Politics

Intrigues As Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi Camps Emerge In Senate

Published

4 years ago

April 17, 2022

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, strong indications have emerged that senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are sharply divided over the ambitions of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

The division has been glaring before the March 26 National Convention of the APC when the senators were divided over the aspirants for the National Chairman against the backdrop that the APC had zoned the position to the North-Central.

Prior to the emergence of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of the ruling party via consensus, senators were not on the same page as some supported Adamu while others were divided between Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East and Senator Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa).

Similar scenario is rearing its head in the Senate as camps are emerging for Tinubu, Osinbajo and Amaechi.

Preparatory to the APC National Convention, it had been alleged that the senators in the camp of Adamu were also working for the emergence of Amaechi as the presidential candidate of the party, even as it was alleged that they have chosen Adamu because of their belief that nobody would be able to influence whatever decision President Muhammadu Buhari wanted him to take ahead of the 2023 elections.

An indication to the split among the senators was displayed when Adamu, before the Convention, unveiled his Campaign Office in Area 11, Opposite Radio House.

Senators who attended the ceremony and spoke at the occasion included Deputy
President of the Senate, Senator 1 Omo-Agege, APC, Delta Central; Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, APC, Kebbi North; Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North; Adamu Aliero, APC, Kebbi Central and Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South.

They all spoke clearly about their belief in Adamu and the fact that he had the competence and capability to lead the party.

Soon after the Convention and with the emergence of Adamu as the National Chairman of the party, Amaechi declared for the 2023 presidency and, barely 48 hours after his declaration, he made Ndume the Director-General of his Campaign Organization.

This is a masterstroke as many analysts believe Ndume has what it takes to pull many senators to support his candidate against the backdrop that he is a likeable personality.

Ndume has been around in the National Assembly for a while; he was in the House of Representatives, he was Senate leader before contesting with Senator Ahman Lawan for the position of the President of the Senate and the chairs a very strong Committee that is Committee on Army.

Meanwhile, as part of his consultations for the 2023 presidency, Tinubu, on March 16, visited the Senate Caucus of the APC during which he vowed that if he becomes President, he will not step on the toes of Buhari, but step into his shoes.

He asked the Senate Caucus of the party to support his lifetime ambition to be President.

The APC National Leader was received by Lawan with almost all senators of the party in attendance.

Tinubu, who noted that he was at the Senate for counsel, partnership and support, said, “Nigerians have come to that stage where we need a change of baton. “Election is coming up in February. We have various programmes including the nomination process, primary process and all of that. I can’t do it by myself and I can’t do it by sitting at home expecting that many friends I have here will do it for me.

“I believe jointly we can do it. You can back me successfully for the nomination of my lifetime ambition to become President. My ambition is not blind to the extent I will step on the toes of the President. I just want to step into his shoes and not on his toes.”

According to Tinubu, if elected President, the country will remain united and “we will use that unity, the symbol of our party to cleanse Nigeria of unrealisable potential.”

Responding, Lawan, who assured Tinubu that senators would continue to remain united to ensure the success of the Buhari administration, however, explained that external factors were mainly responsible for the social and economic challenges the country has been facing since the APC took over power in 2019.

Also carrying his 2023 presidential campaign to senators, Osinbajo, on April 12, invited the federal lawmakers and the Caucus to celebrate Iftar at his official residence.

Iftar is the meal Muslims eat after sunset during Ramadan to breakfast for the day

At the meeting, the VP solicited the support of the APC Caucus in the senate in his quest to succeed his boss in 2023.

Recall that Osinbajo made an audio declaration for the presidency last Monday morning after hosting the Progressive Governors Forum on Sunday.

Now that Tinubu is vying for the presidency with his political son, the battle line is drawn and senators, especially those from the South-West, are working in opposite directions.

Presently in the Senate, Tinubu is sure of support from his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, APC, Lagos Central; Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Lagos West; Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, Lagos East; Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno Central; Senator Ajibola Bashiru, Osun Central; and Senator Adeyemi Oriolowo, Osun West.

In Ondo State, the only APC senator, Robert Ajayi Boroffice, Ondo North, may not support Tinubu because Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is said not to be in the same camp with Tinubu.

