POLITICS
Ministerial Appointment: Buhari Generous to South East Despite 5% Vote – Oshiomhole

- Says Saraki, Nigeria’s Smartest Politician
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole on Monday, said that President Muhammadu Bihari was magnanimous with the South Eastern part of the country especially Anambra state where he got only five percent of vote in the general election yet appointed two ministers from there making it six ministerial appointees from the region in his second term administration.
The APC National Chairman said this on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents after a closed doors meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He was reacting to critics who have thrown jab at the choice of Buhari’s cabinet members, Oshiomhole described the President as being too generous.
He said that for Buhari to appoint some Ministers from the South East which gave him less than five percent vote cast in the last general elections was a reflection of the generosity of the President.
Oshiomhole added that if it were the opposition party, the case would have been different.
He said: “How credible are some of those who are talking? The point is that I don’t know if there is a Nigerian who knows every Nigerian.
“Even as I can say that I have worked for Nigerian people at all levels, as a worker in a factory, as President of the NLC, as governor of a state and now as a national chairman of a party, there are too many Nigerians I will never be able to know.
“The screening process is meant to enable those watching, it is not for nothing that it is televised, it is to enable Nigerians see who these people are. But you will find that people started dismissing the list even before they saw it, just like some other things that Nigerians dismiss without knowing the meaning.
“So, what you and I should insist on is that in the president’s second term, in this next level, our party, our government at the center, state and local government level must deliver. That is the entry point for every Nigerian.
“And when you talk of patronage, should we appoint…have you heard of Americans pointing Russians because they are experts to go and preside over their MDAs? Even in your newspapers do you invite me as APC chairman to come and write your editorial?
“Patronage can be positive or negative but if there is one man who has shown the capacity to patronize all including where he did not win election, it is President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Otherwise, where we got less than five percent, I saw two ministers coming from that state, inspite of the fact that he got less than five percent there. That speaks volumes about a large heart, to accommodate, appreciate and to have an all inclusive government.”
The APC Chairman also described former Senate President, Bukola Saraki as one of the smartest politician in Nigeria, saying it took the ruling party painstaking efforts to break his political structure.
Oshiomhole said that when it became clear that Saraki was proving too difficult to conquer at the seat of power, the party had to resort to Kwara state where he was eventually deflated through “otoge.”
He said today, Sakari cannot boast of having any grip either the Senatorial, Representative or ward levels in his home state.
Oshiomhole who described himself as a maverick, said the ruling party was better off under his leadership, as he has always ensured that the party ideas outweighed personal sentiments any member of the APC had.
On what he is doing to address the crisis in the ruling party said: “I am very proud to say that under my Chairmanship, our party has made tremendous progress. I am not at the mercy of fake or even disgruntled analysts.
“I write my own testimonials by my self in terms of what l do, how I do it and what the unbiased people say. Irrespective of all the speculations, for example, it was said that 17 governors were going to remove Oshiomhole, what happened? At the end , we provided leadership and had more votes.
“In the 2015 election, the difference between our candidate and President Jonathan then, was slightly less than three million, but this time around, we had slightly less than four million. I am a National Chairman, not a zonal or state chairman. So, my responsibilities include to get the APC at the national level going , including relating with the President, the ways we expect the State chapter chairmen to relate with their Governors and the local council chapter chairmen with their Local government Council chairmen.
“That is the way it works and I believe that Nigerians under my leadership appreciated APC better under my Chairmanship, as evidenced by the fact that we had more Senators, House of Representatives members this year, than before.
“For the first time since 1999, the letter of APC under my signature was read on the floors of both Chambers of the National Assembly, announcing the Principal Officers of the Party, as determined through consensus by the leadership of the party, which is why unlike 2015 where APC as a party had no say whatsoever as to who emerged as the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Principal Officers of both Chambers. This time around, we got six out of six. Can I do better than that, can I score more than 100%. You talk about turmoil, if this is how to be in turmoil, I want to live there.”
