Politics
Step down for younger people in 2027, Bode George tells Atiku
Step down for younger people in 2027, Bode George tells Atiku
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step down for younger people to contest the presidential election in 2027.
He made this appeal in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday.
He noted that Atiku would be 81 years in 2027, and he would be too old at the time to govern the country.
The PDP chieftain said Atiku should be mentoring the younger ones instead of thinking about contesting in 2027.
George said, āMy brother Atiku Abubakar was 77 years old last year, and by 2027 he will be 81 years old. Atiku should give room for younger Nigerians, who still have the energy and the brain to develop the country.
āAtiku should be in a situation where he plays like the big uncle in the room or the elder in the room.
āWhat would anybody carry me now to do because Iām heading to 80 years old and I want to go and be a minister? To do what?
āLetās mentor the younger generation, and letās be consistent with our strong belief in our party norms.
āNo other party is as entrenched and national in all concepts as the PDP. In 2027, I canāt tell anybody not to contest, but our party must be definitive that the presidency must remain in the South since the North has finished its eight years,ā he said.
George also described the security situation in the country as āhorrendous and heartbreaking.ā
He called on President Bola Tinubu to call a meeting of retired military officers to devise solutions to tackle the current security challenges.
The PDP chieftain urged Tinubu to wake up and confront insecurity, saying he felt pity for the President for the ādeluge of crisesā before him.
According to George, the high level of insecurity has further underscored the need to have a state police, and āTinubu must not shy away from that.ā
George said, āWe are failing on security, and I want to call on the President to invite all elders to come for a discussion. The issue of insecurity has become a national calamity.ā
Politics
Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election
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 Adelekeās 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 administrationās 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 workersā welfare, and ongoing projects across key sectors, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and local government development.
According to the PDP legislators, Governor Adelekeās 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 partyās 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
Politics
Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans
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. āYou canāt just stop, since politics and governance never really end,ā 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 āAbuja: Evolutionary Development of a City in Nigeriaās Capital Territory,ā āProgressive Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria,ā and āProgressive Party Ideology and Philosophical Direction.ā 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 APCās 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. āThe Kwankwasiyya Movement will not have any impact. Even though you see large crowds, the APC can mobilize bigger numbers if we choose,ā 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. āI am ready. Politics is about interests. There are no permanent enemies or friends⦠What matters is what we want to achieve,ā 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. āPolitics will always have noise, but the reality on the ground is different,ā he added.
Gandujeās 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
Politics
El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party
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 fatherās 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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āMy 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,ā El-Rufai said, explaining that his sonās 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 partyās perceived wrongdoing, guided by the values and home training he received, āthen Alhamdulillah.ā
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-Rufaiās 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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