Category: Politics

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has endorsed the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, lauding his performance and affirming he would retain his ministerial role if a new opposition coalition succeeds in removing President Bola Tinubu in 2027. El-Rufai made the statement during the second edition of the Arewa Tech Fest in Katsina, where Tijani delivered the keynote address to a gathering of tech innovators, investors, and policy stakeholders. El-Rufai, a central figure in the emerging opposition alliance, explained that his late arrival at the event was due to a late-night political meeting focused on building a broad coalition to challenge Tinubu’s leadership. “We will still keep Bosun Tijani because he is doing good work,” El-Rufai stated, adding that the coalition’s goal is to “send Tinubu back to Lagos” in the next general election. Having reportedly defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in March, El-Rufai is positioning himself as a key opposition strategist. His comments underscore intensifying political realignments and growing momentum among opposition blocs ahead of the 2027 elections.

LAGOS, MAY 22, 2025 — Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly refuted claims that he met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome to discuss a ₦225 billion debt linked to Fidelity Bank, calling the allegations baseless and malicious. In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi condemned what he described as a growing wave of blackmail targeted at tarnishing his image, particularly by those who profit from spreading disinformation. He noted that even his spiritual visit to Rome had been twisted into “yet another blackmail campaign” orchestrated by individuals allegedly paid to fabricate negativity around him. “One such individual, whose entire life revolves around blackmail, falsely claimed that I went to Rome to have a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Obi said. “These claims are not only baseless and malicious but entirely false.” Clarifying the circumstances of his recent trip to Rome, Obi stated that he only had a brief encounter with Tinubu during a public event. “Let me categorically state that I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office, except for about a one-minute exchange of greetings at Saint Peter’s Basilica during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV,” he explained. According to Obi, he had been in Rome on May 9 to attend the lying in state of Pope Francis and departed directly from Vatican City to London, before returning to Nigeria. He also addressed long-standing rumors that he owns Fidelity Bank. “Throughout my career, I have served as Chairman or Director in three financial institutions, including Fidelity Bank, but I do not own it,” he clarified. “Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders with no majority stakeholder. This blackmail is an attack not just on me, but on these hard-working Nigerians.” Obi concluded his statement with a message to those propagating falsehoods: “May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding to know that we came here with nothing and will go with nothing—that you cannot profit from evil.” The Labour Party leader’s comments come amid increasing online attacks and allegations tied to his public and private dealings, most of which he has consistently denied.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said there is nothing wrong if Nigeria eventually evolves into a one-party system, provided such development reflects the will of the people. Ganduje made this statement on Friday after leading three senators from Kebbi State—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to declare their defection to the ruling APC during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With the defections, the APC continues to strengthen its majority in the National Assembly. Addressing growing concerns about the implications of the wave of defections from opposition parties, Ganduje dismissed fears that Nigeria’s democracy might be threatened. He cited China as an example of a country thriving under a one-party system. “There is nothing wrong if Nigeria becomes a one-party state. If that is the wish and blessing of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that,” Ganduje said. “A one-party state is not by force. It is by negotiation, by other political parties seeing the positive governance of our party and deciding to join us willingly.” He emphasized that the APC is not actively working to eliminate opposition, but if other parties merge into the ruling party due to its performance, it should be seen as democratic progression. “You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup. Too many political parties spoil governance,” Ganduje added. “China is one of the strongest countries in the world, and it’s a one-party system.” His remarks have sparked fresh debate about the future of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, with critics warning of the dangers of shrinking political competition, while supporters argue that effective governance should take precedence over partisan plurality. Read Full Details Here: news360ng.com

Activist and Labour Party supporter Aisha Yesufu has publicly criticised Peter Obi over his recent comments downplaying the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. In a YouTube video published on Thursday, Yesufu responded to Obi’s remarks suggesting that there was no need for mass protests when fuel prices increased from ₦87 to ₦120 under Jonathan. She called Obi’s stance “a very wrong allusion,” stressing that the right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy. “Yes, there was every reason to protest during Jonathan’s time,” Yesufu said. “People protest every day in functioning democracies. Protest is not about who is in power; it is about holding leaders accountable.” Yesufu, a prominent voice in Nigeria’s civic movement and a co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, reminded Obi and other political leaders that no administration should expect immunity from public dissent. “If Mr. Obi thinks he will become President and people won’t protest because of how ‘good’ he is, then he should forget it,” she said. She also rebutted Obi’s logic that the 2012 protests were misguided since fuel was still relatively affordable. “People were protesting against ₦120 then — and rightly so. The ₦900 per litre we’re seeing today was in the future. Nobody protests the future,” she explained. Yesufu’s comments signal internal debate within the Labour Party’s support base, especially as Obi continues to maintain a high profile following his 2023 presidential bid.