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Showing posts with label Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Show all posts

BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu Appoints Tinubu's Men As Media Aides In First Appointments

BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu Appoints Tinubu's Men As Media Aides In First Appointments

Tinubu and akeredolu

Loved to be called Arakunrin Akeredolu, the newly sworn-in Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu AN has approved the appointment of Mr. Oluwasegun Ajiboye as Chief Press Secretary to Governor, News Punch understand

Until his appointment, Ajiboye is an Assistant Editor with The Nation newspaper believed to be owned by the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

that Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Ajiboye studied Language and Linguistics from the University of Lagos. A native of Irun Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State. He started his journalism career as a reporter with The News magazine in 2000 and moved to The Sun newspaper in 2003. Between 2007 and 2009, he served as Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. Ajiboye worked as the Group News Editor of the defunct National Life newspaper until 2012 when he joined The Nation as Assistant Editor of the Saturday title.

Also appointed by Akeredolu is Mr. Dapo Aruwajoye. He is appointed by the Governor as the Press Secretary (Electronic Media).  

Aruwajoye, who hails from Owo, Ondo State, is a Reporter -Presenter with  Television Continental, TVC, Lagos, the station also believed to be owned by Tinubu. A graduate of English from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, Aruwajoye also holds a Master's Degree in Media and Globalization from Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham. U.K. He started his career as a reporter with Channels Television, Lagos, before moving to TVC where he has carved a niche for himself as a highly resourceful journalist. 

Arakunrun Akeredolu also appointed Mr. Fisayo Falodi as Press Secretary (Print Media). A graduate of Philosophy from the University of Ado Ekiti, Falodi served as the Sub-Editor of The Nation newspaper between December 2006 and November 2010. He moved to National Mirror as Senior Sub Editor where he held sway for four years before joining Saturday Punch in 2014 as a Senior Correspondent. He is a native of Ijare, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had reportedly fallen apart with the former godfather, Tinubu over the later's preference for Dr. Olusegun Abraham. Akeredolu had against all odds, emerged the Party's candidate, subsequently won the gubernatorial election and had since been sworn-in.

With Akeredolu's first appointments, which ushered in Tinubu's men as his media aides leave many questions yearning for answers 

Tinubu and akeredolu

Loved to be called Arakunrin Akeredolu, the newly sworn-in Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu AN has approved the appointment of Mr. Oluwasegun Ajiboye as Chief Press Secretary to Governor, News Punch understand

Until his appointment, Ajiboye is an Assistant Editor with The Nation newspaper believed to be owned by the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

that Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Ajiboye studied Language and Linguistics from the University of Lagos. A native of Irun Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State. He started his journalism career as a reporter with The News magazine in 2000 and moved to The Sun newspaper in 2003. Between 2007 and 2009, he served as Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. Ajiboye worked as the Group News Editor of the defunct National Life newspaper until 2012 when he joined The Nation as Assistant Editor of the Saturday title.

Also appointed by Akeredolu is Mr. Dapo Aruwajoye. He is appointed by the Governor as the Press Secretary (Electronic Media).  

Aruwajoye, who hails from Owo, Ondo State, is a Reporter -Presenter with  Television Continental, TVC, Lagos, the station also believed to be owned by Tinubu. A graduate of English from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, Aruwajoye also holds a Master's Degree in Media and Globalization from Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham. U.K. He started his career as a reporter with Channels Television, Lagos, before moving to TVC where he has carved a niche for himself as a highly resourceful journalist. 

Arakunrun Akeredolu also appointed Mr. Fisayo Falodi as Press Secretary (Print Media). A graduate of Philosophy from the University of Ado Ekiti, Falodi served as the Sub-Editor of The Nation newspaper between December 2006 and November 2010. He moved to National Mirror as Senior Sub Editor where he held sway for four years before joining Saturday Punch in 2014 as a Senior Correspondent. He is a native of Ijare, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had reportedly fallen apart with the former godfather, Tinubu over the later's preference for Dr. Olusegun Abraham. Akeredolu had against all odds, emerged the Party's candidate, subsequently won the gubernatorial election and had since been sworn-in.

With Akeredolu's first appointments, which ushered in Tinubu's men as his media aides leave many questions yearning for answers 

2019: Tinubu, Atiku Join Force With Makarfi PDP Faction, Saraki, Others Too; Hence, Buhari Makes Shocking Desperate Moves

2019: Tinubu, Atiku Join Force With Makarfi PDP Faction, Saraki, Others Too; Hence, Buhari Makes Shocking Desperate Moves

2019 Mega Party, Atiku, Tinubu Saraki Makarfi
The permutations, alignments, realignments  and political calculations ahead of the 2019 general elections may have begun already as fresh report according to Punch Newspaper suggests that the out of favour national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and handful of notatble members of the APC may have perfected plan to join force with the Alhaji Makarfi led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, News Punch understands

According to Punch Newspaper, barring any last-minute change of plans, the proposed mega opposition party in the country will be formed before the end of March, 2017.

It was gathered that the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and aggrieved chieftains of the All Progressives Congress had intensified efforts aimed at forming the party since the result of the Ondo State election was released.


Findings showed that besides the plan to form a new mega party, those involved in the talks were also considering adopting any of the existing political parties as their platform.

It was gathered that those who were participating in the talks included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a national leader of the APC,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

A PDP chieftain, according to Punch Newspaper, said with what happened in Ondo,  it had become obvious that the Muhammadu Buhari administration was ready to relinquish power despite the fact that it had no solution to the economic recession in  the country.

The source said, “The mega party is still at a formative stage but I can tell you we are making steady progress.

“With what happened in Ondo, you will agree with me that the cabal around the President, including a governor from the North-Central, and some ministers, has hijacked the party structure.

“They have shown more than once that they want to frustrate Tinubu and Atiku out of the APC.  These are tested politicians, who have no plans of retiring any time soon.

“The picture will become clearer before the end of the first quarter of next year (March 2017) because some of our people believe that if we come out now, the cabal will use executive powers to frustrate us.  Others feel it is better to let Nigerians know but our leaders are meeting at home and abroad. We are waiting for them.”

Investigations showed that those involved in the talks were aware of the Federal Government’s plot to thwart the groups’ plan to form a new mega party, informing the plan of the groups to adopt any of the existing parties and uplift it to a mega status.

“We are working on the plan to form a mega party, but we may adopt any of the existing parties, if the government thwarts our efforts,” a PDP Chieftain confided in our source.

It was also gathered that the Makarfi faction planned to strengthen its electoral strength in the South-East by entrenching rotational presidency in the constitution of the new party.

Another top member of the PDP said the group was aware of the plans by the  Buhari administration to make an inroad into the South-East in 2019.

The PDP chieftain added, “The South-East and South-South are areas of our strength. We have noticed that the Presidency has been receiving Igbo leaders at the Aso Rock. This is part of the bid to win the zone in 2019.

“We may have to make some concessions to the South-East to truly show that we care for the zone. These will include rotational presidency.”

For Tinubu, it was also gathered that the group was seriously considering the offer of the Makarfi faction to form a mega party.

It was learnt that the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had been reaching out to the Tinubu group on behalf of the faction.

A member of the Tinubu group, who confided in Our Source, stated, “We do not want to make the mistake we made with Buhari by rushing to support him. We are considering the offer from the PDP faction.”

Besides Tinubu and Atiku, other prominent politicians being targeted by the Makarfi faction include a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankanso; the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and an ex-governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

It was gathered that the Makarfi faction was aware of the desperate move of the President to woo Saraki.

This, it was learnt, was one of the reasons for the Senate President’s recent frequent visits to the President.

“We have not given up on Saraki. He is one of us and we believe he is going to be part of the mega party we will form,” a PDP chieftain stated.

One of our correspondents learnt that the Federal Government had dropped the Senate Order forgery suit against Saraki in order to ensure his loyalty to Buhari.

It was also believed that the Senate President was instrumental to the emergence of former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, as the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party.

“Even the trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal may crumble or never be concluded. It’s all part of the plan to ensure that Saraki does not join the new party to be formed,” a source told one of our correspondents on Saturday.

For Kwankanso, it was gathered that the former governor had almost been pushed out of the APC by his successor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.

“Kwankanso is going to be part of the new arrangement because for now, he is only a fringe member of the APC,” the PDP source added.

Efforts made to get the reaction of the Makarfi faction were unsuccessful as calls made to the telephone of the National Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, were not connected.

Adeyeye, a former minister of state for works, had, however, once denied that the inter-party committee, set up by Makarfi, was given a mandate to change the name of the PDP.

When one of our correspondents contacted the Special Adviser to Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman, he said he was not aware of the plan to form a mega party.

He said, “I am not aware of that development. I am not aware at all.”

On his part, the media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, dismissed insinuations that his principal was considering dumping the APC.

He accused those he referred to as political jobbers and mischief makers of trying to drag the former Vice-President into their baseless conspiracy theory.

“The statement we issued as far back as 2015 on this vexatious speculation is as valid then as it is valid today.

“The same sets of mischief makers are at it again. The Turakin Adamawa has shown in his words and deeds that he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress nothing has changed,” Ibe stated.

The statement, which was issued by the Atiku Media Office, described media reports linking Atiku to a new party, as “lies concocted by some mischief makers who were trying to cause disaffection between the former Vice-President and his party.

Political realignment are ongoing, says Timi Frank

But the suspended Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC, Timi Frank, said, “I can tell you clearly; political re-alignments are going on and people will make their stand known very, very soon. That is all I can tell you for now.”
2019 Mega Party, Atiku, Tinubu Saraki Makarfi
The permutations, alignments, realignments  and political calculations ahead of the 2019 general elections may have begun already as fresh report according to Punch Newspaper suggests that the out of favour national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and handful of notatble members of the APC may have perfected plan to join force with the Alhaji Makarfi led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, News Punch understands

According to Punch Newspaper, barring any last-minute change of plans, the proposed mega opposition party in the country will be formed before the end of March, 2017.

It was gathered that the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and aggrieved chieftains of the All Progressives Congress had intensified efforts aimed at forming the party since the result of the Ondo State election was released.


