Obasanjo unfit to recommend president for Nigerians -Tinubu – Newstrends
Connect with us

Politics

Obasanjo unfit to recommend president for Nigerians -Tinubu

Published

2 years ago

on

Bola Tinubu and Olusegun Obasanjo

…urges Europeans to pay reparation on returned Benin artefacts

…promises massive economic development

All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not qualified to recommend or endorse anyone as President of Nigeria because of his failures.
While speaking on Thursday at the APC Presidential Campaign rally held at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Ugbowo Campus, Benin, the APC flagbearer said Obasanjo failed to develop the country when he had the opportunity, but rather was fighting his then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, while accusing each other of spending the country’s money for their personal comfort.
Tinubu noted that after spending $16billion on electricity, Obasanjo and the PDP government could not deliver electricity for Nigerians to make even popcorn.
As Governor of Lagos, Tinubu recalled how he brought Enron Power to generate electricity and solve the power problem in the commercial nerve centre of the country but the project was frustrated by the Obasanjo-led PDP government.
“I brought Enron to solve electricity problem and help Lagos economy but Obasanjo and PDP frustrated it. They punished me and Lagos people and even began deducting our money. I created Local Governments in Lagos to accelerate development and create employment for our people but Obasanjo siezed our allocation and punished us for that. That was wickedness and such a man said he endorsed a man for you to vote as President. Can you follow such a man? Can Obasanjo recommend a leader for anyone in Nigeria? A man who does not know the way cannot show the way.”
READ ALSO:
On his main opponent, Atiku Abubakar, the former Governor of Lagos said the PDP presidential candidate is not qualified to be President of Nigeria having indicted himself on his record as a civil servant.
“Atiku and Obasanjo accused themselves of using Nigeria’s money to buy cars for their comfort. Atiku was a custom officer who said he made money selling cars, that is smugling. He didn’t even know that a civil servant can not do any other business apart from agriculture. That is enough to disqualify him and he is not fit to be President.”
On his plan for the economy and Edo people, Tinubu said it is time to eliminate darkness and make the economy of the country productive through massive industrialisation, promising to make Edo State a hub of industrial activities and an energy state.
At the very electrifying rally, Tinubu told the people that prosperity and happiness have come. He applauded the return of Benin artefacts by some Western nations but urged the countries to pay some money to Edo State having made huge money from the returned artefacts through tourism and exhibitions.
“Edo people, prosperity has come, happiness has come, hope is back in your homes, knowledge is back in your community. I am happy about the returned artefacts. They are bringing our artefacts. I support the Oba of Benin who said our heritage must come back but I disagree with the Europeans. They have used our artefacts for exhibitions and tourism for decades in their museums to make money. They should not just send them back without money. When I become President I will ask them to pay us restitution. I will contribute to the building of the museum in Benin.”
READ ALSO:
On his competence and readiness for the job, Tinubu told the mammoth crowd that his administration would focus on job creation through small scale industries, build a credible credit system for capital formation, bring multibillion dollar investments to Edo State and end estimated electricity billing.
“I will turn Edo State to energy State. I will convert Yahoo boys and make them useful by converting their talents and intellects to produce chips for industries. We can defeat poverty, ignorance and homelessness. We have the knowledge, we have the brain to do it. Trust me. I am an expert in finding the way where there is no way. I found a way to tame the Atlantic and turn it to money- making machine.”
Tinubu also spoke on his motivation to make life better for the poor and why opportunities must be created for young people to move up on socio-economic ladder.
“I believe the children of boli and groundnut sellers should become doctors, engineers, nurses etc. That was why I started the payment of WAEC fees for their children as governor in Lagos. If you want to become rich, elect me. If you say I should go and retire, it means you want to retire diamond and gold. Edo people, I am telling you like I say everywhere in Nigeria, elect me.”
In his address at the rally, former governor of Edo State and Deputy Director- General of the Tinubu-Shettima Campaign, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said come February 25, Edo people would use their PVC to appreciate Tinubu as a father of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
“If you want to understand why Obasanjo failed to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, it was the resistance of Asíwájú and others.
“Obasanjo also wanted to take over Lagos. Asíwájú said you can’t do it. If you are a military general, I am a general of politics. He fought him to a standstill,” Oshiomhole said.
He charged the mammoth crowd at the rally to mobilize their relatives and friends back home to vote for the APC candidate.
Oshiomhole also threw jibes at Presidential candidates of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and that of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, asking Edo people to reject them.
“Peter Obi is a joke,” he said, adding that Obi could not address the erosion problem in his state of Anambra.
Oshiomhole said Atiku cannot unite this country. “Someone who cannot unite his house, how can he unite Nigeria?”
Edo State APC Chairman, Col David Imuse (rtd), said Edo had always been with Asiwaju Tinubu and would always be there for him to ensure victory in the February 25 election.
“There is no political party that has a candidate that is as qualified as our candidate, in terms of experience, in terms of pedigree and performance.”
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, APC National Woman Leader  Beta Edu, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Olanisakin, Senator Andy Uba, among others, attended the rally.
Related Topics:
Advertisement

Politics

Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son

Published

12 hours ago

on

April 13, 2025

By

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar

Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son

Shamsu Bala, son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has publicly accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of undermining his father’s bid for reelection in 2023—alleging that the time has come to “settle scores.”

