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2019: Buhari, Running Self-Indicting Campaign -Atiku
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running a self-indicting campaign ahead of the polls.
Atiku who was reacting to a charge by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Nigerians to ignore empty promises while carrying out a door-to-door campaign in Lagos, said by failing to deliver on the 2015 electioneering promises; the Vice President has invariably admonished Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2019.
Speaking through his media assistant, Paul Ibe, Atiku for the umpteenth time, promised to usher Nigerians into a new era of job creation, security and a stable economy if voted into power.
Cautioning citizens to be wary of “broken promises,” the former Vice President tasked Nigerians to take a moment to reflect on his campaign blueprint and hold him accountable for every item listed therein, stressing that his motivation to seek the highest elective office in the land is informed by altruistic motive of getting Nigeria to realize her true potentials within the shortest possible time.
In an exclusive chat with our correspondent, Atiku berated the APC-led government for what he called “their helplessness” in failing to provide qualitative governance to the people more than three years “after promises were made to make Nigeria the place to be for all.”
According to Ibe, “Osinbajo is running a self-indicting campaign for his boss and himself.
How can they ask Nigerians to beware of empty promises when they are the ones that made the promises? Come on, do these people think Nigerians are fools? They promised to create three million jobs in a year but we are witnessing job losses in millions since they took over. They promised to make a naira equal to the dollar but a dollar is almost N400 today.
They promised to bring insecurity down on its knees but as I am talking to you now, Zamfara is on fire. Soldiers in large numbers were recently killed. One of our finest former Defence Chiefs, Air Marshal Alex Badeh was a few days ago killed very close to the nation’s capital.
“Do not forget that under this administration, some Nigerians took their lives, unable to put up with what life suddenly threw at them. I can go on and on, but Nigerians know what to do when the time comes.”
He called on eligible voters to trust the PDP flag bearer with their mandate, stating that after making a success of his public office career office as well as his foray in business, Atiku would not disappoint in replicating same feat if voted into power.
“In Let’s Get Nigeria Working Again (Atiku’s blueprint), our candidate will restore hope and make Nigeria proud again. We are asking Nigerians to trust this man who has proven beyond doubt, his capacity to deliver at the big stage. He is not a converted democrat. He is a born democrat, not one who got converted because the old road was closed,” he added.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
