Politics

Former APC leader, Tinubu wash dirty linens publicly

Published

5 months ago

April 15, 2026

A former frontline member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Rauf Aregbesola and his former erstwhile boss, President Bola Tinubu are currently locked in what observers have described as mother of all battles.

Aregbesola, the current National secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), fired the first slvo when he described President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda as a “scam”.

Aregbesola spoke on Tuesday at the party’s national convention in Abuja, where he said the promises made by the Tinubu government had yet to materialise nearly three years into its tenure.

The former Osun state governor accused the Tinubu administration of deepening Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

“Four years ago, this government promised Nigerians renewed hope. Now, three years into its tenure, it is still promising renewed hope. When exactly will this hope come into fruition? The answer is simple: it is a scam,” Aregbesola said.

“If allowed, this regime will continue to chant renewed hope till eternity. We have a duty to stop these scammers from retaining power.”

He cited worsening poverty and education indicators as evidence of governance failure.

Aregbesola claimed that the number of out-of-school children has risen from 18.3 million to 20 million, while about 130 million Nigerians are now classified as multidimensionally poor.

He also criticised the federal government’s handling of insecurity, particularly its response to attacks by bandits and terrorists across the country.

“This has been the worst time in terms of security in the nation, with banditry and terrorism spreading across the country,” he said.

” But, also worried is the lack of empathy by the president after the 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue state. The president, on a condolence trip, did not visit the affected community; rather, he held court at the government house in Benue state.”

The former governor further argued that Nigeria risks being governed by what he termed “the least qualified”, warning against what he described as a drift towards kakistocracy.

“We cannot allow kakistocracy in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the administration should be held accountable to its own commitments, particularly on power supply.

“The government once said it should not be voted for if it fails to provide electricity. An honest president would step down rather than seek re-election under such circumstances,” he added.

On party matters, Aregbesola defended the leadership of David Mark as chairman of the ADC, insisting that due process was followed and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been duly notified.

“Nobody has the locus standi to challenge the leadership of David Mark. Our last NEC meeting was observed by INEC officials, and the report was formally submitted and acknowledged by the commission,” he said.

Aregbesola also accused INEC of partisanship and alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is unsettled by the growing strength of the ADC.

“The ADC is now the largest opposition platform with major political actors. It is clear that the APC is jittery,” he added.

”We call on the international community to take note of INEC’s biased actions.”

Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday fired back at Aregbesola.

Responding in a post on X, Onanuga described Aregbesola’s comments as misleading and accused him of failing to reflect on his record in public office.

“My attention has been drawn to Rauf Aregbesola’s attack on the Tinubu administration at today’s illegal elective convention of the ADC — a party of desperados and power mongers who, to date, have not articulated any credible plan for Nigeria,” he said.

“At the event, Aregbesola reportedly called on his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, parroting the opposition’s warped narratives about the economy and orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country.”

Onanuga alleged that Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun state was marked by hardship and salary challenges.

“His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people,” he said.

“Under his half-baked socialist policies, civil servants went unpaid for months, and those who were paid received only a fraction of their salaries.

“It is to Aregbesola’s infamy that Osun became known as a state receiving negative federal allocation and paying just 20 to 30 per cent of normal salaries.

“It was worse for pensioners in Aregbesola’s Osun State. Many pensioners who relied on their meagre monthly payments died because they were not paid at all.”

He added that Aregbesola’s tenure as minister of interior witnessed multiple jailbreaks and security lapses.

“As Minister of Interior under President Muhammadu Buhari, his tenure witnessed the highest number of jailbreaks in Nigeria’s history — including the infamous Kuje Prison escape in Abuja,” he said.

“During his four years, obtaining a Nigerian passport became a nightmarish process, and there were 15 major attacks on correctional facilities in Jos, Abolongo, Imo, Kabba, and Okitipupa, resulting in over 4,000 inmates escaping to join criminal elements.”

Onanuga said the Renewed Hope agenda is yielding results and dismissed Aregbesola’s claims.

“No, Rauf, the Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam. The real scammers are the politicians gathered inside the SPV called ADC,” he added.

Related Topics:ADC APC Featured Rauf Aregbesola

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Politics

2027: APC Chieftain Alubarika predicts Tinubu lead in four zones

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alubarika, has projected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the 2027 presidential election in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi are expected to dominate the North-East and South-East respectively.

Alubarika made the projection in a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter, where he assessed the likely performance of the major contenders based on what he described as his political experience, grassroots engagement and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics.

According to his projection, Tinubu would secure 50 per cent of the vote in the North Central, compared with 25 per cent for Atiku, 20 per cent for Obi and five per cent for other candidates.

The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the North-East, however, Alubarika predicted an advantage for Atiku, giving the former vice president 50 per cent, against 40 per cent for Tinubu. Obi and other candidates were each projected to secure five per cent.

The North-East comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.

In the North-West, Alubarika again placed Tinubu ahead with 50 per cent, followed by Atiku with 30 per cent, Obi with 15 per cent and other candidates with five per cent.

For the South-East, the APC chieftain predicted a strong showing for Obi, projecting him to win 50 per cent of the vote. Tinubu was placed at 35 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at five per cent.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to draw significant support from the region.

