President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday titled ‘President Tinubu Appoints Bishop Kukah as Pro-chancellor of Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.’

The appointment comes barely 33 days after Tinubu ordered that the Federal Government take over Nok University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and transform it into a federal university.

Following the directive, the private institution was renamed the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, from its old name, Nok University.

According to Onanuga, the President also appointed principal officers for the university, including Prof. Qurix Barnabas as Vice Chancellor, Sanusi Adamu as Registrar, Ibrahim Dalhat as bursar, and Prof. Daniel Abubakar as university Librarian.

“President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Thomas Etuh, representing the North Central, Chief Fabian Nwaora (South East), Prof Femi Taiwo (South West) and Zarah Bukar (North East) as members of the university’s Governing Council,” the statement read.

The statement added, “All the appointees were carefully selected based on their distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria.”

Tinubu implored the new appointees to “use their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He also urged them to provide visionary leadership and lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth as it prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has raised concerns over tertiary institutions admitting students using fraudulent Advanced Level (A’level) results without proper verification.

In its weekly bulletin released on Monday in Abuja, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed that the board recently discovered 13 additional fake A’level certificates submitted for admission consideration.

Naija News understands that some of these had already been processed by institutions before the fraud was detected.

JAMB stressed that the affected candidates have been handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution and warned institutions to verify credentials diligently to maintain the integrity of the admission process.

According to the bulletin: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has observed that some institutions are failing to verify the results used for admitting candidates, particularly those seeking direct entry.

“One of the fundamental purposes of the screening process is to ensure that only legitimate documents are used to consider and accept candidates for admission and registration. It is crucial for institutions to understand that this responsibility lies primarily with them.”

The board explained that it launched the Nigeria Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (NIPEDS) two years ago in response to an alarming report from Bayero University, Kano.

The university had verified 148 A’level results and found only six to be genuine, exposing widespread certificate forgery.

NIPEDS was introduced to assist in the verification of A’level qualifications, including certificates from foreign institutions, particularly for Direct Entry admissions.

The bulletin further revealed: “Through NIPEDS, JAMB has received confirmations from foreign institutions alerting them to forged certificates presented by candidates.

“Recently, thirteen additional A’level certificates were identified as fake after being submitted for admission consideration, with some institutions having already proposed the candidates based on these fraudulent documents. The candidates involved have been referred to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

“Consequently, institutions that propose candidates for admission using fake certificates will be viewed as accomplices in this fraudulent activity.”

JAMB clarified that while NIPEDS is a crucial tool, institutions must still conduct independent verification of credentials.

“The most egregious example of forgery involves candidates who submitted forged Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE) results from ABU Zaria in an attempt to gain admission to ABU itself.”

JAMB urged all institutions to “thoroughly verify all A’level qualifications presented for admission, regardless of whether they were issued by their own institution or by others.”

Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo has asserted that nobody can stop his re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.

Soludo, while speaking in a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who threw a challenge to the opposition parties, stated that he has not heard of any opponent against his re-election.

According to Soludo, the South-East people can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA regarding governorship and local government chairmen seats.

He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?

“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”

Meanwhile, Soludo has proclaimed that Anambra is primarily a Christian State.

Speaking during a Healing and Deliverance crusade hosted by the Dunamis International Gospel Center on Wednesday night, the Governor stated that all traditional healers in the state are currently evading capture.

Soludo stressed that his administration is committed to taking action against those spreading malevolence within the region.

The former governor and chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) further explained that these traditional healers are fleeing because light and darkness cannot coexist.

It comes as no surprise that the headlines have been dominated in part by the proposed formation of a mega coalition of opposition parties and politicians planning to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general elections in 2027.The whistle was blown last week, and since then there have been more revelations about how most of the would-be members of that coalition are aggrieved members of Tinubu’s own political camp – those who felt left out of the sharing of the spoils of victory after the 2023 elections, members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), originally, a building bloc of the APC, as well as opposition party members. It is still early in the day to describe the exact shape and character of this proposed coalition in general. What is known for now, is that the emerging group is seeking accommodation in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), possibly a take-over of the party completely, and perhaps, an eventual creation of a new platform as was the case with the emergence of the APC in 2013. 

