Get Guardian on Google• Ex-VP tells Tinubu to fight hunger as he alleges attacks on opposition figures
• PDP threatens to petition IGP over alleged intimidation, killings of candidates
• Obi’s media office accuses govs of plotting to manipulate 2027 polls
• ADC campaign media team divided as Momodu allegedly sidelined
• OK Movement warns Obidient, NDC leaders against internal political battles
• Court allows police to reopen case against PDP factional chairman, Turaki
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Peter Obi Media Office have raised concerns over alleged attempts to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of prioritising political suppression, intimidation and electoral manipulation over addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
Their concerns came amid growing political tension, allegations of attacks on opposition candidates, internal disagreements among opposition groups and fresh developments in the ongoing crisis within the PDP.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday challenged President Bola Tinubu to fight hunger rather than the opposition, alleging that the administration had abandoned Nigerians to economic hardship and insecurity while focusing on weakening rival political parties.
The PDP, meanwhile, accused some APC governors of creating a hostile political environment for opposition candidates, particularly those seeking governorship positions, and threatened to petition the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, and other security agencies.
Similarly, the Peter Obi Media Office alleged that some governors were plotting to manipulate the 2027 elections, warning that Nigerians would resist any attempt to compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
Atiku accuses Tinubu of targeting opposition
SPEAKING during a press conference at his Abuja residence, Atiku said the Federal Government should concentrate on addressing the worsening economic conditions rather than attacking opposition figures.
He said many Nigerians were dying from hardship, while several businesses had collapsed because of the administration’s economic policies.
The former Vice-President was reacting to rising economic hardship and alleged attacks on opposition figures, accusing the Tinubu administration of abandoning citizens to hunger, poverty and insecurity while directing its attention towards crushing opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, Nigerians could barely afford food, rising fuel prices were putting businesses under pressure, and insecurity remained widespread.
He said the APC administration appeared more concerned about intimidating opposition candidates than addressing the country’s pressing challenges.
Cracks widen in ADC campaign media team
HOWEVER, the ADC presidential campaign council is also facing internal disagreements, with disturbing cracks emerging within its media directorate ahead of the commencement of campaigns.
The campaign council’s list, unveiled on September 24, named former Labour Party presidential candidate Dele Momodu as Deputy General in charge of Media and Communications.
Momodu played a similar role in 2023 when Atiku contested the presidency on the platform of the PDP.
Former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, were appointed Media and Publicity Director and Strategic Communications Director, respectively.
Others in the directorate are Ladan Salihu (Branding), Moji Rhodes-Vivour (Digital and Online Media) and David Iyofor (Content Development), while Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King and Nana Kazure were named spokespersons.
However, shortly after the council’s inauguration, Momodu was reportedly relegated to the background and excluded from key media activities.
The disagreement has allegedly resulted in a lack of coordination, with Ologbondiyan and Shaibu competing for relevance and issuing statements on similar subjects.
Conflicting statements and media briefings have reportedly been circulated through different groups within the press corps without Momodu’s approval, despite his position in the directorate.
Atiku addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday, announcing that his campaign would be flagged off on Wednesday (today). The event was attended by selected journalists allegedly loyal to Shaibu.
Momodu and ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, were absent from the briefing.
It was the third selective press conference Atiku had held without the head of his media directorate, with Shaibu reportedly coordinating the events.
Momodu was said to have remained in Lagos since attending the campaign council’s inauguration on October 9.
A party source blamed the situation on Atiku, arguing that the presidential candidate had yet to fully recognise the role of the ADC as the political platform under which he would contest the election.
The source questioned why Atiku would address a press conference on his campaign flag-off without the participation of the head of his media directorate or the party’s National Publicity Secretary.
He also faulted the release of the campaign council’s list by Shaibu, insisting that the party’s National Publicity Secretary should have handled the announcement.
According to the source, several members of the National Working Committee (NWC) learnt about the list’s release through Atiku’s media aide.
The source, however, could not explain why Momodu had remained in Lagos rather than relocating to Abuja to coordinate the directorate.
PDP threatens police petition over alleged attacks
THE PDP has also accused some APC governors of intimidating, harassing and attacking opposition members and candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen Forum and Imo State chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, raised the alarm yesterday in Abuja during a meeting between the party’s NWC and state chairmen.
He alleged that opposition candidates, particularly governorship contenders, were being subjected to intimidation, harassment and, in some instances, killings in different states.
Nwachukwu specifically accused the administration of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, of creating an increasingly hostile political environment for PDP members through alleged intimidation, arrests and harassment.
He disclosed that the State Chairmen Forum had visited Ebonyi State last week to intervene and assess complaints from party members.
