Politics
Between Jonathan And Atiku
The stage is set for the clash of the titans for the seat of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria under the umbrella of the PDP. Burning issues in the polity, based on zoning, power shift, power rotation, exploitation and domination of minorities, resource control, federal revenue derivation has turned the contest to a North-South South struggle.
The Northern disposition of upholding the PDP zoning agenda, reinforced by their claim that the tenure of northerners as president is stiff and unfinished business, given the demise of late President Umaru Yara’Adua, who led for three years before given up the ghost. The emergence of politicians like Maj-Gen IBB, Atiku Abubakar, Shekarau etc. tend to endanger the chances of the northerners from grabbing the position. This motivated the Adamu Ciroma-led NPLF to conduct the consensus election for all northern aspirants in PDP, in which Atiku Abubakar emerged the winner. Now the question is, Atiku and Jonathan who does the cap fit?
Answering questions of this magnitude requires and unparalleled analytical ability of this two personalities, their political antecedents, their economic strength, strength of their campaign teams, people –oriented acceptability analysis, their current political form, the needs of the politico-economic entity Nigeria in the next four years.
Personality Analysis:
Atiku, Sarkin Turaki is a firm personality; he’s got guts, he’s a kind of person that goes for what he wants unmindful of whose ox is gored. He looks pretty hard, a bit rigid, and unlikely o favour a bargain against his conscience. He has a fighting spirit, dogged, as clearly seen in his face-off with OBJ, loves and lives a life of affluence, capital accumulation and continuous acquisition of properties. His ostentatious life outside the country, makes him so high an unapproachable capitalist in the eyes of his kinsmen, which makes his social life, popularity, degree of integration with the masses questionable. IBB proves to be a more down to earth politician than he is.
Jonathan is a gentleman in words and in action, a lecturer before he joined politics. He is a humane, lighter personality, who is willing to trade off some of his personal interest for the interest of peace, not over-ambitious, quiet, patient man. He is a kind of personality whose silence, calm disposition is quickly misconstrued by many, but he is on the contrary a pragmatic, rationale person in decision taking. Though he is not a kind of shouty politician, with much popularity, he has made millions of open and secret admirers and has few problems with his colleagues if any, actually favoured by the masses.
Political Antecedents:
Atiku has been a former governor of his state, a former vice president under OBJ, that’s his political antecedents in mainstream national politics. Jonathan Goodluck has been a former deputy governor of Bayelsa State under DSP Alamieyeseigha, a governor of the state, a former vice president under late president Umaru Yar’Adua, a former acting president and now the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sarkin Turaki’s tenure as vice president of the country was marred with power tussle between him and his master OBJ, this led to his indictment by the EFCC on case of money laundering, siphon of government funds and misuse of office in the acquisition of many companies via his privatization policy during their regime. Struggling with the master and the powers that be, SARKIN TURAKI gained ground, had loyalist and has been fighting to fill the no I position of the country amidst the political tides. Now, he is back with the slogan “the man OBJ and EFCC could not stop” an eloquent testimony of his preparedness to break into piece all bars of iron and gates of bronze inhibiting his emergence as the president, including OBJ.
On the contrary, JONATHAN, have not had much scores to settle with his colleagues, masters in the game, he has almost prudently observed Robert Greene’s law no. 1, his 48 laws of power, “never outshines the master”. His trying times came when his master Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health crisis reached its peak. The state was in anarchy for 5 months. He did not strategise to take over, he only sat down and watch the northern political juggernauts play their gimmicks. But if GOD propose who can dispose? Others championed the course that made him acting president, not that he hadn’t the strength to go for it, but he wasn’t ambitious.
Economic Strength:
An unbiased analysis, in the declaration of assets of Jonathan before assuming the position against Atiku’s current financial state. Atiku is more financially robust than Jonathan.
Campaign Strength:
Atiku’s campaign organization which has its branches in almost all the states of federation with its headquarters at No 1 Luanda Crescent Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja parades professionals, sophisticated, highly equipped staffs, volunteers, analyst, prominent politicians working round the clock. Spearheading his campaigns are persons of the caliber of Senator Ben Obi, Mr Chris Mammah, Dr Adeolu Akande, Garba Shehu, Bashir Yussuf, Prof Gidad Maxwell, Dr Udenta with a host of other fellows integrated from four campaign organizations of four northern aspirants.
