Tinubu Yabs Atiku Over Failed Privatization, Fmr.VP Calls President Uneducated

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April 17, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the 2027 election, President Bola Tinubu’s camp and that of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are engaged in brickbats over privatization of some public ventures.

Tinubu will be seeking a reelection on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Atiku is working to secure the ticket of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), to contest for the Presidency.

President Tinubu had mocked Atiku who was the Head of Privatization Council during the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“No one among them (coalition leaders) is without history. The head (Atiku) was the Chairman of the privatization council of Nigeria at one time.

“They privatized the steel industry in Delta, is it working today? They privatized Ajaokuta, is it working today? They privatized another man’s political party; that one says no.”

In a response, Atiku flayed the remark by Tinubu that he is privatising the African Democratic Congress (ADC) despite its ongoing leadership crisis.

In a statement issued on Friday, by Phrank Shaibu, his media aide, Atiku claimed that it is not his fault that the President cannot read.

According to the ADC Chieftain, Tinubu’s recent remarks can be described as a “reckless tirade” that exposes “a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.”

He also expressed concerns that a President who has been confronted with countless questions over his own credentials would attempt to discredit others with well-documented records of academic and public service.

“Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – a performance that exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia,” Shiabu said.

He further described Tinubu’s criticism of the former Vice President as one which collapses under scrutiny.

Also stating that the President is currently implementing key reforms which had initially been rejected, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of presiding over a system that has effectively commercialised the national oil company in opacity—without clear valuation, without transparency, and with lingering questions about who truly benefits.

“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability.

“It is not our fault that the President does not and can not read, because Bola Tinubu has a history of attending a school in Lagos two years before it was founded, upon which he claimed his crooked Chicago State University degree.

“If he were properly educated he would have acquainted himself with the privatisation records in the presidency or the painstaking account of these reforms as captured by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in “The Accidental Public Servant,” where the privatisation programme was clearly documented as a bold and structured effort to dismantle inefficiency and drive private sector-led growth,” Atiku said.

“DPP Report Cleared Me Of Offa Robbery Incident” – Saraki, Raises Alarm Over Fresh Plot To Link Him

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Ayodele Oni

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April 17, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has emphasized that he has nothing to do with a deadly robbery incident in Offa in 2018.

Saraki expressed surprise about current moves by Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to initiate a criminal case against him over the incident. He described the action as “a desperate ploy by a drowning politician.”

In a statement he personally signed on Friday, Saraki denied any involvement in the robbery, insisting he had “nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter whatsoever

He said: “Ordinarily, my attitude to this insidious move by the incumbent Governor of Kwara State to initiate a case of criminal liability against me in the unfortunate incident of armed robbery, which happened in Offa community eight years ago, should be to shrug it off and say that we will meet in Court since I know I have nothing to do with the incident.”

Saraki, however, explained that he was compelled to respond publicly due to widespread reactions from Nigerians.

“However, I have been inundated with calls from many well-meaning Nigerians who were surprised by this turn of events.

“Thus, for the benefit of the general public, let me categorically state that I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter, whatsoever,” he said.

The former Senate President further alleged that the Offa robbery case was politically motivated from the outset.

According to him, “The Offa robbery incident was designed under the Buhari administration with the connivance of some individuals from Kwara State as an instrument of blackmail to seize political power from our group in 2019.”

Referencing past investigations, Saraki noted that the case had been reviewed by authorities, including the office of the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under the Attorney General of the Federation.

He quoted the DPP’s findings, stating: “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects.”

He added that a subsequent legal opinion reaffirmed the earlier position thus: “With regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.”

Saraki pointed out that based on the DPP’s advice, four suspects were prosecuted, convicted, and their convictions upheld on appeal, with the matter currently before the Supreme Court.

He accused the Governor of reviving the issue for political reasons following his recent criticism of the State Government.

“Suddenly, the Governor woke up after I granted my interview to Channels TV where I commented on the insecurity in the State and thought he could resurrect these baseless charges against his two predecessors,” he said.

Saraki, also, alleged that the State Government deliberately withheld key documents.

“I noticed that in his propaganda plan, he intentionally hid the DPP reports and other documents which put a lie to the charade he is perpetuating. These are deliberate efforts to mislead the media,” he stated.

He described the case as frivolous, and said, “Therefore, I am under no illusion that this case was a frivolous move and an abuse of court process to embarrass my person. My legal team will definitely meet this Governor in court.”