The APC National Chairman expressed optimism that the new cabinet ministers, the party, the executive which the ministers belong and the National Assembly, the APC had what it takes to take Nigeria to the “next level”.
POLITICS
Zamfara North Communities Condemn Gov. Lawal’s Leadership as Total Failure

By David Torough, Abuja
A coalition representing four local government areas in Zamfara North Senatorial District has launched a scathing attack on Governor Dauda Lawal, branding his administration a “monumental failure” after two years in office.
In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition—made up of Kauran Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi communities—accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his campaign promises and worsening the region’s insecurity, poverty, and infrastructure decay.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairman Yakubu Ibrahim Shinkafi lamented the dire conditions residents now face.
“People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.
They cannot go to their farms. They wake up and sleep in hunger,” Shinkafi said.“Yet, during the 2023 campaign, he promised to end insecurity and hunger within two weeks.”
The coalition highlighted the unrelenting wave of banditry, kidnappings, and extortion plaguing their communities.
Shinkafi claimed thousands have lost their lives, while others have been forced to pay millions in ransoms, even as the state government celebrates its second year in office.
“What is he celebrating? He is celebrating failure,” Shinkafi remarked bitterly.
“The situation has deteriorated. Bandits now operate with confidence while the government remains silent.”
Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023 on promises of swift action to tackle insecurity, had assured voters that peace would return within two weeks of his inauguration. But two years on, residents say the crisis has only deepened.
“Not only has peace remained elusive, but insecurity has now become a permanent nightmare,” the coalition’s statement read.
The group commended the Nigerian Army and other security forces for their sacrifices but argued that the state government has failed to provide necessary support and leadership.
“There is no adequate intelligence cooperation, no visible engagement with communities, and no strategic direction from the governor,” the statement added.
“He has abandoned his duties and disconnected from the people’s plight.”
Beyond security concerns, the coalition criticised the collapse of essential services, pointing to deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“The hopes people had when Governor Lawal took office have turned into despair,” Shinkafi said.
“Our communities are calling for a serious reassessment of priorities. We demand leadership and an end to the deception.”
“Zamfara State deserves better,” the statement said .
“We will not allow our lives to be destroyed under the weight of a failed administration.”
POLITICS
Tinubu’s 2 year: APC Lauds Nigerians for Understanding

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has commended Nigerians for their understanding and support to President Bola Tinubu-led administration in the last two years.
Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary made the commendation on behalf of the party, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on the midterm anniversary of the Tinubu-led administration.
He said that the country was on a progressive path under Tinubu, adding that more support and understanding were needed from the citizens.
“We applaud Nigerians for their invaluable understanding and support so far and we crave their continued support to Mr President for the second half of the tenure and beyond.
“The support will enable the administration unpack the fullness of the Renewed Hope Agenda for the overall good of Nigerians,”Morka said.
He noted that in the face of daunting generational challenges, Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated political will never before recorded in our contemporary political history.
Morka said that like a confident surgeon, Tinubu had enacted and continued to enact policy reforms skillfully designed to give the country, not just a chance for urgent resuscitation, but a real shot at rejuvenating its wellness.
He said that the APC leadership remained conscious of the challenges Nigerians were going through because of the inevitable policy reforms the Tinubu-led administration had to take in the interest of all.
He added that in all, the best interest and well-being of the current and future generations remained at the core of Tinubu’s thinking and actions.
Morka noted that some of the reforms of the administration include; the removal of fuel subsidy and harmonising multiple exchange rates among others.
These he said were inevitable and crucial steps to stabilising and positioning the economy for steady and sustainable growth.
“At midterm, the pall of gloom over our nation has been lifted and replaced by a dawn of rebounding optimism and progress.
“Signs and indications have never been clearer in our recent history, of a resurgent economy heralding strong prospects of a vibrant and prosperous future for our country, “Morka said.
