By OBSERVERS TIMES

The grand coalition envisioned to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s grip on power in 2027 is fracturing, not with a bang, but with a whimper of defections and strategic confusion. As the political landscape shifts dramatically, the opposition, once brimming with confidence, now appears to be reeling from self-inflicted blows.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), despite facing a wave of public discontent over economic reforms, is witnessing an unprecedented influx of opposition figures. This migration, far from being a mere trickle, is reshaping the political terrain, casting a long shadow over the opposition’s ambitions.
Former President Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, spearheaded the charge for a united front, banking on public frustration to fuel their campaign. Their strategy hinged on consolidating opposition governors and leveraging their state-level influence. However, their calculations have been spectacularly upended.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection to the APC, accompanied by the state’s entire PDP structure and former Vice-Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, sent shockwaves through the opposition ranks. This seismic shift, coupled with the exodus of National Assembly members from the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has left the Atiku-led group scrambling to salvage its crumbling foundation.

El-Rufai’s assertion that the coalition could thrive without governors, relying solely on direct voter mobilization, rings hollow to many analysts. They point to the APC’s own 2015 victory, a feat achieved through a potent alliance of influential governors and political heavyweights.

The parallels between Atiku’s coalition and the APC’s formation are striking. Both sought to unite disparate factions under a common banner. However, the APC’s success stemmed from a shared ideology and a clear leadership structure, with Muhammadu Buhari as its undisputed presidential candidate.

Atiku’s coalition, in contrast, grapples with internal discord and a lack of unified vision. The Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) rejection of a merger deal has further complicated matters, leaving the coalition without a clear political platform. The looming question of who will lead the coalition’s presidential charge, Atiku or Peter Obi, threatens to ignite further internal strife.

Babachir Lawal, a key figure in the coalition, attempts to downplay the defections, dismissing the PDP as a “non-factor.” However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. The steady erosion of support from key political figures is undeniably weakening the coalition’s foundation.

Political analyst Prof. Chris Nwokobia remains optimistic, predicting a formidable opposition alliance will emerge. However, veteran politician Buba Galadima dismisses the coalition as a gathering of self-serving individuals, destined to fail.
Prof. Adele Jinadu, a former president of the International Political Science Association, offers a sobering assessment, warning that the pursuit of self-interest will plunge the nation into political chaos. He urges politicians to prioritize the public good, a virtue sorely lacking in the current political climate.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the opposition’s dream of a united front is rapidly dissolving. The defections, the internal discord, and the lack of a coherent strategy are all contributing to a sense of disarray. With each passing day, the odds of unseating Tinubu appear to be diminishing, leaving the opposition scrambling to salvage what remains of its crumbling ambitions.

By OBSERVERS TIMES

A significant chapter in Anambra State’s history concluded today as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the newly constructed Government House and Governor’s Lodge. This landmark event marks the end of a 34-year period during which the state operated without these essential administrative and residential structures. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo spearheaded the project, finally breaking a jinx that has spanned several administrations.
The absence of a dedicated Government House and Governor’s Lodge has been a notable feature of Anambra’s governance landscape for over three decades. While previous administrations, including that of former Governor Peter Obi, governed the state, this crucial infrastructure project remained unaddressed. The reasons behind the delays by successive governments remain a subject of public discourse.
Governor Soludo, speaking at the commissioning ceremony, emphasized the importance of the new structures for efficient governance and the dignity of the state. President Tinubu, in his address, commended Governor Soludo for his vision and commitment to delivering this long-awaited project.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by prominent political figures, traditional rulers, and citizens of Anambra State. This development is expected to usher in a new era of administrative efficiency and provide a befitting seat of power for the state’s leadership.

By OBSERVERS TIMES

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has sharply criticized Labour Party (LP) chieftain Peter Obi, advising him to address the internal conflicts within his party before commenting on broader national issues.

Akpabio’s remarks were made in response to Obi’s recent tribute to the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, during which Obi lamented the state of leadership in Nigeria, asserting, “The labor of our heroes past has been in vain.”

During a valedictory plenary session honoring Chief Clark, Akpabio condemned Obi’s comments as reckless. He argued that Obi, having failed to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party, lacks the moral authority to critique national leadership.

Further details to follow.

