Headlines
We Musn’t Play Politics with Monarchy, Religion, Security – Tambuwal
Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal have advised leaders and stakeholders in the Nigerian project not to politicise the triple issues of the monarchy, faith and security.
Gov. Tambuwal handed down the advise when the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II paid him a courtesy visit along with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar in Government House, Sokoto.
The two monarchs were also in the company of their colleagues, the emirs of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu III, Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa and Lere, Gen. Garba Abubakar Muhammad (rtd), who was also one time military administrator of Sokoto state.
Gov. Tambuwal who observed that although as politicians some leaders take certain issues for granted and in the process skid into issues that could jeopardize the collective coexistence of the country, all hands must be on deck to ensure that nothing rocks the boat of unity.
According to him, “sometimes we play politics. We must desist from playing politics with our traditional institutions. We must desist from playing politics with religion. We must desist from playing politics with security.”
“These issues are beyond politics,” he noted, advising that: “we must try as much as possible to cooperate and work together for the unity and stability of this country.”
The governor appealed to the monarchs and other leaders in the country “to have patience and not to be daunted by certain developments of the past.”
Admonishing the traditional rulers to strengthen existing ties with the aim of ensuring the unity of the country, Tambuwal said this is important now that it “appears as if forces and enemies of progress are working against our country; and, our national cohesion is being threatened by some of these forces and tendencies.”
He encouraged them to be steadfast in playing their roles as “God is watching” and He “knows that you are invaluable to the existence and continued stability of this country.”
“I implore all the traditional rulers to be working and praying together for the peace and continued existence of Nigeria. We need all of your support and counsels so that we can continue to provide what God has given us in terms of leadership and discharge our responsibilities,” the governor emphasized.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife expressed satisfaction that he was able to pay the courtesy call on the governor, who he described as an able and dynamic leader, after four attempts.
“I have been following him for many years. He has natural leadership style. Many of us can testify to that. He should continue with this. He should carry everybody along not only in Sokoto but everywhere in the country as he use to do,” the Yoruba monarch stated.
“That is leadership and that is the kind of person we need to lead us. Keep doing what you are doing. We are watching you. God Almighty will continue to be with you,” he added, applauding the governor as “ever mobile, dynamic and forward looking.”
Source: Reuters
Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has alleged that there may be attempts to prevent key opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, from appearing on the ballot for the 2027 general elections.
Oseni’s remark followed a Federal High Court judgment ordering the de-registration of some political parties.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples’ Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance Party (AAP) over alleged constitutional breaches.
The judgment arose from a lawsuit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional and statutory electoral performance requirements necessary for continued recognition as political parties.
Justice Lifu subsequently barred INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting nominations from them or permitting them to participate in activities related to the 2027 general elections.
The ruling, if upheld, could affect the political ambitions of several politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the ADC presidential flag-bearer, and Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
But speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Oseni described the court ruling as a “test” of public reaction, warning that more actions could follow ahead of the next general election.
According to him, opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, should be cautious, claiming that efforts could be made to stop major figures from participating in the election.
Oseni argued that the judgment was part of a broader process aimed at shaping the political landscape ahead of 2027.
He maintained that the ruling came despite some of the affected parties having recorded electoral victories in recent elections.
He warned that Nigerians must remain vigilant to safeguard the country’s democracy, stressing the need for judicial reforms alongside efforts to tackle insecurity.
Oseni said: “NDC, ADC should be careful because there will be attempt, and this is me predicting now, to ensure that Obi, Atiku and other big contenders are not on the ballot.
“This that you saw yesterday is just a test. This is not the real place where the whole thing is going. This is me predicting now.
“You know before you have a show you test the microphone. They want to see the reactions of Nigerians. More is still coming.
“You can see how they carry a judgement when ADC won two House of Representatives seats in Kogi, one Kogi House of Assembly seat, APP one chairmanship seat in Jigawa, Zenith Labour party won several seats in Abia, but they still went ahead and issued judgement for deregistration after the Court of Appeal, a higher court, said it should stay on that.
“If we want to deal with this judicial rascality, can I tell you something? The judge that gave this judgment, nothing will happen to him. Nothing on this earth. They are just coming.
“And who is leading this group? Gbajabiamila. Have you forgotten what Gbajabiamila said on Hon Ajibade’s birthday? So they are just coming. This one is just a test. The next one they will do is the NDC.
“With the way they’re going, if Nigerians don’t shine their eyes when they will finally have this election, you will not have the major contenders in the ballot. This thing they have just done is to test reactions from Nigerians.
“I saw this thing coming. You know we are going into an election in which Atiku Abubakar is the only major candidate from the North. It’s not like the last one you have Kwankwaso that can split the Kano votes. And you have Peter Obi and general consensus that a lot of people are in abject penury, insecurity is raging hard.
“This is the beginning of many things. They are just testing the microphone. It’s engineered. More is coming. Nigerians, it is you that will save your democracy. Judicial reforms have become so important as insecurity in Nigeria.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has picked former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Announcing the decision, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Amaechi’s emergence followed broad consultations within the party and reflected his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries as well as his track records of service to his state and the country.
According to the ADC, Amaechi’s extensive experience across both the legislative and executive arms of government, as former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State, and former Minister of Transportation, makes him uniquely qualified to complement Atiku’s leadership, strengthen the party’s national appeal, and bolster its campaign to offer Nigerians an experienced and credible alternative ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party said the choice of Amaechi underscores its commitment to presenting a leadership team with proven governance experience and national appeal as it prepares for the 2027 presidential contest.
ThisDay
