COVER
Zoning: We’re Ready for Those Who Want to Bury Nigeria-SMBLF

.Accuses Adamu of Dishonesty over Statement on APC Zoning
.Power Must Return to S’E, Ohanaeze Replies NEF
.You Dominated Jonathan’s Administration, Zwingina Tells Igbos
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has issued a dire warning to politicians and other Nigerians who are trying to do away with the rotational Presidency in the country.
Specifically, the tribal leaders condemned the statement credited to the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Alhaji Ango Abdullahi, that zoning of the Presidency between the North and South is “dead and buried”.
The position of the SMBLF is contained in a joint statement signed by Chief E. K. Clark, National Leader, PANDEF and Chairman, SMBLF; Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere; Prof. George Obiozor – President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Pogu Bitrus – National President, Middle Belt Forum on Monday.
The group warned that an attempt to kill and bury the age long power rotation agreement between the North and the South is not different from an attempt to kill and bury Nigeria.
They warned that the moves to tinker with the rotation of the Presidency between the North and the South was inimical to national unity.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders warned the Ango Abdullahi’s NEF wondering if the body was now out for the dissolution of the country?
“SMBLF says it is rather unfortunate and absurd that Ango Abdullahi and his Northern Elders Forum would make such twaddle. Are they now ready to dissolve the country? What has happened that zoning, which has been a sine qua non in the nation’s political progression has now become a “dead and buried” issue, in the irrational contemplations of Ango Abdullahi and his co-travellers? Could it be due to the incapacity, insipidity and disastrous performance of the Buhari administration or the narcissistic desire to perpetuate Hausa/Fulani Hegemony?
“It has become necessary to underscore that Ango Abdullahi, with his established disposition of inconsistency and duplicity, is one of the people disturbing the polity and peace of Nigeria.
“A few days ago, this same Ango fumbled with the idea of a so-called consensus arrangement for Northern presidential aspirants, he has not come out of it, now he has sprung up with this reckless statement that zoning is dead and buried.
“Ango and his northern elders do not have the power to kill and bury zoning; if they want to kill and bury Nigeria, then we are ready for them!”
They argued that the “history of zoning between the North and the South is well-known to everybody in this country and has been respected by all the major political parties in Nigeria.”
They recalled that all ruling political parties from the second republic such as the NPN, the PDP had adhered to the principle of zoning.
The group accused the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Sen Adamu Abdullahi of outright dishonesty and chicanery for saying that the APC had not decided the zoning of the Presidency.
“More so, earlier this year, the nation and global audience were told by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on a national/satellite Television station, Channels Television, that zoning of the party and political elective offices exists in the APC. The Governor further hinted that all the positions earlier held by the North would be swapped with the South and vice versa. And this was inclusive of the presidency. That was the reason why only Northerners vied for the National Chairmanship of the party, which was zoned to the North and micro zoned to the North Central, during the party’s National Convention in March this year.
“Sadly, we are now been told by the newly “imposed” National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, that the APC has not decided on the zoning of the presidency.
“Such a statement at this stage, with about 30 days to the presidential primaries, amounts to outright dishonesty and chicanery. Who are they trying to deceive and who will allow them?
“It becomes even more upsetting given the fact that the statement came from someone who himself emerged as National Chairman of the APC through the policy of rotation and zoning.” The statement added
The leaders said further that “It is haughty for anybody to say that this is the time to consider the quality of candidates. Where in Nigeria is deficient in quality candidates, is it the south or the north? Every one of the individuals from the south who has indicated interest to contest for the presidency, both in APC and in PDP, is qualified to be President of Nigeria.
They should stop their trickery, enough is enough! We cannot have a northerner president for 8 years and then welcome another northern president for another 8 years or more. That is unacceptable to us.
“We, therefore, strongly caution all our governors, former governors and top politicians not to accept the Vice Presidency nomination from any northern presidential candidate.
“We urge the 17 Southern Governors, who unanimously declared that the Presidency must come to the South in May last year, at Asaba, Delta State, to remain resolute. They have our absolute support for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum and we stand firmly by them. This country belongs to all of us!