What is also known is that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a former two-time Governor of Kaduna State, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and one of the original 37 persons that founded the APC, is the arrow-head of the latest political development, even if there are others in the background who are yet to take public ownership of their conspiracy. It is to El-Rufai’s credit that he has by his bold action changed the course of Nigeria’s political narrative ahead of 2027. He has ignited the fire of speculations and provided a meeting ground for all hidden and open anti-Tinubu conspirators. It looks like a scene out of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as the plot thickens against the ruler in Aso Rock. More than anything else, El-Rufai has reaffirmed his persona as a man who has fire and salt in his mouth to be deployed as it suits him. With the fire in his mouth, he has done considerable damage already to the reputation of the Tinubu administration. He has also de-marketed the APC. In an interview in the Leadership newspaper, three years ago, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as he then was, was quoted as saying: “I’ll remain in APC till I die, the moment I leave APC, then I have quit politics altogether.”  Now, he no longer wants to die in the APC nor is he retiring from politics. Instead, he has left the party.  Nigerian politicians and the promises they make!

It is the same APC that El-Rufai promised to serve till death do them part that he has now dismissed as a “useless party.” He has accused the Tinubu administration of having no clue about how to run the country and its economic reforms as useless too. We have heard from El-Rufai also that most of Tinubu’s appointees lack merit and ability, and do not deserve the positions that they have been given.  He has also not minced words in saying that some of the Ministers bought their positions in the Cabinet. That certainly is a serious allegation: who is doing buying and selling with Ministerial appointments? How much was paid? To whom? By who? Where is the money kept? El-Rufai cannot make such a weighty allegation and leave it at the level of innuendo. His statement is defamatory per se. The onus is on him to provide evidence. For example, he had made the additional claim that the grand, anti-Tinubu/APC coalition that he is leading has the blessing of President Muhammadu Buhari: “I consulted Buhari on Friday; I told him my reasons for leaving the APC and the responses of other people I consulted. Buhari responded that he is now a statesman, but he knows my worries and prayed for me.” It didn’t take too long before President Buhari issued a statement to restate his loyalty to the APC and his commitment to continue to popularize the party that gave him an opportunity to be President of Nigeria for two terms (2015 – 2023). There is a touch of irony to it all, and perhaps poetic justice. A month ago, February 16, 2025, President Tinubu had publicly congratulated Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on the occasion of his 65th birthday, describing him as an “administrator, scholar, politician…highly regarded for his resourcefulness and brilliance…his endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation”. One month later, El-Rufai told the BBC Hausa Service: “We knew about Tinubu’s Chicago issues and still supported him; yet he failed Nigeria”. He was speaking to the Hausa listeners of the BBC, and by extension the entire North and Nigeria. President Tinubu got more than five million of his over eight million votes in the 2023 Presidential election from Northern Nigeria. Apparently, El-Rufai and his co-conspirators are determined to discredit him and expose whatever they know, or at best sow the seeds of doubt in the Tinubu Presidency. By mentioning Buhari’s name, he sought to incite the former President’s power base against Tinubu.

