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Group slams Atiku for supporting calls to free Nnamdi Kanu
A group representing various Northern organizations, known as the Northern Youth Frontiers (NYF), voiced strong disapproval on Thursday of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent endorsement of protests calling for the immediate freeing of Nnamdi Kanu, who heads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The NYF labeled Atiku’s view as “profoundly inconsistent and ethically troubling,” claiming it casts doubt on his reliability and fitness for national leadership.
In a statement released by their National Coordinator, Sama Musa, the group argued that Atiku’s comments go far beyond simple politics, revealing a “profound disregard for the lives and welfare of countless Nigerians who suffered as a result of Kanu’s incitement.”
READ ALSO: Atiku joins Sowore in call to free IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu
He said: “The tragic loss of life, particularly among the over 500 Northerners and law enforcement personnel attributed to Kanu’s incitement, cannot be overlooked or trivialised. These are not mere statistics; they represent families torn apart, communities shattered, and a collective grief that resonates through the fabric of society. Atiku Abubakar’s response to such a humanitarian crisis is not only a reflection of their values but also a litmus test of their commitment to the people they aspire to lead.”
The statement further noted that Atiku’s apparent lack of concern is alarming, as his push for Kanu’s release—without considering the violence and division it caused—suggests that the hardships faced by many in the North are less important than political gains.
“This stance raises significant ethical questions. How can a leader claim to represent the interests of all citizens while simultaneously disregarding the pain and suffering of a substantial segment of the population? The Northern Youth Frontiers believes that a leader must embody empathy and understanding, qualities that seem to be lacking in Abubakar’s current approach.”
Musa encouraged voters to thoroughly review Atiku’s qualifications as a potential president, given the array of options in Nigeria’s political environment.
“In light of these considerations, it is imperative for the electorate to engage in a critical assessment of Atiku Abubakar’s suitability as a presidential candidate. The political landscape is rife with choices, and the future of Nigeria hinges on the decisions made by its citizens.”
The NYF advised the public to scrutinize Atiku’s motives, asserting that true leadership depends on qualities like compassion, responsibility, and honesty rather than just alliances.
He added, “The Northern Youth Frontiers emphasises the importance of accountability in leadership. A leader’s actions should align with their words, and any disconnect between the two can erode public trust. Atiku Abubakar’s support for Kanu’s release, without a clear acknowledgement of the consequences of such actions, may leave many questioning his priorities. Do we believe that a leader who overlooks the suffering of his constituents can effectively address the myriad challenges facing Nigeria? The answer, we contend, is a resounding no.”
The group also discussed the wider effects of Atiku’s position on national harmony, pointing out that in Nigeria’s diverse setting, leaders must work to close gaps rather than widen them.
“The Northern Youth Frontiers also recognises the broader implications of Abubakar’s stance on national unity and cohesion. In a country characterised by diverse ethnicities, religions, and cultures, the need for leaders who can bridge divides is more pressing than ever. By failing to address the ramifications of Kanu’s actions, Abubakar risks exacerbating existing tensions and fostering an environment of mistrust. A leader must be a unifying force, capable of bringing people together in pursuit of common goals. The electorate must consider whether Abubakar possesses the vision and capability to fulfil this essential role.”
Finally, the NYF called on citizens to have thoughtful discussions about their leaders and hold them accountable.
“As we navigate the complexities of the political arena, the Northern Youth Frontiers calls upon all citizens to engage in informed discourse about their leaders. It is not enough to accept Atiku Abubakar’s rhetoric at face value; we must demand accountability and consistency from those who seek to represent us. The future of Nigeria depends on our collective ability to scrutinise the actions and statements of our leaders, ensuring they align with the values we hold dear as a nation.”
They encouraged voters to back candidates who truly prioritize the well-being and cohesion of all Nigerians: “As we approach the next election cycle, let us prioritise candidates who demonstrate a genuine commitment to the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their background. The path to a more united and prosperous Nigeria lies in our hands, and it is our responsibility to choose leaders who will champion the cause of inclusivity and justice for all.”
A Rivers High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area has stepped into the escalating political crisis in the state, issuing an interim injunction that temporarily halts further action on the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu.
In a ruling delivered in Port Harcourt, the court restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside thirty-two other defendants — including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State—from taking steps aimed at advancing the impeachment process.
Specifically, the order barred the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, or impeachment-related document from the Assembly for the purpose of constituting an investigative panel, pending the determination of the matter. The injunction is to subsist for seven days.
In the two suits—marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026—the court also granted the claimants leave to serve the interim order and other originating processes on the first to the thirty-first defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters.
