With less than a year to the 2027 general elections, Nigeria’s opposition appears to be at a crossroads. What began as a potentially formidable coalition against the ruling APC showing signs of strain. Key figures are pursuing different parts parties remain divided and questions are growing about whether the opposition can unite around a common vision and a single candidate.
Is the coalition losing momentum before the real contest even begins? Can a fragmented opposition mount a serious challenge to President Ba Metubu and the APC in 2027? And what does this shifting political landscape mean for our US democracy? To help us make sense of this development, we’ll be joined by someone who understands the politics and understands what is at stake come 2027.
We’ll be speaking to the former running mate to Peter Obi on the platform of the Labour Party in 2023. A leading voice in opposition politics Dr. Divi Baba Ahmed who will be helping us navigate the current political dynamics in Nigeria today as well as what it means for the country.
But first, let’s bring you up to speed with the latest developments in politics. bandit have abducted six students of the federal poly techchnic Goranamoda Zanfare state after attacking their off-c campus residents in the locos area of the town. The chairman of the Koranamoda local government area Manir Haidak or confirmed the incidents and said security agencies have launched efforts to rescue the victims.
A student of the institution, Ibrahim Ahmed said seven students were initially taken but one escaped during the attack leaving three male and three female students in captivity. Gunmen have kidnapped the younger sister of the former minister of power and APC governorship aspirants in O state ado alongside her twin sons in Ibadon.
The victims were reportedly abducted in a challenge area of Ibadon Southwest Local Government Area in the early hours of Wednesday. A statement issued by Adilabu media aid Fei Oumbongoru identified the victims as Ali Busayo John Paul and her twin sons Peter and Paul. Several people have been killed following a fresh attack on community in Karim Lami Olo government area of Karaba state by suspected armed militia.
Residents said the violence began in Dindango village where two youths were reportedly killed while returning from a football viewing center. The attack later spread to GA and some other villages forcing residents to flee. Community members described the assort as coordinated and blamed armed militia from a neighboring settlement.
The federal high court in Abuja has sentenced four members of the al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging over the June 12th, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church or Uno State. Justice Ame convicted the defendants on terrorist related charges filed by the Department of the State Service on behalf of the federal government.
The attack claimed more than 40 lives and left over 100 worshippers injured. A fifth defendant was discharged and acquitted after courts found insufficient evidence linking him to the crime. >> All right, some of the days latest uh developments in the polity, something that sign post a bigger conversation about Niger’s battle with insecurity.
Let’s get the conversation started tonight looking at 2027 and the politics that is uh playing out. I did say our guest is Dr. Baba Ahmed, a chieftain of the PRP and someone whose name has been on the ballot on in the 2027 presidential race, most notably the running mate of Mr. Pitoi who now belongs to the NDC.
Doctor, it’s good to see you. It’s been a while. Thank you so much for stopping by. >> My pleasure and duty too. >> Right. Okay. Uh let’s start this way with a look back at your last appearance on this particular platform and something that you said uh rather strikingly correct in the sense of your projection about what would happen to the coalition that was emerging as a promising force against the ADC.
So let’s have a look at that conversation. Just a sound bite from the question about whether the ADC poses a real threat and what could actually go wrong with the ADC. Here’s a response of Dr. to >> uh >> what is your gut telling you about what will happen in ADC? >> I don’t know. >> Yeah, but I suppose you have a feeling >> I think it is very unlikely that Peter will get the ticket in ADC.
If he gets it, I’m happy for him. >> What about a vice presidential slot? Do you think he should take it if it’s offered? >> Um it’s not what I think. He said he wouldn’t take it. He said he hasn’t traveled all over the world to learn how to be president and then come to take vice presidential candidate. Now you are helping me to make my points.
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Ya Allah thank you. You’re helping me to make my point. >> Asking questions actually >> why I won’t go to ADC. You have helped me now >> because will not take VP may not take Peter will will not take VP. All of them have to win. >> Do you feel vindicated by that uh position you took earlier this year before everything almost seemingly fell apart? >> I truly do.
In fact, if you had enough time to finish playing, um the actual clip I think you wish you had played was that I said if Auku wins, others have a problem with it. If Amiti wins, others have a problem with it. If Peter Abby wins, others have a problem with it. Then I said something which they again as usual they took offense.
