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Tinubu Has Crashed Expectations Of Nigerians, Says APC Ex-NWC Member

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…Lists 4 disturbing signals under new administration

The immediate-past National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Salihu Moh. Lukman has raised the alarm over what he tagged “disturbing signals” under the nascent administration of President Bola Tinubu.

This was as Lukman accused the president of crashing the earnest expectations of Nigerians who had hoped that having finally realized his lifelong ambition to be their president, that he would come up with a crack squad rather than the lacklustre ministerial nominations he forwarded to the Senate.

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In an open letter to the president on Monday, Lukman said he decided to make the letter open “because having resigned my position as a member of the APC National Working Committee NWC, I don’t want to make any claim of having access to you in whatever form.

“Even as NWC member, it was almost impossible to access you after winning the election. Now, given that I resigned because I disagreed with your decision to nominate Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to emerge as the National Chairman of APC, I don’t expect you to be amenable to meeting a ‘protestant’ like me”, he declared.

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He said the disturbing signals, if not averted could produce bigger problems and irreversibly destroy APC’s electoral viability as a party.

Disturbing signals

Lukman said without attempting to question Tinubu’s authority and commitment to the wellbeing of Nigeria as a nation, within the short period since May 29, 2023 when he assumed office, there are decisions he took, which are very disturbing to many loyal party members.

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He said; “To be honest, making Dr. Ganduje National Chairman of APC is the first disturbing signal. Many party members are yet to recover from that shock. With all the uncleared corruption allegation against Dr. Ganduje, you opted to nominate him to become the National Chairman of the party even when Article 31.5(i) of the constitution of APC clearly gave Nasarawa State Executive Committee the power to nominate who should replace Sen. Abdullahi Adamu. Given that Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is from Nasarawa State, and he has been very loyal to you, it was scandalous that you will opt for Dr. Ganduje with all the baggage of corruption allegation against him.

“Recall that before the March 2022 APC National Convention, Sen. Al-Makura aspired to become APC National Chairman and President Buhari was influenced to nominate Sen. Adamu over Sen. Al-Makura partly because he was alleged to be loyal to you, it defies every logical reasoning that you will ignore provision of Article 31.5(i) to nominate Dr. Ganduje even when the same provision of the constitution was used to nominate Sen. Basiru Ajibola from Osun State as replacement of Sen. Iyiola Omisore.

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“The emergence of Dr. Ganduje as National Chairman of APC send the disturbing signal of being weakly committed to fighting corruption. This is very troubling and is neither representative of the interest of APC members, nor is it representative of the wider interest of Nigerians. If our democracy is to develop to the point of being capacitated to resolve our national challenges, the commitment of our leaders to fighting corruption must never be in doubt.

“That our leaders in APC accepted the emergence of Dr. Ganduje as APC National Chairman without much resistance produces the second disturbing signal. This is because the absence of resistance was more a reflection of fear, which is the new reality in APC. Once leaders and members of APC continue to feel threatened that when they express opposition against your decision, we may end up with the bigger danger of creating a police state. This may not arise from any conscious decision coming from you but will be produced from circumstances of having to rationalize or enforce your decisions, which may not be acceptable to party members and citizens. In fact, the first casualties of such reality will be fellow party members.

“Largely because of the atmosphere of fear surrounding the emergence of Dr. Ganduje as National Chairman, the wider debate of using the vacancies created to respond to the challenge of inclusivity given that we won the 2023 election with a Muslim-Muslim ticket was lost. Rather than even attempting to respond to that challenge and demonstrate that truly we only invoke the Muslim-Muslim ticket as an electoral strategy, in a very insensitive manner we imposed another Muslim-Muslim scenario in the party with National Chairman and National Secretary both Muslims. And we want to claim we are a progressive party? What is the brand of our progressive politics? Certainly, not the one which Nigerians expect, which endears us to citizens on account of which Nigerians gave us the mandate to manage the affairs of government since 2015.

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“The third disturbing signal is the quality of your appointees. Sincerely, Your Excellency, throughout the 2023 electoral campaigns, one of the strong campaign points was that you know how to find talents. When it took you more than eight weeks to nominate your Ministers, the belief was that you were taking your time to identify indisputably proficient people. With due respect to all those you nominated, many party members and by extension Nigerians were disappointed. It is clear to any discerning mind that political consideration eclipsed any other factor. Definitely no argument about talent can be sustained. As it is, both as party members and as Nigerians, our expectation from your government has crashed.

