NEWS
Tinubu asks Senators to support his “life time ambition “
***Says his ambition not blind to step on Buhari’s toes
Former Lagos State Governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the party’s senators to support his presidential ambition.
At a crowded meeting with the 70 member APC caucus in the Senate, Tinubu who took time to narrate his ordeals in the fight for democracy made it clear that his visit was to seek support and partnership of the lawmakers for the realisation of his presidential ambition in 2023.
He asked them to back his ambition based on his capacity and experience.
He said, “Why am I here? I came for your counsel, partnership and support. Nigeria has come to that stage where we need a change of baton. Mr President is rounding up his second term.
“Election is coming up in February. We have various programmes that I don’t have to restate here; nomination process, primary process and all of that.
“I can’t do it by myself and I can’t do it by sitting at home, expecting that many personal friends that I have here will do it for me. I believe jointly, we can do it. You can back me successfully for the nomination of my lifetime ambition.
“If the council of wise men is anything to go by, ‘if you want to go fast, do it alone, but if you want to get there successfully, definitely, go with a team. I’m asking for that teamsmanhip here today.
Get me over the hump of the nomination process and from that, get me to the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I want to beg you to look at my capacity and experience. I’m just an unusual candidate in the period. I’m perhaps the only one who had been in the Senate, had been governor and is aspiring to become president.
“By pushing me over hump when you support me vigorously, you have created a greater power that will pave the way for Nigeria’s progress.
He told the Senators that despite of cases of being stabbed at the back, his belief in God will see him through in his presidential ambition.
Without mincing words, the former Lagos governor said his ambition is not blind to push to step on the toes of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He, however, made it clear that he intends to step into the shoes of the President in 2023.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Ahmed Lawan led Senate in promoting unity and peace through its legislation.
Reminding the Senate of the lessons in the first stanza of Nigeria’s first National Anthem, Tinubu charged the Senate to continue to legislate in support of the country’s stability and unity.
He told lawmakers that personal sacrifice, selflessness was part of his principles which aided the formation and survival of the APC.
He cited the example of when he was asked to list what he wanted politically and he declined and insisted that he was satisfied with the success recorded in the merger.
According to him, courage is very necessary for leadership as he made reference to the recent electoral act amendment where President Muhammadu Buhari had wanted section 84(10) deleted which the Senate rejected overwhelmingly saying that the President of the Senate demonstrated courage in leadership
“You did it recently there was a bill before you that wants alteration. I watched you sitting as President, I saw the gavel in the hands of the Senate president, he puts the question, the Nay was quiet yes was loudest and he explained.
“That is courage, that is the courage that the nation needs. The Senate president I will continue to respect you the rest of my life.”
“The Senate President, you have shown unusual leadership since you assumed the leadership of this senate
You have navigated the minefield in the effort of putting our country together unity in diversity. How I wish you use that unity and diversity for our prosperity
“I have seen the harmonious relationship with the executive, I have seen the cordiality between the national assembly and the executive as something Germaine to national development and progress.
“It is crucially important that you do your job in the atmosphere of no intimidation or bullying. You have been doing that. You are careful as a team leader to build a very successful team that is navigating this country very well in the right direction
“Democracy does not thrive when both arms of the Government are not in tandem with the spirit of nationalism development and fairness to all.
“You represent various constituencies. I know how fast you want Nigeria to grow economically but I know the hurdles on our way.
“I know with adequate communication, effective strategy the assembly will work and the only way we can progress and make a better Nigeria. “We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to the next generation, we owe it to our children to be able to fashion a new order, think out of the box, be sincerely committed to our unity, unity in diversity, prosperity, for growth and emancipation of many Nigerians.”
“In democratic governance, our party APC was united in 2015, I was a very active part of the merger
“When the constitution of APC was being written they called me to ask what do I wanted, I said I have given it all, I will be satisfied with anything you call me or any name you assign to me as long as this merger is successful I have a prospect, I have a future and I have an opportunity to excel “Somebody ran to me telling me they say you are the party leader but that party leadership is not defined yet, that I should intervene. I said I have not seen anything to intervene. Leave them to do their job.
“I was with President Muhammadu Buhari and he is somebody who gives you a job without interfering so I did not go to intervene.
“They call me party leader, they did not define the role, I looked for leadership meaning as I know it and I will continue to play that role. They didn’t define it in our constitution I will continue to accept it.”
