Headline

How Saraki Plans To Get APC Ticket

Published

8 years ago

April 7, 2018

Editor

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki may not have formally announced his bid for the Presidency but we have it on good authority that whenever he takes that step, he would be doing it under the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Saraki’s loyalist have revealed to The Boss that on account of track record of performance, the ability to deliver on record-breaking promises, energy and drive, the Senate President is light years ahead of many in his party.

Not only that, we were told that having been able to stabilize the Senate much better than the President has stabilized the nation, he has the credentials to pick the APC Presidential ticket even if the President decides to attempt a second term.

We gathered that since President Buhari has decided that democracy should reign in his party, he will not dare tamper with a free and fair secret ballot process of elections, and they were confident that if that is the condition at the Primaries, Saraki will come out tops.

Furthermore, these loyalists have been begging the Senate President not to leave the APC at this time, noting that he had invested too much in the arrangement to jettison it just because some fair weather politicians are seemingly taking charge.

They told us that they were now convinced that the trials and travails that the Senate President have been facing since 2015 is because some people have long marked him out for destruction knowing full well that he is a major threat that could jeopardize their 2019 ambition.

“It is now apparent that some people had seen that he has a sterling profile and had made up their minds to rubbish him and stop him at all cost, because some of the accusations against him have just been inexplicable”, the source stated.

Meanwhile it may seem innocuous but in the last couple of months, the Senate President has been the first to visit prominent Nigerians in bereavement or celebration.

Just this week alone, he was in Kogi State to commiserate with the family of Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Umar Buba Jibril in Lokoja, he was also in Daura, Katsina State to commiserate with the family of Senator Mustapha Bukar, (while there,he also paid a visit to the Emir of Daura, and from pictures, we saw the Emir holding hands with Saraki like a worthy son) and he was in Arochukwu, Abia State to attend the funeral ceremonies of Madam Mathilda Ohuabunwa, mother of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

A few weeks ago, he was probably the only top politician that attended all the events that were hosted to celebrate the wedding of Fatima Aliko Dangote and Jamil MD Abubakar in Kano, Abuja and Lagos. As a matter of fact, he jocularly stated at the Kano Dinner where he was Chairman that the hall was filled with politicians because election was coming and politicians needed all the friends they could attract at this crucial period.

No doubt there are many factions of his party, but Saraki is certainly one of the very few that has been able to blend with everybody. It is to his credit that even friends or supporters of his so-called enemies, freely relate with him. He has the the unique advantage of being able to garner goodwill and by extension votes from all parts of the country.

He reportedly has this magnetic persona that attracts the best and the brightest, and this is probably because he is a detribalized Nigerian. His circle of friends cut across, so also his trusted aides. He has shown over the years that he knows how to assemble and work with a formidable team of intellectuals without being intimidated.

Talking of trust, we are told that in terms of international clout, he is no push over. The Globals regard him as a forward-thinking youthful leader that can be entrusted to secure the lives and property of Nigerians-as well as their vast investments in the country.

There is no doubt that whenever he formally declares, it will be an earth-shaking event that will reverberate in all major capitals of the world simply because this is one politician that many believe would not only be able to unify Nigeria, inject innovative ideas but generally will be a breath of fresh air. Of course, he is on paddy paddy basis with many world too.

Perhaps, another thing that we were told has endeared him to many Nigerians especially within the APC, has been the way he has faced the seeming humiliation by the Executive with equanimity.

We are told that by standing firm in this manner, it has sent strong signal, that no Nigerian should be harassed or persecuted just for having divergent political views.

They told The Boss, that Saraki, knowing full well that he is innocent of all charges, will pursue the false declaration of assets matter to a logical conclusion.

We were told that the same kind of insinuation held sway during the era that Societe General Bank was named among the failed banks.

Though may other banks failed at the time and caused untold ruin and suffering to its depositors, Societe General Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) was singled out for condemnation because of the powerful name of the Sarakis.

It is to his credit despite the fact that he had long left the bank, SGBN became one of the few financial institutions that went the extra mile to pay off all of its depositors including a prominent one like former Super Eagles Captain, Jay Jay Okocha.

Integrity is a word that doesn’t get used a lot in Nigerian politics anymore. But Saraki wants to be defined by such high ideals that in many cases, he just does not care whose ox his gored, provided he is doing the right thing.

This principle was responsible for the way he spoke the truth and did what he believed was right when he saw the humongous amounts the nation was losing from the oil subsidy scheme. He blew the whistle that saw to its eventual end. He has also ensured that the National Assembly does not become a mere rubber stamp of the executive.

There is no doubt that with his political pedigree and the aristocratic pedigree of his wife, Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, they are a formidable power couple.

