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MKO Abiola’s Son Endorses Atiku Abubakar for President

Published

7 years ago

February 11, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Aliyu Abiola, a son of the renowned democracy giant and presumed winner of the June 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, has endorsed the presidential ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as February 16 fast approaches.

Abiola expressed his endorsement in a letter titled “The truth about H. E Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Waziri Adamawa”, and made available to The Boss, where he went down memory lane, highlighting Atiku Abubakar’s selfless contributions to the emergence of MKO Abiola as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Jos, in 1992.

He maintained that history must not be distorted or sacrificed on the altar of self aggrandizement, and urged Nigerians, especially the youths to come out in their numbers and vote Atiku Abubakar.

Describing the reason for his choice apart from the role the former Vice President played in the democratic dispensation leading to the ‘fairest and freest’ election of June 1993, Abiola said that “Nigeria needs a thoroughbred democrat not a converted one; someone that has a track record as a businessman not someone who has admitted to not having any business. Above all we need a President that understands international trade.”

Read Abiola’s full letter below:

The truth about H. E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa

My name is Aliyu Abiola. I am the son of late Chief MKO Abiola and a student of History as well as a lover of truth.

As a man maligned, vilified and most times wrongly criticized in spite of his great philanthropy and support for worthy causes in Nigeria and across the globe, I understand the misconception and false allegations a successful man is subject to.

Having said that, I want to start by saying I have never met either H. E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or President Muhammadu Buhari before so I don’t want my stand to be viewed from a partisan perspective or self interest hence the title THE TRUTH ABOUT H. E. ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR, WAZIRI ADAMAWA.

I find this piece very important because we live in a country where history is optional in the Nigerian education system and in an era where opinions of most youths like myself are shaped by rumours, fake news, propaganda, half truths and sometimes outright lies. It is therefore, important we go back to the archives so we are not misled or misinformed.

I am writing this article as someone whose family has contributed immensely to the democratic struggle of this nation. However, the truth remains that every struggle comes through a process, and in a democratic setting we all know what the process is. Again, politics being a game of numbers, a man desirous of anything has to work with men of like minds to achieve his objectives.

Before the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida cancelled the freest and fairest elections in the history of this country, my late father was the candidate of the SDP (Social Democratic Party) and that was only possible due to the support he received from H. E Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Waziri Adamawa and his PDM block during the party’s convention in Jos in 1992.

H. E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar sacrificed his presidential and even vice presidential ambition for the late martyr and icon of democracy as my father later came to be known.

This is very important because Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is presently being wrongly portrayed as a man who is overtly ambitious and uncompromising, but history and track record shows otherwise. It is therefore necessary for men of goodwill to speak up in defence of truth and history so that a man like H. E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Waziri Adamawa will not be robbed of his place in history or crucified on the altar of propaganda and lies.

Nigeria’s hard earned democracy is at the verge of collapse as democratic institutions are failing; court orders are not being respected even as judges are being harassed. Our population is growing at 4 per cent per annum while the economy is barely growing at 2 per cent per annum. Again, hunger has increased in the land to the extent that stealing of female underwears (pants) is now the most profitable business for our youths.

It is my considered opinion that Nigeria needs a thoroughbred democrat at this time not a converted one; someone that has a track record as a businessman not someone who has admitted to not having any business, and above all, we need a President that understands international trade as we all know that the Customs service, which Atiku has been part of, is an arm of the finance ministry which deals mostly with foreign trade.

During an interview with Charly Boy when he was asked what he feared most in life, my late father replied without hesitation or equivocation, ‘poverty’. It is for this reason that

the Nigerian youths must vote H. E Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa for president to get Nigeria working again.

Aliyu Abiola

Headline

Insecurity: Akpabio Begs Tinubu to Reinstate Police Orderlies for NASS Members

Published

2 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Eric

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the directive withdrawing police orderlies from members of the National Assembly, citing safety concerns.

Akpabio made the appeal during the presentation of the 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, by President Tinubu, warning that some lawmakers fear they might be unable to return home safely following the withdrawal.

His said: “As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly said I should let you know they may not be able to go home today.

“On that note, we plead with Mr. President for a review of the decision.”

President Tinubu, on November 23, ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties across the country.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu issued the directive after a security meeting with Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) following heightened security issues in the country.

Under the order, VIPs requiring security are to seek protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as the Federal government seeks to boost police presence in communities, particularly in remote areas grappling with insecurity.

Tinubu later reaffirmed the directive on December 10, moments before presiding over the Federal Executive Council, expressing frustration over delays in implementation.

He instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Civil Defence Corps to immediately replace withdrawn escorts to avoid exposing individuals to danger.

“I honestly believe in what I said…It should be effected. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said.

“The minister of interior should liaise IG and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties.

“So that you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.

Headline

Defence Gulps Lion Share As Tinubu Presents N58.47trn 2026 Budget to NASS

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has presented a budget of N58.47 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, with capital recurrent (non‑debt) expenditure standing at N15.25 trillion.

Tinubu presented the budget on Friday, pegging the capital expenditure at N26.08 trillion and putting the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.

He said the expected total revenue is N34.33 trillion, projected total expenditure: N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion for debt servicing. The budget is N23.85 trillion, representing 4.28% of GDP.

The budget was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of N1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.

In terms of sectoral allocation, defence and security took the lion’s share with N 5.41 trillion, followed by infrastructure at N3.56 trillion.

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Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Macron Hold High-Powered Meeting in Paris

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

Eric

Accomplished billionaire businessman and Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, CdrLH, has held a private meeting with the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The two powerful citizens of the world held the meeting on Wednesday at the historic Élysée Palace in Paris.

The high-level engagement underscores the longstanding relationship between Dr. Adenuga and the French Republic, as well as his continued relevance in global business and diplomatic circles.

A respected industrialist and philanthropist, Adenuga has been widely acknowledged for his contributions to economic development, telecommunications, energy, and humanitarian causes across Africa and beyond.

The meeting adds to Dr. Adenuga’s growing profile as a bridge between African enterprise and international leadership.