He said he called the audience adding that he was grateful to lawn and the senators for the honour.
“My background is in accountancy and finance, that is what I went to the university for, Chicago State University I was a distinguished scholar, I won many awards and I graduated with honours. I was recruited by five of the big eight accounting firms, they offered me a job.
“I was exposed to many of big companies and corporate organization’s I was exposed, I was well trained and when I said it was time for me to go back o my country Mobile transferred me, I came home,
“Don’t be surprised about the opposition and the lessons of life that you will learn as in this our journey of democracy together.
“Don’t worry about people stabbing you in the back, people running you into stumbling blocks, believing God, determination, consistency and perseverance will pull you through I will pull off through.”
On the women’s interest that was thrown out during the debate on the constitutional review for which the women blocked the national assembly gate, he said,
“I ran into a little ambush of women protesters but of course, I went to the other gate interestingly affirmative action is good but you are being very careful not to jeopardize the constitution.
“Yes the interest of women is very necessary but for the APC we are doing our best and we will continue to do our best for the interest of women, maybe they will get this message of the national assembly in the spirit of democracy.”
Responding, President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan said that the APC Senate Caucus was a central and fundamental pillar of the party.
“This caucus has remained committed to the party, shown resolve to our manifesto to work within us and the Executive.
We have achieved so much because of the APC caucus.
“From 2019 that this caucus showed loyalty, commitment and purposeful orientation to ensure that our victory from 2015 and 2019 as a political party are fully utilised for the benefits of Nigerians.
“This party needs the kind of commitment that APC members have shown in the country.
“APC must continue to be progressive in our actions. 2023 is going to be a year for APC again. By Feb. 25 when the Presidential Election will take place, by the grace of God, APC will have the victory that is required.”
On the leadership crisis in the party, Lawan said that “Recently we have had difficulty because of misunderstanding between some of our members and the party had been thrown into temporary confusion.
“I thank God it is over now. It is very clear that our party is back on track that in the next two weeks, our national convention will hold and a new set of leaders will emerge.”
Lawan thereafter wished Tinubu well and success in “this enterprise” and the recognition you have given to the APC Senate Caucus is well appreciated.
“All of us wish you well, wish you success in this and in the affairs of fighting for APC to continue to be the ruling party, Nigeria justifiably so, your excellency, we are with you.
Former senators on his entourage included Adadayo Adeyeye (Ekiti), Abu Ibrahim (Katsina) and Iyola Omisore(Sound)
A fire outbreak has ravaged part of the Technology Incubation Centre near the Police Headquarters in Gombe, destroying property estimated at N4 million.
The incident occurred on Friday and affected five shops at the centre, according to the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command.
The command said its prompt intervention prevented the fire from spreading further, enabling firefighters to save property estimated at N15 million.
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The Federal Fire Service said it received a distress call about the incident at approximately 10:14 a.m., after which a multipurpose water tender was immediately deployed to the scene.
The firefighting operation was led by ASF II Mukhtar Shehu, with IF Bernard serving as the driver.
The crew successfully contained the blaze and extinguished it using one medium jet of water.
According to the command, four of the five affected shops were successfully saved, limiting the extent of the damage.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASF MB Muazu, said firefighters carried out a thorough inspection after extinguishing the flames and confirmed that there was no immediate threat of re-ignition.
Muazu said, “The Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, has successfully contained a fire outbreak involving five shops at the Technology Incubation Centre, near the Police Headquarters, Gombe.”
He added, “Four of the five affected shops were successfully saved, with property estimated at N15m salvaged, while the estimated loss stood at approximately N4m.”
The fire appliance and crew returned to the station at about 11:09 a.m. after confirming that the fire had been completely extinguished.
The Federal Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to responding promptly to emergencies and protecting lives and property.
Muazu urged members of the public to report fire incidents promptly and adhere to basic fire safety precautions to prevent avoidable losses.
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has expressed the view that Nigeria’s positive economic outlook is predicated on the strategic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and improved crude oil output.
The views were expressed in its latest assessment of the Nigerian economy, in which it noted that the country’s economy expanded by 3.9 percent year-on-year in Q1, 2026.
It added that the growth rate was only slightly below the 4.0 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, a confirmation that economic growth remained close to recent highs.
