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ANPP Bloc Threatens Exit From APC If Tinubu Drops Shettima; Makes Fresh Demands

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Shettima Unveils Power Project In Borno Varsity

The former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) bloc within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned President Bola Tinubu against what it described as the continued marginalisation of its members, threatening to exit the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the group, operating under the Association of Former ANPP Members.

The group alleged that both the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the APC blocs had dominated the power structure since the 2015 merger that gave rise to the ruling party.

Naija News reports that the National Coordinator of the group, Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, who read the prepared statement, stated that while the CPC faction had produced a president for eight years and the APC bloc currently holds power, the ANPP bloc has been sidelined despite being the second-largest contributor to the party’s formation.

The group specifically cautioned against any attempt to tamper with the vice presidential position in future elections, insisting it “remains sacrosanct” for the ANPP bloc.

“Millions of former ANPP members across the country voted massively for the APC. It is therefore imperative that the Vice Presidential seat be retained for the ANPP bloc in the 2027 presidential election,” Ajumbe declared.

The bloc urged President Tinubu to urgently address internal party imbalances and ensure equitable distribution of leadership positions among the three legacy parties that merged in 2015.

He stated, “The ticket you are serving will be disappointed if you choose another person outside the ANPP bloc in APC as your vice President.”

He said their position was the outcome of the resolution of the meeting they held a few hours before the press conference.

He said, “A few hours ago, we concluded the leadership meeting of the association of former ANPP members of the APC on behalf of millions of our members across the country where we reviewed issues concerning our membership of the All Peoples Congress, APC.

“We looked into our gains since we merged with the former ACN and CPC to form the APC. When our late national chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu initiated this move to bring ACN, CPC and ANPP together to form a mega Party, our desire then was to form a mega Party that would, not only defeat PDP, but also to give Nigerians good governance. When APC was eventually formed, the interim leadership offices were equitably shared amongst the legacy Parties of ACN, ANPP and CPC plus some factions of PDP, APGA and DPP which joined the merger.

“In the unanimously adopted formula for the sharing of the Party positions, the interim National Chairman was allocated to ACN as it had six serving governors in six states, ANPP which had three governors in three states was allocated the position of interim National Secretary. The CPC , which had one governor, was allocated the position of National Treasurer. A faction of APGA which joined then, was allocated the position of the interim National Organizing Secretary, while the group from DPP, which had no state, was allocated the position of National Auditor. Other remaining offices were equitably shared among the Parties that came together to form APC. We hoped for better days ahead in APC, but the reverse is now the case.”

He alleged that, “The ANPP bloc in APC, suffered serious political marginalization/segregation under late General Muhammadu Buhari as our President for the 8 years of his reign.

“Late Muhammadu Buhari’s abandonment of ANPP where his political career as a member of ANPP started and secured presidential tickets when he ran twice, was quite inhumane. Ideally, he was supposed to treat us like members of his own family, if he had studied his political genealogy-tree very well, but alas, he read it parrot fashion, and that was why he treated us like a club of political pariahs.”

He said, “Our ordeal under Buhari was that President Buhari wasn’t a well-groomed politician like the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who started with parish pump politics, to his current status in Nigerian politics. If politics is truly about equity, justice and fair play, members of the ANPP bloc in the APC should have been given sensitive political positions under President Buhari as the second largest partner of the merger, but we were not, but rather, subjected to nihility and political redundancy.

“ANPP bloc in APC which parades seasoned and tested politicians like, the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, serving governors like Professor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, former governors like Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, Senator Yarima Bakura, Senator Alimodu Sheriff, Senator Adamu Aliero, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, Senator Abdulazeez Yari, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Serving and former members of the National Assembly like Senator Ali Ndume, Senator Kawu Sumaila, Senator Barau Jibrin, Senator Mohammed Mungunu, Senator Aliyu Lawal Silver plus many members of the house of Representative and states Houses of Assembly.

“At the APC National Party level, leaders like Chief Emmanuel Eneukwu who is the Deputy National Chairman, South and Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, the National Organizing Secretary etc and my humble self, played very significant important roles including funding the process that led to the formation of APC.

“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a public-spirited grassroots politician was elected, we thought he was going to change the trend within the shortest possible time, but, to our dismay, the situation is getting even worse under his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The bone of contention is that, out of the appointments so far given out ranging from ministerial, managerial, executive directorship among several other plum/juicy appointments under the Tinubu-led government, the ANPP bloc in APC has been conspicuously left out.

“There was never a time we doubted the political shrewdness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a thoroughbred politician whose coming as the President and Commander- in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was seen as the coming of the Messiah to set democracy free, by ensuring that equity, justice and fair play are given the free hand to flourish unlike what we witnessed throughout the eight years of his predecessor.

“In the next couple of weeks, we shall start holding our states and zonal meetings to intimate our members on our resolutions.”

The group’s text further read, “To offer our services to this government and Nigerians, the APC government led by our President should consider our members by appointing us as board chairmen, ambassadors, ministers, heads of government agencies and departments.

“Vice presidential seat remains sacrosanct for the former ANPP bloc in APC as the second largest contributor to the formation of APC.

