Headline

Rape! Outbreak of a New Normal

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

How would rape ever be extinguished? Can victims ever get justice?

Rape has remained a recurrent decimal in the affairs of men despite the efforts of successive governments, human and civil rights organisations, non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies and even individuals. It has gained prominence in the last couple of days in many cities across Nigeria, prompting the question if there is an outbreak of rape or is it the new normal.

In the space of one week, three girls were sexually assaulted with two of them getting brutally killed in the process.

Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, 100-level Microbiology student of the University of Benin was murdered after being raped inside the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Sanctuary Mega Parish, Edo Province 10, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City on May 27, 2020, where she had gone to study. His assailant(s) smashed her head with a fire extinguisher.

Her killing sparked outrage and protests in Benin, Lagos and Abuja, with the hashtag,#JusticeForUwa, trending on the social media. It drew the irk of the government and other well meaning Nigerians with President Muhammadu Buhari ordering a speedy intervention into the matter with a view of apprehending the perpetrators as soon as possible.

Less than a week later, an 18-year-old student of the Federal College of Animal and Production Technology, Moore Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State, Barakat Bello, suffered the same fate. Bello was undertaking the National Diploma programme in Science Laboratory Technology.

Barakat’s father, Kasimu Elepo, narrated that he was not at home when the incident occurred, adding that it was his other daughter who found Barakat’s body in a pool of her own blood at the back of the house when she returned from Quaranic lessons.

Elepo said, “I was not at home when the incident happened. The victim’s younger sister was not at home too; she went for Quaranic lessons, but when she returned home, she saw Barakat at the back of the house with deep cuts all over her body. She had been raped and killed.” Her murder also sparked protest on Twitter with the hashtag, #JusticeforBarakat.

On the same day Barakat was brutally raped and killed, three armed men were reported to have allegedly gang-raped a 17-year-old street hawker at the Oja-Oba Market, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The Punch reported that the victim was hawking sachet water when the men, who were said to be armed with broken bottles, accosted her and took her to a corner in the market, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her around 7pm.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said two suspects had been arrested, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the third member of the gang.

While society has identified “weak institutions, poor enforcement, poverty and unacceptable social practices” as part of the reasons for sexual violence against women, no measure employed has seem to dissuade rapist. And recently, they have added killing of their victims as part of their itinerary.

As the news begun making the rounds, The Boss went to town, and investigation reveals that nine out of ten girls have been raped or escaped rape at one time or another in her life. The statistics sadly covered the age group of between 14 and 28 years. It is believed that some girls have either been raped or escaped rape before their 16th birthday. So scary!

Rape has taken place among siblings, fathers against their daughters, neighbours, relatives and so called family friends. There are incontrovertible evidences of where extreme minors are also the victims. A video is currently trending on the social media where a grown man was seen kissing a three year old child. There’s nothing to prove that such person has not penetrated or attempted to penetrate the child.

Sexual violence in Nigeria largely goes unreported because of the burden of proof necessary for conviction as well as the social stigma it brings, and threats that go with them. Ordinarily, the Police have found it difficult to make arrests for sexual assault because of less reporting of the act, and when reportage is made, most rape victims have complained that the police blamed them for the assault, asking why did you go there? Why did you dress the way you did? These have made it difficult for girls, mostly the younger ones to report, even to their parents.

Koya is a student in Ibadan. She narrated her story as follows:

“I had just recovered from an illness that kept me away from school for two weeks. On resumption, my classmate, who was also my friend, volunteered to lend me her notebooks so I could copy. So on this day, I went to her house to take the books, but on getting to her house, she was not home. Her brother told me that he knows where she was, and would take me there based on her instruction. So we went. The place was her boyfriend’s house. I met my friend there with her twin sister. I asked that one of them follow me to their house so I could rush up with writing the notes. Just then, my friend left, leaving me behind with her twin sister, and as she left, a knock was heard on the door. I was relaxed, thinking it was my friend coming back, but two boys marched in. Without any form of warning, they started beating us up mercilessly, tore our cloths and took turns on us. My friend, who supposedly went to collect the book, did not go anywhere. She was locked up in another room, and another group of boys were also mercilessly raping her too.

