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Trump makes first cabinet pick, eyes Putin talks
US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday made his first cabinet appointment after his decisive election win, while signalling his intent to ditch the outgoing administration’s policies by talking to Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s campaign manger Susie Wiles will serve as his White House chief of staff, the first woman to be named to the high-profile role and the Republican’s first appointment to his incoming administration.
Trump’s crushing defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris is already shaking up US and world politics, just two days after Election Day and two-and-a-half months before he returns to the White House.
Putin, the Russian president, hailed Trump as “courageous” for the way he handled himself following an assassination attempt at a rally in July, and said he was “ready” to hold discussions with him.
Billionaire Trump later told NBC News that he had not talked to Putin, the authoritarian leader whom he has repeatedly praised over the years, since his victory but “I think we’ll speak.”
It marked a seismic shift from the icy silence that has existed between Biden and Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and underscored Trump’s criticism of US support for Kyiv.
The president-elect has previously said he would push through a peace deal in that conflict — but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke to Trump on Wednesday, said calls for a ceasefire were “dangerous.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier joined the list of foreign leaders congratulating Trump, who was criticized by Harris during the election campaign for being too friendly with autocrats.
Trump doubled down on his plans for mass deportations of undocumented migrants, telling NBC he had “no choice” and that there could be “no price tag” that was too much.
– ‘Orderly’ –
As Trump began to work at his Florida resort on his transition team, Biden pledged a peaceful and “orderly” transfer of power.
Biden, 81, urged Americans in a solemn televised address to “bring down the temperature,” in stark contrast to Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 election defeat.
The Democrat has invited Trump for talks at the White House. But Biden’s spokeswoman said Trump’s team had not yet signed key documents allowing the legal transition process to start.
In his speech from the Rose Garden of the White House, Biden called for unity while urging Democrats not to lose hope, saying: “Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated.”
Yet finger-pointing has already erupted in the party over Biden’s initial decision to run for a second term despite his age, before dropping out at the last minute in July and handing the reins to Harris, his vice president.
The White House denied Biden had any regrets. “He believed it was the right decision to make at that time,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Trump’s election in the face of a criminal conviction for fraud, two impeachments and the fact that he is the oldest-ever elected president at 78 reflected voters’ desire for change from the Biden years.
Voter concerns over the economy and migration drove Trump’s victory.
AFP
National
Insecurity: APC Forum Accuses Governor Dauda Of Failing to Protect Citizens Amid Party’s Abductions
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of five party chieftains by armed bandits, accusing Governor Dauda Lawal of failing in his responsibility to protect citizens.
The kidnapped individuals, all from Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, were reportedly taken on Saturday while travelling to the Marafa area of the state.
The abductees include Yahaya Sani Dogon Kade, chairman of Dan Isah ward, Bello Dealer, chairman of Sakajiki ward, and three others whose names have not yet been released.
In a statement on Monday, its spokesperson Muhammed Ismaila Kaura criticised the governor’s handling of security in the state.
“As the chief security officer of the state, Governor Dauda Lawal bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” Kaura said.
“Unfortunately, he has failed to live up to this duty. This is not the time for excuses, blame games, or empty rhetoric. It is a time for decisive action.”
The party called for immediate and effective measures to secure the release of its members and to tackle the growing wave of banditry in the state.
“The people of Zamfara are tired of living in fear. We are tired of leaders who offer nothing but excuses while our brothers and sisters are being kidnapped, killed, and displaced. The time for action is now,” Kaura added.
The APC also urged security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators and ensuring justice for the victims.
“This reprehensible act is not only an assault on the affected individuals and their families but also a direct attack on the peace and stability of our dear state,” the statement continued.
The forum reaffirmed its solidarity with the families of the abducted persons and vowed to continue pressing for their safe return.
“To the criminals behind this heinous act, let it be clear: Zamfara State belongs to its people, not to bandits. Your reign of terror must come to an end. And to the Governor, we say: act now, or history will remember you as a leader who failed his people in their time of greatest need.”
There has been no official response from the state government regarding the abductions. However, insecurity has remained a pressing issue in Zamfara, with frequent attacks by armed groups targeting both civilians and public officials under Governor Dauda lawal
In a dramatic turn of events, Mojisola Meranda has stepped down as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, ending her short-lived leadership tenure.
The lawmaker, who represents Apapa Constituency I, made the announcement on Monday, coinciding with her re-election as Deputy Speaker by fellow legislators.
Her leadership was marked by a tense political climate, but lawmakers commended her for maintaining stability and fostering peace within the Assembly. Additionally, her decision to step down was seen as an act of discipline and adherence to the principles of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meranda’s resignation came after a reported closed-door meeting with influential APC leaders in Lagos, aimed at resolving the prolonged leadership crisis that had disrupted Assembly proceedings.
The crisis intensified on 13th January 2025, when lawmakers ousted Mudashiru Obasa, the representative of Agege Constituency I, from his position as Speaker.
Obasa was removed from office by more than two-thirds of the 40-member Assembly, with allegations of misconduct and administrative irregularities levelled against him. In the wake of his removal, Meranda was elected as Speaker, making history as the first female to lead the legislative body in the South-West region.
Despite being removed, Obasa refused to accept his dismissal, insisting that due process had not been followed. He challenged the legitimacy of the impeachment, citing the use of security forces during the process and arguing that he had been unfairly removed in his absence while travelling outside Nigeria.
The controversy deepened when 36 lawmakers, aligned with Meranda, stood firm in their decision, affirming that Obasa’s removal was final and that she remained the rightful Speaker. The standoff created heightened tensions within the Assembly, leading to an indefinite adjournment of legislative sessions on 17th February 2025.
The crisis escalated further when security personnel clashed with Assembly staff over control of the complex. Emotions ran high as lawmakers loyal to Meranda expressed their frustration over attempts to reinstate Obasa. In response, they passed a strong vote of confidence in her leadership, reinforcing their stance against his return.
However, Obasa re-emerged at the Assembly Complex on 27th February 2025, escorted by a heavy security detail. His return marked his first physical presence in the chambers since his impeachment, sending shockwaves through the political landscape. His insistence that he was still the Speaker reignited opposition from his colleagues, who maintained their support for Meranda and rejected his claims to the leadership position.
With Meranda stepping down and Obasa continuing to challenge his impeachment, the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly remains in limbo.
Political analysts suggest that further negotiations within the APC may determine the final outcome of the power struggle.
Whether the lawmakers will rally behind a single leader or remain divided along political lines remains to be seen.
Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
Details later…