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2023: Don’t contest, age not on your side – Ohanaeze chieftain tells Tinubu, Atiku, Osinbajo

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Chuks Ibegbu, a former National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should not run for President in 2023.

Ibegbu said Tinubu and Atiku should drop their ambition due to their age.

Speaking exclusively with DAILY POST, Ibegbu said Atiku, Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should pick a credible presidential candidate from the Southeast.

He noted that the rigorous nature of the Presidency wouldn’t allow the likes of Tinubu and Atiku to perform optimally at their age.

Ibegbu’s comment is coming when Tinubu disclosed that he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to run for the presidency in 2023.

However, Ibegbu said: “I’m surprised that people like Tinubu have the audacity to come out, and I’m amazed that our Vice President, whom I see as a man of God, is also aspiring.

“The other time the President complained that age is telling on him, that if he works for some hours, he becomes exhausted. Should a very complex nation like Nigeria be ruled by such people that age is not on their side? Nigeria is a very complex nation, and this country can give a young man a headache.

“Age is a factor in ruling a complex nation like Nigeria because you will be thinking of so many things, you will be thinking of your family, constituency, the entire country with more than 300 ethnic nationalities, you are thinking about international issues, the economy. Look at Obama; within one year, he grew gray hair.

“The Presidency we need should be a young, dynamic person with the energy to move around. Look at Buhari with all the killings in his State; he can’t move around because age is not on his side. He may be mentally sound, but he’s physically comatose.

“Tinubu did his bit in Lagos when he was governor; he was vibrant then, but age is not on his side now. Tinubu is almost 90 years old now; forget about what he is saying about his age. He should be about 80 something but claiming to be 60 something. Age is not on his side now.

“So, why can’t they stay behind and advise younger people from the Southeast? I’m challenging Tinubu and Atiku to sit together and help to look for a credible presidential candidate from the Southeast, whether in APC, PDP, or APGA. Both of them should have a meeting with Osinbajo to help look for a credible, nice young candidate from the Southeast.

“Atiku has a lot of financial war chests that he can use to support these people; let him bring out the money and support somebody who will make Nigeria a better place. If they don’t become President, they won’t die. Awolowo would have been the best President we ever had if things had gone well, he handled Western Nigeria very well, and he should have handled the country very well.

“My advice to Tinubu and Atiku is to help midwife a young visionary and dynamic person from the Southeast to succeed Buhari. Age is a factor in ruling a diverse nation like Nigeria; how can you be around 80 or 90 years and you are trying to be President? What will you tell your God when you die?”

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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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