Findings showed that besides the plan to form a new mega party, those involved in the talks were also considering adopting any of the existing political parties as their platform.

It was gathered that those who were participating in the talks included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a national leader of the APC,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

A PDP chieftain, according to Punch Newspaper, said with what happened in Ondo,  it had become obvious that the Muhammadu Buhari administration was ready to relinquish power despite the fact that it had no solution to the economic recession in  the country.

The source said, “The mega party is still at a formative stage but I can tell you we are making steady progress.

“With what happened in Ondo, you will agree with me that the cabal around the President, including a governor from the North-Central, and some ministers, has hijacked the party structure.

“They have shown more than once that they want to frustrate Tinubu and Atiku out of the APC.  These are tested politicians, who have no plans of retiring any time soon.

“The picture will become clearer before the end of the first quarter of next year (March 2017) because some of our people believe that if we come out now, the cabal will use executive powers to frustrate us.  Others feel it is better to let Nigerians know but our leaders are meeting at home and abroad. We are waiting for them.”

Investigations showed that those involved in the talks were aware of the Federal Government’s plot to thwart the groups’ plan to form a new mega party, informing the plan of the groups to adopt any of the existing parties and uplift it to a mega status.

“We are working on the plan to form a mega party, but we may adopt any of the existing parties, if the government thwarts our efforts,” a PDP Chieftain confided in our source.

It was also gathered that the Makarfi faction planned to strengthen its electoral strength in the South-East by entrenching rotational presidency in the constitution of the new party.

Another top member of the PDP said the group was aware of the plans by the  Buhari administration to make an inroad into the South-East in 2019.

The PDP chieftain added, “The South-East and South-South are areas of our strength. We have noticed that the Presidency has been receiving Igbo leaders at the Aso Rock. This is part of the bid to win the zone in 2019.

“We may have to make some concessions to the South-East to truly show that we care for the zone. These will include rotational presidency.”

For Tinubu, it was also gathered that the group was seriously considering the offer of the Makarfi faction to form a mega party.

It was learnt that the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had been reaching out to the Tinubu group on behalf of the faction.

A member of the Tinubu group, who confided in Our Source, stated, “We do not want to make the mistake we made with Buhari by rushing to support him. We are considering the offer from the PDP faction.”

Besides Tinubu and Atiku, other prominent politicians being targeted by the Makarfi faction include a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankanso; the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and an ex-governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

It was gathered that the Makarfi faction was aware of the desperate move of the President to woo Saraki.

This, it was learnt, was one of the reasons for the Senate President’s recent frequent visits to the President.

“We have not given up on Saraki. He is one of us and we believe he is going to be part of the mega party we will form,” a PDP chieftain stated.

One of our correspondents learnt that the Federal Government had dropped the Senate Order forgery suit against Saraki in order to ensure his loyalty to Buhari.

It was also believed that the Senate President was instrumental to the emergence of former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, as the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party.

“Even the trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal may crumble or never be concluded. It’s all part of the plan to ensure that Saraki does not join the new party to be formed,” a source told one of our correspondents on Saturday.

For Kwankanso, it was gathered that the former governor had almost been pushed out of the APC by his successor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.

“Kwankanso is going to be part of the new arrangement because for now, he is only a fringe member of the APC,” the PDP source added.

Efforts made to get the reaction of the Makarfi faction were unsuccessful as calls made to the telephone of the National Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, were not connected.

Adeyeye, a former minister of state for works, had, however, once denied that the inter-party committee, set up by Makarfi, was given a mandate to change the name of the PDP.

When one of our correspondents contacted the Special Adviser to Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman, he said he was not aware of the plan to form a mega party.

He said, “I am not aware of that development. I am not aware at all.”

On his part, the media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, dismissed insinuations that his principal was considering dumping the APC.

He accused those he referred to as political jobbers and mischief makers of trying to drag the former Vice-President into their baseless conspiracy theory.

“The statement we issued as far back as 2015 on this vexatious speculation is as valid then as it is valid today.

“The same sets of mischief makers are at it again. The Turakin Adamawa has shown in his words and deeds that he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress nothing has changed,” Ibe stated.

The statement, which was issued by the Atiku Media Office, described media reports linking Atiku to a new party, as “lies concocted by some mischief makers who were trying to cause disaffection between the former Vice-President and his party.

Political realignment are ongoing, says Timi Frank

But the suspended Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC, Timi Frank, said, “I can tell you clearly; political re-alignments are going on and people will make their stand known very, very soon. That is all I can tell you for now.”

Ekiti 2018: UNCERTAINTY As Gov. Fayose Confirms Exit From PDP

Ekiti 2018: UNCERTAINTY As Gov. Fayose Confirms Exit From PDP

Ekiti 2018: UNCERTAINTY As Gov. Fayose Confirms Exit From PDP
The controversial Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has confirmed his future in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is uncertain.

There have been rumours of his secret alliance with the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, coupled with what seems like a bid to avoid what caused the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the just-concluded Ondo governorship election, strong indications emerged that the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, may used another platform to prosecute the battle for who succeeds him during the 2018 governorship poll in the state, report according to Daily Post suggests

Fayose declared that the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, in the Saturday’s governorship poll in Ondo State does not in any way threaten the supremacy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti state.

He added that Akeredolu’s emergence did not confer legitimacy on the poll or lent credence to the fact that Ondo electorate had voted rightly.

Fayose, who spoke in Ikere Ekiti on Wednesday while meeting with the members of the Suppliers’ Association of Nigeria, Ikere chapter, said “I don’t know the platform I will use for the 2018 election yet and at the appropriate time, I will tell you”.

The governor added, “We are still studying the situation. We have to play the game left, right and centre and whoever we are going to use and the platform, you will all be part of the process because party politics is about the people.

“You all saw how people sold their votes in Ondo state, I am confident that that will not happen in Ekiti. I am close to the people. You are the source of my strength . Even if it requires just 48 hours to any election, if I tell you where to go, you will surely follow me there,” Fayose said.

At a separate meeting with the junior staff of the state civil service, Fayose boasted that he will repeat the 16-0 he meted out to his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi in 2014, where he defeated the then incumbent in all the sixteen local governments.

He promised that he would continue to do his best in the payment of salaries by carrying the workers along to know what accrues to the state from the federation account, adding that there won’t be communication gap, once his government doesn’t operate in secrecy.

“APC will be fooling itself if it thinks it will conquer Ekiti like it did in Ondo. Ekiti is a peculiar place and I am the man on ground here. I want to assure my supporters and Nigerians that APC won’t win a local government here in 2018, even if President Muhammadu Buhari moves down all the money in FG’s TSA.

“Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Eyitayo Jegede must have lost in Ondo State, but that does not mean the people had voted rightly. In 2015, people clamoured for change and what have we got now? Nigerians are becoming poorer than ever.

“Today, I am the only one among the APC governors in the southwest . I am now like the nation of Israel surrounded by enemies, but I shall defeat and triumph over them.

“APC has never defeated me in any battle, either political or legal. Whether they like it or not, I will win in Ekiti no matter the
animosity, because I have the people behind me,” Fayose declared.

Ekiti 2018: UNCERTAINTY As Gov. Fayose Confirms Exit From PDP
The controversial Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has confirmed his future in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is uncertain.

There have been rumours of his secret alliance with the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, coupled with what seems like a bid to avoid what caused the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the just-concluded Ondo governorship election, strong indications emerged that the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, may used another platform to prosecute the battle for who succeeds him during the 2018 governorship poll in the state, report according to Daily Post suggests

Fayose declared that the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, in the Saturday’s governorship poll in Ondo State does not in any way threaten the supremacy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti state.

He added that Akeredolu’s emergence did not confer legitimacy on the poll or lent credence to the fact that Ondo electorate had voted rightly.

Fayose, who spoke in Ikere Ekiti on Wednesday while meeting with the members of the Suppliers’ Association of Nigeria, Ikere chapter, said “I don’t know the platform I will use for the 2018 election yet and at the appropriate time, I will tell you”.

The governor added, “We are still studying the situation. We have to play the game left, right and centre and whoever we are going to use and the platform, you will all be part of the process because party politics is about the people.

“You all saw how people sold their votes in Ondo state, I am confident that that will not happen in Ekiti. I am close to the people. You are the source of my strength . Even if it requires just 48 hours to any election, if I tell you where to go, you will surely follow me there,” Fayose said.

At a separate meeting with the junior staff of the state civil service, Fayose boasted that he will repeat the 16-0 he meted out to his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi in 2014, where he defeated the then incumbent in all the sixteen local governments.

He promised that he would continue to do his best in the payment of salaries by carrying the workers along to know what accrues to the state from the federation account, adding that there won’t be communication gap, once his government doesn’t operate in secrecy.

“APC will be fooling itself if it thinks it will conquer Ekiti like it did in Ondo. Ekiti is a peculiar place and I am the man on ground here. I want to assure my supporters and Nigerians that APC won’t win a local government here in 2018, even if President Muhammadu Buhari moves down all the money in FG’s TSA.

“Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Eyitayo Jegede must have lost in Ondo State, but that does not mean the people had voted rightly. In 2015, people clamoured for change and what have we got now? Nigerians are becoming poorer than ever.

“Today, I am the only one among the APC governors in the southwest . I am now like the nation of Israel surrounded by enemies, but I shall defeat and triumph over them.

“APC has never defeated me in any battle, either political or legal. Whether they like it or not, I will win in Ekiti no matter the
animosity, because I have the people behind me,” Fayose declared.

Tinubu My PRICELESS POLITICAL ASSET - Buhari, Reveals Tinubu's Shocking Roles In Ondo's APC Victory

Tinubu My PRICELESS POLITICAL ASSET - Buhari, Reveals Tinubu's Shocking Roles In Ondo's APC Victory

Tinubu and Buhari
Contrary to media reports that there existed an animosity between the duo of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari, the later has described the former as a PRICELESS POLITICAL ASSET, according to Statement released from Aso Rock.

In The statement, President  Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said there was no truth in reports suggesting that he and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress were at loggerheads with a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the reports as “unfounded and mischievous.”