He said that the Tinubu-led administration’s relentless war against oil theft had helped boost oil production, adding that our production now standing upwards of 1.8mbpd.
The APC spokesman said this surpassed the Organisation of Petroluem Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) quota, for the first time in recent history.
According to him, the massive reforms and investments in oil and gas sectors totaling over 8 billion dollars, had improved the ease-of-doing-business in the country.
He said that the development had revitalised stock market for enhanced profitability and attracted Foreign Direct investments (FDIs) in excess of 50 billion dollars.
Morka added that under the administration, the country had posted trade surpluses all for consecutive quarters since 2023.
“The historic Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth of 3.38 per cent in Q4 of 2024 has been lauded by both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) as incontrovertible index of a rebounding economy.
“In its determination to enhance peace and security, the administration has left no stone unturned in its renewed fight against terrorism and banditry.
“Thankfully, the massive supports for military welfare and funding of the Armed Forces have resulted in the neutralising of more than 13,500 terrorists and arrests of nearly 18,000.
“With many internally-displaced persons (IDP’s) camps being shut down and displaced persons returning to their homelands, farmers are now accessing their farms with attendant crash in food prices,” Morka stated.
He said the administration had done remarkably well in the education and health sectors as well as improving basic infrastructure across the country.
“In the critical health sector, the administration has equally left indelible footprints by approving 21 strategic policies with direct bearing on the health of Nigerians.
“It has disbursed more than N80 billion to revatilise more than 8,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Empirically, a lot more have been accomplished in the creative industry, solid minerals, power, energy, oil and gas sectors among others,’’ he said.
Morka advised Nigerians to continue to support the administration, saying that Tinubu is determined to serve Nigerians better in the concluding half of his four-year tenure,” he said.(NAN)
POLITICS
Edo poll: We Won’t Allow Injustice to go Unchallenged, Ighodalo Says

Mr Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo, has said that he would not allow injustice to go unchallenged.Ighodalo stated this in a statement on Thursday in reaction to the Court of Appeal’s judgment which affirmed the electoral victory of Gov.
Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “My good people of Edo State, today, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the declared outcome of the September 21st, 2024 governorship election in Edo State. “As with the judgment of the tribunal, we have received this decision with deep disappointment, but also with unwavering resolve to continue our pursuit of justice.“As democrats and patriots, we remain anchored in our belief in the rule of law.“But we cannot, and will not, allow injustice to go unchallenged,” he said.According to him, I have therefore instructed my legal team to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria to seek redress.“We do so for every voter who queued patiently with hope in their hearts, for every young person who dreams of a better Edo State, and for every Nigerian who still believes that democracy must be well practised to yield a great country.“The Supreme Court now bears a profound responsibility, not only to interpret the law and apply same to available facts, but to defend the democratic principles that give the law its meaning.“We approach the apex court with full confidence in its integrity, its independence, and its role as the final guardian of justice in our republic.“We believe their Lordships will consider not just the letter of the law, but the greater implications for democracy, justice, and public trust.“The eyes of Edo people, and indeed all Nigerians, now look up to the Supreme Court with hope,” he said.He said though he acknowledged the court’s pronouncement, he believed that the judgment, like that of the tribunal before it, “failed to address the grave concerns we raised regarding widespread acts of non-compliance with, and clear violations of the Electoral Act.”According to him, our struggle has never been about personal ambition.“It has always been about standing with the people of Edo State and defending their sacred right to freely choose their leaders through a credible, transparent and fair election.“That right was brazenly subverted on September 21st, 2024.“The decisions of both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, though rendered in the name of the law, in effect ignore the will of the people and reward blatant electoral irregularities,” he added.Ighodalo, however, urged all his supporters to remain peaceful, vigilant and steadfast.“This is not the end. It is simply the next chapter in our collective struggle for truth, justice, and a bright future for our dear Edo State.“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We remain undaunted.“And we shall not rest until the voices of our people are heard and their stolen mandate restored,” he concluded.(NAN