The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) has criticised the recently formed opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, arguing that they are not the solution to Nigeria’s political and economic challenges.

In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Dr AbdulRazak Ahmed, the pro-democracy group dismissed the coalition’s efforts to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a desperate attempt by failed politicians to regain power.

“Their track record is marred by complicity in decisions that have led to the current state of despair in Nigeria,” Ahmed stated.

“Atiku, el-Rufai, and their coalition are not the answer to our problems; they are part of the system that has failed us time and again.”

The coalition, which was announced during a press conference in Abuja, has brought together several opposition politicians, including former members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who have defected in recent months.

However, the DWI argues that these figures lack the competence and moral authority to lead the country.

The group accused them of failing Nigerians in the past and attempting to rebrand themselves as defenders of democracy.

“Their attempts to repackage themselves as guardians of democracy are nothing more than a thinly veiled ruse aimed at distracting the public from their past failures and the damage they have inflicted on our nation,” the statement read.

The group further criticised Atiku’s political alliances, claiming that his coalition comprises “disgruntled and irrelevant political figures” with no real vision for Nigeria’s future.

It named former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as one of the prominent figures in what it described as a “shameful display of political theatre.”

“Nigerians are not fooled by their antics. We have witnessed their governance failures, their silence in the face of violence and displacement in the North-West, and their complicity in policies that have exacerbated our economic woes,” the DWI said.

The organisation urged Nigerians to reject the coalition and focus on seeking new leadership that prioritises the welfare of the people over personal ambition.

“It is time for new leadership—one that is genuinely committed to the principles of democracy, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people,” Ahmed added.

An explosion has been reported at Soku gas pipeline along the Soku-Elok (Abua)-Rumuji-Bonny export terminal in Rivers state.

Confirming the development, Christian Otiasah, an environmental manager in Soku community, said the facility is “operated by Renaissance Group”, noting that the explosion triggered a fire that began late Saturday night.

Although the cause of the explosion remains unknown at the time of reporting, Otiasah said the incident occurred between 10 pm and 11 pm on March 22.

“There was an explosion and there was an attendant fire. The fire has been put off. It was put off because the Soku gas plant is automated such that depending on the impact, it can shut down itself,” he said.

“In other words, it can also isolate affected lines and starve off that line. If you starve the source of oxygen, the fire will naturally go off.

“The explosion actually occurred along the delivery gas line, not in the gas plant.”

The spokesperson of Renaissance did not respond when TheCable contacted him for comments.

The incident comes almost a week after an explosion ruptured a segment of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo community, Gokana local government area (LGA) of the state.

The TNP, a critical federal oil transport line, feeds crude to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers.

Now under the control of Renaissance, the TNP was formerly operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

The explosion had led to a temporary shutdown and raised concerns about potential environmental damage and oil supply disruption from the facility.

On March 19, Tony Okonedo, Renaissance Group’s spokesperson, told TheCable that operations have resumed at the facility following a “third-party intervention”.

Umar Namadi, governor of Jigawa state, expressed outrage over the “subpar” work on the N10.8 billion gully erosion control project in Kargo, Dutse LGA of the state.

During an unscheduled visit to the site on Saturday, Namadi criticised Retercha Company Limited, the contractor, for using “substandard materials”, warning that his administration would not tolerate poor workmanship.

The project, supported by the World Bank, aims at combatting erosion in affected communities, including Danmasara, Yalwawa, and Kargo, under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) initiative.

“This is unacceptable, water will wash away this. We can’t take this; it’s not possible,” the governor said.

“We expect nothing but the best quality work that can stand the test of time.”

Namadi hollered at the project’s consultant and site engineer.

He also challenged the consultant’s claim that the subpar work was an “error”, asking, “why error everywhere?”

When the project engineer said the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s (SON) had approved the work, Namadi said: “Don’t tell me that. Was it the SON that awarded the contract or the state government? Was the contract paid for by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria or the state government? It should be done according to my standards. This is wrong.”

Namadi ordered the contractor to correct the subpar work immediately, ensuring the project’s intended goals are met.

“My administration would not tolerate substandard work, especially on projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens,” he said.

Jigawa state Governor caught the contractor by himself.

Nigerians are enablers in the underdevelopment of Nigeria

The government will pay good money for project and then we get a substandard work from the contractors just because they want to cut down cost to enrich… pic.twitter.com/n006rFmgNO