“Since the formation of APC, CPC bloc has ruled for 8 years under the late President Buhari. The ACN bloc is currently occupying the Presidency. Fairness and equity demand that our president should hand over power to the ANPP bloc when his tenure expires in 2031.

“In the next couple of weeks, we shall start holding our states and zonal meetings to intimate our members on our resolutions. We are aware that Mr. President is too – busy and may not be aware of the exclusion of the former ANPP bloc from the scheme of things in the APC led federal government and that is why we are bringing it to his notice.

“We may be tempted to seek for greener political pastures elsewhere should the APC led government led by Senator Bola Ahmed reject us.”

 

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2027 Election: Prophet Releases Message On Tinubu’s Chances Amid Sack Plots By Atiku, Obi, Others [VIDEO]

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Ahead of the 2027 elections, Prophet Godwin Ikuru, the founder of the Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, has said President Bola Tinubu will get a second mandate.

Speaking recently in a video shared on his known Facebook page, seen by Legit.ng, Prophet Ikuru described Tinubu as the most formidable candidate for the 2027 general elections.

“Some people say Asiwaju (referring to Tinubu) will not win 2027. Save your lie; he is still the man. Asiwaju still remains the man.”

former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi, and several opposition leaders are preparing for the biggest battle of their political careers: to democratically unseat a man often described as a political god, Tinubu, whose first four-year presidential term concludes in 2027.

Tinubu, Atiku’s former associate, whom he nearly ran with on a joint ticket in the 2007 presidential election, according to WikiLeaks memos, will be on the ballot representing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Both men were founding fathers of the party. Despite facing significant security challenges during his tenure, Tinubu is still widely regarded as the man to beat.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), considered the main opposition, has seen its influence wane in parts of the south and north, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) grows in prominence with new high-profile members.

Within the PDP, internal divisions persist, with factions led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN) and Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), vying for legitimacy.

As Nigerians look forward to the 2027 elections, both the ADC and PDP have vowed to unseat President Tinubu.

The video can be watched here Facebook video

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PDP Crisis Deepens As Another Governor Hints At APC Defection

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Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has hinted at defection from PDP to APC based on constituents’ wishes Political reactions showed mixed sentiments regarding Fintiri’s potential party switch Fintiri is one of the last PDP governors amidst increasing defections to the APC

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has spoken on the possibility of him dumping the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the possible ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor, while addressing questions on his defection plan, said he would not hesitate to leave the party if his people asked him to leave the PDP. He added that he is still consulting with his people.

Governor Fintiri said:

“There are a lot of rumours about whether Fintiri will defect to the (APC) or not. If that is the wish of my people to defect, politics is all about people. I’m still consulting, and if my people say I should move, I will move.” 

Fintiri is one of the four governors who were left in the PDP, following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Umo Eno, Agbu Kefas, Siminalayi Fubara, and Peter Mbah of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Rivers and Enugu states, respectively. Currently, the PDP has Governor Fintiri, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

However, Governor Fintiri’s comment has started generating responses from Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:

King Dave said that the governor is on his way to the APC:

“In Nigeria, when a governor says, “I am consulting my people,” it means “I am checking the size of the federal allocation.” Fintiri is playing a high-stakes game of political chicken with the PDP. He already betrayed Atiku, and he is on his way to the APC.”

Davinci commented on the political terrain in the state:

Politics is really an interesting game. A PDP preparing to welcome an APC president. All billboards of PDP along the airport road to the Govt house have been pulled down, while APC billboard is mounted everywhere under the instruction of the Governor”.

Cassy Okosisi said:

“You all should just move, and let’s have only electronic transmission of result real time, without manual collation. Watch the fall of Apc.”

Ababakar Sadiq said the governor has recorded success under the PDP:

“Sir, you belong to the APC, Allah ya kiyaye hanya. We are glad all you’ve achieved so far is under the PDP… Mun gode.” 

Toba Truth said the governor should just dump the PDP for the APC:

“Which people? Your family people, or the people that voted for you, or the APC caucus, just move to the APC as simply as ABC.”

You can watch the governor’s video on X here:

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‘How Murtala Muhammed Was Assassinated, Other Untold Stories’

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Fifty years after the assassination of former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, fresh memories have resurfaced through the emotional recollection of his former orderly, Michael Otuwe (retd.), who witnessed the failed 1976 coup firsthand.

In a rare interview conducted a decade ago and now revisited to mark the anniversary, the retired soldier recounts how the charismatic leader almost escaped his attackers, his experiences during the civil war, and the personal sacrifices that defined years of close service to one of Nigeria’s most revered military figures.

Recalling his journey into the military during the interview with Daily Trust, Otuwe narrated, “I am an Igala man from Olamoboro Local Government of Kogi State. I attended Ankpa Primary School and Ankpa Model Secondary School before I joined the profession I cherished most, the army.”

According to him, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army on September 11, 1967, at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos, where he underwent six months of training on the eve of the Nigerian Civil War.

“After the training I was posted to the Nigerian Army Signal Corps and incidentally, Murtala Ramat Mohammed was a Colonel then and the Inspector of Signals,” he added.

