Connect with us

News

2023 And The Toughtened Top Dog In Tinubu

Published

on

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

If there is anything that played prominent in the build up to this particular general election is the word sentiment. Yes, sentiment, which the dictionary describes as a held or expressed opinion, had hoodwinked many people, such that some of them lost their senses of good judgement, alongside the quality of thinking rightly or wisely. As the results of the Presidential election continue to trickle in, two lessons are revealing themselves relevantly, viz: the pleasure of taking the path of the truth and the pains that could follow fallacy or falsehood.

My friend, Ameenu Ayama had written a fantastic article, in fact, an award winning essay, captioned, THE PLACE OF NORTHERN CHRISTIANS IN NATIONAL & NORTHERN POLITICS IN THE POST-2023 ERA. Because of the failure of some people, particularly the northern Christians, to position themselves on the path of the truth, religious sentiment was played wrongly, and that misguided judgement is now coming with some unpalatable consequences. A portion of the consequences of the misguided judgement was captured by Ayama, thus:

“Northern Christians have shown themselves to be a people whom the larger Muslim population in the North would never trust with to act as their representative or with political power, even on a sub regional level. No national politician worth his salt such as Tinubu will ever trust them or their leadership again”.

Atiku Abubakar and his co-travellers in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, thought they could reap from the misjudgement of our friends, the northern Christians, but because like them, the PDP played treacherous to the zoning arrangement, which would have equitably taken power to the south, they couldnt escape the wrath or anger of those who see their action as a betrayal of trust. In simple terms, they are now going through the pains that follow fallacy or falsehood.

Advert

As I write this article, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is positioning itself to commence releasing the results of the election, but already, from the exit poll, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has undoubtedly been portrayed as a tough dog. Although voting is still ongoing in some states, due to reported violence, Tinubu and his supporters have reasons to remain smiling, based on the opinions of those who voted.

Elections: Amnesty International tasks security agents to respect citizens’ rights

If we go by the provision of the electoral law, that the President of Nigeria is elected using a modified two-round system, and to be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive a plurality of the votes and over 25% of the vote in at least 24 of the 36 states, alongside the opinion poll of people after leaving their polling stations, including the expressed opinion of President Muhammadu Buhari, there is enough reason to believe that Nigerians have danced to the widely held opinion, that power should shift to the south.

The opinion of people that voted in Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kastina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi, are expressly in favour of power shift. With the exception of states like Adamawa and Taraba, where sentiment was used against common sense, the general mood is to respect the arrangement of power shift. The implication of course is that the tough dog in Tinubu has been toughened.

I don’t want to delve much on the issue of Kano, which is Nigeria’s richest reservoir of crude votes, and the rationale behind Kwankwaso’s stance, but as an APC apologist, I would say to him, THANK YOU MADUGU. Yes, a big thank you to Kwankwaso for depriving Atiku and the PDP, the luxury of playing political polo in Kano.

In 2019, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, got 391,593 votes from Kano, which represents 21.1 per cent of the total votes cast in the state. He lost to Buhari, who scored nearly 1.5m votes, or 78.9 per cent of the total votes cast. With Kwankwaso, a son of the soil in the race now, Atiku’s show in Kano would surely be a show of shame. This would toughen the tough dog in Tinubu, who Buhari said, is poised to be the next President of Nigeria.

Kwankwaso and his supporters may not be in favour of power shift, and I am not challenging them on that, but depending on how Kwankwaso play his cards in the coming gubernatorial elections, he has the chance to make or mar his political future. If he plays rightly and wisely, by taking a borrow from the idiom, he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day, his political future can be prosperous.

But should he miscalculate, like the northern Christians did, the consequences could be politically disastrous, particularly because, in Nigeria, there is no guarantee to permanent political loyalty. Also, the President in waiting is a politician with prescience, and one that is known to deliberately plan and calculate well, how to get what they wants, regardless of the status of who he wants it from. The political sagacity of Tinubu is such that he can make easy, political conversion.

News

Breaking: President Tinubu Approves Establishment of Four New Divisions of the Nigerian Army, Bringing the Total to 12

Published

on

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions—a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

This approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.

The expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:

Advert

1. 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States)
2. 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)
3. 3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States)
4. 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States)
5. 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)
6. 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)
7. 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States)
8. 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)
9. 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)
10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)
11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States)
12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).

The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.

Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga Special adviser to the President on informational and strategy said the President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.

 

Continue Reading

News

Kano Online Media Chapel Honours Gov Abba Yusuf with Excellence Award

Published

on

 

 

The Kano Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday honoured the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his administration’s unwavering support for the media profession and commitment to strengthening journalism in the state.
The award presentation ceremony was held at the Council Chamber, Government House, Kano, in the presence of members of the Kano State Executive Council and other senior government officials.
The honour was conferred on Governor Yusuf in appreciation of his administration’s sustained partnership with the Kano Online Media Chapel, particularly for facilitating the training of more than 50 online journalists on modern and ethical news reporting, digital journalism, fact-checking, and emerging media technology

Receiving the award, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed gratitude to the Kano Online Media Chapel for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to do more in advancing media development in the state.
The Governor commended members of the Chapel for their professionalism and contributions to promoting truth, public awareness, and responsible journalism. He pledged that his administration would continue to support the Nigeria Union of Journalists and other media organisations through capacity-building initiatives and policies that strengthen the journalism profession.
Governor Yusuf also urged journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession by ensuring accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in their reports, emphasizing that credible journalism remains essential to good governance, peace, and sustainable development.