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According to the oil producers’ organisation, the non-oil economy continued to provide the main support for growth, with activity driven by agriculture, manufacturing, construction, trade, finance and insurance.
It pointed out that higher oil output had also improved fiscal revenues, foreign exchange inflows and external buffers. “The economy expanded by 3.9 percent, year-on-year, in 1Q26, only slightly below the 4Q25 pace of 4.0 percent, confirming that growth remains close to recent highs,” OPEC stated.
The organisation said survey indicators pointed to continued, though moderating, momentum in private-sector activity. It noted that the Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) eased to 52.5 in July, from 53.4 in June and 54.1 in May.
The July reading, it said, was the weakest since March but still signalled a sixth consecutive monthly improvement in private-sector conditions. The OPEC said firms again reported a marked increase in new orders, supported by improved customer demand, better pricing and new product launches.
It added that output and employment also rose modestly during the month. The organisation predicted that higher domestic refining capacity, particularly improved fuel supply from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP), should further support energy availability and reduce some of the pressures associated with petroleum imports.
“Higher domestic refining capacity, including improved fuel supply from the Dangote refinery, should continue to support energy availability and reduce some import-related pressures,” OPEC stated.
The DPRP, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has become a major source of locally refined petroleum products as its operations have expanded.
The refinery’s increased supply of petrol and other refined products has also reduced some of the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products, in line with the impact highlighted by the OPEC.
On inflation, the OPEC said pressures had begun to soften, with headline inflation standing at 15.9 percent year-on-year in both June and May. “The July PMI pointed to softening input costs, despite higher fuel and raw material costs,” the organisation stated.
The report said the moderation in input costs was an indication that some cost pressures facing businesses had begun to ease, although higher fuel and raw material costs remained a challenge.
The OPEC said Nigeria’s near-term outlook remained positive, with oil production, reform progress, infrastructure investment and stronger business activity providing support.
“Overall, Nigeria’s near-term outlook remains positive, supported by oil production, progress on reforms, infrastructure investment, and stronger business activity,” it stated.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation to Friday, August 21, 2026.
The extension, announced on Thursday, is aimed at giving Nigerians, institutions and other stakeholders more time to prepare and submit substantive contributions to the proposed reform of the country’s policing architecture.
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Chairman of the Working Group and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the additional time was necessary to ensure broad consultation and enable stakeholders to make well-considered and technically sound contributions.
“The Presidential Working Group is committed to ensuring that the process of developing the National Policing Bill benefits from broad consultation and the informed perspectives of Nigerians and relevant stakeholders.
“The proposed legislation is intended to provide the operational, administrative, institutional and funding framework necessary for an effective policing architecture that responds to Nigeria’s evolving security needs while providing appropriate safeguards for accountability, professionalism and the protection of citizens’ rights,” Gbajabiamila said.
The Working Group had initially set August 13 as the deadline for public submissions but has now shifted it to 5:00 p.m. WAT on August 21.
Gbajabiamila urged legal practitioners, civil society organisations, security sector professionals, state governments, professional bodies, academics, experts and other interested members of the public to take advantage of the extension.
“All submissions must be made on or before 5:00 p.m. WAT on Friday, August 21, 2026, exclusively through the official National Policing Bill portal, nationalpolicingbill.com,” he stated.
According to the Working Group, the proposed legislation will address critical areas including sustainable funding, command and control structures, recruitment and training standards, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency coordination, accountability mechanisms and safeguards against political interference or abuse.
Gbajabiamila said these issues make extensive stakeholder engagement essential to producing a policing framework that is effective, accountable, sustainable and responsive to the security needs of communities across the federation.
“The Working Group recognises that developing an effective policing framework requires careful consideration of critical issues, including sustainable funding, command and control structures, recruitment and training standards, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency coordination, accountability mechanisms and safeguards against political interference or abuse.
“These considerations underscore the importance of robust stakeholder engagement in developing a framework that is effective, accountable, sustainable and responsive to the peculiar security needs of communities across the Federation,” he said.
The Working Group, inaugurated by President Tinubu to develop the legal framework for the implementation of state police, is expected to present a final, implementation-ready draft of the National Policing Bill for onward legislative processing.
The proposed bill is being developed alongside the constitutional amendment process required to establish state police, with the legislation expected to provide the detailed operational framework for federal and state policing.
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