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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the allegations of assault and abduction against his son, Seyi.

 

Seyi has come under fire over allegations of assault and abduction, allegations his camp has firmly denied and described as politically motivated.

 

At the heart of the controversy is Atiku Isah, a factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, who alleged during a press conference in Abuja that he was brutalised and abducted on April 15 after rejecting a N100m bribe allegedly offered by Seyi and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to support the Tinubu’s administration.

 

Isah alleged that after turning down the offer, he was stripped, attacked, and held against his will by unidentified thugs.

The NANS leader said the incident occurred shortly after a meeting in Lagos, where he claimed the bribe attempt was made.

 

But in a response via his Instagram stories, Seyi denied ever meeting Isah or being involved in any such incident.

 

He labelled the allegations as a fabrication designed to tarnish his reputation.

 

“Wow… how can someone lie with so much confidence? An attempt to defame my character. May God be with you, Comrade Atiku Isah,” Seyi wrote.

 

“I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world. I have never knowingly met him before, nor did I visit any location with thugs. All these allegations are completely fictional,” he added.

 

In defence of the President’s son, Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs and a former NANS President, Sunday Asefon, alleged that Isah was being sponsored by political actors, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who he claimed was working to undermine Tinubu’s administration ahead of 2027.

 

Reacting, El-Rufai on his X handle on Friday, wrote, “What is going on here? Is there a denial by the named culprits or any response from law enforcement agencies or inquiries by human rights organisations? We must ask questions, demand answers and action!! #JusticeforNANSPresident – @elrufai.”

 

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, Asefon claimed that Isah currently resided in El-Rufai’s home and presented photos allegedly showing the student leader in meetings with prominent opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Omoyele Sowore, and Sule Lamido.

 

“They have now seen that Seyi is a political asset to his father, so they want to destabilise him,” Asefon said.

The presidential aide further dismissed the abduction and torture allegations as a smear campaign orchestrated to discredit the first family.

Asefon insisted that Isah was not the legitimate NANS president, adding that the recognised leader was one Olusola Oladoja.

 

Reacting to the claims, Isah denied ever staying in El-Rufai’s house and described the accusations as desperate attempts to silence him and brand him anti-government.

 

He said, “I have not seen El-Rufai in over nine years.

 

“I visited Atiku after several attempts to reach him, and I met Sowore for the first time at a public birthday event. Does that mean I am working for them?”

 

He clarified that despite some disagreements with Tinubu’s policies, he still supported the President but would not compromise on truth and accountability.

 

Atiku, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, condemned the alleged intimidation of the student leader, warning that Nigeria should not be run like the personal property of the first family.

 

“It is intolerable that the first family would seek to subjugate NANS or any civil society group through threats, bribes, or brute force.

 

“The presidency is a public trust, not a private inheritance,” Atiku said.

 

He also called for an independent investigation into Isah’s claims, urging Nigerians to resist any attempt to silence dissent.

 

On its part, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, in a statement signed by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, dismissed the allegations as “salacious, fallacious, and completely unfounded.”

 

It said, “This is a proxy war against the President and his family by political opponents who lack the courage to fight openly.”

 

Afenifere accused Isah of being a front for a broader coalition of anti-Tinubu forces and warned student groups against being used as political pawns.

 

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annexe, has sentenced Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.

 

Ominikoron was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on murder, conspiracy, and rape, in connection with the death of Ayanwola, as well as the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria and the rape of one Maryland Ojiezelu.

 

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Sonaike ruled that the Lagos State Government, which prosecuted the case, had successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

“For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you,” the judge declared in her pronouncement.

 

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

 

The convict was tried on a five-count charge, including conspiracy, rape, murder, and sexual assault, brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

 

According to the charges, the incident occurred on February 26, 2022, around 7 pm, near the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.

 

The prosecution said that Ominikoron had forcibly had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwole before murdering her.

The offences contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

 

Bamise was last seen on February 26, 2022, after she boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in the Ajah area of Lagos.

 

Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage and a city-wide search.

 

Her body was discovered nine days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.

