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The North always supports Yoruba Presidency – OPF replies OPC
Moved by the recent threat to the North by the Oodu’a Peoples Congress (OPC) on the issue of contesting the National Assembly leadership sharing formula announced by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, the Oodu’a Peoples Frontiers (OPF) said, time immemorial, the North has always supported Yoruba Presidency.
In a statement issued to the media signed by the convener, OPF, Comrade Moses Oluwasegun Odewale said, the threat by the OPC, is in no way representative of the views of the decent Yoruba nation and should not be seen as such.
The statement said, “If anything, the threats, though empty and unsolicited, are embarrassing, shameful and only expose the inconsistencies of the OPC and other groups like the Afenifere that pose as representatives of the entire Yoruba nation.
IGP Usman Baba warns against subversive actions ahead of Nigeria’s presidential inauguration
“Whether OPC, Afenifere or any other group from any region wants to believe it or not, available facts and figures prove that the North is majorly responsible for the emergence of the Asiwaju as APC flag bearer and to his eventual victory at the polls.
“We cannot forget so quickly that eleven APC governors of Northern Nigerian states stood firmly against all odds and ensured that power moved to the South and to the Southwest in particular which paved the way for Tinubu’s emergence.
“And there is no disputing the fact that Tinubu’s final victory at the polls was secured by the northern votes which made up 60 percent of the total votes he got, far and above what he got in the Southwest.”
Odewale, reminded that, facts of history have shown how the North had been consistent with its support for a Yoruba presidency even at the expense of candidates from the North.
“During the 1993 elections, Bashorun Abiola contested on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, partly due to the influence of a northern force presented by the late General Shehu Yar’Adua.
“And at the polls, the Northern votes comprehensively went to Abiola to ensure his success over their own son, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, a prominent, respected personality.
“Record shows that of the 6.6 million votes that had been announced before the annulment, Tofa had received 2.3 million and Abiola 4.3 million of which more than half came from the North.
“Abiola won all the states of the south-west; three of the seven states in the south-east; five of the nine northern states including Kano, Tofa’s state; and four out of the seven states in the central middle belt.”
He further revealed that the gesture was replicated when Olusegun Obasanjo was released from prison by the northern establishment, made a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party by the northern elite and voted for the presidency by the northern voters in 1999.
“On all these three occasions such self-professed Yoruba protection groups as the Afenifere and OPC were nowhere visible, in fact they only surfaced after the June 12 annulment to bask in the glory of what they did participate in.
“Also in 1999, Afenifere and the OPC led the Yoruba nation to favour Olu Falae while the North worked for Obasanjo’s victory against their son.
“And this time around, Afenifere openly declared opposition to Tinubu, OPC was missing in the field while the North did all the work.”
From its viewpoint, the OPF believes that by making it look like the OPC are protecting their son, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it has ended up exposing him in particular and the South-west several political vulnerabilities in the future.
“It is therefore the peak of insanity, shamelessness and ingratitude for the OPC or any Southwest group to reward the North with threats in the false presence of defending their son whom they rejected earlier.”
OPF, therefore, emphatically dissociates the decent Yoruba nation from these threats to the North in particular and to any other section of the country while condemning with all might the uncivilized action of OPC that threatens the long standing political friendship that exists between the North and the Southwest.
OPF further called on the President-elect not to fall for the dirty game of the OPC and Afenifere which only aims to pitch him against his most reliable traditional political allies.
“Asiwaju should as much as possible distance himself from agents of destabilisation operating in various guises and instead concentrate on governance and the task of nation-building with justice and equity to all.”
News
Benue Attacks: Death Toll Rises to 72 as More Bodies Are Recovered
Death toll from the multiple attacks carried out by armed invaders on communities in Benue State has risen to 72.
This followed the recovery of 13 more bodies from the attacks on Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.
During his Easter remark in Makurdi, on Sunday, Governor Hyacinth Alia had acknowledged a total recovery of 59 bodies
However, the discovery of more bodies from surrounding bushes of the troubled communities increased the fatalities.
Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to Benue Governor on Media and Content Creation, Isaac Uzaan, who gave the update, said the bodies were found in both attacked local government areas.
News
Wike Allegedly Working for APC to Sabotage His Own Party, Claims PDP Chairman
The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor has made an allegation against the All Progressives Congress and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Ewor alleged that Wike is working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to sabotage the PDP from within.
Speaking during a live appearance on Arise News on Monday, 21 April 2025, Ewor claimed that Wike’s actions and affiliations clearly indicate he is no longer a true member of the PDP, alleging that the former governor is being funded by the APC to destabilise both the party at the national level and the Rivers State chapter ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ewor explained that the party experienced no internal troubles before the 2023 general elections until Wike lost his presidential ambition and subsequently failed to clinch the vice-presidential ticket.
According to him, Wike’s personal disappointment triggered the crisis that later engulfed the party.
First and foremost, PDP had no issues preparatory to the 2023 general elections. Wike, the current FCT minister, wanted to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And he submitted himself to the primaries of the party. But Atiku won the party ticket. Thereafter, Wike wanted to be the vice president. Because Atiku did not pick him to be the vice presidential candidate, Wike started the crisis in PDP,” Ewor stated.
He added that Wike spearheaded the formation of the G5 group, which he claims had one mission: to damage the PDP’s chances at the polls.
“This was the genesis of the crisis in PDP: First, because Wike lost the presidential ticket. Second, Atiku Abubakar did not pick him as a vice presidential ticket,” Ewor explained.
He started the crisis in PDP and formed what we call, what Nigerians know as G5. What does the G5 stand for? Destroy PDP. Ensure that Atiku Abubakar did not win the election. That was what the G5 stand for. Today, the party has moved beyond the 2023 general election.”
On Wike’s continued interference in PDP affairs, Ewor questioned the logic of advising a party he is “busy destroying.”
Wike is no longer in the party. How do you advise a party you are no longer a member? How do you advise a people you are busy destroying? How do you advise a party that you are at the forefront of bringing it down?” Ewor queried.
“The crisis we find today in PDP is not because the PDP is in crisis. It is because the FCT minister is on a mission to destroy the party. He is on a mission to destroy the party. And he has started it in River State.”
News
President Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After 19-Day European Visit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made his return to Nigeria following a 19-day trip to Europe, which included private visits to France and the United Kingdom. His arrival marks the end of a journey that has drawn attention both domestically and internationally.
The presidential aircraft touched down at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday evening. The president was welcomed at the airport’s presidential wing by an array of dignitaries and members of his cabinet. Among those present were Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA); and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff (CoS). Their presence underscored the significance of the president’s return and the unity within his administration.
While the details of President Tinubu’s engagements during his European visit remain private, the trip is believed to have included discussions on matters of national interest and international diplomacy. The president’s return comes at a time when Nigeria faces pressing challenges, including economic reforms and security concerns, which are expected to dominate his agenda in the coming weeks.
The reception at the airport was marked by a sense of anticipation, as members of the cabinet and other officials expressed their readiness to resume work under the president’s leadership. The atmosphere reflected the administration’s commitment to addressing the nation’s priorities and fostering progress.
President Tinubu’s European visit has sparked speculation about potential developments in Nigeria’s foreign relations and economic strategies. As the nation awaits further updates, the president’s return signals a renewed focus on governance and the implementation of his administration’s policies.
Benue Attacks: Death Toll Rises to 72 as More Bodies Are Recovered
Wike Allegedly Working for APC to Sabotage His Own Party, Claims PDP Chairman
Inside My Conversation With A Kwankwasiyya Disciple -Hamisu Hadejia
President Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After 19-Day European Visit
Lawmaker Honours Journalist With Traditional Title
Benue Attacks: Death Toll Rises to 72 as More Bodies Are Recovered
Wike Allegedly Working for APC to Sabotage His Own Party, Claims PDP Chairman
Inside My Conversation With A Kwankwasiyya Disciple -Hamisu Hadejia
President Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After 19-Day European Visit
Lawmaker Honours Journalist With Traditional Title
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