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When The Going Was Going Good

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Bola Ahmad Tinubu

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

The popular phrase is, When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. The ambition of the phrase is that when there are problems, strong people work hard to solve them, or, when the situation gets critical, those who aren’t weak in will, work harder and never give up. The proverb is attributed to Joseph P. Kennedy, the father of former US President, John F. Kennedy.

Someone somewhere wrote something similar and supportive, but with a sarcastic intention, thus, when the going goes good, the goodies get going. The advanced interpretation of the phrase could carry a cynical query, that would ask, what was being done when the going was going good, and the goodies were going round?

This article intends to juxtapose the position of both phrases with the political situation of the APC, with respect to the issue of return on political investment, as they stand on the fate of Asiwaju, chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaba of Borgu.

Tinubu’s Tender And The Ordeal Of Osinbajo

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To say that Tinubu had contributed in the political development of Nigeria, especially in entrenching and ensuring the distribution of good democratic dividends is an understatement. But is there a price, if yes, has it been paid?

Perhaps the answer would come when we know what was done when the going was going good.

Political scientists say political risk assessment helps political investors understand the political environment of the country, in order for them to know the kind of return or returns they would reap from their investments.

Has Tinubu made that risk assessment before his investment, and is there, or was there any goodies he got when the going was good?

Yes, as things stand, the going may not be too good for Tinubu, as far as his life long political ambition is concerned, because feelers from everywhere, are suggesting he may not get the presidential ticket of the APC, a thing that has made him to start the outburst of anger.

Speaking recently in Abeokuta, while addressing the APC delegates ahead of the party’s primaries, Tinubu said, “If not me that led the war front, Buhari wouldn’t have emerged. He contested first, second and third times, but lost. He even said on television that he won’t contest again. But I went to his home in Katsina. I told him you would contest and win, but you won’t joke with the matters of the Yoruba. Since he has emerged, I have not been appointed minister. I didn’t get contract. This time, it’s Yoruba turn and in Yorubaland, it’s my tenure.”

Tinubu also categorically said he nominated Prof Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari’s running mate.

Things must be bad now, but were there any goodies, when the going was going good?

On the same occasion, with the anger that portrayed the emotion of a man feeling betrayed, Tinubu again lashed at the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, for openly endorsing the presidential aspiration of Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo. He said Dapo Abiodun is an ingrate, and that without God and him, Abiodun would not have emerged in 2019 election as Ogun Governor.

So when the good was good, Tinubu was given the powers to single-handedly select who becomes the Vice President, the Governor, and perhaps other undisclosed lucrative positions.

In what seems like a response to the Jagaba, my friend and colleague, Sham Faliya Sharon, wrote and I quote:

“IN ANY CASE, DIDN’T BUHARI OVER-COMPENSATE YOU? Kano, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Adamawa, Yobe, Niger and Kaduna states that brought the lion votes are yet to have any completed railway project or any major infrastructure by President Muhammadu Buhari. But your Southwest region that brought a total vote less than what Bauchi State alone brought now has several railway projects, roads and other infrastructure completed! How about key appointments? You have the VP, Minister of Works and Housing, SDGs, Speaker of the House of Reps, and many other top jobs that determine key projects. Are they a loss to you? If all those who worked for the emergence of Buhari as President in 2015 are to have this overrated sense of entitle-mentalism, and are to also demand special attention and preference over others, then shouldn’t we be on our knees begging people like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to come back to the fold? Actually, I can also personally make my own boast, because I know what I did on newspaper pages for several months, to sway a lot of minds and opinions in favour of Buhari. And I know many others who did the same. So? Only God Almighty gives power. Let’s not sink the APC because of some overrated ego or some over-expectations”.

I don’t know if Tinubu has gotten the desired returns he wanted, but I know politics is like the game of Ludo, if you don’t get the throw you want, you must make use of the throw you get, to win the game.

I know because of Tinubu, a new nomenclature was introduced in the organogram of the APC hierarchy, with the title of, the National Party Leader. This title couldn’t be like the inconsequential title given to me from the University, of Mr. President. Unlike my unimportant title of Mr. President, which doesn’t accord me any privilege even at a Bukka, the Jagaba’s National Leader title opens every door on the corridor of power.