 The main reaction from the Tinubu camp and the APC has been to wave off the threat as inconsequential “inordinate ambition”, “political gyration” that should not disturb anybody, “a mistake”. I do not consider these responses robust and convincing enough. El-Rufai has knocked the very foundations of the party and maligned the President and the best that the APC and Tinubu’s spokespersons can come up with are dismissive one-liners? Not good enough. Not good enough. It would be risky to underestimate or downplay the El-Rufai threat. The Tinubu Presidency should not make the mistake that the Jonathan Presidency made in 2013/2014. When disgruntled politicians started gathering to talk about forming a formidable opposition to the incumbent administration at the time, there were persons in the corridors who boasted that they were making a mistake. I was in the corridors of power then, and I heard some commentators saying that the people in the APC were well-known customers (“customer daa da ni”), and that they would be given what would calm them down. In fact, some members of that coalition at the time even recommended persons to be appointed to the Board of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and they were given appointments. By the time, the ruling PDP and the Jonathan camp realized what was going on, the conspirators within and without had perfected their art of treachery. I am aware that there are some people who are of the firm view that Tinubu is not Jonathan or that 2027 is not 2015, whatever they mean by that, but it is precisely that level of over-confidence and arrogance that could give teeth to the anti-Tinubu plotters. 

It is wiser not to ever underestimate the opposition, conspirators or fifth columnists. Goliath underestimated David. Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher, says: There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.” George S. Patton, United States Army General, advises, in addition that: “You shouldn’t underestimate an enemy, but it is just as fatal to overestimate him”. The latter part of General Patton’s statement should be carefully underlined and it is possible to extrapolate that the anti-Tinubu coalition faces by its very creation, a number of hurdles. I shall attempt to identify a few. 

One, the coalition is bound to be torn apart by the ambition of some of the major partners on the question of which part of the country should their Presidential candidate come from. It stands to reason that some key members of the coalition, from the Northern part of Nigeria would expect to be appointed the flagbearer, which however is likely to be unpopular with the conspirators from the South. The politics of region, geography, religion, and ethnicity is one of the major fault lines in Nigerian democracy. It is never a question of merit but always about where you come from and the type of religion you belong to. This was a major issue in 2010, after the death in office of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, also in 2011, and again in both 2015 and 2023, as it would be most certainly in 2027, and as it has been since the First Republic. After eight years of the Buhari/Northern Presidency, the Southern partners in the emerging coalition would naturally insist that to replace Tinubu who would have spent four years, the remaining four years must naturally, mutatis mutandis, go to a Presidential candidate of Southern extraction. 

Two, in determining the identity of that Presidential candidate of Southern extraction, the ethnic fight would also be more intense at the micro-Southern level. Igbo members of the coalition would of course insist that the strongest message that the coalition can convey is to zone the Presidency specifically to the South East, to allay the fears of Igbos about being marginalized out of the highest office in the land. South-South politicians are also likely to play the politics of entitlement. Already, some politicians from that region are pushing the view that if any party wants an alternative to President Tinubu from the South, the best bet would be to allow President Jonathan to return for a second term in office, a clear assurance that after four years of another Jonathan Presidency, power would simply rotate back to the North. Nobody should rule out the interest of South West politicians either. Some of the names that have been mentioned in connection with the emerging coalition, even if they have not personally confirmed their involvement, are also persons who would not hesitate to throw their hats into the ring, should the opportunity present itself. One or two of the names that have been mentioned would most likely insist that the candidate must not be any of Tinubu’s Lagos boys, whether that person has fallen out of favour with Asiwaju or not. Even among those former Tinubu allies who may be tempted to betray him openly, there is a deep-seated resentment of those they regard as Tinubu’s Lagos boys who have been majorly the ones who have benefitted from his administration so far. The foreseeable in-fighting and intrigues within the new coalition would be the biggest threat that it faces. 

Three, there will be a problem with the chosen SDP platform. Mr. Adewole Adebayo, the Presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 Presidential election has stated categorically during an interview on The Morning Show (TMS) of Arise News that he will most certainly be the Presidential candidate of the party in 2027.  When reminded of the timbre and calibre of some of the names that have been mentioned as moving into the SDP, he retorted that the SDP is “my party” and that no new person joining the party can come and take his party away from him! As it is, except Adebayo changes his mind through negotiations, and guarantees, the SDP may not promise any safe landing. This is meant to be a grouping of the opposition, but the Labour Party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have declared that their own platforms should be the destination, rallying spot for opposition politics. 

