Politics

2023: Misrepresenting me will not change my intention – Amosun

Published

3 years ago

October 17, 2022

Ibikunle Amosun

A former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, has reacted to the misrepresentation of his recent interview with the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC), Yoruba service, which alleged that he condemned the issuance of visas to Nigerians by foreign embassies.

The reaction is contained in a press release signed by Bola Adeyemi, of Amosun’s Media office.

The former State’s Governor declared such deliberate misrepresentation of his words, had no bearing whatsoever on his intentions.

Some media reports, including the online portals, had claimed Amosun, in his BBC interview, condemned western nations for encouraging the emigration of Nigerians in large numbers, by granting visas to young citizens, a development he was misquoted as saying was “wicked”.

“But contrary to the mischief, which he said was compounded by comprehension problem, Amosun, in a statement from his media office, signed by Bola Adeyemi, had only lamented that the state of insecurity and unstable economy were the factors forcing Nigerians to seek greener pastures overseas”; the statement said.

The Ogun Central Senator, contended that his major concern was core professionals like medical doctors, lawyers, engineers and accountants, who were leaving the country in droves with their families, because such could open the country to greater challenges.

Although, the former governor described the countries encouraging such exodus without considering the fate of Nigeria as unfair, the choice of the word “wicked” was purely the reporter’s and not his.

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Thus, while commenting on the ‘japa phenomenon’, Amosun reiterated what he said: “I have heard about it and the reports are scary. All youths and young talents are travelling out of Nigeria, seeking greener pastures and the prospective countries are deliberately giving them visas to leave the country without putting the origin country into consideration.

“What scares me most in all this is the proliferation of emigration. Foreigners wll not fix our nation for us if all our citizens should leave the country. I am seeing the countries granting visas to our youths as unfair, because they are not considering the origin nation, from which their prospective labour force is coming from.

“If you ask our people leaving the nation for greener pastures, they will tell you that they are not planning to return to Nigeria. If you look closely at the situation, you would see that all our lawyers, engineers, accountants and most especially, medial practitioners make up the largest chunk of people leaving the country.”

Amosun further contended that, what made the reports inaccurate and a deliberate damage, was the fact that he too had been sponsoring young people, who desired to further their studies abroad and has not ceased to write to different embassies in support of their applications, because he believed in their decisions to study abroad to further equip them.

“What the former governor maintained he frowned at were the older people and families, who had begun to swell the list of those emigrating to other parts of the world.

“He, however, added in the said interview that, “We cannot blame them, however, insecurity is one of the major problems pushing them out of the country. You will agree with me that our people are not lazy and are always willing and ready to work diligently.

“Most of the emigrants are forced to leave the country by bad governance, unstable economy, insecurity and other challenges. I am sure Nigeria will be great again but reports of migration out of the country has been disheartening for me” Amosun stated.

Eagle

Politics

Yusuf Buhari, Son of Late President, Declares for House of Reps Seat

Published

3 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of Nigeria’s late former President Muhammadu Buhari

Yusuf Buhari, Son of Late President, Declares for House of Reps Seat

Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of Nigeria’s late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has officially declared his candidacy for the House of Representatives, aiming to represent the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’Adua federal constituency in Katsina State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

The announcement, shared publicly via X by Bashir Ahmad, comes after extensive consultations with local party leaders, elders, and influential stakeholders across the three local government areas in the constituency. Yusuf emphasized that his decision was driven by a commitment to community development, effective representation, and empowerment of local youth.

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In a letter titled “Expression of Interest to Contest for the House of Representatives Seat,” Yusuf Buhari highlighted his intention to focus on infrastructure, education, and human capital development if elected. He also called for the support of residents and party members, urging a collaborative approach to addressing local challenges.

Political analysts note that the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’Adua constituency is a traditional APC stronghold, making the party primary the most critical stage of the election. Yusuf’s entry marks his first major move into active politics, having maintained a low profile during his father’s presidency.

While the announcement has drawn strong attention, some local party stakeholders have stressed the importance of transparent primary elections, warning against endorsing any candidate prematurely. Nonetheless, early meetings reportedly indicate significant grassroots support for Yusuf ahead of the APC primaries.

Yusuf Buhari’s declaration signals the start of a politically active phase for the former president’s son, with observers watching closely how his campaign develops as the 2027 general elections approach.