They have succeeded in securing Atiku a successful return to PDP. A waiver to contest the position of the presidency which OBJ has incessantly denied him in the platform of PDP, and they also helped him emerge as consensus candidate of the North in PDP via NPLF.
Jonathan campaign team parades men like Ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Sully Abu, Dr Godsday Orubebe, Mike Omeri, Dr Saidu Samaila Sambawa, Mrs Biodun Olujuna, Abubakar Muazu et.
From all indications, sources gathered that though other professionals are said to be at work for Jonathan’s, the level of proficiency, hardwork, dedication in Atiku’s camp is far more greater than what is available in Jonathan camp.
Prime Movers Behind These Men:
For Atiku, rpime movers like Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alex Ekwueme, Chief Matthew Mbu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Major Gen. IBB, Aliyu Gasau, Governor Bukola Saraki, Mr Bashir Yussuf Ibrahim, Sabo Abdulahi and many more.
For Jonathan, his movers are Maj Gen OBJ, Gov Godswill Akpabio, Sen David Mark, Speaker Bankole, Tony Anenih (Mr Fix It). The man that said that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. Many other governors, ministers, house of rep and senate members seeking re-election.
The war of words between these two sects of political groups has taken another dimension since the emergence of Atiku as the Northern consensus candidate, coupled with his campaign slogans which depicts his violent pride over his achievement of returning to the PDP, securing a waiver to contest amidst strong opposition from the PDP Board of Trustee chairman, OBJ.
This is a game, perceived by Adamu Ciroma as the struggle for the maintenance of the politico-economic containment of the Northern hemisphere in the nation, through its renowned Mafia. A battle by Atiku against the bewitchment his intelligence, human right to contest and win by claims of unquestionable political hegemony of Obasanjo and a total war against the insurmountable nature of the power of incumbency with Jonathan. Who wins this war?
Their Current Political Form
Atiku is just a citizen of Nigeria, currently without any political portfolio, but who strongly believes that with his wealth and former political structure by him, he can move mountains. Goodluck Jonathan is currently the president of the country.
What Nigeria Needs In The Next Four Years.
Nigeria needs political stability, Nigeria needs economic stability in the form of increase in Government revenue, high per capita income, economic restructuring to aid equitable distribution of the nation’s resources. Nigeria needs creation of employment opportunities for graduates and everybody seeking employment, Nigeria needs relative price stability, inflow of foreign direct investments and a total stop to money laundering and capital flight. Nigeria needs a drastic reduction of salaries of lawmakers, by at least 30%, use it to finance unemployment benefits for people unemployed. The question is who is in a better position to make these things happen?, Jonathan or Atiku?
Conclusion
In the personality analysis, I think Atiku’s personality would be utility oriented in times of taking hard decisions, in matters of war and peace to protect the territorial integrity of the nation. On the other hand I think Nigerians who prefer the soft person in Jonathan, who can still reconsider his stand for the interest of his people. This can be seen in his withdrawal of his ban on Super Eagles, football in Nigeria after a poor outing in South Africa considering the consequences of the FIFA hammer on the future of upcoming talents and the happiness of Nigerians. On that paraphernalia we give it to Jonathan.
On the political antecedents and experience, from the analysis above, Jonathan has occupied more positions in the smallest period of time than Atiku, also having few or now personal issues with his colleagues during his stay in those offices gives him an edge on that. Judging from their economic strength, Atiku is more prepared for the battle than Jonathan with respect to their equity capital. On their campaign strength, Atiku steal leads Jonathan given the information symmertry, cohesion, dedication, hardwork, connectivity among his group and their successes so far.
