws reflect this commitment. Lagos is strategically placed to be the leading light of Africa, geographically, economically, and otherwise,” Obasa stated.

Earlier, Engr. Kupoluyi appreciated the Assembly’s initiatives and called for stronger collaboration between the legislature and the business community. He urged the House to continue enacting policies that would ease business operations and foster economic growth in the state.

The LCCI delegation included Chief Varkey Verghese, MFR (Hon. Life Vice President), Sir Ladi Smith (Vice President), Princess Layo Bakare-Okeowo (Vice President), Dr. Chinyere Almona, FCA (Director General), Dr. Sunnie Omeiza-Michael (Director, Research & Advocacy), and Mrs. Akintunde Temitope (Director, International).

Members of the House present were Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, Hon. Oladele Ajomale, Hon. Jubril AbdulKareem and Hon. Bonu Solomon and Hon. Ajayi. Also in attendance was Clerk of the House Mr. Lekan Onafeko, alongside aides to the Speaker.

The meeting underscored the shared vision of both institutions to position Lagos not only as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse but also as a continental leader in commerce and development.