Shehu said the President who, according to him, was highly embarrassed by such reports was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the recent Ondo State governorship election.

He said any suggestions that the President and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility.

The presidential spokesman added that the President was impressed by Tinubu’s assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his words.

He said Buhari regarded Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party were known to all.

He advised those he called rumour-mongers to stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the President “is proud of the Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party.”

The statement partly read, “President Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in  promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected governor.

“The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC.

“He appealed to the APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm party unity.”
Tinubu and Buhari
Contrary to media reports that there existed an animosity between the duo of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari, the later has described the former as a PRICELESS POLITICAL ASSET, according to Statement released from Aso Rock.

In The statement, President  Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said there was no truth in reports suggesting that he and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress were at loggerheads with a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the reports as “unfounded and mischievous.”


Shehu said the President who, according to him, was highly embarrassed by such reports was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the recent Ondo State governorship election.

He said any suggestions that the President and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility.

The presidential spokesman added that the President was impressed by Tinubu’s assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his words.

He said Buhari regarded Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party were known to all.

He advised those he called rumour-mongers to stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the President “is proud of the Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party.”

The statement partly read, “President Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in  promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected governor.

“The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC.

“He appealed to the APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm party unity.”

2019: Makarfi's PDP Woos 'Tinubu', Other Aggrieved APC Chiefs To Form New Party As 75 APC Senators Go With Sheriff

2019: Makarfi's PDP Woos 'Tinubu', Other Aggrieved APC Chiefs To Form New Party As 75 APC Senators Go With Sheriff

Tinubu Saraki Makarfi sheriff
2019, which will mark another political dispensation in Nigeria may still be far, but some who-is-who Nigerian politicians are already leaving no stone un-turned to ensure the tides favour them, this is as reports have signaled there are already alignment and realignment within the political parties

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has revealed that there are already talks with over 75% Senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over possible return to the party ahead of 2019 Presidential election, report according to Punch Newspaper says.

This is even as the Sherif faction also accused the Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi faction of wooing some aggrieved APC leaders, who have lost out in the President Muhammadu Buhari's government to form new party


Though, no name of the aggrieved APC Chiefs was mentioned, but it no news that the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu undoubtedly aggrieved over poor treatment he has suffered within the party, despite his unmatched effort to bring the party to power in 2015

According to Punch Newspaper report, Sherrif faction accused the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of plot to dump the PDP after ensuring that it had gained sufficient confidence of those who appeared to have lost out in the APC.

The Punch Newspaper further accounted that, a member of the National Working Committee of the party under Sheriff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered why the Makarfi camp would set up what he described as “inter-party committee” instead of “intra-party” committee to reposition the former ruling party ahead of 2019.

The source added, “They (members of the Makarfi group) have been meeting clandestinely with some disgruntled members of the APC with a view to forming a new party ahead of 2019.

“They are also talking with those who have corruption cases against them by either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, the Police or the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

He said, “They are looking for people of questionable character and all those who are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari in the APC are their target.

“How do you set up an inter-party committee when the problem is with us, the PDP alone?

“Why would they be scouting for people who have corruption cases against them, and those who are being tried for one criminal case or the other?

“For us, we will take the party to the people who own it and we won’t allow just one governor to lord it over the people of his state at all times.”

It was also learnt that the Sheriff faction had concluded plan to set up a rival committee on how to rejuvenate the troubled party.

Membership of the proposed committee, which will be named before Monday, was debated by the faction at its meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

The PUNCH gathered that the committee would perform the function as the one set up by the camp of the National Caretaker of the party, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi in Abuja on Monday.

While Makarfi’s committee is to interface with some aggrieved members of the party and its former members, who have defected to other political parties, the Sheriff committee, it was gathered, would discuss how to re-position the PDP alone.

Makarfi’s committee, known as the Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs, has more than 115 members.

Among its terms of reference are how to explore strategies to engage “all possible allies” with a view to building positive relationship in the overall interest and in furtherance of democracy in Nigeria and also consider and recommend strategies to reposition the party.

The committee is also saddled with the responsibility of recommending necessary amendment to the constitution of the party.

Speaking on the proposed committee, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the Sheriff faction, Mr. Bernard Mikko, said the committee members would be unveiled soon.

He said, “Recall that the party was in dire need of reorganisation and rejuvenation due to the blatant impunity that led to our defeat at the 2015 presidential election, and the subsequent leadership crisis that has threatened the unity and cohesion of the party.

“Also recall that feuding camps agreed to reconcile, diminish tendencies of impunity and strengthen the party based on the principles of rule of law.

“The discussions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding suffered a setback due to extraneous forces within the Makarfi camp.

“However, the NWC, under the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, is determined to put reconciliation back on track in the face of impending inclination of the Makarfi camp to forming a new political movement or exploring ways of leaving the PDP.

“We believe the name is not the problem, but these vested interests that led us to defeat at the last presidential election and bent on perpetuating themselves in public service at all costs.

“The PDP, under the leadership of Sheriff, will reposition the party and appeals to all stakeholders not to succumb to the antics of the nomadic forces behind the leadership crisis.”

The Makarfi group, however, said the committee was free to discuss with anyone within the PDP and outside the party.

It stated that the committee didn’t have the instruction or mandate to discuss the change of name of the PDP for now.

The PDP faction nevertheless added that the report of the committee would be exhaustively discussed at a higher level before a final decision was taken on the matter.

Spokesperson for the party, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, who spoke with The PUNCH on Wednesday, claimed that more than 75 per cent of APC senators wanted to return to the PDP.

He said, “More than three quarter of the senators are already discussing the possibility of being in our party and form an alliance with us.

“You know how the APC came into being. We are already discussing with them and individually, the senators and other are already discussing the possibility of forming an alliance with us.

“We don’t want solo discussion and this is the reason why we have to form a committee to handle such discussions.”

Adeyeye, a former Minister of State for Works during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said the question on the possibility of changing the name of the PDP would be discussed at a higher quarters.

“We want to regain power democratically in 2019. We are doing everything possible to get it,” he added.

Excerpts From Punch Newspaper used in this post

Tinubu Saraki Makarfi sheriff
2019, which will mark another political dispensation in Nigeria may still be far, but some who-is-who Nigerian politicians are already leaving no stone un-turned to ensure the tides favour them, this is as reports have signaled there are already alignment and realignment within the political parties

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has revealed that there are already talks with over 75% Senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over possible return to the party ahead of 2019 Presidential election, report according to Punch Newspaper says.

This is even as the Sherif faction also accused the Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi faction of wooing some aggrieved APC leaders, who have lost out in the President Muhammadu Buhari's government to form new party


Though, no name of the aggrieved APC Chiefs was mentioned, but it no news that the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu undoubtedly aggrieved over poor treatment he has suffered within the party, despite his unmatched effort to bring the party to power in 2015

According to Punch Newspaper report, Sherrif faction accused the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of plot to dump the PDP after ensuring that it had gained sufficient confidence of those who appeared to have lost out in the APC.

The Punch Newspaper further accounted that, a member of the National Working Committee of the party under Sheriff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered why the Makarfi camp would set up what he described as “inter-party committee” instead of “intra-party” committee to reposition the former ruling party ahead of 2019.

The source added, “They (members of the Makarfi group) have been meeting clandestinely with some disgruntled members of the APC with a view to forming a new party ahead of 2019.

“They are also talking with those who have corruption cases against them by either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, the Police or the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

He said, “They are looking for people of questionable character and all those who are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari in the APC are their target.

“How do you set up an inter-party committee when the problem is with us, the PDP alone?

“Why would they be scouting for people who have corruption cases against them, and those who are being tried for one criminal case or the other?

“For us, we will take the party to the people who own it and we won’t allow just one governor to lord it over the people of his state at all times.”

It was also learnt that the Sheriff faction had concluded plan to set up a rival committee on how to rejuvenate the troubled party.

Membership of the proposed committee, which will be named before Monday, was debated by the faction at its meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

The PUNCH gathered that the committee would perform the function as the one set up by the camp of the National Caretaker of the party, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi in Abuja on Monday.

While Makarfi’s committee is to interface with some aggrieved members of the party and its former members, who have defected to other political parties, the Sheriff committee, it was gathered, would discuss how to re-position the PDP alone.

Makarfi’s committee, known as the Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs, has more than 115 members.

Among its terms of reference are how to explore strategies to engage “all possible allies” with a view to building positive relationship in the overall interest and in furtherance of democracy in Nigeria and also consider and recommend strategies to reposition the party.

The committee is also saddled with the responsibility of recommending necessary amendment to the constitution of the party.

Speaking on the proposed committee, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the Sheriff faction, Mr. Bernard Mikko, said the committee members would be unveiled soon.

He said, “Recall that the party was in dire need of reorganisation and rejuvenation due to the blatant impunity that led to our defeat at the 2015 presidential election, and the subsequent leadership crisis that has threatened the unity and cohesion of the party.

“Also recall that feuding camps agreed to reconcile, diminish tendencies of impunity and strengthen the party based on the principles of rule of law.

“The discussions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding suffered a setback due to extraneous forces within the Makarfi camp.

“However, the NWC, under the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, is determined to put reconciliation back on track in the face of impending inclination of the Makarfi camp to forming a new political movement or exploring ways of leaving the PDP.

“We believe the name is not the problem, but these vested interests that led us to defeat at the last presidential election and bent on perpetuating themselves in public service at all costs.

“The PDP, under the leadership of Sheriff, will reposition the party and appeals to all stakeholders not to succumb to the antics of the nomadic forces behind the leadership crisis.”

The Makarfi group, however, said the committee was free to discuss with anyone within the PDP and outside the party.

It stated that the committee didn’t have the instruction or mandate to discuss the change of name of the PDP for now.

The PDP faction nevertheless added that the report of the committee would be exhaustively discussed at a higher level before a final decision was taken on the matter.

Spokesperson for the party, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, who spoke with The PUNCH on Wednesday, claimed that more than 75 per cent of APC senators wanted to return to the PDP.

He said, “More than three quarter of the senators are already discussing the possibility of being in our party and form an alliance with us.

