Politics
PDP govs worry about high cost of living, recommend state police
PDP govs worry over high cost of living, recommend state police
State governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have expressed worry over the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
They noted the free fall of the naira in the foreign exchange market was largely responsible for the rising cost of food and other essential things.
They recommended the creation of state police to address the worsening insecurity situation across the country.
Chairman of the PDP governors forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after reading the communique of a meeting of the group held at the Oyo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Monday.
He said, “At the onset of this administration, we supported the removal of subsidy, we believed that there were safeguards, we believed that if we took collective decisions, we should go by it.
“But certainly, we have seen that it is a free fall for the naira. The cost of living is going high, we are almost on the road to Venezuela.”
Mohammed also said, “We are working closely with the federal government since the inception of this administration. The rising cost of living is not only under the purview of the federal government.
“We have been partnering together with them to make sure that we don’t bring any distraction but the monetary and economic policies rests squarely with the federal government.
“The majority of Nigerians voted for this administration, so we are doing so much across party lines and on bi-partisan basis, within the Nigeria governors forum within the National Economic Council to make sure that we cushion the effects of some of these policies.
“We have reached out to our people and opened the food reserves in a manner that it will provide some succour to our people at the lower level.”
The Bauchi State Governor described the PDP as the most democratic and experienced party in the country.
He said, “We have been at the seat of governance and Nigerians took a decision to bring APC at the centre and we respect their sensibilities and sense of judgement of Nigerians.
“So, we are giving concrete opposition but not insulting anybody. But ultimately the decision squarely rests with Nigerians and other organs in the country to make sure that we do things that will bring succour to all of us.”
On the Edo State Governorship Election, he said, “We are 100 percent behind Edo and you can see that there is no rancour; there is no division and we are very much behind the National Working Committee; the state chapter of the party and indeed the governor to make sure that we go together in unison to produce a successor for the most respected eldest governor in the governors forum.”
Those who attended the meeting are Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State)-Vice Chairman; Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State).
Others are Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State), Kefas Agbu (Taraba State), Godwin Obaseki (Edo State), Dep. Gov. Ifeanyi Ossai – Enugu State and Dep. Gov. Monday John Onyeme (Delta State).
Politics
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Mr. Rasheed Kashamu, Ijebu-North 1 lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, announced on Monday during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, was communicated through a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide. Kashamu, who served as Deputy Minority Whip, cited irreconcilable differences and factional divisions within the PDP at both state and national levels as reasons for his move.
Elemide noted that Kashamu’s decision was aimed at aligning with progressive forces in Ogun State and supporting the development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun. “After reviewing the current state of affairs of the PDP, marked by unresolved leadership crises, he resolved, in consultation with his supporters, to join the APC and back the ISEYA agenda of Governor Abiodun and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” the Speaker said.
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Kashamu formally joined the APC at his Oke-Sopen Ward in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area, accompanied by his supporters, while lawmakers welcomed him into the Assembly’s majority caucus. His wife, uncle, and other well-wishers were present to witness the event.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly also acknowledged a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun seeking the confirmation of Mr. Abdul Najeem Olayinka as Auditor-General for Local Governments following the retirement of Mr. Lamidi Mulero.
Elemide directed the nominee to appear before the House for screening on December 17 and to submit 30 copies of his curriculum vitae and credentials by 10:00 a.m. on December 16, as part of the confirmation process.
This development marks a significant political shift in Ogun State, strengthening the APC’s presence in the House of Assembly ahead of upcoming elections.
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Politics
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Dr. Najeem Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, securing an overwhelming victory at the party’s primary election on Monday.
The primary, held in Osogbo, saw 528 delegates accredited, including 482 local government and ward delegates and 53 special delegates. Of the votes cast, 520 were validly credited to Salaam, while eight votes were declared invalid, confirming his landslide win.
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, officially declared Salaam as the party’s flagbearer, empowering him to lead the party into the 2026 gubernatorial race.
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In his acceptance speech, Salaam thanked delegates and ADC leadership for their confidence, vowing to champion the party’s vision and represent the people of Osun State effectively in the upcoming election.
Salaam’s nomination adds momentum to a highly competitive political landscape in Osun State, where other parties, including the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC), have also concluded their nominations. Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the Accord Party ticket, while the APC confirmed Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as its flagbearer.
Political analysts note that Salaam’s experience as a legislative leader and grassroots mobiliser positions him as a strong contender in the 2026 Osun governorship election, signaling an intense contest across major parties.
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Politics
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that he commented on which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, describing the claim as fake news.
The report, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said it was the South’s turn to produce the next president. Reacting on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai categorically denied making such a statement.
“My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality,” he said.
El-Rufai stressed that he did not express such views in any speech, interview or social media post, noting that his opinions are only conveyed through his verifiable official platforms.
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He also faulted the practice of attributing opinions to him based on articles written by others, even when such articles are shared on his platforms as part of broader national discourse.
“It is wrong and improper to attribute to me opinion articles written by other authors, even when I share such articles on my platforms as contributions to the national conversation,” he said.
The former governor warned that the spread of misinformation and irresponsible politicking on social media poses a serious threat to public trust and democratic debate.
“These clarifications are crucial as we confront the deliberate misuse of social media for the spread of fake news,” El-Rufai stated, adding that fake news platforms should not be accorded any credibility.
He further urged journalists, media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it, cautioning that failure to do so undermines the integrity of the media.
“In this age of falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever,” he said, lamenting what he described as the growing alignment of some media actors with unverified social media narratives.
El-Rufai concluded by reiterating that no political views should be attributed to him unless they are explicitly expressed on his official social media accounts or during interviews with reputable media organisations.
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
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