 

During the trial, the State called 11 witnesses who testified against the convict.

 

The convict who opened his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping nor killing Oluwabamise.

Ominikoron, who was led in his defence by his counsel Abayomi Omotubora, told the court that he picked the late Bamishe at Chevron, and at Agungi, he picked three male passengers.

 

According to him, one of the male passengers was coming forward, and he thought it was to pay him, but then the passenger threw something at his head and showed him a gun, asking him to cooperate.

 

A prosecution witness, identified as PW-AAA, on Friday, said that Simon Ekpa would soon be brought from Finland to Nigeria to face trial for supporting Nnamdi Kanu, in the agitation for Republic of Biafra.

 

PW-AAA, one of the Department of State Service operatives who arrested Kanu in 2015 at a Lagos hotel, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja in the ongoing trial of Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

 

The witness, whose real name was not mentioned because of security reasons, stated this during cross-examination by Kanu’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

 

Earlier, the Federal Government also tendered more items recovered from Kanu and admitted as exhibits by the court.

 

These include one black laptop, two multi-mix transmitters, one mini white Apple iPad with a pouch, one grey Apple iPad with a pouch, one grey MacBook with a pouch, one grey MacBook with the case, one mini drone sound wave speaker, and two mini white speakers.

 

Others are one large computer mouse, one white adaptor, one laptop adaptor and one carton bag with laptop, two 3G modems, two Glo modems, one Glo Hawaii modem, one MTN modem, one Etisalat modem, one flash drive and one camcorder.

 

These also included one hand recorder in a black pouch, one MacBook Pro adaptor, one Mic stand, one Phillips headphone, one radio sharp mic with cord, one pro sound mic with cord and one 4G LTE modem.

 

Others are a bunch of cards, one power adaptor for the mixer, one Easy Blaze white modem, one Samsung phone,1 black Motorola phone and one Nokia phone.

 

Also found on him are “one black Samsung phone, one black phone, 1 D-Link black modem, one 8GB flash drive, one extension wire adaptor, one pair of shoes, one belt, one pair of ciderwood sneakers and one footwear.

“One black Softech wristwatch, two singlets, one sealed Hermes perfume, one Trinket, one Pokham perfume, one Fredrick Peckham wristwatch, one Diesel wristwatch, one Alexander Christy collection wristwatch, one Club wristwatch.

 

“Others are a bank MasterCards, copies of documents, one copy of IPOB complementary card, documents tagged IPOB, one white clipper, one bottle of medicine, one Oman perfume, one Mini scented oils, one empty black purse.

 

“Others are one Nigerian passport bearing the names Okwu Kanu Nwannekaibeya Nnamdi Ngozichukwu and one British passport bearing the name Okwu Kanu Nwannekaibeya, one black purse, one passport holder, one card holder, one box of Rocarden wristwatch and four bundles of cords.”

 

While being cross-examined, PW-AAA said no weapon was recovered from the IPOB leader during his arrest in Lagos.

 

He also said that no arms were recovered from the lady arrested along with Kanu.

He said though the recovered items might not be ordinarily offensive, the intention of the defendant might be otherwise.

 

PW-AAA also told the court that he did not analyse any of the items recovered because his mandate was to effect the arrest and obtain a statement from Kanu.

 

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 6, May 7 and May 8 for continuation of cross-examination.

 

NAN

 

Nigeria carrier, Air Peace, has said it will cancel and delay more flights due to safety concerns if the need arises.

 

It said such decisions are not taken for the fun of it.

 

The airline also said its business priority isn’t profit but safety, though it has more aircraft than the authority schedules daily.

 

Air Peace said this in a statement on Friday in reply to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s warnings that the airline operate in accordance with its available aircraft, insinuating that the airline was operating more routes than its available aircraft.

 

The NCAA had earlier on Friday complained about incessant flight disruptions by the airline, emphasizing that while the authority remains committed to supporting airlines, operators must adhere to regulatory standards and global best practices.

