Oluwasegun Adesuyi, Author at SocietyGazette.com

‘Wike, Fayose Will Work For Tinubu… Buhari Not Eyeing Northern Successor’

There are indications that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and former Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose may work against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if Bola Tinubu emerges the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to sources, Wike and Fayose strong relationship with Tinubu may see them support the former Lagos governor.

The source who spoke to Vanguard revealed why President Muhammadu Buhari refused to announce his successor when he met with APC governors.

He also dismissed insinuations that Buhari was looking to the North to pick his successor.

The source said: “It is true that President Buhari has a candidate but persons working around him who believe strongly that a Tinubu presidency will be too strong for them to handle, are the ones moving around to see how to edge out Tinubu.

“The Tuesday meeting was originally planned by Buhari to tell the governors to endorse his candidate. Invariably, Buhari did not have the guts to drop the name of the person. It was a meeting where they were to really brainstorm and possibly look at all the aspirants on their merit and then, take a decision. Instead, the president brought out a speech and started reading.

“That tells you that Buhari is not convinced about the person they are pushing to him. As an individual, I know Buhari has his reservations about Tinubu but he has tremendous respect for Baba Bisi Akande and even if he wants to deal with Tinubu, he (Buhari) cannot because of Baba Akande.

“As recent as two weeks ago, some prominent Nigerians, including those from the South-West had a one-on-one with Buhari and he told them that he had no problem with Tinubu. There are some persons around the president who are not comfortable with Tinubu but if they go ahead with the primary, Tinubu will carry the day and that is why members of the cabal are trying to see if they can micro-manage the situation and ensure they don’t go into an election.

“If APC makes the mistake of abandoning Tinubu, Atiku will win the 2023 election hands down. It is only a Tinubu candidate that Ayo Fayose, a Wike, will work for and some other prominent persons in the PDP.”

On if the President was looking in the direction of the North to pick his successor, the source said: “That is not true. Who is the prominent Northerner in the race? Is it Ahmad Lawan? Ahmad Lawan cannot win Yobe State and they know that.

“If you are a cabinet member and the form has not closed and you meet Buhari today that you want to run, he will wish you good luck. That is what all of them are carrying about to say that Buhari is supporting them.

Tinubu’s aspiration has been on for three years ago and this is to tell you when the project started. It is not something that started today; it was not an afterthought.

“That is why when some Buhari people got to know that Tanko Al-Makura, who was aspiring to be APC National Chairman, was close to Tinubu, they quickly moved against him. Abdullahi Adamu was not a serious contender for the APC chairmanship and unfortunately for them too, Adamu cannot carry out the things they asked him to do because before the NWC was put together, El-Rufai was not with Tinubu.

“As it is now, el-Rufai’s people in the NWC are giving Abdullahi Adamu tough times.

The Deputy National Chairman (North) was produced by Kashim Shettima, we have the National Secretary. The Deputy National Chairman (South), though from the Buhari camp, has some allegiance with Tinubu. So, Abdullahi Adamu cannot push any anti-Tinubu case. That is the challenge they are facing.”

How Buhari/Osinbajo Ticket Emerged In 2015 – Tinubu Reveals ( Watch Video)

Former Governor of Lagos State and frontline presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made a strong case why he should not be overlooked for the party’s presidential candidate.

Tinubu said without his support, President Muhammadu Buhari would not have emerged president in 2015.

He also took a swipe at Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, staying that he personally nominated him as Buhari’s running mate.

Tinubu stated this at the presidential lodge in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital while addressing APC delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primary election next week.

He explained that Buhari had offered him a running mate ticket, but some blocs rose against him, fanning ember of Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It was then he was asked to nominate his replacement as running mate at which point he chose Osinbajo out of the three names that were penciled down.

He said he chose Osinbajo from the three names of Yemi Kadoso, Wale Edun and Yemi Osinbajo.

“You have not heard this from me before. This is the first place I am saying this. If not me that led the war front, Buhari wouldn’t have emerged. He contested first, second and third times, but lost. He even said on television that he won’t contest again.

“But I went to his home in Katsina. I told him you would contest and win, but you won’t joke with the matters of the Yorubas. Since he has emerged I have not been appointed minister. I didn’t get contract.

This time, it’s Yoruba turn and in Yorubaland, it’s my tenure.”

Tinubu also said without God and him, Governor Dapo Abiodun would not have emerged in 2019 election.

