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Atiku Tells Lagos Residents to Liberate Themselves from Family Government, Vote PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Lagos residents to liberate themselves from the rule of a family government and replace it with the people’s government by voting for the party in the forthcoming elections.
The former vice president spoke on Monday during the PDP presidential campaign rally held at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.
Atiku, who was present with his wife, Mrs Titi Abubakar, promised to restructure the country and empower youths with Small and Medium Enterprises if elected president.
He said, “I want to give you a short history. This history is about 53 years ago, in 1969 when I first came to Lagos; there was only one Carter Bridge built by the Europeans. There was no Second Mainland Bridge, no Third Mainland Bridge, or the Tafawa Balewa Square.
“It was the Federal Government that built the Second and Third Mainland Bridges and rebuilt the Carter Bride, Agege Motor Road, Ikorodu, and all the major roads connecting the island with the mainland. Now the APC government is claiming that they developed Lagos; they did not develop Lagos at all. They are lying to you.
“Therefore, it is time for you the people of Lagos to liberate yourself from a family government to the people’s government, and that people’s government is going to be led by Jandor.
“People of Lagos, it is high time you took your destiny into your own hands for your future, not for the future of one family. In the last 23 years, you have been governed by one family and it is your right and your duty to take over that governance and hand it over to yourselves that is what the PDP stands for.
“On my own part, if you elect me as president, I promise by the grace of God, I am going to set aside $10bn so that we can empower our young men and women in SMEs. People were asking me where I was going to get that money. If I privatise Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, I am going to get that money.
“Let me also promise you, if you vote for the PDP government we will restructure this country. What do we mean by that? We will give your states and local governments more power and resources, so it is up to you to hold them responsible.”
The leader of a failed coup in Benin Republic, Colonel Tigri Pascal, has reportedly sought refuge in neighbouring Togo.
Soldiers briefly took control of Benin’s State television station on Sunday morning and claimed they had deposed President Patrice Talon, though Benin’s armed forces, backed by Nigerian firepower and French intelligence and logistical support, thwarted the attempt.
The soldiers identified Colonel Pascal as the coup leader, while his whereabouts had previously been unknown.
However, a senior Benin government official told Reuters on Wednesday that the soldier is in Togo.
The government, however, called for Pascal’s immediate extradition.
Togo’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Benin government statement on Monday said coup plotters attempted to seize Talon, and came close enough for the president to witness violent clashes first-hand.
The statement added that they also managed to kidnap two senior military officials who were released on Monday morning.
A Benin Republic government’s spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, said on Sunday that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt.
Reuters
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate the same speed and firmness he showed while responding to the recent coup attempt in the Benin Republic, in tackling the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
The party said the government’s rapid deployment of support to the neighbouring country sharply contrasts with its slow and inconsistent approach to confronting banditry, terrorism and violent crime that continue to devastate communities nationwide.
On Sunday, a group of soldiers announced a takeover of the government in the Francophone West African country.
Hours later, the Benin Republic presidency said President Patrice Talon was safe, adding that the “regular” army was regaining control.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also assisted the Beninese government by carrying out combat air patrols around Cotonou, the Benin Republic.
In a statement on Monday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary, ADC, urged the federal government to show similar decisiveness in tackling insurgency, banditry, and violent crime across Nigeria.
Abdullahi said the government’s ability to act quickly abroad highlights its slow and haphazard response to domestic insecurity, which is devastating communities.
He also expressed concern about democratic reversals in the West African region and stressed that the best safeguard for democracy is good governance anchored on improved livelihoods and tolerance for opposition.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes Nigeria’s swift intervention in the Benin Republic following the announcement of a coup attempt.
“We commend the Federal Government for acting promptly to defend constitutional order in our neighbourhood. However, the government must align this intervention with the legal provisions of our Constitution.
“While the unilateral action taken by the President might have been expedient, it still requires ratification by the National Assembly for military deployment outside Nigeria,” the statement read.
The ADC spokesperson questioned why Nigeria failed to act swiftly in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was at risk.
He added that the government’s rapid response abroad raises concerns about its handling of domestic insecurity.
“Consistency in our mode of operations, especially in foreign interventions, is essential for any country that seeks to lead the sub-region on democracy and stability.
“If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has it failed to act with similar urgency at home? Banditry, terrorism, and violent crime continue to hold communities hostage, displace families, abduct children, and parade themselves openly,” Abdullahi said.
He noted that defending democracy begins with protecting Nigerian lives, restoring security, and rebuilding trust between citizens and the state.
“The best safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful by improving citizens’ lives and allowing opposition and alternative voices to thrive,” he said.
Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday, announced that he has joined the Accord Party as a new platform to seek re-election in August next year.
Adeleke made the announcement in a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, days after resigning from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor disclosed that he joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely November 6, 2025, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026.
He said the decision was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.
Governor Adeleke noted that he opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with his focus on citizens and workers’ welfare.
“Stakeholders and residents of Osun State are aware of why we are taking this important decision. We intend to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party to complete ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends, which have been applauded at home and abroad.
“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare. Since I joined, I have been fascinated by the philosophy of this great party. The primary essence of a government is the welfare and well-being of the people.
“I welcome the leadership of the Accord from the National into Osun State. You are now part of us as I am also now part of you. We are united in progress and good intentions for the good people of Osun State and Nigeria at large.
“Our task is to sustain a united front as we prepare for future elections. We have a duty to ensure an inclusive leadership where the interests of all groups are cared for. Our party, Accord Party, is here to take over Osun governance and sustain the delivery of good governance in our dear state,” the statement read in part.
On December 2, Governor Adeleke announced his resignation from the PDP, the political platform under which he rose to prominence as senator and later governor.
In a letter he addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government, Osun State, Adeleke cited the ongoing crisis within the PDP’s national leadership as the reason for his departure.
The governor expressed gratitude to the party for providing him the platform to serve, first as Senator representing Osun West (2017–2019) and later as governor of the State.