At a stage, I fought my way out, and ran out of the house stark naked. That was when neighbours came to my rescue. I led them to the house. They cleaned us up and gave us cloths to wear. The neighbours encouraged me to go to the police, and I did. The police followed me to the scene and took us to the hospital. The hospital confirm that all three of us were virgins. Those boys brutally took our virginity.

The irony of the whole thing was that everyone blamed my friends and I. My parents scolded me for reporting to the police. They queried my mission in the house of the boys. My explanations did not make any meaning to them. The Police said we were the cause. I still don’t know how. And the kind of cloth I wore that day covered my body from neck down. The only visible part of my body were my fingers.

At interrogation, my friend’s boyfriend claimed that he planned it all. He said that he been asking his girlfriend for sex, but was constantly turned down.

On this day, the boy had invited his girlfriend and asked her to come along with her sister as confidence that nothing will happen to her. They actually made plans to rape both sisters, and Koya walked into the trap. The police did not help matters as they dismissed the case, heaping all blames on the girls. Koya further hinted that she and her friends are no longer on talking terms because they too blamed her for taking the matter to the police, instead of keeping quiet. This was after the boys have reorganised and beat the sisters for allowing their friend to report the matter to the police.

Another victim, this time a married woman, told a most pathetic story of how her 15 year-old daughter was brutally disvirgined under her watch by her step father, the very weekend before the lockdown.

She said: “Just before the lockdown, my daughter, who is 15 years was raped by my husband, a man she called father, though not her biological father. My husband was always in need of sex, and I tried to fulfil his needs whenever he comes, even when I can’t. Each time I seem to give him excuses, he will threaten to go and get it from my daughter. Whenever I call his bluff, he will move to the door of her room, and I will reluctantly allow him to have his way with me.

But this particular night was different; there was no demand and no rejection. When he left the bed, I thought he had gone to watch TV until I began to hear screams and threats. I got and discovered that the noise was coming from my daughter’s room. The room had been locked from inside. This man violently and mercilessly raped her, beating her up severely for daring to resist. By daybreak when he opened the door, the girl was a ghost of her former self. I took her to the hospital, where she was attended to. I managed to sneak into the house and took my two other children and disappeared. Not even a pin followed me out of the house. I was afraid of what he might do next. I don’t even want anyone to know where I am.

Like most people who have been disappointed by the Police, she said the Police told her “that’s your family problem. If your husband finds interest in your daughter who you had before you married him, then you people should look for how to balance it. It is not a new thing.”

The girl is shattered, and in hiding just like her mother.

Gracious is a 22 years old young graduate of the University of Lagos. She told the Boss that though she cannot remember vividly how her incident occurred, she is very sure attempt was made at her virginity when she was just five years.

“I believe I have a rape experience but I don’t have any clear recollection of it. I was very very little and I just have this suspicion of foul play by a neighbour but no evidence and nothing was noticed by mom, so I guess it probably didn’t happen. But rape aside, there are several cases of sexual harassment: inappropriate touching and inappropriate advances, but we don’t shout too loud because most people would say these are very common, she said.

When prodded to recollect incidences of such harassment, she hinted:

“I remember meeting a top personality in the media one day at the radio booth of a well known broadcasting station, and in excitement, I requested to take a picture with him. While we posed, his hand went too far down my hip and stayed fondling. He kept asking for the picture to be taken over and over again and his hand kept going further down with every picture taken. I didn’t know how to react because of who he was, and the number of people there. When he left, several people came to me commenting on how they had noticed what he had done. They told me how normal it was for him to do such,” she narrated.

She also recalled incidences including playing with his cousin, who out of instinct and “completely unprovoked, he put his hands into my trousers and into my pant. I didn’t know anything then but I knew that was wrong so I pushed him away and we continued like nothing had happened. I haven’t told my mom to this day.

