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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

2027: Obi Warns Against Rigging, Urges Voters to Be Vigilant

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Eric

A former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to election officials and stakeholders, urging Nigerians to ensure that every vote counts in the 2027 general election.

Obi stressed that anyone who attempts to manipulate or obstruct the counting of votes will be held accountable for undermining the country’s democracy.

“Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes MUST count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria,” he wrote on X on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Obi, who has declared that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, advised voters to stay at polling units after casting their ballots to observe the counting and transmission of results, emphasising that preventing the proper tallying of votes would attract legal consequences.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate said: “I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to count and witness the counting and transmission of results. Those who refuse to allow the votes count will be made to count the full weight of the law against rigging.

“Let me reiterate: if you do not count our votes, we will count you among those who destroy our democracy, thereby destroying our future, and you must answer to the law.”

Headline

APC National Secretary Basiru Demands Wike’s Resignation As FCT Minister

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Eric

The National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, accusing him of undue interference in the ruling party’s internal affairs.

Basiru’s demand followed Wike’s warning earlier on Monday, in which the former Rivers State governor cautioned the APC scribe to “leave Rivers State alone” and refrain from meddling in its politics. Wike, while addressing supporters during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, described Rivers as a “no-go area,” warning that those who interfere “may burn their hands.”

But, responding to the FCT Minister’s warning in a statement issued from Osogbo, Osun State, Senator Basiru fired back, describing Wike’s remarks as a “tirade” and “uncouth.”

“My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as National Secretary of the APC,” Basiru said. “It is shocking that such an innocuous statement could elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.”

The APC National Secretary defended his earlier remarks, insisting he merely reaffirmed that governors, regardless of political differences, deserve respect as leaders of the party in their respective states.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party, the APC. He therefore lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party,” he declared.

“As National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the party and all its members. My activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.”

Basiru also dismissed Wike’s allegation that he and other APC leaders were scrambling for a N600 billion “largesse” in Rivers State’s coffers, describing it as “cheap blackmail.”

“My background and track record are of unquestionable integrity,” Basiru stated. “I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.”

The APC chieftain further warned Wike against issuing threats, saying he would not be intimidated.

“Wike is not God and may be overplaying his political card,” Basiru cautioned. “My faith is in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from him.”

He maintained that Wike’s support for President Tinubu does not make him an APC member.

“Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support the President, and Wike’s case is no different,” Basiru said. “He cannot bring the spirit of the PDP into the APC or destabilize our structures in Rivers State.”

Concluding his statement, Basiru said Wike must make a choice between serving as a non-party technocrat or interfering in APC matters.

“He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government and be causing confusion within our party. The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” he declared.

Headline

Alleged N432bn Fraud: El-Rufai Spends Monday Night in EFCC Custody

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Eric

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent Monday night in the custody of the EFCC following hours of interrogation over alleged financial misappropriation amounting to N432 billion.

El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, in response to an invitation reportedly issued in December.

Although he presented himself voluntarily, sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed late Monday that he would remain in custody until investigators reached what they described as “advanced stages” of their questioning.

The probe is said to stem from a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023 of diverting public funds through multiple state channels.

A senior EFCC official confirmed that investigators are reviewing contracts and financial transactions executed during his eight-year tenure.

Tension flared at the EFCC premises as hundreds of supporters and critics gathered shortly after news of his appearance broke.

Supporters accused the Federal Government of political persecution, chanting solidarity slogans, while a group identified as the Mega National Movement for Good Governance demanded accountability, insisting that no public official is above the law.

Security operatives deployed teargas to disperse the crowd after clashes reportedly broke out between the opposing groups.

In a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, reportedly concern the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The filing followed a recent interview in which the former governor claimed he had listened to conversations in which Ribadu allegedly directed security operatives to arrest him upon his return from Egypt last week.

El-Rufai’s legal team, led by Ubong Akpan, has described the investigations as arbitrary and a violation of his constitutional rights.

Meanwhile, indications emerged that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has also scheduled him for questioning on Wednesday, February 18.

As of Tuesday morning, it remained unclear whether the EFCC would seek a court order to extend his detention or proceed with formal charges. Several of his former aides are reportedly already in custody as investigations continue.