“Dapo that’s sitting down here, could he have become governor without me? We were at the stadium, they tore all his posters. Even the party flag, they didn’t want to hand over it to him, I was the one who brought it.

“If he wants to meet God at the right place, he must know that without God and me, he would not have become governor.”

Abiodun has long thrown his weight behind Osinbajo, who is said to be his kinsman while Buhari is looking elsewhere to anoint somebody as his successor.

The development is causing ripples in the camp of Tinubu who’s making it known that it’s either him for the party to win or without him for the party to burst.

Watch video below:

Women Affairs Minister, Tallen, Gets UN Appointment

Nigerian politician and incumbent Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has been appointed by the United Nations to head a Global Committee on Prevention of Genocide and Atrocity from the perspective of women.
Tallen’s appointment was confirmed in Abuja today by the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms Alice Nderitu, Naija News understands.

Nderitu who visited the minister at her office in Abuja today said the committee is expected to develop a framework of analysis on atrocities and genocide that reflect the perspective of women in conflict prevention, as the existing one does not reflect issues of women.

She said, “there are situations where there is clear intent to destroy whole ethnic, racial and religious communities.

“The question we are asking is, what should be the solution against that intent? What should we do if we see that violence that is happening that bears that kind of character?”

Nderitu said her coming was to seek the minister’s leadership because, in July, the organization would be convening very eminent women from around the world “who work in peace building; women who have been signatories to peace agreements, whose character can be seen in their countries constitutions, decisions that have been made in ending the war.

“In Italy, we will sit with these women and we will draw up a framework of analysis for the prevention of such atrocities,” Nderitu noted.

She added that the committee was expected to articulate the perspectives of women on peacebuilding and submit them to the Office of the UN Secretary-General, to be presented before the General Assembly.

She narrated further that the document would inform the UN Policy on peace building and prevention of atrocity crimes that may lead to genocide, stressing also the importance of women’s participation in decision-making processes, especially in the area of peace and conflict resolutions to guarantee its success and impact.

In her remarks after being informed of the development, Tallen thanked the UN for the consideration to provide leadership for the global assignment.

She gave the assurance that Nigerian women would play their roles in ensuring peace across the world, adding that “women are calling for peace and we must give peace a chance.

Tallen said: “I listened so carefully to your request and I feel so moved.

“On behalf of Nigerian women, I say thank you for the honour and for having found me worthy to lead other African women leaders to work and find solutions to issues affecting genocide and all forms of violence within our region and the world at large.”

Presidential Convention: APC Gives Malami, Atiku, Akeredolu, Sanwo-Olu, Others Fresh Appointment [Full List]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has set up 18 sub-committees to take charge of activities ahead of its presidential convention.

Naija News reports that the ruling party has scheduled June 6-8, 2022, to conduct its Special convention to produce its presidential candidate.

The 18 sub-committees was made known in a statement on Wednesday night by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka.

The APC appointed Gombe Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed to head its budget sub-committee.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State was appointed to head Finance and Logistics sub-committee.

Also, Accreditation and Decoration will be handled by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State while the Governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu will be in charge of Security and Compliance.

He will be assisted by a former Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd).

Election Planning Subcommittee is jointly chaired by Governors Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State among others.

See full list below:

1. Budget – H.E. Muhammad Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State

Co-Chair: Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed

2. Finance and Logistics – H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State

3. Accreditation and Decoration – H.E. Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State

4. Security and Compliance – H.E. Rotimi Akeredolu, Governor of Ondo State

Co-Chair: Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), former Minister of Interior

5. Election Planning – H.E. Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State

Co-Chair: H.E. Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State

6. Transportation – H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State

Deputy: Ramatu Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory

7. Accommodation – H.E. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State

Co-Chair: H.E. Gboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State

8. Media and Publicity – H.E. Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State

9. Medicals – Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

Co-Chair: Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, former Minister of Health

10. Legal: Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

11. Venue and Site Servicing: H.E. Bello Matawalle, Governor of Zamfara State

Co-Chair: Mohammed Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory

12. Election Appeal – H.E. Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State

13. Hospitality and Welfare – H.E. Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State

Co-Chair: Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

14. Protocols – H.E. Aminu Masari, Governor of Katsina State

15. Digital Communications – H.E. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State

16. Pre-Convention/Management/ Rapporteur – H.E. Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State

Deputy: Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs

17. Presidential Screening Appeal – H.E. Abubakar Bello, Governor of Niger State

Co-Chair: Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives

18. Accreditation of Diplomats – H.E. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate
Co-Chair: Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister for Foreign Affairs

2023: Buhari ‘Shortlists’ Two Presidential Aspirants As Successor

President Muhammadu Buhari may have shortlisted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Ahmad Lawan as his prefered successor.