I didn’t say that they didn’t have sense in I will never say I said that allegu applied a lot of sense and they had those advantages that I mentioned on their side and ADC on their own part didn’t have these things so they thought things meant I said they didn’t have sense no apologies to all of you >> including uh his excellency the senior there in uh ADC.
But yes, what happened is that they probably arrogated excess privileges to themselves >> thinking that they had decided for other politicians to follow >> and u maybe I’m just not one of those that can be led by the nose. >> There were invitations. I was happy. I’m always always happy about coming together.
Look, even now if Atuko and others will agree, I still want us to go and melt in one port and push out Tinimbu’s government. >> Are you saying there’s still hope for the coalition? >> In a broader sense? >> Yes, in a broader sense ADC. >> Yes. >> Yes. Um, so yes, they thought if they made a call that was it, everybody would follow.
But I stood back, I read the situation and exactly what I said, I maintain what I said and each and everyone has of those things I said has happened. Peter Abi was the first to leave and I said it. He will have a problem with somebody else winning. He saw he wasn’t going to win. So he left. um brave as he is and legit as he is lost or was defeated you know rigged out or I don’t know he has not congratulated Auku uh Alaji Hayuin also was displeased and said he’s not going there so the whole thing about ADC has followed exactly what I said would
happen the structural defects that I spoke about turned out to talk. Uh so um they owe me lots of apologies. All of them. Um yeah, >> there there are some who have criticized Pito’s departure alongside Konosuo >> saying that he’s not a fighter, he’s not resilient. Uh but there are some in hindsight who say, listen, this was obviously going to be the outcome.
No matter what happened, nobody was going to defeat Atiku. So where do you stand on that? Do you do you criticize Peter Obi for leaving or do you see the wisdom in his departure? >> Are you forgetting Peter Obi was my boss is still my boss. >> We’re still we still have a good relationship and I hope we can somehow work together in the very near future.
>> So um I’d rather move away from the individuals speak about the variables in Nigerian politics. The variables is that uh most of us call them opposition but are they really opposition or are they office seekers >> or are they minorities in your view? >> No. Uh opposition is when you are act actually technically engaging the misruling government on every action that they do.
Not only when it is time to seek particular office that you come out to say just about the barest minimum. Left to me right from 2023. Uh his excellency at Excellency Pet A and everyone else should have maintained that tempo that I initiated about constitutional breach. Everyday hammer on constitutional breach.
they will not have the breathing space for all the nonsense that they’ve been doing till today. Maybe all the things you reported now about the insecurity and the abductions would not have happened. But they fell back uh because they really are not in the business of opposition. someone like well I won’t call names been very comfortable in power for so long for too long and uh they can therefore not hold any misruling government to account keep them on their fees on their toes uh tinu is has flown all over the world because nobody can really really challenging
everything is comfortable at home give them no breathing space you must even even if you are rigged into power at least provide reasonable good governance before then you are the guys to hold them to account you must pro provide that good governance but they didn’t these are not actual opposition members speaking about opposition I can challenge you now to tell me whom among them has never served in a ruling party you wouldn’t be able to and I can tell you >> current ruling party or ruling party And it’s when does
>> that take away from there being opposition now >> and it is only when people are seeking power and then they move out. A classic case like you know I don’t have to tell you my senior brother >> from Kaduna. >> You either make him a minister or he will make life hell for you and uh vote you out of government.
>> That is bad politics. I am possibly to the best of my knowledge the politician that I know now among that group who has never been in a ruling party. But I challenge you to tell me why. >> Yeah, but isn’t that how democracy is structured? >> No, no, no. If the Democrats are in power, the Republicans are the opposition.
