Atiku Abubakar

Warm birthday greetings to my friend, HE Emeka Ihedioha @EmekaIhedioha. My family joins me in wishing you good health, God’s blessings, and many more years of impactful service. Happy Birthday. -AA

Following my return to the country on Saturday night from Umrah (lesser Hajj), I led a delegation on a solidarity visit to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN. I wish to serve notice to the authorities detaining former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, @elrufai, and all other political detainees to release them henceforth. No one should be detained simply because they do not share the same ideology or political platform with the government of the day. -AA

With total submission to the will of Allah, I join the family of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai along with the extended El-Rufai family and friends in mourning the loss of Hajiya Safiya Ali Rufai, a prominent member of the family who passed away on Sallah day. Hajiya Ali Rufai was the wife of the late Air Vice Marshal Ali Rufai, elder brother of Nasir El-Rufai. Aunty Safiya, as she was better known, will be remembered as a compassionate matriarch of the family. It is unfortunate that this loss coincides with the period during which the former Governor of Kaduna State and a key figure of the ADC is being politically detained by the Tinubu-led APC administration. I pray that Almighty Allah grants comfort to the family and friends, forgives the matriarch her sins, and grants her Jannah Firdaus. Amin. -AA

Eid Mubarak! - AA

I am very sad at the latest terrorist attacks in Borno State and the resurfacing of suicide bombing that were hitherto defeated. The increased waves of killing of soldiers and civilians by terrorists is reviving sad memories of 2014 when Boko Haram was most active in the country. While I commend the sacrifices of our servicemen in the conduct of unconventional warfare, the Tinubu administration should review its strategies. The resurgence of terrorism is capable of eroding public confidence in the ability of the government to protect its own citizens. Nigerians are not impressed with the government’s statements condemning terrorist attacks. They are more concerned about results. Results speak louder than the tough government’s rhetorics. The Tinubu government appears to be more obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than it is with fixing the worsening security challenges. And it is obvious that despite the marching orders, the terrorists are still on the offensive. Terrorists don’t know the difference between APC supporters and opposition sympathisers and it’s therefore unhelpful to dismiss honest advice as politically motivated. A government that is too heavily invested in the 2027 reelection campaign is unlikely to accept the reality of insecurity and attack those who dare talk about the gaps. A mother in Maiduguri is not asking for press releases. She is asking why her child was blown apart in a place the government claimed was “liberated.” Our soldiers are dying with outdated equipment while the President is on a state visit to Britain, while body parts are being gathered in Borno. We urge His Majesty the King, @RoyalFamily, to know that his guest left behind fresh graves and weeping widows to come and smile for the cameras. Bola Tinubu claims he sent “marching orders.” The terrorists sent suicide bombers. Nigerians can see who is winning. A government that treats funerals as routine and criticism as treason has lost the moral authority to lead. You cannot campaign for 2027 on the graves of the people you failed to protect in 2026. -AA

I mourn the loss of one of the prominent and pioneer members of my media team, Mr Ifeanyi Izeze. Ifeanyi joined my media team in 2006, from Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot-Abasi, as Office Manager. He brought to bear on the work of the media team, at that critical stage of my political career, his wealth of experience in the media, Niger Delta and Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Ifeanyi trained as a geologist at the University of Port Harcourt up to postgraduate level, but carved a niche in journalism where he reported and wrote extensively on the oil and gas industry for many years in the defunct Sunray, Anchor, and NewAge newspapers among others, before joining ALSCON. As pioneer Office Manager, Ifeanyi was a senior member of the team who helped shape the campaign policies of my Presidential Campaigns in the Niger Delta, particularly in the oil and gas sectors. May God give his family, friends, and colleagues the fortitude to bear his demise. He left behind children, grandchildren and an elder and only surviving brother, Pastor Emeka Izeze of the Guardian Newspapers fame. May God grant Ifeanyi’s soul eternal rest and forgive him his sins. -AA

I commend Senator Binos Yaroe and the eight distinguished senators who boldly aligned with the @ADCNig yesterday, not for personal gain, but in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy. At a time when many are being coerced into the ruling party, their decision to stand with the opposition is a powerful statement of courage, conviction, and commitment to national interest. Democracy without credible opposition is democracy in name only. Their presence strengthens our collective voice for accountability, good governance, and the future Nigerians deserve. When leaders choose principle over pressure, the nation wins. Together, we will build a stronger, more just, and more prosperous Nigeria. -AA

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni. “Allah, You are indeed the Pardoner; You love to pardon, so pardon me”. As we break our fasting especially in the last 10 days of the blessed month of Ramadan, let us have deep reflection on the meaning of recommended supplication of our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and ask Allah to grant us goodness and mercy in our individual and family lives as well as our communities. Amin. -AA

Today, on International Women’s Day, I honour the strength, resilience, and achievements of women across Nigeria and around the world. This year’s theme, Give To Gain, reminds us that when we support women, we lift families and create a better nation for everyone. In today’s Nigeria, too many women are doing everything right but still struggle to pay the bills. This must change. -AA #IWD26

The attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) office in Ubima, Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State, is condemned. It is a dangerous development that efforts to weaken the opposition have now shifted to attacking its members and destroying its properties. These are not merely attacks on the opposition coalition ADC, but an assault on our democracy. The protection of the lives and properties of the opposition must, as a priority, be guaranteed by the Tinubu-led APC administration. That is the minimum expectation of Nigerians. We call for an independent investigation into the torching of the ADC secretariat in Rivers to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law. Failure to do so may encourage others to inflict further violence on the lives and properties of the opposition. Meanwhile, we are still awaiting the outcome of the investigation into the attack on Mr. @PeterObi and other @ADCNig leaders last week in Benin, Edo State. -AA

I have been briefed that the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the suit brought by anti-democratic elements collaborating with the ruling party to have the coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) deregistered, effectively signalling the end of the opposition's last stronghold. Today's victory at the court demonstrates what we can accomplish when we unite. I encourage everyone, wherever you may be, to register on the newly opened @ADCNig registration portal. -AA adcregistration.ng/registration/m…

The attack by suspected terrorists on a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, in which over 100 citizens were abducted, is deeply troubling. Even more disturbing is the apparent indifference of the Federal Government to this incident and to many similar attacks before it. The upsurge in violence and killings has become so widespread across the country that both government and society seem to have grown numb to the bloodshed resulting from these assaults. It is unfortunate that the current Federal Government appears to be losing its grip on the fight against terrorism and violent attacks. Instead, it seems more focused on unleashing intense pressure against political opponents and enabling self-serving ethnic militia groups. It is disheartening that those responsible for internal security, along with the elite of the ruling party, remain preoccupied with consolidating power, while vulnerable civilians and servicemen are being killed, While I sympathise with the families of the victims of this Ngoshe attack, I must express strong indignation at the government’s evident lack of empathy towards the victims of these increasingly frequent assaults. -AA

As President Olusegun Obasanjo marks his 89th birthday, I celebrate a life that has been defined by service, courage, and an enduring commitment to Nigeria. His journey has been remarkable, and his contributions to the unity and progress of our country are truly significant. His life stands as a testament to leadership and devotion to the Nigerian project. I pray that God continues to bless him with good health, strength, and many more years of impactful service to our nation and humanity. On behalf of my family, I warmly felicitate with my former boss and a statesman whose life reflects the strength and beauty of Nigeria’s diversity. -AA

Yesterday, I was hosted to Iftar by a friend and brother, High Chief Chikwendu Ukaobasi Udensi, at his home in Abuja. -AA

Happy birthday to Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda), a steadfast political ally. May Almighty Allah grant you long life, good health and continued success. -AA

I am deeply moved by the tragic attacks in Adamawa State, where gunmen killed over 20 people in a market in Madagali and Hong local government areas. The attack not only highlights the worsening insecurity in the country but also deepens the North-East crisis. I urge the authorities to redouble their efforts to address this menace, ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, and strengthen security to prevent future attacks. -AA

This afternoon, I joined other leaders of the main opposition parties in Nigeria, at a Joint Press Conference in Abuja. We rejected the 2026 Electoral Act hastily signed into law by the Bola Tinubu-led APC administration. The rejection was followed by a call to reenact the law in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians. I totally agree with Dr Ajuji Ahmed, the National Chairman of the New Nigerian People's Party(NNPP) who clearly articulated our rejection of the amended 2026 Electoral Act, especially section 60(3) which encourages INEC to also adopt manual instead of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to the IREV portal, under claims of network failure in a country with more than 90% Internet coverage. We also jointly rejected section 84(2) that imposes Direct or Consensus mode of primary election on political parties. I also agree with Dr Ajuji, that the amended Electoral Act 2026 is offensive, anti-democratic and a deliberate attempt by the APC-led National Assembly to undermine transparency and sanctity of our elections. I used the occasion to call on all opposition political parties to join in this mission to rescue our Democracy. Now is the time to push back on the rigging plan ahead of 2027. -AA

Yesterday evening, I had the honour of being joined by Senator Ben Obi, my political associate of many decades, at Iftar. I was also joined by other important guests, including some of our party's youth leaders. Thank you all for joining me on the 7th day of Ramadan. May Almighty Allah give us the strength to continue in good health and vigour. May He reward our Ibadah. -AA

The violent attack on Peter Obi, Chief John Oyegun, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Olumide Akpata, and other Coalition ADC leaders in Benin, Edo State, is utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy. In recent times, we have witnessed reckless and inflammatory rhetoric from elements within the ruling party in Edo State, rhetoric that dangerously legitimises violence against political opponents. Words, when weaponised, often precede actions. What happened in Benin did not occur in a vacuum. Nigeria is entering a perilous phase in which opposition voices are not only harassed through state institutions but are now being physically targeted. The ruling APC appears to have escalated its intolerance from bureaucratic suppression to open aggression. @officialABAT and the nation’s security chiefs bear a constitutional responsibility to guarantee the protection of lives and property without discrimination or partisanship. The safety of opposition leaders and supporters is not a favour; it is a democratic obligation. Nigeria must not descend into a theatre where politics is settled by violence. -AA

Yesterday, we lost Ibrahim Babakano Jada, son of my longstanding friend and associate, Alh. Babakano Aliyu Jada. Sadly, Ibrahim, who was fasting on the 6th day of Ramadan, died before Iftar after a brief illness. I was at the National Mosque this afternoon to join the family and other Muslim faithful in performing the funeral prayers for the deceased. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May the Almighty Allah forgive Ibrahim his sins and grant him Jannatul Firdausi. Amin. -AA