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Category: Politics

  • APC women in Lagos endorse Tinubu for second term

    APC women in Lagos endorse Tinubu for second term

    APC women in Lagos have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 at their annual summit, which drew thousands of participants.

    Themed “Arise, Aspire, Ascend,” the summit, held over the weekend in Lagos, brought together women leaders, youths, and stakeholders across the state to chart a stronger path for female and youth participation in politics.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged women to move from being mobilisers at the grassroots to assuming leadership roles.

    “As women, we must arise from complicity, aspire to take our rightful place in leadership, and ascend to new levels of impact,” he said.

    He added that youths, particularly first-time voters, must be drawn into the political process early. “If 4,000 of us each bring 20 people to register, that’s 80,000 new voices for democracy. This is how we multiply our impact,” he noted.

    The summit, which attracted over 4,000 participants, focused on mobilising women and young people ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, declared that Nigerian women will unite to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, citing his unprecedented commitment to women’s empowerment and youth development.

    The minister said women are the “heartbeat of this administration” and pledged that, this time, Nigerian women will speak with one voice to demand their rightful place in governance.

    “Collectively, we are going to endorse Mr. President, and we’re going with a shopping list, because 26 years into democracy, we still have no female governor, only four female senators out of 109, and just 3.7% of elective offices occupied by women. But things are about to change,” she declared.

    Highlighting Tinubu’s record, Ibrahim said the President has launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programme, targeting women, children, families, and the vulnerable across eight thematic areas, including agriculture and market women support.

     She also revealed that for the first time, the Women Affairs Ministry has secured N2.5 billion for small and medium enterprises and another N2 billion for women in agriculture.

    The minister stressed that true empowerment must be economic, insisting that “when women have money, they can run for office, send their children to school, fight malnutrition, and reduce gender-based violence. Nobody beats a woman who is financially independent.”

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    She urged women and youths, particularly first-time voters, to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), warning that political participation must go beyond attendance at rallies. “As politicians, we must make the vote count. We don’t want charity seats; we want positions because we have something to offer and the heart to carry the people,” she said.

    “The best is yet to come. This government has done more for women than any before it. Come 2027, we will line up in even greater numbers to return Mr. President for a second term,” she concluded.

    The APC Lagos Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, praised women as resilient and indispensable to development.

    He endorsed Tinubu for a second term, citing the administration’s economic reforms. “In just three years, this government has reset Nigeria and earned international respect. Continuity is essential,” he said.

    APC National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile Idele, urged members to be proactive, while Lagos APC Women Leader, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, called on women to move beyond being “silent beneficiaries” of government programmes to become “loud ambassadors” of APC’s achievements.

    Okoya-Thomas announced plans to launch a women’s mobilisation platform focused on voter education, community organising, and amplifying stories of government impact.

    “The grassroots are not below; they are the foundation. When women dream, societies evolve,” she said, directing each local government to mobilise at least 1,000 young voters before year’s end.

    With songs of solidarity and renewed pledges of loyalty to the APC, the summit closed with a rallying call: “Arise with dignity, Aspire with vision, Ascend with APC.”

  • Masari, beacon of integrity, loyalty politics

    Masari, beacon of integrity, loyalty politics

    By Bamidele Atoyebi

    In recent weeks, Kabiru Masari’s name has dominated Nigeria’s political discuss, sparking curiosity about his unique closeness to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Information has it that he moves freely in and out of the seat of power and therefore enjoys unfettered access to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that his approval can grant or deny others access to the President.

    For some, this raises suspicion about shadow governance or not in the popular sobriquet, cabal. But a closer look at Masari’s story reveals something scarce in present times: a rare lesson in loyalty, trust, integrity, and political memory.

    Kabiru Masari’s national prominence dates back to the run-up to the 2023 general elections. At a critical moment when the All Progressives Congress (APC) needed to submit a running mate for Bola Tinubu to meet INEC’s deadline, Masari agreed to serve as a placeholder vice-presidential candidate.

    It was a delicate period in which Tinubu’s political future could have been destabilized, yet Masari’s presence held the line.

    When the time came to step aside for Senator Kashim Shettima, Masari resisted all proddings and  did so quietly, without rancour or drama. In a political climate where ambition often trumps loyalty, that decision though may seem simple and straightforward, speaks volumes about his character and person.