If the Conservatives or the tries in the UK are in power, the Labor Party is in the opposition. Isn’t that how it’s structured? And no that’s not how it is. These people have been the democrats before the APC are doing you’re seeing today were the were the PDP of yesterday. Then come uh forward to today most of those who are calling themselves opposition today were in APC and PDP when these parties were in power and I’m telling you when PDP was in power I was not in PDP when APC came to power before it came to power I left even though I got elected
in CPC uh as a senator then until today I have not been the governing party is always there but tell me who has among all of them that has never been at some point in their career in a ruling party. So it is when they decide to seek a new office they move to the another party and you and you people call them opposition >> and I’m telling you that they are not in the right sense of it they are not opposition because with how easily >> with how easily the Nigerian state was captured >> and with how easily Nigeria is is being
misgoverned >> there should have been intense heat from these politicians who as seeking power. I’ll just give you an example, just an example. It’s a microclimate, political climate. Uh I would put it this way. Uh I was rigged down in 2007. May he soul rest in peace. Uh good. From that 2007 to 2011, I gave no breathing space.
We were in court till July 200 it. Immediately after one month’s break, I opened a new chapter of recall. Okay, that lasted another 9 to 10 months. Immediately after that one, I opened another chapter of intense opposition in the constituency. That lasted another 9 to 10 months. When primaries came in 2010, the gentleman came fourth in primaries.
A serving member came forth never in Nigeria’s history, not just fourth republic, in entire Nigerian history, a serving member to come number four in primary elections. If Aiku, Peter Obi, um, Aichi, Kangaso and all others were serious about ensuring good governance in Nigeria. From 2023, every morning Chinimbu wakes up, you breach the constitution before he flies out.
You bridge the constitution. >> You’re saying their take on the economy, their take on the tax reforms, which was very controversial for the most part. their take on insecurity, the hunger protest that uh >> do you know what >> supported by all of that doesn’t count >> do you know what we call child play to tinu all these things are child’s play when you have left the capital offense that they committed and you’re talking about his liberties is his liberty to travel to anywhere in the world they’re talking about the cost of
jets that he bought he can buy even more But insecurity >> yeah insecurity well I have given them instruction to go and finish I have told them let them go I’ve changed the service chiefs what else can you do >> there’s also the electoral reform >> before he reaches the next destination let there be a contingent of Nigerians they greeting him with constitutional breach before he goes to United States before he goes to uh UK to meet royals.
There there was a bomb blast in uh two deadly bomb blasts in Boro. What happened? Tell me in all these opposition leaders who has led us to go and walk in the streets of Muguri, >> is that not what Chinua and late Babari did in 2013 or 14? >> They went and walked in the streets of Meduri, shaking hands with people and all that.
Is this a consideration for any of our so-called opposition members now? >> No. >> So it’s not enough that they are tweeting about >> that is child’s play, >> right? >> They are not opposition members. They are office seekers. >> I’m sorry with with due regard and respect to all of them. >> But there’s an outlier among them. I’ve always told you if I hide my way is an excellent material >> for but I don’t have my way.
But I’ve been in support of Peter Obi in any case. But Peter Obi left where I said he shouldn’t leave. He went to somewhere and then left again where I told him was not suitable for him. >> You talk about your great respect for PTO and you saying that you hope to work with him in the future. How would you describe your relationship with PTO today? >> Excellent.
>> When when last did you two speak? >> Uh he’s been too busy to answer phone calls. How long ago? Come on. Let’s there are more important things, >> right? >> It shouldn’t be about me and Peter be >> some would describe it as a big fallout. >> No, we haven’t fallen out. Do you want me to call him now? >> No, no, no.
I’m just asking how long >> I can call him now and you can speak to him. >> Right. I mean, you say he’s been busy. So, I I reckon >> Oh, boy. Where have you been? >> We talk a lot. We exchange texts and everything. >> And even when they try to cause disaection between us, I was quick to send him a text. He called me to say I shouldn’t bother.
That’s not how because I know deep down inside him Peter Ab will never forget >> what I did. And if let me just tell you um somebody was saying that I gave only 3,000 votes and of course they are mistaken. They’re not reading the big picture. I was there to give legitimacy and exceedingly well I did. >> Right.
in 2022, who could kill the issue of uh ID cards and the issue of uh mosque demolition and yes daddy, do you understand? Who could kill all those things? Have him integrated to the emirates, the palaces, the amas, there’s hardly any major uh malam >> clergy in the north that that Peter did not meet. Some would argue today doctor that those issues have resurfaced and the bigger question is do you think he has upgraded his political ambition with Konos as his running mate? >> Um Peter is not Nigerian politics.
