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When Greed Overrides Wisdom: How Atiku and the PDP Squandered a Winning Coalition
When Greed Overrides Wisdom: How Atiku and the PDP Squandered a Winning Coalition
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
It is a tragedy, an unforgivable political miscalculation that Nigeria’s main opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), willingly forfeited their best chance at national redemption. They did not lose because of APC’s strength or Tinubu’s so-called masterstroke. They lost because of arrogance, greed and an unforgivable betrayal of their most strategic internal voices; the G-5 Governors.
Those who have neither deep pockets nor godfather connections, those without bullion vans or foreign campaign donors have always deserved more respect in the political equation. Yet, under the leadership of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP arrogantly reduced its broad-based support system into a cult of cash-driven influence. That was the death knell.
The PDP’s fatal sin was not just fielding Atiku Abubakar as its 2023 presidential candidate, it was turning its back on the five governors who had stood by the party in its darkest hours: Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo). Known as the G-5 or Integrity Governors, they embodied the ideological, ethnic and political balance the PDP needed. But they were cast aside in favor of Atiku’s ambition.
The Arrogance of Imposition
Atiku Abubakar’s emergence in 2023 was an imposition, not a consensus. The PDP’s constitution and internal rotational agreements clearly stated that power should return to the South after President Buhari’s eight years. Instead, Atiku, a northerner like Buhari, bulldozed his way back to the presidential ticket, forcing Southerners to take the back seat in a party they helped build from the ground up.
Worse still, he made no effort to negotiate or pacify aggrieved blocs. The G-5 demanded only one thing: that the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu (also from the North), step down to reflect regional balance. Atiku refused.
As Wike bluntly put it: “You can’t have the presidential candidate and national chairman from the same region. What kind of party is that?” His warning was dismissed as noise.
The Fallout of Betrayal
That betrayal fractured the PDP irrevocably. In the 2023 presidential election, the PDP lost four of the five G-5 states. Rivers State previously a PDP fortress went to Tinubu. Oyo voted APC. Benue abandoned the PDP. Enugu and Abia turned out weak figures for the party. The Labour Party won most of the Southeast, capitalizing on PDP’s internal betrayal.
The outcome was predictable. You don’t alienate your most strategic governors and expect miracles at the polls.
In politics, optics and loyalty matter as much as money and strategy. But Atiku and his loyalists failed to understand that a campaign fueled by dollars without grassroots integrity is destined to fail. That is why, despite being on his fifth presidential attempt, Atiku still could not win the trust of Nigerians.
Labour Party: A Missed Opportunity as Well
The Labour Party, though fresh in its appeal, also failed to capitalize on this disaffection. Rather than build strategic alliances with aggrieved PDP factions like the G-5, Peter Obi ran a largely solo campaign. The LP mistook social media applause for political structure. That was a costly misreading of Nigerian politics.
In a nation where governors still control the levers of power, delegates, logistics and security but ignoring the G-5 bloc was an amateur mistake. With Wike’s war chest and Ortom’s moral voice, LP could have formed a Southern alliance strong enough to break APC’s northern grip.
But egos got in the way.
A Nation Betrayed by Its Opposition
This is not just the failure of a party, it is the failure of Nigeria’s democratic opposition. Instead of rising above selfish ambition, opposition parties became fractured camps driven by personal goals. Atiku wanted to be President at all costs. Obi wanted to prove he could do it without them. The result? Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the godfather of Lagos politics walked into Aso Rock with just 36% of the total vote, the lowest winning margin in Nigerian history.
To quote Chinua Achebe, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the opposition’s refusal to work together.
Money Bags vs. Grassroots Integrity
For too long, Nigerian politics has favored the “money bags” politicians whose wealth determines their worth. But the G-5 were not just governors. They were symbols of the battle against a system rigged against internal democracy. By demanding equity in leadership and power rotation, they were fighting for the soul of the party.
Atiku and his camp chose to mock them, label them “rebels,” and remove them from the decision-making table. That was short-sighted. What is the value of a presidential ticket if you can’t carry your strongest foot soldiers along?
