Politics
Buhari shelves plan to address NASS on security
- Reps step down motion to admit President
- Lawmakers can’t summon him – Malami
Indication emerged on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari has shelved his plan to address the joint sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday on the security situation in the country.
This came as the conventional legislative practice, ‘Admittance into the Chamber’ motion, slated on the Order Paper, which should have been sponsored by Hon Garba Alhassan Ado to suspend relevant House rules, was not entertained by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The motion provides that “that the House, pursuant to Order 19, Rule 8 (1) and (2) of the Standing Orders, do admit into the Chambers, the ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the service chiefs and other dignitaries for the purpose of receiving an address by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the security situation in the country.”
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Wednesday said that the National Assembly lacked the constitutional power to summon President Buhari over security matters.
The President’s change of mind, it was learnt, might not be unconnected with an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus to embarrass him.
The resolution for Buhari not to attend the forum was reportedly reached at a meeting held on Tuesday night which lasted into the midnight at the Conference Room 028 New Building of the House of Representatives.
Some of the governors seen at the meeting are Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, as well as the former FCT Minister of State, Senator James Udoedehe.
One of the principal officers in the House of Representatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the decision was to avoid any form of embarrassment from the members of the opposition party, PDP.
Malami, in a statement, argued that the issue of security is confidential and how the president handles it should not be for public exposure.
“The confidentiality of strategies employed by the President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not open for public exposure in view of security implications in probable undermining of the war against terror”, he said.
He argued that Buhari had recorded tremendous success in containing the hitherto incessant bombings, colossal killings, wanton destruction of lives and property that bedeviled the country before attaining the helm of affairs of the country in 2015.
According to him national security is not about publicity and the nation’s security architecture cannot be exposed for the sake of getting publicity.
While stating that the President enjoys Constitutional privileges attached to the Office of the President including exclusivity and confidentiality investiture in security operational matters, which remains sacrosanct, he added that the National Assembly had no Constitutional Power to envisage or contemplate a situation where the President would be summoned by the National Assembly on operational use of the Armed Forces.
“The right of the President to engage the National Assembly and appear before it is inherently discretionary in the President and not at the behest of the National Assembly,” the statement added.
But immediate past Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, said there was no justification for the President’s decision to turn down the invitation to brief Nigerians on the state of security.
“It was the House of Representatives of Nigeria that invited the President of Nigeria. It was not a summon; it was an invitation to bring us up to speed on the security matter in Nigeria, now that security is now topical and almost urgent.
“If he thinks to look at it legally, he may say you cannot summon because you can’t discipline. But one thing to look at is the security importance. He’s the commander in chief of all armed forces and the invitation is to tell us if there is any trouble in the security architecture so that we will know exactly what is the issue is.”
He also spoke on the reported role played by the governors to prevail on the President from honouring the House invitation.
He said, “We heard that the governors prevailed on him not to come, and it is very easy to understand why the governors said so because if he honours the invitation, the state assemblies will ask the governors to come, which is the proper thing. But because the relationship is master-servant; most parliaments in Nigeria run master-servant relationship; in that context, how can a servant order his master to come to render account?
“And if you are a governor, you owe the governed the duty to explain.”
Politics
Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries
Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries
President Bola Tinubu has issued a strong directive to governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), mandating them to ensure free, fair, and rancour-free primaries while granting them full autonomy under the Electoral Act.
The directive followed a strategic meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where governors met with the President to discuss preparations for the party’s primaries ahead of the general elections.
Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed Bago said the governors visited the President to appreciate his support and received what he described as a “marching order” to successfully conduct the primaries.
According to him, Tinubu empowered the governors to adopt either direct primaries or consensus arrangements, provided such decisions align with the law and are accepted by all aspirants.
The meeting, which began around 5 p.m. at the President’s Conference Room, had in attendance key APC governors, including Hope Uzodimma, Inuwa Yahaya, Babagana Zulum, Hyacinth Alia, Biodun Oyebanji, Peter Mbah, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, among others.
Discussions focused on conducting transparent APC primaries that would strengthen party unity and position it effectively for upcoming elections.
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Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has clarified that there will be no automatic tickets for the President or first-term governors, opening the contest to all qualified aspirants.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed that the party has adopted both direct and consensus primary options, with a clear condition that consensus must be agreed upon by all aspirants or it will revert to direct primaries.
