Category: Politics and Governance

Politics

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Abuja, July 18, 2025 (NAN) A youth group from the Egbeda-Alimosho community in Lagos State have urged Mr Ilyas Olanrewaju, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, to join the political landscape to further contribute to human development.

The group, which made the call during a courtesy visit on Olanrewaju in Abuja on Friday, said his commitment to human development, consistent support for education and empowerment initiatives, has endeared him to the people.

Speaking during the visit, the leader of the delegation, Mr Ajayi Badmus, described Olanrewaju as a “beacon of hope” and a “silent achiever.

He said that his philanthropic contributions have positively impacted lives across the community.

Badmus said the visit was to appreciate Olanrewaju for his continuous support and contributions to the welfare and development of their community.

He noted that many people in the community, particularly the youth, had benefited directly or indirectly from Olanrewaju’s generosity and visionary leadership.

the youth leader said his successful business background and philanthropic spirit place him in a strategic position to take up political leadership.

“Your efforts have transformed many lives, especially among the youth.

“We are here not just to say thank you, but also to encourage you to take up a political role.

“Your proven leadership in business and compassion in giving back place you in a strategic position to represent us,” Badmus said.

Responding, Olanrewaju expressed gratitude for the visit and the encouragement from the group.

He acknowledged that discussions around his possible political involvement were ongoing.

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“I am truly humbled by your visit and your message. Like you, some respected leaders have approached me on this same subject.

” I must say consultations are ongoing, and I have not made any final decision at this point,” Olanrewaju said.

He assured the delegation of his continued commitment to the development of Egbeda-Alimosho and the empowerment of its youth.

“My passion for the progress of our people remains unwavering. I will continue to play my part in supporting development and, in particular, empowering young people in our community,” he said.

Olanrewaju, a successful entrepreneur and respected philanthropist, is widely admired for his low-profile yet impactful contributions to community development.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FAK/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

‎Flowerbud News/ The Democratic Front (TDF) has accused the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of resorting to blackmail
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‎This was after its interim national Chairman, David Mark, claimed that the President Bola Tinubu administration is using the courts to stop his party.
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‎In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group urged members of the new coalition to work on their internal issues rather than looking for whom to blame.
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‎”TDF has observed the consistent use of blackmail as a tool by leaders of ADC to conceal their political shortcomings, in their bid to present a formidable opposition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming general elections in 2027.
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‎”We recall with dismay that this same group of politicians had accused President Bola of being intolerant of opposition and scheming towards establishing a one-party state.
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‎”Not only was the accusation false, baseless and unfounded, but the same politicians have unwittingly confirmed the President’s tolerance of opposition and disposition towards multi-party democracy when they successfully launched and adopted ADC as their political party without any hindrance or interference.
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‎”Subsequent turn of events further confirmed that the accusation against Tinubu by members of the fragile political coalition, was a smokescreen to deflect public attention from their inability to transform a voluntary association of like minds into a political party, as they jettisoned the registration of All Democratic Alliance (ADA), to join an existing political party,” the group said.
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‎It also accused the coalition members of not doing their homework well before adopting ADC as a platform.
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‎”We have discovered that the Atiku-led coalition failed to conduct a proper check on the party’s legal status before they hurriedly joined. The sudden realisation that it was engrossed in a prolonged legal duel over its leadership, as it was at the time the party was adopted, is sending fears down the spines of Mark and his co-travellers.
So it is not surprising that they have resorted to their usual traits of political scapegoating against the president in a bid to excuse their tardiness.
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‎”The decision to put 310 lawyers on standby confirms the fright and desperation currently rocking the party which informed the unwarranted insinuations against the Tinubu presidency.
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‎”We therefore find it rather disconcerting that Senator Mark, who had the privilege to preside over the Nigerian Senate, and also chaired the National Assembly for 8 years would opt to lead a political party that is in gross contravention of the constitutional principles and ethics of internal democracy in the selection or election of its leadership, “TDF added.
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‎The group advised the ADC leadership to conform to the stipulations of the Electoral Act and the Constitution rather than looking for those to blame for their inability to put their house in order.

‎Oyo APC Peace Advocates Reject Imposition in Ibadan North Bye-Election.

‎By Akeem Abas

The Oyo APC Peace Advocates, a political group, has declared its opposition to the imposition of candidates in the upcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election.

 In a statement signed by its co-conveners, Chief Wale Ohu and Prince Niran Adeyoju, the group emphasised the need for a free, fair, and transparent primary election to produce a legitimate candidate.

The group blamed the party’s failure in the 2023 governorship and House of Assembly elections on the imposition of officials and candidates, which undermined unity and electoral success.

They warned that returning to this strategy would be counterproductive and detrimental to the party’s chances in the bye-election.

The Oyo APC Peace Advocates called on stakeholders to adhere strictly to party rules and ensure a transparent primary process.

They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, unity, and adherence to party rules, and pledged to closely monitor the activities of the primary election committee to ensure fairness and transparency.

