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Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu, Others Hail Buhari at 78
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have felicitated with President, Muhammadu Buhari, who turns 78 today.
Lawan, in a statement he signed said the President had shown undeniable commitment to the unity, peace and even development of Nigeria.
He cited the ongoing infrastructure projects across the country and “series of programmes targeted at lifting the most vulnerable, like the social investment scheme,” as major achievements of the Buhari regime.
In his statement Gbajabiamila said, “Nigeria and Nigerians have gained a lot from your wealth of experience and selfless service to the country and humanity in your 78-year sojourn on mother earth. As our leader, your humility, dedication to the unity of Nigeria and commitment to making the country better are unquestionable.
“Under our great party, the All Progressives Congress, you have redefined selfless service. Nigerians should continue to support the President for there are better days ahead.”
On his part, Tinubu described Buhari as a “true patriot who wants the best for the nation.”
Tinubu, in a statement he signed, said, “I join all patriotic and peace-loving Nigerians in supporting your efforts to move Nigeria forward and to find lasting solutions to the longstanding issues that have faced our nation for so long.
“You are a true patriot who wants the best for the nation and I join you in this desire. May Almighty Allah bless these efforts and support us so that at the end of the day we shall overcome and that Nigeria must stand as a prosperous and peaceful nation.”
Also, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said he shared in the joy of the president birthday.
“As you continue to serve our nation with an uncommon sense of patriotism and unwavering dedication, I thank Almighty God for granting you a life of great accomplishments and abiding fulfillment.
“We in Ogun State share in both the joy and challenges and pray that this birthday will bring you the good fortune to address the security, economic and political challenges facing our country,” the statement added.
Similarly, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a congratulatory message on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said President Buhari had demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, integrity and courage in steering the ship of Nigeria.
He said, “Since you assumed office on May 29, 2015, you have provided honest and transparent leadership and your achievements in the fight against corruption, has earned Nigeria respect in the comity of nations. You are a true leader that’s worthy of emulation.”
Meanwhile, This is the first time Buhari will be marking his birthday outside the Presidential Villa, Abuja since he became President in 2015.
When he marked his 73rd birthday in December 2015, he was joined by family members and political associates inside the Presidential Villa.
In 2016 when he clocked 74, Buhari again marked his birthday with members of the Guard Brigade holding a special parade.
The event was held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A similar scenario played out in 2017 when the President’s wife, Aisha; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; and some top government officials including state governors organised a surprise birthday get-together for Buhari when he clocked 75.
In 2018 when he clocked 76, the Guards Brigade again held a special parade among other activities marking the day.
The story was not different in 2019 when Buhari clocked 77.
He celebrated the day with his aides and family members inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Punch
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has disowned reports claiming it has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 general elections.
It’s President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata, dismissed the claims as false and misleading, insisting that the group is strictly non-partisan.
“This (endorsement) is not to my knowledge. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is a socio-cultural organization, not a political party. It is not in a position to endorse or refuse to endorse anyone,” Mbata declared in statement.
According to the apex Igbo group, the clarification followed recent claims by individuals parading themselves as leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who claim that the organization has pledged its support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Mbata stressed that such claims should be ignored, warning that only one recognized leadership exists for Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under his authority.
He added that the group remains committed to its primary role of promoting the unity, culture, and welfare of the Igbo people, not playing partisan politics.
FIFA has thrown South Africa’s World Cup dream into turmoil after ruling that Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player in their March 21 clash against Lesotho.
The disciplinary committee announced on Monday that South Africa must forfeit the match, which they had originally won 2-0, awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho.
The punishment stems from the appearance of midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who should have been serving a one-match suspension after picking up two yellow cards earlier in the campaign.
By allowing him to play, the South African Football Association (SAFA) breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as well as Article 14 of the 2026 World Cup preliminary competition regulations.
In addition to the forfeit, SAFA has been hit with a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs, while Mokoena has been issued with a formal warning.
The ruling is effective immediately, and South Africa’s points tally in Group C has now dropped from 17 to 14, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
The impact on the standings is significant. South Africa had been clear leaders, but the deduction now places them level on points with Benin.
Nigeria and Rwanda, just three points behind, suddenly see their chances revived, with two decisive fixtures still to be played in the group. Lesotho, who are officially credited with a 3-0 win, also benefit from the ruling, though their prospects of qualifying remain slim.
SAFA has been given ten days to request a detailed, motivated decision from Fifa, which would later be published on the governing body’s legal website. The association also has the right to appeal the sanction before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
While SAFA has yet to issue a detailed response, officials previously played down the risk of disciplinary action, insisting they were focused on the remaining qualifiers. Rival coaches and observers, however, have already voiced frustration at the delay in delivering the ruling, with Benin coach Gernot Rohr describing the process as “very, very strange.”
For South Africa, the road to the 2026 World Cup is suddenly far more complicated, with little margin for error in their remaining fixtures.
A former Chinese Minister of Agriculture, Tang Renjian, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve by the Intermediate People’s Court of Changchun in Jilin Province, concluding a high-profile bribery case that exposed corruption to the tune of over 268 million yuan (approximately $38 million) spanning from 2007 to 2024.
The court ruled that Tang abused multiple positions at both central and local government levels to accept bribes in cash and property, dealing severe damage to the interests of the state and the public.
While the gravity of his offenses justified the death penalty, Tang’s full confession, cooperation, and restitution of the illicit gains earned him leniency in the form of a suspended execution.
Tang’s fall from grace underscores the far-reaching anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Xi Jinping, aimed at rooting out graft within China’s political and military ranks.
Tang was expelled from the Communist Party in November 2024, six months after investigations began by party watchdogs.
Prior to his ministerial role, Tang served as governor of Gansu Province and vice chairman of the Guangxi Autonomous Region.
His sentencing follows similar cases of former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, who were removed from office amid corruption probes, highlighting the campaign’s scope across multiple government sectors.
The court also confiscated all Tang’s personal property and mandated the recovery of all illegal earnings for transfer to the national treasury. The verdict included lifetime deprivation of Tang’s political rights, emphasizing the severe consequences of corruption.
During the trial held in July, Tang admitted guilt and expressed remorse, factors which the court acknowledged in suspending the death sentence execution for two years— a measure which often leads to commutation or reduction of the sentence if no further crimes are committed .
This landmark case is a stark message from the Chinese leadership about the zero-tolerance stance on corruption, reflecting President Xi’s ongoing campaign since 2012 to maintain absolute loyalty, purity, and reliability within the Communist Party and government institutions.
The crackdown has disciplined over a million officials, aiming to curb corruption that is widely seen as the greatest threat to party governance.