Alubarika also projected a 50 per cent share for Tinubu in the South-South, compared with 25 per cent for Obi, 20 per cent for Atiku and five per cent for other candidates.

The South-West recorded Tinubu’s highest projected performance, with Alubarika putting the incumbent president at 69 per cent. Obi was projected at 15 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at six per cent.

Explaining his assessment, Alubarika said he believed the projection was about 75 per cent accurate, while acknowledging that political dynamics could change considerably before the election.

“Politics is never an exact science, and a lot can change before 2027,” he said.

He urged Nigerians and political observers to keep his prediction and compare it with the actual results after the election.

“When the votes are counted and the dust settles, come back and give me my flowers,” he wrote.

The projection is not based on an opinion poll or official electoral data but represents Alubarika’s personal assessment of the likely voting pattern ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the election still ahead, political alliances, party structures, candidate nominations, regional dynamics, economic conditions and other emerging issues could alter the current political calculations.

Politics

Timipre Sylva resigns from APC, accuses party of ‘floundering’

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he can no longer identify with the party.

Sylva announced his decision in a letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he expressed concerns over the direction of the party and the conduct of its leadership.

The former governor accused the APC leadership of promoting the notion that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the principle had contributed to practices he said were inconsistent with the values he expected from the party.

He also criticised the performance of the Federal Government, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as shortcomings under the APC-led administration.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said his continued association with the party was no longer tenable.

The former petroleum minister also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the letter, alleging that the anti-graft agency was increasingly being used as an instrument of the APC.

Sylva’s resignation comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with defections and realignments increasingly shaping the country’s political landscape.

His departure could have political implications in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region, where he remains a prominent figure in the APC and Nigerian politics.

The development is expected to trigger further reactions within the party as political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

Politics

All North Central for Asiwaju inaugurates state coordinators

Published

3 weeks ago

August 21, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

All North Central For Asiwaju 2027, a fast growing support group for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to work assiduously to actualize the President’s victory in next year’s general election.

The group disclosed this during the inauguration of its state coordinators by the convener, Chief Ewie Aimienwauu.

The state coordinators inaugurated include Johnson Onoja (Benue) Isaiah Yusuf Mohammed (Kogi) Ibrahim Olayode (Kwara) Jibrin Yaheye Oka (Nassarawa) Panchin Jatau (Plateau) Istifanus Shekwonumwaza Philip (FCT) and Bala Ahmed (Niger).

Addressing the members, Chief Aimienwauu said the “All North Central For Asiwaju 2027 is an association of indigenes and non-indigenes citizens of Nigeria resident in the North Central States of (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja), from all works of life committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for a well -deserved second term at the 2027 general elections.

“We recognise the pivotal role of our Father and Leader of North Central, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to the successful re-election of the President and a resounding victory at the 2027 polls in the North Central region.”

Continuing, he said “we cannot overlook the persistent advent of insecurity in the region. Against this complex background our father and Leader has been able to maintain peace and stability in the region scoring high as the representative and eyes and ears of Mr. President. The region has enjoyed much more strategic appointments under this administration than any one before it. The region has started enjoying relative peace and defeat of insurgency and insecurity with the recent rescue of kidnap victims as a testament. The region has enjoyed more federal government infrastructure and policy dividends not to mention the availing of the Governors and Minister of FCT more allocation for the much-needed dividend of democracy.”

The convener said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had done extremely well for the North Central region so far and “is ready to do more when we return him for a second term in 2027. It is against this backdrop of visible tangible progress in the North Central region that we have come together to support our father and Leader of North Central region, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to ensure that he delivers President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in all the North Central States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“At the national level, the achievements and projects and policy advantages of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dots the landscape of Nigeria and has started showing up on the dinner plates of our great people. The President has the political will to transform Nigeria into the Eldorado we all have dreamed of and support for him is now. On your mandate we shall stand.”

Also speaking, the Plateau State Coordinator

Pancin Jatau Vrengle, said the inauguration was a significant and inspiring moment, marking a renewed commitment to supporting the vision and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The inauguration has further strengthened our resolve to work assiduously, strategically and collectively for the re-election of Mr. President in 2027. We are committed to mobilising Nigerians in the North Central Zone, communicating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, engaging stakeholders and promoting peaceful, issue-based political participation.

“We assure Mr. President and the leadership of our movement of our unwavering dedication, loyalty and readiness to contribute our time, resources and networks towards securing victory for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.Together, with unity, commitment and strategic mobilisation, we shall deliver a stronger mandate for Asiwaju.”

Speaking in the same vein, his Kogi State counterpart, Yusuf Isaiah, said: “We sincerely thank God Almighty and our Global/ National leaders particularly His Excellency Sen. George Akume (SGF), High Chief Ewie Aimenwauu, Hon. Marcellanous Njoku and AK Jasper. For giving us the opportunity to be part of this August assignment on ensuring that PBAT is re-elected as the President of Nigeria come 2027.

“We assure the Global/National body of our full commitment to this target.

The message is clear and it will be communicated to all the nook and cranny in Kogi State and North Central in general. By the virtue of our successful inauguration yesterday. It is our prayer that as we have kick-started this must- deliver assignment, the leaders should make available all the necessary resources to enable us to be efficient and effective on ground.”