‎Flowerbud News/ The Democratic Front (TDF) has said it was embarrassed by the insistence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu was ‘hasty and thoughtless’.
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‎In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the TDF wondered why the former Vice President has not come up with a better alternative to what President Tinubu did.
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‎”It is even more worrisome that the former Vice President has continued to hold on to the cost of living in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal in a desperate bid to prove the current administration wrong on the decision.
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‎”We find it sad that Atiku and his media handlers did not acquaint themselves with the current development around prices of foodstuffs in local markets before blowing his much exaggerated claims of ‘hunger and despair’ out of proportion,” it said.
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‎The group also provided insight into the price of food across the market, which, according to it, painted a different reality.
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‎Contrary to his politically motivated exaggeration about the food prices across Nigeria, the current survey shows that a local cup of rice, which skyrocketed to N3,000 in the wake of subsidy removal in May 2023, is now N1,400, and a cup of maize, which galloped to N2,000, now sells for N400 in most Northern markets.
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‎”Meanwhile, a basket of Irish potatoes, which sold for N12,000,  now sells for N2,500 in the Jos township market, an indication that the price of foodstuffs is fast crashing in the country. This is on account of the aggressive pursuit of pragmatic policies, intervention, and investment in agriculture and food security, through fuel subsidy savings, by the Tinubu administration,” it added.
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‎TDF also urged the former Vice President to present to Nigerians what he would have done differently if he were the President.
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‎It said: “In his usually cynical attempt to be clever by half, former Vice President Abubakar commended some state governments for their performances on labour matters but chose to overlook the fact that it was President Tinubu’s decision to withdraw petroleum subsidy which resulted in the unprecedented surge in federal allocations.
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‎”This is what enabled the sub-nationals to embark on infrastructural projects, payment of the new minimum wage, and to clear debt owed to local contractors.
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‎Similarly, the Democratic Front finds Atiku’s accusation that the Tinubu administration had failed to pay the new wage award to federal workers to be untrue.
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‎”Available records show that not only has the government commenced payment of the new salary scale to federal civil servants, but it is also clear that no government has paid workers as much as the Tinubu administration is currently doing. And this, in our opinion, could not have been possible without the termination of the wasteful fuel subsidy regime.
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‎”We urge him to present Nigerians with his own option to fuel subsidy removal, or tell the public how he intends to sustain petroleum subsidy, which he also promised to remove during the election campaigns.
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‎”Our advice became necessary because his criticism of fuel subsidy withdrawal, without proffering alternatives, is fast eroding what remains of his reputation as a former Vice President”
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‎The group appealed to Nigerians not to take former Vice President Abubakar seriously on the issue of petroleum subsidy withdrawal, until he can provide a strategy to sustain the subsidy regime without external borrowings.

Makinde Dismisses Coalition Threat, Affirms Party’s Unity

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‎By Adewale Owoade

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an institution that cannot be threatened by talks of an emerging coalition.

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He stated this after a meeting of the South-West PDP Caucus, where leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and commitment to its unity, stability, progress, and success.

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The meeting, held at the South-West PDP Secretariat, Ibadan, was attended by key leaders, including former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

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Gov. Makinde emphasised that the PDP in the South-West is united and undivided, and that the PDP has its own ways and means of dealing with issues and will come out stronger as the only credible political alternative for Nigerians.

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“We want the whole world to know that the PDP in the South-West is united and we are together and that the coalition is not a threat to the PDP.

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“Who are these people in this coalition? They were in some parties before, whether PDP or APC. What are their antecedents? Does it mean that anytime they move from one party to the other, they have repented or they have something new to offer the people? These are salient questions.

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“This Soji Adagunodo House is for the PDP South-West. If the roof is leaking, as leaders of PDP in the South-West, are we going to abandon the building and go somewhere else to take refuge?

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“No, we will stay inside here and fix it to let the people know that we are responsible leaders and we have the interest of the people at heart.

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“So, a lot of people can say whatever they like, but in a party like the PDP, which is an institution, we have our own ways and means of dealing with such issues. When we get to the point where we have to deal with such issues, I give you the assurance that we will,” Makinde said.

 

The Caucus threw its weight behind the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and commended Governors Makinde and Ademola Adeleke (Osun State) for their roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the PDP.

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The communiqué issued after the meeting which was read by the Southwest PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, highlighted several key points.

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“The Caucus demands that the Federal Government immediately release the withheld Osun State Local Government Allocation. The withholding of the Osun State Local Government Allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and wellbeing of the people of Osun State.

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“The Caucus reechoes the declaration of Governor Makinde that the 2027 election will be between Nigerians and the APC, with Nigerians ultimately triumphing under the banner of the PDP.

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“The Caucus urges Nigerians not to lose hope but remain resolute and continue to rally with the PDP as our Party leads the charge to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC.”

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Leaders in attendance at the meeting also include the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; Dr Eddy Olafeso; Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Dr Saka Balogun; PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Barr. Kamorudeen Ajisafe; and Oyo State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke, among others.(NAN)

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Flowerbud News/ The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) have upbraided the newly formed coalition under the umbrella of the Africa Democratic Congress for assembling a group of retired and tired politicians with diverse ideological leanings.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, TMV argued that it was clear that their intent had nothing to do with national interest.

“We note that despite the coalition embarking on a rudderless political journey, the President Bola Tinubu administration has, in its democratic culture, availed them the needed democratic space to thrive.

“It is noted that without the democratic credentials of President Tinubu, the coalition would have sunk into oblivion at its inception.

“We therefore sound a note of warning that based on the strange and diverse political tendencies of the political gladiators in the coalition, they should not put any blame on the doorstep of President Tinubu when they start falling apart based on some members’ inordinate ambition.

“As the 2027 general elections approach, and with the coalition unfolding, we have observed that the key players have come with their ambitions, and therefore are heading to be torn to shreds.

“As we anticipate, these tendencies will be extremely difficult for them to manage, and their division should not be blamed on President Tinubu.

“This is an unholy alliance and unusual partnership, and that highlights the oddity of their connection. It is going to fall like a pack of cards.”

“For the umpteenth time, we want to reassure Nigerians that the President remains a consummate democrat focused on advancing democratic tenets in the country, and will do all in his power to promote pluralism in party politics.”

The group added that the coalition leaders should be mindful of their different political ideologies ahead of the 2027 general elections and not shift blame for any shortcomings.