CPC Forum Denies Endorsing Atiku, Says Members Are Facing Intense Pressure
Published on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM

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“Stop Turning A Blind Eye While Benue Drowns In Blood” – Atiku Challenges Government

The Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) has denied reports suggesting it has endorsed the 2027 presidential bid of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a statement signed by National Chairman Kasim Mabo and National Secretary Sulaiman Oyaremi, the Forum distanced itself from the recent visit of some members to Atiku, describing the move as both misleading and unrepresentative.

According to the Forum, while 16 members have declared support for Atiku, 20 remain firmly loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They alleged that opposition leaders had mounted heavy pressure on them, offering financial inducements to lure members away from the ruling party.

“Our Forum has been under serious pressure, including financial gratification from opposition figures. This explains why nine members defected months ago and seven more joined them last week. Nevertheless, 20 of us remain resolute, despite losing one member from Borno State,” the statement read.

The Forum urged the Presidency and APC leadership to address what it described as the continued neglect of the CPC bloc, stressing that the group remains a vital grassroots structure that once delivered 12.5 million votes under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

It dismissed the visit to Atiku as a staged move aimed at creating a false impression of widespread support, insisting that the gathering lacked genuine political weight.

Reaffirming loyalty to the CPC legacy, the Forum pledged support for its leaders, including Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, and Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Mystery Surrounds Death Of Kogi Lecturer With Female Student—Public Demands Answers

The academic community of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Ayingba, is in shock following the unexpected and tragic death of Mr. Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education. While news of death in any context is difficult to bear, this incident has stirred particularly intense public interest — and speculation — because of the circumstances surrounding it.

According to early reports, Mr. Ibikunle died last Thursday while in the company of a female student from the same department, Miss Glory Ojochegbe Samuel. The event has not only raised questions but also fanned the flames of campus gossip, prompting the university administration to issue a public statement urging restraint as investigations proceed.

What We Know — And What We Don’t

The precise details of what led to Mr. Ibikunle’s death remain unclear. The university has not provided medical or circumstantial specifics, only acknowledging that he passed away while in the presence of Miss Ojochegbe. It is not uncommon for tragic situations like this to breed theories — some grounded in reality, others purely speculative — and this case is no exception.

Social media and local forums have been abuzz with unfounded claims, including the involvement of another student, Miss Bello Yahaya Lubabat, from the Department of Educational Administration and Planning. But the university has firmly distanced her and other named individuals from the tragedy, warning against dragging innocent people into an emotionally charged incident that remains under investigation.

Institutional Response: Balancing Transparency and Responsibility

In a statement released by the Registrar, Yahaya Alilu, the university expressed its deep sorrow and emphasized its commitment to transparency and justice. Importantly, the statement called on the media and the public to avoid sensationalism and speculation.

This is a crucial reminder that while the digital age enables instant news sharing, it also empowers misinformation to spread rapidly. Universities, especially public ones like PAAU, walk a fine line between informing the public and protecting the dignity of the deceased, the privacy of individuals involved, and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Why This Case Has Captured National Attention

At its heart, this story touches on several sensitive and deeply human themes: the blurred boundaries in student-lecturer relationships, the mental and emotional pressures within academia, and the moral scrutiny public figures — including educators — often face. In Nigeria, conversations around such issues are often held in hushed tones or reduced to gossip, rather than being used as teachable moments.

The tragedy also speaks to a wider cultural phenomenon: our collective rush to assign blame before facts are known. This reflex to assume and accuse can ruin reputations and lives — especially in the court of public opinion, where rumor can be deadlier than truth.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Calm and Compassion

The death of Mr. Ibikunle is, first and foremost, a human loss. Behind the name is a family grieving, students left confused and hurt, and colleagues mourning the loss of a peer. As the university and law enforcement work to uncover the truth, we as a society must allow the process to unfold without adding to the noise of speculation.

Moreover, this incident presents an opportunity for Nigerian universities to reflect on broader issues: how they support both staff and students in terms of mental health, interpersonal boundaries, and professional conduct. It also highlights the need for crisis communication strategies that not only dispel misinformation but also humanize those involved.

Final Thoughts

It is easy to get caught up in the drama of a headline. But let’s remember that real lives are involved. The story of Mr. Ibikunle’s death is not just a news item — it’s a call to treat all individuals with dignity, especially in death. As the university investigates and more facts come to light, one hopes the public will replace rumor with reason, and sensationalism with sympathy.

Until then, may Mr. Ibikunle rest in peace — and may those affected find comfort in truth and healing in time.

“Only Five Ministers Deserve The Title” – El-Rufai Blasts Tinubu’s Cabinet

Published: June 24, 2025

In a scathing critique that’s sending ripples through Nigeria’s political circles, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly declared that President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet lacks competence, credibility, and inclusiveness—a stark contrast to the model Tinubu once championed in Lagos State.

Appearing on Arise Television’s Prime Time, El-Rufai, once a key backer of Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid, regretted his support, stating that the administration has failed to live up to expectations.

👥 “Only Five Ministers Deserve the Title”

“Look at his cabinet — it’s a joke,” El-Rufai stated. “It is the largest in Nigeria’s history, and maybe only five of them can be called real ministers.”

El-Rufai lamented the absence of technocrats, a defining feature of Tinubu’s acclaimed Lagos legacy from 1999 to 2007. He referenced high-profile figures like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Oby Ezekwesili, who served during his own time as a minister two decades ago, asking pointedly:

“Who in this cabinet fits that profile?”

🏛️ A Legacy Betrayed

According to El-Rufai, his support for Tinubu in 2023 was grounded in Tinubu’s previous track record—not just in governance but in fostering diversity and professionalism.

“He appointed Igbos, Hausas, and professionals like Yemi Osinbajo and Wale Edun. That legacy gave us hope. But now, this? It’s tragic.”

💔 From Loyalty to Regret

El-Rufai didn’t hold back on his personal sense of responsibility, saying:

“I feel like I owe Nigeria a duty to correct this mistake. I am 65 now, approaching retirement, but I cannot rest knowing I helped bring in a government that is hurting Nigerians.”

He emphasized his resolve to work with others to “reverse this trajectory” and warned that if left unchecked, “Nigeria will be destroyed.”

🚨 Why It Matters

El-Rufai’s comments are more than just political discontent—they signal a deepening crack within former APC powerbrokers and highlight the mounting dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration, even from his former inner circle.

As the country heads into the mid-point of Tinubu’s first term, El-Rufai’s words could galvanize other dissenting voices and reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.

Let me know if you’d like:

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