LAGOS, NIGERIA — Popular broadcast journalist and political analyst Rufai Oseni has fiercely attacked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, labeling his changing stance on power rotation as opportunistic and hypocritical.
Oseni also leaped to the defense of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stating that his departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was entirely justified.
The Hypocrisy of Selective Zoning
Oseni took aim at Atiku’s historical and current political maneuvers regarding the controversial policy of zoning, which dictates the rotation of the presidency between northern and southern Nigeria.
“Atiku Abubakar is highly hypocritical,” Oseni remarked during a recent media critique. “When zoning favors him, he has no problem with it. But when it doesn’t favor him, he suddenly declares zoning self-defeating.”
Political commentators note that Atiku heavily championed zoning rules in the past when it suited his aspirations within the PDP, yet fiercely opposed throwing the ticket exclusively to the South ahead of the 2023 elections, ultimately clinching the party’s nomination despite deep southern grievances.
Defending Peter Obi’s Exit
Oseni strongly defended Peter Obi against ongoing criticisms from PDP loyalists who accuse the former Anambra State governor of fracturing the opposition’s voting bloc by jumping ship to the Labour Party.
“They should leave Peter Obi alone,” Oseni declared. “The man has not done anything wrong by going to another party.”
Obi famously resigned from the PDP in May 2022, citing structural irregularities and a monetization of the primary process that made a fair contest impossible. His subsequent move to the Labour Party triggered a massive youth-led political movement that completely reshaped Nigeria’s traditional two-party system.
Shifting Alliances Ahead of 2027
Oseni’s remarks come at a highly sensitive time as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other major opposition leaders engage in intense backroom discussions regarding a potential merger or alliance to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
While Atiku’s camp has hinted at a willingness to support a joint ticket, tensions remain high over who will lead the potential coalition, with Obi’s supporters insisting that the former vice president step aside due to his age and past electoral records.
