A former Labour Party presidential aspirant and leader of the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, has condemned recent political realignments among Nigeria’s leading political figures, warning citizens not to be deceived by what he called “same old politicians in new clothing.”
In a statement on Friday, Faduri criticised prominent political figures, including former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-minister Rauf Aregbesola and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, accusing them of rebranding themselves as reformers despite having contributed to the nation’s current woes.
“It is laughable and deeply insulting to our collective intelligence that the same individuals who wrecked our country now parade themselves as agents of change,” Faduri stated. He argued that recent coalitions being formed under the guise of rescuing Nigeria are driven not by vision or national interest, but by “desperation and self-preservation.”
Faduri, who once sought Nigeria’s top office under the Labour Party before founding the Rescue Movement, also took aim at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as an extension of “the Emilokan brand of governance”, a term he associated with entitlement and impunity. He said the current leadership had only deepened the problems created by their predecessors.
“This next election belongs to the ordinary Nigerian who has suffered silently, the youth who have been sidelined, the market women discarded after elections, and the children who deserve a hopeful, secure future,” he said.
Taking direct shots at opposition figures, Faduri questioned their moral authority and leadership capabilities, saying, “Is it Atiku Abubakar and his PDP camp that couldn’t resolve their internal crises? Is it Peter Obi, who proved incapable of leading the Labour Party? Is it El-Rufai, aggrieved over not getting a ministerial post? Or Aregbesola, whose years in power left no significant legacy?”
He warned that the current political maneuverings are not a genuine effort to fix Nigeria, but rather “a coalition of corruption and greed” preparing for another round of electoral manipulation and poor governance.
Faduri described the National Rescue Movement and the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria as credible alternatives.
“A new Nigeria is possible in 2027, but only if we reject recycled failures and embrace true change,” he said.