Four, is history repeating itself? When the now divided bedfellows formed the All Progressives Congress in 2013, it was more or less a special purpose vehicle, and no more than that, to take power back to the North, defeat the PDP, and unseat President Goodluck Jonathan. At the time, there was very little talk about what the APC coalition wanted to do for the Nigerian people. It was all about personal ambitions and less about good governance and promoting the common good. 

As it were, however, politics as a wise man once told me is a question of strategy. In Nigeria, the man with the better strategy wins and that means winning by all and any means possible, while the aggrieved party is advised to go to court! Nigerian courts are also not beyond strategy or technicalities. Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works, in an interview on TMS/Arise News recently was quite effusive in describing President Tinubu as “a master of the game.” The current onslaught by his political adversaries may yet be the biggest challenge to his political craftsmanship. The anti-Tinubu assailants do not hide the fact that they want to teach him just one lesson: that Nigeria is not Lagos, it is a much bigger deal, with peculiar complexities. It would be interesting to see how the strategies play out and who wins or loses in the end. 

What I find amusing is a story in The Guardian newspaper of March 17, 2025 titled: “2027: Wike, others affirm support for Tinubu’s second term amid opposition.” Despite the fact that President Tinubu has publicly praised and endorsed Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, and would seem to have taken his side in the “One Day, One Trouble” debacle in Rivers State, I do not consider Wike the right and proper person to lead Tinubu’s defence in the public arena. Wike’s belligerent politics should be seen as a costly embarrassment to President Tinubu. He has every right to affirm his loyalty to the President but he does not have what it takes to “help” him against those who want him out of power. The politics that he plays in Rivers State is precisely one of the reasons the opposition is against Tinubu. They accuse him of a Napoleonic approach to power, and so, they are organizing to confront him with their War of The Coalition. The Bourbons are knocking on Tinubu’s doors. Nyesom Wike who carries on as if he is doing Tinubu’s bidding in Rivers State, imposing himself as a Godfather, issuing threats and having his way, one man proving to be more important than the entire state, holding the people to ransom is the kind of impunity that Nasir El-Rufai deplores.  It is all the more scandalous as Wike is a mercenary in the APC, a PDP implant behaving like a co-President in an APC government. Wike even organized a media chat with a crew larger than that of President Tinubu! He has now instructed the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers to serve a notice of impeachment on Governor Simi Fubara, barely a week after he boasted that the impeachment of a Governor does not amount to a criminal offence.

But the worse chink in his armour is how his obstruction of the democratic process could have grave implications for Nigerian democracy. President Tinubu is advised to remember the blow-out in the Western region during the First Republic. The setting then is similar to the Rivers situation today: the conflict of egos, political gladiators, and the reign of impunity. When the Western region eventually exploded, what became known as the “Wild, Wild West”, the fire that was generated led to cracks across the entire Nigerian estate. History repeats itself tragically, and farcically, for those who refuse to learn from it. 

Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the party’s state chairman, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, of selling the soul of the party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in exchange for PDP’s support for Akpabio’s 2027 third-term ambition.

The allegation was made in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, titled “The Worrisome State of the APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Intervention”, jointly signed by Elder Okokon James, Peter Ibanga, and Chief Victor Affiah from the Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts, respectively.

A copy of the letter, made available to newsmen on Sunday in Uyo, reads in part:

“We, the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, are compelled to write this open letter to you.

“The state chairman of the party, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, are openly declaring that they were directed by the Senate President to cripple the party in the state, giving the PDP an easy ride to victory in the 2027 polls in exchange for PDP’s support for the Senate President’s third-term ambition.

“We want to assure Mr. President that if urgent action is not taken to revive and strengthen the party in the state, there won’t be party members left to receive you when you visit next year to campaign.

“The soul and spirit of the party in the state have been sold to the PDP-led government, and as a result, party members are gearing up to join an upcoming opposition coalition against your second-term ambition.

