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Mustapha Declares for APC National Chairmanship, Insists on Zoning, Party Discipline, Supremacy

Published

5 years ago

May 25, 2021

Eric

By Eric elezuo

An aspirant for the National Chairmanship position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr Mohammed Bello Mustapha has made public his intention to hold the exalted position of the party, insisting that the zoning formula agreed upon by the rank and file of the party must be respected and put to work.

Mustapha made his remarks while addressing members of the press in company of notable party associates at the CitiHeights Hotel in Lagos on Monday.

The seasoned party faithful said that time has come to reposition the party for greater achievements, hand leadership over to the youths and put every mechanism in place to heal the nation, which presently is divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Acknowledging the giant strides of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari so far, Mustapha said that he has glorious strides up his sleeves to put the party on the positive front burner, and right every wrong that has set the people of Nigeria against one another, especially among the APC family.

Acknowledging the faith the party and his associates reposed in him, Mustapha said he has itemised glaring cardinal objectives that will propel his administration’s vision as the party chairman. He mentioned them as Zoning, Supremacy of the party, Entrenchment of party discipline, Restoration of internal democracy, Reactivation of motivation and rewards system, and not forgetting to give the women the opportunity they deserve.

He further informed that there is no going back on zoning, which happens to be an agreement reached by the party earlier in 2013 when it came on board, saying that reneging on the agreement will be tantamount to betrayal of trust.

“There was an agreement on board since 2013 on how to rotate power between the north and the south in terms of the presidency and the party chairmanship. This understanding must be strictly adhered to – the presidency should go the south while the chairmanship returns to the north,” he said.

He noted that with the youths commanding more 60 per cent of voting strength in the party and across all other parties, it is high time the youth took up the challenge, and dictate who runs the affairs of the party, and the country at large.

“It is high time the elders stepped down and allow the youths a chance to run the parties at all levels,” he announced.

Mustapha lamented the indiscipline that has engulfed the party in recent times, going down memory lane to the first and second republics, to recount how disciplined party leadership was, using the tenure of Adisa Akinloye as Chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as a case study.

“As we can see today, recklessness in speech and action has become the order of the day. There are no functional disciplinary mechanism anymore, and no one seems to caution anyone. My administration as the chairman of our party will correct all that. I will further ensure all round inclusiveness where every member of the party will be carried along.

“Not only that, when I become the chairman, I will see to it that every party member who has paid his dues are well rewarded and taken care of. I promise everyone the APC of our dreams when I become the chairman,” Mustapha said as a matter of fact.

In his entourage were other party faithful including Mr. Kingsley Chinda, Comrade Ayodele Adewale and Mr Shaka Momodu.

MB Mustapha is an APC stalwart, who has been an active participant since the party’s inception in 2013. He hails from Jalingo in Taraba State, and was born on January 2, 1972.

A Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mustapha stands tall against all odds and his sterling credentials in party politics and wealth of experience speak volumes. He had contested elections on the highest levels including 2011 governorship election in Taraba and senatorial aspiration in 2019.

He is a responsible married man, and blessed with children.

Featured

Supreme Court Verdict: ADC Chieftain Advises Tinubu to Kiss Aso Rock Goodbye

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Eric

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has declared that it is over for the President Bola Tinubu administration following the Supreme Court ruling that restored the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition party.

Eze, in a statement on Friday, criticized the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and the INEC chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, asserting that they should be ashamed for acting as obstacles to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

He said: “The government led by President Bola Tinubu has tarnished the judiciary. Certain judges and courts are reportedly being systematically employed to undermine the leadership of political parties in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.

“Even when all seemed lost, given the recent court rulings in political cases, particularly those involving opposition parties, Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment was a divine intervention.

“We express our gratitude to God Almighty for prompting the Supreme Court to overturn that disgraceful, distorted, and anti-democratic ruling issued by the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the misguided interpretation and decision of INEC regarding our party, the ADC.”

He stressed that the time has come for Tinubu and his alleged undemocratic associates in Aso Rock to return to Lagos.

