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El-Rufai, Amaechi, Others Attempt To Regroup After Losing Political Standing – Masari
Aminu Bello Masari, the former Governor of Katsina, has claimed that his former colleagues, Malam Nasir El-Rufai from Kaduna and Rotimi Amaechi from Rivers, have lost their political significance, which is prompting them to regroup.
Masari confidently forecasted their impending failure ahead of the 2027 general election, asserting that Nigeria currently lacks a credible alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
These remarks were made on Sunday in Kafur, Katsina State, during the launch of the campaign for the upcoming council elections set for 15th February.
As a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Masari dismissed the notion of politicians forming alliances to challenge the ruling APC, characterising it merely as the regrouping of those who have fallen out of favour within the party.
“The chatter on social media about politicians collaborating for a merger is simply the gathering of individuals who have lost political favour within the APC regarding appointments or patronage,” Masari asserted.
He also voiced concerns that such distractions could divert the APC’s focus from developing and implementing initiatives aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by the common man.
As a founding member of the APC, Masari reaffirmed his dedication to the party’s principles. “I am committed to the APC today, tomorrow, and always, as I am not in the party for any political position or appointment,” he stated.
El-Rufai and Amaechi, both former governors and ministers, recently made headlines by criticising the ruling party at a conference aimed at strengthening democracy in Nigeria. El-Rufai pointed out that the ruling APC has strayed from its foundational principles and is promoting inadequate leadership. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning individuals as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we witness today,” he remarked.
Amaechi further claimed that President Tinubu and the political elite would not willingly relinquish power to the younger generation without a struggle.
In response, the presidency has labelled the opposition politicians’ comments as “distractive” and “Machiavellian.”
In a statement shared on social media, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, indicated that the remarks were intended to incite political tension while the President was on official duty in Tanzania addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.
“While the President was seeking solutions to Nigeria’s energy issues in Dar es Salaam, some ‘wannabes’ were stirring up discord,” Dare posted on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD.
He characterised a recent political meeting as an attempt to foment hostility, accusing its attendees of engaging in undemocratic rhetoric. “As expected, it was a gathering convened to spread ill-will. Nothing new emerged from this meeting that differs from the usual opposition narrative,” Dare stated.
The adviser encouraged Nigerians to scrutinise the records of these “political gladiators” and make informed decisions between “political hecklers and true progressives.”
Despite the political distractions, Dare underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering on his electoral promises. “The only conversation he wishes to focus on now is how to enhance the lives of Nigerian citizens and engage in constructive discussions about building a resilient economy,” he remarked.
He further described the opposition’s criticisms as premature, considering that the next general election is still two years away. “This is 2025, not 2027. Those wishing to test their popularity with Nigerians should wait for the next election,” Dare added.
In dismissing worries over the opposition’s remarks, Dare reassured citizens that the President remains “undistracted and unperturbed,” highlighting Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to democratic governance.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has declared that the injustice against her “will not be sustained” following her suspension from the Senate.
She made the statement on Thursday while reacting to the decision of the upper chamber of the National Assembly to suspend her for six months.
She said, “This injustice will not be sustained”, before being escorted out of the chambers.
ELANZANEWS reports that on February 20, Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate on the floor of the upper legislative chamber over a change in seating arrangements.
Days later, during an interview on Arise News, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.
She submitted a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.
However, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions rejected the petition, citing breaches of due process and Senate rules.
During plenary on Thursday, the Kogi lawmaker resubmitted her petition against the Senate President.
However, the Senate’s Ethics Committee recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension for six months for engaging the Senate President in a heated debate over seating arrangements.
Israel is stepping up security measures ahead of the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Jerusalem due to concerns over violence, the police said on Thursday.
Around 3,000 security forces personnel would be deployed to ensure safety at the traditional prayer on the Temple Mount.
It is known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem’s Old City, proceeds in an orderly manner, they said.
According to media reports, the number of Muslim worshippers is to be limited to 10,000.
Temple Mount, with the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, is regarded as Islam’s third holiest site.
The remnants of the Temple on the site, known as the Western Wall, are considered the holiest site in Judaism.
The site is under Muslim administration, while Israel is responsible for its security.
In the past, there has been increased tension and violence in Jerusalem during Ramadan.
The situation was particularly tense this year due to the Gaza war and Israeli military operations, as well as settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas has called for confrontations in the city during Ramadan.
(NAN)
Nigeria has commenced the Stakeholders’ Consultation in preparation for the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The regional consultation for Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) across the six geopolitical zones was launched in the South West zone, with Lagos State hosting the session.
Held under the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind,” the consultation brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states.
This was contained in a statement issued to the media by the SA Media, OSSAP-SDG, Desmond Utomwen.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated that the consultation aims to review Nigeria’s 2024 SDGs progress report. She highlighted key areas of focus, including institutional frameworks, progress on the 17 SDGs, lessons learned, implementation challenges, and key recommendations.
Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by her Senior Technical Adviser, Dr Bala Yunusa, referenced the Sustainable Development Goals Report (2024), which identified a global lack of progress towards the SDGs, with only 17 percent of targets currently on track. She stressed the need for renewed commitment and transformative actions to accelerate progress towards achieving the goals.
She noted:
“To date, 366 VNRs have been conducted and presented by 191 countries, with 138 countries having conducted more than one VNR. Nigeria has previously presented two VNRs, in 2017 and 2020. This year, Nigeria will present its third VNR alongside 38 other countries.Conceptually, the VNRs are most useful when conducted through an inclusive, broad-based, and participatory process. This is why we are here—to consult widely with key stakeholders across all segments of society.”
She further explained that following the Lagos launch, consultations would be held in Uyo (South South), Enugu (South East), Gombe (North East), Kaduna (North West), and Abuja (North Central), culminating in a National Validation event in Abuja.
Orelope-Adefulire highlighted that since 2016, Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) (2017-2020), the Economic Sustainability Plan (2020), the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (2021), and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) have all been aligned with the SDGs. She emphasised that these goals are also embedded in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, stated that the review is aimed at advancing collective actions to improve Nigeria’s ranking among the top performers in the global SDG framework.
She noted that Lagos State has consistently driven SDG implementation efforts, leveraging evidence-based decision-making to enhance impact.
“The Lagos State Voluntary Local Review (VLR) conducted in 2023 stands as a testament to this commitment, providing periodic assessments of our progress and significantly influencing policies and decisions under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The state’s policies are now more aligned with international development targets, with improved resource allocation, increased inter-agency collaboration, and enhanced participatory governance achieved through the VLR exercise.”
She added that Lagos remains a beacon of subnational leadership in SDG localisation, fostering strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. She described the VNR as a crucial mechanism for SDG implementation, enabling both national and subnational governments to periodically assess progress, identify gaps, strengthen accountability, and promote scalable innovations.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on SDGs and Water Resources, Mrs Damilola Otubanjo, underscored the significance of the VNR in ensuring full implementation of the SDGs. She emphasised that the process must represent the interests of all Nigerians, as it highlights key challenges and outlines pathways for Nigeria’s global positioning in sustainable development.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Actualisation of SDGs at Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Tayo Ajayi, noted that since the United Nations launched the SDGs in 2015, Nigeria has mainstreamed them at the national level, with Lagos State playing a pivotal role.
Ajayi stated that since its establishment in 2022, the centre has organised two international conferences on SDG implementation, launched the LASU SDGs Youth Club with over 3,500 members, and is now advancing its efforts through the LASU Sustainability Policy to further institutionalize the SDGs within the university.