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The Osinbajo/RCCG Connection: A Reason To Be Worried-Maiwada Dammallam

Published

3 years ago

on

Professor Yemi Osinbajo

 

Maiwada Danmalam

Public perception matters a lot in politics. Things are as correct as perceived by the public notwithstanding the correctness of the perception. The viral letter by the Assistant General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God  (RCCG) announcing the Church’s creation of the “Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance”, apparently intended to be a deft religious move to midwife the birth of “President Osinbajo,” is obviously a daft political move which may shoot down Osibanjo’s presidential kite even before it begins to fly.

One of VP Osibanjo’s liabilities as a presidential candidate is his premium subscription with the RCCG which, even among the different sects of the Nigerian christian community is a very unsettling variable and a huge liability which the RCCG should be working to downplay rather than be seen adopting as a political asset. The truth is, Nigeria is so demarcated along religious lines that VP Osibanjo’s mere title of “Pastor” is enough to cost him the support of a large chunk of Nigeria’s Muslim community much less, when he’s seen as a special project of a particular church; one that’s already being seen as the only focus of VP Osibanjo in matters of the state given the many allegations of his inability to separate matters of the state and religious matters. He’s at various times accused of giving undue attention to members of his church where and when the situation demands skillful and impartial disposition. If anything, it’s this aspect of Osibanjo’s perceived identify the RCCG should be working to pacify or altogether debunk. It’s quite a dicey matter that RCCG cannot afford to be seen directly doing so and must outsource.

Rivers Police Arrests 4 Kidnappers who Killed a Pastor

I’m afraid, by our actions and inactions, whether knowingly or unknowingly, we have allowed religion to take control of our political responses and inclinations and the rules cannot change overnight, not for Osibanjo or anybody. As we make our bed, so we sleep on it. I wonder why it couldn’t make sense to the RCCG that at some point in pursuit of his presidential ambition, Osibanjo’s predecessor, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a more seasoned politician with more aggressive presidential ambition, had to officially drop the title of “Alhaji” to downplay his regional and religious identity while enhancing a nationalistic image required for the tricky, volatile and highly unpredictable Nigerian political waters. Osibanjo and his handlers are doing exactly the opposite either pushed by naivety or flagrant arrogance and insensitivity to the religious and cultural make-up of Nigeria.

Of course, some people may argue that “JIBWIS” aka “Izala sect” campaigned vigorously for “General Buhari” at different points in his career as a politician, more prominently in 2015. Concurred! But let’s not forget, Buhari is no Osibanjo. While Buhari came into the 2015 arena with 12m votes in his kitty, Osibanjo is going into the 2023 arena not knowing what’s in his kitty beside the goodwill of his “estranged” political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who donated him to the APC in 2015 to balance the Buhari ticket in fulfillment of democratic obligations. Then, the kitty Osibanjo is carrying to the arena in 2023 could be said to be empty given his yet to be resolved conflict of interest with Tinubu, his political godfather.

As it is, Osibanjo is a political orphan being adopted by a very unqualified and clumsy foster political parents, the RCCG, who will do more harm than good to his presidential ambition by pushing him to tread on Nigeria’s most dangerous fault line. It’s my personal opinion he stand better chance going into the arena alone than in RCCG’s baby stroller. I don’t have problem with Osibanjo’s religious identity or his presidential but certainly, I’m worried with his choice of RCCG as a political vehicle to achieve the presidency of a religious diverse Nigeria. If it’s not already too late, he should choose a more all-inclusive platform to showcase the whys and hows he’s qualified to the next President of Nigeria.

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200,000 APC Members in Kano Dismiss Allegations Against Ministerial Nominee Yusuf Abdullah Atta as Baseless

Published

4 weeks ago

on

October 27, 2024

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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.

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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Politics

PDP Youth Activist Calls for Suspension of Shekarau, Bello Hayatu from the party

Published

1 month ago

on

October 14, 2024

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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.

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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

Published

1 month ago

on

October 13, 2024

By

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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