“You know how the APC came into being. We are already discussing with them and individually, the senators and other are already discussing the possibility of forming an alliance with us.

“We don’t want solo discussion and this is the reason why we have to form a committee to handle such discussions.”

Adeyeye, a former Minister of State for Works during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said the question on the possibility of changing the name of the PDP would be discussed at a higher quarters.

“We want to regain power democratically in 2019. We are doing everything possible to get it,” he added.

Excerpts From Punch Newspaper used in this post

The Man Buhari'll Ensure Succeeds Him, Why Tinubu Should Not Be Rubbished - Pa Olaniwun's N'Tribune Interview Before His Death

The Man Buhari'll Ensure Succeeds Him, Why Tinubu Should Not Be Rubbished - Pa Olaniwun's N'Tribune Interview Before His Death

Nigerian Tribune - Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, a foremost lawyer and chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, died in the early hours of Friday. In this interview conducted on Wednesday (2 November, 2016) by Saturday Tribune’s KEHINDE OYETIMI and RITA OKONOBOH, which turned out to be his last, the elder statesman spoke on the state of the nation, the judiciary and the anti-corruption war, among other issues. Excerpts:

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi
As a foremost lawyer, how would you react to the accusation of judges involved in money laundering and corruption?

It’s most disappointing. Again, it is part of the corruption going on in the country, but one least expected that the judiciary should have been involved in this very very ugly enterprise. It is most disappointing. I was devastated to hear that so much. The judiciary is our hope; the hope of everyone in the country. But to think and realise that the people on whom we will rely for hope and salvation would be involved in such a very dirty practice is most terrible. On whether they should be arraigned and tried, the DSS applied Gestapo practice, there is no doubt about that. But the thing is why should our judges be found in that practice? Although the way they have been dealt with, such as going to their houses in the dead of night, that could be described as high-handed. But then, why should the circumstance arise for such to happen? It is very bad.


One of the arrested judges indicted one or two serving ministers in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, particularly noting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) interests be taken care of. Do you think that these indicted ministers should step aside?

They should certainly step aside and that allegation should be investigated. They shouldn’t resume office until they are exonerated. In fact, without anyone forcing them to do so, they should voluntarily step aside and declare that they are ready for probe. Buhari shouldn’t harbour such people because he is out to clean the Aegean’s Stable in this country. It shouldn’t be half and half; he should go the whole hog.

There have also been various allegations against the presidency that the fight against corruption is lopsided. How would you react to such claims and what do you think can be done?

What does the law require? What does the law provide? If we cannot meet the requirements of the law, it should be out. It doesn’t matter who you are. Not too long ago, the former president of Egypt was sent to prison for having behaved improperly. So why not we? We are talking of leaders. What sort of example are they giving our young people? It is very bad. Anybody and everybody involved in this dirty practice should be dealt with according to the law.

Do you believe that the fight against corruption is holistic?

I’m not too sure about that because if it was holistic, the name of the Minister of Transport wouldn’t have been mentioned, as well as one or two others. However, once their names are mentioned, the president should say, ‘brother please go home and get yourself clean before you are considered whether to come back here or not.’  It should be holistic and there should be no sacred cows. If it is done half and half, then it is not clean.

That brings us to the issue of one of the APC national leaders, Senator Bola Tinubu. Some time ago, the president’s wife did say certain interests had hijacked the presidency, insinuating that the likes of Tinubu were not accorded their place in the presidency. Also, recently, foremost Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said they wouldn’t sit back and watch as Tinubu is rubbished. What is your take on that?

Really and truly, Tinubu should not be rubbished because he, Buhari and others worked for the success of APC. So, for him to be sidelined and ignored in the affairs of government and administration is unfair. What ought to be done is that Tinubu should be treated decently because he was more or less the champion of the politicians who brought Buhari to power. He shouldn’t be ignored or maltreated or rubbished. That is not to say Tinubu is a holy man. He has his own weaknesses, no doubt about that. At the same time, he has worked for the party and should benefit from what goes on in the party. But for him to be neglected or relegated to the background, I think it is improper.

Do you see Tinubu as the face of the Yoruba nation?

I don’t see him as such. It’s a bit intricate, in the sense that if Tinubu had behaved in the way expected by Yoruba people, the politics of Nigeria wouldn’t be as it is now. What I mean is this. Alliance for Democracy (AD) came in and through the party, Tinubu became governor. However, when he was well seated comfortably as governor, he rubbished the leaders of the party and in any case, brought the AD into problem, until the party more or less, collapsed. Then, he was looking for alliances from various parties until they formed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). From that, they jumped to APC. Tinubu was, more or less, promoting self interest as opposed to the interest of the Yoruba people. If he had been consistent in promoting the interest of the Yoruba people, what is happening to him today would not happen because AD would have become a very formidable, strong political party. Of course, he was not alone. With the other governors elected in 1999, they all connived and brought AD to an end. So, that is it.

But Tinubu could not say that he was not warned about allying with the Fulani. He was warned. Those who were, at that time, sounding notes of warning about Fulani coming into power, it’s not that they were so convinced about the suitability of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan was preferred by some people because he was quite easy to talk to. Of course, when he arranged the 2014 National Conference, he promised to implement the decision of the conference, but he was not given the opportunity because he was defeated. Maybe he was properly defeated or he was rigged out of the election, I don’t know. However, as I said, Jonathan was not the fit and proper person to lead Nigeria. He has his own faults which are very serious. See all the mess about corruption during his administration, even extending to his wife. It is an unfortunate situation. However, if care had been taken about allying with Buhari, maybe Tinubu might have been in another situation.

You have repeatedly called on President Buhari to address Nigeria’s diversity, less we disintegrate. When you consider the accusations and counter-accusations about the president being lopsided in appointments, how would you assess that?

Well, I’m not surprised because when he was about to assume the presidency of this country, your colleagues in other newspapers came to me and I told them point-blank that Buhari would not be able to play the game as it ought to be played. What I realised is that, he is a highly disciplined person, being a soldier, but we saw what he did at PTF. Buhari is a Fulani man. The Fulanis are very conscious of power and they don’t joke with power. And of course, Buhari’s treatment of Tinubu has just started. It could be worse for Tinubu realising the political power Tinubu possesses and how he exercises such power. But then, the Fulani are more adroit and more clever about that. I’m sure Nigeria is not unlikely to regret Buhari becoming president because at the end his term, he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that he is succeeded by a Fulani man. I wouldn’t be surprised.

With the events leading up to the Ondo governorship election and the recent protests regarding the emergence of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), do you see federal might coming to play to influence INEC regarding the eventual outcome of the electoral exercise?

I don’t know. Anything can happen. In Nigeria, politics is not clean and that is unfortunate. You know what happened in Kogi and how the Yoruba man was prevented from becoming governor. It wasn’t by way of balloting or something. It’s a design to ensure that no Yoruba man would be governor of any state in the North. So, that’s the problem. The other day, all the Northern governors went to America. That’s not without a purpose. So, let’s wait till 2019. You’ll see what will happen. What makes a person like me very sad and disappointed is that there’s no true, proper politics and unless and until Nigeria is restructured, there will be no stability or peace or progress in this country.

You have been calling for Nigeria’s restructuring for many years. Why does this appear difficult to realise?

It is because the people of this country don’t get themselves together. I don’t know whether to say they are docile or that they are afraid to exercise their rights. My fear, however, is that whether we like it or not, Nigeria, if not properly restructured, will go the way of Yugoslavia because we are a heterogeneous country and we cannot be properly or safely treated as a homogenous country. There are so many nationalities, cultures, sense of values, culture and, of course, the attitude to religion.

In the light of the forthcoming Ondo election, how would you assess the Edo election, in view of the protests that greeted the announcement of the results?

Well, Edo election is already past and gone but there is very little we can do about that so the people will just accept their fate and move on. However, I’m not too sure about Ondo. Anything can happen.

So, do you think INEC is as independent as its name suggests?

I doubt it very much.

Why do you doubt INEC’s independence?

Except the election that was held in 1993, when they used Operation A4, that was the time rigging was exceedingly minimised. But since then, before and after then, there has been no occasion when our elections are not contested. There has been no occasion when our census figures are not disputed. The government of this country is being, I don’t know, whether guided or being tutored by the West – Britain and America. So, the North has a think-tank in England and America. One of the members of the think-tank in America is the man who recently wrote a book on Buhari, John Paden. So, that is it. What has John Kerry come to do in Nigeria? He came and first visited Kano, then the president, then he met with the northern governors. For what purpose? Why are we kept in the dark? We should know.

But the South-West governors did not seem to raise eyebrows regarding Kerry’s visit…

The governors of the South-West, South-East and South-South still feel themselves subservient to the presidency because from time to time, they visit Abuja on appointments. However, they forget that they are not under the president. The body of persons which can control the state governor is the state House of Assembly; no more, no less. The president has no power to dictate to a state governor. That is the truth of the matter. But then, that would be so if really and truly we are running a federal system. We call ours a system federal but it is unitary.

In the light of Nigeria’s current economic recession, would you also align with the calls that legislators be on part-time duties?

Certainly! What are they doing there to make them entitle to huge amount of remuneration? They are all self-serving; they are not serving the interest of Nigeria. Even the very composition of the Senate is most unfortunate. Yes, they should be paid sitting allowance and nothing more. You have a senator having two, three, four vehicles, then allowance. How many voters in their constituencies have such accumulation of vehicles? You find a senator who had no bicycle before he became senator having houses and cars all over the place. It is a pity, but I want to assure you of something; all those who are making Nigeria difficult to govern, making Nigeria unstable, making Nigeria economically weak, in their self-interests, are going to suffer. They are going to suffer so much for what they have done because what you sow, you reap. If something is wrong and you’re doing it for your own interest, you will be punished for it. We will be deceiving ourselves if we think that the wrong we do will go unpunished. Nobody can escape that. olaniwun1The other time, the children of Israel were in Egypt for many years suffering because they were reaping what they sowed. That was the order of God. But when God was satisfied that they had suffered enough, he raised a leader who rescued them. Moses, with all his weaknesses, was a very courageous leader. God made sure he was brought up for such position and all the obstacles were cleared in the presence of Pharaoh, up till the point of leaving Egypt, even with the crossing of the Red Sea.