 

According to the statement, the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, told Air Peace to “immediately improve its domestic operations owing to complaints of chronic flight delays and cancellations by the traveling public.”

 

In its reaction, Air Peace insisted that there was no time it cancelled a flight for the fun of it, adding that safety is a cardinal priority for the airline.

 

“At Air Peace, safety is and will always remain our cardinal priority. These delays and cancellations are dictated by safety considerations.

 

“We fully empathise with our esteemed passengers who experience discomfort, inconvenience, or disrupted plans due to flight delays or cancellations.

“However, we do not regret taking operational decisions rooted in the protection of human lives and in strict adherence to safety standards.

 

“If weather conditions, technical parameters, or operational standards fall short of what is safe, we will not operate that flight,” the airline’s management added.

 

Also on the warning to the airline by the NCAA DG, for the airline to cut its coat by its size, Air Peace further emphasized it had more aircraft than scheduled for operations daily.

 

It stated, “It is also important to clarify a key statement allegedly credited to the NCAA, that Air Peace should reduce the size of its operations to align with available aircraft. While we understand the spirit of that recommendation, we must clearly state that Air Peace has more aircraft available than are currently rostered for daily operations.

 

“Therefore, any delays or cancellations we’ve experienced have absolutely nothing to do with fleet shortage.”

While asserting that the reason that often leads to flight cancellations and delays is beyond the control of any airline, Air Peace emphasized that such decisions are taken in the interest of the passengers.

 

“It is to be stated that every decision Air Peace has taken since the inception of this airline, whether resulting in a delay, cancellation, or suspension of flight, has been taken in the best interest of safety. And if such situations occur again, we will do the same because we are not ready to compromise safety.

 

“We do not cancel any flight for the fun of it. It is not our policy to delay or cancel flights without due cause, and when we do, we are often the greater loser financially.

 

“We will never sacrifice safety for convenience, comfort, speed, or profit,” it added.

 

The Chinese Government has announced plans to establish a Chinese Centre at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, aimed at fostering cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Nigeria.

 

Yan Yuqing, China’s Consul-General in Lagos, disclosed this while leading a delegation from the Consulate on a visit to UNIPORT.

 

This was contained in a statement issued by UNIPORT’s Public Relations Officer, Sammy Kpenu, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

 

Yuqing, who was represented by Liu Hongwu, Director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, China, expressed confidence that the centre would deepen China–Nigeria relations.

 

“The centre will further strengthen educational and cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria, providing UNIPORT students with greater access to Chinese resources, training, and opportunities,” she said.

 

She also announced plans to inaugurate the ‘China Window’, a platform designed to give Nigerians broader access to Chinese language, culture, and academic opportunities.

 

“Our aim is to open a window through which Nigerians can gain a better understanding of China.

 

This is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening educational and cultural ties with Africa, particularly with institutions such as UNIPORT,” she added.

 

Yuqing expressed optimism that the partnership would yield long-term benefits for both countries.

In response, Owunari Georgewill, Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, commended the Chinese Government for its sustained interest in Africa, particularly in education, culture, and infrastructure development.

 

He also thanked the Chinese Consulate for selecting UNIPORT from among other universities in the Niger Delta, pledging the university’s full commitment to ensuring the success of the Chinese Centre.

 

Georgewill noted that with the establishment of the centre, UNIPORT had formally commenced a Chinese Language Programme.

 

“This is part of our broader initiative to expand our academic offerings to students and to bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s evolving labour market,” he said.

 

He added that language exchange initiatives would enhance students’ employment prospects, particularly in Chinese-owned companies operating across the country.

“The growing presence of Chinese companies in Nigeria makes it essential for our people to acquire language and cultural skills that will enhance their employability and competitiveness.

 

This collaboration is timely, and we must fully leverage the opportunities it presents,” he said.

 

The UNIPORT VC described the establishment of the centre as a significant milestone in the university’s efforts to promote cultural exchange and cooperation with China.

 

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the arrest of four collaborators aiding terrorist operations in the North-East, including two personnel from the hybrid forces who had been working alongside troops to combat insurgency.

 

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday.

