Presidency

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has rejected calls from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said ADC chieftains, including Interim National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, cannot instruct Amupitan on his duties.

This statement follows a press conference held by ADC leaders in Abuja on Wednesday, where they urged President Tinubu to remove Amupitan, alleging he is incapable of conducting credible elections in Nigeria.

Ajayi, responding on X, said, “We all can at least agree that the INEC chairman is at the top of his career academically and professionally – a teacher of law, Professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“What this means is he sure knows what ‘status quo ante bellum’ means. Senator David Mark, Mr. Peter Obi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, certainly, can’t teach him what that Latin legal maxim means.

“It is bad politics for ADC people to make their own internal crisis of choice a problem of Professor Amupitan, that of President Tinubu and APC.”

The Presidency’s response underscores its position that Amupitan’s professional qualifications and experience place him beyond political pressures from opposition party disputes.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has dismissed concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s health, saying he remains fit and is carrying on with his state visit to Türkiye as scheduled.

The assurance was given on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who said the President moved from the ceremonial welcome in Ankara straight into planned bilateral engagements with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other top Turkish officials.

According to Dare, the meetings are focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and widening cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye in key areas such as defence and security, trade and investment, energy and overall economic development.

He noted that the seamless flow of activities reflects the growing relationship between both countries and Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic drive under the Tinubu administration.

Addressing enquiries about a brief incident involving the President, Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that Tinubu only lost his balance momentarily after stepping on an object.

He explained that the President stepped on a metal on the floor, which caused a slight loss of balance, stressing that it was “not a big deal” and should not be exaggerated.

Onanuga added that it was “a mere stumble, not a fall,” and urged the public to ignore attempts to sensationalise what he described as a fleeting incident.

The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu remains in good health and fully engaged in all official activities during the visit.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu announced on Tuesday that the Federal Government has already met its revenue target for the 2025 fiscal year, achieving the milestone in August of this year.

Speaking at a meeting with legacy members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President attributed this achievement to his administration’s economic reforms, which have focused on stimulating the non-oil sector.

“The economy is now stabilised. Nobody is trading pieces of paper for foreign exchange anymore. The economy is now predictable. You do not need to know the CBN Governor to obtain foreign exchange or import goods,” President Tinubu stated.

He assured Nigerians that his Renewed Hope Agenda remains focused on building critical infrastructure, improving healthcare, ensuring food sovereignty, and providing security.

To guarantee food sovereignty, the President revealed plans to establish agricultural mechanisation centres across all regions of the country to build capacity and expand cultivation.

“We are going to have trainees. That programme is our path to food sovereignty,” he said.Reflecting on the political merger that formed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu described it as “a sweet memory” and thanked the delegation for their support.

He also promised to sustain the legacies of former President Muhammadu Buhari, including immortalising him with a ‘Buhari House,’ and assured that more members of the old CPC would be brought into the government.

The leader of the delegation and former Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, assured the President of the group’s loyalty and commitment to the success of his administration and his ultimate victory in the 2027 elections.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was also present, thanked the President for his statesmanship and magnanimity.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has refuted claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima was recently denied access to the Presidential Villa, describing the report as completely false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, condemned the report as “a deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood.”

Nkwocha noted that the story was far removed from reality and could only gain traction among individuals unfamiliar with the operations of the Nigerian government.

He urged the public to disregard the misleading publication and called on the media to rely on credible sources while treating sensational claims with caution.

He decried what he described as a growing pattern of misinformation targeted at the Vice President and his office, all in an attempt to sow discord within the Presidency.

“The most recent of these fabricated stories claims that the Vice President was refused entry into the Villa by armed military units — a wild tale that reflects a combination of wishful thinking and misinformation,” Nkwocha stated.

He noted that nothing of such nature ever occurred and described the publication by obscure blogs as a desperate move to mislead the public and tarnish the image of both the President and the Vice President.