How do you think Nigeria got into recession and what do you think is the way out?

Well, you know that so much money has been recovered from those who stole our money both here and overseas. Secondly, we relied on one-land industry – oil. I am very happy that something is happening to that oil. What I would pray to God for is that the oil dries up, then we will learn our lessons. Why should we have one-land industry? Agriculture is there, from which we can have so many businesses. We are principally an agricultural country. Why should we suffer? Why should we hunger? Why should we be unemployed? Few days ago, I was talking to someone and he told me his would-be wife studied communication in the university and now, the wife is doing tailoring because there was no job for her and she is making money from that. There are university graduates in shoe making and furniture. I was reading in the papers today of a Nigerian who performed a medical miracle outside Nigeria. We are missing such people. When they train abroad, they stay away. But then, which country would develop without the use of its intellectuals? That’s the problem. This place is not conducive for work for our sons and daughters. But, that’s the doing of our government. And of course, if we ask the powers-that-be, they would say this is democracy. It is only by word of mouth; we are not practising democracy. All the legs of democracy are crippled – the judiciary, executive, national assembly, even the press and the police. We have a constitution in which we have what we call Code of Conduct. Are we following that?

Days ago, the Senate decided to tinker with the provisions of the act guiding the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Are you satisfied with such, considering the trial of the Senate President and his deputy?

How could I be satisfied? The two you mentioned – the Senate President and his deputy – how did they get to those positions in the first place? Did they get there as one would expect a Senate to be constituted? Certainly not. The presidency is watching the Senate and the Senate is watching the presidency. Everyone is being careful. That is where we are. These people sometimes forget that there is God and that Jesus is operating just as Mohammed is operating. My question now is that if Mohammed were to come now and ask the Senate President if he is running affairs righteously and in the interest of the masses and the country, I’m sure he will be dumbfounded. Same question for all of them.

As a former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, do you think the proposed 5-year jail term for lecturers caught sexually harassing their students is adequate?

The very fact that such person is going to jail is enough, even for one day. Then, he has scored a very black mark for himself and his family.

We are approaching 2019. What mood do you foresee for the major political parties?

Anything can happen. It is possible for some conflict and unrest to arise. I know this is a country which God Almighty loves so much, but we are behaving like children who have no home training. We just do things as we like. It is a great pity. Then of course, it won’t be a problem to God Almighty to get rid of those who are here completely and put some other people here. I used to read about the Lost Continent. See also the example of Sodom and Gomorrah. It can happen anywhere. Of course, I want to assure you that the role which the West is playing in the affairs of their former colonies, they are going to pay for it. See the example of Egypt, where everything in ancient times began. How about the Roman and Greek Empires today? Empires rise and they fall. I don’t think there’s any country so blessed like America but they will go down. When, I don’t know. But they have to pay as a consequence of what they’re doing. To all of us, it was a great surprise for a black man to become the president of America. However, there was a lesson which President Barack Obama should have learnt which he unfortunately didn’t. It was to show the world that God was in charge. Obama made some important achievements. However, when preparing for second term, he gave some support to homosexual relations, which is against what God wanted. They won’t go unpunished for that. The punishment will be upon the black people. It will take a very long time for another black man to become president of the USA because we abused the opportunity God gave us.

What is your take on the two major USA presidential candidates,  Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump?

Well, I prayerfully hope that Hilary would win. She is more cultured in the way she conducted her campaign. If Trump wins, then maybe you and I would be in very serious trouble. The way he talks, behaves, is unlike a president. Unfortunately, the contest is very close. However, I hope and pray that Hilary wins.

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Nigerian Tribune - Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, a foremost lawyer and chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, died in the early hours of Friday. In this interview conducted on Wednesday (2 November, 2016) by Saturday Tribune’s KEHINDE OYETIMI and RITA OKONOBOH, which turned out to be his last, the elder statesman spoke on the state of the nation, the judiciary and the anti-corruption war, among other issues. Excerpts:

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi
As a foremost lawyer, how would you react to the accusation of judges involved in money laundering and corruption?

It’s most disappointing. Again, it is part of the corruption going on in the country, but one least expected that the judiciary should have been involved in this very very ugly enterprise. It is most disappointing. I was devastated to hear that so much. The judiciary is our hope; the hope of everyone in the country. But to think and realise that the people on whom we will rely for hope and salvation would be involved in such a very dirty practice is most terrible. On whether they should be arraigned and tried, the DSS applied Gestapo practice, there is no doubt about that. But the thing is why should our judges be found in that practice? Although the way they have been dealt with, such as going to their houses in the dead of night, that could be described as high-handed. But then, why should the circumstance arise for such to happen? It is very bad.


One of the arrested judges indicted one or two serving ministers in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, particularly noting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) interests be taken care of. Do you think that these indicted ministers should step aside?

They should certainly step aside and that allegation should be investigated. They shouldn’t resume office until they are exonerated. In fact, without anyone forcing them to do so, they should voluntarily step aside and declare that they are ready for probe. Buhari shouldn’t harbour such people because he is out to clean the Aegean’s Stable in this country. It shouldn’t be half and half; he should go the whole hog.

There have also been various allegations against the presidency that the fight against corruption is lopsided. How would you react to such claims and what do you think can be done?

What does the law require? What does the law provide? If we cannot meet the requirements of the law, it should be out. It doesn’t matter who you are. Not too long ago, the former president of Egypt was sent to prison for having behaved improperly. So why not we? We are talking of leaders. What sort of example are they giving our young people? It is very bad. Anybody and everybody involved in this dirty practice should be dealt with according to the law.

Do you believe that the fight against corruption is holistic?

I’m not too sure about that because if it was holistic, the name of the Minister of Transport wouldn’t have been mentioned, as well as one or two others. However, once their names are mentioned, the president should say, ‘brother please go home and get yourself clean before you are considered whether to come back here or not.’  It should be holistic and there should be no sacred cows. If it is done half and half, then it is not clean.

That brings us to the issue of one of the APC national leaders, Senator Bola Tinubu. Some time ago, the president’s wife did say certain interests had hijacked the presidency, insinuating that the likes of Tinubu were not accorded their place in the presidency. Also, recently, foremost Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said they wouldn’t sit back and watch as Tinubu is rubbished. What is your take on that?

Really and truly, Tinubu should not be rubbished because he, Buhari and others worked for the success of APC. So, for him to be sidelined and ignored in the affairs of government and administration is unfair. What ought to be done is that Tinubu should be treated decently because he was more or less the champion of the politicians who brought Buhari to power. He shouldn’t be ignored or maltreated or rubbished. That is not to say Tinubu is a holy man. He has his own weaknesses, no doubt about that. At the same time, he has worked for the party and should benefit from what goes on in the party. But for him to be neglected or relegated to the background, I think it is improper.

Do you see Tinubu as the face of the Yoruba nation?

I don’t see him as such. It’s a bit intricate, in the sense that if Tinubu had behaved in the way expected by Yoruba people, the politics of Nigeria wouldn’t be as it is now. What I mean is this. Alliance for Democracy (AD) came in and through the party, Tinubu became governor. However, when he was well seated comfortably as governor, he rubbished the leaders of the party and in any case, brought the AD into problem, until the party more or less, collapsed. Then, he was looking for alliances from various parties until they formed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). From that, they jumped to APC. Tinubu was, more or less, promoting self interest as opposed to the interest of the Yoruba people. If he had been consistent in promoting the interest of the Yoruba people, what is happening to him today would not happen because AD would have become a very formidable, strong political party. Of course, he was not alone. With the other governors elected in 1999, they all connived and brought AD to an end. So, that is it.

But Tinubu could not say that he was not warned about allying with the Fulani. He was warned. Those who were, at that time, sounding notes of warning about Fulani coming into power, it’s not that they were so convinced about the suitability of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan was preferred by some people because he was quite easy to talk to. Of course, when he arranged the 2014 National Conference, he promised to implement the decision of the conference, but he was not given the opportunity because he was defeated. Maybe he was properly defeated or he was rigged out of the election, I don’t know. However, as I said, Jonathan was not the fit and proper person to lead Nigeria. He has his own faults which are very serious. See all the mess about corruption during his administration, even extending to his wife. It is an unfortunate situation. However, if care had been taken about allying with Buhari, maybe Tinubu might have been in another situation.

You have repeatedly called on President Buhari to address Nigeria’s diversity, less we disintegrate. When you consider the accusations and counter-accusations about the president being lopsided in appointments, how would you assess that?

Well, I’m not surprised because when he was about to assume the presidency of this country, your colleagues in other newspapers came to me and I told them point-blank that Buhari would not be able to play the game as it ought to be played. What I realised is that, he is a highly disciplined person, being a soldier, but we saw what he did at PTF. Buhari is a Fulani man. The Fulanis are very conscious of power and they don’t joke with power. And of course, Buhari’s treatment of Tinubu has just started. It could be worse for Tinubu realising the political power Tinubu possesses and how he exercises such power. But then, the Fulani are more adroit and more clever about that. I’m sure Nigeria is not unlikely to regret Buhari becoming president because at the end his term, he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that he is succeeded by a Fulani man. I wouldn’t be surprised.

With the events leading up to the Ondo governorship election and the recent protests regarding the emergence of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), do you see federal might coming to play to influence INEC regarding the eventual outcome of the electoral exercise?

I don’t know. Anything can happen. In Nigeria, politics is not clean and that is unfortunate. You know what happened in Kogi and how the Yoruba man was prevented from becoming governor. It wasn’t by way of balloting or something. It’s a design to ensure that no Yoruba man would be governor of any state in the North. So, that’s the problem. The other day, all the Northern governors went to America. That’s not without a purpose. So, let’s wait till 2019. You’ll see what will happen. What makes a person like me very sad and disappointed is that there’s no true, proper politics and unless and until Nigeria is restructured, there will be no stability or peace or progress in this country.

You have been calling for Nigeria’s restructuring for many years. Why does this appear difficult to realise?

