Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the Presidency is gripped by fear over efforts to form a broad political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku’s remarks come in response to comments made by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, who urged the former vice president to drop his presidential ambitions.

Bwala argued that Atiku lacked a divine mandate and had lost significant political support.

“If I could meet him face to face, I’d say: believe in destiny. It may not be God’s will for you to govern Nigeria,” Bwala said during a television interview.

He also claimed that Atiku had already lost “60 to 70 per cent” of his political allies.

Reacting swiftly, Atiku’s media office described Bwala’s statements as “disparaging,” accusing him of being hypocritical and opportunistic.

“It is ironic that Bwala, a political turncoat who once served as Atiku’s spokesperson, now lectures a statesman on legacy and destiny,” the office stated.

The statement further alleged that Bwala’s comments reveal growing concern within President Tinubu’s camp over the emerging coalition being led by Atiku and other progressive leaders.

“The office said Bwala’s remarks reflect desperation within the Tinubu camp, which it claimed is ‘rattled by the unstoppable momentum’ of the opposition coalition being championed by Atiku and other progressive leaders.”

It also questioned the Tinubu administration’s focus on attacking the former vice president:
“If Atiku is a spent force, why the smear campaign? Why dedicate presidential platforms to attack him?” the statement asked.

According to the media team, Atiku remains Nigeria’s most formidable opposition leader, committed to “rescuing the country from economic collapse and democratic erosion,” and will not be swayed by “political jesters masquerading as patriots.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has announced that the National Assembly will soon establish a high-powered reconciliation committee aimed at resolving the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.

The prolonged feud between the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former political ally, current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, recently led to violent attacks on oil installations.

This prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state and suspend both the governor and members of the State Assembly aligned with Wike.

During plenary on Tuesday, marking the resumption of legislative activities after the Easter and Sallah recess, Speaker Abbas disclosed that the planned committee, being formed in partnership with the Senate, would include respected national figures to drive peaceful dialogue and support the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers and other conflict-ridden states.

“In the coming weeks, we shall work with the Senate to constitute a high-level Committee on Reconciliation, comprising respected national figures, to facilitate dialogue, promote peace, and support the restoration of democratic order in Rivers State and other conflict-affected regions,” Abbas told lawmakers.

This development follows the House’s earlier endorsement of President Tinubu’s emergency declaration in Rivers, alongside the inauguration of a 21-member ad hoc committee led by House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere to oversee the interim administration.

That committee has already begun engaging key stakeholders.

Reiterating the House’s commitment to national stability, Abbas said the reconciliation initiative was designed to address the complex political issues destabilizing the state.

Meanwhile, the Senate also took decisive action on Tuesday by constituting an 18-member committee to monitor the activities of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), who was appointed by President Tinubu as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the emergency declaration.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while announcing the committee during plenary, emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability during the interim period.

He also hinted that the committee’s membership could be reviewed following further consultations.

President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency via a national broadcast, citing political instability and a breakdown of law and order in Rivers.

The proclamation resulted in the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State Assembly for six months.

Ibas was appointed to oversee the state’s administration with immediate effect.

While the move is aimed at stabilizing the region, it has attracted widespread criticism, especially following Ibas’s appointment of sole administrators for local government councils, a decision many view as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The Senate’s oversight committee is tasked with ensuring that the actions of the sole administrator remain within constitutional bounds and do not undermine democratic institutions.

Akpabio urged the committee to begin its work immediately, stressing the urgency of preserving democratic accountability.

“The Senate remains committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that governance, even in a caretaker capacity, adheres to the rule of law,” he said.

The committee is chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. Other members include Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Osita Izunaso (Imo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Kaka Shehu (Borno), Aminu Abass (Adamawa), Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos), and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo).

Additional members are Sani Musa (Niger), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi), Idiat Adebule (Lagos), Ede Dafinone (Delta), and Mohammed Nakudu (Jigawa). The Clerk of the Senate will serve as the committee’s secretary.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to place a ban on certain foreign goods, describing it as a crucial step toward reviving Nigeria’s local industries.

In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, the former Senate Chief Whip backed the presidential directive, which instructs all federal ministries, departments, and agencies to prioritize Nigerian-made goods, services, and expertise in their spending.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa.

Idris emphasized that the policy aims to ensure that “Nigeria is at the centre of every kobo” spent by the government.

Reacting to the development, Ndume said the decision would significantly benefit local entrepreneurs, enhance economic growth, and provide jobs for citizens.

He “It is heartwarming to hear that President Tinubu has taken this bold decision to ban imported goods that can be produced locally. This will be a major boost for indigenous businesses amid the slipping Nigerian economy.”

He further stressed the importance of faithful implementation, noting its potential to protect domestic producers from being overwhelmed by foreign competitors.

“If implemented faithfully, it will shield our local producers striving to find their feet from being choked out of existence by established foreign investors who flood our market, unhindered, with goods that are cheaper and even substandard,” he said.

According to the senator, supporting local industries through such policy will help curb unemployment, increase the Gross Domestic Product, and strengthen the naira by reducing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

“With protection of local industries, there will be employment for our employable youths, the measure will also boost our Gross Domestic Product and the value of Naira will appreciate as there will be less strain on our foreign reserves, since the demand for foreign exchange by importers of such foreign goods would drastically reduce,” Ndume added.

He also urged the government to complement the ban by introducing steep tariffs on foreign items that can be made locally, discouraging their consumption.

“The Federal Government should seek to impose heavy taxes on some of the foreign goods to discourage Nigerians from buying them instead of picking locally produced items,” he concluded.

Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has urged the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to isolate himself from those he termed “crisis merchants” and remain focused on advancing the reconciliation process with his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike.

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, Eradiri praised Fubara for following his earlier recommendation to seek reconciliation by apologizing to Wike.

He recalled initial backlash from some Ijaw leaders when he made that suggestion, but expressed satisfaction that the embattled governor eventually acted on it.

“I was happy that you heeded my advice, got up from your comfort zone and initiated the reconciliation by first meeting with Chief Wike and apologising to him. You have done well, but you need to follow up this process,” Eradiri stated.

He urged Fubara to maintain distance from individuals he believes are fuelling the crisis and manipulating the governor into political missteps, including constitutional breaches.

“There are those trying to make an ethnic case out of the crisis and the others choreographing most political mistakes of Fubara and supervising some of his alleged constitutional breaches without guiding him properly,” he warned.

According to Eradiri, many of the governor’s so-called allies are actually undermining him for their own benefit.

“Most of the people, who claimed to love the governor and offered him pieces of advice, were his real enemies because they were profiting from the crisis and would not want it to end,” he said.

He further urged Fubara to reconnect with Wike and obey President Bola Tinubu’s peace roadmap to end the prolonged political stalemate.

“Thank God that President Tinubu saved you through the declaration of emergency rule. This opportunity has offered you a second chance; please, do not bungle it,” he advised.

“First, make yourself unreachable to those who will come and slow this process down and feed you with unsolicited advice to abort this reconciliation,” Eradiri added.

He also criticized recent behavior by some of Fubara’s supporters, particularly the walkout staged by pro-Fubara women during an event attended by First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.

He cautioned that such acts could derail the fragile peace process.

“Such an action is condemnable in the reconciliation process. It can derail and slow down the process of peace as well as cast doubts on the suspended governor’s sincerity to end the political crisis in the state,” he said.

Calling for discipline within Fubara’s camp, Eradiri stated: “The suspended governor must rein in his supporters and stop them from all forms of protests capable of deepening the political discord in the state. He must be seen to walk his talk because every action of his supporters will be attributed to him.”

The former Ijaw Youths Council President appealed to all parties involved including Wike, the suspended state legislators, and others loyal to the minister, to forgive Fubara and help foster reconciliation.