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News Analysis: Tinubu’s Appointment from the South West – Yoruba Christians Consolidate Dominance

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

In the aftermath of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s historic victory in Nigeria’s recent general elections, a profound shift in the South West’s political landscape has been set in motion. The ascendancy of President Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim, as the sixteenth President of Nigeria marks a watershed moment in the region’s political history. While this achievement has brought jubilation to many, it has also raised questions regarding the distribution of political appointments in the region.

In the six southwest states only Ekiti and Ondo states are predominantly Christians.

Historically, the South West has seen prominent Yoruba leaders emerge, such as President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Ernest Shonekan. Notably, both of these leaders were Yoruba Christians, making President Tinubu’s presidency as a Yoruba Muslim a first for the region.

Leading up to the 2023 general election, there was a growing call by Muslim advocacy groups, such as the Muslim Right Concern (MURIC), for the emergence of a Yoruba Muslim as President. The goal was to address what they perceived as marginalization of Southwest Muslims in key government positions. With President Tinubu’s election, this aspiration seemed to be on the brink of realization.

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However, since assuming office, President Tinubu’s appointments have raised eyebrows among some in the Muslim community. Despite being a Yoruba Muslim, many of his key federal appointments have been predominantly Yoruba Christians. This has given rise to concerns and questions about whether the Yoruba Muslim population’s aspirations are being fully addressed.

The appointment of a Yoruba Christian as Inspector General of Police, Central Bank Governor, FIRS Chairman, Minister of Finance, Chief of Army Staff, and other significant roles has sparked a lively debate in the region. Additionally, the composition of the President’s cabinet, with seven out of ten South West ministers being Christians, has added to the conversation.

The controversy doesn’t end there. Several other important positions, such as the CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Chairman of the Tax Reform Committee, and the Special Adviser for Economic Affairs, are also filled by Yoruba Christians.

Even the appointment of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been met with scrutiny, as he hails from the same religious affiliation as the department that reportedly posed a challenge to Tinubu’s presidential ambitions during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, A pastor with the redeemed christian church of God (RCCG).

On top of these appointments, a majority of the South West Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants are Christians.

This wave of appointments has led to profound shock and raised questions among the Yoruba Muslim community. MURIC, which had ardently campaigned for Tinubu’s election, is among those expressing astonishment at the current state of affairs.

In conclusion, while President Tinubu’s victory as the first Yoruba Muslim President is celebrated, the distribution of key appointments is giving rise to significant debate and reflection within the South West region. The political landscape and balance of power within the Yoruba community is evolving, and it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of the region.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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