Politics
Tinubu, Atiku Dispute Over Fuel Scarcity, Anti-Poll Plot
On Thursday, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council engaged in another dispute over Tinubu’s claim that the PDP is planning to disrupt the upcoming February election.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, has accused the PDP of misusing $16bn earmarked for the power sector.
Meanwhile, the Atiku-Okowa campaign council has called on the Department of State Services and other agencies to investigate Tinubu for allegedly plotting to destabilize the country through a violent revolution and riots.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State on Thursday, Tinubu said that his previous statements about fuel scarcity and currency redesign had been misunderstood.
He emphasized that what he meant was that the PDP had neglected the oil industry and had given oil blocs to themselves and their allies.
He said, “They (PDP) met good oil prices for 16 good years, they didn’t remember gas pipelines. They are what I called saboteurs yesterday. They gave PMS licences to their supporters and sympathisers. They are the ones who started creating fake queues. PDP, enough is enough.”
He also stated that the $16bn reportedly invested in the power sector was allegedly distributed among PDP leaders and their allies in Abuja.
Tinubu promised to establish student loan programs and provide hope to Nigerians, especially internally displaced persons in the state and workers who he said were not being paid their salary arrears.
Earlier, the leader of the party in the state and the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. George Akume, said that the Muslim/Muslim ticket was not a bad thing. He added that Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, had the qualifications to rebuild Nigeria if given the chance.
However, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) responded to Tinubu’s accusation that the PDP was responsible for the ongoing fuel scarcity in order to disrupt the elections.
PCC stated that Tinubu’s statement at the APC’s presidential rally in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Wednesday was an indication of the violence he was planning.
Recall that Tinubu, while addressing the crowd at Abeokuta, Tinubu almost proclaimed himself as the winner of an election that is still 29 days away, using the same sense of entitlement that he used to coerce his party members into giving him the ticket for the general election.
The PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) cited Tinubu’s statement that the upcoming election is a revolution and argued that Tinubu should be questioned by security agencies, as he has no immunity from prosecution.
It stated, “Tinubu is not too big and he has no immunity neither is he above the law of the land to be interrogated by the Department of State Services or by the Nigeria Police.
To avoid bloodshed in the coming election, the APC standard bearer’s comments must not be waved aside. For clarity, in political science, a revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system.”
The media aide of the People’s Democratic Party, further alleged that “from the information available to us, Tinubu has begun releasing money to some of his quack activists to stage protests in some strategic locations in the country, especially in Abuja, to cause violence ahead of the polls which he will lose.
Shaibu further argued that Tinubu’s claim that the PDP was responsible for the current petrol scarcity and shortage of new naira notes was a ridiculous accusation, considering that the PDP has not been in power for the past eight years.
In response, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that Tinubu’s allegations against the opposition party indicated that “he has lost his mind.”
He added, “All this underscores the unstableness and unsoundness of mind of the APC presidential candidate. He cannot stand on an issue. He is unsteady and he cannot decipher the issues. I am not sure he is aware of where he is.
“He is saying today that the PDP is sabotaging and encouraging fuel shortages when the Minister of Petroleum is the President of the government that he boasted of installing and he turns around to blame the PDP.
‘’That goes to show whether indeed this man has the soundness of mind to aspire to be the president of this country. He is not aware of his environment. It is sad and terrible.’’
Meanwhile, PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, once again emphasized his support for restructuring as called for by southern states in the country.
He stated on Thursday that his administration would undertake the restructuring of the country if he becomes president.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.
In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.
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The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.
According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.
The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”
The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.
“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.
The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.
“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.
It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.
“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”
The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.
It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”
Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritize completing ongoing projects and avoid leaving any abandoned during his second term in office.
Ganduje made the call on Wednesday at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented Certificates of Return to Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s re-election was marked by a sweeping victory in all 18 local government areas of the state during last Saturday’s governorship election.
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Ganduje praised the outcome, describing it as a testament to the people’s confidence in the APC-led administration.
“I am happy about the landslide result. The election is not the effort of the elite and middle class alone; it is also through the effort of the grassroots,” Ganduje said. “Out of 203 wards, APC won 202, losing only one ward. This is a victory embraced by all.”
Ganduje highlighted the importance of continuity and urged the governor to leverage his experience from the previous administration led by the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
“As a deputy, you knew how projects were started by your late governor. You were part of it, also as a governor for 10 months, and now as a re-elected governor. For the next four years, you will continue,” he said.
“You know the terrains, geography, and physical landscape of all 18 local government areas. Use these insights to carve out projects that will improve the lives of the Ondo people.”
Meanwhile, Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, commended Ganduje’s leadership and strategic direction, which he credited for the party’s success in the election.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, despite internal opposition from some party stakeholders.
“We have finally killed PDP in Ondo,” Adetimehin declared. “Most of the leaders of that party have defected to the APC. With the landslide victory in this election, it is clear to the whole world that there is no PDP in Ondo.”
He further described Ganduje as a mentor whose leadership had been instrumental in uniting the party and ensuring victory at the polls.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu and completed his tenure before securing re-election, has pledged to focus on delivering on his mandate and completing critical projects in his second term.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally issued certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, following their victory in Saturday’s governorship election.
The presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja, where the commission’s National Commissioner for Ondo State, Kunle Ajayi, handed over the certificates.
Biztellers reports that Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor, emerged victorious in the election, securing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
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The results were announced in Akure on Sunday by the Returning Officer, Professor Olayemi Akinyemi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja.
Election observers described the polls as peaceful and credible, commending INEC for improved logistical arrangements.
The event was attended by top APC officials, including the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and other party members.
Ganduje hailed the outcome as a triumph for democracy in Nigeria.
“Since 1999, we have been enjoying democracy, and we always fine-tune it to ensure it is fair, free, and decent, so that it is the vote of the people that counts,” Ganduje said.
PDP Rejects Results
Despite widespread praise for the conduct of the election, the PDP has rejected the outcome, describing it as fraudulent. Its candidate, Ajayi, vowed to challenge the results in court.
Aiyedatiwa Pledges Better Leadership
Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo State for renewing his mandate.
“The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across 18 LGAs where we won convincingly has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I did before now,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa initially assumed office in December 2023 following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
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