    History shows that few Nigerian politicians resist the allure of power once they have tasted it. Atiku Abubakar, for instance, won the governorship of Adamawa State but abandoned it when the vice-presidential slot under Olusegun Obasanjo presented itself.

    Most recently, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who rose to national prominence on the back  of Tinubu’s influence as vice president, went on to contest against his benefactor in the APC primaries. Other examples are legion and we lack space to list them.

    Kabiru Masari could easily have taken a similar route, insisting on keeping the VP slot, especially after the primaries when the stakes grew higher. Instead, he demonstrated restraint and consistency of character. In doing so, he showed that not every politician must place ambition above loyalty.

    A critic like Senator Marafa claimed that Tinubu is a politician who “uses and dumps” people once they have served their purpose. Yet, Masari’s privileges today, his access to the president, and his respected influence despite holding no executive office, prove proves contrary to Marafa’s assertion.

    They show Tinubu as a man with a long memory, one who rewards loyalty even without the trappings of official titles.

    If Tinubu ever distances himself from anyone, it is often not because he forgets, but because of chameleonic somersaults prevalent in our present times, it must be the person either tried to bite more than they could chew, never truly rendered help from the beginning or tuned rogue.

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    The stories of Akinwunmi Ambode, Lai Muhammed, and Rauf Aregbesola illustrate this point: they once enjoyed Tinubu’s political support but fell out of favour due to tainted loyalty or overarching ambition.

    On the other hand, Babatunde Fashola, Gbajabiamila and a host of lawmakers from South West are examples of those whose consistent loyalty ensured continued relevance long after their first appointments.

    Masari’s position is not about undermining institutions or operating as a shadow government. It is about the president’s way of repaying kindness with trust which is core of his political philosophy.

    In a political space where betrayals are rife, Masari represents the rare example of character consistency, reliability and integrity who walked away from power when he could have clung to it, and in return, earned lasting respect.

    This relationship also sends a broader message: loyalty is not a weakness, and it does not always go unrewarded. In fact, it can secure privileges that titles alone may never guarantee.

    Kabiru Masari’s story is more than a curiosity about who walks in and out of Aso Rock. It is a reminder that loyalty, restraint, and trust are powerful currencies in politics.

    It also underscores President Tinubu’s political style: one that remembers and repays genuine loyalty while recognizing the difference between true allies and opportunists.

    If Nigerian politics learned to reward loyalty and competence in the same way Tinubu has rewarded Masari’s loyalty, our democracy would not only be stronger but also more trusted by the people. After all, who won’t want people around him whose reliability enables him to sleep with two eyes closed?

    • Bamidele is the Convenor of BAT Ideological Group,  National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and Publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting

  • ‘APC will take over Taraba in 2027’

    ‘APC will take over Taraba in 2027’

    Stephen Othaniel, former Taraba State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), speaks with Correspondent VICTOR GAI on the party’s surprise win in Karim I Constituency by-election and its implications for the 2027 general election.

    Apart from being a former Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC), I was also a former Zonal Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a former Secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP). I contested for the House of Representatives on the platform of the UDP, and I also contested for the House of Assembly for Karim I State Constituency as the flag bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Unfortunately, that mandate was stolen. That was why the incumbent member withdrew and accepted the position of commissioner. People will never trust him again because you cannot take people’s responsibility and throw it into the river. What happened on Saturday was a sign that people should be careful.

    After a long time, the opposition APC took over the House of Assembly seat from the ruling PDP. How did it happen, and what was responsible for your party’s surprise victory?

    Since 1999, when the country returned to civil rule, Karim Lamido has been the base of the PDP. The party was like his personal property. But the people have decided otherwise. What happened on Saturday (August 16) vindicated us. People believed in the APC under the present government. That was why they went out en masse to elect Abner Shittu.

    What pains me more is that Karim Lamido is facing insecurity. This is so much so that even the international community is aware. A lot of lives have been lost, yet the government did not even respond to their call. They don’t even know where the Internally Displaced Persons are. And the primary responsibility of every government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. Some people had to cross the river just to vote.

    How do you assess the conduct of INEC and the security personnel on the ground during the election?

    Generally, the election was free, fair, and credible. INEC came out and discharged its duties according to the Electoral Act. I give them an 85 per cent pass mark, and that shows they are prepared for 2027.