Let’s come back to Nigerian politics so that I want to take less of less of individuals before you cleverly go to make put me in trouble with him. No, I mean but but but you recently in an interview talked about how you had shown him a lot more respect as his running mate than Rabi Musakonos.
And that’s why I’m asking do you consider Rabi Musakosu an upgrade to the ticket that PBi currently has right now ahead of 2027 compared to what he had with you in 2023. >> There are more relevant questions for you to ask me than this one. I mean this is >> and I really don’t know I really don’t know why you’re hampering on the uh are you forgetting that K is my idea? >> Are you forgetting that? >> Yeah.
But the simple question is do you consider it an upgrade? Does he have a better chance now with Konosu on the ticket? >> Um the better chance for Nigeria is Donald Duke. >> Right. >> Finish. The better chance for Nigeria is Donald Duke. Let’s move on. Okay. So, P doesn’t have your vote then. >> I I’m in PRP, >> right? >> And I don’t do Antipart.
>> Okay. But I >> I don’t do Antipart. >> I guess you wish him well. >> I wish I’ve always said so. And look, if there is a way that um I don’t I Well, he’s a senior governor. >> He’s a class of 99. >> That’s Donald Duke. He’s a class of 99. the same time with Alajiu. So he’s senior to Peter Obi and I believe he can call Peter Abi and they can talk.
>> Okay. For many Nigerians, right, political analysts, average Nigerians, there are contenders and then there are pretenders in the race for the presidency. How many serious presidential candidates do you consider serious presidential candidates in the practical term? those that actually stand a chance of beating Bamitu in 2027.
>> One Donald Duke, >> you put him ahead of ahead. >> I put him ahead of I do. >> Is this just a party man speaking or? >> No. Um I have been wanting to speak. Well, politics is a contact sport and if you’re in it, you must be. You don’t walk through the room without getting wet.
So as much as I would like to avoid talking about the person of Atiku, I’m discussing Nigerian politics. So Atiku is a major factor in Nigerian politics and I have given credit to Baboiri. He is Baberi to me. I hope you know that. Okay. Um in this very show I have told you thank you for bringing this question. Just imagine in December 2022 was uh atu calls Peter Peter where are you h carry that and come and we go to his son he says sign here.
You know what I mean? We’ll give you all the support. You will not contest 2027. I will take 20 ministers. I will be the leader and everything. Aiku would be getting ready to be sworn in. In 2027, he wants to be the president. Go. Let’s rewind to uh independence in 1960. If you don’t work for somebody, you may never get Nigerian presidency.
What did Alhajimu do selflessly worked for late Baba Bhari? Before then he had worked for Ibadu Artiku and then Rebadu then Babu Bhari even after two heavy disappointments he was not taken as VP and they contested 2019 again he kept his school and he came and grabbed 2023. Now this is something artiku will never do.
Now if Atuku’s people were able to advise him walk if you can’t go straight walk the other way. And again with much respect to president uh good luck Jonathan I I told him that 2015 contest was a mistake. None of those his people who pretended to love or care for him told him not to contest. I met President Jonathan in 2017 when he came to B as special guests of honor and I told him if only I knew you I would have told you sir this 2015 will destroy you.
Please don’t but they would never allow that to happen. If in 2023 Atiko had brought in Peter would be supported. Atiku will now be preparing to be sworn in as uh uh now um succ not not paid dues. He has not. I’ll find the right word. But let me finish my analysis. >> I told you about siblui becoming president who went and did the shooting.
Some other uh people did the shooting. He became president. Mutella, he became president. Who plotted it? Some other highly motivated, well-meaning uh generals. May may their souls rest in peace. Um Baba became as the demise of uh Mala Mutah late president Shagari of blessed memory was going for senate all they said if you don’t contest the presidency even this senate you won’t get it then he went for the presidency and he became you think Bhari became head of state he plotted a coup he didn’t even know his left from his right about coupling there. He was meant
to have been retired as a brigadier general when Mammud Tuk pleaded um then late Shag President Shagari was too kind to the generals especially the northerners. They promoted him to general his only credential of becoming head of state was that he disliked late babotaki president Shagari. his only credential because of the fight with Chad Republic the war he tried to start and all that.
