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2023: Bauchi Governor Misfired On APC’s Zoning Of Presidency To South

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Pioneer member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and director-general of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has lashed back at Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, over his position on the governing party’s zoning of the 2023 presidency to the South.
Noting that the governor got it wrong on all fronts, the APC chieftain said that Governor Bala’s disposition showed the lack of dynamism in the political thinking of opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
According to Okechwukwu, the opposition PDP has shown that it is incapable of upstaging APC, especially when the unity and prosperity of Nigeria is not uppermost in their calculations.
The Bauchi State governor had after his visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta told journalists that APC’s decision to zone the Presidency to the South is not a threat to the PDP, because his party’s strategy is to whip up  ethno-religious sentiment.
   But speaking to reporters in Abuja yesterday, Okechukwu said, “Methinks if the statement credited to him is correct, His Excellency, Bala Mohammed and by extension PDP, is simply being opportunistic by saying that APC’s zoning of Presidency to the South is not a threat to the PDP, because if we put it to the North, it will give us more electoral victory. That’s ethnic chauvinism simple.
 “The Bauchi State governor and PDP seems to forget that Nigerians are fair-minded and upholds justice and equity in their voting preferences. That was why the late Moshood Abiola of Social Democratic Party (SDP), defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa in his Kano State home in 1993.
   “In 2023, Nigerians are going to repeat that feat by acknowledging President Muhammadu Buhari and APC’s decision to do the right things for national unity peace and progress.
     “To me, the doctrine of swap of offices between the north and the south is a masterstroke by Mr. President and good for APC and Nigerians in every material particular. It is not only a threat to our sister political party, the PDP, but also signals their imminent defeat. My friend governor’s reaction seems inspired by sense of defeatism and phobia for APC.”
   He expressed dismay that after just seven years in opposition, PDP has retained its character of deception, duplicity, selfishness, promise and fail.
“Otherwise how can a rational political party flagrantly and unscrupulously breach its constitution, which expressly ingrained zoning?” He queried.
   On the perception that PDP’s strategy could be geared towards getting more votes from the north, Okechukwu insisted that the Bauchi governor may be speaking on behalf of those who underrate the political sophistication of the North and their abiding faith in equity, natural justice and good conscience.
 Arguing that the governor may have forgotten that a latent vote bank would be created in the South through a southern presidential candidate, the VON DG noted: “The north cannot be led by the nose by Governor Mohammed and his co-travellers. Have we forgotten how notable northern politicians like Alhajis Abubakar Rimi, Umaru Shinkafi, Adamu Ciroma, Dr Sola Saraki et al out of overriding public interest and uncommon patriotism constructed the zoning convention, which birthed the 4th Republic as the longest democratic era in the annals of Nigerian history?
   “I am confident that Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry how PDP nurtured Nigeria towards becoming the World Poverty Capital, gross unemployment and palpable insecurity by their squander mania and share-the-money syndrome which became its slogan.
     “Nigerians know that those monies PDP shared among themselves and their cronies were budgeted for critical infrastructure and social development of our dear countrymen. It is therefore ironical that the same PDP is struggling to washoff its hands like Pontus Pilate from squandering money budgeted for military equipment, roads, rails, education and healthcare.
    “Or do we forget the less than transparent sale of national assets and State owned Enterprises, where the sordid agreements like that of DISCOs are more or less tailored by tenant for the Federal Government, who is supposed to be the landlord.
    “The tenancy-tailored agreements had made it impossible to unbundle the none performing DISCOs and free Nigerians from the yoke. That is the darkness we cannot easily overcome. One flatly disagrees with those who say that APC and PDP are the same, because whereas our great party invested in critical infrastructure, PDP shared Nigeria’s money for temporary happiness.”

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I’m Happy Tibubu Has Confidence in Me Says Wike

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for publicly acknowledging his efforts and calling him “Mr Infrastructure.”

Speaking to State House correspondents after the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa, Wike described the President’s praise as a strong vote of confidence and a motivation to keep delivering results for residents of the FCT.

“I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me,” Wike said. “If your boss, in public, says you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”

The Minister, who has spearheaded a series of infrastructure and service delivery reforms across Abuja, said he remains committed to meeting the expectations of both the President and the people of the territory.

“For us, we’re happy to be identified in this administration, and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with,” he said. “So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done. That means he’s watching, and we will not disappoint him.”

When asked about the next wave of infrastructure projects expected as the Tinubu administration approaches its second anniversary, Wike confirmed that a fresh round of projects is already in the works.

“The committee is working,” he revealed. “You can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time.”

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2027: Shehu Sani Declares Interest In Kaduna Central Senatorial Seat

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The Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani has declared interest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Shehu Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna.

He said, “any politician who is going to contest election will be dependent on political equation which will determine what position is going to contest. I would say that if the conditions are rights and equations favourable, I will offer myself to contest but specifically on the central senatorial district”.

“If the people of Kaduna central want us to provide our own kind of leadership and representation at the NASS, you should expect me back to Senate in 2027”.

According to him, his ambition is secondary while that of re-electing governor Sani for second term is primary.

He reiterated that his priority is to see governor Uba Sani re-elected in 2027.

“For now, we want to see that incumbent governor, Uba Sani is re-elected. We are going to do it with all our mights and strengths, we know that they are going to be challenges and opposition but we are well prepared for all the forces”.

Shehu Sani however, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria during the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

Sani who also reacted to killing of hunters in Edo State condemned the act and urged security agencies to fish-out the perpetrators.

He said, “If any citizen of this country cannot move from one part of the country to another, then we are not a nation.

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“If someone will use one reason or another to take laws into his/her hand then it means there is no government or authority”.

He added that Nigerians who desire good for the country should work for peace and unity for the preservation of our democracy in the phase of challenges that is being experienced by our people, he said.

Sani however, called on government to save Nigeria, saying that there should be respect for fundamental rights and most importantly is respect to right to life, he added.

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SSAP-SDGs Felicitates with Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr, Calls for Unity and Sustainable Development

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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has extended heartfelt greetings to Muslims across Nigeria and beyond as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the successful conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement released in Abuja in her behalf by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, the SSAP-SDGs emphasized the significance of Eid-el-Fitr as a time for gratitude, reflection, and unity. She highlighted the values of compassion, generosity, and solidarity, which define the season and align with the principles of sustainable development.

“Eid-el-Fitr is not only a period of celebration but also a moment for renewed commitment to building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable society where no one is left behind. The teachings of Ramadan inspire us to uphold peace, unity, and selflessness. These are values that are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she stated.

Princess Orelope-Adefulire called on Nigerians to use the occasion to promote harmony, foster mutual understanding, and work together in addressing socio-economic challenges. She reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating progress on key SDGs targets, including poverty eradication, access to quality education, gender equality, and economic empowerment.

“As we mark this joyous occasion, let us remember those in need and extend kindness to the less privileged. Together, through collective action and a shared vision, we can advance sustainable development and create a better future for all,” she added.

The SSAP-SDGs concluded by wishing all Muslims a peaceful and blessed Eid celebration, urging them to continue embodying the virtues of Ramadan in their daily lives.

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