In Ogun State, the three senators there are also believed not to be pro-Tinubu against the backdrop that Senator Ibikunle Amosun, APC, Ogun Central is also said to be nursing presidential ambition and there is a political war between him and Governor Dapo Abiodun.

One other thing that may work against Tinubu concerning Ogun senators is that even though he was instrumental to the emergence of Abiodun as governor, the federal lawmakers may throw their weight behind Osinbajo as an Ijebu man from Ikenne as their own son. The other senators from Ogun besides Amosun are Olalekan Mustapha, Ogun East and Tolulope Odebiyi, Ogun West.

In Ekiti, it is not clear if Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is not on good terms with Tinubu while also nursing presidential ambition may sway the two APC senators, Opeyemi Bamidele, Ekiti Central and Olubunmi Adetumbi, Ekiti North, in favour of his ambition or to anyone he may be supporting.

In Delta, the two APC senators are Omo- Agege, Delta Central and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Delta North. Omo- Agege may be in the same camp with Ndume in this case while Nwaoboshi may also swing to the same direction and that is towards Amaechi.

In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is a strong supporter of Tinubu, but Senators Ibrahim Shekarau, Kano Central and Jubrin Barau, Kano North are presently engaged in a political fight with the governor and, with this, they may not go the same way with Ganduje, but Senator Kabiru Gaya, Kano South may support Tinubu.

In Katsina State, President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, former Senator Abu Ibrahim and Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, among others, are strong forces and may influence senators from the state: Senators Baba Kaita, Katsina North; Bello Mandiya, Katsina South and Barkiya Abdullahi, Katsina Central.

The senators will be divided because the Emir of Katsina is said to have endorsed Amaechi. Abu Ibrahim is a strong supporter of Tinubu.

Kogi Senators Smart Adeyemi, Kogi West; Yakubu Oseni, Kogi Central and Jibrin Oseni, Kogi East are sharply divided between Tinubu, Osinbajo and Amaechi because of the presidential ambition of Governor Yahaya Bello, just as governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State determines where the two APC Senators Suleiman Kwari, Kaduna North and Uba Sani, Kaduna Central will be.

VANGUARD.

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Politics

JUST IN: El-Rufai Formally Joins ADC

Published

15 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, left the party earlier this year for the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

In his resignation letter from the SDP, dated November 26, 2025, the former governor stated that his focus is on contributing to the strengthening of a unified democratic platform that can offer a credible political alternative to the people of Nigeria.

“I wish to notify that I have resigned my membership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, effective 26 November, 2025,” he said.

Politics

Wike Bloc Asks Court To Nullify PDP Convention

Published

1 day ago

November 26, 2025

Editor

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order nullifying the party’s convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the faction aligned with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2025, has as plaintiffs the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

They are asking the court to declare the convention and all resolutions “null, void and of no effect.”

They want the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the convention.

The move follows earlier legal actions by aggrieved PDP members who argued that proceeding with the convention violated the party’s internal rules, the Electoral Act, and other statutory provisions.

Previous complainants include Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South PDP Secretary Turnah Alabh George.

On October 31, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained INEC from recognising the convention.

In a separate suit, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido successfully challenged his exclusion from purchasing a nomination form to contest for national chairman, with Justice Peter Lifu ordering that the convention should not proceed unless he was allowed to obtain the form.

In contrast, Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, issued an interim order permitting the PDP to hold the convention as scheduled.

Despite the conflicting rulings, the party went ahead with the Ibadan event under heavy security, during which Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and eight others were expelled.

In the new suit dated November 21, the plaintiffs listed 18 defendants, including INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service, and several PDP officials.

They allege the convention was conducted “in flagrant disregard” of three subsisting Federal High Court orders and seek to prevent recognition of the new officers, restore access to party offices at Wadata Plaza and Legacy House, and compel security agencies to enforce the earlier judgments.

The plaintiffs also request judicial determination on whether any authority can lawfully recognise the Ibadan convention in light of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the PDP constitution.

The suit has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no hearing date has been fixed.