The forum, he said, had resolved to petition the IGP and heads of relevant security agencies, demanding urgent action to protect opposition members and candidates.
“The killings and harassment of our candidates and governorship candidates, especially in various states of the country, must stop,” he said.
He warned that the forum would not take lightly further incidents involving alleged attacks, arrests or intimidation of PDP candidates and supporters.
Nwachukwu maintained that political competition should be determined by voters rather than threats to the lives and safety of candidates.
Despite the concerns, he reaffirmed the commitment of state chairmen to working with the NWC to strengthen the party’s structures and secure victory in the 2027 elections.
Earlier, PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, expressed confidence that the party’s candidates would win all elective positions they would contest in 2027.
Mohammed, who is backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, commended the state chairmen for what he described as successful nomination processes across the 36 states.
He expressed optimism that the candidates nominated for state Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions would translate the exercise into electoral victories.
He also pledged that the NWC would work with other organs of the party to achieve its electoral objectives, while promising to uphold the party’s constitution and established procedures in its internal administration.
Obi’s office warns against electoral manipulation
THE Peter Obi Media Office has also accused some state governors of allegedly plotting to manipulate the 2027 general elections, warning that Nigerians would resist attempts to undermine the credibility of the polls.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Indris Zekeri Jnr, the office urged governors to present their records of performance instead of allegedly resorting to electoral manipulation, intimidation and political manoeuvring to retain power.
It described the alleged activities as signs of desperation among political leaders unwilling to subject their performance to the judgment of voters.
The statement, titled “Nigerians Will Choose the Best Product in the Marketplace”, maintained that political leadership was a privilege earned through service rather than an entitlement protected through interference with democratic institutions.
“We therefore condemn the increasing desperation of these governors, who, instead of presenting their records of service, performance and achievements, are turning to electoral manipulation and safeguards for rigging,” it said.
The office described the 2027 election as a defining moment for the country, insisting that the electorate remained determined to use its votes to determine Nigeria’s political direction.
It also projected Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate who is now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as a credible alternative.
According to the office, Obi represents competence, capacity, character, compassion and commitment, which it said were essential to addressing the country’s challenges and restoring public confidence.
“Peter Obi continues to be the people’s preferred choice because he embodies the strongest offering in the political arena,” the statement added.
However, the office did not identify the governors allegedly involved in the covert efforts or provide specific details of the plans.
OK Movement cautions opposition groups against infighting
MEANWHILE, the OK (Obi-Kwankwaso) Movement has warned that internal disagreements and personality clashes among opposition groups could undermine efforts to build a strong democratic coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement accused some leaders within the Obidient Movement and the NDC of devoting valuable time to political disputes instead of strengthening grassroots structures and preparing for electoral mobilisation.
Its United Kingdom Coordinator, Adebayo Brown, described the growing exchanges involving its National Director-General, John Ozyl Ughulu, as an unnecessary distraction.
Brown questioned claims by Obidient Movement Coordinator, Moses Paul, that Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had distanced themselves from the OK Movement.
He challenged those making such claims to focus on issues that would advance the collective political project rather than deepen divisions among groups with shared democratic interests.
The UK coordinator also defended Ughulu, citing the personal resources, time and energy he had invested in building the movement’s structures.
He questioned the authority of the Obidient Movement coordinator to speak for Obi and Kwankwaso without clear and verifiable communication from the two political leaders.
Brown, however, insisted that the disagreement should not create permanent divisions among the groups.
“The OK Movement and the Obidient Movement are not enemies. Neither is the OK Movement in conflict with the NDC,” he said.
He urged the groups to concentrate on building grassroots networks, mobilising supporters and preparing for the electoral challenges ahead.
Court allows police to reopen case against Turaki
IN a related development, the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the prosecution’s application to reopen its case and call additional witnesses in the ongoing trial of Tanimu Turaki, factional national chairman of the PDP.
Presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, granted the application filed by police counsel, Usman Aliyu, yesterday.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is facing a one-count charge brought against him by the Office of the IGP over allegations that he provided false information in a petition submitted to the police. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution had closed its case on June 18, 2026, after calling only one witness.
In October, Aliyu asked the court to permit the prosecution to reopen its case, call additional witnesses and present further evidence against the defendant.
The application was opposed by Turaki’s counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim.
However, in his ruling, Kekemeke held that the application was meritorious and granted the prosecution leave to call additional witnesses.
Following the ruling, Aliyu informed the court that the additional witnesses were absent and requested an adjournment to enable him to produce them.
The judge adjourned the case until January 27, 2027.
Turaki was admitted to bail in April in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in like sum.
