Politics

Nigeria’s Future Safer With APC, Says Buhari

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2022

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), on Friday declared the future of Nigeria is safer in the hands of the All Progressives Congress.

This is as Buhari said the APC-led government has managed to make Nigeria stable, laying a solid foundation for progressive growth.

This was made known in a statement signed by the president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina.

Buhari stated this despite the unfavourable circumstances of global economic downturns, the COVID-19 pandemic and very low international oil prices ,resulting in low revenue.

The President, who stated this at the unveiling of the Presidential Campaign Council and the action plan of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, pledged to be at the forefront of electing the former Lagos State governor as his successor.

He noted that electing Tinubu would consolidate the achievements of his administration as the presidential candidate had the capacity, visionary leadership and track record to do more.

He said, ”It would be disastrous to allow a situation that will lead to the reversal of the progress our country has made. Let me add that I joyfully accept the position of the chairman of the campaign council we are unveiling today.

”Our candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu is too well known for his capacity and can-do spirit. He stands tall in his track record as a democrat, a champion of the rule of law, a man at home in every part of our country and a truly visionary leader. All you need to do is think of Lagos in 1999 and 2022.

”I, therefore, want to assure all party members and supporters of our government that I will be at the forefront of this campaign.

”This election is even more important than the election of 2015 that brought us into power. The cost of losing the gains our country has made is much more than the need to stop the haemorrhage that led to our coming together nearly nine years ago.

”I want to charge every member to put in all their efforts during the next four and half months of campaign to ensure we record a resounding victory in all our elections nationwide. The future of this country is safer in our hands.”

Highlighting the achievements of the APC-led administration, Buhari explained, ”The efforts of our men and women in the armed forces over the last years are beginning to yield positive outcomes. We are gradually taking back our country from foreign-inspired bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists in the North-East and North-West and other parts of our country.

”We are equally combating separatists, oil thieves and bandits in the South-East and South-South of the country.

”Our administration remains committed to progressively eliminating all flashpoints of insecurity nationwide. We would triumph over the enemies of our country in whatever forms and shapes they appear.”

The President who described the APC President candidate as ”the Jagaban, my friend, partner, and brother,” said the occasion was important to him for two reasons.

”First, it is significant to note that this unveiling is the third by our party. I have had the opportunity of unveiling two action plans. I had the privilege of presenting our party’s manifesto of change in 2014.

”It was a manifesto that signposted our collective desire to arrest the directionless journey our country was headed under the Peoples Democratic Party. The second time was in 2018 when I unveiled the Next Level Agenda of our government.

”The second reason this occasion is significant is that we are having our first transition within our party where I am in the last year of my two-term mandate, and we have a new candidate to lead our party into another presidential election.

”The events preceding our presidential primaries and the conduct of the primaries were important milestones in the development of our internal democracy and party politics.

”I must congratulate the leadership of our party, other stakeholders and the entire party members for the success of the exercise. We can say with confidence, that our party, the All Progressives Congress, is charting a steady course in our journey towards enthroning lasting democratic culture in our body polity.”

The President also thanked party officials in the National Executive Council, the zonal, state, senatorial, local governments and ward executives, for their unalloyed support to his administration and the great efforts and outstanding commitment to the cause of the party and democracy.

He urged them to be mindful of the importance of building a strong and purposeful political party, recounting that the project of pulling ”Nigeria back from the precipice in 2015 was made possible by putting together a formidable party peopled by many who have made a vow to work for a Nigeria we all can be proud of.”

President Buhari charged party members to uphold the supremacy of the party, operating within the guidelines as stipulated in their constitution.

He said, ”It is worth reiterating the fact that we are stronger today only because we continue to support the party.

”For us to develop an enduring democracy in our country, we must first subscribe to the supremacy of our political party.

”We must subject ourselves to the rules and learn to operate within the guidelines as stipulated in our party’s constitution.”

The President reiterated his congratulations to Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, for the victory at the Primaries, commending the maturity and sportsmanship of other contestants.

He expressed delight that most of the aspirants transferred their structures, including campaign offices to the party’s candidate after the primaries, adding that it was a demonstration of the commitment of the party leaders and members to the cause of the party and democratic practices.

He challenged party members to see themselves as ”ambassadors of progressive principles and exemplify the best of us in action and words.”

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku

Published

10 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, debunking speculation that he may team up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a running mate.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, Obi dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.

“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”

Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.

“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”

On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.

“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”

The former Anambra governor also took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.

“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”

Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.

Politics

Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George

Published

19 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Elder statesman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, David Mark for “messing up” the PDP and aligning with the Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. He said the coalition is driven by personal ambition, not the collective interest of Nigeria.

George, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, described the coalition as illogical, ill-timed, and lacking substance. He questioned the rationale behind their departure from the PDP, especially at a time when the party had resolved its internal crisis.

Prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and their counterparts from Kaduna, Rivers, and Osun States—Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively—formally adopted the ADC as their coalition platform on Wednesday in Abuja.

Reacting to the alliance, George said: “If it is not self-aggrandisement, what are they running away from? If your roof is leaking, would you run away from the house? No. You stay there and repair it. What is wrong with the PDP? We had a crisis in the party, which they were part of. We’ve resolved it, so why are they running? I have appealed to them to have a rethink and return home. If they don’t, let them stay where they are. It doesn’t matter.”

He expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon the PDP and form a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu, rather than staying to build the party.

“Is dumping the PDP and forming a coalition the right way to send President Tinubu out of office?” he queried.

In addition, he said: “They have divided the house they built, and that means they are pursuing personal ambition, not the corporate interest of this country. What is Atiku looking for in the coalition? What is David Mark looking for? They caused the mess at the last National Convention. You don’t need a degree to see that it’s illogical. What are they seeking? They just want to sack Bola Tinubu, and now they’re congregating. Everybody in that coalition wants to be president—so how will that work? I wish them the best of luck.”

However, he appealed to them to return to the PDP to help rebuild the nation.

“They should all come back and help rebuild the broken walls of this nation. In the PDP, we have resolved our crisis. This isn’t the right time to walk away. These are people who have benefitted immensely from the party. One was the number two man in Nigeria. Another, who claims to be acting chairman, was the number three. What more do they want? I’m disenchanted. I’m angry. What kind of reasoning is this? Do you go to war and surrender to the enemy? Everyone in that coalition, except Rauf Aregbesola, came from the PDP. The PDP made them who they are today.”

“Now that we’ve resolved our crisis and are settling down to build unity, they’re off forming a coalition. An iroko tree doesn’t just sprout and fall in the bush. No matter the storm, the iroko stands tall. Maybe Bola Tinubu has gone to consult a babalawo (herbalist), and that’s what’s disturbing them and making them act irrationally. I don’t believe in babalawo, but maybe he has—and that’s why they’re running around.”

“Our party doesn’t have a single person who owns it. He is just a member like everyone else. He has to redefine his position. Bola has reportedly told him to go and deliver the FCT and Rivers State, and he says he’s still working there.”

“Let the next NEC meeting come; decisions will be made. For me, this coalition is a non-issue. It’s all selfishness and self-aggrandisement. At a time when we should be talking about the corporate existence and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, they’re not doing that. Nigerians will decide,” he concluded.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)

Politics

2027: Power Minister Declares Oyo gov Ambition, Begins Consultation

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, on Friday, met with All Progressives Congress leaders and stakeholders in Ogbomoso and Oyo zones in Oyo State, respectively.

Addressing party members in Ogbomoso at the residence of one of the leaders of the party, Ayoade Adeseun, the minister said the meeting was part of his consultations across geopolitical zones in the state towards realisation of his governorship ambition in 2027.

He, therefore, allayed the fear of the party stakeholders that APC would not impose any aspirant in 2027, saying, “I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.”

While seeking their supports towards the realisation of his ambition, Adelabu pleaded for forgiveness from aggrieved members, saying they should be concerned of how the party will come back to power in 2027.

He said, “I’m here to tell you that I want to contest for governor of Oyo State in 2027. I’m ready to put to test all experience I’ve gathered from the past two elections.

“I’m not against other zones becoming governor of the state, all I know is that God’s time is the best.

“Ogbomoso is very important in this state election, I’m here to seek for your support and backing, I’m happy to see that all the factions in Ogbomoso are now one.”

He also called on people in the zone to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for more dividends of democracy.

“This is another turn of Yorubas to serve their two terms as President of Nigeria. Nigeria has a lot to benefit if Tinubu is re-elected,” Adelabu added.

In Oyo town, Adelabu pleaded for their supports, saying “I will run all inclusive government where everybody will be involved in governance of the state and no one will be left behind if I become governor of the state in 2027.

“I’m here for people to know that no one can impose anybody, I want to work and prove to our party members that I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.

“Oyo is like a second home to me, my supporters, followers, associates and allied are all here, they have been supporting me in the past and they are ready to support me again.

“I will give what is due to Oyo. Oyo zone deserves better treatment because it is symbolic, Oyo is historical, symbolic and blessing to the entire state.”

Adeseun and son of former governor, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, urged members of the party to come together and ensure emergence of the APC in 2027.