Now the actual planners of 1984 of course super intelligent who had known the 1975 and the 76 school. There isn’t enough time for me to tell you why they decided not to go direct. They said okay they want somebody from that core northwest to take over from Shagari because of 7576. All right who who who he’s always fighting it’s not okay please.
He arrived from just to jaji without even knowing what was going on. It was that they announced you’ll be president. And then 20 months later after giving him all this speech about corruption, he didn’t know anything about corruption or anti-corruption. It was just to read and then hey lock up. Okay, go and lock up. That’s all.
He only reads the speech, does what they tell him to do. >> So in 1985 having a puppet >> in in in he was a puppet. In 1985 the actual person people took over. Fast forward late General Abbacha he knew about IBB’s promise to hand over and so he wouldn’t go straight. They made a temporary arrangement to give Shaika and then he took over.
Now what I’m saying is that in Nigerian presidency if you are not willing to work for somebody if it must only be you you you you may never get it. >> So that’s that’s how you >> That is why I’m saying uh about you made me to do this long um uh analysis going back into history. There’s more to say uh in the force uh republic >> uh about Mala Omaru but the most instructive one >> is as much as I don’t like how they did it and why they did it is the classic path >> followed by Alhaju 16 years he was planning it he had the
patience he had would I call it strength these are positive quality ities but in the negative context. Do you understand? None of these other politicians are able to display. >> It’s like they want this presidency, they want it now. We have all respected zoning, haven’t we? But from 1992 to date, Atiku is contesting except when he became governor and vice president.
He is contesting all. A sword that is used every morning becomes blunt. >> A sword that is sharpened every morning will cut >> and that’s what Tinimbu he sharpened his own many times. When he came he slashed it, he grabbed it and he ran with it. >> So I mean my key takeaways is the fact that he’s much more strategic, much more long-term thinking.
You’ve talked about how the opposition is not necessarily an opposition in this in the true sense of it using your word. Doesn’t it then preconclude that in your view >> Tinibu’s second term is almost inevitable? >> Absolutely no. >> No. >> I mean you say the opposition is not necessarily a serious opposition. Tinibu’s planning is immaculate.
>> Have you not heard me say that God Almighty has blessed Nigeria with people? There are people. There are good people in Nigeria and I’m holding all of us Nigerians to account now that primaries are over. People should learn to keep quiet and go and bury their heads and continue to enu en enjoy the ride of bad governance because when it is time to come out and present yourselves, you refuse. You say you’re no politicians.
I am not a politician. I have never been one. But for the sake of Nigeria, I I don’t miss the four fouryear seasons. >> Right. So >> I save my 4year leave allowance and when it’s time I go to buy a nomination form, there are good people in Nigeria. I have just told you Donald Duke. >> So >> he’s not perfect >> but he is a good challenge to um Alhajiu >> and with someone like Donald Duke not carrying the kind of uh baggage and controversies of the others that we have mentioned, >> he’s not carrying that. Some would say
with all respect to Donald Duke, he’s not in the same weight class politically with Bameu. >> No, you’re wrong. He is a class of 99 governor. He has never collected anybody’s tax. He has never been arrested by EFCC or ICPC. The only attempt failed. He has lived peacefully with everyone nationally and internationally.
He’s chairing aged companies and organizations nationally and internationally. >> Does he have the network? >> Does he have the appeal? Does he have the name recognition? >> He has everything. What you are trying to say is does he have the money? He doesn’t have the money because he wouldn’t steal >> the can and he wouldn’t collect taxes and uh he wouldn’t do that.
>> Um I was about to say something before you but in any case I think I’ll remember. >> Right. Okay. So Nigeria Nigeria is blessed with with people. >> Nigeria is blessed and uh um Duke for example, not perfect but in the context of Nigerian presidential context, >> he as now is the best candidate we have >> to cleanly defeat Tunimu’s government.
So take me through the path how in a very saturated field you have at >> Peto on the OK ticket on the NDC bola shak on the platform of the APM there’s ado on the SDP platform >> and some of the routine are you sure >> routine players take me through your calculations as to how do Duke wins in this kind of contest >> have you ever had something called decongestion decongestion.
