2027: Atiku confirms birth of new political coalition, rejects emergency rule in Rivers

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, has publicly confirmed the birth of a new political coalition ahead of 2027 General elections to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku, Thursday in Abuja led other political figures in opposition, including former governor Nasir El-rufai, who recently joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal.

Other prominent names who took permission from the conference including former minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, former National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, former Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, among many others.

When asked if the coalition will give birth to a replica of 2013/2014 movement that unseated the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar answered “yes.”

Speaking on the emergency rule declared in Rivers, Atiku, who read a speech on behalf of the coalition, called on both chambers of the National Assembly to outrightly reject the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The coalition also called for the immediate reinstatement of the Rivers State Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly members of Rivers State in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the country.

Arguing that the proclamation was in clear breach of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), they asserted that the action was not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and an imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government.

They maintained that it behooves the National Assembly to stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab in Rivers State.

They also called on the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down the proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.

The pro-democracy group further called on all Civil Society Organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defense of democracy in the country.

They argued that Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an elected Governor with a military administrator.

They recalled that even when President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration declared a state of emergency in parts of the Northeast geopolitical zone of the country, bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office, as the President Tinubu-led administration has done.

Stating that the declaration of emergency rule by President Tinubu represents a new low for the country, they warned against the manufacture of political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to a past that well-meaning Nigerians have all prayed to leave behind for good.

They added: “We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos through brazen subversion of the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State; it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State.

“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.

“We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.

“We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an elected governor with a military administration.

“We recall that even when a previous administration had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office as this administration has done. This action, by President Tinubu therefore represents a new low for our country.”

Atiku concluded that the historical unrest in the Niger Delta should not be forgotten so soon.

“Past administrations had made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria itself. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to the past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good.

“We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos through brazen subversion of the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”