Category: Politics

Lere Olayinka, spokesman for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that any opposition movement led by former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is doomed to fail. According to Olayinka, Atiku would abandon the opposition and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu promises to hand over power to him in 2027. He made the remarks while mocking Atiku over his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, where he was accompanied by political heavyweights including former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and Gabriel Suswam. While Atiku described the visit as a Sallah homage, Olayinka dismissed the explanation, suggesting the former Vice President should instead have visited ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta for Lisabi Day. In a Facebook post, Olayinka wrote:“Those of us who have sense know that any opposition being led by Atiku is a failure from the beginning.If tomorrow President Tinubu tells Atiku, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll hand over to you in 2027, just join APC,’ he’ll switch sides immediately.” Mocking further, he added:“I’m still waiting for Atiku to carry himself to Abeokuta and pay Lisabi Day homage to OBJ. Also, we’re celebrating the Egungun Festival next month in Okemesi Ekiti. He shouldn’t forget to stop by and pay homage there too.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that he left office in 2023 with the same assets he possessed before assuming the presidency in 2015. His spokesman, Garba Shehu, confirmed that Buhari’s assets declaration form, submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), indicated no increase in movable assets, and he did not open new bank accounts outside his existing account with Union Bank in Kaduna. Additionally, Buhari neither took loans nor incurred liabilities during his tenure. The only change noted was a slight decrease in the number of animals on his farm, attributed to gifts given over the past four years. This declaration aligns with Buhari’s commitment to transparency and adherence to constitutional requirements for public officials to declare their assets before and after holding public office. The CCB acknowledged receipt of his asset declaration form, reinforcing the process’s integrity. Shehu emphasized that Buhari’s assets remained unchanged, highlighting his consistent lifestyle and financial stability throughout his presidency. In 2015, Buhari publicly declared his assets, which included five homes located in Daura, Kano, and Abuja, as well as two mud houses in his village. His assets also encompassed undeveloped plots of land in Kano and Port Harcourt, an orchard, a ranch with 270 cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, and various birds, and shares in three companies: Berger Paints, Union Bank, and Skye Bank. He also reported having less than N30 million in cash. Buhari’s consistent asset declarations and the reported stability of his wealth have sparked discussions about integrity and financial prudence among public officials. However, it’s important to note that while Buhari’s personal assets remained stable, his administration faced challenges with corruption among some appointees and associates. Despite these issues, Buhari’s personal financial conduct has been portrayed as exemplary, reflecting his purported commitment to a modest and transparent lifestyle. These developments underscore the complexities of governance in Nigeria, where personal integrity at the leadership level contrasts with broader systemic challenges. Buhari’s asset declarations provide insight into his personal financial practices, but they also invite scrutiny of the wider administrative and political environment during his administration.