He further accused Abdulrazaq of attempting to instigate civil suits through victims’ families, claiming the effort failed.

“He had tried to induce the families of the victims to initiate civil litigations but he seemed not to be making progress because the families backed out,” Saraki alleged.

The former Senate President criticized the Governor’s leadership, arguing that governance priorities were misplaced.

“One would have thought that a governor whose state has lost over 400 lives to banditry would concentrate efforts on taming the menace. No. He is fixated on filing frivolous and politically motivated charges.

“This is a mere act of a desperate politician who is losing control in his party and knows that his days in governance are numbered.

“Let me, however, reiterate my unflinching belief and confidence in the ability of the judiciary to give justice at all times. I know this case against me will collapse like a pack of cards,” he concluded

Alleged Terror Plot: FG Locksdown Abuja Airport, Prisons

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 17, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Following intelligence report of a plot by suspected terrorists to target critical infrastructure in Abuja and Nasarawa State, the Federal Government has intensified security measures at major irports and Correctional facilities.

Security Agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, among others, have reinforced surveillance and deployed additional personnel to sensitive locations such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the Kuje Custodial Centre, and a military detention facility in Wawa, Niger State.

In an internal memo following security intelligence attributed to the Nigeria Customs Service, the alleged planned attacks are said to be under the coordination of extremist groups linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Boko Haram factions, Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, JNIM.

It was gathered that the planned attack is targeted at strategic facilities, and aimed at freeing detained insurgents who are in Correctional Facilities in Abuja and Niger State.

The memo further suggested that the planned operations bear similarities to previous attacks in the region, including coordinated strikes on detention facilities and aviation infrastructure in neighbouring Niger Republic.

This development have prompted relevant authorities to step up screening procedures, increased patrols, and strengthened intelligence monitoring around vulnerable installations.

The Airport and prison security units have also been placed on high alert to prevent any breach or coordinated assault.

Though, according to Officials, the measures are precautionary but necessary, citing past incidents such as the 2022 Kuje prison attack in Abuja, where hundreds of inmates were freed during a violent assault.

Other States have also beefed up their securities to avert any security threats in the coming days.

Tinubu Signs 2026 budget, Extends 2025 budget

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James Orji

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April 17, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for a total expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion.

The President has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service.

It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.

With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.

The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.

Additionally, the President has assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

The extension will ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.

A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said it will enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure.

President Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with a strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.

He also commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.

The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives.

Tinubu further assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms.

Osun: Projects Stalled As FG Withholds Over N130 Billion LG Fund

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Ayodele Oni

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April 17, 2026

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Governor Ademola Adeleke and President Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The continued seizure of monthly allocation to local governments in Osun state by the Federal Government is taking its toll.

The federal government began withholding local government allocations in Osun State in March 2025.

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation issued a letter on March 26, 2025, directing the suspension of funds, with the crisis extending into later months of 2025.

The funds were withheld due to a dispute over which officials—the APC-led officials sacked in 2022 or the PDP officials elected in Feb 2025—were legitimate to run the councils.

By Jan 2026, it was reported that about N131.5 billion had been withheld.

This has led to non completion of several ongoing projects, especially roads.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has alleged that the “hijack” of about N300 billion in local government funds by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of Bola Tinubu is responsible for delays affecting several infrastructure projects across the state.

The governor spoke on Osogbo during a project review meeting with top officials overseeing major developments in the state.

Projects assessed at the meeting included the Ile-Ife flyover and road dualisation, the Lameco flyover in Osogbo, Ila Orangun township dualisation, Osogbo–Ofatedo–Awo junction dual carriageway, and the Iwo township dualisation, among others.

Additional projects reviewed include the reconstruction of the bridge linking Ilahun and Ere Ìjèsà, the Ibokun–Ilahun–Ere Ìjèsà–Iwoye Ìjèsà road, and the Otan Ile–Esa Odo–Iwoye Ìjèsà road in Obokun Local Government Area.

Adeleke stated that the situation surrounding local government funds has forced the state government to take on extra financial responsibilities, including the payment of salaries for council workers, teachers, healthcare personnel, and pensioners for over a year.

He accused the APC of diverting funds meant for grassroots administration, insisting that his government chose to continue supporting local workers rather than abandon them.

According to him, the state had to step in to prevent a breakdown in essential services, warning that without such intervention, local healthcare delivery, education, and other basic services would have collapsed.

“The workers have families and responsibilities. It would have been unjust to leave them stranded. That is why the state government has continued to shoulder these obligations,” the governor said.