    For more than 30 years that I have been in politics, I have never seen security personnel act in such a proactive way. Some offenders were caught. Can you imagine that a sitting member went to the extent of snatching ballot papers? Thank God the security personnel responded to the people’s call. As I am speaking to you, those culprits are in security custody. They will be prosecuted according to the laws of the land.

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    The APC, in an unprecedented manner, inaugurated a 55-man committee led by former governor Abdulazeez Yari to oversee the election. Is that a signal of how determined your party is to take over Taraba in 2027?

    The principles and policies of the current government are enough to convince people that the APC has come to stay. They have sent a message, and the message has been received and acted upon.

    You have been a ranking member of the PDP in the past and are now back with the APC. The PDP-led administration in Taraba has been in office for the past two years. How do you assess its performance so far?

    The PDP I knew before is no longer the PDP I know today, because the former PDP was made up of transparent leaders who carried people along and listened. But that is not the case today. Governor Kefas is a failure! No one can point to a single completed project worth N2 billion in Taraba, yet you can see the debts he is accumulating.

    He collects huge monthly allocations, too, but let him tell Tarabans where the money is going. We need to talk because the government is about the people. He is talking about free education when the masses are struggling to put their children in private schools because they lack confidence in public schools. Lagos and Kano, which have some of the highest revenue profiles, could not offer free education. So, what does the party have to offer the Taraba people in free education?

    You place a lot of blame on the ruling PDP, but your party, the APC, has also experienced significant internal acrimony, which has divided the party in the state. On two occasions, it cost the governorship seat. How united and prepared is the APC now to take over power from the more formidable PDP?

    The answer is simple: the outcome of the by-election has answered that question. It was a united APC that won the election. You cannot avoid a crisis in politics. We agree and also disagree. But the crisis is already a past issue, and now a united APC is coming to take over. The journey has started with Karim Lamido.

  • Building the Federal Government Library: A worthy initiative

    Building the Federal Government Library: A worthy initiative

    We must pause to commend the thoughtful initiative of the wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who has chosen to mark her forthcoming birthday on the 21st of September, 2025, by planning to establish The Federal Government Library.

    This is not a woman thinking only of herself or her immediate world, but one who understands the weight of legacy,choosing to build a house of knowledge that will impact generations. In a time when personal celebrations are often centered on self, this is a refreshing and visionary gift to the nation.

    From the beginning of history, societies that valued knowledge built libraries. Egypt was once held in global esteem for her thirst for wisdom and careful preservation of discoveries. Sadly, when the great library was burned down during Cleopatra’s era, an irreplaceable wealth of records was lost. The Greeks too left behind writings,some factual, some mythical,but the common thread is this: knowledge, whether to guide or to correct, must be stored.

    In our dear Nigeria, many brilliant individuals have written works that deserve to be preserved, both in hard copy and in electronic libraries, for the sake of future generations. Yet, how much of this treasure has been archived? Too little. Too much is slipping away.

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    Today, reading culture is fading. If not for academic requirements, many students would hardly pick up a book, be it hard copy or soft copy. The truth is, whether printed or digital, reading requires the same discipline and willingness. We must revive that hunger for knowledge.

    Why? At the root of almost every challenge we face, what we see is not simply a lack of resources but a gap in knowledge,and when knowledge is missing, solutions remain hidden.

    This is why we must all rise above sentiment, sectionalism and political divides to embrace this initiative by the First Lady. Why should we not support what will put Nigeria on the global map in such a noble way? Why should we not celebrate a vision that calls our nation back to the value of wisdom?

    Just as we admire the libraries in the United States and across the world, we can have a center of knowledge here at home,something that reflects the greatness we often talk about but rarely build.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s plan is more than a birthday project; it is a call for a mental shift. It is a reminder that when we invest in knowledge, we invest in the future…and Nigeria, more than ever, needs such investments.

    And beyond the preservation of knowledge, this initiative has another silent but powerful advantage,it will create opportunities. A library is not just a building; it is a world of its own. It will require librarians, researchers, archivists, IT experts, maintenance staff, administrative officers, and many more. In other words, it will generate jobs, empower families, and contribute to our economy while enriching our minds.

    Therefore, supporting this vision is not merely about applauding the First Lady’s initiative, it is about recognizing the ripple effect of development that such a project will bring.

