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TINUBU VS AMOSUN: BATTLE FOR MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTHWEST POLITICIAN BEGINS
The colour of the politics of Southwest appears to be gradually changing as realignments seems to be the order of the day, not just at the zonal level but also at the centre.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no doubt occupied the enviable position of the most powerful politician in the Southwest. He got to the Zenith of politics in the zone, not by accident but by dint of hardwork, strategies that worked and a near perfect ability to identify and attract talents.
It is instructive to note that most of the frontline politicians in the geopolitical zone today – governors, senators and a whole lot of others got to where they are directly or indirectly thorough the influence Asiwaju Tinubu.
It is to the APC National Leader’s credit that the team he put to together between 1999-2007, has produced a vice president, governors, ministers, federal lawmakers and heads of federal government agencies. Beyond the class of 1999-2007, several others have joined the team and have their luck and Tinubu to thank.
However recent happenings at the centre, to many Nigerians, are beginning to change the texture of the politics of the Southwest via appointments and relevance, as another kingpin seems to be rising steadily.
The sack, this week, of the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler and the Chairman of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, MuizBanire, jolted many, as the duo are believed to core loyalists of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
MuizBanire served as a commissioner for eight years under Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State while Fowler was appointed the Chairman of the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) by him.
A new wonder kid and potential kingmaker seems to be lurking around the corner and ready to wrestle the position of the numerouno of Southwest politics with the former Lagos State Governor, Tinubu.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun, though also a beneficiary of Tinubu’s Midas touch, is no doubt currently building his own empire, curiously at the expense of Tinubu, taking advantage of his famed closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari, dating back to their days at the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.
While the number of Tinubu’s loyalists holding federal appointments are beginning to dwindle, Amosun keeps increasing his, some filling quotas left behind by the Tinubu camp.
Just days after the sack of Fowler, President Buhari on Thursday appointed a former Special Adviser to Amosun on Rural Development, Adewale Ogunyomade to the new board of FIRS.
The appointment of Ogunyomade increases Amosun’s tally to five in last six months.
Before Ogunyomade, a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Amosun, Olamilekan Adegbite, was named as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
Also, Amosun’s former commissioner for Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Adeleke Adewolu, was appointed as the executive commissioner, Stakeholder Engagement, at the Nigerian Communications Commission. A position Sunday Dare, a former aide to Tinubu, left to be Minister for Youths and Sports Development.
Not done, Amosun’s former commissioner for Agriculture and Urban and Physical Planning, MrsRonkeSokefun, got the chairmanship position of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC. This came at the expense of Chief Bode Mustapha, who had already been screened for the position by the National Assembly, a testimony to Amosun’s closeness to Buhari.
The current Postmaster-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Postal Services, Bisi Adegbuyi, is also a product of the growing clan of Amosun’s camp, a camp that may unsettle current political calculations, especially as agitations for the 2023 presidency hots up.
Source: Prestige Newspaper.
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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