Yusuf Buhari, Son of Late President, Declares for House of Reps Seat

Politics

Onanuga Denies Tinubu’s Role in ADC Crisis, Criticises Peter Obi

Published

3 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on Information & Strategy

Onanuga Denies Tinubu’s Role in ADC Crisis, Criticises Peter Obi

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has dismissed claims linking Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.

In a strongly worded statement, Onanuga accused Peter Obi and his supporters of turning the President into a “whipping boy” for internal problems within opposition parties. He insisted that Tinubu has no involvement in the ADC crisis, stressing that the challenges facing the party are self-inflicted.

Onanuga linked the turmoil within the ADC to Obi’s recent political moves, particularly his exit from the Labour Party Nigeria after the 2023 presidential election. He described the move as a “use-and-dump” strategy, arguing that Obi failed to build a lasting political structure within the party.

The presidential aide also criticised Obi’s reliance on the Obidient movement, describing it as largely online-driven rather than a fully developed political organisation. According to him, Obi’s decision to align with the ADC reflects a need for an existing political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Onanuga further alleged that the ADC crisis stems from internal disputes following claims that the party was “hijacked” by political interests linked to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from party founder Ralph Nwosu. He suggested that lack of due diligence by new stakeholders contributed to the current leadership crisis.

Reiterating his stance, Onanuga said there is “absolutely no connection” between President Tinubu and the ADC’s internal struggles. He urged Obi and other party stakeholders to focus on resolving disputes within their ranks, including reconciling with aggrieved members such as Nafiu Gombe.

The presidential spokesman also downplayed Obi’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that he remains politically irrelevant without securing a party ticket. He noted that Obi’s third-place finish in the 2023 election does not guarantee future success.

The exchange highlights growing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition space, as parties grapple with leadership crises, shifting alliances, and preparations for 2027. Analysts say the ADC situation reflects broader challenges facing opposition politics, including internal divisions and struggles to build cohesive structures.

Onanuga concluded by defending the Tinubu administration, saying the President, as an incumbent, has achievements to present to Nigerians, and accused critics of attempting to undermine his record with unfounded claims.

Onanuga Denies Tinubu’s Role in ADC Crisis, Criticises Peter Obi

Politics

2027: Atiku Signs $1.2m US Lobbying Deal to Engage Trump

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and US President Donald Trump

2027: Atiku Signs $1.2m US Lobbying Deal to Engage Trump

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has sealed a $1.2 million US lobbying deal as part of efforts to boost his international image and counter narratives linked to the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act show that Atiku engaged Washington-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York in an agreement signed in early March 2026. The contract was executed by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, alongside Fabiyi Oladimeji, who represented Atiku.

The Atiku US lobbying deal is aimed at strengthening his standing within American political and policy circles while projecting his leadership vision to key stakeholders. A major component of the engagement is to counter Nigerian government lobbying narratives in Washington and reshape perceptions about Nigeria’s opposition politics.

Under the agreement, the lobbying firm will facilitate high-level meetings between Atiku and influential U.S. figures, including members of Congress, congressional aides, and officials within the executive branch. The outreach is also expected to include engagement with Donald Trump and other senior policymakers, underscoring the strategic importance of U.S. political influence.

The contract states that lobbying activities will focus on democratic governance, economic growth, regional stability, and US-Nigeria relations, positioning Atiku as a key voice on issues affecting West Africa. In addition to political access, the firm will provide strategic communication services, including message development, narrative positioning, and reputation management targeted at elite audiences in the United States.

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Valued at $1.2 million, the agreement will run for 12 months, with payments structured in six instalments over the duration. Analysts say the US lobbying strategy by Atiku Abubakar reflects early preparations for the 2027 presidential race, where he is expected to remain a central opposition figure.

The development also comes amid internal challenges within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform recently adopted by Atiku and other opposition leaders. The party is currently facing a leadership dispute following actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which reportedly withdrew recognition from factions linked to David Mark and Nafiu Bala.

The lobbying firm has indicated it will raise concerns with U.S. authorities over the ADC crisis, warning that INEC’s decision could hinder the opposition’s ability to organise effectively ahead of the next general election. It described the situation as one that could affect political participation and democratic competitiveness in Nigeria.

The firm also called on President Tinubu to ensure that future elections remain credible and reflect the will of the people, highlighting increasing international attention on Nigeria’s democratic process.

Political analysts believe the Atiku lobbying effort in the United States signals a broader trend where Nigerian political actors seek to influence global opinion, attract diplomatic support, and strengthen their positioning ahead of major elections.