Politics

2023: Tinubu most popular in Northern Nigeria, will emerge APC candidate in Direct or Indirect Primaries —Jubrin

Published

3 years ago

January 16, 2022

Director-General, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Group Management Council, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin

•He has a large heart, he understands our economy, knows Nigerians; will be a great President

Speculations on whether or not, former governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be contesting for the office of the president in the forthcoming general elections, ended during the week.

Tinubu had declared his intentions of fulfilling ‘his life-long ambition of becoming the president of Nigeria, during a visit to President Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa.

Barely 24 hours after his declaration, governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State also met Buhari to declare his presidential ambition under the same party. As of Wednesday, the former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, also declared to run for the number one office under the APC.

More politicians are expected to join the competition to know who emerges as the flag bearer of the APC in the coming days but, a former member of House of Representatives and, Director-General, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Group Management Council, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin, is cocksure Tinubu will have landslide victory as these other contenders are no match for him.

“I’ve said it over and over again that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is going to win the APC primaries however you go about it, whatever mode of primaries you adopt; whether direct primaries, indirect primaries, a combination of direct and indirect primaries, Asiwaju is going to win,” Jubrin told Arise TV The Morning Show crew during an interview.

Hon Jubrin boasted that “It is not a matter of luck, it is a matter of hard work, pedigree, history; he’s worked so hard, built network, kept his goodwill intact, invested in people and has demonstrated capacity”, adding that “he’s done something like that in the past; we’ve seen what he did in Lagos, laying a foundation that has continued to stand the test of time, over 20 years. “He’s always been the front runner; I don’t see how he will lose the APC ticket.

With his declaration, all party stalwarts will rally around him so, we can have better stability and concentrate on the general elections. But for the primaries, I don’t have any fear that Tinubu is going to win. In any case, even in the secondary election, Bola Tinubu continues to be the front runner”.

He goes further to state his reasons. “He is knowledgeable, understands the economy of the country, understands politics of the country, knows the people, has a large heart, not a religious fanatic, and not an ethnic jingoist. So you see that we are going to have a president that will be able to continue from where president Buhari stops and build Nigeria of our dream”.

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On the issue of the Jagaban’s age and zoning the presidency to the southeast, Hon Jubrin stated that good leadership is not a function of age, insisting that someone can be a young man and be a bad leader and vice versa.

The most important thing he said, “is capacity and competence, and if you have all that, we will support you and in this instance, Bola Tinubu fits in.

“On the issue of the South East, I also sympathise with them; we all do.

The issue is that over the years, traditionally, they have always played centre politics; it is the South West that has been playing regional politics because the South West realised that they have to play central politics just like what late MKO Abiola did.

The South-East will have to put a bit of effort to get to the centre in terms of the overall nature of the politics they are playing. They also have to demonstrate that they are really interested in the presidency. For example, there’s a dominance of the southeastern part of the country in the PDP.

But you rarely see them coming out to show, even when they have competent people to contest. Apart from Pius Ayim who came out a few days ago, nobody is coming out. And they are there debating to zone the presidency to the northern part of the country. You can now see that they are not even pushing as hard as they should for the PDP to take the presidency to the southern part of the country which is in fairness what should happen,” he added.

He advised the southeastern part of the country to re-examine the politics that they are playing, build a strategy around what they want to do, as this is an opportunity for them. Funny enough, he invited south-east politicians to “come in and support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”, stressing that “It is the best opportunity that they have in the future to have the presidency, and you know why because he is a man of his words. If he gives his word, he is going to do it”.

Referencing some statements credited to former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu in 2006 and 2007 when he said Bola Tinubu is corrupt, as well as Tinubu’s involvement in the Alpha Beta case, Rufai Oseni inquired whether such allegations of corruption would not hinder Tinubu’s ambition.

“If you punch google now, there is no politician in Nigeria that you will not see one accusation or the other of corruption. So, we’ve reduced it as word of playing politics. The only way you know that a person is corrupt or not is when he is charged to court, the court makes the pronouncement of it.

I do not see anything in that because he is a front runner. Bola Tinubu is an armoured tank, and everybody tries to hit, bomb and bomb, they know that he has a destiny with 2023,” Jubrin defended.

He added that “Asiwaju has a pedigree; he’s worked so hard to build his image, his empire and he is the person that Nigerians want at the moment. I come from the Northern part of the country; anywhere you go in the North is Asiwaju, so it is going to be a landslide, both in the primaries and secondary elections”.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health has also been a major concern. And so, the crew wanted to know if he is physically fit to lead Nigerians.