    •Makinde, a commentator wrote from Lagos

  • We were too complacent in 2023, says Ayinde

    We were too complacent in 2023, says Ayinde

    Allies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have admitted that complacency and poor grassroots engagement nearly cost the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the 2023 presidential election, vowing not to repeat the same mistakes as they begin early sensitisation for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

    Speaking at a strategy seminar organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) in Lagos, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, said the ruling party had been “too confident” in 2023, resulting in unexpected losses even in traditional strongholds like Lagos State.

    “The 2023 election taught us that sentiment alone cannot win elections. Organisation, grassroots connection, youth engagement, sharper messaging, and party unity are key to securing victory in 2027,” Ayinde told over 150 GMT directors drawn from Delta, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Adamawa and Kogi.

    Ayinde, who delivered the keynote address, explained that while Tinubu eventually triumphed in 2023, the results revealed weaknesses the APC could not ignore. He listed voter apathy, youth discontent, misinformation, and internal divisions as factors that weakened the party’s performance.

    “We cannot take any vote for granted, not even in our backyard,” he cautioned.

    “In 2027, we must be more organised, more connected, more persuasive, and friendlier to voters. Every challenge is also an opportunity, we must reconnect with the grassroots, especially the youths, artisans, students and the digital community.”

    He urged GMT directors to serve as “storytellers” who clearly explain Tinubu’s policies and achievements, noting that disconnection from ordinary Nigerians was one of the pitfalls of the last campaign. Victory is calling us once again, in 2023 we made history, in 2027, we must consolidate and expand that victory. Let us go back to our wards, markets, churches, mosques, campuses, communities, friends, families, offices and place of business. Let us pick one message, Tinubu has done it before, he is doing it again and with your support, he with complete the job.”

    Ayinde also emphasised to GMT leaders that the seminar was not an early campaign launch but part of a broader voter sensitisation and engagement effort.

    Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Mr. Bode Obanla, pledged his support for GMT, describing the group as one of the most disciplined grassroots structures working for Tinubu’s second term.

    “I’m committed to ensuring that President Tinubu secures more than 80 percent of votes in Ondo State. Partisans cannot be left idle. They must be constructively engaged or they will drift to other parties. GMT is one of the groups that has earned my trust because of how organised you are.”

    Director General of GMT, Hon. Adebisi Yusuf, said the movement was created to build a stronger bridge between Tinubu’s administration and the grassroots.

    “GMT is not just another political group. We are the engine room of mobilisation, the link between leadership and the people, and the vanguard of renewed hope at the grassroots,” Yusuf said in his welcome address.

    On the sidelines, he explained that GMT’s structure, spread across multiple states, was designed to avoid the mistakes of 2023 by focusing on real voters, particularly those at the local government and ward levels.

    “What happened in 2023 taught us a lesson. That is why we went back to the drawing board. GMT is different from political jamborees. We go house-to-house, to the real voters, encouraging even those without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to register,” Yusuf said.

    The seminar, which brought together 150 directors from across the federation, was tagged “training the trainers.” Participants were tasked with returning to their states and local governments to replicate the training, engage directly with communities, and counter misinformation about Tinubu’s policies.

    “The real voters are the common people, and their votes count,” Yusuf stressed. “Our duty is to explain Tinubu’s achievements in language they understand and to show them why short-term sacrifice will lead to long-term gains.”

    “The heartbeat of democracy lies in the grassroots. With organised action and collective commitment, no goal is beyond our reach. Together, we will transform ideas into action and action into victory,” Yusuf concluded.

    GMT departments cover diverse sectors, including female lawyers, artisans, voters’ education, digital engagement, women affairs, foreign affairs, welfare, finance and budget, and education.

    According to Deputy Chairman of GMT, Dr Kolawole Peregrine  these specialised groups ensure that every critical constituency is reached ahead of 2027.

    Read Also: Nigeria needs feasible housing policy to tackle deficit – Adeoye

    The Director of Women Affairs of GMT and immediate past Executive Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Princess Rasheedat Abiodun, said mobilisation efforts had already begun with a focus on voter registration and women’s participation.

    “We have started already, and election begins with voter registration which is ongoing. We are engaging and educating women on why they must participate in voting — and voting for the right man, Tinubu, who we are sure will do the job. As women, we need to push ourselves and make our mark in political decision-making,” she said.

    In his contribution, the Ogun State leader of GMT, Tola Banjo, said the seminar provided fresh insight into Tinubu’s legacy and current policies, which participants would now take back to their communities.