“Let everybody take this as a serious warning that the issue of zoning cannot be swept under the carpet; it cannot be dead and buried, if zoning is buried, Nigeria is then buried. And if they are thinking that this is a joke, let it be known that it is not. If we cannot abide by the established principle of rotation and zoning between the north and south, then we should not continue with one Nigeria; we should go back to what we were as a people before the amalgamation of 1914.
“We also earnestly call on the people of the Middle Belt Region and all Minorities in Nigeria to wake up and work conscientiously with the Southerners, if we do, the prospects will be pellucid. This was demonstrated at the National Conference of 2014 to the mortification of those who think this country belongs to them alone.”
2023: Power Must Return to S’E, Ohanaeze Replies Northern Elders
The Igbo apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, again has insisted that the presidency must return to the Southern part of the country.
Ohanaeze further took a swipe at the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for kicking against zoning of the Presidency, alleging it because it was the turn of the South East to produce the next president of Nigeria.
The body was reacting to the position of the NEF who recently frowned against the zoning of the 2023 presidency.
It could be recalled that the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), Alhaji Ango Abdullahi, few days ago declared that zoning of the Presidency between the North and South is “dead and buried.”
Ohanaeze in a statement titled: “The zoning shenanigans in Nigeria”, signed by its spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said NEF was trying to destroy what balances Nigeria instead of seeking solutions to the country’s problems.
The body recalled how power rotated from former President Olusegun Obasanjo (Southwest) to Musa Yar’Adua (North) to Goodluck Jonathan (Southsouth) and to President Muhammadu Buhari (North).
According to Ohanaeze, the issue of rotation of power was conceived in 1994 by some Nigerian patriots to ensure equity and inclusiveness of all parts of the country.
“It was also agreed that political offices will be zoned or distributed among the zones in such a way that every zone will have a sense of belonging. Furthermore, the Presidency in Nigeria will rotate among the zones to promote peace, unity and progress.
“The NEF is aware that Nigeria has religiously followed the rotation and zoning principle since 1999 with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (South West) as the elected President of Nigeria. Obasanjo, in keeping with the rotation principle, handed over to former President Umaru Yar’Adua ( North West) in 2007.
“With the death of Yar’Adua, a Southerner, specifically the South-South, in the person of Dr Goodluck Jonathan was elected as President. Jonathan also handed over to a Northerner, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second tenure of four years will end in 2023. By the rotation and zoning principle that has been in operation in Nigeria, it is only fair that the Presidency be zoned to the South, specifically the South-East region,” he said.
You Dominated 90% of Jonathan’s Administration, Zwingina Reminds Igbos
Meanwhile a former Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Jonathan Zwingina, has told the people of the South East that they should not forget that they dominated over 90 percent of the economy during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and that no one complained.
Zwingina who was speaking in an interview with Channels Television also insisted that the South East will not get the 2023 presidency on a platter of gold.
He said the region should not sit back and expect the political parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the country’s presidency to them, adding that their elite must engage in discussions with the political elites from other zones.
The lawmaker further pointed out that the South East was not the only region that has not been able to produce the president, insisting that while the region had even produced the country’s leaders once in its history, the North Central has not had the chance at all.
“I think the issue of zoning is understandable. But we must first of all look at the fact that the issue of zoning first arose during the military era and then the contest of the crisis of June 12.
“Now the way the zoning has been crafted, it is looking like it’s going to be almost by fiat. Zoning is a matter that should be discussed among political parties and agreed upon within the consensus of political parties and not be forced or compelled on individuals or political personnel in government to enforce it.
“Even the party that championed zoning, which is the PDP has eventually in itself, virtually set it aside.
“Not only the South East, the North Central has not had… even the South East has had the President the North Central did not have. Fairness and justice require that they too should have.
“Fairness and justice require that North East should have …although they had the prime minister, they too should have. I can tell you that fairness and justice is not just the South East.
“They’re talking about their rights but North Central has not had anything at all… what I’m saying is all the rights of people who want representation in government are valid. But we have to look at certain representations.
“Under the administration of President Jonathan, the dominant zone in that government was the South East. They practically dominated ninety percent of the economy completely and people did not complain.
“It was their rights to do that because some of them were competent and were appointed into government positions …what the South-East should do is that their elites should engage in discussion with the elites from the other regions with the respect to the need for them to have a go at the presidency.
“But even at that, there’s no President in Nigeria, even Obasanjo, who contested on the basis being left alone because he comes from a zone of preference. When Obasanjo contested, there were other people who were not from the South West who stood election with him.”
COVER
Turkish Embassy Pledges Partnership with Asset Media Group

By Donald Andoor, Abuja
The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has pledged a working relationship with the Asset Media Group and Nigeria’s media in general to further boost long lasting diplomatic and trade relations existing between the two countries.Head of Political Office, Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye, Muzaiffer Hakan Tok who was exchanging views with the management team of Asset Media Group in Abuja, yesterday recalled the robust diplomatic, trade and cultural relationship between Nigeria and Turkiye.
While stressing the cordial relationship existing between the two nations over time, he said there was need for media practitioners to be further enlightened about those things that were common and binding between the two nations.He applauded the people of Nigeria and the government for the hospitality accorded Turkish nationals in the country.Earlier, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, Proprietor of Asset Media Group, owners of the Daily Asset Newspaper and Asset Television, said the visit was to explore ways of media partnership with the embassy.He appealed to the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria to initiate avenues for exchange of visits between journalists of the two countries to enable them to enlighten and educate the public about opportunities that abound in the country.The diplomatic relations between the two nations started when Turkey opened an embassy in Lagos in 1962. The embassy was moved to Abuja in 2001 after Nigeria’s proclamation of Abuja as the new capital.On the other hand, Nigeria has an embassy in Ankara, the capital of Turkey and the two countries are members of a group of eight developing nations, code named D-8.The delegation of the Daily Asset Group included Donald Andoor, Chairman Editorial Board and General Manager of Asset Television, Ayami Sunny Ayami.COVER
Ango Abdullahi Tasks FG over Out-of-school Children in Northern States

By Divine Ndukwe, Abuja
Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has raised the alarm over the growing marginalisation of Northern Nigeria, warning that the continued sidelining of the region in federal budgeting and infrastructure development poses grave dangers to national unity and progress.
The elder statesman, who spoke at the ongoing Government-Citizens Engagement Forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on Tuesday, described the region’s situation as nothing short of a national emergency, particularly in the areas of education, infrastructure and economic inclusion. Abdullahi, a former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, lamented the failure of successive administrations to address the North’s growing population of out-of-school children.He blamed the crisis on inadequate funding and misplaced national priorities“We have 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria—80 percent of them are from Northern Nigeria.“If just half of the N15 trillion national budget were allocated to education, we would have no child out of school.“That money would provide schools, teachers, and equipment,” he said.He said, despite the magnitude of the crisis, the North continues to receive a disproportionately low share of education funding.“This is not just a Northern problem. It is a national disaster. An uneducated population is a threat to all,” he warned.The NEF chairman, who recently toured parts of the Northeast, also described the region’s road infrastructure as “the worst in the country.”“Some of the roads are not just bad—they don’t even exist. You can’t talk about national development when a whole region remains disconnected.“There must be an intentional drive to fix our roads if we are serious about equity,” he said.He proposed a simple yet bold solution, stating, “Let’s be serious. If we use N7.5 trillion for education and N7.5 trillion for roads in the North, we’d solve two of our biggest problems.”Abdullahi also expressed strong reservations about the recent relocation of key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria from Abuja to Lagos, describing the move as suspicious and divisive.“Why the sudden relocation of CBN departments? Why the mass retirements? And why were 15 new directors recently employed—with only four from Northern Nigeria?” he asked.He said the decision sends a troubling message to Northern Nigerians, many of whom already feel marginalised under the current administration.“These are not coincidences. They are decisions with consequences, and the North is watching,” he said.According to him, the Northern Elders’ Forum will be formally writing to President Bola Tinubu to demand clarification on the recent appointments and policy decisions, which, he said, appear designed to weaken Northern participation in the federal structure.Abdullahi did not stop at criticism. He also laid out a roadmap for equitable development, starting with the decentralisation of industrial growth.