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2019: US has Hinted Readiness to Issue Atiku Visa – Gbenga Daniel

Published

7 years ago

November 1, 2018

Eric

The Director General of the Atiku campaign organisation, Gbenga Daniel, says officials of the United States have hinted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, that he would get a U.S. visa if he applies for one now.

Mr Daniel disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television programme, Politics Today, on Wednesday.

It has been widely speculated in recent years that Mr Abubakar was ‘banned’ from entering the U.S. due to allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him, especially in the aftermath of a U.S. congressional report which probed his numerous international financial dealings.

Mr Abubakar has dismissed insinuations that he cannot travel to the U.S. He, however, said he was not granted a visa when he applied. This has not deterred the opposition All Progressive Congress from ridiculing him on the matter.

”I can also confirm to you that in last few days that there have been signals from the American officials that he (Atiku) should indeed come forward so he can be granted visa. So between you and I, all the issues are perception,” Mr Daniel said.

Mr Daniel, during the interview, also explained that the perception of corruption that had tarred the image of Mr Abubakar over the years was misplaced.

”Well, my opinion is that the issue appears to have been over-flogged. I remember when we were running the campaign in the primaries and everybody kept confronting us on this perception and we brought it out in the open that indeed it is no more than perception, politically motivated perception which unfortunately appears not to have stopped.

”By and large, I think as we move toward the real issues, people would just realise that this is just politically motivated issues. I have repeatedly said that this is not a Banana Republic. Nigeria as a people, we know our weaknesses, anything that is nagetive about our leaders, we are ready to believe it.

”But until when (corruption) charges are pressed, as far as we are concerned, there are no issues there. If you look at the newspapers in the last few days, we have read statement issued by the (U.S.) state department that they have no issues or whatsoever with Atiku Abubakar.”

He also spoke on the strides made in Mr Abubakar’s campaign to clinch the top seat.

”We have done the first part of the job against all odds, we have been able to deliver his Excellency, Atiku Abubakar as the flag bearer of the party, it is like a relay race of some sort. Now that he is the flag bearer of the party, we must create an opportunity to bring other people in and that is what we have done.

”And you would notice that virtually everyone who contested against him in the party has come into the picture and everyone has one role or the other to play.”

When asked what his right designation presently was in light of the emergence of other campaign officials of the party ahead of the elections, he explained.

”Yes, I am the DG of the APCO (the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation). The new team that is being formed now is by the party and that does not stop us on what we are doing at the APCO. We want wider participation.”

He said though he was excited about his nomination to vie for a Senate seat, he did not want to be distracted from his campaign for Mr Abubakar.

”I want to seize this opportunity to thank the Bayo Dayo group who put my name on the ballot. I think it is a sign of appreciation, I must thank them. As you are aware I am very busy with the Atiku campaign and it is my immediate priority for now. I am working 100 per cent with the Atiku campaign organisation and I do not want any distraction.”

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Tinubu Nominates Oyedele As Minister of State for Finance, Moves Anite-Uzoka to Budget Ministry

Published

16 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has announced that “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Anite-Uzoka.

“Mrs Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

“President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Mr Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Mr Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

“Mr Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

“He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

“He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

“Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

“Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.”

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Defection: Atiku’s Son, Adamu, Resigns As Adamawa Commissioner

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Adamu Abubakar, the first son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has resigned as Adamawa State’s commissioner for works and energy development, days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated 2 March 2026, was addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. He gave no reason for his departure.

The timing is pointed. Fintiri announced his defection to the APC in a statewide broadcast last Friday, saying his cabinet and the PDP’s state structure had moved with him. Within 24 hours, 22 commissioners and special advisers publicly announced they were following suit. Abubakar, whose father remains one of the PDP’s most prominent national figures, was not among them.

In a statement issued Monday night, Abubakar’s media aide Abdulaziz Jauro said the former commissioner thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda. He also expressed gratitude to his father “for granting him the moral support and blessing to serve the people of Adamawa State” — a line that, read in context, suggests Atiku was consulted on the decision.

Abubakar said his resignation was not a withdrawal from public life. “This does not mark the end of his commitment to public service,” the statement read, “but rather the beginning of new avenues for developmental collaboration.”

The resignation leaves unresolved the question of whether it reflects a political break with the governor over his defection or a personal decision unconnected to the broader party realignment now reshaping Adamawa’s political landscape.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

Published

24 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.