    “My take-home from this seminar is that we have been equipped with more knowledge about how to sell Mr President. We knew some of what he has done, but the keynote address reminded us of his foundation work in Lagos, including the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Those structures are still paying off today — for example, the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA just built the biggest Primary Healthcare Centre in Nigeria, but the foundation was laid by Tinubu,” Banjo said.

    He added that in Ogun State, GMT’s strategy is to combine awareness creation with feedback from communities. “We want people to know what they stand to benefit, to hear from them what we are doing right and what more they want. This movement is about creating awareness and letting people know how they can key in,” Banjo said.

  • Sanwo-Olu urges greater women, youth participation in politics

    Sanwo-Olu urges greater women, youth participation in politics

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has challenged women and youths to take bold steps into active politics and governance, saying their involvement is critical to Nigeria’s future.

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, gave the charge at the APC Lagos State Women’s Summit held yesterday with the theme “Arise, Aspire, Ascend.”

    The governor said women had long been the engine of grassroots mobilisation and party strategy but must now convert that strength into leadership and policymaking roles.

    “As women, we must arise from complicity, aspire to take our rightful place in leadership, and ascend to new levels of impact,” he declared.

    He added that youths, particularly first-time voters, must be drawn into the political process early. “If 4,000 of us each bring 20 people to register, that’s 80,000 new voices for democracy. This is how we multiply our impact,” he noted.

    The summit, which attracted over 4,000 participants, focused on mobilising women and young people ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Sanwo-Olu lamented Lagos’ low voter turnout in 2023, where only 762,000 out of seven million registered voters cast their ballots.

    “Gen Z, you have work to do. This time, we expect every young person not only to register but to vote and defend their votes,” she said, charging participants to ensure at least 20 new voters are registered each before the next polls.

    Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, declared that Nigerian women will unite to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, citing his unprecedented commitment to women’s empowerment and youth development.

    The minister said women are the “heartbeat of this administration” and pledged that, this time, Nigerian women will speak with one voice to demand their rightful place in governance.

    “Collectively, we are going to endorse Mr. President, and we’re going with a shopping list, because 26 years into democracy, we still have no female governor, only four female senators out of 109, and just 3.7% of elective offices occupied by women. But things are about to change,” she declared.

    Highlighting Tinubu’s record, Ibrahim said the President has launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programme, targeting women, children, families, and the vulnerable across eight thematic areas, including agriculture and market women support.

     She also revealed that for the first time, the Women Affairs Ministry has secured N2.5 billion for small and medium enterprises and another N2 billion for women in agriculture.

    The minister stressed that true empowerment must be economic, insisting that “when women have money, they can run for office, send their children to school, fight malnutrition, and reduce gender-based violence. Nobody beats a woman who is financially independent.”

    She urged women and youths, particularly first-time voters, to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), warning that political participation must go beyond attendance at rallies. “As politicians, we must make the vote count. We don’t want charity seats; we want positions because we have something to offer and the heart to carry the people,” she said.

    Read Also: How agri-tech is rewriting Nigeria’s farming future

    “The best is yet to come. This government has done more for women than any before it. Come 2027, we will line up in even greater numbers to return Mr. President for a second term,” she concluded.

    The APC Lagos Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, praised women as resilient and indispensable to development.

    He endorsed Tinubu for a second term, citing the administration’s economic reforms. “In just three years, this government has reset Nigeria and earned international respect. Continuity is essential,” he said.

    APC National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile Idele, urged members to be proactive, while Lagos APC Women Leader, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, called on women to move beyond being “silent beneficiaries” of government programmes to become “loud ambassadors” of APC’s achievements.

    Okoya-Thomas announced plans to launch a women’s mobilisation platform focused on voter education, community organising, and amplifying stories of government impact.

    “The grassroots are not below; they are the foundation. When women dream, societies evolve,” she said, directing each local government to mobilise at least 1,000 young voters before year’s end.

    With songs of solidarity and renewed pledges of loyalty to the APC, the summit closed with a rallying call: “Arise with dignity, Aspire with vision, Ascend with APC.”

  • Osun LG crisis: Stop behaving like PDP’s branch—APC cautions NULGE

    Osun LG crisis: Stop behaving like PDP’s branch—APC cautions NULGE

    The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), led by Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, against playing a partisan role in the ongoing council control crisis in the state.