I read somewhere that, Buhari, through the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, awarded a contract to a private firm, REMITA, which is the acronym for Remi Tinubu and Ahmed, as consultants for the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), at 1% commission. REMITTA has collected over N2.5 trillion last year alone, through E-Collections, and on the average, it smiles to the bank with an average of N25 million daily.

N25 million daily? With that kind of goodies, some people can change their religion.

I am an ardent supporter of Tinubu, but I think he needs to borrow a leaf from the saying of Lionel Messi, that, “Sometimes you have to accept you cant win all the time.

Politics

200,000 APC Members in Kano Dismiss Allegations Against Ministerial Nominee Yusuf Abdullah Atta as Baseless

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Over 200,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have dismissed allegations of incompetence against the ministerial nominee, retired Hon. Yusuf Abdullah Atta, as baseless. Some APC members in Kano believe the allegations stem from personal grudges held by a few individuals who are not legitimate members of the party.

In a statement, Mustapha Gidan Magani, the secretary of APC Kwaciri Ward, on behalf of the entire executive committee of APC Fagge Local Government Area, rejected the allegations of anti-party activities during the 2023 general election. The executives argued that those intending to submit a petition to the Senate, claiming to represent 50,000 APC members, have no legal standing to make such claims.

The APC executives from Fagge Local Government Area are prepared to counter the petition, asserting that it will have little impact on the confirmation of Atta as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Atta, highlighting his administrative skills and dedication to serving humanity.

 

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Politics

PDP Youth Activist Calls for Suspension of Shekarau, Bello Hayatu from the party

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Salisu Usman Karaskabuli, a youth activist of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, has called for the immediate suspension of several high-ranking party members, including former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, and Yahaya Bagobiri.

He accused them of sabotaging the party’s efforts in the state and hindering PDP’s progress in the region.

Addressing journalists in Kano, Salisu Karaskabuli alleged that Shekarau has engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 governorship election.
“Despite being a PDP leader, the majority of his supporters backed the APC candidate,” Salisu Karaskabuli said.
He further claimed that Shekarau is already mobilizing his supporters to work for Senator Barau’s governorship ambitions in 2027, signaling ongoing disloyalty.

Salisu Karaskabuli also blamed the PDP National Vice Chairman for the Northwest Bello Hayatu Gwarzo for failing to unite the party across the region.
He noted that prominent PDP members, such as former governors Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, had defected to other parties due to Gwarzo’s ineffective leadership.
Concerning the recent PDP congress in Kano, Usman expressed frustration, rejecting the outcomes of the ward, local government, and state congresses.
He accused the leadership of the party for partisan zoning and disqualifying candidates without valid reasons.

Further accusations were leveled at Yahaya Bagobiri, the chairman of PDP elders in Kano.
Salisu Usman claimed that Bagobiri had leaked sensitive party information to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.

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Usman Karaskabuli called on the national leadership of the PDP to investigate the accused members and, if found guilty, take appropriate disciplinary action.

The accusations come at a time when the PDP in Kano and the wider Northwest is grappling with internal divisions, which some fear could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Politics

APC Youth Activist Urges President Tinubu to Appoint Murtala Sule Garo as Minister

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Sadiq Ali Sango

 

Sadiq Ali Sango, a prominent youth activist of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider appointing Murtala Sule Garo as a minister in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Sango made this known in a statement released to journalists in Kano.

The Federal Government recently announced that President Tinubu would soon reshuffle his cabinet, sparking widespread speculation over potential new appointees.
Sango expressed optimism that Garo, a grassroots politician with a proven track record, would be a fitting choice for a ministerial position.

“Murtala Sule Garo is not only a politician but a true son of the soil, with immense contributions to the APC in Kano,” Sango stated.
“His service as the APC’s deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election and his unwavering commitment to the party despite not having the reins of government in Kano makes him the ideal candidate for Tinubu’s cabinet.”

Sango further highlighted Garo’s role in holding the party together during difficult times, describing him as the “supporting pillar” of the APC in Kano.
“He has carried the party on his shoulders, providing support to party leaders and members alike,” he added.

With the APC no longer in control of Kano State’s government, Garo’s influence at the grassroots level has been pivotal for the party’s continued strength in the region.
According to Sango, Garo’s appointment would reinforce the party’s position in Kano and contribute to the success of President Tinubu’s administration.

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The call for Murtala Sule Garo’s inclusion in the Federal Executive Council comes amid growing anticipation regarding the composition of the new cabinet and the need for strong political figures to represent Kano at the national level.

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