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Poll: Fayose, Mu’azu Bicker Over Jonathan’s Defeat
Ekiti State Governor has insisted that his call for the dissolution of the Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) was in good faith, and in the overall interest of the party, saying; “I have no apology on my position on the NWC because their responsibility as a party does not take away their failure in the last general elections.”
The governor, who also challenged the NWC to provide evidence of money released to him to prosecute the last elections, added that “only N30 million was received for the last two elections and to the glory of the Almighty God and support of Ekiti people, we won all elections out rightly. I therefore demand for the mode with which money was released to me by the NWC.”
In a release issued in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Governor Fayose reiterated his commitment to the PDP, pointing out that if it remained only him in the party, he would continue to defend its course.
“If it remains only me, I will continue to defend the course of this party because some people are born to stand up at difficult times, and I believe I am one such people born to stand up for the PDP at this difficult time,” he said.
Reiterating his call for the dissolution of the NWC, Governor Fayose said; “In saner climes, when a war commander leads his troupe to an embarrassing defeat, such commander does not need anyone to tell him that he needs to leave the war front for another commander to take over.”
While describing the attack on his person by the NWC as unfortunate, the governor said it was sad that the NWC members, especially the National Chairman were refusing to allow new people to manage the party after managing it into its first national electoral failure.
“How do we explain the PDP losing so scandalously in Bauchi State, despite the presence of the National Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Minister and the State governor?
“I am even more particular about the National Chairman because he sold the party to the opposition. I have cogent evidences of his unholy alliance with the opposition before the elections and if they go any further, I will expose all his underhand deals.
“I want to say it again that I have no apology for calling for the resignation of the NWC members, especially the National Chairman. After all, someone resigned his position as the National Chairman for Alhaji Mu’azu to assume office.
“Lastly, let me say it categorically that they can only attempt to destroy this party for the moment, not forever. Sooner or later, they will all fade away and PDP will rise again,” the governor said.
But in a swift reaction, former Bauchi State governor and National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has disclosed that he would have delivered his home state to President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 election if he had his way.
He regretted that he was handicapped as it was not him but the people that voted.
Disclosing this through his Twitter handle, yesterday, the embattled chairman accused those blaming him for the poor outing of the party during the election as “being economical with the truth” stressing that he did his best for the PDP.
According to him, “I gave my best and all to the campaign of Mr. President and the party. We went to every state in Nigeria to campaign; those who insinuate that I did not do my best for our great party and Mr. President during election are being economical with the truth.
“If I had my way, everyone in my state “Bauchi” would have voted for President Jonathan but it’s the people that vote not me, those who blame us for not delivering maximum votes to the president in the north seem to have forgotten that it’s the people who vote.
“The perception of President Jonathan and our party in the north was at an all-time low because of the lies that were told by politicians.” He said he never regretted supporting Jonathan and would gladly do so if given another opportunity.
“I have repeatedly reminded many that I, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu have been in the PDP since 1999 as a matter of principle and strong ideology; I will support President Jonathan again and again if the opportunity presents itself,” he said.
He continued in the Twitter message that “Some even ridicule and insult us that we betrayed President Jonathan. How can one betray himself? The APC has nothing to offer someone like me. I am too principled to betray my party. I have been here since 1999; the unity of Nigeria to me is greater than sectional or ethnic interests. I can never regret supporting our leader President Jonathan.
“I have always preached against ethnicity and tribalism and the voting pattern in the election was a concern to me personally, In the face of abuse, insult and open ridicule by our friends and brothers we supported our leader President Jonathan faithfully.
“Those who are busy pointing accusing fingers are yet to come to the realization of what has happened but we have gone beyond that, the unity of Nigeria to me is greater than sectional or ethnic interests. I can never regret supporting our leader President Jonathan,” the PDP National chairman tweeted.
A cross-section of civil servants, during the 2015 May Day celebration in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.