 

He said in operations from April 26 to 29 across Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali Local Government Areas, troops intercepted four terrorist logistics suppliers, two of whom were identified as hybrid force members.

 

He expressed concern over the betrayal and warned commanders to sensitise their personnel against acts that could sabotage ongoing military efforts.

 

“In a well-coordinated operation conducted from 26 – 29 April 2025 in Bama, Kukawa and Madagali Local of Borno and Adamawa States, troops intercepted 4 terrorists’ logistics suppliers. Sadly, 2 of them were confirmed to be members of hybrid forces. Commanders are to, therefore, sensitise hybrid forces personnel to desist from colluding with or encouraging terrorists’ acts capable of sabotaging their own operations, “Kangye said.

 

In another operation, Kangye said troops in conjunction with hybrid forces carried out offensive operations—including fighting patrols, raids, and clearance missions—in Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama, Chibok, Gujba, Geidam, and Yunusari local government areas.

 

He added that several terrorists were neutralised during the operations, six kidnapped victims were rescued, and caches of arms, ammunition, motorcycles, and bicycles were recovered.

 

In the South-South, Kangye said troops also achieved significant success in curbing oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.

He said they recovered over 86,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 72,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, and over 2,600 litres of petrol.

 

In addition, troops destroyed dozens of illegal refining sites and seized boats, storage tanks, tricycles, mobile phones, and seven vehicles.

 

“Troops recovered 86,490 litres of stolen crude oil, 72,821 litres of illegally refined AGO and 2,650 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 72 crude oil cooking ovens, 41 dugout pits, 13 boats, 2 speedboats, 29 storage tanks, 47 drums and 22 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 7 vehicles. Furthermore, 18 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered, ” he said.

 

Kangye reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding national security and urged citizens to remain vigilant and share credible information with security agencies.

 

He stressed that while some operational details must remain discreet for security reasons, the military remains focused on defeating terrorism, banditry, and other criminal threats to ensure the safety of Nigerians.

 

He said, “The Armed Forces will continue to be guided by clear objectives: to safeguard national security, support our allies, and maintain regional stability. We recognise the importance of transparency and accountability, and we remain committed to keeping the public informed through accurate and timely updates.

“While operational security requires discretion on certain details, we remain focused in our determination to defeat terrorism, banditry and other criminalities in the country in order to ensure the safety of all Nigerians. Against this backdrop, the Armed Forces is calling on all law-abiding citizens to continue sharing credible information with our troops in order to enhance our operations.”

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it arrested 1,611 suspects linked to various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, in April alone.

 

The Command also said it recovered 21 stolen vehicle, Large quantity of codeine, large quantity of Tramadol Tablets, 10 ipads/tablets, 14 laptops, 19 powerbanks, two generator sets, 10 POS machines, 15 motorcycles, 109 ATM cards, 225 tablets of Exol, 52 tablets of Diazepam, one axe, three scissors, one crusher and 149 mobile phones.

 

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, revealed these figures during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters on Friday.

 

He said the recent upsurge in car theft and drug-related offences across the FCT prompted the command to intensify intelligence-led operations and conduct targeted raids in identified hotspots.

 

Ajao added that 15 suspects were arrested in connection with car theft, noting that six of the recovered vehicles have already been returned to their verified owners, while the remaining thirteen were displayed during the briefing.

 

“In one case, a Toyota Camry, popularly known as “pencil light,” was intercepted around the Central Area after it was found to be driven suspiciously by one Hassan Bukar, who attempted to evade arrest before being apprehended. Investigations revealed the car had been stolen from the premises of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission.

 

“The suspect confessed to planning to sell the vehicle to a regular buyer in Kaduna State and was found in possession of master keys used for stealing cars.

In another incident, a man identified as Daniel James reported that his Toyota Camry 2011, handed to a mechanic for repairs, had gone missing. Detectives traced the vehicle to a buyer in Gwarinpa and arrested the intermediary, while the mechanic, Abdulazeez Auwal Salisu, remains at large.”