Nkwocha recalled that the Presidency had earlier this week also debunked another false report related to campaign posters of President Bola Tinubu, noting that such stories aim to cast doubt on the unity and legitimacy of the current administration.

He reaffirmed that Vice President Shettima remains focused on his duties and on supporting President Tinubu to fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians.

“Shettima does not have the luxury of time to entertain distractions born out of fiction and mischief,” he said.

Nkwocha praised Nigerians who continue to support the administration and are committed to combating the spread of fake news, reaffirming that no amount of misinformation can shake the democratic foundation upon which the current government stands.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Presidency has criticized former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his comments about democracy in the country.

The Daily Reality reported that El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday to strengthen democracy in Nigeria, stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party has failed to fulfill its promises to the people.

He said, “I no longer see the APC as a party. There has been no meeting of any party organs for two years—no meetings of the party leadership, no NEC, nothing. We don’t even know if it’s a one-man party or if there’s no structure at all.”

The former governor added that there was a significant gap between the party and the people, noting that the APC had deviated from its founding purpose and could no longer deliver on its promises to the public.

He further stated that the country’s problems result from the leadership of incompetent, lackadaisical individuals who hold power.

In response, Daniel Bwala, former Federal Capital Territory Minister and Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communications, accused El-Rufai of plotting to destabilize the government he helped establish.

On his X platform, Bwala queried whether El-Rufai would make such remarks if he were part of the current government and seated in the cabinet.

“Brother, if you were in the government and the cabinet, could you take this position and express such views? History has shown such behaviour in the past. Now you want to overthrow the government you helped establish,” Bwala said.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant for media and publicity, revealed that the president would not hesitate to axe any minister who falls short of expectations. 

In an interview with Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Monday, Mr. Ngelale said that the president has established deadlines and goals for each member of his cabinet. 

He stated that a minister could lose their position if they are not successful in meeting their objectives. 

“President Bola Tinubu is someone who has the results. He says ‘these are your benchmarks, I know what I want you to achieve. 

“I’m not expecting you to just come up with some plan when you get there. I’m telling you the time frame within which I expect you to achieve,” he said. 

“And if you don’t, there are consequences. He’s ready to fire a minister at the drop of a dime if he is not getting what he wants. Absolutely,” Mr Ngelale added.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is currently in the hospital for a leg surgery.

Media Aide to the Vice President, Laolu Akande disclosed the development on Twitter on Saturday, June 16, 2022.

Although Akande did not disclose the hospital the vice president is undergoing the surgery, he stated that the nation would be updated by Osinbajo’s doctors.

“VP Osinbajo is in the hospital today for a surgical procedure on account of a recurrent pain in the leg possibly sustained from an injury while playing squash. His doctors would give an update of the treatment later today.” Mr Akande tweeted.

The Vice President had earlier taken to his social media handles to celebrate his wife, Oladipo Osinbajo’s 55th birthday.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, has issued a statement on General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s health.

Remember that Abdulsalami was reportedly transported out of Nigeria for medical treatment, according to some media sources.

The retired Army General was reported to have suffered a minor stroke before being airlifted to a hospital in the United Kingdom (UK).

Shehu verified Abubakar’s release from the hospital in a tweet on Monday, stating that there was no need to be concerned.

“Alhamdu Lillahi for Allah’s mercy.

“I just ended a visit to His Excellency Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State.

“He is out of hospital in a London apartment and apparently in no serious condition.

“He was his jovial self, maintaining a keen interest in developments back at home in Nigeria. Please, no cause for alarm.”

Abdulsalami was the Head of State in 1999, during which he conducted an election that brought the democratically civilian government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to power.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progress Congress (APC), met President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Monday.

When asked by newsmen if he had informed the president of his intention to run for the presidency, he replied in the affirmative. He, however, said he is yet to tell Nigerians because he is still consulting.

The National Party Leader reportedly said:” I have informed the President of my ambition, but I have not informed Nigerians yet; I’m still consulting.”

Mr Tinubu, who is known to be politically savvy, also described his ambition as lifelong while answering questions from journalists.