POLITICS
2023: Why I’m in Presidential Race -Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says improving the quality of education for young people and creating job opportunities are some of the reasons that made him to join the 2023 Presidential race.
Osinbajo said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaimanu, on Tuesday at his palace in Bauchi.
The vice president was in the state as part of his consultations with All Progressives Congress(APC) stakeholders, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.“Our concern as a government has always been how to ensure that the common man is given a fair chance to be employed and to have a decent living which is why several of the projects that we have undertaken especially the Social Investment Programme, have been to better the lot of the people.
”But also, we have been concerned about young people; how we can improve not just the quality of the education of the young people but the opportunities for young people to get jobs, to be employed. “And this may also explain why I am running for president of this country in 2023.“I have served as vice president to President Muhammadu Buhari for the past seven years and God helping me, I will serve out that term by May 2023,” he said.
Osinbajo added:” And in that capacity, as your royal highness will know, I have been exposed to governance at the highest level, thanks very much to the openness and transparency of the President and I have learnt a lot.” The vice president said that he was able to acquire different leadership skills and garner more experiences while acting at various times as the president of the country.
According to him, one of the critical things that one recognises is that a diverse country such as Nigeria – different religions and ethnicities– the people have different desires but we must treat everybody with fairness and justice.,“I believe that this is one of the reasons why it is important for us to bear in mind that the unity of this country is very critical, there is no point trying to govern a country that is not united and of course securable.
“These are issues that are important which we are trying to deal with presently,” he said. Osinabajo recalled that in his last visit to the place, he was in the state for the rural electrification project of communities in Ningi Local Government Area in 2019.The vice president said a Shared Facility for groundnut oil producers as part of the MSMEs clinics was also established in the state.
Osinbajo added that Bauchi state was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the N-Power programme. Earlier in his remark, Sulaimanu, thanked the vice president for the visit and wished him well in his pursuit. “Let me share my delight on behalf of the emirate for this important visit; I believe you are in Bauchi for political activities but you still found time to visit me at this material time. It shows the love you have for me and the people of Bauchi State.
“We believe that power belongs to God and he give power to who he wishes to give; by virtue of our position, we are not politicians; we don’t participate in politics but we advise wisely for whatever will be for success. “We pray that whatever you are doing here on Bauchi State will be fruitful. “We wish you and your entourage a peaceful and pleasant stay in Bauchi; peaceful deliberations and safe return back to Abuja,” he said.(NAN)
POLITICS
Adamawa APC Endorses Tinubu, Lauds Ribadu’s Efforts

From Yagana Ali, Yola
The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027. The endorsement was made at a high-powered stakeholders’ meeting held in Yola, where party leaders and members expressed their unwavering support for the President’s re-election bid.
The National Vice Chairman (North East) of the APC, Mustapha Salihu, led the party leaders and stakeholders in affirming the party’s support for President Tinubu. Salihu described the President’s administration as one committed to economic transformation, institutional reforms, and national stability. He urged party members to close ranks and consolidate the gains of the last two years under the Tinubu-led government.The APC also passed a vote of confidence on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, lauding his efforts in stabilising the country and restoring Nigeria’s global image through strategic security interventions. The party described Ribadu as a worthy Adamawa ambassador who has not let the state and the country down.As part of the celebrations, Comrade Salihu donated a modern two-storey duplex, valued at over N300 million, to serve as the APC Adamawa State Secretariat. The gesture is part of Salihu’s efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.The event witnessed the defection of several high-profile political figures into the APC, including the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Crowther Seth, and prominent businessman and philanthropist, Abdulrahman Haske. Other notable figures who spoke at the event commended President Tinubu for his strides in national security, infrastructure development, economic recovery, and educational reforms.The endorsement of President Tinubu and the vote of confidence on NSA Ribadu demonstrate the APC’s commitment to consolidating the gains of the current administration and promoting national stability and development.POLITICS
Pro-Democracy Activist Warns Against Plot to Stop Tinubu

Dr Layo Adebiyi, a pro-democracy activist, has warned that any coalition formed against President Bola Tinubu’s second term will collapse before the 2027 election.
He gave this warning during a news conference held in Ikeja on Thursday to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day.