He further alleged that the funds, estimated at N300 billion, remain effectively under the control of APC structures in the state, describing the development as a major setback to governance and infrastructure delivery.

Despite the challenges, Adeleke expressed satisfaction with the pace of ongoing work in some locations, noting that asphalt laying is currently ongoing in Ile-Ife, Iwo, and Ila Orangun.

He reassured residents in areas such as Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Iwo, Ede, Osogbo, and Ila Orangun of his administration’s commitment to development, adding that sacrifices are being made to ensure projects are completed.

The governor also urged contractors handling various projects to accelerate work across all sites to meet expectations and deliver the needed infrastructure.

Osun Gov. Election: Groups Embark On Road Show To Canvass For Adeleke’s Re-election

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Ayodele Oni

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April 17, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The reelection bid of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received a boost as the Pathfinder Team, and other Groups lead Imole road show in his support.

Members of the Pathfinder Team, Adeleke General Summit, Country Home Youth Forum, and People First Movement on Friday led the Imole road show in Ede South and Ede North Local Government Areas of Osun State in solidarity with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.

Governor Adeleke, whose first four-year term ends on September 27, 2026, is seeking another term under the umbrella of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Taking to the major road linking the two local government areas in Ede, the groups commenced the road show from Cottage Junction, moved through Akoda, and returned to Oke-Gada, displaying Accord Party flags and chanting various solidarity songs in support of the governor.

Speaking to newsmen during the road show, the Executive Chairman of Ede South Local Government, Hon. Lukman Afolabi, lauded the groups that trooped out in large numbers to demonstrate their support for the re-election of Governor Adeleke.

Afolabi maintained that Governor Adeleke, over the years, despite the challenges confronting his administration, has demonstrated good leadership to the people of Osun State across various sectors.

The ALGON Secretary added that roads constructed or currently under construction across the state are clear examples of the governor’s leadership and development efforts visible to all.

The visibly elated council boss pointed out that the massive crowd that turned out for the Imole Road Show in Ede was a confirmation that the governor is genuinely loved by his kinsmen and women saying “We can not be bought with any form of inducement by opposition.

“The people of Ede have spoken loud and clear, they want continuity because they believed the governor is doing well” he added.

The Majority Leader of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Babajide Kofoworola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Hon. Niran Atidade, and other political figures, along with their supporters, joined the groups in solidarity for Governor Adeleke during the road show.

Atiku: The Burden of Restraint

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James Orji

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April 17, 2026

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By Caleb Johnson

In politics, as in nation-building, there comes a moment when ambition must yield to wisdom, and aspiration must bow to history. That moment, for HE Atiku Abubakar, is now.

No serious observer of Nigeria’s democratic journey can deny Atiku’s enduring relevance. He has remained a central figure in the nation’s political evolution, offering himself repeatedly for service and shaping conversations across decades. Yet, it is precisely because of this stature that the expectations upon him must be higher. Leadership is not only defined by the willingness to contest power, but also by the discernment to step aside when the greater good demands it.

Nigeria’s fragile equilibrium has long rested on an unwritten but widely respected principle: rotation. It is not perfect, but it has served as a stabilising mechanism in a diverse and often tense federation. In 2015 and 2019, the North took its turn. In 2023, the expectation, widely acknowledged across political lines, was that power would shift to the South. The decision to contest against that expectation contributed, in no small measure, to the internal dislocation that weakened the Peoples Democratic Party and altered the course of that election.

Atiku’s persistent return to the presidential contest, particularly at moments when the pendulum had clearly shifted away from his zone, now weighs heavily on public perception. Having vied in 2015 and 2019 during the North’s turn, and again in 2023 when the South’s turn was broadly acknowledged, a renewed bid in 2027 risks being seen not as resilience, but as disregard for a delicate national balance. In politics, perception is often reality. Many Nigerians, especially in the South, may interpret this pattern as an unwillingness to yield space when equity demands it. That sentiment, if allowed to harden, could significantly diminish the acceptability of his candidacy and, by extension, impose a heavy electoral burden on the African Democratic Congress.

Now, as 2027 approaches, the same question returns with greater urgency. With the South still within its expected turn, another presidential bid by Atiku risks reinforcing a perception of imbalance that the polity can ill afford. Politics, at its most effective, is not merely about legality. It is about legitimacy. And legitimacy, in a country such as ours, is deeply tied to a sense of fairness.

