Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and the former Governor of Kaduna State, has launched an initiative aimed at ending President Bola Tinubu’s administration by 2027.
Atiku made this announcement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, confirming that the meeting was intended to form a coalition to challenge Tinubu’s rule.
During the press conference, Atiku and his colleagues urged Nigerians, especially members of the National Assembly, to reject President Tinubu’s unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. According to Atiku, they united to condemn the unlawful measures taken by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, including the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the elected officials in Rivers State.
Atiku asserted that these actions represent a serious threat to democracy and establish undue federal control over a democratically elected state government. He called on all Nigerians to resist what he termed a blatant attack on the constitution and democratic institutions.
He noted that this declaration stemmed from ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling. Atiku expressed dismay that instead of following proper legal procedures, the president resorted to favoritism, violating the oath to uphold justice impartially.
Atiku outlined specific constitutional violations by the president, starting with the illegal removal of a governor and state assembly, asserting that the constitution does not authorize such actions. He also criticized the misuse of the emergency declaration provision, arguing that the circumstances in Rivers State do not meet the legal requirements for a state of emergency, which include threats to public safety and national security.
He emphasized that there is currently no war or significant unrest in Rivers State, which would necessitate an emergency declaration. Moreover, he pointed out that even if such a declaration were valid, it would still require legislative approval from the National Assembly, which was not obtained.
Atiku claimed that the declaration was driven by a desire for political control rather than genuine security concerns. He criticized the federal government’s reasoning regarding pipeline vandalism, arguing that security oversight lies with federal agencies and questioning who truly controls law enforcement in the state.
Atiku and his allies called for the immediate revocation of the emergency proclamation and the reinstatement of the suspended officials. They urged the National Assembly to oppose the illegal declaration when it comes to a vote and called on the judiciary to intervene promptly to nullify the proclamation, asserting that it sets a dangerous precedent for future governance.
Furthermore, they appealed to civil society and all Nigerians to defend democratic principles, warning against allowing political self-interest to destabilize the country. Atiku underscored the importance of maintaining stability in Rivers State and emphasized the broader implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
The press conference included several other opposition leaders, including Peter Obi, who was represented, and various other political figures, while some notable figures extended their apologies for not attending.
