Politics

2023: We’re Not Reserving Presidency For Any Region, Northern Elders Declare

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2023

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has stated that the northern part of the country is not reserving the presidency for other regions in the February 25 presidential election.

The group’s convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who noted this on Wednesday at the occasion of the Northern Elders General Assembly in Abuja, claimed that the North still has an outstanding of four years to rule in order to equate the southern part of Nigeria.

“The North has paid its dues, if there is any part of this country that has made sacrifices for the unity of this nation, there is no other section of the country that has contributed as much as Northern Nigeria.

“The issue shouldn’t have been that we are not qualified or have no right to contest, and certainly, this is why we are saying now that the issue in Nigeria political space must be based only on democratic tenets.”

Speaking further, he said: “the constitution is very clear that I can contest 20 times and also lose 20 times, but nothing should stop me from contesting elections, but in terms of ‘do me I do you’, rub my back and I rub yours, the North has rubbed more backs than its being rubbed.

“Obasanjo couldn’t get 10,000 votes in front of his house, I told the newsmen that always spoke to him rudely that he will become Nigeria president with the Northern votes and he did, we got paid back somehow, it was not appreciated as such. The North voted Abiola to defeat Tofa, in my sitting room. All these are sacrifices being made by northerners.

“Talking about the years in power since 1999 till date, Obasanjo ruled for 8 years, Jonathan ruled for 6 years which is 14 years, Ya’ardua did just 2 years while Buhari is doing 8 which is 10 years,” he said.

Also in his welcome address, the Labour Party, LP, Vice Presidential Candidate, Yusuf Datti Ahmed, wondered “why should people who stole public funds be given power?”

He said: “where you see the problem, we see the solution, we have already seen it. The bandits, the terrorists, and armed robbers are not more formidable than constituted authorities. Our history and records have shown that we were able to create wealth, we didn’t derive money from the government. And logically speaking, we know how to move Nigeria from consumption to production.”

Related Topics:2023 elections Northern elders Forum

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Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.