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2023: Tinubu’s Camp Speaks On Osinbajo’s Rumoured Presidential Ambition

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The Asiwaju Bola Tinubu presidential campaign has said it is not bothered by the rumoured presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Daily Trust had exclusively reported on Monday that Osinbajo had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition.

Osinbajo, who was Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Lagos State during the eight years’ reign of Tinubu as governor of the state, has not formally announced his intention to vie for the presidency but many groups have been promoting his candidature.

Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who reportedly nominated Osinbajo as Buhari’s running nominate in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, has since declared for the presidential race.

Political allies and support groups of Tinubu said the former Lagos State governor is not bothered by Osinbajo’s ambition.

The highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, the Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC), said Tinubu remains its choice.

GAC endorses Tinubu

Leader of the GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said the council has endorsed Tinubu as well as recommended him to Nigerians as a genius in statecraft.

He said there is no evidence that Osinbajo is running, adding that his ambition has remained a rumour.

“I have not seen any conclusive evidence that Osinbajo is running. There are only rumours that the vice president wants to declare. Has he made any categorical pronouncement about his ambition?

“For instance, former VP Atiku has declared, visited former President Obasanjo and told the world that he is running. Others have made similar declarations but as of now, has the VP made such declaration?” he queried.

Olusi, who maintained that a good relationship exists between Asiwaju and Osinbajo, opined that it will be wise to exercise caution as the VP has not declared his intention to run.

The National Coordinator of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye, said the group is committed to its purpose of promoting the presidential ambition of Tinubu and cannot be distracted by any other declaration.

He, however, said the group will not comment on rumour or speculation.

“We will comment when he declares,” he said.

Tinubu Support Group (TSG) led by a member of the national assembly, Hon. James Faleke, said the acceptability of Asiwaju by political and traditional rulers in the South West has shown that he is the preferred candidate of the region, stressing that anyone contesting against him will be doing so against the wish of the people.

A grassroots politician and social commentator, Malam Ahmed Jaji, who said Osinbajo has the right to contest, expressed worry that such action will not speak well of the unity of the South West

The former Executive Secretary of Ojodu Local Council Development Area added that Osinbajo’s political antecedents can be traced to Tinubu.

“If he chose to contest for the APC ticket, it could lead to votes from the region being divided. Another person with bloc votes can take advantage of this,” he said.

Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, who maintained that the party is committed to Tinubu’s ambition, rubbished reports that some members of the party in the state are clamouring for Osinbajo to be given its 2023 presidential ticket.

“Lagos APC is aware of Asiwaju’s ambition. The other is in the realm of rumour-mongering and speculation, so there is no way our members will declare support for rumour,” he added.

‘Give it to Osinbajo’

Daily Trust reports that some card-carrying members of Lagos APC, last week, urged the party to give its presidential ticket to Osinbajo.

The members, who spoke during a political rally organised by the Osinbajo Global Movement at Ilupeju in Lagos, said the VP is the most suitable aspirant to fly the flag of the party in 2023.

The members, who displayed their APC membership cards during the rally, said Osinbajo performed excellently when he was acting president and that the former Attorney General of Lagos State, understands the pains of ordinary Nigerians.

A retiree and Lagos State Coordinator of Osinbajo Global Movement, Akinyemi Omoniyi, refuted reports that APC members in the state have been asked not to support the aspiration of the vice president.

“Lagos State is for Osinbajo. We know him and he knows us. Nobody can force us to submit our membership cards or sack any member supporting Osinbajo from government job,” he said.

The Diaspora coordinator of the movement, Dayo Akintobi, said it is no longer up to Osinbajo to decide either to run or not as there is growing support for his aspiration.

“It is no longer up to him to decide whether he is going to run or not. There is a groundswell of support, of encouragement and of hunger for his leadership.

“Morally, he cannot turn his back on the masses beckoning on him to run,” he said.

The Director of Operation of the movement, Princess Temi Okesanjo, said the vice president is the best suited to lead Nigeria at this crucial time, stressing that his antecedents speak loudly for him since he entered public service in 1999.

Contacted, a member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Lado Suleja, said he did not see Osinbajo’s entry into the presidential race as a big deal, insisting that Tinubu is the preferred person to succeed Buhari.

“Osinbajo is a Nigerian and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given him the right to contest any position of his wish as long as he possesses the requirements.

“To me, I don’t think it’s a big deal despite the fact that we know the relationship between Tinubu and Osinbajo; it’s not going to be a kind of crisis or a fight between the two camps.

“But my take here is we are with Asiwaju and to us, he is the most preferred candidate to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari looking at his contributions and commitment towards the emergence of this government and this administration,” he told this reporter.

First published in the Daily Trust

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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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