“I also remember when I was also very very little, I couldn’t have been more than seven, my dad had left me at home while I was sleeping to buy something outside. Somehow, my neighbours’ sons (who were within my age bracket), got into my house and all I know is, I woke up to them looking and touching my nether regions almost as if curious.”

She frowned at the attention the society pay to such deeds, saying that the society, families and the police justify rape act by blaming the woman, saying she might have put herself in the position to be raped or touched or molested.

She however noted that rape is not to women alone, adding that men are also raped though most men celebrate their rape.

“I remember having a discussion with some of my guy friends about this rape issue. This is a group that the age range was from 19-25; out of four guys, three had a sexual assault story of different levels.”

Juanita is a 27 years old mother of four, who said she can’t count the number of times she had been raped because of her broken home status. She told the story of one her experiences:

“There was this man, much older than me. I was 14 years then. He was a cousin to my friend. The said day, I had gone to see my friend in company of another friend. Her parents were not home. There was just herself, her brother, cousin and boyfriend at home. Three of us were just the girls in their midst.

“Shortly afterwards, our host was sent to buy recharge card. When she returned, she was sent out again. This time, she took the friend I came with along. I was then the only girl left. I felt uncomfortable with the environment, and then went into the toilet to ease myself. When I came back, my friend’s council was already seated in the room, and on the waiting. I felt he wanted to try boys’ stuff with me, so I was ready with my answers. But I was wrong. He wanted sex. No conversation nor preamble; he grabbed me. He threatened me with horrible things. I was dumbfounded. He said he was going to soak my cloths in water and I will go home naked. We struggled but he had his way. even when the other girls came back, they were not bothered but peeped through the keyhole. That was it. I was raped. I couldn’t tell anyone. I got pregnant, and was not even aware of it.

“That even shattered my entire life, because I visited one quack after another for abortion. What and where does a 14-year-old know. I tried a quack nurse, a herbalist, all to no avail until one day, I started bleeding profusely. And my family got to know.”

She continued: “The beauty of the whole thing is that 13 years later, as this rape thing is making the rounds now, the guy has surfaced, asking for forgiveness. He said he had had no peace ever since, especially now. He traced me through Facebook,” Juanita said.

This story brings tears to my eyes each time I remember it; it is one experience I don’t wish for even my worst enemies, Peju, a 26 year-old woman said as she recount an experience when she was 17 when her boyfriend sold her out to be rape. Her MC boyfriend actually collected money from someone so the person could rape her.

This guy was an MC, and was about town, meaning we are always going out. That day, we were hanging out by a poolside, when I noticed a particular guy was constantly staring at me. Suddenly, he passed his number on a piece of paper to me. I immediately informed my boyfriend, who laughed it off, saying he knows the guy.

After the pool incident, we planned to hangout at the club later that night where he was performing, and agreed to meet somewhere drinks before proceeding. While there, the guy who gave me a number at the pool joined us to my surprise. He was formally introduced. I did not know the plans as my friend left on he pretense to buy something, and for three hours, he didn’t come back. Worried, I asked the pool guy where he had gone to and when he would be back. He said he did not know but that he would try calling him. Meanwhile, I have called repeatedly but his number was unreachable.

After sometime, he told me he had reached someone else and they said my friend was very sick, that he was at another friend’s place, so we went there. I waited outside for him to come out, he did not. The pool guy suggested I come to his house, and wait. I agreed reluctantly. His house was a full house so I felt comfortable. His sister, fiancé and another lady, were there. This was already some minutes past midnight. I was trapped. The guy gave me two options; either I sleep in his house or he lodge me in a nearby hotel till morning. I chose the hotel option since I didn’t comfortable sleeping over in his house. He put me in a room, but refused to go, saying he would finish his drink first.

I kept insisting he leave so I could go to sleep. Then he told me it was too late and he could not leave anymore. He volunteered to sleep on the chair while I sleep on the bed. couldn’t help it, so I asked him to sleep on the bed while I sleep on the chair. I waited for him to sleep but he would not. Then he said ‘why are you acting like this? You ought to know what is happening. In fact, let me tell you the truth, I have paid your boyfriend to have you tonight so don’t even try to resist’. It was the dirtiest statement I ever heard.

He locked the door and pocketed the key and he began following me around the room. The hotel is a popular place for prostitutes so shouting for help was futile, it was normal to them. I shouted. I begged. But it was a waste of time. He told me his money would not go to waste. He pushed me onto the bed, tore my skirt, my underwear and had his way with me repeatedly. Much as I hit his head with a bottle, he was not deterred. I was so scattered afterwards, even as I speak with you now, I’m shaking. I hate to remember that experience. I was so scattered, I didn’t know what to do with myself; my clothes were torn so how was I to stand up and find my way home? Who would listen to such a story? That’s how I was disgraced. Who would I have told this story? I got home that day and cried my eyes out. It was a miracle I did not commit suicide. I turned me into something else, I started smoking and misbehaving because I lost myself. It is really not a good experience but it is well and I thank God I’m still alive and strong.

If you think Peju’s story was callous, hear what another student, Ijeoma told The Boss amid hiccups:

“I was callously raped by a person I taught was my friend because he was close to my boyfriend. He claimed he was a student of OAU but I discovered later he was into Advance Fee Fraud (419). We were close because he was always with my boyfriend. One day, he invited my boyfriend to his house, and he took me along. This was already past 7pm. So I went with them because I had nothing doing. After sometime, both of them went outside, and came back shortly after. Just then, the guy started touching my leg in the presence of my guy. When I complained to him, he didn’t say a word. Emboldened, the guy jump on me, pinned me down and started tearing my cloths off. I knew I was practically on my own, so I started begging and crying. I told him to pity me that I was still a virgin, but he wouldn’t listen. To cut a long story short, he violently raped me both through my vagina and anus. He sodomized me. When he was done, he ran off to wash off himself.

At that point, the one I call my boyfriend said he wanted to take his turn with me. I started begging again, reminding him that we were friends. He refused, boasting that if he could have sex with his own sister, there was no reason why he would not have sex with me. I must have raised my voice higher while I was begging because someone seemed to hear and was banging on the door. That saved me. A next door neighbour, who happened to be a doctor walked in. She took me to her room where I was given a pad, and the police was called. It was a very rough experience. I don’t wish it upon my worst enemy. We, girls know what we go through on a daily basis; things that we cannot even speak of. We cannot say all that we go through.”

Ijeoma added that she was consoled with the fact that her rapist has been killed. She claimed he was killed during a cult war.

A lot of debates have been going on as regards the basic deterring measure to apply to curb this outbreak, which has remained endemic. Sadly enough, at Thursday’s plenary session, members of the House of Representatives voted against castration as punishment for rapists as suggested by Hon. James Faleke from Lagos state. They called for stiffer penalties against persons found guilty of rape.

The Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Julie Okah-Donli, on their part, said it would publish the names and photos of sex offenders in the country as a deterrent to would-be offenders

According to her, reporting cases of rape is the only way to curtail the abominable act, adding that the agency will act on reported cases.

A social commentator, who do not wish his in print said, every agency involved must find a way to make ladies understand that it is not their fault that they were raped before they can expect reports of rape. In the past, the raped woman has always been blamed for what she suffered.

He maintained that the length of rape action should not stop its prosecution, hinting that the case between Mrs Busola Dakolo and Commonwealth of Zion Assembly pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo, resurfaced many years after it took place, and is still on.

Rape gives only five minutes of enjoyment to the rapist, and life of misery to the victim. Human sympathy should play a role in curbing rape, the extant laws in place not withstanding.

It is not to be swept under the carpet most rape cases involve high capacity individuals, who ‘cannot’ be reported. There are stories of obas raping their interns, employers raping their employees or would-be employees, teachers raping their students, policemen raping the inmates and many more.

And has anyone bothered to know how models are recruited by the agents? That’s a story for another day!

Headline

Dickson Defends NDC Registration, Dismisses Irregularities Allegations

Published

26 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Eric

National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has defended the legitimacy of the party’s registration, dismissing allegations of irregularities and urging Nigerians to ignore what he described as propaganda.

Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, in a X post on Monday said the party’s formation was the result of a long-standing process dating back to 2017, contrary to claims that it was recently granted recognition without due procedure.

“For the record, the annexures show that we initiated the registration process for the NDC as far back as 2017 and that INEC granted approval at that time before the process was halted,” he said.

He added that the party revisited and updated its application when the Independent National Electoral Commission resumed registration of political associations.

Dickson’s comments come amid controversy triggered by allegations from Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and promoter of the All Democratic Alliance, who accused the electoral body of unlawfully registering the NDC in violation of constitutional provisions and its own guidelines on DCL Hausa.

Ardo claimed that while his group and others met all requirements for registration, they were ignored, whereas the NDC was allegedly recognised under questionable circumstances.

“The reason is that NDC obtained registration without applying, without meeting the requirements set by law, without meeting the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, and without meeting INEC’s guidelines,” Ardo said during an interview.

“With my experience in politics, I am fully aware that an ambitious project of this nature will attract distractions—rumours, gossip, propaganda, and even blackmail,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to remain focused on what he described as the party’s broader vision of national renewal.

The development comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the defection of key opposition figures including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the NDC.

Dickson described their entry into the party as part of a broader coalition-building effort aimed at creating a strong ideological platform.

“What we are witnessing is a powerful convergence: my role as a party organiser and builder, alongside two political heavyweights with immense grassroots support, popularity and political experience,” he said.

He added that the party aims to build a durable political institution comparable to established global parties.

“As I have consistently stated, our goal in the NDC is to build an ideological political party, one that can be compared to the ANC in its finest years in South Africa, as well as established political parties across Europe, America, India and even the Communist Party of China,” he said.

Dickson also highlighted the party’s focus on youth and women, describing the NDC as a platform designed to promote inclusion and mentorship.

“The NDC is a party with a special place for young people and women, one that prioritises mentorship and prepares citizens for service,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to join the party and participate actively in its activities, including contesting elections.

“I call on all Nigerians to join the NDC, register, participate, and contest elections. Together, let us reclaim and rebuild our country,” he added.

Headline

Peter Obi Only Had Interest in Presidential Ticket, Not in Party’s Policies – Abdullahi

Published

43 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Eric

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi has accused Peter Obi of showing no interest in the party’s policy positions during his brief membership, saying he was only interested in obtaining the presidential ticket.

Abdullahi made this known on Monday during an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time programme, the same appearance in which he earlier described Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s departure from the ADC as a setback but not a fatal blow.

Abdullahi said the party had invested months in developing a manifesto with clear policy positions, but Obi never engaged with the process.

“You may invite His Excellency Peter Obi and ask him, what is the ADC position on fuel subsidy? What is the ADC’s framework on security? He doesn’t know, because he’s never been interested. They are just waiting for the tickets to be handed to them,” he said.

He said members of the ADC fell into three broad categories: those using the party as a mere platform to contest elections, those committed to ending what they described as the misgovernance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, and those genuinely interested in building a real political party anchored on policy.

Abdullahi appeared to place Obi in the first category, contrasting his conduct with the party’s expectations.

“If you say you want to contest election, and you believe in the country, in changing the country, you should know what your party stands for,” he said.

“No, no, no, absolutely. Maybe it’s a setback, but it’s a temporary setback. We are recalibrating, and we are going to come back stronger. The possibility of a three-horse race, has it dented our chances? Perhaps, but is it mortally so? No,” he said.

He also pushed back against suggestions that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had become the frontrunner for the ADC’s presidential ticket following the departures.

“This party ADC is not going to be an SPV for anybody,” he said, adding that former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi remained among the contenders.

Obi and Kwankwaso joined the ADC in March 2026 as part of a broad opposition coalition aimed at challenging the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Both men quit the party on Sunday, citing internal crises, court cases, and what they described as deliberate efforts to frustrate their participation in the electoral process.

They have since joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, where they have called for an end to litigation-driven politics.

