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Forget Tinubu And APC. Jonathan Will Do A Better Job As President, Says Gov Mohammed

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Governor Mohammed also issued a wake-up call for President Tinubu to address the issues or risk losing to the PDP in future elections.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed confidence that former President Goodluck Jonathan would excel in a future presidential role, highlighting the significant reforms introduced during Jonathan’s tenure.

Mohammed praised the achievements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing President Olusegun Obasanjo’s contributions to telecommunications, agriculture, and infrastructure.

“The only carriageways we have in the northeastern region are from the Obasanjo era,” Mohammed said.

The governor was responding to a non-governmental organization’s call for him to consider a presidential run in 2027. The organisation had awarded him the title of “Champion of Peace, Unity, and Development.”

In his response, Governor Mohammed affirmed that he would be open to any leadership role, provided that Jonathan is not also running.

“With regard to your call for me to present myself, I am still contemplating my chances as the leader of the opposition. I know there are good leaders within the PDP, especially my boss Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

“I have always said that as long as Jonathan is around, I will not present myself for leadership of this country, unless he decides not to run. If we can persuade him to come forward, I will support him with my blood. Out of modesty, he is still not ready. I hope you will meet him and encourage him to run.”

Governor Mohammed expressed his belief that the former president would perform better than the current administration, citing Jonathan’s experience and inclusive approach.

“He will do a better job because he has the experience. We know the prices of things, we know the level of inflation. During Jonathan’s regime, he was inclusive, addressing issues like the Almajiri system and creating initiatives for unemployed youths. His leadership recruitment was exemplary. We need leaders like him—young people with energy, foresight, and drive.”

Regarding recent criticisms of President Tinubu following the end bad governance protest, Governor Mohammed stated that the criticisms were part of his responsibility to advise the Federal Government and the presidency.

He reaffirmed his respect for President Tinubu, saying his criticism was misunderstood. He said leaders at various levels including governors, have lapses and they all need to be driven by knowledge.

Governor Mohammed also issued a wake-up call for President Tinubu to address the issues or risk losing to the PDP in future elections.

“We believe in rotation, and it is the South’s turn to produce the president for eight years, but they must earn it.

“We bought into the idea of removing subsidies, including me, but if it is not working—if it is not putting food on the table or giving young people hope—we should reconsider it,” he concluded.

 

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Datti advises Atiku to drop 2027 presidential bid

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The National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Garba Datti Muhammad has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai to reconsider their political paths ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Datti, a former member of the House of Representatives, specifically urged Atiku to forgo another presidential bid, stating: “As we approach the next general elections, you are at it again. Having sensed that your party, the PDP, may not cede the presidential ticket to you, you are now considering joining forces with some aggrieved politicians to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.”

He further advised Atiku, saying, “In your best interest and the interest of Nigerians, it is better you drop the idea of contesting for president in 2027, by which time you would have already turned 80 years. The Wazirin Adamawa, you should rather remain the elder statesman that you currently are.”

Datti also urged Atiku to follow the example of another former Vice President, Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, who has remained an elder statesman since leaving office in 2015.

He also cautioned Atiku not to be swayed by figures like El-Rufai, who Datti claims are attempting to lead him toward forming a coalition for the 2027 elections:

“In truth, even if you contest, you have nothing new to offer. Remember, you are also a proponent of subsidy removal. It is on record that, as Vice President, you spearheaded the privatization of some key national assets when you chaired the committee on privatization during the Obasanjo administration, while former governor El-rufai was the Director General of the Bureau for Public Privatization (BPP).”

Addressing El-Rufai, Datti expressed disappointment in his exit from the APC, despite being a founding member of the party:

“It is on record that you were part of the founding members of the APC. Having worked for the party tirelessly and served as governor under its platform for eight years, it is rather worrisome that you decided to leave APC at this critical point.”

Datti referenced El-Rufai’s past media statements, highlighting:

“While still serving as governor in 2022, during one of your media chats, you averred that ‘the moment I leave APC, then I have quit politics altogether.’ At this critical point, you should ponder and reconcile with the APC or quit politics altogether.”

He further criticized El-Rufai’s sudden turn into criticism, given that the former governor had previously stated his lack of interest in positions within the Tinubu administration:

“The world knows that it was you who announced that you were not interested in any position in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Why should you turn to a critic overnight just because you perceived things were not going your way when you had unfettered access to the leadership of the party and the President?”

