The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, has dismissed the coalition formed by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, calling it “dead on arrival.”

In a statement released in Kano, Ata argued that Tinubu has successfully implemented economic and political reforms since taking office in 2023, boosting public confidence in his administration.

He criticized Atiku as a “serial contester,” El-Rufai as a “desperate power seeker,” and Obi as a politician who fuels ethnic and religious divisions.

The minister claimed that Tinubu’s leadership has stabilized the country.

The country has moved past the era of trial-and-error governance, rejecting politicians who lack clear ideology and rely on mere sentiments to garner support,”

He cited the intervention in Rivers State political crisis as evidence of his governance abilities.

Ata concluded that the opposition coalition lacks credibility and public support, labeling its members as “political jobbers” seeking relevance.

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has granted amnesty to 51 individuals affected by the Ekoli-Edda crisis.

It will be recalled that the crisis erupted in 2021 between the people of Ekoli Edda in Ebonyi State and their neighbouring communities of Egbor and Urugbam in Cross River State over a palm plantation.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Monday Uzor, disclosed that the Ebonyi State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, took this measure to find a lasting solution to the crisis, which had claimed many lives and destroyed property.

According to Governor Nwifuru, the disarmament programme initiated by the Nigerian Army, in partnership with his government, was a turning point, as it demonstrated the willingness of the Ekoli Edda vigilante members to lay down their arms and embrace peace. He revealed that they had voluntarily surrendered eight mortar bombs, 29 AK-47 rifles, and 21 pump-action guns, describing this as a powerful act of faith in the possibility of a better future.

The governor further stated that the beneficiaries underwent a six-week skills acquisition programme and were each given N2 million to establish themselves. He also promised that those who performed well would receive an additional tranche of support.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, GOC 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Oluremi Olatoye, who was represented by the Commander of the 44 Engineering Brigade, Brigadier General O. D. Bello, informed the Governor that each of the beneficiaries had acquired relevant skills that would help them become self-reliant in their chosen fields.

The GOC urged the beneficiaries of the amnesty and empowerment programme to embrace their training with an open mind, as it marked a new chapter in their lives. He also commended the Ebonyi State Government for its commitment to fostering peace, security, and sustainable development.

The beneficiaries were trained in various fields, including carpentry, electrical and solar installation, fishery and poultry farming, paint production and painting, as well as plumbing and tiling.

Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom and Chairman, PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), Dr Tom FredFish has joined many Nigerians to condemn the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State and subsequent suspension of the governor, Sim Fubara by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, FredFish described the President’s speech as a total reflection of how biased he is to the impasse in Rivers State, even as he blamed the leadership of the PDP, including Atiku Abubarkar over failure to wield the big stick against Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, whom he referred to as the bone of contention and had involved in various anti-party activities.

Excerpts:

What is your view about the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State? Is it in accordance with the law?

Well, the President, in his broadcast, claimed he acted according to the law, but what he has just demonstrated is the use of powers and the loopholes created by the Constitution to gain political capital by preparing for the 2027 election. The President was too quick to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

As a chieftain of PDP, which is Fubara’s party, why was your party docile in resolving the problem between Wike and Fubara before now?

If you recall, I have made several alarming statements asking why the leaders of our party, the PDP, are quiet over the unruly behavior and actions of Wike. I had bemoaned Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Wabara for not taking a stance. I also urged the PDP to suspend Wike or, at most, expel him from the party, but the party seems to have lost its voice to the defeat in 2023 and kept Wike perpetually in charge of the party.

There was certainly no way Wike would want to make peace with Fubara. Wike sees himself as a god that must be serviced with loyalty and allegiance and anyone who has a contrary view is seen as his enemy. So Wike, who sees himself as a demigod, will not want to settle with Fubara, who he thinks has challenged his godlike status in the state and country. Secondly, the party made several attempts to bring both men together, and each time, Wike ended up stalling the peace process. But I can state clearly that the PDP shot itself in the foot by accommodating Wike’s anti-party activities, as well as his attempts to cause chaos in the party.

Are you comfortable with the disinterest the party leadership and stakeholders showed in the matter so far?

I am very uncomfortable. The party has shown that it cannot pull itself back to order. Atiku has failed to play the role of an elder statesman. As long as Wike continues to remain in the PDP, the party will not know any peace. They all know what the problem is, but why the party does not have the political will to take the necessary action is what baffles me to date. Wike is a plague that must be uprooted.

Do you see APC taking over Rivers State in the nearest future or before the 2027 elections?

There is no way the APC can take over Rivers State. The party is very unpopular in the state, and the people have rejected such a party, as clearly shown in the 2023 Governorship election. And that’s why Wike, in connivance with the Abuja front, decided to hatch the crisis in the state. The plan of Wike and the 27 members of the House of Assembly was to impeach the governor and offload themselves into the APC. So when they realized that the people were ready to resist such anti-democratic acts, they resorted to the declaration of a state of emergency. President Tinubu’s speech is a total reflection of how biased the president is to the impasse. There is no sign that the APC can take over Rivers State through a democratic process.

Do you think Fubara and the other House of Assembly members would be called back at the end of the six months suspension?

Certainly, there is no reason they shouldn’t be recalled. Except if the President wants to suspend democracy.

What are the implications of the suspension on the people of Rivers State?

There are various implications to the suspension of the governor by the president. First, it shows that the president can use his powers for political gains when he deems fit. Second, it leaves a huge moral burden on the President, who was very fast to resolve the Lagos State House of Assembly crises but very slow and reluctant to act when it comes to Rivers State. Third, it shows that the tenets of our democracy are not truly democratic if the President can wake up and sack a democratic Governor and that the framers of our constitution erred with these loopholes created to make the president plan a coup against the people of a state. Fourth, it leaves a constitutional crisis, especially as it relates to the order for the stoppages of the State Allocation or funds by the Supreme Court to the CBN.

The Supreme Court said that CBN should withhold Rivers’ allocation and release the funds when a proper Local Government election is conducted. Does the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, have any legal backing to conduct the Local Government election in Rivers State? And will CBN continue to withhold Rivers allocation till Sim Fubara, who has a democratic mandate, returns back in 6 months to conduct LGA election? How will the state run without funds? The Nigerian economy will likely suffer with the renewed bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta. The return of hostilities, militancy, and oil bunkering would likely resurface with the sceneries affecting the income of the nation. Lastly, the people of Rivers State will lose in all these episodes.

What are the decisive, urgent actions that the PDP is expected to take?

The PDP needs to expel Wike immediately. Send him packing. After all, Wike has violated the party’s constitution by not showing concern for the party and its affairs. His recent revoking of the PDP secretariat is a sign that the former governor has declared war on his party. He should be shown the way out for peace to return to the party. If the PDP must survive, the party needs to be decisive as it pertains to Wike. They should also make strong statements condemning the President’s actions and expelling the 27 Rivers House of Assembly members for attempting to impeach the governor against the party’s position. Discipline must be enshrined in the PDP if the party must move forward.