Obi had said his decision to leave was not driven by personal ambition but by the need to rescue Nigeria, describing the pattern of internal crises as one he had also encountered in the Labour Party.

Headline

Will ‘Big Ego’ Bury Opposition Again?

Published

19 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Those, who are of the impression that the Nafiu Bala Gombe factor is the only crisis bedeviling the major opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), should probably begin to rethink. The reasons are obvious; the cankerworm of treachery, me, me and me factor, wings of undemocratisation, and loss of focus have continued to haunt the nascently developing party, and observers are of the agreement that the process may again go the way of 2023 if the constant bickering of who takes what continue to fester.

It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court has been judicially lenient to the ADC, in its judgment regarding leadership, where the popularly advocated David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola leadership was sustained. But the judgment, much as it brought a temporary relief, did not in any way drive away the crisis that the party has continued to ‘bring upon itself’ since its elaborated second launch in July, 2025.

While Nigerians had seen the ADC as a veritable alternative, a much better option to the existing ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with its attendant and alleged failed policies, which have subjected the Nigerian people to untold hardship from day one when the ‘subsidy is gone’ declaration was made, it has hitherto failed to reciprocate the confidence reposed on them by putting their house in order and jettison person desires fir Nigerianism.

But from every indication it’s beginning to appear that the ADC came, not unprepared, but under-prepared, creating loopholes that have energized the infiltration of elements of destruction bent on ensuring that the party is not on the ballot paper come 2027. The Nafiu Bala Gombe angle is consistently fighting to ensure that the agenda comes to pass. The ADC has however, pointed accusing fingers at the President Tinubu-led Federal Government and the APC as the brain behind the crisis, and the general muffling and muscling of the opposition, as the window of election contest continue to open wider.

But beyond the alleged hand of Tinubu in the brouhaha, there’s the in-house dispute, not just among the superweights that joined the party, but also among their supporters.

The super politicians include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, two-terms governor of Rivers State, and two-terms Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Chibike Amaechi; two-terms governor of Kano State and former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso and two-terms governor of Anambra State and business man, Mr. Peter Obi.

Till date, none of these prolific politicians has agreed to step down for another, creating a situation where the only door open to the aspirants is a transparent and all-agreeable primary election to determine who flies the party’s flag. But that is not to be again as the duo of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on Sunday ditched the party, enroute the newly formed Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Observers say that Obi has an unexplained phobia for primary elections.

But observers have wondered if the opposition leaders are really interested in ousting the administration of Bola Tinubu, which they unanimously agreed has not impacted positively on Nigerians. They have dismissed the coalition as a gathering of highly ambitious politicians, whose real agenda is to grab power for themselves, otherwise they could have done everything within their power to settle for and support one individual if the intention is to actually dethrone Tinubu, and give Nigerians to good they deserve.

As part of the disagreements that have threatened to pull down the very fabrics of opposition plans, and drag the nation back to the mistakes of 2023, the existence of ego; a certain type of ego that analysts have described as ‘Big Ego’, has played a crucial roll.

From Atiku to Obi to Amaechi and to the newest entrant, Kwankwaso, none is willing to settle for the other to fly the party’s flag. Everyone of the candidates wants to be president .And much as Tinubu has been blamed for most the crises in many major political parties, it is still not known if Tinubu could be blamed for the inability of these political juggernauts to settle for a consensus candidate to wrest power from the present administration, that not a few Nigerians have condemned.

From various camps, especially the ‘Obidients’ (supporters loyal to Peter Obi), the slogan has remained it’s either Obi or nothing, a move that has made it impossible for the agreement towards consensus or primaries to be reached. The Obidients maintained that Atiku has no right to contest, and shouldn’t contest, citing excuses including that he is of northern extraction, and it’s not the turn of the North to produce a president.