>> The saturated place you are talking about is likely to be decongested and come on you know um one of those two of those and I will not go from that zone. >> They are pretenders >> who >> I shouldn’t be saying names for God’s sake. >> Don’t leave our views guessing. Well, but at the same time, don’t leave me breaking my human relations.
>> Okay. Are they from the southwest or from the south south? >> They are from Nigeria. They are from Nigeria. Two of those from that area, you know, they’re only there to block his chances because one of them the moment he wins Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, look, one would even go to court. Yes. He won the because there is that agenda and uh Okay.
Um um showy >> that I can give the place is about to be decongested. >> Um but you’re not going to make me say what will >> change the decongestion. >> It’s not everything I will speak here. >> Yeah. >> But you think there’s a clear path for the clear >> candidate like Donald Duke to win. Let me tell you the clear path is the straight path.
Donald Duke will come out straight, do his campaigns straight, make his promises clear, get his votes neat. >> But the last time and last time a million votes, it doesn’t matter. There’s always time for everything. Uh uh that time president late baba bhari hadn’t finished failing >> that time we haven’t seen alajubu and his government witha >> we haven’t even seen all those we haven’t seen all the news reports that you report every day before we start four four terrible news items before you start any interview we haven’t seen
those so there’s a time for everything the naira hadn’t reached 1,400 down to 1380 M >> so times have changed. >> Times have changed. >> Okay. Take me through your takeaways from the primary exercise because the last couple of weeks have been inundated by the by question marks about the fidelity, the integrity of internal democracy.
The conversation has always been that politicians in Nigeria love the idea of democracy, but they are not democratic in and of themselves. You see the APC primaries marred by a lot of irregularities. We’ve seen some very uh funny counting at the primaries. The same thing with the ADC. The same thing even with the NDC. What are your takeaways from what the primaries have exposed about Nigerian politics and democracy? >> There is no doctrine that says you say one thing.
You say something once and it is understood forever by everyone because there’s a limited number of audience to you. There’s a limited number of context they give to you and understanding to you. But I’ll put it this way again. Democracy belongs to the people who can practice it. And if you can’t practice democracy, it is not for you.
Who are those people that deserve democracy? They are the people who have earned their rights and liberties. They are the people who can extract the dividends of democracy. They are not the people who will sit and wait for someone to go and complain on their behalf. They are not the kind of people who will sit down and ask the United States of America or the EU to come and impose sanctions and visa travels.
They are the people who said Nigeria is ours. I will not allow you come to the meaning of democracy. The conventional Nigerian thinks democracy is civilian rule. Wrong. Or uh three arms of government is democracy. There are monarchies now all over the world that are having parliaments. Three arms of government. Wrong. The philosophical meaning of democracy which some of Nigerian agencies don’t want people like me enlightening Nigerians is that democracy is that government of the people where the people genuinely motivated by their
legitimate aspirations are the last line of defense. Not the police, not the DSS, not the Nigerian army. The people are the last line of defense even behind the judiciary. Because even when the judiciary, the final, not the ultimate say that yes, you don’t need 25% in FCT. The people come out and say you belong to the constitution.
the constitution belongs to us because we the people came out and we’re we’re Nigerians and we say no >> and that is what happened in Tahar Square that’s what happened in Syria that’s what happened in everywhere that’s what happened in France that’s what happened in the US four and 200 years ago what the people do and it stays is democracy that is democracy not three arms of government You’re talking revolution in a very indirect manner.
Is that what you’re doing? >> You >> I’m just asking a question. I mean, you can confirm or deny. >> Call it what you want to call it. >> All right. >> Um, call it what you want to call it. >> I engage in legitimate enlightenment >> and uh I will not leave my fellow citizens in darkness. This is not call it revolution if you want.
So what if revolution happens? >> Did revolution not happen in the United States, in France, in everywhere I’m telling you? And are they not happy people today? Did revolution not fail to happen in Nigeria and that’s why there is insecurity and aggravated corruption? Did not fail to happen. So call it anyone and they are listening.
I don’t care. Let it happen. But we say in Islam that never wake the sleeping dog because you don’t know who whom it will bite. That we call it calamity. >> Be careful how you generate calamity. Now revolution in Nigeria which I know will never happen. >> It will never happen. >> No no no. Nigerians were very involved.