On the men behind them, Atiku’s men are majorly veterans in the game, the Northern mafia with a lot of experience. It is still very difficult to undermine the strength of people like OBJ, Tony Anenih on the side of Jonathan, but what makes this struggle classical is the personal challenge between OBJ and Atiku. OBJ’s statement “I dey laugh o” and Atiku’s campaign group’s response “we dey laugh too o” on that standpoint it’s a 50-50 game.
With respect to their current political form, Jonathan is excellently on top. Finally giving an unbiased analysis of the needs of Nigerians against the potentials of these aspirants, for political stability to remain Jonathan is the man, because the emergence of Atiku would mean a total dismantling of the Niger Delta which is inimical to capital inflows in form of FDI (Foreign Direct Investments), FPI (Foreign Private Investments), which would affect availability of jobs and reduce government revenue through potential taxes from these firms.
For economic restructuring and equitable distribution of income wouldn’t work with Atiku given his orientation towards privatization of companies, capital accumulation, acquisition of properties. Given the position of Karl Marx in his Das capital concerning capital accumulation, he said” accumulation of capital, wealth on one sie of the pole is at the same time accumulation of poverty, misery, agony of starvation on the other side of the pole.”
On the case of price stability, this is an index that is usually transmitted in Nigeria through movements in prices of petroleum products, especially fuel, but since Goodluck Jonathan became the president, he quickly declared for sale our oil in northern reservoir, this has made the supply of the commodity more than its demands, a singular reason that can make any Nigerian vote for him, this stability in the internal price of petrol has reinforced stability in other goods and services in the country, on this standpoint Jonathan is favoured. The last but not the least is the government revenue. Crude oil contribute 75% of Nigerian revenue and all the crude oil that sustains the country is drilled from the Niger Delta area, who have been crying out since 1960 of the domination, exploitation of the government on the area without corresponding development strides for the goose that lays the golden egg. Now, by an act of God, one of their sons manages to be at the helm of affairs of the nation and someone from the same north that has been ruling the country for years wants to outwit him. The consequences are at our tips, no more oil drilling which implies no more money for the economy, any attempts to use force on them metamorphoses into a holy war and finally a possible disintegration of the country, but we don’t pray so.
This is just a personal opinion.
Egege Justice
Justice Egege
He said he would not hesitate to activate the recall process against any lawmaker found wanting, if he returns for a second term in office.
He stated this while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including those who lost out at the recently held national and state assemblies primaries and have become aggrieved and disrespectful to the party.
While emphasizing the supremacy of the party, he said decisions were taken in the overall interest of the party and the state and must, therefore, be respected by all members.
He warned lawmakers against being insolent and arrogant to their people to the extent of shutting them out after each election cycle, saying such would no longer be condoned.
“So I am appealing to all of you. If you were born with arrogance, please just drop that ticket here”, he said.
The governor hinted that after the next cycle of elections, the process of recalling lawmakers who made themselves “tin gods” would be activated.
“Well, they say they don’t recall people from parliament, but this will be the first time.
“Anybody whom the people say they are tired of will be brought back home. Anybody who goes and forgets his people completely and doesn’t care, thinking that during elections he will come and pretend to be a good man, will be brought back.
“And we are making this very, very clear. We will not fail in what we have said. I am working tirelessly; I don’t sleep. If you are going into office during this period, there will be no sleep for you”, he said.
He advised politicians not to ignore their people who hold the power, insisting: “You cannot overlook them and become so arrogant and pompous that you don’t know your people.”
Gov. Otu also advised members of the ruling APC, who lost at the just-concluded party primaries in the state, not to defect to opposition parties like the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that they would suffer untold hardship and would not make any political headway, if they did.
“There are some kwashiorkor parties that are registering people. Such parties are wasting their time and not even my time. They cannot do anything.
“I don’t want anybody to suffer the fate I suffered. That’s why I’m warning those aggrieved aspirants who lost not to go the way of those parties to avoid unnecessary suffering.
“I don’t want anybody to go that route. It’s an absolute waste of time, energy and people’s future, because at the end of the day, you will drag people into that bottomless pit.
“And when you drag them there and can’t take care of them, you begin to rot, you begin to die. May God give me the energy and power to sustain.”