However, the Atiku camp has countered the notion saying that there’s no constitutional provision to whoever should contest for the presidency at a particular time, stressing that the presidential contest is opened to all Nigerians of 40 years and above irrespective of tribe, religion or region. They therefore, wonder why the Obi supporters would insist that Atiku drops off without a legitimate primary election.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION FOR PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST

According to Section 131 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), a person must be a citizen by birth, at least 40 years old, a member of a political party, sponsored by that party, and educated to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

The same section mentioned that disqualification of any aspirant would be based on allegiance to another country, previous two-term service as president, lunacy, or criminal conviction.

The Constitution did not at any section impose legitimacy on tribe, region or rotation. Atiku is eligible to stand for election.

Another angle Atiku’s detractors have tried to capitalise on is his stewardship as the Vice President.

However, a member of the Atiku, who prefers anonymity, explains that the Waziri Adamawa performed his functions as vice president creditably, and executed assignments as instructed. He added that at no time did the former sold any assets, rather he supervised privatization, which is the hallmark of development for any capitalist environment

The source said, “Sold national assets to who and as who? Was Atiku the president because as far as I know, he was the vice president and could not have acted without the consent of Mr President. Atiku never sold anything, those things were privatized and people, who wanted them, applied.”

Speaking on the most qualified of all the presidential aspirants, the source clarified that “having been a vice president for eight years, sustained credible institutions and businesses, none could compare to Atiku. He is the most senior, and most experienced”, he said

On the permutation of the likely winner of the 2027 election, the source dismissed Kwankwaso, whose over million votes came largely from Kano State, and Peter Obi, who could not win any state in both the North East and West. He advised that Obi’s chances are slim in contrast to Atiku, who won across the five regions except Southeast.

He said, “Atiku, won election as the Governor of Adamawa State before he was selected as gor the vice president position by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and he served for two-terms of eight years.

“Atiku, has since contested for president on the tickets of ACN, APC (primaries 2014), PDP, (2019 and 2023). He wants to be president, no doubt. That is not a man that can be hounded out of a race or intimidated by a small and vocal group.

“It is worthy of note that Peter Obi’s six million votes in the last election didn’t come strictly from the ‘Obidients’. In fact, not up to 30% came from them. The majority of the votes came from silent supporters of Obi who are members of other parties and from people not identified with any political party. Atiku can decide to step down for Obi or anyone, that is his choice to make. No one should hinge Obi’s success or failure on Atiku. He wants to be president too, and should not be intimidated, the source reiterated.

HISTORICAL TRAJECTORY

Without mincing words, the survival of the opposition coalition depends solely on Atiku and Peter Obi. Most men must agree to support each if there must be a headway in booting Tinubu out of power. Anyway other than that is just another rehash of the 2023 scenario.

It would be recalled that Atiku and Obi formed an alliance that challenged late former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. While Atiku stood asthe substantive candidate, Obi operated as the running. Buhari won with a slim margin though observers believed that the election was greatly manipulated.

But in 2023, ambitions defeated expectations. While many had expected Atiku to support younger aspirants to run, but he threw his hat in the ring. It was his constitutional right. The likes of Peter Obi, who has created a picture of himself as being afraid of primaries, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Labour Party, where he picked up presidential ticket on a platter. He believed that with the completion of the Buhari era, it was the turn of the Southeast to produce a president. Even as the duo of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi pooled a collective total of over 12 million votes, both were still defeated by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu.

A cross section of opinion molders have remained divided as to what would have happened if both had teamed up again as candidate and running mate. While a section said that the duo would have beaten Tinubu hands down, others believe that the massive voters would not have come out from their hiding if Obi had not been on the ballot paper. But the way it stands, and having known their electoral capabilities and capacities, and with one goal of removing Tinubu from office, one would have expected the two candidates to drop their egos and work together. But that has become a tall dream!