It is because the people of this country don’t get themselves together. I don’t know whether to say they are docile or that they are afraid to exercise their rights. My fear, however, is that whether we like it or not, Nigeria, if not properly restructured, will go the way of Yugoslavia because we are a heterogeneous country and we cannot be properly or safely treated as a homogenous country. There are so many nationalities, cultures, sense of values, culture and, of course, the attitude to religion.

In the light of the forthcoming Ondo election, how would you assess the Edo election, in view of the protests that greeted the announcement of the results?

Well, Edo election is already past and gone but there is very little we can do about that so the people will just accept their fate and move on. However, I’m not too sure about Ondo. Anything can happen.

So, do you think INEC is as independent as its name suggests?

I doubt it very much.

Why do you doubt INEC’s independence?

Except the election that was held in 1993, when they used Operation A4, that was the time rigging was exceedingly minimised. But since then, before and after then, there has been no occasion when our elections are not contested. There has been no occasion when our census figures are not disputed. The government of this country is being, I don’t know, whether guided or being tutored by the West – Britain and America. So, the North has a think-tank in England and America. One of the members of the think-tank in America is the man who recently wrote a book on Buhari, John Paden. So, that is it. What has John Kerry come to do in Nigeria? He came and first visited Kano, then the president, then he met with the northern governors. For what purpose? Why are we kept in the dark? We should know.

But the South-West governors did not seem to raise eyebrows regarding Kerry’s visit…

The governors of the South-West, South-East and South-South still feel themselves subservient to the presidency because from time to time, they visit Abuja on appointments. However, they forget that they are not under the president. The body of persons which can control the state governor is the state House of Assembly; no more, no less. The president has no power to dictate to a state governor. That is the truth of the matter. But then, that would be so if really and truly we are running a federal system. We call ours a system federal but it is unitary.

In the light of Nigeria’s current economic recession, would you also align with the calls that legislators be on part-time duties?

Certainly! What are they doing there to make them entitle to huge amount of remuneration? They are all self-serving; they are not serving the interest of Nigeria. Even the very composition of the Senate is most unfortunate. Yes, they should be paid sitting allowance and nothing more. You have a senator having two, three, four vehicles, then allowance. How many voters in their constituencies have such accumulation of vehicles? You find a senator who had no bicycle before he became senator having houses and cars all over the place. It is a pity, but I want to assure you of something; all those who are making Nigeria difficult to govern, making Nigeria unstable, making Nigeria economically weak, in their self-interests, are going to suffer. They are going to suffer so much for what they have done because what you sow, you reap. If something is wrong and you’re doing it for your own interest, you will be punished for it. We will be deceiving ourselves if we think that the wrong we do will go unpunished. Nobody can escape that. olaniwun1The other time, the children of Israel were in Egypt for many years suffering because they were reaping what they sowed. That was the order of God. But when God was satisfied that they had suffered enough, he raised a leader who rescued them. Moses, with all his weaknesses, was a very courageous leader. God made sure he was brought up for such position and all the obstacles were cleared in the presence of Pharaoh, up till the point of leaving Egypt, even with the crossing of the Red Sea.

How do you think Nigeria got into recession and what do you think is the way out?

Well, you know that so much money has been recovered from those who stole our money both here and overseas. Secondly, we relied on one-land industry – oil. I am very happy that something is happening to that oil. What I would pray to God for is that the oil dries up, then we will learn our lessons. Why should we have one-land industry? Agriculture is there, from which we can have so many businesses. We are principally an agricultural country. Why should we suffer? Why should we hunger? Why should we be unemployed? Few days ago, I was talking to someone and he told me his would-be wife studied communication in the university and now, the wife is doing tailoring because there was no job for her and she is making money from that. There are university graduates in shoe making and furniture. I was reading in the papers today of a Nigerian who performed a medical miracle outside Nigeria. We are missing such people. When they train abroad, they stay away. But then, which country would develop without the use of its intellectuals? That’s the problem. This place is not conducive for work for our sons and daughters. But, that’s the doing of our government. And of course, if we ask the powers-that-be, they would say this is democracy. It is only by word of mouth; we are not practising democracy. All the legs of democracy are crippled – the judiciary, executive, national assembly, even the press and the police. We have a constitution in which we have what we call Code of Conduct. Are we following that?

Days ago, the Senate decided to tinker with the provisions of the act guiding the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Are you satisfied with such, considering the trial of the Senate President and his deputy?

How could I be satisfied? The two you mentioned – the Senate President and his deputy – how did they get to those positions in the first place? Did they get there as one would expect a Senate to be constituted? Certainly not. The presidency is watching the Senate and the Senate is watching the presidency. Everyone is being careful. That is where we are. These people sometimes forget that there is God and that Jesus is operating just as Mohammed is operating. My question now is that if Mohammed were to come now and ask the Senate President if he is running affairs righteously and in the interest of the masses and the country, I’m sure he will be dumbfounded. Same question for all of them.

As a former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, do you think the proposed 5-year jail term for lecturers caught sexually harassing their students is adequate?

The very fact that such person is going to jail is enough, even for one day. Then, he has scored a very black mark for himself and his family.

We are approaching 2019. What mood do you foresee for the major political parties?

Anything can happen. It is possible for some conflict and unrest to arise. I know this is a country which God Almighty loves so much, but we are behaving like children who have no home training. We just do things as we like. It is a great pity. Then of course, it won’t be a problem to God Almighty to get rid of those who are here completely and put some other people here. I used to read about the Lost Continent. See also the example of Sodom and Gomorrah. It can happen anywhere. Of course, I want to assure you that the role which the West is playing in the affairs of their former colonies, they are going to pay for it. See the example of Egypt, where everything in ancient times began. How about the Roman and Greek Empires today? Empires rise and they fall. I don’t think there’s any country so blessed like America but they will go down. When, I don’t know. But they have to pay as a consequence of what they’re doing. To all of us, it was a great surprise for a black man to become the president of America. However, there was a lesson which President Barack Obama should have learnt which he unfortunately didn’t. It was to show the world that God was in charge. Obama made some important achievements. However, when preparing for second term, he gave some support to homosexual relations, which is against what God wanted. They won’t go unpunished for that. The punishment will be upon the black people. It will take a very long time for another black man to become president of the USA because we abused the opportunity God gave us.

What is your take on the two major USA presidential candidates,  Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump?

Well, I prayerfully hope that Hilary would win. She is more cultured in the way she conducted her campaign. If Trump wins, then maybe you and I would be in very serious trouble. The way he talks, behaves, is unlike a president. Unfortunately, the contest is very close. However, I hope and pray that Hilary wins.

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The Grievous MISTAKE Tinubu Made, Why He Can't Be Yoruba Leader - Afenifere Chieftain, Pa Olaniwun Reveals 48 Hours To His Death

The Grievous MISTAKE Tinubu Made, Why He Can't Be Yoruba Leader - Afenifere Chieftain, Pa Olaniwun Reveals 48 Hours To His Death

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, a foremost lawyer has said the embattled national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot be the face of Yoruba nation due to some grievous political mistake he has made in the past

Pa Olanihun who died on Friday, but 48 hours to his death revealed to Nigerian Tribune in a no hold barred interview why Tinubu cannot be the face of Yoruba Nation, among other burning issues of national interest


"I don’t see him as such. It’s a bit intricate, in the sense that if Tinubu had behaved in the way expected by Yoruba people, the politics of Nigeria wouldn’t be as it is now."

"What I mean is this. Alliance for Democracy (AD) came in and through the party, Tinubu became governor. However, when he was well seated comfortably as governor, he rubbished the leaders of the party and in any case, brought the AD into problem, until the party more or less, collapsed. Then, he was looking for alliances from various parties until they formed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). From that, they jumped to APC."

"Tinubu was, more or less, promoting self-interest as opposed to the interest of the Yoruba people. If he had been consistent in promoting the interest of the Yoruba people, what is happening to him today would not happen because AD would have become a very formidable, strong political party. Of course, he was not alone. With the other governors elected in 1999, they all connived and brought AD to an end. So, that is it."

"But Tinubu could not say that he was not warned about allying with the Fulani. He was warned. Those who were, at that time, sounding notes of warning about Fulani coming into power."

On the perceived poor treatment meted on Tinubu in the APC, Pa Olahun said: 

'Really and truly, Tinubu should not be rubbished because he, Buhari and others worked for the success of APC. So, for him to be sidelined and ignored in the affairs of government and administration is unfair."

"What ought to be done is that Tinubu should be treated decently because he was more or less the champion of the politicians who brought Buhari to power. He shouldn’t be ignored or maltreated or rubbished. That is not to say Tinubu is a holy man. He has his own weaknesses, no doubt about that. At the same time, he has worked for the party and should benefit from what goes on in the party. But for him to be neglected or relegated to the background, I think it is improper."

Excerpts From Nigerian Tribune

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, a foremost lawyer has said the embattled national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot be the face of Yoruba nation due to some grievous political mistake he has made in the past

Pa Olanihun who died on Friday, but 48 hours to his death revealed to Nigerian Tribune in a no hold barred interview why Tinubu cannot be the face of Yoruba Nation, among other burning issues of national interest


"I don’t see him as such. It’s a bit intricate, in the sense that if Tinubu had behaved in the way expected by Yoruba people, the politics of Nigeria wouldn’t be as it is now."

"What I mean is this. Alliance for Democracy (AD) came in and through the party, Tinubu became governor. However, when he was well seated comfortably as governor, he rubbished the leaders of the party and in any case, brought the AD into problem, until the party more or less, collapsed. Then, he was looking for alliances from various parties until they formed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). From that, they jumped to APC."

"Tinubu was, more or less, promoting self-interest as opposed to the interest of the Yoruba people. If he had been consistent in promoting the interest of the Yoruba people, what is happening to him today would not happen because AD would have become a very formidable, strong political party. Of course, he was not alone. With the other governors elected in 1999, they all connived and brought AD to an end. So, that is it."

"But Tinubu could not say that he was not warned about allying with the Fulani. He was warned. Those who were, at that time, sounding notes of warning about Fulani coming into power."