 

Also, a government-issued Hilux van was recovered in Kaduna after it was taken without permission by an official driver, Abubakar Sadio, who intended to sell it. Another unregistered Hilux was also found in his possession, ” the CP added.

 

He also said five suspects were arrested in Life Camp for attempting to sell a black Mercedes Benz 4Matic E-400 that had been stolen from its original owner in Lekki, Lagos.

 

“The suspects were apprehended after a potential buyer raised suspicions and alerted the police.

 

“Perhaps the most extensive operation took place between April 30 and May 1, when a combined team of police operatives, soldiers, vigilantes, and other security agents raided several known criminal hideouts across the FCT.

 

“A total of 1,488 suspects were arrested during the raids, and a wide range of items were recovered, including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, codeine, laptops, mobile phones, motorcycles, ATM cards, and other suspected stolen property, ” Ajao stated.

 

Adewale reiterated the Command’s commitment to making Abuja safer and called on residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely and useful information. He assured the public that all suspects currently in custody would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

 

An entertainment lawyer, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, who is a partner at Hightower Solicitors and Advocate, has been named one of the most important music lawyers in the world by Billboard for 2025.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the recognition highlights Ayinoluwa’s exceptional expertise in music law and dedication to championing the rights of record producers and songwriters.

 

According to Billboard’s April edition, Hightower Solicitors, led by Ayinoluwa, recently finalised a publishing agreement with Empire Music, an international music label.

 

Also with Ragee, a prominent Afrobeats producer who co-produced Chris Brown’s “Sensational”, which earned a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

 

This achievement showcases Hightower’s expertise in guiding clients to build valuable music catalogues.

 

In an interview with NAN, Ayinoluwa said: “I feel blessed to be recognised by Billboard as one of the most important music lawyers in the world.

 

“I’m dedicating this to my late dad for instilling in me the discipline to stay on a journey, also for introducing me to the legal profession, and then also for accommodating my love for music.”

 

Ayinoluwa said that his journey in music law began when he realised that record producers and songwriters were often marginalised and underrepresented in the industry.

 

“As a young lawyer, I saw an opportunity to make a difference, and I have since dedicated my career to advocating for their rights.

 

“For the past 13 years, I’ve been championing record producers and songwriters.

 

“I think the reason for that is because, as a young lawyer at that time, I was in my third year of being a lawyer, and the recording artists were already doing well.

“It wasn’t easy for a young lawyer to maybe represent them, and the record producers and songwriters were the underrepresented and marginalised individuals in the music industry,” he said.

 

According to Ayinoluwa’s, his music law practice focuses on representing recording artistes, songwriters, record producers, record labels, investors in music, and talent managers.

 

He said one of the reasons for building strong relationships with clients was understanding their vision and pain.

“When you understand it, it’s easy to guide them through all the legal challenges that might arise as they continue to proceed with their journey in music,” he said.

 

According to Akinyemi, the biggest challenge facing Nigerian record producers and songwriters is being compensated appropriately for their work.

 

“My recognition will inspire me to do more, to do more qualitative work, and to continue to champion the interests of our clients.

 

“I think it helps to show that, yes, there’s excellence in Africa. African lawyers can do important work,” he said.

 

Looking to the future, Ayinoluwa said he was excited to announce a mentorship programme to support the next generation of Nigerian entertainment lawyers.

 

The Federal Government has called on the newly decorated Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, to lead a transformation of the service, shifting its focus from punishment to rehabilitation and reforms.

 

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this appeal during the decoration ceremony held in Abuja on Friday.

 

Addressing the newly decorated CG, the minister stressed the importance of leadership, accountability, and a clear vision for the future of the correctional system.

 

“Mr. President has invested his trust in picking you as the CG. You need to understand your mandates, ambitions, and targets. You must have timelines,”

 

“You have a huge national responsibility to protect over 256 custodial centres. You must lead from the front,” Tunji-Ojo said.

 

He charged the Nwakuche to lay a solid foundation for the service within the next 19 months, stressing the need to raise operational standards and build a lasting legacy.