“Everybody falls sick. Asiwaju was ill, it was a public matter, went to the hospital- it was a public matter, if he had wanted, he would not have allowed people to visit him while he was ill. And he got well, came back to the country and continued his activities. This man is fine, healthy and well, travelling all over the place, organising his preparation for when the lord will permit us to start a campaign and people are busy talking about his health.

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2023 presidency: We’ve been and remain kingmakers — Northern Elders

Today, look at president Buhari, how healthy he looks, he is even becoming healthier. He was sick, went to the hospital, told the country he was ill, came back and continued his work. For one day, President Buhari has never collapsed. We should stop playing politics with matters like this,” Hon Jubrin responded.

Again, from Oseni, another question begging for an answer is, “how did he make so much wealth that he can afford a bullion van prior to an election, in his home- a staggering colossal amount of wealth, how did that wealth come about…?”

“At this point, we’ve gotten to, our emphasis should be on the pedigree of this candidate, what he has demonstrated that he has done, what he has achieved, how he has changed the revenue of Lagos State, put a long term plan to implement the infrastructure. Etc,” Jubrin stated.

Feeling unsatisfied with that shallow response, Oseni queried, “How did Bola Ahmed Tinubu make his money…? In response, the honourable said “These are all trash from the internet that people put together and we will not elevate such conversations but when campaigns commence, we will bring out facts and figures and put before Nigerians”. Refusing to accept the bullion van issue as trash, Rufai maintained, “How is this trash, Bullion Van was found in his home, the pictures went viral, and there’s been no denial.

So, how is it trash that we want to know how the person that will lead Nigeria made so much wealth and also, the declaration of him being richer than Osun state…how did he make his money and how old he is?”.

Well, Jubrin insisted that they will not elevate such conversations, describing Rufai’s refusal to accept his answer to the question about Tinubu’s source of wealth and age as unfair.

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Related Topics:2023 APC Direct Featured Indirect northern nigeria primaries Tinubu ubrin

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Politics

APC to El- Rufai: Stop sulking, you’re blinded by ego

Published

2 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai

APC to El- Rufai: Stop sulking, you’re blinded by ego

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations of the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, that the ruling party has deviated from its ideals as baseless and driven by personal grievances.

In a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, El-Rufai had accused APC of abandoning its progressive ideals, claiming that the party had become a platform for politicians pursuing personal interests. The former governor, who recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), also criticised the President Bola Tinubu administration, claiming it has failed to deliver on its promises.

But, the APC in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, yesterday claimed that El-Rufai’s exit from the party was an act of self-interest due to his failure to secure a ministerial position under Tinubu’s administration. The party also claimed that El-Rufai’s allegations that it has deviated from its ideology was a smokescreen to mask his personal disappointment and bruised ego.

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The party criticised the former governor’s decision to join the SDP, questioning how the party could be considered an ‘ideological safe haven’ for progressive politics. It described his call for opposition members to join him in the SDP as an invitation to ‘drink from a chalice poisoned by selfishness, vengefulness and delusions of grandeur.’ The APC accused El-Rufai of being driven by self-interest rather than a genuine concern for Nigeria’s progress.

“Assuming that matters of political conviction had anything to do with his exit, exactly how is the Social Democratic Party (SDP), El-Rufai’s new political abode, an ideological safe haven?

His call for opposition members to join him under the SDP banner is nothing short of an invitation to drink from a chalice poisoned by selfishness, vengefulness and delusion of grandeur,” the party said.

APC to El- Rufai: Stop sulking, you’re blinded by ego

Politics

BREAKING: Jandor returns to APC after meeting with Tinubu, others

Published

21 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

BREAKING: Jandor returns to APC after meeting with Tinubu, others

The former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, aka Jandor, has returned to the All Progressives Congress.

Jandor who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022, made the announcement on Monday, March 17, 2025, during a press conference at his office in Ikeja, weeks after resigning from the PDP.

He said, “After extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, supporters, and well-meaning Lagosians who share our vision for a greater and more prosperous Lagos, and in identifying that the primary reason a political party exists is to win elections and ultimately form the government to contribute to the welfare, security and total development of the people, we wish to formally announce that we have decided to join a political party that considers winning for its members as top priority, not minding who is on the ballot.

“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress.”

Addressing concerns about his earlier exit from the ruling party, he likened his experience to a Yoruba adage about learning from different situations.

“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons upon which we left APC in the first place, let me respond with a popular Yoruba adage that says if a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably would not know which is better.

“In APC, we have a leader, even if you fault his selection choices, you can’t fault his desire to always win for his party to the benefit of all members, followers and the state.