Politics

Crack In Edo APC As Group Accuses Party Chieftain Of Acting Opposition’s Script

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

All seems not well with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a pro-APC group known as Sustainable Development and Progress accused a chieftain of the party, honourable
Luqman Mohammed of playing the script of the opposition parties to destabilise the APC in Edo North Senatorial District.

This, according to the group, is responsible for the sharp division in Etsako West Local Government Area.

A statement by the spokesman of the group, Peter Mohammed, the body accused Mohammed and “his cohorts of convening a secret meeting at the residence of a top chieftain of the party where it was decided that the destabilization of the APC would begin from Edo North ahead of the 2027 General election.”

The cracks in the APC were sad to become obvious when Mohammed, who they claimed is an ally the immediate past Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), allegedly led some leaders to suspend Alhaji Shaka Okwilague, the leader of ward 11 in Etsako West Local Government Area (Edo North ) of the state.

This action, according to the group, worsed an already tensed political situation in Edo North APC, and in retaliation, the suspended leader, Okwilague alongside other members moved against those that they claimed are behind the suspension—allegedly led by Mohammed.

The APC group also accused the former Edo State House of Assembly member of being a mole and a willing tool planted by the opposition leaders to destabilise the existing peace in the party.

The group alleged that “Luqman Mohammed attends APC meetings during the day and PDP’s meetings at night,” and vowed to expose and resist his efforts.

The group, while stating that Mohammed’s action amounts to “…working against the interest of the party,” alleged that “his recent outburst against the party was part of PDP and ADC’s plots and called for a thorough investigation of the weighty allegations.”

Meanwhile, a communique issued by the Ward Executive Committee and leaders
Etsako West Local Government Area, a resolutions, part of which is the suspension of some executive officers, and members.

The communique reads: “The ward 11 APC Executive Committee and leaders held a meeting on Monday 10 November, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the party secretariat Jattu-Uzairue Etsako West Edo State.

“The meeting aimed to discuss the following. The purported suspension ‘carryout’ (sic) by the Ward Chairman, Secretary and Youth Leader against Uzairue Leader Alhaji Shaka Okwilague aka Shamac.

“Anti-party activities fractionalizing and creating parallel party disobedience in carrying out lawful directives of the party. The meeting was focused to know if those allegedly suspended ‘violate’ article 21 of APC party constitution.

“It was unanimously agreed to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and report back to the house which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino.

“According to the disciplinary committee set up which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino, the Ward Chairman Daudu Jafaru Abubuakar, the Ward Secretary Yusuf Bala Bello and Youth, leader Francis Aliu ‘contravene’ and violated the article 21 of APC party constitution thereby recommended immediate suspension for them.

“At the end of the investigation the Ward Executive Committee (WEC) considered the report of the disciplinary committee which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino. Having carefully reviewed the finding and recommendation, the Ward Executive Committee resolved to approve their immediate suspension from the APC in Ward Eleven.

“Their actions had undermined the unity and integrity of the party, warning them against identifying as a member or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity. The LGA, ‘part’, SEC party and NWC party should as a matter of urgency ratify the above ‘mention’ names.

“It was unanimously agreed again that the Vice Chairman Mrs. Josephine Dokpesi should immediately be the Acting Chairman in line with the APC party constitution and oversee the political affairs of the ward pending time lifting of the suspension of the above ‘mention’ names.

“The entire Ward Executive Committee of Ward Eleven passed an implicit and undiluted vote of confidence on our indefatigable leader, the person of Alhaji Shaka Okwilague aka Shamac.”

Reacting, Mohammed denied allegations leveled against him and blamed the crisis on outsiders who have invaded ward 11 where he is the number one leader, to impose their stooges.

The former Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu is also from the ward.

While defending himself via a telephone interview, the former Edo House of Assembly member and later Board member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), frowned at the composition of the panel established by the State Working Committee to investigate the crisis in ward 11, especially the appointment of Mr. Blessing Agbonmere as head and Alhaji Shaka Okwilague, the suspended leader as member of the panel.

Mohammed said Okwilague cannot be a judge in his own case and that Agbonmere is an interloper working to implement a script.