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Atiku Will Unite Nigeria, Support Group Replies Ortom
A support group of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Support Organisation, said Atiku Abubakar would unite Nigeria and be President for all Nigerians if voted for in the 2023 elections.
The ASO made this assertion in response to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom’s comment that Atiku is an agent of Miyetti Allah.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Victor Moses, the ASO stated that Ortom’s comment was “to say the least, most unfortunate, disappointing, and a misinformation.”
The statement, which was titled, ‘Atiku will be President for all Nigerians – Atiku Support Organisation – ASO tells Gov Samuel Ortom’, added that Ortom had in the past said kind words about the former vice president and his vision to build Nigeria and asserted that Ortom’s latest comment “only suggest(s) a deliberate act of campaign of calumny, misinformation, and misrepresentation of the important values of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”
“It is on record that Gov Samuel Ortom had, in the past, said a lot of great and kind words about Alh. Atiku Abubakar and his vision to rebuild Nigeria. Due to Atiku Abubakar’s love and commitment to the Tiv nation, he was crowned the Zege Mule U Tiv. To hear Gov Ortom speaking from the other side of his mouth due to a post-primary conundrum only suggest a deliberate act of campaign of calumny, misinformation, and misrepresentation of the important values of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“If there is any Nigerian politician in the 21st century who values Nigerians beyond our ethnic and religious fault lines, it’s Atiku Abubakar.
“If there is any who has built bridges across the divide, it’s the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
“If there is any whose chief mission is to unite Nigeria and give every religion and tribe a sense of belonging for national rebirth and development, it’s Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
“His plans to revamp the national security system for effectiveness and efficiency have been clearly stated in his covenant with the people of this country. He has made it clear that there won’t be a sacred cow in his fight against insecurity.”
The ASO, therefore, asked Governor Ortom to withdraw his statement and disengage from campaign of calumny, while asking the Benue governor to support Atiku in the general election.
It stated, “We call on our respected Gov Samuel Ortom to rescind his statement, disengage from the campaign of calumny and misinformation against the presidential candidate of his own party, the PDP and support the son of the Tiv land, the Zege Mule U Tiv in the forthcoming elections in February.”
The Punch
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has withdrawn from the case filed by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the leadership of the senate.
Justice Egwuatu, recused himself from the matter on Tuesday after lawyers to the parties in the suit announced their appearances.
He said he was stepping down from the matter because of the petition written by Senate President Godswilll Akpabio, alleging he was biased.
The presiding judge said he would will return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, so the matter could be reassigned to another judge.
Justice Egwuatu had on March 4, given an an interim order that stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceedings started against t Akpoti-Uduaghan who was alleged to have broken senate rules.
The judge gave the senate leadership 72 hours to show cause why it should not issue an order of interlocutory injunction to stop them from probing the plaintiff for alleged misconduct, without affording her the privileges stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
But the Senate Committee still went ahead to hold its sitting where it recommended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months suspension.
However, the judge later amended the interim order by vacating the aspect that stopped the Senate from from taking any action pending the outcome of the suit.
By Eric Elezuo
Following the pronouncement of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the winner of the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize, President Bola Tinubu has sent his hearty congratulations.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President acknowledged Jonathan’s pro-democracy stand, and efforts across the globe to sustain democratic principles. He noted that Jonathan has been a consistent advocate for “peace, harmony, and communality, a patriotic endeavour that has earned him global recognition”.
While thanking the organizers of the Prize for recognizing the ‘efforts of those working hard to improve the world’, he recalled Jonathan’s 2015 act of single-handedly supervising the transition of power to an opposition government, stressing that “it bolstered the nation’s democratic profile”.
The statement in details:
“President Bola Tinubu congratulates former President Goodluck Jonathan on winning the 2025 Sunhak Peace Founders’ Award.
“President Tinubu applauds the former President for his consistent advocacy for peace, harmony, and communality, a patriotic endeavour that has earned him global recognition.
“The President states that Dr Jonathan’s winning the Sunhak Peace Award affirms his bold efforts in peacebuilding and promoting democracy in Africa and beyond.
“The President recalls the former President’s historic acceptance of the results of the 2015 presidential election and his peaceful handover of power to an opposition party, which bolstered the nation’s democratic profile.
“President Tinubu celebrates this landmark achievement with former President Jonathan and thanks the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee for recognising the efforts of those working hard to improve the world.”
The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) of Nigeria has criticised the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, for alleging that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is connected to militant activities in the Niger Delta.
The group described the claims as baseless and lacking credible evidence.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, addressed remarks made by Fagbemi last week, accusing Fubara of “tele-guiding militants” to sabotage oil installations.
Onanuga, in a separate opinion piece, supported the Federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing intelligence reports suggesting militant threats linked to the governor.
“These are serious allegations that can destabilise not only Rivers State but the entire Niger Delta, yet no concrete evidence has been made public to substantiate them,” Onwubiko said, faulting the officials’ reliance on unverified intelligence.
HURIWA highlighted Governor Fubara’s denial of the allegations in an official statement earlier on Monday, where he rejected any ties to militant groups and labeled viral videos alleging explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State as “fake and malicious.”
The group praised Fubara’s call for security agencies to investigate the videos’ origins and prosecute those responsible.
“Governor Fubara’s insistence on peace and constitutional governance has been clear in all his public engagements. It is disheartening to see such character assassination being perpetuated from the highest levels of the federal government,” Onwubiko stated.
The association questioned why federal authorities have not presented tangible evidence if it exists, arguing, “As far as we are concerned, the dissemination of these unproven claims is not just unprofessional but a dangerous precedent in the democratic space.”
HURIWA also challenged Fagbemi and Onanuga to avoid “pettiness and rumour mongering,” urging them to base their statements on facts.
“It is disgraceful that at a time when Nigerians are yearning for stability and good governance, top officials of the federal government are busy engaging in baseless accusations, further tarnishing Nigeria’s image before the international community,” the statement added.
The group further criticized the state of emergency in Rivers State as “unconstitutional, unnecessary, and politically motivated,” asserting that no evidence of war or a breakdown of law and order, as required by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, has been shown.
“The AGF and other federal agents must be reminded that the Supreme Court judgment, which is now being used to justify executive overreach in Rivers State, does not license rumour-based governance,” HURIWA noted.
HURIWA urged Fubara to pursue legal action against those making the claims, stating, “even if the judiciary is seen by some as compromised, it is essential to set the record straight by taking advantage of available legal avenues.”
The association called on security agencies to launch a transparent forensic investigation into the allegations and incidents in Ogoniland and other parts of Rivers State, insisting it must remain free of political interference.
“The dangerous game of labeling peaceful citizens as militants without evidence is not only reckless but risks plunging Rivers State into avoidable chaos. Nigeria’s democracy deserves better,” the group concluded.