The Integrity That Was Ignored
Samuel Ortom stood firmly against Fulani herdsmen attacks and spoke truth to federal power at a time others cowered. Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi stabilized volatile states in the Southeast. Makinde emerged as one of the most popular PDP governors in the Southwest. And Wike say what you will is one of the few governors who stood firm for the PDP during the APC storm from 2015 onwards. These were not rebels. These were warriors. The PDP chose to insult them instead of rewarding their loyalty.
The Consequences Are Still Unfolding
Today, the PDP is a shell of itself. Internally broken, externally defeated, ideologically confused. The party has lost the trust of the South, the votes of the Middle Belt and the coordination that once made it a national force.
Labour Party, now grappling with internal leadership crises and court cases, is also at risk of becoming another elitist club without grassroots cohesion.
If a coalition had been formed between the G-5, the LP and select APC defectors in 2023, Nigeria could have had a different President today. But instead, the people were robbed of that possibility by egos and elite blindness.
Quotes That Echo Loudly
“Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians,” Charles de Gaulle once said. Sadly, Nigeria’s opposition parties proved that quote accurate. They had the chance to rescue the nation from decades of rot. Instead, they chose themselves.
The G-5 were not perfect, but they understood what many in PDP and LP failed to grasp: winning elections requires unity, structure, and sincerity of purpose not just ambition and money.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front.” Atiku and the PDP elite did the opposite. They led from the front, with no army behind them.
In Conclusion: Lessons for 2027
If the opposition is to have any chance in 2027, they must start now not with ticket hoarding or backroom deals, but with sincerity and unity. Let there be no repeat of the betrayal of the G-5 governors. Let power rotation be respected. Let alliances be based on principle not just platform.
The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on who is in power but on how those who seek power treat one another.
The G-5 are still relevant. Ignore them again and Nigeria may suffer the same fate, a recycled presidency, imposed leadership and dashed hope.
You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.
Abuja, Nigeria – The maiden edition of the You Against Crime – Schools Festival 2026 Grand Finale has concluded, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement and crime prevention efforts across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The event, held at the University of Abuja, brought together 78 secondary schools from the six Area Councils of Abuja, with the top six schools competing in the Grand Finale.
*Winners Emerge*
Tudunwada School, Bwari took the top spot, followed closely by The Golden Crest Royal in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kuje in third.
*CULTURE, THE CURE FOR CRIME*
The festival’s theme, “Culture, The Cure for Crime,” highlighted the importance of values, identity, mentorship, and positive engagement in preventing crime and shaping responsible citizenship among young people.
*DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS*
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman, Amnesty International, praised the initiative, saying, “This festival is a beacon of hope for our young people, promoting values and principles that can shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”
Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, “Empowering young people with the right guidance and opportunities is key to preventing crime and building a stronger nation.”
*PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT*
The 2026 Grand Finale Edition was proudly sponsored by Civicx Technology Ltd Int’l, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and crime prevention through cultural reorientation and innovation.
Tayo Folorunsho, Host & Founder, You Against Crime International, addressing the media and appealed to government agencies to support initiatives like this, targeting young minds early.
You Against Crime International is a movement advocating cultural change as a long-term solution to crime. The organization remains committed to advancing youth development, civic responsibility, and nation-building across Nigeria.
TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations
The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has launched a roadmap for the full implementation of a paperless regime at the command.
Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stating that the command was fully prepared for seamless digital operations ahead of the nationwide rollout scheduled for the second quarter of the year.
He described the engagement as the first in a series of consultations aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the strategies, operational framework and expectations under the new regime.
The controller commended the media for its constructive reportage since his assumption of office and sought continued collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.
Presenting the command’s performance report, Onyeka said the Tin Can Island Command generated ₦609 billion in revenue in 2025, describing it as the highest in the history of the command.
He added that revenue collection rose from ₦116 billion recorded in January of the previous year to ₦145 billion in the corresponding period last month, representing an increase of over ₦29.9 billion.
Onyeka stated that his vision was to make the command known for trade efficiency, explaining that under the paperless regime, containers would be released without physical contact between Customs officers and clearing agents, provided declarations were accurate.
He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and strategic direction driving modernisation efforts across Customs formations nationwide.