The wife’s foundation, Wellbeing Foundation Africa has been doing tremendous work across the continent especially in the area of maternal, child and newborn health.

Shifting political winds have blown criticism Saraki’s way from different partisan directions. But his independence has never faltered. His integrity has never wavered. And in the pursuit of justice, it never will.

As 2019 approaches, Saraki’s intellect, his vast political experience and network can certainly not be ignored by the APC , which is keen on retaining power.

Headline

Corruption Allegations: NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Meets Tinubu, Resigns

Published

24 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Eric

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has resigned following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu amid corruption allegations.

Tinubu, on Wednesday, summoned Ahmed to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following allegations of economic sabotage and corruption.

Also caught in the web of resignation was the CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, according to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

Tinubu was said to have nominated successors to the senate for approval.

“Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),” the statement reads.

“The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC.

“Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.”

Onanuga said the two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.

Headline

Alleged Corrupt Practices: Dangote Petitions ICPC Against NMDPRA MD Farouk

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Eric

Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk, over alleged corruption and financial impropriety.

The petition, dated December 16, 2025, was submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and received at the office of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.

In the petition, Dangote called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the NMDPRA boss, alleging that Farouk has been living far above his legitimate means as a public servant.

Dangote specifically accused Ahmed Farouk of allegedly spending over seven million United States dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland, paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful explanation for the source of the funds.

According to the petition, the four children and their respective schools in Switzerland were clearly identified, along with the amounts paid on their behalf, to enable the ICPC verify the allegations.

The industrialist further alleged that Farouk Ahmed had been using his position at the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, actions which he claimed had recently triggered public protests and widespread criticism of the agency.

Dangote maintained that Ahmed Farouk has spent his adult life working in Nigeria’s public sector, adding that his cumulative earnings over the years could not reasonably account for the alleged seven million dollars reportedly spent on the overseas education of his children.

“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption, for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition stated.

It further noted that under the same section of the ICPC Act, any person found guilty of such offences is liable to imprisonment for a term of five years without an option of fine.

Dangote urged the commission to act decisively, stressing that the ICPC, alongside other anti-graft agencies, is strategically positioned to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences.

“In view of the foregoing, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting,” the petition added.

The Dangote Group Chairman also expressed confidence that the matter, being in the public domain, would not be ignored, urging the ICPC to act in the interest of justice and to protect the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Dangote further pledged his readiness to provide additional evidence to substantiate his allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and impunity against the NMDPRA Managing Director.

Headline

Tinubu Didn’t Win 2023 Election, Will Lose in 2027 – Abaribe

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2025

Eric

The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has predicted that it would be impossible for President Bola Tinubu to win second termn in the 2027 presidential election.

Abaribe, who claimed that the President never won the 2023 election, said the level of hardship Nigerians are currently facing has made them more determined to ensure that Tinubu does not return as president after 2027.

Reacting to suggestions that Tinubu has never lost an election, Abaribe, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said, “I do not think so. Everybody loses elections, and you will see when the time comes. He will lose in 2027 because I know what Nigerians are feeling outside.”

He added: “Tinubu never won the 2023 election, and everybody knows it. But we said fine, he has been declared the winner, no problem. We acknowledge him as president, but we are going to meet him in the field, and I will see how he is going to cobble together what will make him win again.

“It won’t work, because this time everybody will be ready. It will no longer be an announcement at 3am before people wake up in the morning. This time, people are ready; we are ready, and the masses are even more ready.”

The senator, who said the economy has collapsed under Tinubu and that the president has yet to solve the problem of insecurity, wondered where he would get the votes to win in 2027.

On the defection of some opposition leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abaribe vowed never to join the wave, saying he would be the last person to do so.

He said that rather than strengthening the APC as a party, the defections would deepen internal divisions and fuel leadership tussles.

“If there is anybody who is going to defect to the APC, I think I should be the very, very last one. By the time I defect, it would mean there are no parties left in Nigeria, including the APC,” he said.

“I have a very simple theory about defections. I think it is very good for us in the opposition that these defections are happening. All the APC is doing is absorbing all the problems it is going to face; they are right inside the party now. Ask yourself, in all the states where there are defections, what is going on there now?”

The lawmaker described the APC as a giant with feet of clay, saying the opposition would target its weak points during the election, leading to its collapse.

Abaribe, who reaffirmed his membership of the opposition coalition, said there is a consensus among opposition leaders to unite in order to dislodge the APC from power.

The coalition has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform for the 2027 elections, but many have claimed the move is a strategy to enthrone Atiku Abubakar and compel all opposition members to support him.

However, Abaribe disagreed, saying the party has yet to release its guidelines and other arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.