“This leads us to the fourth disturbing signal, which is about the management of policy process. When in your inaugural address you declared that petroleum subsidy was gone, it gave many of us the confidence that you have assumed office ready to take all the hard decisions and initiate measures for accelerated national development. Of course, no one expected that process of accelerated development will produce immediate results, but many of us expected that the details of initiatives will be clear and will not be reduced to propaganda. As things are, Nigerians are still waiting to know what the agenda of government is with respect to managing the downstream oil sector beyond saving the amount of money that used to be expended for subsidy payments.

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“The second issue related to management of policy initiatives is the exchange rate of the Naira. Some of us expect that decisions around exchange rate will be integral part of broader economic policy of government. Now, it would appear that isolated decision has been taken to float the Naira without any clear economic policy. The consequence is that the Naira is on a downward swing. Combined with rising cost of transport as a result of withdrawal of subsidy the inflationary pressure on the economy is very high. As a result, living condition is getting worse. At this rate, poverty incidence will be terribly high, beyond any rational expectations.

“Mr. President, you need to urgently address these disturbing signals coming early in your tenure. No one should deceive you into believing that party members and leaders, and by extension Nigerians are not worried with all these disturbing signals. It will be a disservice to your leadership and to our people if we don’t bring these to your attention. You need to act fast to start correcting these disturbing signals before they become defining attributes of your administration and by extension our party. It is either you correct them, or we sign off any prospect of winning any future election”, he declared.
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OPINION: 200k – The Shameful Prize For Academic Excellence

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By Israel Adebiyi 

Education remains the most powerful tool for personal and national transformation. It is through the cultivation of knowledge, literacy, and skills that societies evolve from dependence to independence, from poverty to prosperity, and from stagnation to innovation. Nations that truly understand this reality invest heavily in their young intellectuals, not only by providing opportunities but also by celebrating and rewarding excellence in ways that inspire others to aim higher.

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The Nigerian Constitution itself recognizes this truth. Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states unequivocally that “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.” Furthermore, subsection 3 mandates that “Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy” through free and compulsory education at all tiers. These provisions are not mere suggestions; they are guiding principles for national progress.

Beyond our national laws, Nigeria is signatory to several international treaties and conventions that place education at the heart of human rights. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms education as a right for all. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) insists that primary education must be compulsory and free, while higher education must be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. Similarly, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights calls on governments to promote education as a vehicle for collective dignity and empowerment.

But education in Nigeria is more than just policy and law. It is part of our cultural consciousness. Through songs, elders and teachers reminded us that knowledge is wealth, and learning is the ladder to dignity. Songs like Eko Dara Pupo (“Education is very good”) captured the timeless truth that education liberates a person from ignorance. Another popular tune, Bata Mi A Dun Ko Ko Ka (“My shoes will sound proudly”), symbolizes the celebration of educational achievement and the promise of a bright future. These melodies echo in classrooms and homes, serving as cultural testaments to the high value Nigerians place on knowledge.

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Yet, against this backdrop of constitutional guarantees, international obligations, and cultural reverence, one cannot help but question the nation’s priorities when brilliance is rewarded with a token. When 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State outshone over 20,000 students across 69 countries to emerge the world’s best in English Language Skills at the TeenEagle Global Finals in London, she did more than win a trophy; she placed Nigeria on the map of intellectual achievement. Her victory was a triumph of diligence, discipline, and the power of Nigerian intellect. But the nation’s response, a ₦200,000 reward, was a glaring contradiction to the weight of her accomplishment.

The ₦200,000 cheque presented to Nafisa Abdullahi was not a reward; it was an insult dressed as recognition. It was not a gesture to inspire a generation; it was a token that diminished the very essence of her victory. In a country where entertainers are showered with millions for fleeting performances, and football teams receive dollar rains for continental triumphs, how can the brightest young mind, who carried Nigeria’s flag to the pinnacle of global intellectual acclaim, be handed the equivalent of a week’s grocery bill in some households?

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This disparity speaks to a deeper malaise in our national value system. We clap louder for goals than for genius, we celebrate speed on the pitch more than brilliance in the classroom, and in doing so, we broadcast a dangerous message: that intellect is cheap, and learning is secondary. But a nation that cannot properly reward education is a nation headed for doom.

Consider this: Nafisa hails from Yobe State, a region often in the news not for academic breakthroughs but for the tragic statistics of out-of-school children. UNICEF reports that Nigeria has over 20 million out-of-school children, many of them in the North-East, with Yobe carrying a heavy portion of that burden. Yet, from such a place of adversity, a flower bloomed, and rather than water it, the nation offered her crumbs. If ever there was a story that should have been used to ignite a revolution in education, it is Nafisa’s. Where was the Yobe State government with a grand civic reception to remind its children that brilliance is not only possible but celebrated? Silence and indifference prevailed instead.