The controller urged stakeholders to avoid false declarations and engage directly with the command to resolve concerns, emphasising that transparency and dialogue were essential to achieving efficient port operations.
He assured that consignments with clear scanning results and proper documentation would be released promptly, while those flagged by the risk management system would undergo physical examination, adding that the command would continue to collaborate with other agencies to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance port efficiency.
Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
British media personality Katie Price is once again at the center of tabloid and public attention after being photographed poolside with her new husband, Lee, in a display of affection that quickly circulated across entertainment platforms. The images, reportedly taken during a recent leisure outing at a private resort location in the United Kingdom, show the couple embracing and kissing beside a swimming pool, with Lee prominently displaying a tattoo tribute dedicated to Price.
The photographs, which surfaced in mid-February 2026 through British tabloid outlets, depict the couple appearing relaxed and affectionate. Lee, whose full name has been reported in sections of the UK press but who largely maintains a lower public profile compared to his wife, lifted his arm to reveal a visible tattoo said to be in honor of Price and a gesture widely interpreted as a public affirmation of their relationship.
What happened was straightforward but symbolically charged: a public display of affection between newlyweds, amplified by Price’s longstanding celebrity status. Where it happened (poolside at what sources describe as a private holiday setting) underscores the blending of personal life and public spectacle that has long defined Price’s media journey. During a recent February getaway placed it squarely within ongoing tabloid interest surrounding her latest marriage. Price, 47 and her new husband Lee, whose visible tribute tattoo became the focal point of the moment.
Celebrity culture scholars argue that public figures such as Price operate within a media ecosystem where visibility sustains relevance. “Modern celebrity is performative intimacy,” explains Professor Graeme Turner, a media and cultural studies scholar known for his work on celebrity culture. “Public displays of affection are not merely private acts; they are communicative gestures that reinforce brand identity and narrative continuity.” In Price’s case, her romantic relationships have long been interwoven with her public persona.
Price first rose to prominence in the late 1990s under the glamour model moniker “Jordan,” before transitioning into reality television, publishing and business ventures. Her personal life (including previous marriages and high-profile relationships) has frequently generated headlines in the British press. This latest marriage continues that pattern of intense scrutiny.
The tattoo tribute displayed by Lee is particularly significant in celebrity symbolism. Body art dedicated to a partner is often perceived as a declaration of permanence. Dr. Chris Rojek, emeritus professor of sociology and an authority on fame and public identity, has observed that “celebrity relationships are sustained as much through symbolic reinforcement as through private commitment. Visible tokens (rings, tattoos, coordinated appearances) function as public assurances.” In this case, the tattoo serves not merely as personal expression but as a visual narrative device in an already highly mediated relationship.
How the moment unfolded (casually but conspicuously) reflects the dynamics of contemporary celebrity coverage. Photographs were reportedly captured either by paparazzi stationed nearby or shared through controlled media access, a common practice in the British entertainment industry. Within hours, the images were republished by multiple outlets, accompanied by commentary on Price’s relationship history and ongoing legal and financial challenges, issues that have previously placed her under intense public scrutiny.
Despite recurring controversy throughout her career, Price remains a resilient media figure. Communications analyst Mark Borkowski has previously remarked in interviews that “Katie Price understands publicity better than most. Whether by design or instinct, she maintains a feedback loop with the press that keeps her culturally visible.” The poolside photographs appear to fit squarely within that established pattern of managed exposure and reactive media amplification.
Critically, there is no indication of misconduct, public disturbance or controversy tied directly to the poolside display itself. It was, by all verified accounts, a consensual and celebratory expression of affection between married adults. The wider attention it has generated speaks less to the act and more to the individuals involved; particularly Price’s enduring position within British popular culture.
For global audiences, the episode illustrates a broader truth about contemporary fame: private milestones often become public commodities. The marriage of Katie Price and Lee (and the symbolic tattoo that now marks it) has become another chapter in a life lived persistently under the camera’s gaze.
As celebrity culture continues to blur boundaries between intimacy and publicity, moments like this poolside embrace are no longer trivial snapshots. They are narrative events, reinforcing identity, commitment and brand continuity in equal measure.
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