The health of Bola Tinubu, a stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), features prominently in discussions centred on the 2023 general elections. Although the former Lagos Governor is yet to publicly declare intention to run, his presidential ambition is not in doubt. After the APC formation in 2013, the initial plan was for Tinubu to run with then retired General Muhammadu Buhari. This was dropped amid admonitions against a Muslim/Muslim ticket. The rigid opposition led to the emergence of a Law Professor, Yemi Osinbajo as the running mate. It is not a secret that Tinubu nominated the Vice…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Taliban completed their sweep of the country’s south on Friday as they took four more provincial capitals in a lightning offensive that is gradually encircling Kabul, just weeks before the US is set to officially end its two-decade war. The latest significant blow was the loss of the capital of Helmand province, where American, British and allied Nato forces fought some of the bloodiest battles in the past 20 years. Hundreds of foreign troops were killed in the province, which is also a major opium hub. The insurgents have taken half of the country’s 34 provincial capitals in recent days,…
The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria of has urged the Federal Government to put more efforts in the fight against insecurity currently ravaging the country. It said if the Federal Government fails to get more aggressive in the fight against criminality, the forthcoming general election may be a mirage. The church made the remark during a press conference on Friday in Abuja to mark the Synod of the North Edition of the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the church. Prelate and Moderator of General Assembly, of the church, His Eminence Nzie Nsi Eke who read the press statement, applauded the security agencies…
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan has said a press statement credited to one Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, a leader of a caucus group within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was a mischievous and calculated attempt at smearing the good name of Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Omipidan said all those behind the malicious and unguarded statement might be the ones actually plotting something sinister. InfoStride News had reported that the chairman of a caucus group in the APC, ‘The Osun Progressives (TOP), Adelowo Adebiyi, who is a loyalist of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had alleged…
A political analyst, Alhaji Usman Maikatako, has lamented that the rate of terrorism has gone above the power of the Zamfara State government, saying that both the federal and state government should explain why banditry persists in the state. Speaking exclusively with the media in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Alhaji Maikatako quoted former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as saying that if a crisis persists in a society for more than 24 hours, the government is involved. The analyst also quoted General Ibrahim Babangida as saying that no individual is more powerful than the government unless the…
Doyin Okupe, an erstwhile aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday claimed that former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, is considering him for the presidency in 2023. Okupe disclosed this while appearing on Arise News TV. The former presidential aide noted that the criteria laid out by IBB fit his profile perfectly, adding that the former ruler must have had him in mind while reeling out the qualities for the next Nigerian leader. “I believe when IBB was making that speech, he was talking about me. I haven’t spoken with him in a long time, I agree with…
Al Qaeda “will probably come back” as the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said. Wallace is highly critical of Washington’s decision to withdraw troops from the country, describing a deal signed by the US and the Taliban as a “mistake” and “rotten”, Sky News reported. Asked about the situation in Afghanistan, Wallace said: “I’m absolutely worried that failed states are breeding grounds for those types of people. “Of course I am worried, it is why I said I felt this was not the right time or decision to make because, of course, Al Qaeda will…
As political permutations hot up ahead of the 2023 general election, a group operating under the aegis of “Progressives Consolidation Group”, who are stakeholders within the APC fold, have revealed that they are lobbying for the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. To this end, the group said they have formally written the National Assembly, governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political influencers in the country to mobilise themselves for Osinbajo. Copies of the letter dated July 14, 2021, which was signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed…
A caucus within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, The Osun Progressives (TOP), has alleged that some individuals in government and the party have perfected plans to attack and assassinate some leaders of the group. TOP, in a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Adelowo Adebiyi on Thursday in Osogbo, alleged that the planned assassination is as a result of the group’s agitation for restructuring and re-energising of the party and also due to the outcome of the last ward congress in the state. Adelowo noted that despite the fact that the group has informed relevant security agencies…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dragged Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni to court. The party wants his removal for taking up the role of Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). The PDP, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, said holding two executive positions violated the constitution. The party said by serving as APC Chairman, the office of Buni and his deputy governor, Idi Gubana, have become vacant. The legal action demands that the PDP candidate in the 2019 election, Umar Damagum, and his running mate, Baba Aji, be…
