In what many observers see as both a solidarity visit and a defining political statement, Lauretta Onochie, former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board and prominent political figure, on Thursday led a delegation of state chairmen from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to commiserate with former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), following the recent attack on him by suspected APC thugs.
The high-powered delegation included Engr. Precious Eruienweayio, chairman of the defunct CPC in Delta State; Hon. Bestman Akpan, chairman in Akwa Ibom State; Prince Lanre Rufai, chairman in Lagos State; Elias Audio Ajah, secretary in Cross River State; Hon. Enoch Koripamo, chairman in Bayelsa State; and Umar Shuaibu, chairman in Niger State. The visit, which took place on September 4, 2024, served both as an expression of sympathy to Malami over the violent incident and as a formal declaration of political alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during the visit, Lauretta Onochie was emphatic in her condemnation of the attack, describing it as a shameful act of political intolerance orchestrated by APC thugs. She declared that no amount of intimidation or harassment would deter her and her colleagues from pursuing what she called the mission to rescue Nigeria. “We stand here today not only to commiserate with our brother and colleague, Abubakar Malami, but also to reiterate our collective resolve. No force of intimidation, no act of harassment, can derail this mission of renewal and justice for our nation,” she said.
The state chairmen of the defunct CPC, now aligning themselves fully with the ADC coalition, echoed Onochie’s words and pledged their loyalty to Malami and the broader opposition movement. They explained that their decision was rooted in a shared belief that the ADC offered a credible alternative to the ruling APC, whose governance failures and violent tactics, they argued, had brought Nigeria to its knees. By formally announcing their defection and endorsing the ADC coalition, the group underscored their determination to revive the values of justice, competence, and accountability that once defined the CPC’s vision under Muhammadu Buhari, before the merger that created the APC.
For Malami, a long-time Buhari loyalist and a central figure in the CPC bloc that merged into the APC in 2013, the visit represents more than political theatre. Having defected to the ADC earlier this year, Malami has emerged as one of the most prominent voices in Nigeria’s opposition ranks, and the loyalty shown by these former CPC leaders strengthens his position in both Kebbi State and the national stage. Analysts say the move consolidates a faction that has the organizational muscle and grassroots networks to energize ADC’s presence, particularly in regions where the CPC brand still resonates.
The delegation’s message was not only political but deeply personal. They described their visit as a stand against political violence, insisting that democracy must be built on dialogue, fairness, and respect for dissenting voices. At the same time, they turned the attack on Malami into a rallying point for the ADC, highlighting that intimidation by the ruling party only fuels their determination to build a viable opposition coalition.
By the end of the meeting, the mood among participants was clear: the attack on Malami had become a unifying moment for former CPC leaders and ADC loyalists. They left with a renewed commitment to mobilize across their states, spread the ADC’s message of renewal, and ensure that political thuggery no longer dictates the course of Nigeria’s democracy.
Today’s visit, led by Lauretta Onochie, therefore stands as both a condemnation of APC’s violent tactics and a symbolic turning point for Malami and his allies, who are positioning themselves as the nucleus of a stronger, broader, and more determined opposition front.
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