Adebiyi, once imprisoned under Gen.
Sani Abacha, described President Tinubu as a political continuation of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief M. K.O. Abiola.He said Awolowo made significant efforts to develop Nigeria but was repeatedly denied the opportunity to lead the nation.
Speaking at the event, which was attended by Abiola’s son, Alh. Lekan Abiola, Adebiyi said he was inspired to write a book on the acclaimed winner of June 12 presidential polls.
The book, he explained, aims to help Nigerians understand the real political manoeuvres behind the scenes of national leadership.
He said: “Awolowo tried to offer national development as President, but he was never allowed the opportunity.
“Abiola won a clear mandate and was loved by the people, but he too was stopped by unseen political forces.
“I’m writing this book to warn that Tinubu represents both Awolowo and Abiola’s legacy, and must not be denied like them.
“The book reveals the realities of Nigeria’s political chess game. I had no initial plan to make it public.”
According to Adebiyi, Abiola’s son insisted on a public launch after reading the manuscript and recognising its historical importance.
He said Lekan Abiola believed the book offered Nigerians access to the true story of his father’s political life.
Adebiyi also recalled that 27 years have passed since Abiola was killed on the day he was meant to be released.
He added that the man who annulled the 1993 election has since revealed the motives behind the act in his memoir, ‘A Journey in Service.’
Lekan Abiola said he once believed nothing new could be written about his father or the history of Nigerian democracy.
However, his mind changed after reading Adebiyi’s manuscript, which detailed his father’s life and political journey across Africa.
He said it helped him understand his father’s wider contributions to the Nigerian society and the global black community.
Lekan noted that while many viewed Abiola as just a politician, the book exposed deeper forces that undermined his ambitions.
He said the annulment of the 1993 election was premeditated, rooted in old political doctrines that resisted power shift.
What struck him most was Adebiyi’s analysis predicting a potential political alliance against President Tinubu’s re-election plans.
“After reading the manuscript, I insisted on a public launch to enlighten Nigerians and democracy advocates,” Lekan said. (NAN)
POLITICS
National Honors: Tinubu a Nationalist Par Excellence — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described President Bola Tinubu as a nationalist par excellence for giving national honours to some deserving Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday conferred a posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Kudirat Abiola, describing her as the heroine of the June 12 struggle.
Tinubu honoured Kudirat ,wife of winner of the celebrated election,MKO Abiola, and other heroes of democracy during his address at the Joint Session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day 2025.
Reacting on the list of beneficiaries, Mr Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State APC Spokesman, told NAN that the President had again proven himself as a true nationalist.
According to him, the national honours bestowed on late Mrs Abiola and her co-travelers in the struggle for the democracy, show Mr President as a firm believer in the labour of the nation’s heroes and heroines.
“Mr President, a nationalist par excellence is a firm believer that the labour of our heroes , past and present, should not be in vain,
“He has set a good precedent for other patriots to know that their sacrifices for the nation will always be appropriately acknowledged and rewarded.
“It’s worthy of note that it has taken the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency to accord the well earned pride of place to these worthy martyrs of our nascent democracy.”
NAN reports that the President also conferred posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR) and Bagauda Kaltho (OON).
Others are: Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON) and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON).
Dr Edwin Madunagu bagged the CON honour; Dr Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON) and Mr Bayo Onanuga (CON) were also honoured by Tinubu.
Other beneficiaries are Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON), Gov. Uba Sani (CON), Femi Falana (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Luke Aghanenu (OON) and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).
Also among the beneficiaries are Mr Labaran Maku (OON), Dr Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon. Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Felix Morka (CON), Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON) and Dr Amos Akingba (CON).
Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR) and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR) were also honoured.
Additionally, the president conferred the national honour of CON on Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, who he said remained true to his lifetime calling as he marked his 90th birthday on Friday.
“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON) and Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the Prerogative of Mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.
The president decorated the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the national honours earlier conferred upon them in 2024.
Those decorations were Sen. Godswill Akpabio, GCON; Mr Abbas Tajudeen, GCON – Speaker, Sen. Jibrin Barau, CFR – Deputy Senate President and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR – Deputy Speaker. (NAN)