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2023: Again, NURTW, NYCN, Others Endorse Bauchi Gov As President

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Another coalition of groups, on Tuesday, endorsed Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state to contest for presidential election in 2023.

Speaking during the presentation of endorsement letter to the governor, Mr Adamu Dimis, the leader of the coalition, said the groups comprised of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Bauchi state chapter, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS).

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Dimis, who is also the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bauchi branch, said the coalition also included Bauchi State Traders and Artisans Associations (BASTAA) as well as Association of Achaba and Keke NAPEPS among others.

READ ALSO: 2023 Presidency: Former Lawmaker Wants Mohammed To Contest, Disagrees With Southern Govs On Zoning

He explained that their endorsement was in consideration of the numerous projects executed by the state governor in the state, within a few years.

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He said Nigeria needed the likes of Gov. Bala Mohammed to record the desired developments in the country.

While responding, Gov. Bala Mohammed, who was delighted to receive the group, said it was not the first to have made the same call.

He reiterated that before any decision is made by him, he would have to consult his various constituencies.

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READ ALSO: Defection: Senator Grace An Empty Politician, We’re Grateful She Left – Adamawa PDP

Mohammed, however, said that he was very contented with his current position as the state governor, adding that he was also ready to serve in any capacity of Nigeria.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see this group coming out this afternoon to beckon me to run for the exalted office of the president.

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Cross session of the groups calling on Govenor Bala Mohammed to contest for 2023 presidential election

“This is not the first group that has done that and I have always said that power comes from God and it is him that bestows on whom he wishes.

“As a Nigerian who believes in Nigeria projects, I am highly contented with the position I am in. And I am also very ready to serve in any capacity for the people of Nigeria. But before I do that, I may have to consult my various constituencies,” he said.

Mohammed, however, revealed that the state working committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had agreed to go with him wherever he would be going so that Bauchi and Nigeria at large would be carried to the level of growth and development required.

“I will assume by this go ahead by the party and the cross sessions of youths organizations here today, I have gotten the go ahead.

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“What I require is to go to the leaders, the Emirs and the Ulamas to discuss with them because I cannot just go like that without giving their due respect,” said the governor.

Recall that on January 16, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparency and Good Governance in the South-South Geopolitical zone, called on governor Mohammed, to run for the 2023 presidency.

READ ALSO: Group Condemns Abia Assembly Over Planned Suspension Of Member

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On March 9, 2021, A group, under the aegis of ‘Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Vanguard (BAM-V) , urged Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state to contest for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

Also, on June 23, 2021 A group, under the aegis of Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), also called on governor Mohammed to contest for the presidential election in 2023 or have them mobilize against his political career if he declined the offer.

They all said that governor Mohammed had all the qualities to lead the country and turn around her fortunes.

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Rivers: 70 CSOs Ask NASS To Summon Ibas To Give Account

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A coalition of 70 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, on Monday, urged the National Assembly to summon the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), to give an account of his stewardship in Rivers State for the past six months.

The groups, under the auspices of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said the call had become necessary, considering that the mandate handed to Ibas after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by President Bola Tinubu would expire by Thursday.

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“This is very important, especially when you consider the fact that funds belonging to Rivers State which were initially seized by the Federal Government, were released to the Sole Administrator after he was appointed. There is need for accountability,” the CSOs insisted.

More so, the Situation Room, in a statement it issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Democracy, said it was worried that the nation is still grappling with systemic corruption.

READ ALSO:Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date

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Today is not just a day of reflection on the state of democracy in Nigeria but on the state of the nation and provides an opportunity to identify areas where improvements are needed.

“Nigeria is at a crucial juncture in its democratic journey, having marked 26 years of democratic rule this year, since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“In July 2025, the Situation Room released a report on the ‘Current State of Democracy in Nigeria’ where it noted that as at 2025, democracy in Nigeria still remains fragile, marked by institutional weaknesses, electoral distrust, and public disillusionment.

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“Although some progress has been made, three fundamental principles that form the bedrock of democracy – cultural values, political leadership and the electoral process – are being confronted by systemic corruption, growing disillusionment and erosion of cultural values.

READ ALSO:Group Fumes As Rivers CJ Inaugurates LG Poll Tribunal

In addition, over the couple of months, we have seen systematic attempts to decimate political opposition and render our electoral process to be a choiceless ballot for the voters.

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“These tactics include state-sponsored infiltration and destruction of other political parties, harassment of journalists and punitive targeting of civil society organisations to make it difficult for them to freely operate and determination to undermine the independence and autonomy of the election management body.

“The current State of the Economy presents some paradox – while the Government lauds itself for bold reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, which freed up funds for State allocations, infrastructure development, and fiscal restructuring, challenges persist.

“The country continues to struggle with inflation, a weakened currency, rising debt, and widespread poverty, posing serious threats to economic stability.

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READ ALSO:Police Recover Eight Explosives, 8000 Ammunition, Arrest 33 Suspects In Rivers

The failure of our democracy to deliver dividends to citizens, the failing public service delivery, lack of social amenities in standard healthcare and education, expanding impunity as well as indiscipline in public finance management and accountability emphasises the strong link between democracy and poverty.

“The 2023 general elections, despite technological upgrades like the BVAS, were marred by logistical failures, voter suppression, lack of transparency in the election results transmission and judicial controversies.

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“Concerns over judicial independence, suppression of dissent, and weakened democratic institutions remain prevalent.

“Situation Room continues to condemn the breach of the 1999 Constitution and the events that led to the declaration of the State of the Emergency in Rivers State.

“This is not good for our democracy; it shows Executive overreach and a troubling erosion of democratic norms despite calls from well-meaning Nigerians to stop the State of Emergency, ” the statement, which was jointly signed by the Convener of the CSOs, Yunusa Z. Ya’u, and two Co-Conveners, Franklin Oloniju and Mimidoo Achakpa, further read.

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INEC Has Not Confirmed ADC State Leaders – Party

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: INEC Recognises David Mark-led ADC Leadership

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

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The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

READ ALSO:ADC Will Take Over Aso Rock, Lagos Govt House In 2027 — Aregbesola

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We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms.

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How Bello Deceitfully Assured Me Of Kogi Guber Ticket For 4 Years — Onoja

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Former deputy governor of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja, has revealed that his former principal, Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor, only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Onoja made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON Podcast published on Saturday night, where he recounted his political journey and his relationship with former Governor Bello.

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LEADERSHIP recalls that Onoja had served as Chief of State for about four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello until their tenure elapsed.

READ ALSO:Kogi Govt Reacts To Natasha’s Allegations Against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello, Gov Ododo

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity (to contest),” Onoja said.

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According to him, about seven cabinet members at the time, including himself, picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms on Bello’s directive, but in the end, Bello’s support was with the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

READ ALSO:PHOTOS: Moment Supporters Throng Out To Welcome Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan In Kogi

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Onoja revealed that Bello broke the news to him just a day before the party primaries, a decision he respected despite his disappointment.

When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake.’ There were no issues, and then we went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he stated.

Onoja, who is now a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), emphasised that despite the turn of events, he remained committed to ensuring victory for the party’s eventual candidate and winner of the last Kogi State governorship election, Ododo, who went on to succeed Bello.

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