Politics
Dalung Accuses Tinubu Of Weaponizing Poverty
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the only Nigerian leader who has drawn a clear battle line between himself and the masses by weaponising hunger, poverty and hardship.
Dalung made the remark in an interview warning against interpreting recent defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as proof of growing support for Tinubu. He argued that such movements were not people-driven but fueled by political fear and personal interests.
“The person who defected is the governor whose mandate was very controversial,” Dalung said, referencing the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC. “Would the people follow him?”
He noted that political endorsements within the APC had no real electoral value because they were orchestrated by individuals seeking protection from accountability. “It is a conclave of sinners; people who have committed heinous crimes against the Nigerian people and they are jumping into the ship for the forgiveness of their sins,” he said. “Not that they believe in Tinubu.”
Dalung added that even if all 36 state governors defect to the APC and Tinubu’s son Seyi is appointed chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the president would still face a major challenge at the 2027 polls.
“Tinubu is going to slug it out with the masses because he is the only president who has drawn a battle line between him and the masses by weaponising hunger, poverty and hardship,” Dalung said. “And he is not remorseful about it; rather he is very pretentious, always telling Nigerians to sacrifice for the good days ahead, while he alongside his wife and son are busy living lavish lives, spending lavishly all over Nigeria. When will they sacrifice?”
Dalung also raised concern about the state of democracy under the current administration, warning that “some reckless lawmakers may one day try to make Tinubu life president.”
On the formation of a new political coalition reportedly involving Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai and others ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dalung said the situation was different from previous attempts.
“This coalition is different from all attempted coalitions since the First Republic. The president has declared himself the enemy of the poor and the poor are dying every day of hunger, poverty, malnutrition,” he said. “The coalition is very popular among the poor people; that is the truth.”
Dalung concluded that while the coalition may be made up of politicians with varied interests, they are united by a shared objective: to end the current political reality.
Guardian.ng
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been stopped from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state The Federal High Court in Akure, the state capital, gave the ruling on Thursday, March 12, citing the Supreme Court judgment that presidents and governors can spend more than eight years in office Thus, the governor, who has been sworn in twice, would be spending more than eight years should he win the 2028 governorship election
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, has ruled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state did not have the legal right to contest the 2028 governorship election in the state.
According to the trial court, electing the governor would be a violation of the constitutional limit of eight years in office. Justice Adegoke delivered the judgment that Aiyedatiwa cannot seek re-election in 2028 on Thursday, March 12.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on December 27, 2023, after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He was again sworn in on February 24, 2025, after he was declared the winner of the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state.
According to The Tribune, the court held that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not allow a president or governor to stay in office for over eight years, citing the decision of the Supreme Court in Marwa v. Nyako to support its claim. A member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Akin Egbuwalo, through his lawyer, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), sought the interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as it relates to the tenure of the governor.
Reacting to the court ruling in an interview on Channels TV, the governor explained that he did not see it coming, citing that he was only in office to govern and was not even thinking of re-election for now. He added that he will only contest if the people want him to continue and the constitution permits it.
His comment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Safety Cabal
“The Governor is more interested in future opportunities to contest; he has not justified the essence of his being elected. I pity the people of Ondo State.”
Okilori criticised the governor:
“Ondo state is so unfortunate to have this man as Governor. Despite all support masses gave him during Aketi situation and sickness.”
Taiwo alleged that the governor did not have any capital project to point to:
“Baba won do another term by fire by force, the man no get anything to offer the state, no better capital project , 3 more years to go.”
Onyeka Clinton urged the media house to fix the transmission problem:
“Does this station know that its clips blink? Please, they should work on it so that it will be easy for us to watch online post. Sometimes I wonder if they don’t notice it.”
Court Ruling On Re-election: I Never Saw It Coming; I Have To Hire Lawyers To Defend Me; We'll Face It, says Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Governor. #PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/QkRREAcvcy
— Channels Television (@channelstv) March 12, 2026
Senator Ipalibo Banigo has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Banigo’s defection letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
As reported by The Punch, the federal lawmaker said her decision to join APC is to advance development in Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, said her decision is intended to align politically with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“The decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, my political associates, and critical stakeholders across my senatorial district, given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the People’s Democratic Party, which have adversely affected cohesion.
“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to join my political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in supporting President Bola Tinubu, to actualize his re-election bids and enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across our dear nation.”
Zamfara state deputy governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, has announced the defection of the state’s leadership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The news means President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has further consolidated his political grip across Nigeria following the defection of the Zamfara state government to the APC.
In a video that has gone viral, the announcement was made by Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mummuni on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal, confirming that the state leadership had formally aligned with the ruling party.
The move widens Tinubu’s influence at the subnational level, with the APC now governing more than 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The development reinforces the party’s dominance as 2027 general elections draw near.
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