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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join one party
Nigeria's two main opposition leaders have joined a new political party to challenge President BolaTinubu and his ruling party in the next election. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new political home after breaking away from their respective parties - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). This is one of the biggest shake-ups in Nigerian politics since the end of military rule in 1999. Some political heavyweights from Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC) party have also thrown their weight behind the new political movement. The announcement of the ADC is the culmination of a series of talks between the leaders to put up a united front in the 2027 election, rather than splitting their vote. Tinubu won the 2023 election with just 37% of the vote after opposition supporters were divided between Abubakar who got 29%, and Obi with 25%. Obi had broken away from the PDP after the party chose Abubakar as its presidential candidate. At the unveiling of the ADC, interim chairman David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country's democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state. Both the PDP and LP are also battling internal crises which some believe were instigated by external forces. Analyst Shehu Iliyasu said Abubakar and Obi are learning the lessons of the last election. "Both Atiku [Abubakar] and Obi felt they came so close in 2023 and would have maybe won on a joint ticket so they want to amend their mistake by working together this time around," he told the BBC. Tinubu's biggest challengers in the last elections, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are the face of the coalition. Although there's a long way to go before candidates are officially announced, political commentators are predicting that Abubakar will have another shot at the presidency - it would be his fifth attempt - with former Anambra governor Obi as his vice-presidential pick. Other political heavyweights in the coalition include former Senate President David Mark, who like Atiku is leaving the PDP, former Tinubu ally turned foe Nasir El-Rufai and powerful minister in the last dispensation Rotimi Amaechi. Analyst Ben Kenneth say he believes the coalition has a better chance of defeating Tinubu than last time. "If you look at what Atiku and Obi got in the last election, it's clear to see that they would've won assuming they worked together, so it's a good thing they have realised they need each other,' he noted. However, another analyst Sani Hamisu feels Tinubu has a better chance now than in 2023. "In Nigeria and Africa, when a leader is in office seeking a second term, he hardly loses, it is very rare and that's why I feel Tinubu has a better chance now than when he wasn't in office in 2019," he said. The ruling party says it is not bothered in the least by the coalition which it does not see as a real threat. Acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori told BBC Hausa the coalition would have no impact on the APC. "Nobody is talking about a coalition except in Abuja. Even in Abuja, they are in a hotel, and when they are defeated in elections, they will leave the country," he said. The country's biggest opposition party, the PDP had since ruled out joining the coalition, preferring to face the APC on its own. The Labour Party also called on its supporters to remain focused and resolute behind the party, denying any plans to join a coalition. Nigeria's major tax overhaul explained What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join one party
Nigeria's two main opposition leaders have joined a new political party to challenge President BolaTinubu and his ruling party in the next election. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new political home after breaking away from their respective parties - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). This is one of the biggest shake-ups in Nigerian politics since the end of military rule in 1999. Some political heavyweights from Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC) party have also thrown their weight behind the new political movement. The announcement of the ADC is the culmination of a series of talks between the leaders to put up a united front in the 2027 election, rather than splitting their vote. Tinubu won the 2023 election with just 37% of the vote after opposition supporters were divided between Abubakar who got 29%, and Obi with 25%. Obi had broken away from the PDP after the party chose Abubakar as its presidential candidate. At the unveiling of the ADC, interim chairman David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country's democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state. Both the PDP and LP are also battling internal crises which some believe were instigated by external forces. Analyst Shehu Iliyasu said Abubakar and Obi are learning the lessons of the last election. "Both Atiku [Abubakar] and Obi felt they came so close in 2023 and would have maybe won on a joint ticket so they want to amend their mistake by working together this time around," he told the BBC. Tinubu's biggest challengers in the last elections, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are the face of the coalition. Although there's a long way to go before candidates are officially announced, political commentators are predicting that Abubakar will have another shot at the presidency - it would be his fifth attempt - with former Anambra governor Obi as his vice-presidential pick. Other political heavyweights in the coalition include former Senate President David Mark, who like Atiku is leaving the PDP, former Tinubu ally turned foe Nasir El-Rufai and powerful minister in the last dispensation Rotimi Amaechi. Analyst Ben Kenneth say he believes the coalition has a better chance of defeating Tinubu than last time. "If you look at what Atiku and Obi got in the last election, it's clear to see that they would've won assuming they worked together, so it's a good thing they have realised they need each other,' he noted. However, another analyst Sani Hamisu feels Tinubu has a better chance now than in 2023. "In Nigeria and Africa, when a leader is in office seeking a second term, he hardly loses, it is very rare and that's why I feel Tinubu has a better chance now than when he wasn't in office in 2019," he said. The ruling party says it is not bothered in the least by the coalition which it does not see as a real threat. Acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori told BBC Hausa the coalition would have no impact on the APC. "Nobody is talking about a coalition except in Abuja. Even in Abuja, they are in a hotel, and when they are defeated in elections, they will leave the country," he said. The country's biggest opposition party, the PDP had since ruled out joining the coalition, preferring to face the APC on its own. The Labour Party also called on its supporters to remain focused and resolute behind the party, denying any plans to join a coalition. Nigeria's major tax overhaul explained What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
AI, TikTok and playing cupid...Pete shares a couple of thoughts
This week there are a couple of things I want to write about. The first is AI. Not so long ago Trump was in the Gulf States on an official visit, and to all intents and purposes was very fruitful for America, with many deals being done. After the visit, AI videos of the leaders of the Gulf States started to appear. They were slagging Trump off, but it was AI. To a lot of the general public, these could have appeared totally legitimate, such is the quality. Surely this is very dangerous. There should be more responsible labelling to show the authenticity of content online to avoid confusion and misinformation. Talking of Trump, I hate the way he calls the mainstream media 'another fake news channel or paper' when they don't agree with him. READ MORE: After a busy week, Pete asks himself if it's time to put his feet up I've recently had a video taken down from TikTok, saying it had been removed for 'violating community guidelines'. I've got to tell you about this clip. It was from one of my podcasts. I did a fabulous interview with Mike McCartney (known professionally as Mike McGear). We promoted a short clip from the podcast. I'd asked: 'Your name. McGear, how did you get it?' Mike responded: 'We were looking around ordinary words used in Liverpool, and we came up with gear, which can be clothes or a term of endearment, and that's how we got the name 'Mc', initials of Mike McCartney, plus Gear. When TikTok took it down, we think the moderating tools had picked up on the word 'gear' which has on occasion been used as a slang word for drugs. After challenging it, it was eventually put back up. I got a message this week that made me so happy. 'Hi Peter, just wanted to thank you for my life. 'My mum and dad met on your radio show in the 90s on your date segment, and they subsequently had three kids. 'I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.' This little note made my job worthwhile, and in fact, we celebrated ten weddings through my evening encounters slot, plus many more found love. Two years ago, when the Pride march was on, a young lady came up and hugged me, and informed me that her mum and dad had also met because of me. The Cilla Black bronze statue in Mathew Street was created by Emma Rodgers and is now one of the big tourist attractions in Liverpool. Some people don't realise that all over her dress are pictures of her life. There is one of me, just above her bottom. After years of people put their arms around the statue to have their photograph taken, many images engraved have now been worn down. Thank goodness, I am still there! READ MORE: Coping with grief and loss is a personal journey, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve READ MORE: As Leanne Campbell leaves the airwaves, I reflect on the changing landscape of local radio