“While in Lagos PDP, you have a leader that will, at every election cycle work against his own party, and wilfully dash the hopes of many party members and followers. We have chosen the better alternative,” he stated.

He acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in persuading him to re-join the APC.

Jandor said, “Let me once again extend our sincere gratitude to the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recognized our modest contributions to democracy and nation building.

“I must also recognize the relentless efforts of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who has been on our case for over one year to return ‘home’, and join hands with Mr. President.

“Upon hearing the news of my resignation from the PDP, the President’s son, Mr. Seyi Tinubu immediately put a call across to say “Egbon, this is the time to come back home.” Prior to that time, Seyi had exhibited the learnings he has had from the best and reached out, asking for support for the administration of his father, the President. What more can a father ask for.”

Jandor assured his supporters that the move was in Lagos’ best interest and urged them to join him in the new political chapter.

BREAKING: Jandor returns to APC after meeting with Tinubu, others

Politics

10 ex-Buhari’s ministers to dump APC for SDP

Published

3 days ago

March 15, 2025

Trends Admin

10 ex-Buhari’s ministers to dump APC for SDP

There are strong indications that several former ministers who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari are set to defect en masse to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

A senator from the ninth National Assembly, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that at least 10 former members of Buhari’s cabinet are preparing to join the SDP.

“What they’re waiting for is the finalisation of the party structure in their respective states,” the source said.

Investigations reveal that key figures who are also planning to defect include former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu; ex-Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; and former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent ally of Buhari, made the first move by officially joining the SDP on Monday. Citing concerns about the APC’s trajectory, he stated: “Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation.

“I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the party’s capricious trajectory. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish,” he said.

El-Rufai, a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, also revealed that he consulted Buhari before making his decision to leave the ruling party.

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“I left the APC with his (Buhari’s) full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party because I involve and consult with him on all my matters,” he told BBC Hausa.

CPC Bloc Distances Itself from APC
El-Rufai’s defection appears to have triggered a larger exodus, particularly among members of the former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a party founded by Buhari before it merged with others to form the APC in 2013.

Following his move, former senator Ahmad Kaita and a member of the House of Representatives from Katsina also joined the SDP. Other notable figures who have followed suit include former Kaduna State commissioners for Agriculture, Justice, Health, and Education, as well as the state’s former Head of Service.

Additionally, Adamu Modibbo, the former APC Campaign Secretary in Gombe State during the 2015 general elections, has switched to the SDP, now serving as its chairman in the state.

Former APC Publicity Secretary in Borno State, Abdulaziz Galadima, also confirmed his departure, stating:

“The party has deviated from the principles and ideology on which it was founded. Many original CPC members will leave the APC for the SDP or another party.”

Coalition Talks Gain Momentum
Sources suggest that the movement extends beyond former CPC members, with prominent politicians from the PDP, ACN, and APC reportedly engaged in coalition talks.

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A close aide of Malami, speaking anonymously, hinted at broader political objectives, saying:
“It is not about ousting Tinubu in 2027 but about our conviction that we have better and more credible constitutional alternatives to offer Nigerians in governance.”

Among those reportedly involved in the coalition discussions are former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, Aminu Tambuwal, and Rauf Aregbesola, along with ex-Senate President David Mark and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.

Growing Discontent Within APC
A senior APC chieftain in Imo State confirmed that discontent among CPC-aligned politicians is driving the movement.

“That some ministers who served under Buhari are leaving or will leave the APC is confirmed. However, they may not join the SDP, but I know they are part of the coalition movement,” he said.

He further added: “President Tinubu has mismanaged the success of our party. APC bigwigs, both in the North and South, are not happy, and the President doesn’t care. You don’t grow by reducing in size. The APC is reducing in size.”

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development Solomon Lalong also acknowledged ongoing political discussions involving former ministers and senators.
“We are in discussions with many people across the country, including former ministers and senators. But because it is at the level of discussion, I will have to protect their identities,” he said.

Lalong attributed the dissatisfaction to Tinubu’s leadership style, warning:

“This problem Tinubu found himself in is self-inflicted. It is caused by his ego. He is an egoistic personality who sees himself as an emperor.”

Aregbesola’s Political Future

While Rauf Aregbesola’s camp has remained tight-lipped, sources indicate that the former Minister of Interior has been approached to join the SDP.
A close associate revealed: “I can’t confirm whether it is the SDP we are joining, but I know there is an ongoing political movement. Some ministers and former APC officials are involved.”

The insider suggested that this movement could eventually lead to a broader coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.