Category: Politics

Adamu Garba, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned that sycophants around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are misleading him about the true state of the country and the ruling party. Garba made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He noted that the recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as APC national chairman has exposed the party to attacks from opposition forces, particularly a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as “vultures” seeking to exploit the party’s internal cracks. “There are a lot of sycophants around the president, people telling him that things are okay — but things are not okay,” Garba said, stressing the need for sincere and capable leadership within the APC. He also lamented that the party’s popularity in the north has declined since the exit of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. According to him, the APC secured only 5.5 million votes in the region during the 2023 elections, compared to Buhari’s historic 12 million votes. Garba urged the party to “re-engineer its strategies” to remain politically relevant in Buhari’s absence.

The Edo State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding Governor Monday Okpebholo’s remarks about the recent visit of Labour Party leader Mr. Peter Obi, stating that the Governor’s comments were not a threat but a call for proper security protocols. In a statement issued on Saturday, the government emphasized that high-profile individuals, especially politically exposed persons, are expected to notify and obtain security clearance from the state before embarking on public engagements. “As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional duty to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors. Adequate security measures must be put in place during high-profile visits to avoid exposing visitors and citizens to unnecessary risks,” the statement read. Rising Security Concerns Governor Okpebholo’s stance comes amid a rise in attacks and abductions targeting religious leaders, particularly Catholic priests and Christian clerics. Edo has witnessed several high-profile incidents, including the abduction of seminarians and the killing of clergy in past years. Public donations to faith-based institutions, while commendable, must be done with discretion and in consultation with security agencies to avoid making such institutions and their leaders vulnerable to attacks. The Governor cited biblical teachings on private giving, referencing Matthew 6:2–4, which encourages acts of charity without public display, both for security and moral reasons. No Political Hostility The government clarified that Governor Okpebholo’s comments should not be misconstrued for political purposes.“Edo State remains open and welcoming to all well-meaning Nigerians. However, the safety of all residents and visitors remains paramount. Leaders, no matter how highly placed, must align with security protocols,” the statement added. Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and improved security, urging political actors not to twist his words for cheap political points.

The immediate past governor of Sokoto State, current senator, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has sent warm birthday wishes to Peter Gregory Obi on the occasion of his 64th birthday — a gesture observers say might be his first public felicitation of the Labour Party presidential candidate. In a heartfelt message, Tambuwal praised Obi for embodying integrity, discipline, and service in Nigeria’s political landscape. “In a time when our nation yearns for principled leadership and moral clarity, your life has come to represent the possibility of a politics grounded in integrity, discipline, and service,” Tambuwal wrote. He commended Obi’s record as former governor of Anambra State, highlighting his achievements in fiscal responsibility, education, healthcare, and people-oriented governance. Tambuwal also acknowledged Obi’s philanthropy and continued support for schools and hospitals across Nigeria. “Your unwavering dedication to the public good — in governance and as a private citizen — continues to inspire many across party lines and generations,” he added. Tambuwal concluded his message by wishing Obi strength, wisdom, and grace to continue his impactful service to Nigeria. Political Undercurrents? The warm message has sparked speculation about potential political realignments ahead of 2027, given Tambuwal’s influence in the opposition and Obi’s growing national appeal. Political observers are closely watching for signs of alliances as opposition forces reposition for the next general elections. Would you like me to draft a short analysis piece titled “Is a North-South Opposition Alliance Emerging Ahead of 2027?” using this development as a reference point?

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appointments, calling them a “desperate, cynical attempt to buy back the trust that he has spent over a year squandering, particularly in Northern Nigeria.” In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the appointments as “too little, too late,” arguing that the administration has marginalised the North for over two years. “You cannot marginalise a region for over twenty-five months and expect applause because you suddenly remembered on the twenty-sixth month that Nigeria is bigger than Lagos State,” Abdullahi said. The party accused the Tinubu government of engaging in “political panic management,” claiming the move is a frantic attempt to appease rising public anger and the growing strength of the opposition in the North. “For over a year, this government turned a blind eye as bandits terrorised villages in the North, as farmers abandoned their lands, and as rural economies crumbled under the weight of poorly thought-out fuel subsidy removal,” Abdullahi said. “Now, under the heat of public discontent, the President suddenly remembers there are Nigerians to appoint into positions outside his Lagos.” The ADC insisted that Northerners would not be deceived by what it described as “token appointments,” noting that real inclusion requires meaningful consultation and policy fairness. “Tokenism is not inclusion, and symbolism is not governance,” the statement added. The party urged the Tinubu administration to abandon “Bourdillon-style appeasement politics” and focus on real nation-building through equitable policies and genuine national unity. “You cannot patch a broken roof with press releases and photo-ops,” the ADC concluded. “Trust can only be restored through sincere commitment to the federal character principle and inclusive governance.”

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has disowned the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held by some stakeholders on Friday, describing the gathering as illegal, unconstitutional, and of no consequence. In a statement issued in Abuja and titled “Illegal NEC: Otti advised not to use Abia State resources on trivialities,” the factional National Secretary of the LP, Umar Farouk, warned Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to desist from spending state funds on partisan activities. Farouk reiterated that only the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party have the constitutional authority to summon a NEC meeting. He said, “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to yet another illegal gathering of some suspended members of the party parading themselves as members of the party’s National Executive Committee. “Ordinarily, we didn’t think we should make any comment as regards this perennial jamboree since the meeting and its outcome are inconsequential, null and void.” The statement was in response to Governor Otti’s call for Julius Abure, factional leader Lamidi Apapa, and other party members to tender a formal apology as a condition for reconciliation. Otti made this demand during the inauguration of Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha as interim National Chairman and National Secretary of the party. Citing Articles 14(4)(b) and 13(B)(xii) of the LP constitution, Farouk argued that the Umuahia NEC meeting lacked legitimacy. He described it as a direct violation of the party’s internal procedures and declared that no leadership vacancy exists until 2028. He also referenced the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, which directed that all intra-party disputes be resolved internally. Farouk accused Governor Otti of being out of touch with current realities, stating, “Dr. Otti and his co-travellers must know by now that the train of the party has moved on and the party is focused ahead of the 2027 general election with or without them.” The Labour Party urged members to ignore the outcome of the Umuahia meeting and advised Otti to focus on governance. “We also urge the governor to channel Abia State resources to providing basic infrastructure for the good people of the state rather than wasting resources chasing shadows,” the statement concluded.