Politics
Drop your presidential bids, Afenifere leader tells Tinubu, Osinbajo
Leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said that presidential aspirants from the South-West geopolitical zone including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, should forget their presidential ambitions.
He said it was the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next President after the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in May 2023.
The elder statesman made his position known in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday.
According to him, it is an injustice for a South-West President to emerge in 2023 after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from Ogun State had ruled from 1999 to 2007; while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, also from Ogun State, has been in government since May 2015 and would have spent eight years in power by May 2023.
The 94-year old elder statesman added that the South-South zone has also had a shot at both President and Vice-President positions with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between 2007 and 2010 (as VP) and from 2010 to 2015 (as President).
Adebanjo, however, said for Nigeria to have another President, the country must first be secured.
The nonagenarian said, “Right now, is there a country for them to be President? There must be one country first before you can talk of an election. Is this the country Jonathan handed over to Buhari? Whether a Southern or a Northern candidate, let us unite everyone. We can’t get everyone united until we change this constitution.
“Are you safe? Talk about security. How am I sure that I won’t be shocked when I go to the police station, when electoral officers, soldiers, and policemen are being shot dead and I can’t travel to Maiduguri safely?
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“All those who are clamouring for Presidency, be it Jagaban (Tinubu) or Osinbajo, they should assure us of our safety first, that the country is safe, that we are one, then we talk of who is going to be President. They should forget about their ambitions now until there is safety. Nobody can go to the South-East now, and we are all living in denial.”
Asked if he was supporting Tinubu, Osinbajo, or any President from the South-West, the Afenifere leader said, “How can I back a South-West candidate? That is not equity. Has Obasanjo not done so for eight years? Has Osinbajo not done eight years as VP? Has Jonathan not done five years as President? Is the South-East not part of Nigeria?
“We want peace and equity. It is the turn of the South-East. I don’t talk ambiguously. It is the South-East that the thing must go; there is no doubt about that but my anxiety now is that before we say, South-East, have we got a country? Let us settle that before we say the South-East is the answer. I am not ambivalent about it at all.”
He is entitled to his opinion, say VP, ex-Lagos gov’s camps
Pro-Tinubu and pro-Osinbajo groups have however expressed their disagreements with the statement made by the Afenifere leader.
The chairman of the pro-Tinubu group, South West Agenda 2023 group, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, during a telephone interview with The PUNCH, said the rotation principle of the presidency is between the North and South of the country.
“The rotation principle in Nigeria is between the North and the South and whenever it rotates to any of the regions, whether South or North, every of the geopolitical zones in that region are free to contest the presidency. Now, it is the turn of the South and we absolutely believe that anybody in the South, including those from the South-West, are free to throw their hats into the ring and challenge for the presidency.
“This is exactly what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing and he is enjoying tremendous support not only in the South-West which is his own base, but throughout the entire length and breadth, nook and cranny of Nigeria and therefore, no person will sit in one corner and say Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should forget his presidential ambition. Certainly, he will contest for the presidency.”
The Convener, Progressive Lawyers for Osinbajo, Dr Kayode Ajulo, explained to The PUNCH that the opinion of Adebanjo does not indicate the position of the Afenifere group.
He said, “The Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not about making emotive statements. I know that if Afenifere wants to say anything, it has to be decided on. Afenifere is not a conclave of what people don’t know what is being done there. The way we have been doing it is that the issue would be deliberated upon by Afenifere and there would be a communique collectively passed. I ask, where is the communiqué of Afenifere saying this?
“For some time now, I have not seen such things from Afenifere. I have not received any notification to this effect and no one else has confirmed receiving any invitation. Baba Adebanjo is entitled to his opinion. But where is Baba Reuben Fasoranti? Where is Baba Sehinde Arogbofa? Where is Chief Sola Ebiseni? Where is Olu Falae’s opinion on this issue? This is not an issue that only one person will just make a sweeping remark. Where did these men deliberate on this issue?