“If we truly want to develop Nigeria, then Northern Nigeria must be industrialised in line with its natural strengths—agriculture being one,” he said.He urged the Federal Government to set up agro-allied processing zones across Northern states, arguing that industrialisation anchored on agriculture would lift millions out of poverty and stabilise the region’s economy.“It is time to spread development. Northern Nigeria cannot continue to serve only as a food basket without also being a value-adding zone,” he declared.The NEF chairman ended on a strong note of civic engagement, urging Northerners to move from silence to active demand for their rights.“We must be proactive. We will be asking questions. And this time, we expect answers,” he said.He called on political leaders, community organisations, and civil society groups to join in demanding accountability from federal policymakers.“We can no longer afford to be passive. If we do not speak up and insist on fairness, the marginalisation will continue, and our children will inherit a more broken and divided nation,” he added.Katsina Approves Promotion of 3147 Teachers, OthersThe Katsina State Government has approved the promotion of no fewer than 3,147 teachers and other staff members of the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.This was made known by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hajiya Ummukhair Ahmed-Bawa, during a senior management meeting on Tuesday in Katsina.She was represented by the Director, Administration and Supply in the ministry, Salisbury Yakubu, who also said that the development was announced by Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.She noted that the landmark approval underscored the state government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare and motivation of education personnel.According to her, “The commissioner directed the convening of the meeting to kick-start the promotion process in line with the approval of Governor Dikko Radda.”The permanent secretary further assured that the exercise would be completed within the stipulated time frame.“The promotion exercise reflected the ministry’s commitment to rewarding hard work, fostering career growth, and improving service delivery in the education sector.“About 78 staff would be promoted from level 07-08, 560 from 08-09, 484 from 09-10, 587 from grade level 10-12, 627 from 12-13, 436 from 13-14, 276 from 14-15, while 98 would move from 15-16”, Ahmed-Bawa concluded.COVER
Oluremi Tinubu in Makurdi, Seeks End to Benue Killings

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu yesterday visited Benue State, with a call to put an end to the insecurity and incessant killings of innocent citizens especially women and children in the State.Mrs Tinubu, who spoke during her visit to the State, where she met with state officials, traditional rulers, and internally displaced persons as part of her humanitarian and peace-building engagements, called for unity and solidarity among the people of the State to combat the senseless killings that have continued despite spirited and concerted efforts.
She said it was most worrisome to find displaced persons living in dehumanising conditions, describing it as hellish.According to her, when faith is lost, family bonds are broken, life no longer carries the hope it once did, everything changes, stressing that every society must decide what it would serve, adding however, “No nation can serve two masters”.”There must be a choice between what builds and what destroys, between people and the structures that either uplift or oppress them.”We speak of teaching lessons about peace, love, and how to live with one another. These are not abstract ideals. They are necessities. Dialogue and patience remain the best solutions wherever conflict exists. But often, we hesitate, we ask ourselves: Why do I need to act? Why do I need to speak?, And so the doors remain closed. Teachers go unheard. People are left without guidance on how to move forward and how to heal.”Today, I decided to come because I feel that much of the light has dimmed. The weight of silence is heavy, but conversations like this bring hope. Nigeria is a nation of deep complexity. Ethnicity, religion, and culture all have their place, but they must not become walls between us. They should instead be bridges of understanding.”And now, we are in a time in a world where we must decide what we are preparing for. Will it be a future shaped by division, or one built on compassion, dialogue, and shared humanity?”, Tinubu stated.The Nigeria first lady, who also donated one billion Naira to the victims of the displaced communities in the state and provided relief materials to help alleviate their suffering, promised to continue supporting those in need, particularly children, girls, and individuals with disabilities.On his part, the Paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, called on the Federal Government to take decisive action against networks of terrorists operating in Benue and Nasarawa States and stressed the need for reconstruction of destroyed communities and compensation for victims of the attacks.He intimated that the violent attackers responsible for the frequent killings and displacements in Tiv land usually came from neighboring Nasarawa State and returned there after carrying out their assaults.