With the bickering, and subsequent defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the NDC, ostensibly to actualize the new slogan of Obi-Kwankwaso (OK), an analyst has juxtaposed the previous election in 2023, and the fast approaching one of 2027 as follows:

As the 2027 election approaches, it’s good to give a highlight of the major conditions required for any candidate to be declared winner of the election according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (1) Candidates must get the majority of the votes from the entire country. (2) Candidate must get at least 25% from at least 24/36 states plus the FCT. In 2023 for example, INEC declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu the winner of the election for securing 36.7% of the total votes and 25% from 29 states. Followed by Atiku Abubakar who secured 29.9% of the votes and got 25% from 21 states. And then Peter Obi who came third with 26.1% of the total votes and 25% from 15 states. What does that mean? Tinubu was declared winner not only because of the number of votes, but also because of the 25% rule, which he secured majority from Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Niger, Kogi, Benue, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno and Rivers. On the other hand, Atiku Abubakar won states like Osun, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Taraba, Bayelsa and Akwa-Ibom bringing it to a total of 12 states. Similarly, Peter Obi won states like Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta, Cross-River, Edo, Lagos, FCT, Plateau and Nassarawa bringing it to a total of 12 states with none from North-West and North-East. Kwankwaso dominated Kano State with more than a million votes. Based on this highlights, who do you think will win the 2027 presidential election?

WHY PETER OBI SHOULD HAVE REMAINED WITH ATIKU AS RUNNING MATE

A lot of narratives have been peddled as to why it would been a sound political decision for Peter Obi to remain with the ADC, and seek election as running mate to Atiku Abubakar.

Many believe that Peter Obi came to limelight in 2019 courtesy of the Atiku generosity, when he was nominated as the presidential vice candidate against the wishes and to the chagrin of major political heavyweights in PDP at the time. Both made a noticeable though did not win.

Secondly, Atiku has told the public that he was only concerned with serving for only one term, and promised to support Peter Obi to take afterwards. This is highly fundamental because across the world, many politicians have effortlessly crossed over to becoming the president after serving as vice presidents.

The case of the present President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, readily comes.to mind. He served as vice president to John Kuffour, and took over afterwards.

There’s also Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan, who served as vice president to Umar Musa Yar’dua, and became president at his death, and went ahead to win another term, even when it was the proverbial turn of the North.

In the United States, Joe Biden served as vice to Barack Obama, and became president at the end of his tenure. He served for one term, and voluntarily bowed out on health grounds.

In Kenya, incumbent President Willam Ruto served loyally as vice to Uhuru Kenyatta, and is today the president of Kenya.

In Liberia, Joseph Boakai served as vice president to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her two-terms of 12 years (2006 – 2018) before becoming president himself.

Just as the list is endless, it is believed that a little patience by Obi can help I removing Tinubu, and making him president in 2031.

However, appearing quite upbeat about the happenstance, a chieftain of the ADC, Chief Dele Momodu, summarized as follows during a recent interview:

“I have no fear whatsoever, though there’s a bit of agitation everywhere. If you ask most people, they would tell you, Oh, Asiwaju will rig the election. They are sure Tinubu will do this and that. He has the power of life and death and so on and so forth, but I’m not bothered. As you get older in life, you begin to understand the God factor better. I believe that whatever APC likes, let them do. When it is God’s time, he will push them out and I think, this 2027, we are closer to it than ever.

“I said APC, whether they like it or not, the whole world knows that they have failed. And now the people are thinking it is political parties that chase away government? No, it is not parties; it is the people. When the people rise up and say it was the people that chased away PDP that time, it was the people. In this case, those who will chase Tinubu and APC away are not just members of ADC. They are Nigerians who are fed up, completely fed up, who will look back at the last three or four years and ask pertinent questions like, Was my life better in 2023 than it is in 2027? Was security much better in 2023 than it is in 2027? Was electricity better? Was water better? Was infrastructure better? Was our foreign policy better? Was the quality of ministers better? When you answer all those questions, you will see that the majority of the answers will be no, no, no. And that is what will determine why people will vote them out.”

With Obi now in NDC, and Atiku still in ADC, the shape of 2027 for the opposition may not be looking good because the way it stands, the OPPOSITION IS ABOUT TO BURY HOPE AGAIN, leveraging on the infamous ‘BIG EGO’.

It is now to your tent, O’ Israel. This is the real status quo ante bellum, and every candidate is now to test his own strength in isolation.