Otuwe said Muhammed personally chose him because of his discipline and neatness.

“He told me that he noticed how immaculate I was in my army dress when we do master parade. He picked me to be his orderly when I was a Lance Corporal,” he said.

He explained that he served closely with Muhammed through various postings, including during the civil war when the late General became the first General Officer Commanding of the Second Division of the Nigerian Army.

“I worked with him till he was killed, and that was 11 years,” Otuwe said, noting that during the period the General had three children, Aisha, Zakari and Fatima.

Otuwe described Muhammed as a strategic and disciplined military commander.

“He was an organiser of men and their welfare. He was smart and hardworking and thought of Nigeria first before anything,” he said.

He recalled an incident when Biafran soldiers encircled them.

“He did a wonderful tactical manoeuvre and retreated that baffled even we that were with him. When many wanted to surrender, he made a quest to fight and to win for Nigeria to continue as a united country.”

Surviving Ambushes

The retired soldier recounted several ambushes encountered during the war. He said, “We encountered many ambushes and attacks but one of the most memorable was when we were encircled at Ukpo Junction in Abbagana. Murtala did a tactical manoeuvre and withdrew and prepared for a defensive attack that led to the capture of many towns and cities.”

Otuwe added that after some operations, troops moved through Asaba and later to Idah in present-day Kogi State to prepare for further offensives.

“In 1968, there was a reshuffle that took General Murtala back to Lagos as Minister of Communications and Inspector of Signals. That meant he was doing two jobs at the same time,” he said.

Speaking on how his job affected his family, Otuwe said his wife had become accustomed to military life.

“She was married to a soldier, and she had become part of the system. When she saw us at home, it meant we were off duty,” he said.

He added that his children rarely saw him due to his demanding schedule.

“Most of my children almost forgot me as I left home at dawn and came back late in the night,” Otuwe noted.

Secret Visits, Price Monitoring

Otuwe also recounted how Muhammad disguised himself to monitor market prices in Lagos.

“I and his ADC, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinterinwa, once followed him to survey prices and the rising cost of goods,” he said.

“He wore a tracksuit, a face cap and dark goggles and rode a horse to a filling station, disembarked, tied it and entered Sangross (Lagos Island), then Ajegunle and later Agege markets. The ADC pretended that we were not together, and the ADC was writing the prices, and I was pretending to be a window shopper. A market woman told him to give other buyers a chance as people were more disciplined then, as everybody queued for their turn. After two weeks goods and meat came in ships. People tagged the meat as ‘Murtala Meat’”.

The Day Of Assassination

When asked about what happened the day Murtala was assassinated, Otuwe narrated, “He was assassinated on July 29, 1976 (Starts shedding tears). He ruled for six months from July 29, 1975, to February 13, 1976. He was a very good man, as he did not allow the goods (personal effects) of General Gowon to be thrown out, but to be removed gently, and for the house to be renovated before he relocated from Dodan Barracks. That was why he was shuttling from Ikoyi without pilot cars, motorbike outriders, armed military and security bodyguards among others. He only rode in the official Mercedes-Benz car with two flags, the national flag on the left and the armed forces flag on the right. On that fateful day, we passed through the Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi, which was undergoing renovation and covered with zinc.

“When we reached Alagbgon Junction, the traffic man did not notice the flags, he would have allowed the traffic in our direction to continue moving, but he stopped the five or six cars in front of us then I saw some people in agbada (Babanriga) and when they lifted them up they brought out AK-47 rifles and fired at us. Already a masked man had got the driver, Sergeant Adamu Michika, in the head and he feel on the arm-rest where the suit case containing the General’s mufti was. I took cover and fell on the driver.

“The General and the ADC also took cover. When the assassins left and were heading to the National Broadcasting Corporation, Radio House, to announce the takeover, one of the Majors turned and saw that when the ADC opened the door to help the General, the Major shouted and notified his colleagues that they were alive. This made them turn and rush back and empty their bullets at us. I was the only survivor as I was shot in the arm and the hip.

“The troops loyal to General Murtala came after the soldiers and they took us to the mortuary. I recovered from coma when the breeze from the air conditioner and the pain woke me up. A mortuary attendant noticed that I raised my hand, and he alerted a doctor, who said I was alive, and they took me to Dodan Barracks and then to a hospital on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.”

About his recovery from the incident, Otuwe said, “I spent six months recovering and resumed work with the Nigerian Army Signal Corps. Where I worked with Generals Adenaju, Raji Rasaki and lastly Tanko Ayuba.

Asked whether he has ever received any honour, the retired soldier responded, “No, not at all.”

Sharing his residence at the time of the interview, Otuwe revealed, “I am now staying in a rented two-bedroom house in Maraba in Nasarawa State. The street has no name not to talk of house number. But I am working in the office of Riskua Murtala Muhammed in Maitama.”

Otuwe recalled that he retired from service on December 31, 1999, as a Master Warrant Officer.

On whether he ever regretted serving in the Nigerian Army, Otuwe said: “No, no, no, not at all.”

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