The court also directed that the Chief Judge, listed as the 32nd defendant, be served through any staff of the judiciary at his chambers within the court premises.
Justice Fiberesima thereafter adjourned the matter to January 23, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice, as the legal battle over the impeachment move shifts from the political arena to the courtroom.
On Friday, the Rivers State House of Assembly had called on the Chief Judge of the state to set up a panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The assembly members, who made the call through a unanimous vote, vowed to continue with the impeachment process.
The lawmakers had earlier addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, where they accused Fubara of allegedly using blackmail.
Addressing journalists, the deputy speaker, Dumle Maol, claimed Fubara lacked the trust needed to address the crisis rocking the oil-rich state.
They accused the governor of infringing on the 1999 Constitution, saying the parliament was left with no other choice but to apply their legislative power by impeaching him from office.
The lawmakers also claimed the governor and his deputy had resorted to intimidating the parliament.
They, however, thanked President Bola Tinubu for wading into the crisis.
The members also called on the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, to reconvene the House.
Their position came weeks after they initiated an impeachment process against Fubara and Odu. The lawmakers are accusing them of gross negligence, a move that has heightened political tension in the coastal state.
No amount of intervention or pleading will mitigate the case of Siminalayi Fubara at this stage regarding the determination to impeach him, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, vowed on Friday, as they opened a new chapter in the ongoing onslaught against the state governor.
Against the backdrop of what appeared like a lull when they failed to sit on Thursday for the same purpose, the members on their return, hinged the blame to go on with the action on the alleged intransigence of Fubara to retrace his step.
For this reason, the called on the state Chief Judge to set up the panel of investigation to look into the allegations of gross misconduct levied against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Conveying their decision which came in form of a unanimous vote, the assembly members, who vowed to continue with the impeachment process, stressed that no amount of intimidation, blackmail or intervention would stop them this time – the third in the impeachment approach, which was first initiated in November 2023.
Dumle Maol, Deputy Speaker, had earlier told reporters that Fubara lacked the trust needed to address the crisis rocking the oil-rich state, accusing him of multiple infringement on the 1999 Constitution, which left the house with no other choice but to apply their legislative power.
Accusing the governor and his deputy of resorting to intimidation of the parliament, including the dropping of the name of President Bola Tinubu, they thanked the President for wading into the crisis in order to find a solution, but regrated that his efforts were stalled by the same Fubara.
If Peter Obi had mobilised Nigerians against those who rigged him out of the presidential election in 2023, his mandate given to him by the electorate would have been intact and he would have been President today.
This was the contention of Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who ran with the former Governor of Anambra State, as vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, where Obi was the presidential candidate.
Datti-Ahmed, in an interview currently going viral on social media, told his hosts that anyone seeking to defeat President Bola Tinubu must not rely on the court process but resistance, using Nigerians as was done in the June 12, 1993 election saga against the military.
The outing on Nigeria Right Now, uploaded on YouTube on Thursday, quoted the politician, formerly Senator representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, as stating that he made this much clear to Obi, that the judiciary could not resolve the fundamental breaches of the constitution perpetrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last elections.
Hear him: “I told Peter Obi – Supreme Court cannot give you governor and give you presidency. For God’s sake, stand up and do something. The Nigerian Constitution was clearly breached.
“The Nigerian constitution was clearly breached; section 134 2b. It couldn’t be any clearer. Now, if it was June 12 people, and you breached not just the constitution but just one punctuation in their interest, I swear to God, nobody will sleep. They will take it.
“As much as I dislike the fact that they are using the Nigerian constitution, you must give it to them; they fight for their interest. They can organise rallies and can keep it up for three decades. And you are saying, ‘Let’s go to court; let’s go to court.’
“Whoever is going to defeat Tinubu must be ready to, I will use the word, ‘red eye’. You must show your red eyes because on that day that they are declaring the results, the people declaring fake results are criminals, and those who are stopping the declaration of fake results are good citizens. Whoever is going to defeat Tinubu must show red eyes… there’s no going to court.”
In the 2003 Anambra governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner, but Obi, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), challenged the result and was later affirmed governor by the court of appeal in March 2006.
Similarly, in 2023, Obi challenged Tinubu’s victory, the APC presidential candidate, but his appeal was dismissed up to the supreme court level.
Court halts move to impeach Fubara *Orders CJ to tarry on panel
Impeachment: Do your job, Rivers assembly tells CJ *Insist Fubara must go
Rigging: I warned Obi that judicial option in 2023 won’t work – Datti
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