1990 I was in part four and exchange rate was uh was uh 15 naira 60 koba and someone in the class says wait by the time Nigerians are pushed to the wall when it gets to 20 naira I was seated right at the back I didn’t know when I screamed they will never reach the wall it was a tutorial so the lecturer say hey why do you think they won’t reach the wall we won’t reach the all and I was scared then like I don’t talking I said sir I don’t know no tell me why do you think and I told him sir I don’t know but there’s no wall for Nigerians to reach
it went to 1,800 and came down tell me 20 people who went to CBN or anywhere to um complain legitimately what You are calling revolution. It’s not revolution. We are talking about legitimate civic action. >> We trying to change. >> We just saw teachers protest. >> Thank you very much. Only last week I was making a comparison between uh the people of June 12th.
How somehow I appreciate what they did years after an election that had no result. It had an effect in the coming of of power. Decades afterwards there is Moshoud Abola stadium in Abuja. One of June 12th people is president today. The actual democracy day is 12th of June because they held it. They continued.
Now I’m a northern. I’m a Muslim. I’m a proud I’m proud to but we’ve had insecurity all over the north. But our calm nature, our nature, our tradition and everything has not up to date allowed people to come out. >> Is that complacency? >> Wait, let me finish. Allow me to finish. >> But in the southwest because of their culture, which is not bad, it is actually good.
Even the meekness and the dosility in the north, I’m not saying it’s bad. In certain senses it is good because there are different uh counts that a northerner a Muslim will defend his right namely religion. Do blasphemy and see ethnicity in the north central do it and see. But then some other parts of Nigerians are able to come out with civic democratic political issues like insecurity like exchange rate.
Remember band A. Do you think they will ever uh challenge band A in Boro or in Sooto? No. But say anything about religion, it’s there. But in band A, Lagos, you saw people coming out because of his metropolitan nature >> and everything. So look, if you’re trying to put words in my mouth, let me help you. >> Really? >> Let me help you.
Democracy belongs to the people who can practice it, >> not the people who will still sit and watch their constitution breached. >> And if you’re not going to vote, stand and ensure that your vote counts. >> Right? >> That policeman who is protecting the agent who is falsifying results as at the time they are doing that they are criminals.
Who is a law enforcement agent? You the Nigerian, you the voter, you the [ __ ] the the Democrat. If you refuse to do it at that material time, a criminal, okay, who has falsified the result using the police that is supposed to protect you and give you security will now go and form the government that will continue to misrule you.
Okay, let’s let’s talk about the primaries one more time before we switch gears in the last uh lap of our conversation. You’ve heard what the former secretary to the government of the federation uh BD had to say about the ADC primaries, the presidential primaries and some of the >> BD Law was one of those who sent me stinkers by text. I have it here.
And even our other leader, he sent me very bad texts because of things that I said that have turned out to be true. They should please rent pages in newspapers and apologize to me. So go ahead. >> Yeah. Your take on what he had to say and the normalization of identity politics against the backdrop of what’s coming up in 2027.
>> Can I say I don’t want to talk about this identity. I mean you just talked about it. >> No, no, no. Uh this this wasn’t identity what I spoke about. Um I was speaking about orientation. Civic orientation was what I talked about. The least I can tell you about identity is that a good number of people are mistaken.
Really they are mistaken. Who who they think hates them do not hate them. They actually love them. Let’s keep it there. Another time we can talk about it. But I don’t talk about identity. A Nigerian is a Nigerian. A Nigerian is a Nigerian was the Yeah. But um the submissions of uh BD L were to say the least very sad.
>> Do you think it poisons the conversation? He is not that import uh effective or weighty to poison the because by tomorrow everybody has forgotten him if not because he mentioned him now >> everybody would have forgotten him you know when when he sent to me and all those I used to think like look at these people they are senior to me in age why are they telling me this kind of Yeah.
>> All right. Okay. Talking about the opposition and the their chances of putting on a good show in 2027. >> Some would say you look at the fragmentation right now and you’d consider them paper tigers. People who have a lot of political value, but there’s not enough ground swell of support that is united enough to defeat the APC.
You look at the APC primaries and uh President Tinubu’s 11 million votes in the APC primaries. You consider Aiku’s 1.8 million votes in the ADC. I mean PBI didn’t have they didn’t need to go to the post. >> People think people think they are smart until they do something stupid. >> And this stupid is not uh insultive. >> They think they are smart.