“How can party members be mobilized for you when the party itself has been intentionally crippled by the Senate President and his close allies? It is unbelievable that the party is dead in a state that produces the Senate President and the Minister of Petroleum Resources.”

The APC stakeholders described Akpabio’s actions as a betrayal of confidence and treachery against the party, which provided the platform for his Senate Presidency.

“Should members of the party in the state move en masse to the opposition coalition against your second-term ambition, hold the Senate President and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, responsible,” they asserted.

They further warned that Governor Umo Eno would neither join the APC nor commit to Tinubu’s second-term ambition, stating:

“While Governor Umo Eno and his team are strengthening their party daily, our party leaders are doing nothing to show that APC still exists in the state.”

However, responding on Sunday, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the allegations as spurious and mischievous.

“The writers of the letter are non-existent and not known to the party. Their allegations are spurious and mischievous.

“The Senate President has strengthened the party through various appointments he has secured for members. Do you call that working against the party?” Eyiboh said.

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described his father as the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.

In a video that went viral on Monday, Seyi made the remark while addressing a gathering of youths in Adamawa State.

“It was never politics, but they keep coming for me, they keep coming for my family, they keep coming for your father, they keep coming for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the greatest president in the history of Nigeria,” he said.

He further praised his father’s leadership, claiming he had prioritised youth empowerment and economic growth.

“He is the only president that has kept your people at home, from when he was governor to when be became president, the only president that considers youths, the only president that created a platform for young people to fly.

“The only president that created an economy that has benefitted everybody, the only president that is not trying to enrich his own pocket,” he stated.

Seyi has recently been seen distributing food items during visits to northern states.

Earlier in March, he joined Kano residents, including the state chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Hashimu Dugurawa, in breaking the Ramadan fast.

He has also visited Yobe State as part of his engagements with youths.

The former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Jandor made the announcement on Monday during a press conference at his office in Ikeja, Lagos, weeks after resigning from the PDP.

Jandor cited internal crises and lack of party discipline within the PDP as the primary reasons for his departure, expressing disappointment in the party’s inability to address anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Our story in the PDP was a case of working with perennial political saboteurs but we have resolved to love our future much more than we hate our past.

“After extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, supporters, and well-meaning Lagosians who share our vision for a greater and more prosperous Lagos, and in identifying that the primary reason a political party exists is to win elections and ultimately form the government to contribute to the welfare, security and total development of the people, we wish to formally announce that we have decided to join a political party that considers winning for its members as top priority, not minding who is on the ballot.

“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress.”

Jandor revealed that he consulted widely with political associates, supporters, and leaders across various parties, including the Social Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, and Young Progressive Party, before deciding to return to the APC.

Addressing concerns about his earlier exit from the ruling party, he likened his experience to a Yoruba adage about learning from different situations.

“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons upon which we left APC in the first place, let me respond with a popular Yoruba adage that says if a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably would not know which is better.

“In APC, we have a leader, even if you fault his selection choices, you can’t fault his desire to always win for his party to the benefit of all members, followers and the state.

“While in Lagos PDP, you have a leader that will, at every election cycle work against his own party, and willfully dash the hopes of many party members and followers. We have chosen the better alternative,” he stated.

He added, “Our return to the APC is not a decision made lightly. It is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the progress of Lagos State and our belief that unity among progressives is essential to achieving the collective aspirations of our people.”

He acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in persuading him to rejoin the APC.

Jandor stated, “Let me once again extend our sincere gratitude to the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recognized our modest contributions to democracy and nation building.

“I must also recognize the relentless efforts of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who has been on our case for over one year to return ‘home’, and join hands with Mr. President.

“Upon hearing the news of my resignation from the PDP, the President’s son, Mr. Seyi Tinubu immediately put a call across to say “Egbon, this is the time to come back home.” Prior to that time, Seyi had exhibited the learnings he has had from the best and reached out, asking for support for the administration of his father, the President. What more can a father ask for.”