On the perceived poor treatment meted on Tinubu in the APC, Pa Olahun said: 

'Really and truly, Tinubu should not be rubbished because he, Buhari and others worked for the success of APC. So, for him to be sidelined and ignored in the affairs of government and administration is unfair."

"What ought to be done is that Tinubu should be treated decently because he was more or less the champion of the politicians who brought Buhari to power. He shouldn’t be ignored or maltreated or rubbished. That is not to say Tinubu is a holy man. He has his own weaknesses, no doubt about that. At the same time, he has worked for the party and should benefit from what goes on in the party. But for him to be neglected or relegated to the background, I think it is improper."

Excerpts From Nigerian Tribune

Tinubu 'Penetrates' Presidency To Oust Oyegun, To Push Him Out With Ambassadorial Appointment

Tinubu 'Penetrates' Presidency To Oust Oyegun, To Push Him Out With Ambassadorial Appointment

Tinubu and Oyegun
The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have penetrated the Presidency in his bid to ensure the ouster of the embattled National Chairman of the party,Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, report according to Vanguard News reveals.

According to Sunday Vanguard, the subterranean plots to remove the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is reportedly gaining some traction, with the forces working towards his removal angling to get the president to name him an ambassador. Past efforts to ease him out of the party through such appointments had failed as Chief Oyegun himself is said not to be well-disposed to such appointments. 


Some party insiders accused the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Babachir Lawal of working in cahoot with the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu camp to remove the chairman.

However, the SGF has denied the allegation, saying such appointments are the prerogative of the president. In a text message to Sunday Vanguard, Lawal said; “I do not know anything about the chairman’s ambassadorial as such are made by the president. Did you see his name on the list read out on the floor of the Senate?”, he queried. 

It was learnt according to our source that the plot by the contending camps to remove Odigie-Oyegun as the party’s National Chairman before the completion of his four-year term guaranteed by the APC Constitution is a veiled attempt to hijack the APC political machinery in the leadup to the 2019 general elections

The “sins” of the chairman are not far-fetched. In the aftermath of the failed imposition of candidates in the National Assembly, Chief Odigie-Oyegun had refused to kowtow to the demands of a contending camp in the party to sanction the “rebels” Saraki and Dogara, instead toeing the line of caution to ensure that APC did not lose grip of the National Assembly leadership to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Also, the decision of the Odigie-Oyegun-led APC to pick Yahaya Bello over Abiodun Faleke (Tinubu’s candidate) in the aftermath of the Kogi governorship debacle following Abubakar Audu’s death is another “sin”. 

His third major “sin” is his handling of the recent primary election in Ondo state whose outcome had forced Mr Tinubu to call for the resignation of the chairman.

Vanguard has more.

Tinubu and Oyegun
The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have penetrated the Presidency in his bid to ensure the ouster of the embattled National Chairman of the party,Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, report according to Vanguard News reveals.

According to Sunday Vanguard, the subterranean plots to remove the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is reportedly gaining some traction, with the forces working towards his removal angling to get the president to name him an ambassador. Past efforts to ease him out of the party through such appointments had failed as Chief Oyegun himself is said not to be well-disposed to such appointments. 


Some party insiders accused the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Babachir Lawal of working in cahoot with the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu camp to remove the chairman.

However, the SGF has denied the allegation, saying such appointments are the prerogative of the president. In a text message to Sunday Vanguard, Lawal said; “I do not know anything about the chairman’s ambassadorial as such are made by the president. Did you see his name on the list read out on the floor of the Senate?”, he queried. 

It was learnt according to our source that the plot by the contending camps to remove Odigie-Oyegun as the party’s National Chairman before the completion of his four-year term guaranteed by the APC Constitution is a veiled attempt to hijack the APC political machinery in the leadup to the 2019 general elections

The “sins” of the chairman are not far-fetched. In the aftermath of the failed imposition of candidates in the National Assembly, Chief Odigie-Oyegun had refused to kowtow to the demands of a contending camp in the party to sanction the “rebels” Saraki and Dogara, instead toeing the line of caution to ensure that APC did not lose grip of the National Assembly leadership to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Also, the decision of the Odigie-Oyegun-led APC to pick Yahaya Bello over Abiodun Faleke (Tinubu’s candidate) in the aftermath of the Kogi governorship debacle following Abubakar Audu’s death is another “sin”. 

His third major “sin” is his handling of the recent primary election in Ondo state whose outcome had forced Mr Tinubu to call for the resignation of the chairman.

Vanguard has more.

Buhari's Secret Talks With Tinubu's Men REVEALED; Pencils Down Tinubu's Men For The Looming Cabinet Shake-up

Buhari's Secret Talks With Tinubu's Men REVEALED; Pencils Down Tinubu's Men For The Looming Cabinet Shake-up

Buhari tinubu
The feud that has polarized the ruling All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari may soon be resolved should a report according to Punch Newspaper is to go by.

The Sunday Punch reported that the prolonged cold war between President Muhammadu Buhari and his erstwhile close political associate and South-West political strongman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may soon come to an end.


The two sides, according to our source began planning to bury the hatchet during a recent meeting that President Buhari held with some of Tinubu’s loyalists in Aso Rock.

The President had met with the trio of Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and Senator Olusola Adeyeye last week Sunday. The sources also said both parties agreed that the President needed to take some confidence-boosting measures to restore Tinubu’s faith in him.

The two men reportedly fell out following what Tinubu and his loyalists saw as attempts to diminish his contributions to President Buhari’s victory at the 2015 poll and erode his political capital in his South-West base. Some supporters of the former governor had also complained that the President rejected Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, and worked against the ex-Lagos governor’s candidates in the Kogi elections and Ondo governorship primary, among other ills.

A reliable source who was privy to the events that culminated in the meeting said its seeds were planted during President Buhari’s three-day state visit to Germany. Prior to that time, Buhari and Tinubu had not had any private communication in a while. But the source said the President contacted Akande, who is one of Tinubu’s closest associates and a former Interim Chairman of the APC, asking him to see him in Aso Rock.

The President’s call reportedly came barely 48 hours after the controversial interview the President’s wife, Aisha, granted the British Broadcasting Corporation. In the interview which went viral, the president’s wife accused her husband of neglecting those who helped him to power in 2015. Mrs. Buhari also threatened not to support her husband in 2019 if the President did not change tack.

Sources said although both men’s relationship began to sour almost as soon as Buhari won the election, it deteriorated when Professor John Paden, in his book titled ‘Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership,’ claimed that Tinubu was against the emergence of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President.  Both Buhari and Tinubu were present at the book launch.

Insiders say this did not go down well with Tinubu and his men, as the All Progressives Congress national leader’s camp saw it as yet another attempt by the President and his men to reduce his contributions to the emergence of the APC government and also rewrite history.

Shortly after, Tinubu in a scathing open letter asked the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to step down, after alleging that the chairman doctored results of the Ondo State APC governorship primary. Odigie-Oyegun, a former Edo State governor, who had been cautious in his initial response to Tinubu’s letter, paid a visit to Buhari in Aso Rock and thereafter launched an attack on Tinubu, describing his letter as ‘reckless.’

Seeing that he was fast losing at the centre, the APC chieftain, popularly known as the Jagaban (of Borgu), started reaching out to his political foes in the South-West in order to consolidate his influence in the region. With several meetings held, Tinubu’s most vocal critics such as Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Sir Olanihun Ajayi, among others, began to drum up support for him publicly.

A source in the presidency told our correspondent that Akande, who cut short his trip abroad to see the President, did not mince words during the meeting.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Akande told Buhari that despite the roles Tinubu and the South-West played in making him President, he had relegated the APC national leader and the region.

The source said, “Baba Akande told the President that they were not happy with him. He told Buhari that apart from not giving Tinubu sufficient consideration during the ministerial appointments, everything that played out in the Kogi and Ondo elections showed that the President was supporting Asiwaju’s enemies.

“Baba also said Paden’s book was a major slight and that they believed the President was aware of the content of the book before it went public. He further said some of the people around Buhari were hell-bent on ensuring that the President and Tinubu became enemies because of what they would gain from the crisis.”

The source stated that Buhari countered that he was unhappy with the acrimony in the ruling party and that he had tried to be fair to all parties. But Akande was said to have disagreed with the President in his response, and cited further examples.

SUNDAY PUNCH further gathered that Akande told the President to take practical steps to show that he was not fighting Tinubu and the South-West. While listing their demands, Akande and others told him that they needed to see more representation of those that helped him to power during the next cabinet reshuffle.

There have been reports that a cabinet change is imminent.

Akande, who travelled abroad after the meeting with Buhari, could not be reached for comments, but a top APC member close to him confirmed details of the meeting, saying, “They want Buhari to accept Tinubu’s list when he makes changes in his cabinet. They specifically told him that they are only in support of one of the South-West ministers in his cabinet. They also asked him to get the party leadership to hold the National Executive Council meetings regularly while also facilitating the constitution of the party’s board of trustees.”

A source close to the South-West leadership of the party disclosed to one of our correspondents that Akande and Aregbesola had met at the former’s residence in Ila-Orangun two Wednesdays ago before meeting the President.

Akande had been honoured by the Catholic Diocese in Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State, where a school was inaugurated in his name. The late mother of a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who hailed from Otan-Ayegbaju, was also honoured by the church, which inaugurated a multipurpose hall in her honour.

APC leaders, members and supporters, including Aregbesola, who thronged the venue of the ceremony, accompanied Akande to Ila-Orangun as a mark of respect.

It was gathered that Aregbesola and Akande held a meeting at Akande’s residence, where they discussed the face-off between Buhari and Tinubu.

The source said, “We were at Otan-Ayegbaji together. We later accompanied Baba Akande to Ila-Orangun after the Otan-Ayegbaju ceremony. When we got to Ila-Orangun, both the governor and Baba Akande went inside for a very long time. I’m sure that was where the decision to intervene in the matter was taken.

“When they met Buhari, they complained about the marginalisation of Tinubu’s men. At the meeting, Aregbesola said they (Tinubu loyalists) were not out to fight Buhari, but that the President should consider the Tinubu group in terms of appointments.

