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Senator Natasha Demands Immediate Release Of 52 Detained AAU Students.
Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has strongly criticised the arrest and alleged detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, describing the action as an attack on democratic principles and youth participation in governance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the senator, in a solidarity statement issued on Tuesday, warned that suppressing student voices through arrests and detention poses a serious threat to democracy, stressing that peaceful protest and civic engagement must never be treated as criminal acts. She maintained that dialogue remains the only sustainable means of resolving grievances, especially when young people raise concerns about issues affecting their future.
Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that the detained students should be released immediately, noting that criminalising youth activism only deepens mistrust between the government and the governed. She faulted the handling of the incident by authorities in Edo State, urging them to redirect their focus to addressing the worsening insecurity confronting residents, particularly the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes.
The lawmaker emphasised that peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected right and an essential instrument for accountability, especially for students whose lives and prospects are directly shaped by governance outcomes. She added that silencing students through force undermines public confidence and widens the gap between leaders and citizens, calling instead for sincere engagement and open dialogue.
Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her solidarity with the affected students and their families, stating that her intervention aligns with her longstanding commitment to justice, democratic freedoms and youth empowerment.
The development followed the arrest of no fewer than 52 AAU students during a late-night operation by security operatives in Ekpoma, after a protest over the deteriorating security situation in the state. The students were subsequently arraigned in court for their alleged involvement in the demonstration.
The arrests have also drawn condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which described the continued detention of the students as unacceptable and disturbing, insisting that citizens exercising their constitutional rights should not be subjected to intimidation or harassment.
However, security authorities in Edo State have defended the arrests, claiming the protest was infiltrated by hoodlums who allegedly attacked traders, set tyres ablaze and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma during the unrest.
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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