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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.

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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.

Politics

Kabiru Rurum’s Vanishing Act: What’s Behind?

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By Adamu Aminu.

The sudden silence of Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, federal representative of Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure, has sparked intense speculation in Kano’s political circles. His absence from NNPP events and gatherings has raised eyebrows, fueling whispers of a rift within the party. As a prominent figure in Kano South’s political syndicate, alongside Senator Kawu Sumaila, Hon. Abdulmuminu Jibrin Kofa, and Hon. Sani Rogo, Rurum’s disappearance from the political scene is a curious phenomenon.

Reliable sources reveal that Rurum, along with his Kano South colleagues, played a crucial role in the NNPP’s gubernatorial victory, which saw Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emerge as the winner. This marked a historic first for the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano South.

However, following the victory, the Kano South political gladiators felt their demands were neglected, despite their significant contributions. They had requested the Secretary of the State Government position, which was denied, and later sought the speakership of the Kano State House of Assembly, which was also turned down.

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Even the speaker was picked without consulting Rurum, Kawu Sumaila, and other stakeholders in the zone.

Moreover, they have not been carried along in all the appointments made so far by the Governor, including the recent appointments of Local Government caretaker committees and their councillors.

The perceived disregard for their demands has reportedly led to Rurum’s disillusionment and withdrawal from active participation in party affairs.

Furthermore, the controversial disbandment of the five emirates created by former Governor Ganduje, despite Rurum’s earlier assurances from Governor Yusuf that they would remain untouched, has added fuel to the fire.

Rurum’s vanishing act has left many wondering if this is a tactical move or a sign of deeper issues within the party. As the proverb goes, “a tree does not move unless its roots are disturbed.” It appears that Rurum’s roots have been disturbed, and the consequences of this disturbance are yet to be fully understood.

In conclusion, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum’s sudden absence from Kano’s NNPP political scene has raised important questions about the party’s internal dynamics and the fate of its key players.

As the situation unfolds, one thing is certain – the roots of Rurum’s vanishing act will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and speculation in Kano’s political circles.

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Northern Politicians’ Eid Homage to Buhari: A Veiled Plot for 2027 Power Grab?-Sani

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Senator Shehu Sani

 

Shehu Sani

The recent visits by some prominent Northern politicians to Daura appears to be the Usual Eid homage,but looking deeper and beyond the facade,it’s surreptitiously a new attempt to build a strong northern alliance using ex President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Tinubu’s Government in 2027.It’s a regrouping of Northern political forces for the next general election.A project that will eventually kiss the dust.

They want to resurrect Buhari’s political charm and mobilise the gullible.Thesame Buhari that led Nigeria for eight years and left the North Worst than he met it.Its too early to forget.By the time he left power,poverty and insecurity was at its peak than at anytime in Nigeria’s history.They had power and wasted it;what do they want to do with it again?.

A Southerner is in power just for one year.Its too early for the desperate and power hungry northern elite to start plotting.The south never did that to Buhari.Their intended action has the capacity of ruining the democratic process and wrecking the fragile unity of the country when the south is awakened to this reality.

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Their obsession with power is condemnable.Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies,promises and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian.People have the right to speak and criticize the Government.But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time.No serious southerner challenged Buhari for eight years;these power drunk Northern politicians are dragging the region to a new political journey through a land mine.

Buhari’s reign ensured nepotistical placement,installation and dominance of Northerners at strategic position of authority and power for eight years.Results had shown that they only enriched themselves,pillaged the economy of the country and pauperised our country.
The Daura homage of the disgruntled and the obsessed will fail.Our people in the North should reject this faces and their plots.They have nothing to offer.From the abandoned Baro Port,Ajaokuta,Lake Chad basin refiling and Mambilla hydro power,they failed.They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and Bandits.The Northern Talakawa should reject their antics.

Shehu Sani is a former senator and a human right activist

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Politics

Staying Loyal: Key to Winning Elections in Nigeria-Reno Omokri

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Obasanjo ,Yaradua and Jonathan during the May 29 2007 handover to President Yaradua

Reno Omokri

If you want to win an election in Nigeria, you can’t jump from party to party. Nobody who has done that has ever won an election at the centre in Nigeria from our amalgamation by the British in 1914 to now. Nobody! You can do so at the regional and state level, especially where your region has ethnic homogeneity. But in a pluralistic federation, you are toast if you do that.

Only those who have remained loyal to their parties have ever won elections as Presidents or Prime Ministers in Nigeria. Your party can go into coalition and merger with another party, or it can change its name and your reputation will remain intact. But when you leave your party to join another party, the people also leave you.

No matter what happens within your party, stay there and resolve the situation. Assert yourself th amere. Go from battleground to common ground. If you cannot lead your party out of a crisis, you will not be able to convince non-tribal critical thinking voters that you can lead the country out of crisis.

Tafawa Balewa was a member of the Northern Peoples Congress. He never changed parties. Shagari was a member of the National Party of Nigeria, which was an offshoot of the Northern Peoples Congress. He never changed parties.

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Obasanjo, Yar’adua and Jonathan were members of the Peoples Democratic Party. They never changed parties.

Buhari was a member of the All Peoples Party, which later changed its name to the All Nigeria Peoples Party. The party eventually split, and Buhari went with the Congress for Progressive Change, which, in 2013, merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu was a member of the Social Democratic Party, which was dissolved by Abacha in 1993. Following this, he helped found the Alliance for Democracy, which merged with other parties to form the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2006. The ACN merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013.

Nigerian Politicians should learn from history. The best predictor of the future is the past. Between now and 2027, any politician who leaves his party for another party, except where there is a merger, is just wasting his time and money if he contests for the Presidency.

A country struggling with political stability cannot afford a leader who also struggles with his own mental and political stability.

Sadly, in Nigeria, to leave your party in Presidential politics is to live in pity as a perennial candidate!

Reno Omokri is a former Adviser to President Jonathan

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