Politics

Presidency Tough, I’m Eager To Go – Buhari

Published

3 years ago

July 11, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, described his seven years in office as “tough” saying “I am eager to go.”

This was as he called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities to consider the plight of the future generations of the country as the strike stretches into the fifth month.

According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said this when he received some governors of the All Progressives Congress, legislators, and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

The statement is titled ‘Enough is enough, President Buhari tells ASUU, urges lecturers to consider generational consequences.’

Lamenting the toll his official duties have taken on him in the last seven years, President Buhari told the visiting governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office.

He said, “The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, at the eid prayer ground. He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021.

“In ten to eleven months time, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja.”

The President explained that the schedule of work was much, saying he recently had to sympathise with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who had to be away most of the time from his family.

He claimed that relative to the resources available, and compared to the last administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure.

“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making. I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.

Addressing the now six-month ASUU strike that has crippled academic activities in public universities nationwide, the President appealed to lecturers to consider the effect of the strike on future generations.

According to him, the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students, and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that already beg for attention. He said enough is enough.

While claiming that the government understands ASUU’s position, the President remarked, “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.”

He urged well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation.

President Buhari said students from Nigerian universities are already handicapped in competing with their counterparts in a highly connected and technology-driven workspace, therefore, keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill, and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage.

“Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.

“Through technology, we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, assured the President that the governors would work to ensure the party’s success in next year’s elections.

He claimed that the roaring insecurity in the north has done little to the country’s food security, especially due to the “favorable seasons”.

“In spite of the attacks by the renegades, our country remains self-sufficient in food production. We have seen investments that were not there before you came into power.

“Not less than 20 states now have agriculture process zones. We have rice pyramids in Ekiti, Gombe, and Niger, while maize pyramids were revived in Katsina and Kano states,” he said.

APC Governors at the lunch with the President include; Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Abubakar Bello of Niger State, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Dr. Fayemi Kayode of Ekiti State and Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Aspirant Slams Oyebanji For Threatening Party Leaders

Published

18 minutes ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

An All Progressives Congress aspirant in the 2026 governorship election, Kayode Ojo, on Sunday, tackled Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for threatening party chairman in the local government area and wards not to entertain any other contender.

Ojo, who said that the governor’s waning popularity had pushed him to desperation, said, “This threat is not only ludicrous, but also vexatious and aptly demonstrates to all and sundry that the governor intends to turn the APC into his private fiefdom and family inheritance.”

The APC aspirant, represented by the Chairman, Consultative Forum of Kayode Ojo, Olukayode Oluyemo, who spoke at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, expressed confidence that Ojo would win the party’s October 27, 2025 primary election despite alleged attacks and harassment from Oyebanji’s camp.

He restarted his determination to govern Ekiti State to redress what he called “the inexplicable stagnation ravaging Ekiti State despite the huge monthly allocation from the Federation Account as well as the state’s potential for development and growth.”

He spoke in reaction to a statement credited to Oyebanji on Friday while receiving his APC expression of interest and nomination forms from a group within the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, which obtained the forms for him.

Oyebanji was quoted to have said, “I want to see the local government, I want to see the local government chairman and the ward chairman of APC that will open their doors and offices for these people. I want to know the party member that will receive them.”

But Ojo described the governor’s threat as a “violation of APC Constitution on the issue that members of the party are free to associate and to hold meetings with any aspirant in as much that they belong to the same party. We are members of APC, I don’t see why the governor is violating this constitutional provision.

“It is our party, so we are calling on the national executives of our party in Abuja to caution him so that he will not destroy APC.

Politics

Benue Assembly Gets New Speaker

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday elected Alfred Emberger as its new speaker.

The appointment came shortly after the resignation of the former speaker, Aondona Dajoh.

The new speaker is one of the four members suspended last Friday for attempting to remove the former speaker.

At the plenary session held on Sunday and presided over by the deputy speaker, Lami Danaldi-Ogenyi, the house resolved to lift the suspension on the four members.

The majority leader, Saater Tiseer, who said that the plenary was an emergency one, moved a motion for the lifting of the suspension on the four members and was seconded by Samuel Jiji of Logo state constituency.

The deputy speaker said, “Following the motion raised by the majority leader and supported by members of the house, this house has resolved to lift the suspension of the four members.”

After lifting the suspension, the four members were ushered into the chamber, and the nomination of the new speaker was announced.

A member representing the Makurdi South state constituency, Douglas Akyaa, moved a motion and nominated Emberger for the position of new speaker, seconded by Abu Umoru of the Apa state constituency.

While there was no other nomination, the new speaker took the oath of office administered by the Clerk of the house, John Hwande

The new speaker, in his acceptance speech, commended the former speaker for his service and commitment to the progress of the house and the people of the state.

He further said, “To my esteemed colleagues, I assure you that this leadership will be anchored on inclusiveness, fairness and respect for diverse opinions.

“This house under my watch will work harmoniously with the executive and judiciary while maintaining our independence in line with the principle of separation of powers.”

Politics

JUST IN: Benue Assembly Speaker Aondona Dajoh Resigns

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has resigned from his position.

According to Channels TV, the resignation is contained in a letter dated August 24, 2025, and titled “Resignation as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly.”

Dajoh said his decision was made in good faith and in the interest of the state.

“I write to resign my position as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, effective today, August 24, 2025. This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I want to appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals,” the letter, personally signed by Dajoh, read in part.

Dajoh, who represents Gboko West State Constituency, pledged to continue serving as a legislator.

“I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency,” he added.

Details about who will replace Dajoh had not been released at the time of filing this report.

The House is expected to follow its standing orders to fill the vacancy and name a new speaker in line with legislative procedure.