There is also the matter of strategy. The opposition stands at a delicate crossroads, seeking to build a credible alternative capable of challenging the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That task requires not only unity, but careful calibration of public sentiment. Many Nigerians, particularly in the South, may interpret another Atiku candidacy as a continuation of disregard for their turn. In such a scenario, the unintended consequence may be to strengthen the very incumbency the opposition seeks to dislodge.

Within the emerging coalition around the ADC, these concerns are even more pronounced. With key leadership structures already reflecting a northern tilt, introducing another northern presidential candidacy risks reproducing the same imbalance that proved costly in 2023. A coalition, by its very nature, must be built on trust, equity and visible accommodation. Without these, it becomes vulnerable before it even begins.

There are, too, unresolved questions from the past. Atiku’s role in the privatisation era remains a subject of political contestation, one that an incumbent government would undoubtedly exploit in a high-stakes campaign. Elections are not won on history alone, but neither are they insulated from it. In a fiercely competitive environment, every vulnerability matters.

Yet, this is not an argument against Atiku Abubakar. It is an appeal to his legacy.

There are moments when the most powerful statement a leader can make is not in stepping forward, but in stepping back. In choosing restraint, he would not diminish his stature. He would elevate it. He would signal a commitment to balance over ambition, to nation over self, and to the long-term stability of the republic over immediate political gain.

Such a decision would not go unnoticed. It would resonate across regions, restore confidence among sceptical constituencies, and strengthen the moral foundation of any coalition seeking to offer Nigerians a credible alternative. More importantly, it would place Atiku firmly in the ranks of those who understood that leadership is as much about sacrifice as it is about pursuit.

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The choices made today will shape not only the outcome of the next election, but the trajectory of the nation itself. In such times, history is kinder to those who act with foresight.

The call, therefore, is simple, though not easy.

For the sake of balance.

For the sake of strategy.

For the sake of nation-building.

It may well be time for Atiku Abubakar to step aside.

* Caleb Johnson wrote in from Abuja, FCT

Oyetola Commissions NIMASA–UNILAG Institute of Maritime Studies Building

By

James Orji

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April 17, 2026

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, today, Thursday 16 April 2026, commissioned the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) Multipurpose Building at the University of Lagos, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy through sustained investment in human capital and infrastructure.

The facility, donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is equipped with modern lecture rooms, laboratories, and specialised facilities to support teaching, research, and innovation in the maritime sector.

Describing the project as a milestone, Dr. Oyetola said the initiative reflects the government’s resolve to strengthen institutional capacity and position the blue economy as a key driver of national prosperity.

“The future of the blue economy will be shaped not just by natural endowments, but by the quality of minds we nurture within institutions such as this,” the Minister said.

He emphasised that with over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s trade conducted via maritime channels, the sector remains critical to economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable development.

Highlighting ongoing efforts to build manpower, Oyetola disclosed that 2,459 Nigerians have been sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) for training in maritime institutions across countries including the United Kingdom, Egypt, the Philippines, India, and Romania. He added that 1,088 beneficiaries have obtained their Certificates of Competency.

The Minister also pointed to opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture, noting that Nigeria’s annual fish demand of 3.6 million metric tonnes presents significant potential for food security and employment.

He further outlined key government initiatives, including the planned disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), expected to boost indigenous shipping capacity and create up to 30,000 jobs.

He added that ongoing port modernisation projects are projected to “generate up to 20,000 jobs for our teeming youths, while significantly improving port efficiency, reducing turnaround time, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime hub in West and Central Africa.”

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the agency is partnering with eight Nigerian universities, as well as international institutions including the World Maritime University, to strengthen maritime manpower development. He stressed that building a skilled offshore workforce will enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Mobereola noted that the NIMASA–UNILAG partnership will boost research, support data-driven policymaking, and produce industry-ready professionals to meet evolving demands in the maritime sector.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, said the new facility will enhance teaching, research, and professional training in areas such as maritime law, shipping management, port operations, logistics, and marine environmental studies.

She added that the Institute is positioned to serve as a hub for innovation and interdisciplinary research that will support national development.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, commended the Federal Government for its support and pledged the university’s continued collaboration in advancing manpower development in the maritime sector.

George To Tinubu: All Is Not Well, Your Advisers Lying To You

By

James Orji

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April 17, 2026

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A former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has warned that the attempt by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu to silence opposition in the country will backfire, saying the country cannot survive when the voices of dissents are being silent.

George also warned the president to seek the “truth’ about what’s really going on in the country, saying his aides have been lying to him that all is well in the country.

