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NASS Leadership: Three Zones Intensify Battle For Speakership

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The battle to head the incoming House of Representatives has commenced in full force as lawmakers are now meeting to navigate the thorny journey.

Lawmakers from different geopolitical zones have been meeting to mobilize both the old and the new members to give them momentum.

The race appears to be favouring the Northcentral, Northwest and Southeast because the president-elect, Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima are from the Southwest and Northeast, respectively.

Also, religion will have an impact on this election because both Tinubu and Shettima are Muslims, hence, there will be a need for balance. The religious balance could happen in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

Also, unlike the incumbent president that has been very aloof in leadership tussle in his party, many believe that the president-elect is a different breed of politician. Several politicians have been trying to show that they have the nod of Tinubu.

However, with the history of rebellion in the House, the ruling party is in a tight spot. APC currently has 162 members, while the PDP has 102 members.

It would be recalled that rebellion in the House produced the leadership in 2011 and 2015. Without a clear majority, the APC may face another round of rebellion.

Here are some of the lawmakers in the battle for Gbajabiamila’s job.

Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (Plateau, Northcentral)

Deputy Speaker Wase is expected to announce his bid for the seat in a few days as he is waiting for an announcement by the ruling party.

Wase has been with Gbajabiamila for a long time since he was appointed as deputy Majority Leader to Gbajabiamila in 2018. They did a joint ticket in 2019. In addition, he has been with the ACN since 2007.

However, Wase’s temperament is a major factor. As the deputy speaker, he has had open confrontations with several lawmakers.

He will have to battle another Plateau lawmaker in this race.

Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau Northcentral)

The former Plateau State House of Assembly member is also a strong contender in the race.

He is yet to officially declare, but DAILY POST learnt he has been meeting with journalists and others ahead of any decision by the party.

Gagdi’s relationship with Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, who served as the Director General of the Tinubu Campaign Organization may count for him.

Also, Gagdi is equally close to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He is also dogged by temperament issues, as he has had one or two face-off with other members in the current assembly.

Alhassan Doguwa

Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives has never hidden his desire to become the Speaker.

However, Doguwa is currently in a trouble that is bigger than chasing the speakership. He is facing trial over the alleged killing of some persons during a confrontation between APC and NNPP supporters in the February presidential and National Assembly elections.

Even his election has been declared inconclusive. Ordinarily, Doguwa would have gotten the backing of 23 other lawmakers from Kano, however, 17 of them are members of the NNPP.

Ben Kalu

In the event that the Senate Presidency is moved away from the south, Kalu, one of the few lawmakers from the Southeast, will be in a good position.

Although, his leader, Orji Kalu is running to be Senate President, however, with strong contenders from Northwest, the Speakership may become some sort of compensation to Kalu.

Muktar Betara

The Chairman House Committee on Appropriation is another contender. The media shy Betara is believed to be involved in serious deliberation.

However, he is from Borno State, the same state as Shettima, the Vice President-elect.

Although, in 2019, Gbajabiamila emerged as Speaker despite being from the same region as Yemi Osinbajo.

In a few weeks, the picture will become clearer, especially when the APC releases its zoning arrangement.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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