    Speaking at the party’s state secretariat on Tuesday, APC State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, accused the union of taking an unpatriotic stance over the delayed payment of federal allocations to local government councils.

    He was reacting to NULGE’s warning to the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Central Bank of Nigeria against releasing accumulated federal allocations due to the state’s local councils.

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    He said, “It is now crystal clear to the public that the NULGE leadership is working in cahoot with the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration in the state to further prolong the untold suffering being meted on the innocent people of the state through the delay in the payment of the accumulated local government allocations.

    “The actions and inactions of the state NULGE that has been on sympathy strike orchestrated by Governor Adeleke for seven months’ running have glaringly shown that the supposed organized labour union is a potent branch of the state chapter of the PDP.”

    Lawal enjoined the members of the public to discountenance the allegation of NULGE because they are playing partisan role, noting that Court of Appeal judgement of the 10th of February, 2025 reinstated the APC executive council bosses across the state.

    “NULGE must stop acting like a branch of PDP. The role being played by them made them a meddlesome interloper.”

  • APC emerging leaders congratulate Yilwatda, urge inclusion

    APC emerging leaders congratulate Yilwatda, urge inclusion

    ‎An All Progressives Congress (APC) group in Oyo State, the emerging leaders has congratulated Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda on his emergence as the new national chairman of the party. 

    ‎The group in a communique issued at the end of its regular meeting held recently in Ibadan described Yilwatda’s election as timely and a welcome development for the much anticipated new lease of direction for the party’s democratic dealings. 

    The statement was signed by the members of the block: ‎Saheed Lekan-Olayiwola, Hon Toyose Ishola akeem, ‎Mogaji Abiola Oyeyemi, Samsudeen Popoola, Folarin Martin, Sabur Yusuf, Ezekiel Ayansola, Adediran Alao, Temitope Alamu, and Salahudeen Adepoju 

    Others are: Maruf Adebayo, Aleem Orelope, Kazeem Tijani, Yusuf Azeez, Shittu Abede, Akinleye Akinkunmi and Hon Aponmode Adewale.

    Read Also: Ganduje and I working together, says Yilwatda

    They frowned at the process involved in the selection of the candidate of the party for the August 16th Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election.

    ‎Following the dismal outcome of the poll, the body charged the national leadership of the party to address the root cause of the series of the failures in the party from the 2023 transitions by ensuring free, fair and credible congresses that would be appealing to the appreciable party members and supporters in the future electioneering.

    ‎It further therefore demanded that 70 percent of the party’s elective offices from the ward to national levels be conceded to the younger elements in the next party’s selections to ensuring more effective and all-inclusive administration in the government. 

    ‎Addressing rewarding system at the central level, the emerging leaders charged the national gladiators to look inward to correct the anomalies as to encourage and appease the committed members that are tirelessly working for the cohesion and progress of the party at the grassroots.

  • Yishawu celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 65, hails First Lady’s legacy of service

    Yishawu celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 65, hails First Lady’s legacy of service

    Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa Constituency II, in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has paid glowing tribute to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as she marks her 65th birthday on September 21, 2025.

    In a special statement, Yishawu described the First Lady as “a mentor to millions, an educationist by conviction, a reform-minded legislator, and a philanthropist whose compassion is matched by measurable action.”

    Highlighting her distinguished career, Yishawu recalled her three-term service as Senator representing Lagos Central, where she sponsored landmark legislation such as the Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) Bill and championed causes in education, social welfare, and women and youth empowerment.

    He noted that Senator Tinubu’s constituency programmes, including health outreaches, school support initiatives, skills acquisition schemes and micro-enterprise empowerment, set a benchmark for responsive and impactful representation.

    Read Also: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu empowers 500 Bauchi women

    As First Lady, Yishawu praised her for transforming empathy into structured interventions through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). 

    He cited flagship programmes such as scholarships for undergraduates, women’s agricultural support, petty-trade recapitalisation, ICT and creative industry training, HPV vaccination advocacy, menstrual health projects for schoolgirls, and equipment support for women in micro-businesses.

    He stressed that Senator Tinubu’s philanthropy is “disciplined and targeted at root causes, with tools and training that multiply opportunities for beneficiaries.”

    Marking her 65th birthday, Yishawu commended her decision to dedicate all gifts and goodwill to the completion of the long-delayed National Library of Nigeria project. He described the gesture as “a pledge to knowledge, opportunity, and the future of Nigerian children.”