He emphasised that APC nomination forms are open to all interested Nigerians, dismissing speculation that the process would favour specific candidates.
The party also released a revised timetable in line with the amended Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Sales of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms closes on May 4, 2026. Screening of aspirants is scheduled between May 6 and May 9, with results to be published on May 11.
Primary elections will hold across categories, culminating in the APC presidential primary on May 23, 2026, following an adjustment from the earlier date of May 15–16.
The party also confirmed that updated membership records have been transmitted to INEC, ensuring compliance with electoral requirements.
Tinubu’s directive is widely seen as a move to promote internal democracy, transparency, and party discipline, while preventing disputes that could weaken the APC ahead of the elections.
Political observers note that opening the race to all aspirants could intensify competition but also enhance credibility if managed effectively.
Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries
Politics
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has distributed 47 Sharon vehicles and 282 Boxer motorcycles to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano North Senatorial District as part of a large-scale empowerment programme aimed at strengthening party structure and grassroots mobilisation.
The distribution exercise, held in Kano State, also covered former party officials in the district. According to organisers, the initiative is designed to improve mobility for party activities, enhance coordination, and support beneficiaries in building sustainable livelihoods.
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 282 Motorcycles
Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Senate President, Muhammad Abdullahi, said the programme was targeted at promoting self-reliance and human development among recipients.
He praised Senator Barau for consistent interventions in the senatorial district, saying the empowerment items would help improve living standards and ease transportation challenges faced by party officials.
Abdullahi also urged beneficiaries not to sell the vehicles and motorcycles, but to use them productively to generate income and support their families.
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The media aide to Senator Barau, Shittu Madaki, confirmed the distribution, stating that the items included 47 cars and 282 motorcycles, with additional empowerment packages expected in subsequent phases.
He noted that the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen APC structures and deepen grassroots engagement in Kano North.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Salihu Takai, said the programme aligns with the grassroots implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the empowerment drive is not an isolated intervention but part of a sustained development effort in the district, with more support programmes expected.
Beneficiaries included APC local government chairmen, secretaries, and former party officials, many of whom expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely support for party operations and grassroots mobilisation.
The programme has also generated public discussion, with supporters praising it as a boost for political organisation and economic empowerment, while critics argue that such initiatives reflect the broader role of political patronage in Nigeria’s democratic system.
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles
Politics
Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano
Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano
A political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Emerging Progressives Leaders’ Forum, has commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor, describing the move as strategic and capable of reshaping the party’s political fortunes in the state.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Hafiz Idris, the forum said the appointment reflects a clear understanding of Kano’s complex political dynamics and the need for experienced leadership to strengthen governance and party cohesion.
The group noted that Kano remains a critical political battleground in Nigeria, making leadership choices within the state highly consequential for both governance and future electoral outcomes.
According to the forum, Garo’s selection underscores a deliberate effort to stabilise the political structure and foster unity among stakeholders amid ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum highlighted Garo’s extensive public service record, pointing to his previous roles in Kano’s political landscape, including his experience in legislative and executive positions, as well as his reputation as a grassroots mobiliser with deep connections across communities.
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It described him as a loyal party stalwart whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Kano have been significant over the years.
“Hon. Murtala Sule Garo is a grassroots politician with vast experience and deep connection with the people. His choice will not only consolidate governance but also reposition the APC for greater strength and unity in Kano State,” the statement read.
The group further expressed confidence that the Yusuf-Garo partnership would promote inclusiveness, improve coordination within government, and enhance service delivery across the state.
It added that the appointment could help bridge internal divisions within the APC, encouraging reconciliation among party factions and strengthening the party’s structure at both the state and grassroots levels.
Observers say the endorsement reflects broader efforts by political actors within the APC to reposition the party in Kano following recent electoral shifts and internal challenges.
The forum also urged party members and supporters to rally behind the new deputy governor, stressing that unity, discipline, and collective commitment are essential to achieving the party’s long-term objectives.
With political activities gradually building ahead of the next election cycle, the group maintained that strategic alliances such as the Yusuf-Garo pairing could play a decisive role in shaping Kano’s political direction in the coming years.
Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano
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