Really really really got away with 2023 so easy. I couldn’t have been holier than the pope. Remember Peter was as far as we concerned was the candidate. He was the one elected, not me. >> But believe me, they they got away with 2023 so easily that they think they can be playing this kind of pranks and that they will get away with these pranks again.
Just wait and let’s see what’s the next set of candidates, how they will play it, who they will listen to among their advisers and how things will go. I keep telling you um what you’re saying legitimate civic action in quotes in brackets what you call revolution is not a bad thing. Haven’t you had the industrial revolution? Was it bad? That’s what brought us to where we are today.
>> I mean these things are economic in a way. economic political. >> Yeah. Uh political revolution personal, isn’t it? >> Yeah. Yeah. Political revolution. What What makes you think uh they are bad? They’re good. >> I’m not saying they’re bad. I don’t have an opinion about it. I’m just asking questions. >> Let it be what is called is called legitimate civic action.
>> Right. Okay. >> Why the owners of the constitution? When you open the constitution, the first thing you see is that sovereignty belongs to the people through which the governments, the elected governments derive their authorities. Now what we are having is that the elected so-called elected governments have gone round to actually possess the people and by so doing >> possess the constitution.
And what I’m saying is that the people should cut it. Everything belongs to the people. But what kind of people? >> Right. Okay. We we have a >> there is a great deal of thinking to apply. When I say thinking, there’s a great deal of philosophizing >> to do in this. You don’t have democracy that has been practiced for over a thousand years.
The way it is where it is 400 years ago, 200 years ago, 100 years ago, 60 years ago after independence and today, you must challenge, you must add your peculiarities, >> you must add your situational domesticated in the Nigerian way. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay, we just have under a minute to go. Um I would love to get your predictions, your top three predictions preferably if uh you have to consider what could happen before the end of the year before we get to the elections.
>> Uh what do you think is going to happen? The ADC has some court cases. The NDC appears to be imploding because not everyone is happy with the conduct of the primaries. Uh the AD the APC as we understand it is also rethinking some outcomes. >> Quite frankly, I’m not I’m not good enough to do that. >> I mean you did predict what happened in the ADC.
So, how about you give it another uh go? >> This one you’ve asked I’m not good enough to do. Quite I’ve even predicted >> bigger things. Listen to my interview of 2 three days ago. >> I actually predicted >> a president who was in prison >> and I have witnesses to that. >> I predicted two speakers but I’m not a predictor >> because you could be wrong.
You could be embarrassed >> and there’s only so little you know whoever you are. >> Okay. But what if you have to tell [ __ ] what to look out for? >> Look out for Donald Duke. He is easily the next president of Nigeria, >> right? >> Look out for him. >> And uh it takes only one thing to go wrong >> and it will come crashing on >> ADC, APC.
>> Only one thing to go wrong. >> Have they announced their running mate? You don’t think that’s a given that it’s going to still be? >> I don’t know. But what I can tell you is that in this our first republic, I haven’t seen lately >> where somebody kept lobbying >> to be a vice presidential candidate. Tiku didn’t norm Jonathan didn’t uh Oshiba and Jojo didn’t for someone to go and extensively lobby >> you know the lobby and do those things to be vice president then I’m sorry for >> right okay and on that note
>> it takes only one thing to go wrong and they will come crashing and will I’m telling you all >> on that note will you be the running mate to Donald Duke >> that’s not a fair question to ask I think it’s fair. I thought we were friends. >> We We need to know about your political ambition. >> You I thought we were friends.
So, >> it was just it was if I don’t ask this question, I think our viewers would be would find it very suspicious. >> Look for Donald Duke and ask him. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Would you be open to the idea? >> Look for Donald Duke and ask him. >> Dr. Mohammed, as always, a pleasure. >> Thank you so much for stopping by this evening. Good to see you again.
Good to see you again. All right. Uh that’s that’s a wrap on tonight’s edition of the program. Daily Politics will be back tomorrow live at 8:00 p.m. I’m Abdullah from myself and the rest of the team. Thank you for joining us. We’ll see you next time.
