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APC chair: Pressure mounts on Buhari to drop Adamu

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Abdullahi Adamu
  • El-Rufai, Masari off to London on consultation mission

  • Buni returns Wed. with nod to take charge

President Muhammadu Buhari may be weighing options on his choice of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as his preferred candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, it was learnt at the weekend.

The President, who is in London, the United Kingdom, on a two-week medical check-up, has come under intense pressure from his strategists and associates over Adamu’s choice.

The APC convention is slated for March 26 in Abuja.

Those mounting pressure on the President are some of his inner caucus strategists and leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

They are canvassing against the choice of the ex-Nasarawa State governor.

A source said these confidants of the President are working with other APC leaders, who have called for an open contest for the national chairman’s position.

After his consultations, President Buhari has mandated the Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni to return to his position to conduct a hitch-free convention.

Buni might be back home on Wednesday.

The London meetings with Buhari may have resolved that Buni should return to avoid a major electoral loss for APC in next year’s polls, reminiscent of Zamfara State in 2019.

According to a source, Buhari’s meeting with his strategists in London bordered on the need to make the convention date sacrosanct.

The strategists also asked the President to “reject” leadership change in APC by allowing Buni to return home to oversee the conduct of the convention.

It was learnt that Governor Nasir El-Rufai left for London on Sunday for engagement on how to stabilise the party.

El-Rufai is the arrowhead of the anti-Buni campaign.

A top source, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday, said: “El-Rufai just left for London today (Sunday) as part of an engagement team with the President to allow the convention to hold on March 26th.”

Those strategists in London were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; a long-time associate Farouk Adamu Aliyu; the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and the President’s uncle Mamman Daura.

Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari was also expected in London last night.

According to the source, the President was advised to “leave the contest for the office of National Chairman open” instead of adopting a candidate.

In particular, CPC leaders were worried that the President had made up his mind to pick Adamu, leaving two ex-CPC members also eyeing the slot in the cold.

The two CPC chieftains are Turaki Saliu Mustapha and Senator Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State.

A source in CPC, who spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja said: “Mustapha, for example, had been with us since the days of the TBO (The Buhari Organisation).

“He rose through the ranks to become the National Deputy Chairman of the defunct CPC.

“We know him. We know his capability and we can trust him enough to navigate the party through the stormy waters.

“Al-Makura, on the other hand, was said to be the lone CPC governor while the party existed.

“Neither of them failed nor floundered since then. So, how do you morally explain a purported endorsement of someone that we hardly know within our ranks, someone that does not enjoy popular support?

“Buhari must be wary of dire consequences of the purported endorsement of Adamu on the party’s chapter in Nassarawa State.

“It may lead to an implosion that may affect both Governor A.A. Sule and Senator Al-Makura.”

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Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election

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Governor Ademola Adeleke and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Governor Ademola Adeleke and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election

Lawmakers of the Osun State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, while also declaring their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid in 2026.

The endorsement was announced at a joint meeting of the PDP lawmakers in Osogbo, where they said the decision was driven by what they described as the need for political stability, continuity in governance, and sustained development at both the state and federal levels.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, said the endorsement of President Tinubu was based on his administration’s policies and interventions, which, according to them, have had a positive impact on Osun State and the South-West region.

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Egbedun noted that backing President Tinubu for a second term would strengthen federal-state collaboration, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, security, and economic reforms, while also ensuring continued federal presence in Osun.

The lawmakers also unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Governor Adeleke, citing what they described as his people-oriented leadership style, commitment to workers’ welfare, and ongoing projects across key sectors, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and local government development.

According to the PDP legislators, Governor Adeleke’s administration has prioritised inclusive governance, fiscal discipline, and the restoration of public confidence in government, adding that these achievements make him deserving of a second term in office.

They dismissed suggestions that endorsing President Tinubu, who belongs to a different political party, contradicts their loyalty to the PDP, arguing that the move reflects political pragmatism and the overriding interest of Osun State.

The lawmakers stressed that their decision does not weaken the PDP in Osun but rather positions the state to benefit from harmonious political alignment between the state and the federal government.

Reaffirming their commitment to the PDP, the legislators said they would continue to work for the party’s success in future elections while supporting leadership choices they believe would advance peace, stability, and development in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election

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Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

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Former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has opened up about life after leaving office, his ongoing projects, and the future of Kano State politics in an exclusive interview.

Ganduje described life after office as less stressful but still busy, noting that he remains actively involved in party politics both in Kano and Abuja. He explained that while the pressures of leadership are gone, politics and governance never truly end. “You can’t just stop, since politics and governance never really end,” he said.

The former governor revealed that he is spending much of his time writing books to keep his mind sharp and contribute to knowledge-based politics. Among his current projects are “Abuja: Evolutionary Development of a City in Nigeria’s Capital Territory,” “Progressive Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria,” and “Progressive Party Ideology and Philosophical Direction.” Ganduje stressed the importance of education, research, and ideology in sustaining democracy and shaping effective governance.

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Reflecting on his early life, Ganduje highlighted how knowledge, experience, and patience shaped his political journey. From attending primary school in a remote village to earning a PhD from the University of Ibadan, he emphasized that education and persistence were crucial in achieving his goals. His career spanned roles as local government secretary, commissioner, deputy governor, governor, and APC national chairman, providing him with extensive governance experience from the grassroots to the national level.

On Kano politics, Ganduje expressed pride that his predictions of a progressive return to APC in the state have been realized. He highlighted APC’s success in delivering the highest number of delegates and votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during primaries and defeating the PDP in the general election by over 500,000 votes.

Addressing the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ganduje dismissed claims that the movement could challenge APC dominance in Kano. “The Kwankwasiyya Movement will not have any impact. Even though you see large crowds, the APC can mobilize bigger numbers if we choose,” he said, stressing that public sentiment favors APC due to concerns over the use of state resources for national ambitions by opposition leaders.

Ganduje also left the door open for political reconciliation with Kwankwaso, provided they share a common vision for the state and country. “I am ready. Politics is about interests. There are no permanent enemies or friends… What matters is what we want to achieve,” he said.

On the national stage, Ganduje addressed fears that northern Nigeria may not support President Tinubu in 2027, dismissing the notion as wrong. He emphasized that most Northerners accept the rotation of the presidency and are supportive of Tinubu completing his term. “Politics will always have noise, but the reality on the ground is different,” he added.

Ganduje’s reflections highlight the intersection of political strategy, education, and leadership experience in shaping both personal legacy and the future trajectory of Kano State and Nigerian politics.

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

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El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by personal conviction, even as he continues to critique the ruling party. Bello currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he serves his constituents independently of his father’s political stance.

El-Rufai made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday evening, shortly after reportedly resisting an attempted detainment by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Egypt. The former governor, now a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), emphasised that Bello is mature enough to chart his own political path.

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“My son Bello was elected under the platform of the APC and his electorate seem to be happy with the work he is doing, so since he is an adult of over 30 years, he can make his own choices. Politics is about personal preference,” El-Rufai said, explaining that his son’s continued stay in APC does not contradict his own opposition to the party.

He added that if Bello chooses to remain within the APC without engaging in any of the party’s perceived wrongdoing, guided by the values and home training he received, “then Alhamdulillah.”

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, born in 1988, has represented Kaduna North since 2023 and currently chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations. His work in the National Assembly has earned commendations from constituents, reinforcing his independent political credibility within the APC framework.

El-Rufai’s clarification comes amid ongoing political realignments in Nigeria, where personal choices sometimes diverge from family or party affiliations. The statement highlights the balance between individual political conviction and broader party loyalty, particularly in high-profile political families.

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

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