 

“We want stability in the NCoS. We do not want a condemnation service but a transformative one. We want custodial centres to be a place where hopes will be renewed,” he added.

 

Highlighting the humane aspect of corrections, the minister described inmates as “awaiting assets” to the nation, urging the CG to treat them with dignity.

 

“All inmates are your children. Do not maltreat your children, but correct them so they can be better,” he said.

 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Magdalene Ajani, also addressed the CG, reiterating the weight of the expectations ahead.

 

“You have a lot to do. Nigerians and the Ministry of Interior are looking up to you. We want to change the narrative of the correctional service,” Ajani charged.

Here are three integrated paragraphs with direct quotes from CG Sylvester Nwakuche’s speech, rewritten to fit naturally into the news story:

 

During the event, Nwakuche expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Nigerian Correctional Service at what he called a “defining moment” for the institution.

 

“This honour comes not merely as a promotion, but as a renewed call to duty—a higher charge to advance the vision of a correctional system that is secure, humane, and truly reformative,” he said.

The CG outlined a seven-point agenda for reform, prioritising security, decongestion, infrastructure, staff welfare, and inmates’ rehabilitation.

 

“The safe custody of inmates is our primary responsibility,” he stated, adding that his administration would focus on expanding manpower, strengthening surveillance, and promoting non-custodial measures to ease overcrowding.

 

“With over two-thirds of our inmate population being Awaiting Trial Persons, we will aggressively pursue decongestion by engaging the judiciary, State Governments, and other stakeholders.”

 

He also pledged to invest in staff training and welfare, modernise facilities, and prioritise youth rehabilitation.

 

“Our youths must not be lost to the streets or to crime. We will revitalise and expand Borstal Institutions to provide correction, character reformation, and hope to young offenders,” Nwakuche said.

 

He called on staff and partners to support the reform agenda, adding, “Together, we can make the Nigerian Correctional Service a shining example of what purposeful leadership and dedicated teamwork can achieve.”

 

The Senate on March 25 confirmed the appointment of Nwakuche as the substantive NCoS CG.

 

Nwakuche, who replaced Haliru Nababa, was appointed in an acting capacity by President Bola Tinubu on December 13, 2024.

A political group, the Democratic Front, has said the gale of defection in the Peoples Democratic Party is more a reflection of the party’s internal affairs than a deliberate effort to emasculate the opposition.

 

Malam Danjuma Muhammad, Chairman of TDF, said this in a statement released on Friday.

 

“We are, indeed, disappointed that some opposition figures in the country have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu of igniting rancour among its members.

 

“Notable in the ongoing politics of deceit and blackmail are leaders of the opposition PDP, whose selfish lust for power triggered a major crisis that led to implosion in the PDP.

 

“TDF is not oblivious of the fact that the PDP has been consistently ravaged by a self-inflicted crisis since it was defeated by the APC in the 2015 presidential election,” said the group.

 

According to the group, the party has been unable to present a credible presidential candidate since 2015, which buttresses its widely perceived image as a political party in disarray.

 

“The recent gale of defection that hit the PDP in Delta was not as a result of any imaginary influence or interference of President Tinubu, or the APC, as alleged by the opposition.

“It is a show of protestation by some members of the party against the scheming of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to remain perpetually its presidential standard bearer, against the dictates of the party’s internal democracy.

 

“We are also of the view that the relevant section of the constitution that guarantees individual freedom of association is not exclusively limited to any individual or group,” said TDF.

 

The advocacy group said it was the inalienable right of every Nigerian to join any group or political party of his or her choice.

 

“Therefore, the defection of PDP members in Delta State to APC should be seen within the context of their legitimate rights to freely associate with any group or party of their choice.

 

“It is our belief that claims of a looming one-party state by the opposition are spurious, baseless, and unfounded.

 

“The collapse of Atiku’s political coalition against President Tinubu was not based on external interference by anyone but a direct consequence of the mischief, which the coalition represented,” said the group.

 

It also called on leaders and members of opposition parties to eschew the politics of selfishness and bitterness.