Naija News recalls that the President had appealed to the APC governors to allow him to pick his preferred successor ahead of the party’s presidential primaries on June 6.

Buhari made the appeal during a meeting with the governors and the National Chairman of the ruling party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

A Presidential source disclosed that Buhari is torn between the choice of Lawan and Osinbajo, following the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate.

According to the Daily Sun, a team is looking at the pros and cons of selecting Lawan or Osinbajo, with the view to giving President Buhari informed advice for the final decision to be made on his return from Spain by Friday.

The presidential source said Buhari during his meeting with APC governors carefully highlighted that his choice would be someone capable of driving his visions.

He said Osinbajo has also strongly defended Buhari’s policies and projects, having played a lead role in its execution with the management of key initiatives central to the administration’s strategic imperatives.

The presidential source added that Lawan has also supported key legislation and helped support the President’s external borrowing policy.

It was learned that a lobby group would be raised in the coming days to work in the north and south, depending on who the President chooses between Osinbajo and Lawan.

The lobby group is waiting to meet with northern and southern elders in APC to solicit support for either of the two presidential aspirants.

God has chosen Asiwaju Tinubu to fix Nigeria in 2023- Cleric

Following the recent visit to Kano by aspirants of the the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)including the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the former Transport Minister Rotimi Ameachi, the APC National leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu was at Kano to meet with the party delegates.

Pastor Alamu David of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Abule Egba, Lagos has claimed All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The cleric, in a statement, explained: “God revealed to me on the 24th June 2008 that a man with the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu will rule the nation, Nigeria for its betterment and I have a strong faith that the time is here; 2023. ‘Baba is unstoppable’”

He appealed to members of the APC and Nigerians “all over the world, irrespective of their tribe, religion and political party to support this revelation so that the plan of God towards our nation, Nigeria can manifest.”

David advised Yorubas against the candidature of Tinubu for different reasons to “note that Asiwaju is our son and father, we should look past his shortcomings and see him as the only candidate ready to retrieve our lost rights in 2023.”

The statement reads in part: “Asiwaju is the messiah of our time and denying him would be synonymous to the awful occurrence of Baba MKO Abiola and Baba Awolowo that we especially the Yoruba tribe regret afterwards.

“This shouldn’t be allowed to repeat itself as its effects might be beyond comprehension.

“I strongly believe only ‘A man of pedigree’ Baba Bola Ahmed Tinubu fits into this office.

“He has always been a politician with good strategies.

“He was the only gubernatorial candidate of the APC, the then Action congress of Nigeria (ACN) who emerged as a governor in the South West.

“He had and implemented a master plan for Lagos state which exists till date.

“Similarly, his good strategies served as a ladder to several politicians who have emerged in one political office or the other, whether gubernatorial, ministerial or senatorial offices.

“The incumbent president and his vice, Senate President and the speaker, all climbed on this ladder to attain their respective offices.

“It’s a payback time to support him and his ambition. I am also appealing to the elders of the Yoruba tribe to intervene, solicit and support him.”

2023: Why APC Will Collapse After Buhari’s Tenure – Shehu Sani

SFormer federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will collapse after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sani stated that the ruling APC will cease to exist after Buhari’s exit from Aso Rock in 2023 due to the inherent injustice and the act of betrayal in the party.

He slammed the party for failing to zone its presidential ticket to the South West after it was agreed that the region would produce Buhari’s successor.

Sani accused President Buhari of betraying the South West and failing to support the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the region.

He told The Punch, “For the APC, it is still confused about whether to rotate or not and it has collected so much money from candidates. Only that it has not decided on zoning.

Trouble As President Buhari, APC Governors disagree over choice of presidential candidate during meeting

A meeting the APC governors held Tuesday evening to discuss the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the party’s presidential candidate ended in a deadlock, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

The meeting was held in Abuja, minutes after the APC governors had a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governors meeting is to reconvene at 8 p.m., one of them told this newspaper.

At the meeting with the president, Mr Buhari told the governors that he would like to pick his successor and wants the governors to support him to do so.