Advert

Presenting the award, the Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel, NUJ, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, said the recognition was a reflection of Governor Yusuf’s outstanding contributions to media development and his administration’s consistent support for journalists.
Dangambo noted that the Governor’s investment in capacity building has equipped members of the Chapel with modern reporting skills, enabling them to meet the evolving demands of digital journalism while promoting professionalism, accuracy, and ethical reporting.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor for recognising the critical role of online media in promoting transparency, public enlightenment, and democratic governance, describing the award as a symbol of gratitude from journalists who have directly benefited from the administration’s media-friendly policies.

 

Earlier speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, commended the Kano Online Media Chapel for its dedication to promoting responsible journalism and professional excellence. He described the media as an indispensable partner in democratic governance, stressing that credible and ethical reporting remains vital to informing the public and supporting government accountability.

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu’s Projects In The North Are Traceable-Kwankwaso

Published

on

 

 

The Forum of Federal Government appointees from Kano under Senator Bashir Garba Lado, has strongly challenged opposition Leaders to showcase what they have on stock that they will do better than President Tinubu clear Developmental Projects, rather than negative criticism.

Speaking in a released, the Spokesperson of the Forum of the Federal Government appointees, Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, said, Wednesday that, overtime the opposition leaders of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and others have not clearly spelled out their missions to Government but rather everyday they go one criticizing President Tinubu whose Projects across the Country and the North is specific can be clearly seen.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is executing a massive portfolio of infrastructure and developmental projects across Kano and Northern Nigeria, valued at trillions of Naira, spanning highways, railways, power, and agriculture, which an be touched and seen not mare baseless opposition”, Kwankwaso notes.

In trying to highlight some of the projects, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, who is also the Executive Director Finance Hadejia Jammaare River Basin, fall under the “Renewed Hope” agenda, and in Kano alone there are more 30 of such projects.

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso believes that the Projects execution and the concern shown by the President on Kano and the entire North are worthy of given him heavy votes across Northern Nigeria that will secure his smooth 2nd Term in office.

He said that with the intervention of the President in Kano and other Northern Nigeria, he will have massive votes that awaits his reelection back to office comes 2027 in Kano and other Northern States.

He listed projects like the Kano–Kongolom Road, a major 132-kilometre, at N334 billion dualization and construction project aimed at connecting Kano with Jigawa and Katsina.

Similarly, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso explained that, the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, a Massive ongoing reconstruction utilizing durable continuous reinforced concrete pavement technology with added security enhancements like
In the same vein, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, a colossal 1,068-kilometre, six-lane economic corridor that will integrate a rail line in the median, greatly connecting Northern regions, been awarded by the President for his concern to the Northern Region.

Musa Kwankwaso hints that A 37.8-kilometre dual carriageway designed with multiple bridges to divert heavy industrial traffic away from the Kano metropolis that is Kano Eastern Bypass is ongoing and will soon be completed.

Advert

Another giant project according Kwankwaso is the Kano–Maradi Rail Line, a flagship 284-kilometre rail project cutting through Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, designed to ease the transportation of goods and connect Nigeria with the Niger Republic.

While on Economic growth the President is working on AKK Gas Pipeline, the 614-kilometre Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline aimed at boosting domestic gas supply, industrialization, and power generation in Northern states, adding that this projects is near been completed.

On Ecological and Agricultural intervention the President Tinubu ensure the execution of Jakara-Gogau-Zungeru Project, he approved N47 billion for this massive urban sewage and ecological drainage system in Kano metropolis to control flooding and improve sanitation.

He also created Dams & Irrigation: Multi-billion Naira federal interventions have been released for 16 dams in Kano State, including the Challawa Gorge and Tiga Dams, alongside the broader Kano River Project to support agriculture.

On Healthcare Revitalization, The federal government has continuously upgraded Federal Teaching Hospitals across Northern zones and revitalized thousands of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the IMPACT program.

Still for the loves of the North, just recently the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the Energize Commercialize Nigeria (ECoN) initiative in Kano, converting research and creative ideas into commercially viable products to create jobs across the Northwest.

“While Northwest Development Commission: The federal government has finalized development and inspection operations for the commission’s projects and its permanent headquarters in Kano.”

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, notes that all these giant projects that are not merely on papers but they are lively going and anybody can touch and see them, shows the concern and love of the President Tinubu for the region.

He said, “President Tinubu should sleep with his two eyes closed because as per as reelection bid is concerned is a done deal and the North and Kano in particular will give him heavy votes that will quickly secure his victory”

Speaking on Peter Obi/Kwankwaso NDC Presidential Tickets, Musa Illiyasu, said that the contest is the most laughable in the recent Nigeria Political trajectory, because neither Obi no Kwankwaso have the regional recognition to win any election.

Further more, the Spokesperson of the Forum of the Federal Appointees, hints that, “Kwankwaso is flying a game with Peter Obi, because he is not sincere with their Projects”.

He added that, ” I can bet you, Kwankwaso is supporting a different Presidential Candidate, but sooner than later Nigerians would clearly see who is Kwankwaso and who did he stand with”.

The Forum Chairman Senator Bashir Garba Lado who is also the Adviser on National Assembly Senate, to the President, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso and all other Members, expressed deep determination to ensure that after securing victory for President Tinubu, they also secure Victory for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, three Senators of Barau Jibrin, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, together with all the 24 House of Representatives seat and 40 Kano Assembly seats.

“No doubt, our determination to ensure the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Senator Barau Jibrin, Kawu Sumaila, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and all the Reps Seats and House of Assembly is clear and by the will of God our mission will be actualize”, Kwankwaso said.

Continue Reading

Trending