In a post shared on social media Saturday, Mr. Bala expressed strong disapproval of Atiku’s approach toward reconciliation ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that the presidential hopeful remains indifferent toward mending ties with the governor.
“He (Atiku) didn’t work for us in the 2023 election; he worked for Air Marshal (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abubakar Sadiq). He deployed elites in Bauchi to fight us, and we narrowly won the election,” Mr. Bala wrote in Hausa.

He added: “Now he is taking us for granted, he doesn’t value us as humans, he is showing us that we are too small to call for reconciliation.”

Although he didn’t name those involved, his remarks appear to allude to certain Bauchi political heavyweights. In early 2023, Governor Mohammed directed the Bauchi Emirate Council to strip veteran politician Bello Kirfi of his traditional title of Wazirin Bauchi over alleged disloyalty. Kirfi, a former minister and close ally of Atiku, is seen by some as one of the elites mentioned by the governor’s son.

READ ALSO:

Another key figure, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, supported Atiku’s presidential run but did not back Governor Mohammed’s reelection.

Despite the tensions, Atiku secured a strong showing in Bauchi during the 2023 presidential election, defeating his closest rival, Bola Tinubu of the APC, by more than 100,000 votes. Atiku garnered 426,607 votes compared to Tinubu’s 316,694.

Mr. Bala’s comments surfaced shortly after Atiku paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna—a move widely interpreted as part of ongoing coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 election.

The comments sparked concern among PDP loyalists. Party supporter and social media influencer Abdulaziz Na’ibi-Abubakar responded to the post by urging reconciliation between the two camps. “We hope that Atiku and Governor Bala Mohammed reconcile their differences to keep the PDP on track,” he stated.

Governor Mohammed had previously challenged Atiku during the PDP’s 2022 presidential primaries before shifting focus to secure a second term as governor. As chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, he remains a central figure in the party’s internal politics and is speculated to still harbor presidential ambitions.

Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son

(PREMIUM TIMES)

Continue Reading

Politics

2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries

Published

12 hours ago

on

April 13, 2025

By

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries

With the 2027 presidential election drawing closer, President Bola Tinubu’s camp is reportedly scrambling to prevent a major political crisis as influential members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly those from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, consider defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Tinubu Turns to Al-Makura to Pacify Buhari’s Allies

A leaked internal memo reveals that President Tinubu is banking on former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, to persuade the CPC bloc—loyalists of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari—to remain in the APC. Sources say Al-Makura is being offered the APC national chairmanship in exchange for his role in convincing Buhari to intervene and stop his supporters from leaving.

Al-Makura is expected to hold a press conference on Monday, where he may announce Buhari’s alleged endorsement of Tinubu’s efforts to keep the party united.

Growing Discontent Within APC

The ruling party is facing increasing internal strife, with several high-profile figures openly expressing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s leadership. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa are reportedly exploring alternative political platforms ahead of 2027.

READ ALSO:

El-Rufai has already claimed that Buhari gave him his “blessing” to leave the APC. Meanwhile, some former ministers from Buhari’s administration are said to be finalizing plans to join the SDP in large numbers. In Katsina, Buhari’s home state, several APC members have already defected.

APC Leadership in Panic Mode

The Progressive Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently visited Buhari in Kaduna, pleading with him to help stop the looming exodus.

APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) also met with the former president last Friday—just hours after opposition leaders, including Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, and former Communications Minister Isa Pantami, held talks with him.

With tensions rising, fears of a potential mass defection have intensified. Political observers warn that the departure of this influential faction could deal a significant blow to the ruling party’s prospects in the 2027 elections.

 

2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries

Continue Reading

Politics

PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari

Published

2 days ago

on

April 12, 2025

By

PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari

The national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has led the party’s national working committee (NWC) to the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna State.

The development comes after opposition leaders visited the former President.

Newstrends had reported how ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar led key politicians, including El-Rufa’i, to Buhari at his residence in Kaduna state.

Some political commentators had said the visit was part of moves by the opposition to have a united front against the current government in the forthcoming general elections.

However, days before the visit by the opposition leaders, Buhari had received in audience governors elected under the APC platform.

20250412 085526

Earlier last month, the former President had reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, in a statement said, “Without referring to any individual, cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by Party leaders at various levels, former President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated what he’s said times without number, that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.”

PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari

Continue Reading

Trending