Politics
Countdown To A New Era: Nigerians Await Tinubu’s Presidency For Positive Change
With less than a month left until the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria, the excitement and anticipation among his supporters and political observers is palpable.
The end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is in sight, and Nigerians are hopeful for better leadership and positive transformation across all sectors of the country.
Tinubu’s leadership has been a topic of discussion among Nigerians since his emergence as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate.
While some criticized and made mockery of him due to his old age and the gaffes he made during his campaign speech, others sees him as the rightful candidate for the position.
According to his supporters, his track record as a former governor of Lagos State and his leadership experience make him a capable and qualified leader to tackle challenges and bring about the much-needed transformation in the country.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu served as the governor of Lagos State from May 1999 to May 2007, during which he implemented numerous policies and initiatives that transformed the state into a vibrant and dynamic hub of economic and social development.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, Lagos State experienced a surge in economic growth and development. The state was allegedly generating about 600 million monthly a very meagre fee for over 10 million people but when he left office Lagos was allegedly generating about 15billion monthly an increase of over 1000%.
As the countdown to his inauguration continues, the hope and optimism among Nigerians remain high, and the expectation is that his administration will bring about the change that the country needs.
During his campaign, Tinubu made several promises to the Nigerian people, outlining his vision and plans for the country.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Tinubu, released an 80-page policy document detailing his eight-point agenda in october 2022.
National security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, and education were listed as the areas of focus.
The objective of the manifesto, according to Tinubu, is to establish a new society founded on shared prosperity, compassion, tolerance, and equal respect for every citizen. The document includes ten promises that Tinubu intends to fulfill if elected.
The first promise is to create a Nigeria that provides decent jobs and wages to the youth, enabling them to live a better life.
Secondly, he plans to transform Nigeria into a nation of creators, where goods and services are manufactured and invented, rather than just consumed.
He also intends to increase exports and reduce imports to strengthen the naira and enhance Nigeria’s way of life.
The manifesto also prioritizes enlightened agricultural policy to support farmers, modernizing public infrastructure to promote economic growth, and harnessing emerging sectors to empower young people and women.
The goal is to create a Nigeria where no parent has to worry about sending their children to bed hungry, by training and offering economic opportunities to the poorest and most vulnerable.
Additionally, Tinubu pledges to generate, transmit, and distribute sufficient and affordable electricity, provide basic healthcare, education, and housing for all, and establish a strong national security architecture to eradicate terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and violent extremism in Nigeria.
On January 8th, 2023, Tinubu addressed an endorsement rally organized by the area community in Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan. During his speech, he assured Nigerians of his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises if elected as the next president.
He also assured that his government would be for all Nigerians, regardless of their tribes and faith.
“My respect for this country will continue to increase, and I will honour all my pledges that we all will live in harmony. We belong in each other’s hearts,” Tinubu said.
“From the moment I enlisted in politics, I have always been nationalistic and detribalised in my approach. I do not operate based on ethnicity, region or religion. I have friends and associates in all corners of this country.
“As governor of Lagos State, I constituted a cabinet, comprising competent people from all parts of Nigeria. We had the Yoruba, as we had the Igbo and Arewa. What was important to me was not your ethnicity or creed, it was your competence and the value you would bring to governance and people. To replicate this feat for the country is why I have offered myself for the presidency,” he said.
During his presidential campaign rally, Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises to the states, and he is expected to deliver on those promises.
On 11th February 2023, at a rally in Abuja, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to addressing the underdevelopment of the country, with a particular focus on the youth. He pledged to build a Nigeria that all citizens would be proud of, in all its ramifications.
He said “And I say the fact that what we are doing is about our youth, about our children, about our today, tomorrow and day after. Be proud of our Nigeria. We will make you productive citizens of this country. We will make you great educator, great inventors and great developers.”
In February, during his campaign in Gombe state, he promised to bring prosperity to the people of the state making it one of the richest in the country if elected.
He said “my own is to seek the blessing and cooperation of the people. Prosperity is here now, development is here now. For several years we prayed to find oil, now kolmani has given you the resources to commence training and development of the petroleum located in kolmani and other places.”
Also during his presidential rally in Ekiti state he said in Yoruba “be rest assured this election is your own, is that not so? It is an election that will guarantee your freedom. Unemployed youth are many and they graduated from school so they deserve jobs.”
As Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to take the oath of office as Nigeria’s next President, the nation eagerly awaits the changes and progress he has promised.
With his track record of economic growth, infrastructure development, education, and public safety during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, many Nigerians are optimistic that his leadership will bring about positive transformation across the country.
Politics
ACF Pledges Support For Northern Presidential Candidates Ahead Of 2027 Elections
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.
READ MORE: JUST IN: FG Dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe University Governing Council, Removes VC
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.
Politics
No Room For Abandoned Projects – Ganduje Warns Aiyedatiwa
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.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Nigerian Beauty Queen, Chidimma Adetshina Quits Peageantry
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.
Politics
INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Ondo Governor-Elect, Aiyedatiwa
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.
Related News:
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.