He appealed to the aggrieved APC members, saying: “There’s nothing that we cannot settle. God’s time is the best. Whatever we’ve done is for the common good of all of us.”
2027: INEC APPEALS JUDGMENT ON ELECTION GUIDELINES
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified aspects of the Commission’s 2027 General Election Guidelines.
The appeal, filed before the Court of Appeal, seeks to overturn the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The trial court had nullified the provision in the guidelines directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as part of the conditions for participation in the 2027 General Election.
The suit challenging the directive was instituted by the Youth Party, which argued that the Commission’s timeline was inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline stipulated under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
However, INEC, through its counsel, Chief Alex Izinyon, SAN, filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment.
The Commission also filed a motion seeking an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
INEC raised nine grounds of appeal, arguing among others that the trial court failed to determine the jurisdictional issue concerning whether the suit was hypothetical and academic in nature.
The Commission further contended that the respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the suit and urged the Court of Appeal to strike out the case accordingly.
INEC maintained that its actions were in line with its constitutional mandate to ensure the orderly conduct of elections and effective electoral administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
WHY I ENDORSE TINUBU’S SECOND TERM BID — ADELEKE
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has explained that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027 was influenced by moral responsibility and the need to sustain developmental progress.
The governor said his endorsement was not based on political calculations alone but on what he considers appropriate in view of the relationship between Osun State and the President, as well as ongoing projects benefiting the region.
The position of the governor was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Mr Olawale Rasheed.
According to the statement, Gov. Adeleke spoke on Sunday after conducting an inspection of the ongoing construction work on the Ibadan–Ile Ife–Ilesa Expressway.
During the visit, the governor reportedly commended President Tinubu for embarking on major infrastructure projects across Osun State and other parts of the South-West.
Gov. Adeleke noted that infrastructure development remains essential to economic growth and improved connectivity among communities.
He acknowledged the significance of road projects currently underway, stressing that such investments are expected to contribute to easier transportation, commercial activities, and broader development outcomes within the region.
The governor also highlighted the importance of leadership support in facilitating projects that have direct effects on residents.
He indicated that recognition should be given where efforts are being made to improve public infrastructure, particularly projects capable of enhancing movement between states and strengthening economic interactions in affected areas.
According to the statement, Gov. Adeleke’s remarks came while assessing the progress of the expressway project, which has continued to attract attention due to its strategic role in linking major cities within the South-West.
The governor reportedly used the opportunity to express appreciation for federal involvement in projects impacting Osun State.
His comments further reflected his view on political and regional ties, especially considering Osun State’s historical connection to President Tinubu.
Gov. Adeleke suggested that such considerations, alongside visible developmental initiatives, shaped his decision to openly support the President’s anticipated re-election effort in 2027.
He said, “I am the governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President. How can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him?”
IPAC specifically said that INEC guidelines cannot supersede constitutional provisions or extant electoral laws.
The Council, which stated these while appraising the judgement of the Federal High Court, stressed that the court judgement specifically addressed exclusionary conditions capable of disenfranchising aspirants and party members during primaries.
This is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of IPAC, Mr Martins Egbeola, stating that the judgment was a reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, democratic principles and the rule of law within Nigeria’s electoral process.
IPAC said that even though INEC possesses powers to issue election guidelines, such powers must however, operate strictly within constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
It noted that the court judgment represented a major victory for democracy, political parties and citizens participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.
IPAC also said that the court judgement had restored the constitutional rights of political parties to manage their internal affairs democratically without unlawful interference through administrative directives.
“The judgment would ensure equal opportunities for eligible members to participate in party primaries without discriminatory or exclusionary conditions.
“The INEC Chairman should deepen engagement and consultation with political parties on issues concerning electoral administration and reforms.
“Greater dialogue and collaboration between INEC and political parties would help prevent avoidable disputes and litigation arising from controversial guidelines,” IPAC stated.
Prof. Yilwatda stated this while speaking on a live television interview programme.
According to him, the ruling APC was not focused on fighting opposition parties, claiming that the political battle was currently between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said, “In the last three weeks, the APC has not been fighting ADC or NDC. It is NDC versus ADC or ADC versus NDC.
