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Obasanjo: Choosing Atiku as My Running Mate Was My Greatest Political Mistake

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to select former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his political career.

Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, at an event in Lagos organised to unveil the Charly Boy Foundation and launch his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

Reflecting on his years in office, the former president said that, with the benefit of hindsight, he would not have chosen Atiku as his vice-presidential candidate.

“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999,” Obasanjo said.

Despite the fallout that later characterised their relationship, Obasanjo said he harboured no bitterness over the events that unfolded during their time in government.

“There is no bitterness in me over what happened. Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power,” he added.

Obasanjo and Atiku were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and jointly governed Nigeria for two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2007.

Their political alliance, however, deteriorated during Obasanjo’s second term in office amid disagreements over governance, policy direction, and the controversial third-term agenda.

The dispute eventually led to a public and prolonged political rivalry that has continued for nearly two decades.

During the discussion, the former president also addressed long-standing speculation about his ancestry, stating that his family’s roots are in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

“I still know our family house there,” he said.

The event attracted several prominent personalities, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh, veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, political communication expert Dr. Austin Tam-George, and other dignitaries.

In support of the newly launched Charly Boy Foundation, Leo Stan Ekeh announced donations of ₦20 million each on behalf of Obasanjo and Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

Obasanjo’s comments are likely to reignite discussions about one of Nigeria’s most consequential political partnerships and its eventual collapse, particularly as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of the time of this report, Atiku Abubakar had not publicly responded to Obasanjo’s remarks.

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Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report

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A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.

The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.

The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.

It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.

On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.

“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.

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Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency

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Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.

The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.

According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.

The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.

The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.

The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.

With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.

Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.

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Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.

“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.

Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message

Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.

At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.

NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027

The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.

The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.

Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.

The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.

Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign

Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.

For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.

Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.

Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.

The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.

As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.

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