Politics

Two Injured As Tinubu Arrives Abuja Rally Late

Published

3 years ago

February 11, 2023

Supporters at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

No fewer than two persons were reported injured at Eagle Square, venue of the rally of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

The first victim was a middle aged woman who fell while leaving her seat in the stand to greet a friend.

An official of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, who craved anonymity, told our reporter that she was brought to their ambulance bleeding through her nose and was treated.

“She did not sustain any serious injury. We treated her and allowed her to go after we ascertained she was alright,” he said.

The second victim allegedly sustained a fracture while scrambling for a plate of food at the venue.

After administering first aid on him, the FCT emergency rescue team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said they were shocked to hear him and other grassroots supporters, saying they would seek alternative treatment for the fracture.

The coordinator of the NSCDC rescue officials expressed shock when she said, “I have not seen this kind of thing before. He and his other friends just put up a show and said they won’t allow him to go with the ambulance.”

Meanwhile, the look of despair and fatigue on the faces of anxious supporters at Eagle Square was a summary of the rally in Abuja where Tinubu did not turn up at the venue until 7.25pm, after over five hours into the campaign.

The APC candidate arrived the venue in the company of his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima and the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the APC candidate was slated to feature in two political rallies in both Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

In a phone chat with The PUNCH , the Chief Spokesman of the APC presidential campaign council, Festus Keyamo, told our correspondent that while the Kebbi rally was expected to begin from 11.00am to 1.00pm, the Abuja campaign would commence from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

However, as of 7.00pm, clearly five hours past the commencement time, the poster boy of the APC had not arrived the venue.

Sources told our reporter that the former Lagos State governor left his campaign ground in Kebbi late and might not arrive on time for the FCT rally.

Prior to his arrival, the disc jockeys and comperes did their best to engage and entertain the supporters at the carnival-like rally in vain.

Despite screaming into the microphone at intervals that “the presidential candidate is on his way” a number of supporters were strolling out of the venue disappointed.

Policemen, immigration officers, private security guards were seen mounting guards at major entrances to the campaign ground.

A horde of support groups wearing colourful ‘Aso Ebi’, T-shirts and caps customised with Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ marched and danced around waving banners carrying his campaign picture and other APC candidates vying for other positions at the 2023 election.

Petty food and drinks vendors were also spotted making brisk business while the wait for the party presidential candidate continues.

Among some notable dignitaries at the venue were Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi; wife of the APC vice presidential candidate, Hajia Nana Shettima; Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission Board, Lauretta Onochie; spouse of the Governor of Borno, Dr Falmata Zulum; Minister of State for the FCT, Ramatu Tijanni; Secretary of the APC and other members of the APC PCC

Also in attendance were Nollywood artistes such as Saidi Balogun, James Faleke, Abimbola Akintola and Zack Orji

Gbajabiamila himself arrived at the Eagle Square venue at exactly 5.50pm, about four hours late.

Politics

APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

APC Ward 4 in Sagamu says it suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel because he refused to appear and defend himself over allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking to journalists at the ward office in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, said he spoke for the 19-member executive committee.

He explained that their clarification was necessary after a statement issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, reacting to a November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

Aduroja, who stood with the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail, said the Ward Executive Committee agreed to suspend Senator Daniel because he failed to appear before a panel set up to review petitions against him.

The petitions accused him of working against the party.

He said the problem started during the last general elections, when Senator Daniel “acted in open defiance of the party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.”

Aduroja added that after the elections, the senator, “attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates.”

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He said these actions remain unchallenged.

Reacting to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, in the November 17 letter, Aduroja insisted that the APC Constitution allows Executive Committees at all levelsward, local government, state, zonal or national to discipline any member.

He said Article 21(5)(vii) gives the National Working Committee the power to suspend members, but does not override the powers of Executive Committees at other levels, and does not require them to seek approval from the NWC.

He explained that “any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4).”

He added that nothing in the constitution makes their decision dependent on NWC review.

Aduroja said Ward 4 is committed to discipline, fairness and due process, and stressed that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

Politics

Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria for blaming the wave of attacks, especially in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume on Wednesday, said recent statements by Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups across the country.

Responding to the SGF, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement said Akume’s comment was an attempt to deflect responsibility.

According to him, it is appalling that the APC-led government suggested that insecurity in Nigeria was triggered by a statement made by a foreign president.

The ADC mouthpiece further stated that the claim amounted to a shameful abdication of responsibility and a confirmation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is overwhelmed by the security crisis.

He added that Nigerians had endured massacres, mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship for years under the APC-led government.

Abdullahi said the situation has worsened under the current administration because of the government’s failure to respond decisively.

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“It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria,”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump; they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned into a killing field,” he said.

Politics

Top NNPP Mobiliser In Kano Resigns, Cites Neglect, Lack Of Recognition

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

A key member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Bichi Local Government Area, Hon. Jamilu Kabir Bichi, has resigned from the party, saying he has been consistently sidelined despite his contributions.

Kabir, who was the NNPP Director-General of the 2023 Campaign in Bichi, announced his resignation in a letter dated November 19, 2025, and addressed to the party’s ward chairman.

He described his decision as “painful yet necessary,” explaining that he and his supporters had faced neglect in the party, especially in his home community.

He said the leadership had failed to acknowledge the sacrifice and effort of loyal members.

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“The leadership’s refusal at all levels to recognize our progressive agenda, loyalty, patience, and endurance has been deeply disheartening,” he wrote.

Kabir also said many committed members who worked hard to build the NNPP were denied chances to serve in the party or in government after the party won elections.

According to him, this made it impossible to remain in the party.

“As a principled individual with a political vision and mission… I can no longer, in good conscience, remain in a party that compromises my values,” he stated.

He thanked his political mentor, former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ahmad Garba Bichi, praising his patience, loyalty, and straightforwardness.

Kabir added that he would continue to practice “politics without bitterness.”

He ended his letter with a prayer, asking Allah to guide the people of Bichi, Kano, and Nigeria, and pledged to stay committed to serving humanity.