The president left for Spain immediately after his meeting with the governors.

Governors Meeting

At their own meeting, one of the governors told PREMIUM TIMES, members could not agree on how to implement the president’s request.

“We believe the president has not settled for any particular person and that is why some governors felt the best thing to do was to nominate two of us (one each from the north and south) to the president for consideration,” the source said.

The source said many northern governors, however, argued that no southern governor could defeat Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, in the presidential election; so the north should be given preference.

This angered some southern governors.

Some of the southern governors also argued that the nominees do not have to be state governors. This position is believed to have been pushed by governors loyal to some southern presidential candidates such as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu.

Since the governors could not agree, they resolved to end the meeting and reconvene at 8 p.m.

Buhari’s Position

PREMIUM TIMES reported how President Muhammadu Buhari told APC governors that he would want to pick his successor and needs the governors to support him to do so.

Mr Buhari said this Tuesday at a meeting with governors elected on the APC platform at the State House, Abuja.

“In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,” the president said at the meeting which was also attended by the APC national chairman.

Mr Buhari told the governors that he realises the ‘compelling need’ for him to provide ‘stronger leadership to the party under this transition process.’

The stronger leadership, Mr Buhari said, is not only to ensure that APCs electoral fortunes improve but also to ensure that the party ‘retains power at the centre’ by winning the presidential election.

The APC holds its presidential primary from June 6 to 8.

At the meeting with the governors, Mr Buhari also stated the factors he would consider in supporting a presidential candidate among the 25 persons seeking to fly the APC flag.

“Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections,” he said.

BBNaija’s Pere Denies Affair With Gov Yahaya Bello’s Wife

Big Brother Naija reality TV star, Pere Egbi, has denied an allegation that he had an affair with Rashida Bello, the First Lady of Kogi State.

Rashida is the wife of Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State and 2023 presidential aspirant.

Egbi, who was one of the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemates in season 6 of the show, took to his Twitter page to deny the allegation on Tuesday.

The allegation was made in a now-deleted tweet by Jackson Ude, a U.S based Nigerian journalist.

But reacting, Egbi threatened a lawsuit against the journalist over what he described as a “demonic lie”.

He tweeted, “For the records, the publication about me and the First Lady of Kogi State is a demonic lie and a figment of a diseased imagination of Jackson Ude and those retweeting that rubbish.

“They must answer me in court both in Nigeria and in the United States of America where he is based.”

For the records, the publication about me and the First Lady of kogi state is a demonic lie and a figment of a diseased imagination of Jackson Ode and those retweeting that rubbish, they must answer me in court both in Nigeria and in the United States of America where he is based

Nigerians Drag Brymo For Supporting Tinubu

Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter, Olawale Olofooro, professionally known as Brymo has been dragged online for supporting the presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu.
Brymo in a post online had claimed that the former Governor of Lagos Stats is the one with a plan for the country.

The singer further stated that he has never met the All Progressives Congress National Leader or his political affiliates, adding that critics of the APC leader should stop judging him based on old age.

The issue started online when a tweep @ambrosia_ijebu wrote, “This Jagaban (as Tinunu is also called) candidacy has truly helped me see that so many Nigerians actually don’t care about purposeful or diligent leadership.”

Brymo is his response wrote, “Yet he’s the one with a plan, we all know that. Let a city boy be president for once!.”

He added, “I’ve never met the man, or anyone who represents, or is acquainted with him, or even his relations and political affiliates – and if we stopped trying to kill them off for being old.”

The statement of the singer generated reactions online as tweeps condemned Brymo for supporting Tinubu’s 2023 ambition.

See reactions below:

@shady_killz, said, “I really do love you as an artist. However, as a human being, I do not respect your stance on this matter. How can you in good conscience believe Tinubu has a plan? No Brymo, this one broke my heart.”

@tripex111 said, “I actually use to be a fan, because I really saw you as the Fela kind, who speaks against bad people, bad government and all, but no, you only have the gift of music with no empathy for the things you preach. You’re deluded, fam and I’m hurt.”

@AfemDeluxo wrote, “How can your political takes be the opposite of your musical prowess? Chai. City boy ke, is he Pep or something?”

Brymo in response to the critics wrote, “About having a plan; You live in what town?.. I live in Lagos. Yeah! City Boy. It is like Lagos moving into Aso rock. It is guaranteed to work!

“Even if looting is rife it’ll still be the best presidency yet. On God!”