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Safeguard Our Freedom — Tinubu Issues Rallying Call to Protect Nigeria’s Democracy
On Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the construction of INEC’s new headquarters in Abuja, urging Nigerians to back efforts that strengthen key institutions, defend democracy, and safeguard the nation’s future.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Tinubu emphasized that democracy is a continuous journey requiring collective effort and vigilance. “Democracy is not a destination but a journey. Let us, together, reinforce our institutions, safeguard our freedom, and protect our future,” he said.
The President described the new INEC headquarters as more than just a building project. He said it symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to credible elections and institutional independence. “This is about the strength of our democracy, the independence of our institutions, and the future of our electoral integrity,” Tinubu noted.
He commended INEC’s pivotal role in sustaining democratic values, calling it “the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic process.” According to him, housing such a key institution in a modern facility underscores the importance of its mandate and helps build public trust in the electoral system.
The new annex will serve as a hub for electoral planning, training, innovation, and transparency. Tinubu stressed the need to ensure that INEC is fully equipped — not just with infrastructure but also with the legal and policy frameworks necessary to execute its duties effectively.
Acknowledging Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his role in initiating the project, the President said it reflects his administration’s resolve to strengthen democratic governance.
“To the contractors and stakeholders involved, I say: let quality, speed, and transparency define your work. You are building more than a structure — you are building national trust,” he declared.
Wike Assures Completion During Tinubu’s First Term
FCT Minister Wike clarified that the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2025 and is being supervised by the FCT through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
He pledged that the project would be completed within President Tinubu’s first term. “Mr. President, we assure you that with the support you’ve given us, this project will be completed on time. The contractor will deliver — rain or shine.”
Wike also highlighted other infrastructure projects approved under the President’s directive, including renovations at the National Assembly, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, and various court buildings across Abuja.
INEC Chairman: New Structure Long Overdue
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission has long struggled with inadequate office space. The current headquarters, built in 1997, was designed for a much smaller staff and structure. “Today, we have over 1,000 staff, 13 full-time commissioners, and 22 departments — all overstretching our existing facilities,” he noted.
Due to these limitations, INEC was forced to rent additional office spaces in Wuse Zone II. The new building, designed with input from INEC’s technical team, will include modern offices, a 1,000-seat auditorium, IT facilities, and a museum to preserve the history of elections in Nigeria.
Yakubu thanked the President and FCT Administration for making the project a reality, noting that this is the third time since 1991 the FCDA has provided facilities for the Commission.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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