A Federal High Court in Abuja heard on Thursday that the broadcasts made by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu led to the killing of a former Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to ex-President Gooluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak and others.

An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) said this as he resumed his testimony as the second prosecution witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu.

Other persons who lost their lives to Kanu’s toxic broadcast, the DSS officer told the court, include a retired high court judge, Stanley Nnaji, and Army Sergeant Audu Lucas and his financee, Private Glory Matthew.

The witness, who said he was part of the DSS’ team that investigated the complaint made against Kanu by the then Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.

On his part, Kanu confirmed additional video evidence provided by the DSS in court that he ordered his supporters to attack President Bola Tinubu, police officers, and to burn down their stations.

The witness said Kanu, in one of his broadcasts, ordered his followers to enforce a sit at home in all South Eastern states and in the process many people, who went out of their houses on that day, were killed.

He said investigation revealed that Sergeant Lucas and Private Matthew were not only killed by those who were enforcing Kanu’s sit-at-home order, but were thereafter beheaded.

The witness said investigation also revealed that before killing Gulak, those enforcing the sit-at-home directive by Kanu, blamed him (Gulak) for coming out on a day their leader asked people not to go out of their homes.

He added that, from their investigation, they found that Kanu founded IPOB and ESN, which is the armed wing of IPOB, and that he was the leader of both groups.

“We were also able to establish that he (Kanu) founded Radio Biafra through which he made inciting comments like killing of police officers and burning of property,” the witness said.

He added that they also found that Radio Biafra was not registered in Nigeria and that owing to Kanu’s broadcast, police stations in Cele and Ilasa (both in Lagos) were burnt by his followers.

The witness said investigation also revealed that about 100 luxury buses, belonging to the Lagos State Government and part of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State were burnt as allegedly directed by Kanu in one of his broadcasts.

The witness added: “He (Kanu) did not only call for the killing of security officers, he called for them to be beheaded, which they (his followers) did.”

He said their investigation revealed that Kanu’s agitation for Biafra was to secede the states of south east and part of Benue and Kogi states from Nigeria, adding that the defendant “called for the establishment of the state of Biafra by any means possible, including war.”

Earlier, the video recording of the session where investigators, including the witness, interrogated Kanu and obtained written statement from him, was played in court.

The witness identified Kanu in the video as well as two of his lawyers who were with him during the session, including Alloy Ejimakor.

During interrogation session, which, took place under a convivial atmosphere, as Kanu, his lawyers and the DSS official were seen throwing banters and laughing intermittently, Kanu confirmed being the founder and leader of IPOB and ESN.

At a point during the interaction session, Kanu sought and was granted permission to ease himself. He went into the restroom, returned a moment later and the interview session continued.

Kanu said he was not directly involved in the day-to-day running of both organisations (IPOB and ESN), which he said were managed by their states’ coordinators.

The defendant also said, in the video, that he made broadcast in respect of the EndSARS protest and other broadcasts on Radio Biafra.

He said the protest that took place in Lagos during the EndSARS protest was outside the Biafran territory and that the destructions witnessed during the protest could not have been as a result of his broadcast.

Kanu said he does not have authority over his members, adding that if he had authority over them he would not have subscribed to referendum, he would have just pronounced Biafra into existence.

In the video, Kanu denied that IPOB is responsible for the violent attacks in some parts of the south east and the killings witnessed, adding that “IPOB is a peaceful movement. The IPOB is a non violent movement.”

Kanu, who said he facilitated the establishment of ESN, explained that the organisation was necessitated by the killings of the people of the South East.

He added: “If you look at what was happening in our land, that was what gave rise to ESN. If our people cannot go to farm, and people are killed in their land, do you sit down and do nothing?

“People can no longer go to farm; people can no longer carry out their economic activities.”

Kanu faulted the invasion of his house by armed soldiers, which he said accounted for why he left the country for fear of being killed.

He argued that the invasion was unnecessary and also faulted the manner he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.

At the conclusion of the witness’ examination in chief, lawyer to the defendant, Paul Erokoro (SAN) sought an adjornment for the defence to cross examine him.

Following agreement by lawyers to parties, Justice James Omotosho adjourned till May 14, 21 and 22 for further hearing.