The Elder statesman made the assertion in a letter to President Tinubu, warning him not to confuse “control for strength”, adding that what is currently happening in the polity has become a source of worry for many well-meaning many Nigerians.

According to George, there are indications that the administration is gradually trying to suppress the opposition, saying the action poses a danger to the country because “Democracy cannot survive where opposition is weakened, ridiculed, or systematically neutralised.”

He stressed that the president has surrounded himself with sycophants who are telling him all is well in the country, whereas what is on the ground is very different from what they tell him, warning that the country is under a serious “economic strain” that has pushed the people to the limit, noting that the current situation “cannot afford political provocation.”

“Mr. President, history is littered with leaders who mistook control for strength. They surrounded themselves with applause, silenced criticism, and dismissed warnings until reality corrected them, often irreversibly. I request you fervently not to walk that path,” George said.

“The assumption that power can be consolidated without consequence is a grave miscalculation. The belief that influence, patronage, or financial leverage can substitute for justice and fairness is equally flawed.

“As one of the global economic thinkers, Professor Ross Gittins rightly observed societies do not find stability in material appeasement alone. As, material incentives and political patronage do not create lasting satisfaction or loyalty. Money does not define leadership and cannot buy legitimacy. It cannot command respect, and certainly cannot secure legacy.
What sustains leadership is trust and trust is built on fairness, equity, transparency and justice. Today, that trust is under pressure.
”Nigerians are not merely concerned they are watching.
They are burdened by economic hardship, rising costs, and a growing sense of uncertainty. In such a climate, any perception rightly or wrongly of political suppression becomes combustible.

“Let me be unequivocal:
a nation under economic strain cannot afford political provocation. This is how instability begins not suddenly, but gradually through decisions that appear strategic in the moment but prove destructive in consequence.

“Mr. President, you stand at a decisive crossroad. You can choose to correct course, strengthen democratic institutions, and restore national confidence.
”Or you can allow the current trajectory to continue, one that risks deepening division and inviting consequences that no administration can fully control.

“There is also a matter of counsel. Those who tell you that all is well, those who dismiss legitimate concerns, who encourage aggressive political consolidation, who interpret caution as weakness are not safeguarding your leadership; they are endangering it.
Leadership demands the courage to hear the truth, not just loyalty. Let me remind you: Power is temporary. History is permanent. No leader escapes the judgement of history.
”The question is not whether your tenure will end; it will end.
The question is how it will be remembered,” he said.

Group Declares Wike-backed PDP NWC Nullity

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 16, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Peoples Democratic party PDP support group, the Opposition Watch Nigeria, OWN, has insisted that the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Nyesom Wike-backed Abdulraham Mohammed-led faction of the PDP is an illegal contraption, without legitimacy.

This is as it called on the Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other relevant authorities to shun all dealings with what it described as illegal leadership.

The group said its findings have revealed that the factional PDP Chairman, Mohammed, is a product of illegality as his emergence is deeply rooted in what it described as “legal nullity”

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Aisha Bello, OWN noted that the Mohammed-led PDP NWC, and all other structures of the party were midwifed by those who had lost their legal footings and memberships of the PDP as at the time they carried out their actions.

“The leadership of Mohammed Abdulraham, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and others is a legal fiction. You can not build a skyscraper on a swamp”, the group added.

The OWN emphasized that of particular note is that the nomination of Abdulraham on November 3, 2025, was a nullity from the beginning, having been done by duly suspended officials of the party, including Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, and Kamaldeen Ajibade.

According to the support group, the officials were, on November 1, 2025, suspended, adding that under administrative law principles, suspended officials cannot validly exercise the powers of their offices.

The OWN further noted that the suspension order which was based on the reports and recommendations of a disciplinary committee of the party headed by Chief Tom Ikimi, was on January, 12, 2026, affirmed by a Federal Capital Territory FCT High Court.

The body insisted that going by the suspension order, as well as its affirmation by the Court, all actions undertaken by the Wike-backed faction lack legal standing.

The OWN, maintained that Senators Anyanwu’s appeal filed months later on April 10, 2026 does not, in anyway, invalidate the subsisting verdict of the FCT High Court.

“Filing an appeal does not stay execution. Senator Anyanwu remains a legal stranger to the PDP.

“By the time they purported to appoint a leadership, they were already suspended; by the time they sought to consolidate it, they were expelled.

“Every action taken by this group is null, void and in blatant contempt of subsisting judicial orders.

“They lack the locus standi to represent the interests of the PDP”, the group noted.