“Your Excellency Ma, our attackers come from Nasarawa State. After attacking us, they withdraw and go back to Nasarawa State.””I appeal to you to convey the people’s anguish and plead for justice to President Bola Tinubu. Peace in Benue cannot be achieved until the sources of these attacks are addressed through decisive federal intervention.”Thank you for your patience and resilience. Families have been torn apart, ancestral homes abandoned but there is hope. With a guarantee of restored peace, our people will be able to return to their ancestral communities, resume their lives, and rebuild what was lost.”It looks like we will achieve our goals and with that, we will see the gains we have long hoped for.”The barriers we once faced are giving way. We are determined not to let terrorists define our destiny. We have confronted major enemies and made progress, though the scars and memories of destruction remain with us.“Still, everything we are doing now is to bring lasting peace and we believe peace will come soon.”To the communities that have suffered attacks: you do not need to remind us of what has happened. We know. We have seen the devastation. We share the pain.”Nigeria has been plagued by discontent for many years. I have lived here all my life, and I know this much: if we keep playing with this weakness, it will grow and if it grows unchecked, it will destroy us.”If our leaders do not decisively confront terrorism and malice, and instead keep playing politics with it trying to be “politically correct” for the sake of convenience, Nigeria will be in grave danger. The time to act is now”, Ayatse alluded.He maintained that the government is already beginning to respond, securing vulnerable areas and strengthening borders, noting that the visit today has given Benue citizens encouragement and has further reassured them that they are not forgotten.The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia reiterated his call for the establishment of a state police and a national policy on ranching to address the insecurity caused by herders.He applauded Mrs Tinubu for her visit and commitment to national solidarity in the face of the ongoing crisis bedeviling over 1.5million displaced individuals in the State.”This visit comes after the massacre of over 200 of our people on the night of Saturday, the 13th, and the morning of Sunday, the 14th of June, 2025. Your visit follows closely after your husband, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, altered his itinerary to send us a message of comfort shortly after June 18, 2025.”We have over 3,500 new IDPs in Gwer-West local government. It is my prayer that this land becomes one of reunions and grace. I would like to express our deep gratitude to you for making time to visit us.”Following the President’s directive, the Chief of Defence Staff ordered the deployment of security personnel to our communities. While the attacks by militias and bandits have not completely stopped, we can report that there has been some noticeable improvement in security.”Your presence here today reflects not only your strategic support as a former Senator of the Federal Republic but also your motherly and compassionate response to moments of distress in our nation. Your initiatives in health, social investment, agriculture, care for orphans, IDPs, persons living with disabilities, and the elderly have not gone unnoticed.”We are aware of the over 70,000 posts you facilitated through the Ministry of Education for distribution to primary schools. We are equally aware of over 270 support programs for economic empowerment. You have already done so much for us in this state, and we believe your presence today will not only inspire you to do more but also create a deeper connection to our plight as you hear the stories of consistent and protracted attacks on our people by terrorists and armed groups.”We are grateful for the goodness you have shared with us at this very difficult time and for the honor and support you have continually extended to our grassroots”, Alia stated.The governor lamented that the persistent attacks by militias on Benue farms have been sustained for years, leading to the loss of lives and property. Farmers have been driven away from their lands because so many have been killed, leaving us in pain and despair.”Some of our people are displaced and living in camps, while many more are staying with friends and relatives across different parts of the state under harsh conditions. Hunger is widespread, and food is scarce in a state once celebrated as the “Food basket of the nation.””In all of this, we have not received adequate compensation or meaningful support. Instead, what has been offered to our grieving people feels like salt added to their wounds, token gestures that do not meet the needs of mothers, who have lost children or families who have been destroyed”, he said.Gunmen Invade Benue Community, kill One Farmer Suspected armed herdsmen, on Tuesday launched fresh attack on Tse-Kalema in Mbazun, Atogbenda, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing one farmer identified as Lucky Tsetim. A source from the area told DAILY ASSET that the victim was attacked while working on his farm on Tuesday.The killing has sparked fresh fears among residents, who say Fulani attacks in Tse-Kalema are becoming frequent.They called on security agencies to urgently intervene and restore peace in the area.As of press time, no official response has been issued by the authorities.Efforts to speak with the Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet failed as she did not respond to calls or texts.