“I am worried that it is being termed Afenifere’s position. Afenifere has procedures, ways and manners such an issue is to be discussed. As it is, I see more of Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s personal opinion which he is entitled to, but please it is clear how the President of Nigerians should emerge.”
Politics
Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others
Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others
Former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and other political leaders planning to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have been told to follow due process.
The Forum of State Chairmen of the SDP said new members could only be admitted from their wards.
They rose from an inaugural meeting of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chairmen in Abuja yesterday to give the directive.
The forum said there would be no sacred or preferential treatment for new joiners.
Last month, El-Rufai through his X handle announced his membership of the SDP, a move the Kaduna State chapter of the party rejected.
The party stated that he is not a recognised member.
It’s Assistant National Secretary (North West) , Idris Inuwa, at a news conference said El-Rufai’s entry into the party remained a rumour as he was yet to follow due process.
Welcoming new members after its meeting, the Chairman of the forum and Lagos State Chairman, Femi Olaniyi, said the forum resolved to welcome the influx of new members, including prominent politicians from across the country but gave conditions to be fulfilled.
Olaniyi said, “New members will be admitted and registered through the party’s internal structures, led by the chairmen.”
“New members cannot admit or register themselves as members of the party,” he added.
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On the ongoing moves by some opposition elements to join the party ahead of 2027, the SDP sub-national leaders warned that “democratically elected structures of the SDP at the state and national levels must not be truncated or dissolved to appease new joiners or at the whims of any individuals or interests. Elected officials should be allowed to serve out their terms.”
Admitting that the merger talks with the party may warrant some structural adjustments to accommodate new members, the state chairmen warned that fundamental issues such as changes to the party’s name, logo, insignia, slogan, or any drastic alterations to the party’s Constitution or Manifesto must not be undertaken.
According to them, such issues and changes should be thoroughly discussed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party before taking any action.
The forum passed vote of confidence in the Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC).
They also hailed members nationwide for their outstanding efforts in building and positively repositioning the party.
Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others
Politics
One battle down, two to go, Natasha speaks on INEC rejection of her recall petition
One battle down, two to go, Natasha speaks on INEC rejection of her recall petition
Lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, has reacted to the rejection of a petition to recall her by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral body had said the petition for the recall of the senator did not meet the requirement of the Nigerian Constitution.
It said in a tweet on its official handle, on Thursday, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
INEC said the number of constituents who signed the petition against the suspended lawmaker fell short of 50% of registered voters in the constituency as required by the constitution.
The development comes after the suspended lawmaker accused the electoral body of bias in the attempt to recall from the Senate.
Reacting through her official Facebook page, Natasha wrote, “Oh God it’s victory for the people. One battle down, two more to go.
“Deep gratitude to my beloved husband, awesome support team, magnificent people of Kogi Central and great people of Nigeria at large.
“INEC Nigeria, you did well. Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan Proudly Kogi Central.”
Politics
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has officially announced his intention to contest for re-election in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna. The former senator, known for his vocal stance on national issues, expressed his commitment to representing the people of Kaduna Central once again and addressing key challenges facing the region.
“Any politician contesting an election depends on the political equation that determines the position to vie for. If the conditions are right and the equations are favorable, I will offer myself to contest specifically for the Kaduna Central senatorial district,” he stated.
He further emphasised that his ambition remains secondary to ensuring the re-election of Governor Uba Sani for a second term.
“For now, our priority is to see that the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, is re-elected. We will work with all our might and strength to achieve this. We know there will be challenges and opposition, but we are well prepared for all forces,” he added.
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Sani also used the occasion to urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s peace and unity during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. Additionally, he condemned the recent killing of hunters in Edo State, calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
“If citizens cannot move freely across the country, then we are not truly a nation. If individuals take the law into their hands for any reason, it means there is no government or authority,” he lamented.
He called on all Nigerians who desire a better country to work towards peace and unity for the preservation of democracy, despite the challenges being experienced.
Sani also urged the government to uphold fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, as a crucial step towards national stability and development.
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
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