34-year-old Nigerian to contest US Michigan governorship election – Newstrends
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34-year-old Nigerian to contest US Michigan governorship election

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A Nigerian, 34-year-old Austin Chenge, is in the race for the governor of Michigan in the United States of America (USA). The election is fixed for 2022.

Chenge, a native of Benue State in Nigeria, would challenge the USA Representative Lamar Smith, for the ticket under the Republican Party, according to a statement by the Head of Media and Public Relations unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdul-Rahman Balogun.

It said Chenge announced his intention to run for governor of Michigan in March 2020, making him the first Republican to do so.

According to the statement, the young Nigerian is an embodiment of the American dream who has repeatedly stunned critics by achieving what most people would consider impossible.

“Chenge is a Law graduate from the University of Birmingham, England. Since the year 2018, he has been serving with the US military as a specialist. He is decorated with the Achievement Medal as a Distinguished Honour Graduate with a Culmulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 99.8 per cent and for exceptional performance while on active duty.”

The statement said that Chenge is popular locally for designing the popular tricycle, known as “Wazobia tricycle”, in 2016, designed to improve the lives of peasant farmers all over Africa.

A brief bio on his website said, “Ever-smiling and always the big dreamer, Austin Chenge, 34, from Grand Rapids, is the embodiment of the American Dream.

“Austin has always stunned critics by achieving what others consider impossible. A graduate of the School of Law at the University of Birmingham England, Austin raised over $200,000 in funding for his first startup, Holla@Me/Holla.com (now sold) in England and soon expanded to San Jose in California.

“He created Waving in a social networking environment in 2011, a concept later seen on Facebook’ Wave. In 2016, his tricycle design (termed Wazobia tricycle) aimed at improving the lives of peasant farmers, made history in the West African nation of Nigeria as the first designed, engineered and manufactured by a person of Nigerian descent. Since 2018, he has served as a specialist in the US Army, where he has been decorated with an Army Achievement Medal as Distinguished Honor Graduate with a CGPA of 99.8 per cent and for exceptional performance while on Active duty.

“As of March 2020, Austin became the first Republican candidate for Governor of Michigan, for the 2022 election.”

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El-Rufai explains why he finally dumps APC for SDP

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai explains why he finally dumps APC for SDP

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the party’s deviation from its founding principles and lack of internal democracy.

In a statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai explained that after extensive consultations, he had decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a platform to continue pursuing his progressive political ideals.

Disillusionment with APC

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, said he had hoped that the party’s core values would remain intact, but recent events had convinced him otherwise.

“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” he stated.

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He further noted that his contributions to the party’s successes, including the electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, had been disregarded by the current leadership.

“The APC has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable.”

Announcing his decision to join the SDP, El-Rufai described the party as a better platform for promoting democratic values, good governance, and national unity.

“I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”

El-Rufai explains why he finally dumps APC for SDP

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Atiku support group blasts Bode George as Tinubu apologist

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Atiku Abubakar and Bode George

Atiku support group blasts Bode George as Tinubu apologist

A pro-Atiku support group, Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA), has called on former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, to desist from attacking and opposing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Director of Communications for NYFA (Nigeria and Diaspora), Dare Dada, made this appeal in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, describing George’s opposition as “an avowed apologist of Tinubu and the APC.”

“Bode George should open a campaign office in Lagos for the re-election of Bola Tinubu, as his constant attacks and campaign against Atiku towards 2027 are becoming irrational and irritating.

“Interestingly, he is standing alone. Nigerians have left him behind. The general opinion across the country is focused on how to rescue our country from the doldrums, and with Atiku, the chances are very high,” Dada stated.

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Dada further criticized George’s role in the PDP, accusing him of contributing to the party’s failures in Lagos and the resignation of notable members.

“Chief George is one of those politicians responsible for the sorry state of the PDP today; his continued envy of Atiku Abubakar is well noted,” he said.

He dismissed George as a “local champion” who has failed to deliver his polling unit for the PDP in past elections.

“As an elder of the party, he should be focused on salvaging the PDP rather than attacking Atiku. We have noted with dismay how George, who has lost political capital and relevance, continues to attack Atiku in a bid to remain in the spotlight,” Dada added.

The NYFA maintained that Atiku remains the strongest contender against President Bola Tinubu in the next election, questioning who among George’s preferred candidates could challenge Tinubu successfully.

“We ask him: Who among his preferred choices can defeat President Tinubu in the circumstance if not Atiku Abubakar? Or does he see himself fit for the job in his delusional mind?” Dada queried.

“We urge Chief George to stop the pretences. It is public knowledge that he is an avowed apologist of Tinubu and the APC. Nigerians now know better,” Dada asserted.

 

Atiku support group blasts Bode George as Tinubu apologist

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2027 speculation rife as El-Rufai, Aregbesola, Tunde Bakare meet

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Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ex-Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola

2027 speculation rife as El-Rufai, Aregbesola, Tunde Bakare meet

As political movements begin to shape up for the 2027 general election, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has visited ex-Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, and Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos.

Aregbesola, previously a close associate of President Bola Tinubu, recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following internal party conflicts, while El-Rufai has openly criticized the APC for not meeting public expectations.

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Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s media adviser, shared news of the visit on Sunday via social media. “Malam Nasir @elrufai was in Lagos today to visit Ogbeni @raufaregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare,” Adekeye posted.

This visit follows El-Rufai’s recent meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, adding to speculation about his political trajectory and potential alliances as 2027 approaches.

2027 speculation rife as El-Rufai, Aregbesola, Tunde Bakare meet

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