Reno Omokri, former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari for visiting the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu in London. President Buhari who embarked on a medical trip to the United Kingdom two weeks ago, visited Tinubu in London on Thursday. The president’s media aide, Bashir Ahmad made this known via a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday night. He wrote, “this evening in London, the United Kingdom, visited Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”. Reacting, Reno, the socio-political activist said Buhari “is irresponsible”. He argued that no president of any…
As security forces retreated across Afghanistan, the government gave a proposal to Taliban negotiators in Qatar offering a power-sharing deal in return for an end to fighting, according to a member of the government’s team in Doha. A second negotiator, Ghulam Farooq Majroh, said the Taliban had been given an offer about a “government of peace” without providing more specifics. The peace offer comes as Taliban captured a strategic provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken in a weeklong sweep across Afghanistan just weeks before the end of the American military mission there. Seizing Ghazni…
The Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) Kaduna on Thursday has enjoined its members in the state not to lose hope as a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna vacated an order seeking to disqualify its candidate from Lere Federal constituency in the Bye-election. In a statement on Thursday by Katoh, Kaduna State Publicity Secretary of the party called on all members to be prepared and vote for the PDP candidate seeking for elections in Lere Federal Constituency Bye-Election, scheduled for 14th August 2021. “The Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, wish to announce to its members and supporters that the court order seeking…
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has assured better youths involvement and representation in governance. He claimed that if reelected, youths will occupy about 30 percent of his cabinet. Oyetola, while receiving Osun youths at his office after the 20 kilometres march, expressed delight in the youths’ reciprocal gestures, adding that his administration’s prioritisation of the concerns of youths is rooted in his belief in the future of the state. He also charged youths to embrace peace and pursue developmental objectives in the interest of the state, adding that his political ambition is not worth the blood of any Osun…
A chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Oyo State, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, has alleged that inordinate ambition and docility of Governor Seyi Makinde has resulted in the forfeit of a N26 billion World Bank-funded project in the state. InfoStride News recalls that a World Bank-funded project, christened ‘Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP)’, was initiated during the administration of the immediate past governor, late Abiola Ajimobi. It was gathered that the World Bank has concluded plans to withdraw its support for the project due to lack of commitment from the state government led by Makinde. The World…
Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has absolved himself of any involvement in the political misfortune of Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Keyamo said he was not involved in the crisis that “consumed” Oshiomhole during the last governorship election in Edo State. The minister said the former governor is still suffering from the political disappointment he suffered during the election. Oshiomhole, through his aide, Victor Oshioke, had denied claims of plotting to return as APC’s National Chairman. He had affirmed his loyalty to the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led leadership of the…
Taking a dig at the US, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Washington sees Pakistan as “useful” only for clearing the “mess” it has left behind in Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting and prefers India when it comes to forming a strategic partnership. Afghanistan has seen an uptick in violence by the Taliban after US President Joe Biden’s announcement of the withdrawal of American and NATO troops by August 31. Pakistan is just considered only to be useful in the context of somehow settling this mess which has been left behind after 20 years of trying to find…
The Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of turning the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, to a money spinning venture. Frowning at the recent hike in school fees in a press statement signed by the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Suleiman Ahmed Aliyu, and made available to newsmen in Minna, it said everything that the party touches gets out of the reach of poor people in the society. The party argued that the university was established under the PDP administration of late former governor, Abdulkadir A. Kure, to meet the…
Com. Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied a suggestion that he was plotting to return to office. Oshiomhole, in a statement by his Media Aide, Victor Oshioke, in Abuja on Wednesday, described the speculation as untrue. He, however, reaffirms his loyalty to the APC under the able leadership of His Excellency, Governor Mai-Mala Buni. The statement partly read: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who’s now a member of the APC and…
Police Command in Enugu has sealed off the All Progressives Congress (APC) office. The action was taken to maintain peace and order amid the worsening leadership crisis. More than 40 members of the State Executive Committee had passed a vote of no confidence on the state chairman, Ben Nwoye. He is accused of insubordination to statutory authorities and wanting to balkanise the party. The members told reporters that Nwoye engaged in gross misconduct and disregarded the APC constitution. Deputy Chairman, Gilbert Chukwunta said he violated congress guidelines as spelt out by the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). Chukwunta…