    Offering prayers for her health and continued service, Yishawu said:

    “On this milestone, we celebrate Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her profound impact on our nation. May God grant her wisdom and grace, and may her legacy of disciplined kindness inspire leaders at every level.”

    He concluded by saluting her on behalf of the people of Eti-Osa Constituency II, Lagos, and Nigeria at large, saying her life exemplifies renewed hope with tangible milestones.

  • Tinubu working assiduously to engender responsible borrowing to address Nigeria’s public debt – Speaker Abbas

    Tinubu working assiduously to engender responsible borrowing to address Nigeria’s public debt – Speaker Abbas

    • …advocates stronger oversight to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable growth

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working assiduously to address Nigeria’s public debt through a non-oil revenue drive.

    The Speaker noted that public debt, if well utilised, can engender growth and development in any country.

    He said Nigeria could leverage responsible borrowing for sustainable development as demonstrated by the Tinubu administration.

    “Indeed, public debt, when managed prudently, can be a tool for growth and prosperity. Yet, when left unchecked, it becomes a burden that erodes economic stability and threatens the welfare of future generations,” Speaker Abbas noted.

    The Speaker said while delivering his keynote address in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC).

    He was represented at the event by the Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

    The Public Accounts Committee of the House, with the support of WAAPAC and international development partners, organised the event with the theme ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt: The Role of Finance and Public Accounts Committees.’

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, noted that the Speaker’s remarks were not a call to reject borrowing outright but reflected a responsible approach to debt management—one that ensures that borrowing translates into real value for Nigerians.

    This, the statement noted, aligns squarely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises fiscal discipline, prudent resource management, and channeling funds into critical areas like infrastructure, education, green energy, and social welfare.

    Last week, President Tinubu announced during a meeting with the stakeholders of The Buhari Organization in Abuja, Nigeria, had met its revenue target for 2025 ahead of schedule and would no longer rely on borrowing to fund its budget.

    The President also said his administration’s non-oil revenue drive had yielded enough to meet this year’s projections by August, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on external loans.

    “Today I can stand here before you to brag: Nigeria is not borrowing. We have met our revenue target for the year, and we met it in August,” the president said.

    At the WAAPAC event, the Speaker emphasised the “need for stronger oversight, transparent borrowing practices, and a collective resolve to ensure that tangible economic and social returns match every naira borrowed.”

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    He added, “When we examine the sources of Africa’s external financing, it becomes clear that the weight of debt on our continent is shaped by whom we borrow from and on what terms. Today, Western private lenders hold about 35 percent of Africa’s government debt through banks, asset managers, and oil traders.

    “Multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank and the IMF, account for another 39 percent, while bilateral loans from other governments comprise 13 percent. Despite much of the public debate, Chinese creditors hold only 12 percent.

    “To place this in sharper focus, in 2019, bondholders alone represented 27 percent of Africa’s external debt, making them the single largest creditor group, ahead of China at 13 percent.”

    Speaker Abbas stated that if Africa is to grow stronger, the countries must not only negotiate fairer terms of borrowing but also rethink their dependence on external finance.

    “We must channel more energy into mobilising domestic resources, fostering intra-African trade, and creating financial instruments that serve the continent’s own development priorities. Only then can we move from vulnerability to resilience, and from dependency to true economic sovereignty,” he said.

    The Speaker stated that the conference could not have come at a more opportune time, “as our nation’s face mounting fiscal pressures that demand stronger legislative oversight of public debt and borrowing.”

    He also noted that the theme “speaks directly to the urgency of safeguarding our financial future,” stressing that it “goes to the very heart of democratic governance and sustainable development.”

    Speaker Abbas said, “Therefore, oversight of public debt is a democratic duty and a moral responsibility of the legislature. Our parliaments must ensure that every borrowing decision reflects prudence, transparency, and the collective interest of our citizens.

     While noting that the implications of this debt structure are far-reaching, the Speaker said a “significant share of our national revenues is tied to debt servicing rather than being invested in the things our people need most: roads, schools, hospitals, and innovation.”

    He added that the high cost of commercial loans, coupled with the burden of repayment in foreign currencies, leaves many African economies vulnerable to market shocks. “This narrows fiscal space, constrains domestic policy choices, and slows the pace of sustainable development,” he said.