Politics
APC Chieftain Warns Buhari Over 2019
Deputy Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), Comrade Timi Frank has warned President Muhammadu Buhari that the claim by some politicians for him to re-contest would amount to disservice to some other Nigerians who truly love him and not the likes of the cabals.
In a statement released in Abuja last Saturday, Comrade Frank who was reacting to the position of Governor El-rufai over comments attributed to the Women Affairs Minister, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, declared that what Madam Taraba said was out of conscience, honesty and not disrespect for President Buhari, saying the woman did not mean any harm.
“The President knows people who are truly his own and when people are talking of loyalty, El-rufai should keep quiet because he is not known to be one,” Comrade Frank said.
On the claim by Mr. El-rufai that his group was asking President Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, Timi Frank said that the Kaduna state governor does not have electoral value and credibility to force the President in 2019, adding that “Buhari is in best position to take such decision by himself.”
While suspecting the sudden love of President Buhari by governor El-rufai, Comrade Frank revealed that the latter was doing all that to blackmail the President into his endorsement, in case Buhari does not seek re-election in 2019.
The APC chieftain reminded the President that “when Nigerians were busy praying for safe return of Mr. President from his medical leave to London some months back, it was alleged that the likes of El-rufai were busy scheming on how to become the Vice President.”
According to Frank, “El-rufai is known to singing sycophantic praises whoever is in government. He did it to former President Olusegun Obasenjo and later abandoned him. He did it to Alhaji Atiku, who brought him to the limelight, and again turned to his enemy. He has even repeated this same act against President Muhammadu Buhari, who El-rufai said that he would never become President. The record is there for everybody to see. He will do it again once Buhari leaves government.
“May be, El-rufai was expecting Mama Taraba to become selfish, self-centered, arrogant and turn Judas like him, and turn her back against Atiku Abubakar who will always stand by her again and again politically,” he said.
On the statement credited to the former Vice President which is generating reactions, Frank urged the President to look at the comments and the good intention of Waziri Adamawa as one meant to add value to his government and not otherwise.
Frank also recalled that the same El-rufai had late last year written a lengthy lamentation letter to the President which was later made public.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
-
Business3 days agoKeyamo Lists Aviation Investment Opportunities For Investors
-
Rivers3 days ago
New Year Festival: Dokubo Urges Citizens’ Reorientation In Cultural Values
-
Politics3 days ago
UK, Switzerland Urge Increased Women’s Rep In Governance
-
Sports3 days ago
Corruption, Impunity Bane Of Nigerian Football – Dalung
-
Sports3 days ago
Insurance Beat Pillars In A Dramatic Way
-
Ict/Telecom3 days ago
Expert Tasks Nigerians On AI
-
Business3 days agoVDM, Mr Jollof’ll Face The Law – NCAA
-
Rivers3 days ago
Navy Targets Training Reforms To Boost Maritime Operations