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This faulty reward system does not only dishonour one girl; it demoralises millions of students who labour in classrooms across Nigeria, dreaming that their diligence might someday earn them recognition. If what they see is that global brilliance earns a paltry ₦200,000, while entertainers and athletes are endlessly celebrated, what then do we expect the next generation to aspire to?

Nigeria must, therefore, rethink its value system. Rewarding intellectual achievement must not be an afterthought—it must be a national priority. A new framework is needed where students who bring glory to Nigeria through knowledge are celebrated with the same pomp and substance as sporting heroes. Scholarships, endowments, mentorship opportunities, and life-changing incentives should be the bare minimum. If we truly believe that education is “the most powerful weapon to change the world,” then we must treat those who wield it as national treasures, not as footnotes in ceremonial handshakes.

Nafisa’s triumph should have been a rallying point to declare to the world that Nigeria will no longer export only oil and athletes, but also intellect, innovation, and ideas. Instead, we reduced her victory to a headline and a token cheque. That is not just a missed opportunity; it is a national disgrace.

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Until we build a system that dignifies education, we will continue to reap the fruits of misplaced priorities: corruption, mediocrity, and underdevelopment. The time has come to rewrite the reward system—not for Nafisa alone, but for every Nigerian child whose shoes, one day, should sound proudly, ko ko ka, on the global stage.

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Popular Skit Maker Dies In Car Crash

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Comedian and skit maker Raji Adetola, widely known as Mr Sanku Comedy, has died after a car accident in Ibadan, colleagues and family confirmed on Tuesday.

The fatal crash occurred on Monday along the Oyo–Ogbomoso road. Photos and videos shared online showed the vehicle plunging into a ditch. Sanku was rushed to hospital with a friend who was travelling with him, but he was later confirmed dead. The condition of his companion remained unclear, though reports suggested critical injuries.

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The 2021 content creator was known for his unique storytelling and comedy skits, amassing a large following on TikTok. His final video, posted a day before his death, went viral after the tragedy. In it, he prayed not to die before reaping the fruits of his labour.

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Actress Funmi Awelewa said she had been told Sanku was initially responding to treatment, but he did not survive despite prayers.

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When I saw the news online, I quickly sent one of my students who stays close to Bowen hospital, and he told me that he met one of your friends at the hospital who told us that you’re responding to treatment. I prayed……God, we prayed!!! Kilowa de bai Oloun, Haa Olorun oba oo,” she wrote on her Instagram page.

Fellow skit makers Ozain Comedy and Jidex also paid tribute, with messages shared on Instagram and TikTok.

“Rest well, soldier,” Ozain wrote shortly after influencer Jidex also took to TikTok to speak on his death with the caption, “Rest in peace.”

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Benin Consultative Forum Mourns Its President, Arase’s Death

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Benin Consultative Forum (BCF) has expressed sadness over the sudden passing of its president, Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase.

Arase, who served as the 18th Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force,died on Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Abuja hospital.

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In a statement signed by the Vice President of the Forum, Dr. Samson Osagie, and Secretary-General, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the BCF said Arase was widely celebrated for his role in modernizing the Force.

 

He introduced innovative policing models, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art technical intelligence platform, and made history as the pioneer Head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, where he deployed forensic and non-kinetic strategies to combat complex crimes,” the statement partly reads.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: Former Inspector-General Of Police, Solomon Arase, Is Dead

The BCF, while describing Arase as a towering figure in Nigeria’s security architecture and an acknowledged intelligence cop within the global security network, recalled his contributions to police reforms, intelligence, law enforcement, and scholarship, especially through his writings on internal security and electoral management.

The Forum noted that Arase’s membership of the Body of Benchers was a reflection of his commitment to excellence, integrity, the rule of law, and service to humanity.

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Until his passing, he was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), where he brought fresh, innovative ideas to police management.

“Beyond his public service, Arase would be remembered as a philanthropist who used his influence and professional networks to uplift communities.

READ ALSO: Police Mourn Ex-IG Arase’s Death

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“Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he provided scholarships to indigent students across Nigeria and championed causes that advanced education, security, and social welfare,” the BCF noted.

The BCF also highlighted his passion for his people, which inspired the formation of the Forum in December 2024 at his Benin City residence.

The BCF said his vision was rooted in building an egalitarian society where culture, security, and development went hand in hand.

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The Edo people, the entire nation, and humanity in general are highly appreciative of his humble service which he rendered with uncommon dedication, grit and compassion,” the statement read.

The Forum extended prayers and condolences to his wife, Mrs. Agharese Arase, and their children, describing his death as a monumental loss to Edo State, Nigeria, and the world.

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