Politics

Tinubu to Afenifere: Help me thank Buhari, northern govs for being promise-keepers

Published

3 years ago

October 31, 2022

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday opened up on a conversation he had with President Muhammadu Buhari on his choice and his running mate.

Tinubu spoke this at the residence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, Yoruba Socio-cultural group, in Akure, Ondo State capital.

He said the visit was in fulfilment of an earlier promise he made to the Afenifere leader before the APC primaries.

“I promised to come back after winning the APC ticket. I am here to thank all Yoruba leaders and also ask them to thank Buhari and northern governors for their steadfastness and for being promise-keepers.

“The North proved to me Nigeria can survive its unity. Some people wanted President Muhammadu Buhari to announce someone, but the President said no. He insisted the process must go on democratically. The President said that anyone that would mess up the APC process would see his other side.

“He remained upright to the end. Northern APC Governors resolved that the presidency must go to the South and, especially, South West. Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end.
“The battle was tough and, at a point, I was in doubt. There were many rumours and I became confused over what to believe. Buhari told me I promoted his name with the way I won the primary election because the process was clean and transparent and nobody could accuse him of manipulating it.

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“The president said I gave him credibility and I deserved to be President. When I asked him to nominate the Vice Presidential candidate, he said I should pick whoever I wanted and it is the reason I chose a competent man in Kashim Shettima who has never lost any election. I particularly went for him because he had protected Christians in time of trouble in his state,” he stated.

Immediate past General Secretary of Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, tasked Tinubu to be a leader that would unite Nigeria and work for the progress and development of the country.

“You are not just a Yoruba man but a Nigerian. When you become president, take Nigeria into consideration in all you do, but never forget home.

“Our demands are what you know already – restructuring, security and the economy. Our country is no longer safe. We want state police so that the country will be safe,” he said.

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who received Tinubu and his delegation on behalf of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, said Ondo State people were ‘Afenifere’ and would support Tinubu to win.

“Asiwaju has the reach, the competence to lead Nigeria,” Ayedatiwa said.

In his remark, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti assured the Yoruba leaders that all the governors of South West and people were solidly behind Tinubu.

“We are happy to receive our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, today. I want to assure him and our fathers that we will support him to the end,” he said.

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Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary of the Government of the Federation and an Afenifere leader, asked the APC presidential flagbearer to work to fix the economy.

Chief Falae decried the falling value of the Naira, adding that he spent his life serving Nigeria and would not be happy if such efforts went in vain.

“When you become president, please work to fix this country. We are here to offer advice. I am old and no longer looking for job. We need to fix security, fix our economy.

“Our naira is almost becoming useless and will soon become N1000 to a dollar. We must change that. I know your ability. We will always be here to support and I wish you well.

“We will be here when you bring the trophy home by the grace of God,” he said.

NAN reports that leaders of Afenifere from the six South-West States, including Kwara and Kogi, were present at the Akure residence of the Afenifere leader to offer support to Asiwaju Tinubu. (NAN)

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Politics

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Published

3 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has officially resigned from his ministerial position to focus on his bid for the Oyo State governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections. His resignation, dated March 26, 2026, was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political appointees intending to contest elective offices to vacate their posts before party primaries.

In a resignation letter, Adelabu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Tinubu administration, stating, “It has been a privilege contributing to the efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector under your Renewed Hope Agenda. My decision to resign is to enable me to fully pursue my aspiration to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State and dedicate my time and resources to that endeavour.”

The minister’s exit follows a government directive issued via the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, which required political appointees to resign by March 31, 2026, if they intended to contest elective offices in the 2027 elections. Other ministers, including Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) and Yusuf Sununu (Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs), have also resigned to pursue governorship ambitions in Bauchi and Kebbi States, respectively.

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Adelabu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has previously contested the Oyo governorship under the APC in 2019 and the Accord Party in 2023. His resignation signals renewed focus on securing his party’s ticket and intensifying the Oyo State political race ahead of the 2027 elections.

His tenure as Power Minister coincided with public scrutiny over persistent electricity outages, which he addressed in a press conference, issuing a public apology to Nigerians. He acknowledged that erratic power supply had affected households, businesses, and industries, especially amid rising temperatures, and pledged to improve the situation before leaving office. During his term, Adelabu also oversaw key sector reforms, including a N501 billion bond issuance aimed at resolving long-standing liquidity issues in Nigeria’s electricity market.

As of his resignation, the federal government has not announced a replacement for the Ministry of Power, leaving a crucial cabinet role vacant ahead of ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects. Political analysts say Adelabu’s departure is likely to reshape both the federal cabinet and the Oyo governorship contest, as party stakeholders prepare for the primaries and eventual general election.

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Politics

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Published

4 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.

Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.

Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.

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He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.

According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.

In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.

She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.

Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.

She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Politics

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

Published

9 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within the opposition party.

Announcing his defection, the Kebbi lawmaker said the PDP has been plagued by prolonged leadership disputes, internal divisions, and recurring litigation, which he noted have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition platform.

According to him, the lingering crisis has made it increasingly difficult for committed members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s development and fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He added that the situation has created uncertainty and disunity across various levels of the party structure.

Mohammed disclosed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across his federal constituency, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of those he represents.

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“I have formally submitted my resignation letter to my PDP Ward Chairman in Nasarawa Ward and also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of my defection,” he said.

He explained that joining the APC would enable him to better serve his constituents and enhance his legislative effectiveness, particularly by aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.

The defection comes amid ongoing leadership tussles within the PDP, including disputes over party structure, legal battles, and disagreements among top party figures, which have continued to affect unity within the opposition.

Political observers say the development is part of a wider trend of defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months, raising concerns about the opposition party’s internal cohesion and its readiness for future elections.

Meanwhile, the APC has continued to consolidate its position in the National Assembly, with recent defections strengthening its numerical advantage, while the PDP faces increasing pressure to resolve its internal conflicts and retain key members.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC