Latest news with #NigeriaElection
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
12 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
June 12 in Nigeria: How e become public holiday and wetin dey hapun on dat day
June 12 of evri year na national holiday for Nigeria as di kontri dey celebrate dat day as 'Democracy Day', but e no always be so. Nigeria bin dey celebrate dia democracy day on May 29, di date wen di military hand over power to a democratically elected president for 1999. Di last of such handover bin happen on October 21st, 1979. So for 18 years - 1999 to 2018 - Nigeria dey use May 29 to reflect on di journey from military dictatorship to democracy. However, on 6 June, 2018, Muhammadu Buhari who be Nigeria President dat time, declare say Democracy Day go now be evri June 12, even though May 29 go remain di date for swearing in of new presidents. According to Buhari, "June 12th, 1993, dey far more symbolic of democracy in di Nigerian context dan May 29th or even di October 1st (wey be Independence Day)". So wetin happen on June 12 1993 and why e dey so significant? June 12 1993: Nigeria "freest and fairest" election Na on June 12, 1993, Nigeria organise election to choose president wey go take over from di military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, wey be Major General for di Nigeria army dat time. Dat election na "undisputedly di freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our Independence", President Buhari tok for im statement of 6 June, 2018. Na di general consensus for Nigeria, even though di military regime of Babangida later refuse to acknowledge di election result. Di refusal of Babangida to uphold di election and hand over power to Moshood Abiola - wey evribodi agree say na im win di election - trigger a chain reaction of katakata for di kontri wey last for up to six years and even lead to di death of Abiola and im wife Kudirat. M.K.O Abiola... Di man for di centre of June 12 Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O) Abiola na business mogul and politician wey bin run for president on di platform of di Social Democratic Party (SDP) for di general election of June 12, 1993. A chartered accountant by training, Abiola bin work for some international companies including Barclays Bank and Pfizer pharmaceuticals bifor e go into private business. During di SDP primary election to choose di party flagbearer for di general election, Abiola defeat im two major challengers; Abubakar Atiku and Babagana Kingibe, wey e later choose as im running mate. Abiola slogan for di election - 'Farewell to poverty' - bicom very popular wit di pipo across ethnic and religious divides. On election day, Abiola defeat im rival, Bashir Tofa of di National Republican Convention (NRC). E even win for Kano wey be Tofa home state, anoda reason why many say di election bin dey free and fair However, di Head of State dat time, Ibrahim Babangida cancel di election as e tok say one court bin don give order make di election no go ahead. Later dat year, anoda army General, Sani Abacha, take ova power from Babangida and e still refuse to recognise di June 12 election. Dis cos ogbonge protest across Nigeria, and even di current President, Bola Tinubu, folo for di pipo wey lead protests to add pressure make dem swear-in Abiola as president. One year later, for June 1994, Abiola declare imsef President of Nigeria, but Abacha immediately declare am wanted, arrest am and detain am. On 7 July, 1998, Abiola die. Na dat same day dem suppose release am from prison afta di death of Abacha. E bin dey for one meeting wit some diplomats from di US wen e suddenly take ill afta drinking tea. Some pipo suggest say na poison dem poison am, though autopsy show evidence of heart disease. How June 12 become national holiday for Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari declare June 12 as Democracy Day and national holiday on 6 June, 2018, as e tok say di date get symbolism pass May 29. "Di fact say di military goment of dat time no uphold di outcome of dat election (of June 12, 1993), no fit distract from di democratic credentials of dat process," Buhari tok. E also declare say di Nigeria goment go give Abiola di honour of 'Grand Commander of di Federal Republic (GCFR), wey be di highest national honour for di kontri, wey na only former Presidents dem dey give am. Dis na symbolic gesture to officially agree say Abiola bin win the June 12, 1993 election true-true, even though im no go dey listed as a former president of Nigeria. However, bifor dis declaration, some states for di southwest region of Nigeria wia Abiola come from, bin don dey mark June 12 as public holiday in honour of Abiola. Dis states include Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. Abiola come from Abeokuta for Ogun State. Wetin fit happen for June 12 dis year? Normally, di president dey usually do a nationwide broadcast wia e go talk about Nigeria journey for democracy so far. Presidents day also use di opportunity to tok about some of di tins wey dia administration don achieve for di year and dia future plans. For im democracy day speech of 2024, President Tinubu tok about di increase for di national minimum wage, and how im efforts to protect di rights, freedoms, and liberties of Nigerian citizens. E dey expected say di president go also do anoda broadcast dis Thursday. E dey usually be by 7:00am. Also, govment dey normally organise celebrations for di Eagle Square Abuja, wey go feature parades and march-pasts by various armed forces, and sometimes aerial displays by di Air Force. On oda occasions, di celebration go dey low-key, wit a brief change of guard parade by di Presidential Guards Brigade for inside di Aso Rock Villa wey be di president residence. E neva clear weda any such celebration go happen dis year. Again, civil society organisations dey also use di democracy day celebration to organise rallies and peaceful protests against some actions of goment wey dem feel say e dey anti-democratic. Already, di 'Take it back' movement, a civil society group wey dia leader na Omoyele Sowore, don declare nationwide protest for dis year June 12. One of di tins wey dem say dem wan protest about na di killings for various parts of Nigeria, including Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara States.
