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APC Primaries: Buhari’s Wife, Aisha Lambasts Oshiomhole, Says his Reign Full of Impunity

Published

7 years ago

October 8, 2018

Eric

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Sunday, faulted the manner in which some of the primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress were conducted.

She particularly took a swipe at the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who she accused of allowing impunity under his watch.

Mrs Buhari made her position known in a series of tweets she posted on her verified Twitter handle, @aishambuhari, on Sunday.

She regretted that Oshiomhole, despite his activism background, could allow such a conduct under his leadership.

She said the conduct negated the principle of change that the APC stood for.

The President’s wife, whose brother contested the governorship primary in Adamawa State and lost to the incumbent, however, did not mention the specific cases she was referring to.

She, however, called on Nigerians to rise against impunity and for voters to demand from aspirants to be committed to the provision of basic amenities.

Mrs Buhari said, “It is disheartening to note that some aspirants used their hard-earned money to purchase nomination forms, got screened, cleared and campaigned vigorously yet found their names omitted on election day. These forms were bought at exorbitant prices.

“Many others contested and yet had their result delayed, fully knowing that automatic tickets had been given to other people.

“The All Progressives Congress, being a party whose cardinal principle is change and headed by a comrade/activist whose main concern is for the common man, yet, such impunity could take place under his watch.

“It is important for the populace to rise against impunity and for voters to demand from aspirants to be committed to the provision of basic amenities such as potable water, basic health care (Primary Health Care centres)

“Given this development, one will not hesitate than dissociate from such unfairness, be neutral and speak for the voiceless.

“Education within conducive and appropriate learning environments. Let us vote wisely! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

When contacted, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, said he had not seen Aisha’s tweets and as such could not respond.

He said, “I have not seen it (tweets). I cannot react to something I have not seen.”

Governor Bindow of Adamawa State emerged the winner of the disputed governorship primary in the state.

Bindow polled 193,656 votes in the direct primary to defeat Mahmood Halilu, Aisha Buhari’s younger brother and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, who polled 15,498 and 7,705 votes respectively.

The results, declared by the chairman of the 25-member electoral panel, Jibrin Ahmed, came amidst controversy, following calls for the cancellation of the primary by Ribadu and Mahmood earlier on.

Both Ribadu and Mahmood, who stated their rejection of the outcome of the primary election, attributed their decision to the irregularities which they said marred the exercise.

Mahmood, who addressed journalists on Saturday, dismissed the primary as a charade, saying “even if I am declared the winner, my conscience will not allow me to accept it.”

He stated, “It is surprising that the guidelines were flouted with impunity to the extent that an electoral officer, Mr Peter Nwadozie, who supervised the exercise in the Mubi North Local Government Area, announced the result of the election and declared one of the aspirants as the winner in camera.

“Even before the commencement of the exercise and arrival of materials, government officials were on social media posting outcome of the election that did not take place.

“I will not accept this result, even if it favours me because the whole process has been compromised.”

The Punch

Headline

Insecurity: Akpabio Begs Tinubu to Reinstate Police Orderlies for NASS Members

Published

14 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Eric

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the directive withdrawing police orderlies from members of the National Assembly, citing safety concerns.

Akpabio made the appeal during the presentation of the 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, by President Tinubu, warning that some lawmakers fear they might be unable to return home safely following the withdrawal.

His said: “As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly said I should let you know they may not be able to go home today.

“On that note, we plead with Mr. President for a review of the decision.”

President Tinubu, on November 23, ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties across the country.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu issued the directive after a security meeting with Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) following heightened security issues in the country.

Under the order, VIPs requiring security are to seek protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as the Federal government seeks to boost police presence in communities, particularly in remote areas grappling with insecurity.

Tinubu later reaffirmed the directive on December 10, moments before presiding over the Federal Executive Council, expressing frustration over delays in implementation.

He instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Civil Defence Corps to immediately replace withdrawn escorts to avoid exposing individuals to danger.

“I honestly believe in what I said…It should be effected. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said.

“The minister of interior should liaise IG and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties.

“So that you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.

Headline

Defence Gulps Lion Share As Tinubu Presents N58.47trn 2026 Budget to NASS

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has presented a budget of N58.47 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, with capital recurrent (non‑debt) expenditure standing at N15.25 trillion.

Tinubu presented the budget on Friday, pegging the capital expenditure at N26.08 trillion and putting the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.

He said the expected total revenue is N34.33 trillion, projected total expenditure: N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion for debt servicing. The budget is N23.85 trillion, representing 4.28% of GDP.

The budget was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of N1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.

In terms of sectoral allocation, defence and security took the lion’s share with N 5.41 trillion, followed by infrastructure at N3.56 trillion.

Headline

Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Macron Hold High-Powered Meeting in Paris

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2025

Eric

Accomplished billionaire businessman and Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, CdrLH, has held a private meeting with the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The two powerful citizens of the world held the meeting on Wednesday at the historic Élysée Palace in Paris.

The high-level engagement underscores the longstanding relationship between Dr. Adenuga and the French Republic, as well as his continued relevance in global business and diplomatic circles.

A respected industrialist and philanthropist, Adenuga has been widely acknowledged for his contributions to economic development, telecommunications, energy, and humanitarian causes across Africa and beyond.

The meeting adds to Dr. Adenuga’s growing profile as a bridge between African enterprise and international leadership.