“Buhari told them that he was not out to undermine Tinubu’s group and that things would change in the coming days.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said he was not aware of what transpired during the meeting between the President and the APC chieftains.

He said, “I am not aware of what was discussed with the President in the said meeting. As a matter of fact, it is not the nature of the President to disclose what people discuss with him in confidence during meetings.”



Buhari tinubu
The feud that has polarized the ruling All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari may soon be resolved should a report according to Punch Newspaper is to go by.

The Sunday Punch reported that the prolonged cold war between President Muhammadu Buhari and his erstwhile close political associate and South-West political strongman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may soon come to an end.


The two sides, according to our source began planning to bury the hatchet during a recent meeting that President Buhari held with some of Tinubu’s loyalists in Aso Rock.

The President had met with the trio of Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and Senator Olusola Adeyeye last week Sunday. The sources also said both parties agreed that the President needed to take some confidence-boosting measures to restore Tinubu’s faith in him.

The two men reportedly fell out following what Tinubu and his loyalists saw as attempts to diminish his contributions to President Buhari’s victory at the 2015 poll and erode his political capital in his South-West base. Some supporters of the former governor had also complained that the President rejected Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, and worked against the ex-Lagos governor’s candidates in the Kogi elections and Ondo governorship primary, among other ills.

A reliable source who was privy to the events that culminated in the meeting said its seeds were planted during President Buhari’s three-day state visit to Germany. Prior to that time, Buhari and Tinubu had not had any private communication in a while. But the source said the President contacted Akande, who is one of Tinubu’s closest associates and a former Interim Chairman of the APC, asking him to see him in Aso Rock.

The President’s call reportedly came barely 48 hours after the controversial interview the President’s wife, Aisha, granted the British Broadcasting Corporation. In the interview which went viral, the president’s wife accused her husband of neglecting those who helped him to power in 2015. Mrs. Buhari also threatened not to support her husband in 2019 if the President did not change tack.

Sources said although both men’s relationship began to sour almost as soon as Buhari won the election, it deteriorated when Professor John Paden, in his book titled ‘Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership,’ claimed that Tinubu was against the emergence of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President.  Both Buhari and Tinubu were present at the book launch.

Insiders say this did not go down well with Tinubu and his men, as the All Progressives Congress national leader’s camp saw it as yet another attempt by the President and his men to reduce his contributions to the emergence of the APC government and also rewrite history.

Shortly after, Tinubu in a scathing open letter asked the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to step down, after alleging that the chairman doctored results of the Ondo State APC governorship primary. Odigie-Oyegun, a former Edo State governor, who had been cautious in his initial response to Tinubu’s letter, paid a visit to Buhari in Aso Rock and thereafter launched an attack on Tinubu, describing his letter as ‘reckless.’

Seeing that he was fast losing at the centre, the APC chieftain, popularly known as the Jagaban (of Borgu), started reaching out to his political foes in the South-West in order to consolidate his influence in the region. With several meetings held, Tinubu’s most vocal critics such as Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Sir Olanihun Ajayi, among others, began to drum up support for him publicly.

A source in the presidency told our correspondent that Akande, who cut short his trip abroad to see the President, did not mince words during the meeting.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Akande told Buhari that despite the roles Tinubu and the South-West played in making him President, he had relegated the APC national leader and the region.

The source said, “Baba Akande told the President that they were not happy with him. He told Buhari that apart from not giving Tinubu sufficient consideration during the ministerial appointments, everything that played out in the Kogi and Ondo elections showed that the President was supporting Asiwaju’s enemies.

“Baba also said Paden’s book was a major slight and that they believed the President was aware of the content of the book before it went public. He further said some of the people around Buhari were hell-bent on ensuring that the President and Tinubu became enemies because of what they would gain from the crisis.”

The source stated that Buhari countered that he was unhappy with the acrimony in the ruling party and that he had tried to be fair to all parties. But Akande was said to have disagreed with the President in his response, and cited further examples.

SUNDAY PUNCH further gathered that Akande told the President to take practical steps to show that he was not fighting Tinubu and the South-West. While listing their demands, Akande and others told him that they needed to see more representation of those that helped him to power during the next cabinet reshuffle.

There have been reports that a cabinet change is imminent.

Akande, who travelled abroad after the meeting with Buhari, could not be reached for comments, but a top APC member close to him confirmed details of the meeting, saying, “They want Buhari to accept Tinubu’s list when he makes changes in his cabinet. They specifically told him that they are only in support of one of the South-West ministers in his cabinet. They also asked him to get the party leadership to hold the National Executive Council meetings regularly while also facilitating the constitution of the party’s board of trustees.”

A source close to the South-West leadership of the party disclosed to one of our correspondents that Akande and Aregbesola had met at the former’s residence in Ila-Orangun two Wednesdays ago before meeting the President.

Akande had been honoured by the Catholic Diocese in Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State, where a school was inaugurated in his name. The late mother of a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who hailed from Otan-Ayegbaju, was also honoured by the church, which inaugurated a multipurpose hall in her honour.

APC leaders, members and supporters, including Aregbesola, who thronged the venue of the ceremony, accompanied Akande to Ila-Orangun as a mark of respect.

It was gathered that Aregbesola and Akande held a meeting at Akande’s residence, where they discussed the face-off between Buhari and Tinubu.

The source said, “We were at Otan-Ayegbaji together. We later accompanied Baba Akande to Ila-Orangun after the Otan-Ayegbaju ceremony. When we got to Ila-Orangun, both the governor and Baba Akande went inside for a very long time. I’m sure that was where the decision to intervene in the matter was taken.

“When they met Buhari, they complained about the marginalisation of Tinubu’s men. At the meeting, Aregbesola said they (Tinubu loyalists) were not out to fight Buhari, but that the President should consider the Tinubu group in terms of appointments.

“Buhari told them that he was not out to undermine Tinubu’s group and that things would change in the coming days.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said he was not aware of what transpired during the meeting between the President and the APC chieftains.

He said, “I am not aware of what was discussed with the President in the said meeting. As a matter of fact, it is not the nature of the President to disclose what people discuss with him in confidence during meetings.”



Between TINUBU And BUHARI; Osinbajo Clarifies Who Actually Nominated Him Vice President

Between TINUBU And BUHARI; Osinbajo Clarifies Who Actually Nominated Him Vice President

Between TINUBU And BUHARI; Osinbajo Clarifies Who Actually Nominated Him Vice President
Punch Newspaper - Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday night cleverly avoided to be dragged into the raging controversy over who nominated him to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the 2015 presidential election. 

Although he confirmed that “somebody somewhere” must nominate one before occupying a position, Osinbajo refrained from disclosing who nominated him. 


Controversy broke out recently when the author of Buhari’s biography, “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria”, Prof. John Paden, claimed in the book that the President chose Osinbajo as his running mate despite the alleged opposition of a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Despite the general belief that Tinubu was instrumental to the emergence of Osinbajo who served as his Attorney-General when he (Tinubu) was the governor of Lagos State, the author claimed that the names of Tinubu; the then Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Osinbajo were forwarded to Buhari for him to pick a running mate shortly after he emerged the party’s candidate at its convention in Lagos. 

The author claimed that Buhari chose Osinbajo above others despite enormous pressure from Tinubu to do otherwise. 

Tinubu’s loyalists have since faulted the account of the author, saying he (Tinubu) nominated the Vice-President.

Speaking at a dinner organised for former Niger Delta agitators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo made a veiled reference to the controversy when he admitted that he was nominated by “somebody somewhere.”

He said, “I was in a group of young men and women and one of them asked the question how did I become Vice President?

“I was never a politician or anything like that. So I tried to explain it is quite simple that someone somewhere has to recommend you. 

“Somebody somewhere has to give you a helping hand, whether to be a Vice President or to be an aircraft pilot or to be an engineer, somebody somewhere has to give you an opportunity.

“I think that all of you that are here today are the beneficiaries of the opportunities that you have somehow received. And this is why this event is so important. I think that it is one way we have to remind ourselves that we are bound as individuals to give opportunities to everyone.”

Osinbajo said all Nigerians, including the future generation, will remain losers once Niger Delta militants continue attacking oil and gas installations in the region. 

Between TINUBU And BUHARI; Osinbajo Clarifies Who Actually Nominated Him Vice President
Punch Newspaper - Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday night cleverly avoided to be dragged into the raging controversy over who nominated him to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the 2015 presidential election. 

Although he confirmed that “somebody somewhere” must nominate one before occupying a position, Osinbajo refrained from disclosing who nominated him. 


Controversy broke out recently when the author of Buhari’s biography, “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria”, Prof. John Paden, claimed in the book that the President chose Osinbajo as his running mate despite the alleged opposition of a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Despite the general belief that Tinubu was instrumental to the emergence of Osinbajo who served as his Attorney-General when he (Tinubu) was the governor of Lagos State, the author claimed that the names of Tinubu; the then Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Osinbajo were forwarded to Buhari for him to pick a running mate shortly after he emerged the party’s candidate at its convention in Lagos. 

The author claimed that Buhari chose Osinbajo above others despite enormous pressure from Tinubu to do otherwise. 

Tinubu’s loyalists have since faulted the account of the author, saying he (Tinubu) nominated the Vice-President.

Speaking at a dinner organised for former Niger Delta agitators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo made a veiled reference to the controversy when he admitted that he was nominated by “somebody somewhere.”

He said, “I was in a group of young men and women and one of them asked the question how did I become Vice President?

“I was never a politician or anything like that. So I tried to explain it is quite simple that someone somewhere has to recommend you. 

“Somebody somewhere has to give you a helping hand, whether to be a Vice President or to be an aircraft pilot or to be an engineer, somebody somewhere has to give you an opportunity.

“I think that all of you that are here today are the beneficiaries of the opportunities that you have somehow received. And this is why this event is so important. I think that it is one way we have to remind ourselves that we are bound as individuals to give opportunities to everyone.”

Osinbajo said all Nigerians, including the future generation, will remain losers once Niger Delta militants continue attacking oil and gas installations in the region. 


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