On broader political matters, Datti advised against political miscalculations, warning:

“I would like to tell you for free that no PDP governor will join the SDP because their party already has a structure on the ground. Who will leave certainty to uncertainty? You may end up committing a serious political miscalculation.”

Datti also stressed the importance of supporting the South’s eight-year tenure before considering a rotation of the presidency back to the North:

“One would expect that as a leading figure who supported the presidency to go to the South in 2023, you would support the zone to finish its eight years before canvassing for the rotation of the position to the North.”

He acknowledged the significant strides made in the North West under President Tinubu’s administration, noting:

“Currently in the North-West, we have the Speaker of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State and the Deputy President of the Senate from Kano State. It has never happened in the history of Nigeria where two Presiding Officers of the National Assembly came from the same zone.”

Datti also praised Tinubu’s efforts in reshaping the North West’s leadership:

“Additionally, the North West also got 12 ministerial appointments some of whom are manning critical ministries such as the two ministers of Defence; Budget and National Planning; Environment; two ministers of Housing; Culture and Creative Economy; Ministers of State for FCT, Education and Works etcetera. The zone also has the two Service Chiefs: the Chief of Defence Staff from Kaduna State, and the Chief of Air Staff from Kano State.”

Furthermore, Datti highlighted the improvements seen in Kaduna State, where:

“The Speaker, working in collaboration with Governor Uba Sani, has so far attracted about seven higher institutions to the state. The Speaker and Governor Uba Sani have also attracted the metro rail line (intra-city) worth about 250 billion Naira, already approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which will run from Rigachikun to Maraban Rido. This will ameliorate the transportation challenges residents of Kaduna metropolis face on a daily basis.”

He concluded by emphasizing the positive changes under the Tinubu administration, including improvements in the economy and prices:

“The Tinubu administration is also working assiduously to make life better for Nigerians following subsidy removal. Naira is now gaining strength by the day. Prices of foodstuffs are dropping drastically by the day. The economy is gradually taking a new turn.”

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BREAKING: INEC Gets ‘Acting Chairman’ Amid Mahmood Yakubu’s Alleged Sacking

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Mr Sam Olumekun.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a new acting chairman in the person of Mr Sam Olumekun.

Olumekun, who is INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, was referred to as acting INEC Chairman at a meeting he held with the Labour Party leadership on Wednesday.

Ekwutosblog understands that Professor Yakubu is currently in the Gambia to participate in the ECONEC (ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions) meeting.

Per constitutional provision, the tenure of an INEC chairman is five years and they have historically left at the end of their terms if not renewed.

Yakubu assumed the role on November 9, 2015. He became the first INEC chairman to be sworn in for second term after former President Muhammadu Buhari renewed his appointment in 2020.

Section 157 of the constitution stipulates that the president can only remove the INEC chairman with the support of two-thirds of the Senate.

Meanwhile, the new acting chairman, Olumekun, met with a delegation of the Labour Party, led by Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, who visited INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Days ago, reports claimed that President Bola Tinubu had sacked Yakubu as INEC chairman and replaced him with Professor Bashiru Olamilekan.

However, the presidency debunked the reports. The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, urged the public to disregard the reports as “fake news”.

Ogra noted that such an announcement would come through official channels such as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Amid reports of his sacking, Professor Yakubu presided over INEC’s weekly meeting at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting included several national commissioners, including Olumekun.

“Crucial decisions would be taken at the meeting,” INEC had said in a tweet.

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Anambra 2025: Onyeze emerges Accord Party guber candidate ‎

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‎Anambra philanthropist, Chief Chidi Charles Onyeze, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Accord party for the November 5 2025 Anambra governorship election.

‎He was declared unopposed during the Party’s Primary election process held at East End Hotel, Aroma, Awka, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

‎The exercise was witnessed by thousands of party chieftains, members, INEC, security, and the media.

‎By his emergence, Chief Onyeze has become the youngest governorship candidate, who will participate in the election alongside the incumbent governor of the state, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Mr. Jude Ejimofor (PDP), Chief George Muoghalu (LP) and other awaiting candidates from other political parties.



‎Speaking to Journalists shortly after the process, Onyeze said he is contesting the election to address the current challenges of unemployment, insecurity, and poor educational system in Anambra State.

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