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Asiwaju/Osinbajo And The Abrogation Of Acerbic Animosity

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By Bala Ibrahim.

The names Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are easily the most repeatedly pronounced names in Nigeria today. And the reason is simple; he is a famous politician, philanthropist, business mogul and now the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC. But there seems to be another reason why his names are repeatedly resonating- his readiness to reverse animosity in politics, by letting go of resentment and the thoughts of revenge. Yes, Asiwaju is reinventing the philosophy of “politics without bitterness”, the nostalgic political campaign slogan of late Waziri Ibrahim, the famous Kanuri man from Borno State, and the Presidential candidate of one of the political parties that participated in the 1979 presidential election – the Great Nigerian People’s Party, GNPP.

Like late Waziri Ibrahim, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is contesting for the highest political office in Nigeria, at a time when the air space of the country is filled with palpable hatred among political parties, and mistrust among politicians and their supporters all over. To say the current scenario, or this type of feeling of deep anxiety and dread are unhealthy to the system, is certainly an understatement.

But the people are not the ones to blame solely for such apprehensive feeling. The liability lies with the leaders, who accede to the mischief and devilry of those championing the cause of such mistrust between the parties and candidates. Their absolute aim of heightening tension in the polity is to ultimately, God forbid, cause chaos, riots and anarchy.

Such situations if poorly handled, may result in military intervention or even civil war. Some of these agents of doom are campaigning under ethnic and sectional sentiments. Nigeria had gone through such terrible path in the past. But methinks, the attitude of Asiwaju Tinubu is towards reversing, or changing that viewpoint.

When, in the build up to the Presidential primaries, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo indicated interest to contest for the same position with the Asiwaju, despite the fact that he knows the life long ambition of the Asiwaju is to be the President of Nigeria, many, including yours truly, thought it was only going to be a political hoax. But the Vice President stayed put in the race, and went on campaigning with authoritative effervescence. After weeks of hot and high-wire intrigues and horse-trading, Asiwaju Tinubu defeated the Vice President, who came a distant third with 235 votes, while he polled 1,271 votes.

The general feeling among analysts is that the Vice President had committed a political sacrilege, by contesting against the life ambition of his political Godfather. As a consequence, it was also thought that the Asiwaju would not forgive the Vice President and Professor of Law, Yemi Osinbajo. But to shame those with such negative thought, and prove to people that he has come to abrogate acerbic animosity in politics, the Asiwaju has done the reverse. He has forgiven him.

In announcing the forgiveness, Tinubu said, “I have nothing against him. I have been to his house after the primaries. I have seen him on the day of the goodwill message to the retreat organised by the President. And a man who forgives—a man who asks for forgiveness from Allah, fully deserves forgiveness. If you cannot give forgiveness, how are you asking from Allah? To me, it is over”- Asiwaju

Similar clemency was extended to the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan by the Asiwaju. In appreciation, Lawan, who said he contested with the belief that he had the popularity and experience to lead the country, pledged absolute support to the Asiwaju, saying he has the optimism that APC would emerge victorious in the 2023 presidential poll with Tinubu as it’s candidate.

Attempts have also been made to set the Asiwaju against the minister of state, labour, Festus Keyamo(SAN), by suggesting that Keyamo had sued the Asiwaju in 1999, for the allegation of forging his school certificates. Keyamo was quick to deny the allegation, saying he only sued the Lagos State house of assembly for clearing the Asiwaju, who was then the governor of the state, on allegations of certificate forgery. Indeed the assembly investigated him, but cleared him of all wrongdoing. Again, in his determination to abrogate acerbic animosity in politics, the Asiwaju has not only ignored the call to hold Festus Keyamo with malice, but went ahead to appoint him as his Presidential campaign spokesperson.

The national chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu is one person adversaries are working hard to build an ill will wall against, or sour his relationship with the Asiwaju. Since the primaries that produced the Asiwaju as the Presidential candidate of the APC, detractors have been up and doing, on how to harm the working relationship between the duo, but to their chagrin, the Asiwaju is ceaselessly holding the chairman in esteem. In fact, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu is the deputy chairman 1 of the Asiwaju Presidential campaign team.

Nothing more can demonstrate the philosophy of politics without bitterness, and attempt to abrogate acerbic animosity in politics.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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