Politics
Shagari’s Aide Advocates Developmental Politics
Alhaji Ishyaku Ibrahim, a personal assistant and close associate of late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has enjoined Nigerians to practise developmental politics and concentrate on tapping the country’s resources.
Ibrahim made the appeal on Tuesday in Sokoto during a condolence visit to the family of late Shagari.
He described Shagari as a humble, generous and an amiable leader that meant well for Nigeria and the world at large.
He said 90 per cent of the country’’s mineral resources remained untapped and cautioned Nigerians against religious and tribal sentiments which retarded the country’s progress.
The former president’s associate said Shagari along with other first generation politicians were committed to nation building and practice politics free of bitterness and selfish interests.
He said Shagari had never planned to become Nigeria’s president as he only aspired to become a Senator.
“However, by Allah’s wish, people saw his good leadership qualities and pressurised him before he agreed to contest,’’ said the aide.
He noted that many political tricks were played then, stressing that he led people from Plateau State to approach Shagari to ran for the presidency before others followed during the 10 northern states convention which produced Shagari as candidate.
According to him, Shagari had never been greedy as he shun many corrupt advances when he was minister and other responsibilities he held.
He noted that till his dead no group or individual have accused him of any wrong doing, adding different testimonies by people after his death have proven his good qualities.
Ibrahim said he first met Shagari in 1967 as a student in Paris, because the then Ambassador attached him to cover Shagari’s visit and since then he had interacting with Shagari.
He said the late former president played a key role in the development of Nigeria and the democratic system.
“A distinct habit of the late former President, which only those who interacted with him will tell is, he was a very simple and humble man in spite of the various positions he held.
“He is being referred as `Mr Clean’ by many security personnel and others, a man that possessed a very clean and good heart which he showed clearly in his life time through various engagements and activities.
Ibrahim therefore called on Nigerians especially youths to imbibe the good habit of forgiveness, simplicity and integrity of the deceased.
He said late Shagari should not be mourned, but be celebrated as a truthful person, honest and sincere leader who was a good nationalist.
“Shagari is a true associate, his life is embodiment of truths to celebrate. If we learn lessons from his habits of forgiveness and tolerance, Nigeria will be a good country.”
He further recalled that he was instrumental to Shagari’s “President Rice Policy” where rice was imported from the U.S., a programme that impacted positively on the lives of Nigerians irrespective of position, political or religious background.
Responding, the eldest son of Shagari, Rtd. Cpt. Bala Shagari, described Ibrahim as an insider and a kitchen cabinet member of their late father who contributed to his (Shagari) success in life.
While collaborating that their father had no intention to contest for presidency but people pressured him and coincided that Shagari listened to a radio programme in which an Islamic scholar preached good leadership.
According to him, late Shagari accepted to contest when he heard that the wrath of Allah would befall whosoever was approached for leadership position and declined.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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