By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said his opposition to the alleged third-term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was driven by his commitment to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and not personal hostility towards his former principal.

Mr Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, stated this while responding to Mr Obasanjo’s latest criticism of him.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Atiku said the former president’s remarks were an attempt to rewrite history and diminish his role in the administration that governed Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.

He said he received Mr Obasanjo’s comments with sadness rather than anger, arguing that the former president had allowed personal resentment to influence his account of their political relationship.

Mr Atiku said the source of Mr Obasanjo’s alleged hostility towards him was well known to Nigerians, linking it to his refusal to support the reported move to amend the Constitution to allow the former president to seek another term in office.

“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition,” he said.

“If Chief Obasanjo’s bitterness stems from my refusal to support an unconstitutional third term, then I wear that resentment as a badge of honour. No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty.”

The former vice president said the resistance to the third-term agenda was not a personal battle between him and Mr Obasanjo but a struggle to preserve Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict,” he said.

Mr Atiku said it was unfortunate that Mr Obasanjo, whose alleged ambition was resisted, was now criticising those who defended the Constitution.

He also referred to recent comments by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who, according to him, praised the economic management team of the Obasanjo administration and described it as the best Nigeria had produced.

Mr Atiku said the timing of the comments, coming shortly before Mr Obasanjo’s latest criticism, was for Nigerians to interpret.

“Whether or not the timing is merely coincidental is for Nigerians to judge. What is beyond dispute, however, is that while distinguished Nigerians who served at the highest levels continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them,” he said.

“Chief Obasanjo may choose not to appreciate my role in building one of Nigeria’s most prosperous economic eras, but history has been far kinder. The record speaks for itself, and so do the testimonies of those who worked closely with that administration.”

Mr Atiku also recalled his relationship with Mr Obasanjo before the latter became president in 1999, claiming that he supported the former military ruler during his period of incarceration and contributed to his political return.

“History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom,” he said.

“When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing.

“Beyond that, I mobilised political structures, built alliances and made enormous personal and political sacrifices that culminated in his emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Mr Atiku said he had no regrets over his support for Mr Obasanjo, adding that acts of kindness should not be undertaken with the expectation of repayment.

“Do I regret helping Chief Obasanjo? Absolutely not. When God gives you the opportunity to lift another human being, you do so without expecting repayment.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he describes as a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, criminal defamation and fake news allegedly orchestrated to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Highly placed sources familiar with the petition disclosed that Gwamna requested an immediate investigation by the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre, with the involvement of INTERPOL, following intelligence suggesting that some of those behind the online attacks may be operating from outside Nigeria.

The petition reportedly names several social media accounts accused of publishing false claims that the APC candidate had been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegations which Gwamna categorically denies.

According to the sources, the petition describes the publications as a carefully coordinated disinformation campaign designed to mislead the public, injure his reputation and manipulate public perception at a time when his political profile and grassroots support continue to grow across Gombe State.

The petition reportedly urges the Police to obtain subscriber information, IP logs and other digital evidence from Meta Platforms, identify the sponsors and financiers of the campaign, prosecute all those found culpable and secure the removal of the offending publications.

Political analysts believe the latest development underscores the increasingly desperate tactics being deployed as the Gombe governorship contest gathers momentum.

Observers note that Dr. Gwamna’s emergence as the leading contender has significantly altered the political landscape in the state, with his growing acceptance across different constituencies unsettling sections of the opposition.

Rather than engage on policy, programmes and the future of Gombe State, critics say some political actors appear to have embraced misinformation, character assassination and cyberbullying in an attempt to slow the momentum of his campaign.

Supporters of the APC candidate expressed confidence that the petition would expose those behind what they describe as an organised smear campaign and reaffirmed their belief that the electorate would ultimately judge candidates on competence, integrity and their vision for the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the EFCC had publicly commented on the petition.

The spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, has alleged that popular singer Tijjani Gandu failed to distribute ₦10 million that was reportedly entrusted to him for musicians and media practitioners, according to a statement shared on the spokesperson’s verified Facebook page.

According to Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,he has released the ₦10 million to Tijjani Gandu with the intention that the money would be shared among fellow musicians and members of the media as financial support. He claimed, however, that the funds were allegedly not distributed as intended.

Writing in Hausa on his verified Facebook page, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa stated: “Na bawa Yaron nan Tijjani Gandu kudi naira miliyan goma ya rabawa mawaka da ‘yan media ya cinye, amma wai har dashi a maganar masu amana.” The statement translates to: “I gave this young man, Tijjani Gandu, ₦10 million to distribute among musicians and media practitioners, but he consumed it all, yet he still speaks as though he is among the trustworthy.”

According to the governor’s spokesperson, the allegation was made in response to ongoing public discussions regarding accountability and trustworthiness. He did not provide additional details on when the funds were allegedly handed over or identify the intended beneficiaries.

As of the time of this report, Tijjani Gandu has not publicly responded to the allegation made by Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. There has also been no official confirmation or independent evidence released to substantiate the claim beyond the spokesperson’s social media statement.

The allegation has generated reactions on social media, with supporters and critics expressing differing views on the claims made by the governor’s spokesperson.