“Actually, I watched with fun all the insults that the ADC is raining on the NDC and the NDC is returning those fireworks on the ADC.
“I watched the videos, and I laughed. The self-implosion is in the opposition rather than in the APC.”
When asked whether he was orchestrating the crisis in the opposition, Prof. Yilwatda denied the allegation but said weakening the opposition was part of politics.
He said, “No, I can’t. But I will be happy if I can do it. That’s my job.
“If you are opposing me, should I be happy? If you oppose me because you are in the opposition, what’s my job? Of course, to stop the opposition.”
The APC chairman also said the ruling party had stronger conflict resolution mechanisms than other political parties.
According to him, the party had committees at national and state levels to resolve internal disputes arising from congresses and other activities.
Speaking on the APC membership register and the votes secured by President Bola Tinubu during the party’s presidential primary, Prof. Yilwatda said the party relied on data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for its registration process.
“To register as a member of the APC, your name and primary data are sourced from NIMC. That’s the same primary data that is used across the country to open a bank account, get a driver’s licence and secure an international passport.
“So we’re the only political party that sources our primary data from NIMC. This is why people have seen the APC as one of the most politically viable and stable parties. We are a data-driven political party,” he stated.
RIVERS ADC PRIMARY: ASPIRANT REJECTS OUTCOME, ACCUSES AMAECHI OF IMPOSITION
The governorship primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has been thrown into turmoil after aspirant Mr Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart rejected the outcome and accused former governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi of imposing a candidate.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart described the exercise as a “shambolic charade” and said it had produced three separate governorship primary “winners” within the same party.
“Right now, we have three governorship candidates in one party, all thanks to Amaechi’s high-handedness,” he told journalists in Abuja on Monday.
He warned that the situation could plunge the opposition party into crisis ahead of the 2027 elections if the national leadership fails to intervene.
According to him, while the party’s timetable fixed May 23 for the primary, aspirants were informed late Friday that the exercise had been moved forward.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart said he was mobilising supporters across the 23 local government areas when fellow aspirant, Hon. Farah Dagogo, informed him that a parallel process had already been conducted.
He accused the state party chairman, Mr Chukwudi Dimkpa, of inviting only five aspirants loyal to Mr Amaechi while excluding himself and Hon. Dagogo. The arrangement, he alleged, was designed to clear the path for Dr Gabriel Pidomson, whom he described as Mr Amaechi’s preferred candidate.
He further alleged that three aspirants were persuaded to step down for Dr Pidomson in what he described as a disguised consensus arrangement, despite the party’s public stance against consensus.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart claimed Hon. Dagogo later approached him to jointly resist Mr Amaechi’s camp but asked him to publicly congratulate him as the winner.
“He told me to go on air and congratulate him, saying we are from Atiku Abubakar’s political family and should unite. I told him to stop rubbishing Atiku’s name. Atiku will not be part of this nonsense,” he said.
The aspirant said he rejected the offer and subsequently declared himself winner after Hon. Dagogo made a similar announcement.
“As it stands, Farah declared himself winner, Thompson was declared winner by the state exco, and I also declared myself winner. Three winners in one primary that never held. This cannot stand,” he said.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart accused the Rivers ADC leadership of sidelining him despite being the only aspirant who formally notified the party in writing of his intention to contest.
He also faulted Mr Amaechi for allegedly imposing candidates while demanding transparent presidential primary at the national level.
“How can someone who is demanding transparent presidential primaries at the national level turn around and impose a governorship candidate in Rivers?”, he queried.
He urged the ADC National Working Committee to nullify the exercise and either conduct a fresh primary or adopt a lawful consensus arrangement in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The most pragmatic thing now is for the NWC to order a rescheduled primary or quickly adopt a lawful consensus option. Time is running against us,” he said.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart said he would pursue all grievances within the party’s constitution and warned Hon. Dagogo against invoking Atiku’s name to bolster his claim.
“We will exhaust every legal channel within the party. I will not rock the boat unnecessarily, but the party must recognise that I won the primaries,” he said.
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