“With Thursday’s ruling saving the ADC from destruction, it is time for Tinubu to begin drafting his handover notes and prepare for his return to Lagos State,” Eze stated.

Eze advised the ADC to concentrate on its primary function as a prominent opposition party in the upcoming 2027 general elections, as that the leadership dispute has been resolved.

He emphasized that stability at the upper levels of the party will result in improved organization, clearer communication, and enhanced participation in Nigeria’s political arena.

Notably, he asserted that the ruling will add to Nigeria’s expanding collection of case laws regarding political party governance, and urged the ADC to stay focused on its objective of reclaiming power from the APC due to poor governance.

“It highlights the judiciary’s role in interpreting party constitutions and ensuring adherence, which may affect how future conflicts are resolved,” Eze stated.

He praised the panel for upholding justice, remarking that any opposing decision regarding the ADC’s alleged leadership issue would have further entangled the Judiciary in the murky waters of arbitral corruption.

“Clearly, this ruling has set the stage for cohesion, unity, stability, and effective leadership within the ADC.

“With this issue now definitively settled, even though it should not have been justiciable ab initio, as it pertains to an internal matter of a political party, we urge all our members, stakeholders, and supporters to unite behind the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC to collectively reposition the party for greater national significance, viability, and visibility,” Eze said.

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2027: We’re on Track, ADC Hails S’Court Ruling

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2026

Eric

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that it would never be intimidated, distracted, or silenced in its push to realize a better Nigeria.

Spokesman of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said this in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed David Mark’s leadership of the party.

Abdullahi said the judgment has affirmed that the Mark and Rauf Aregbesola leadership of the party is legitimate.

Abdullahi said: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) congratulates all our members and leaders across the country on today’s Supreme Court ruling which affirmed the leadership of our party under Senator David Mark as National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

“Today’s decision is a clear affirmation that our party, its structures, and its leadership under our National Chairman, Senator Mark, and our National Secretary, Ogbeni Aregbesola, are legitimate.

“We commend the five-man panel of the Supreme Court, whose unanimous judgment has today done great credit to the judiciary in our country and our political system.

“However, while we welcome this judgment, we do not mistake it for the end of the struggle. The events leading up to this moment have exposed a troubling pattern of interference, bad faith, and attempts to weaken opposition voices in Nigeria.

“Let it be clearly stated: the ADC will not be intimidated, distracted, or silenced. We remain resolute in our mission to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.

“We therefore urge all our members, supporters, and democratic stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant.”

Featured

Tinubu Appoints Bianca Ojukwu As Foreign Affairs Minister

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2026

Eric

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The announcement was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).

The appointment followed the resignation of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in preparations for the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s elevation marks a return to a more senior role within Nigeria’s foreign service architecture, having previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Her new appointment places her at the helm of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, where she is expected to oversee the country’s foreign policy direction, strengthen international partnerships, and advance economic diplomacy objectives.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.

“Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The Presidency noted that the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy framework for greater efficiency and stronger global engagement. It added that the new minister is expected to deepen diplomatic relations, promote Nigeria’s national interest, and ensure the welfare of Nigerians abroad remains a priority.

In the same announcement, President Tinubu also nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations. He is a seasoned diplomat with over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign affairs system and has held key postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.

The Presidency said the appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture and improve the country’s global diplomatic engagement.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a lawyer, diplomat, and former beauty queen who has had a long career in public service and international diplomacy.

She was born on 5 August 1967 in Anambra State and studied law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.

Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio in Spain, as well as postgraduate diplomas in Human Rights and International Relations from the Berg Institute, Madrid, and in Dynamics of Conflict and Cooperation from the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Diaspora Matters and later became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain from 2012 to 2015, where she also represented the country at the UN World Tourism Organization. She earlier served as Ambassador to Ghana.

She was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, where she supported Nigeria’s external affairs portfolio, including diplomacy, consular engagement, and international relations strategy. She has now been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.

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