Jandor assured his supporters that the move was in Lagos’ best interest and urged them to join him in the new political chapter.

“We remain committed to the values of service, integrity, and progress. Together, we will continue to champion the cause of a better Lagos for present and future generations,” he said.

The political crisis rocking Rivers State took a fresh turn on Monday as the State House of Assembly accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu of gross misconduct.

The development is the latest in the series of political crises that have engulfed the oil-rich state.

The lawmakers, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, have forwarded the notice to the Governor and his deputy.

“In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office,” the notice reads in part.

Details later…

Despite former President General Muhammadu Buhari’s insistence that he remains a dedicated member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his loyalists, who form the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction within the ruling party, are reportedly plotting their exit.

There have been growing dissatisfaction among CPC loyalists, many of whom backed Buhari in the 2011 presidential election under the party’s platform before he was defeated by former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

These individuals believe they have been sidelined, particularly in political appointments, which they claim have disproportionately favored the South West APC.

This sense of exclusion has intensified frustration among Buhari’s supporters, who feel marginalized within the party’s power structure. As a result, discussions have gained momentum regarding potential alliances with other political groups.

Sources within the CPC faction revealed to Daily Sun that their grievances stem from what they perceive as a diminished role in APC’s decision-making process.

In response, the CPC bloc is seriously considering forming an alliance with opposition parties, led by key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

El-Rufai, who recently joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has been vocal about his reasons for leaving the APC.

He stated that he had informed Buhari of his decision and claimed the former president had given his blessing.

However, shortly after his remarks, Buhari released a statement reaffirming his membership in the APC.

In his statement, Buhari reiterated his allegiance to the party, expressing gratitude for the support he received during his two terms in office.

He described this backing as the highest honor of his political career and emphasized the contributions of the party’s founding members.

The former president also stressed the importance of strengthening the APC as a vehicle for national progress. “I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” he said.

While Buhari’s remarks appeared aimed at reassuring party members, they have done little to ease tensions within the CPC bloc.

Many within the faction view Buhari’s loyalty to the APC as a personal choice that does not reflect their collective stance.

If the CPC faction proceeds with its departure, it could have significant consequences for the APC.

The CPC played a vital role in the party’s formation in 2013 and was instrumental in Buhari’s electoral victories in 2015 and 2019.

Political analysts warn that losing the CPC bloc could substantially weaken the APC, particularly in northern Nigeria.

The National Chairman of the Action Development Party (ADP), Yabagi Sani, has said Nigerians are experiencing the worst of economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu.

Sani said the policies of the President have prolonged citizens’ pains for too long.

Speaking on Trust TV’s Sunday Politics, Sani, who was the presidential candidate of the ADP in the 2023 election, stated that Nigeria’s economy promised greatness, but poor management is affecting the economy.

“Nigeria’s economy is a promise of greatness and I believe we can do much more better with what is happening today. Yes, the government took certain decisions that one would say are necessary.

“But today Nigerians are not happy. They are going through what is called hell because looking at Nigeria before President Tinubu took over power, it wasn’t anything good, but today we are worse off.

“I understand that you must go through pains before enjoying but don’t let the pains be prolonged, otherwise by the time all the goodies come, there will be nobody available to enjoy them,” he said.

The ADC National Chairman called on the government to do more to alleviate citizens’ hardship. He urged the government to address inflation, corruption and foreign exchange issues.

According to him, Nigeria, being an import-dependent country, must get its foreign exchange policy right to address inflation.

“So, it is expected for this government to do more than what it is doing. The reality is that the current inflation in the country is too high.

“The government should tackle the issue of corruption because it is there. Government should ensure that direct measures should be taken to ensure that the cost of transportation is addressed.

“Another factor the government should address is the exchange rate. It also plays a big role in what becomes inflation. Nigeria imports a lot of things, therefore the strength of naira is crucial, that is what we are asking government to look at this,” he stated.