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Polaris Bank MD, Abiru, Set To Resign, As He Enters Race For Lagos East Senatorial Bye-Election

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Tokunbo Abiru, Man­aging Director/ Chief Executive Of­ficer (CEO), Polaris Bank, is set to resign his ap­pointment this week, Daily Independent has exclusively gathered.

Abiru, a former Commis­sioner for Finance in the state during Governor Baba­tunde Fashola’s second term, is also expected to announce his entrance into the race for Lagos East Senatorial Dis­trict bye-election which the Independent National Elec­toral Commission (INEC) has fixed for Saturday October 31, 2020.

A member of the Gover­nors Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos said Abiru, who has been nominated by the Lagos State chapter of the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC) as a replacement for the late Senator Bayo Osinowo, who represented Lagos East Sena­torial District until his death in June, will pick up the expression of interest and nomination forms during the week.

He also said the party has already set up the campaign committee of Abiru which will be formally announced to the public after he has picked and submitted his forms.

The campaign committee is headed by a former mem­ber of the Lagos State House of Assembly from Epe divi­sion.

Although a credible source in the bank said Abiru, had already made his intention to resign known to the board pending an approval from Godwin Emefiele, the Cen­tral Bank governor, another source in the bank who asked not to be named said it is not true that Abiru has resigned. He, however, remained silent on his senatorial ambition.

Efforts made to confirm the report from Rasheed Bolarinwa, the bank’s Head, Corporate Communications, proved abortive as he could not be reached.

Daily Independent had in its July 29 edition titled ‘La­gos East Bye-Election: APC Picks Abiru, Polaris Bank MD, As Osinowo’s Replace­ment’ reported that the bank chief is the choice of APC leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s na­tional leader for the vacant post.

However, Abiru in a state­ment denied the report, saying that while he holds the public service in high esteem, his time and energy at this time was primarily devoted towards building a world-class financial brand that will serve the interest of all stakeholders of the bank.

He further restated that he is working assiduously with his team to consolidate the bank’s stellar performance which resulted in a profit be­fore tax (PBT) of N27.8 billion in the 2019 financial year, be­ing its first year of operation.

Abiru acknowledged that having served as a former commissioner under the then leadership of Baba­tunde Fashola (SAN), it is not unexpected that such ru­mours and sentiments could sometimes spring up in some quarters.

He also advised the staff and customers of Polaris Bank as well as regulators, local and international stake­holders to disregard such sto­ries expressing his commit­ment to his current mandate in Polaris Bank.

In a related development, senatorial aspirants jostling for tickets of the APC in the forthcoming legislative bye-elections are to pick ex­pression of interest and nom­ination forms for N7 million each.

House of Assembly aspi­rants are to procure same forms for N850, 000 each while female and physically challenged aspirants are to pay 50 percent of the pre­scribed fees for each position.

These details were con­tained in APC’s time-table and schedule of activities for conduct of the 2020 con­current legislative bye-elec­tions across eight states at the weekend by the Director of Organisation, Professor Med­aner Ussiju Al-Mustapha in Abuja.

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ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent

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Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.

The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.

Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.

“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.

Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.

“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.

He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”

Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.

He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”

Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”

However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.

She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”

Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.

“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.

“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.

She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.

“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”

Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.

“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.

 

 

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Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term

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Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.

He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.

He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.

According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”

He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.

“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.

He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.

“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.

The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.

He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.

Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.

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Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party

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Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.

 

In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.

 

“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.

 

“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”

 

The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.

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