Tinubu

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Presidency has launched a scathing attack on former key allies of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari who have joined a coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, accused the defectors of lacking principles and being motivated solely by bitterness after losing political relevance within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Onanuga specifically named and criticized several prominent figures like Rotimi Amaechi (Former Minister of Transportation) whom he described as having “lost everything politically” after failing to secure the APC presidential ticket in 2022.

Onanuga stated that Amaechi had effectively left the APC long ago.

Abubakar Malami SAN (Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice) was then characterized by Onanuga as a “bitter loser” since President Tinubu took office, particularly after losing the Kebbi State governorship ticket.

Onanuga claimed Malami’s hostility towards the APC was well-known.

Others he slammed include Hadi Sirika (Former Minister of Aviation), Rauf Aregbesola (Former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State).

Onanuga also mentioned Kashim Imam and Chief John Odigie Oyegun as longtime APC figures nursing grudges after losing out on the vice-presidential ticket in 2022.

He described Oyegun, a former APC National Chairman, as having lost influence within the party.In his statement, Onanuga warned Nigerians to be wary of the opposition coalition, labeling its members “bitter” individuals united only by their resentment towards President Tinubu.

He dismissed the coalition as “unprincipled” and “without ideology.””Their eyes are closed by the pursuit of their ambition, the hunger for power is glaring, not for the benefit of Nigerians, but for their own benefit,” Onanuga stated.

He predicted the coalition would inevitably collapse due to internal clashes and conflicting political ambitions among its members.

“Their mutual antagonism and political ambitions will make them fight each other,” Onanuga asserted.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu convened a high-stakes reconciliation meeting on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, aiming to resolve the political turmoil in Rivers State.

The closed-door session included Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers.

This comes after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire State House of Assembly.

The discussions focused on restoring stability in the oil-rich state, though details of the agreement remain undisclosed.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu officially handed over the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on Sunday, urging regional leaders to remain vigilant and united in fostering peace and prosperity.

The symbolic transfer took place at the closing of the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority in Abuja.

Tinubu, who completed his two-term tenure, expressed confidence in the bloc’s future under Bio’s leadership, calling for deepened cooperation and inclusive growth.

“With continued collaboration, ECOWAS will achieve greater heights in peace, security, and prosperity for West Africa,” Tinubu stated.

He emphasized the need to balance economic integration with political stability, noting that democratic values must be upheld for sustainable development.

In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined four priorities: restoring constitutional order, strengthening regional security, boosting economic integration, and enhancing ECOWAS’ institutional credibility.

He pledged to lead a “people-centred” ECOWAS, addressing challenges like terrorism, political instability, and youth demands for accountability.

Bio commended Tinubu’s leadership, vowing to build on his predecessor’s efforts in regional dialogue and peacebuilding.

Both leaders called for collective action to secure a stable and prosperous future for West Africa.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will only announce his running mate for the 2027 presidential election after officially accepting the party’s nomination during the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention in 2026.

This clarification was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust on Thursday.

Amid growing speculations over the absence of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name in recent endorsements for Tinubu, Onanuga dismissed any insinuations of a planned replacement, describing the situation as “a non-issue.”

“In a presidential system, the candidate comes first, and then a running mate is picked. That’s what happened under Buhari—he was nominated first before selecting a running mate. The same process will apply here,” he said.

Onanuga stressed that a decision will only be made after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its timetable, prompting the party to hold its convention.

He also rejected the idea that Tinubu’s history of changing deputies during his tenure as Lagos State governor hints at plans to drop Shettima.

“Those were different political circumstances. In his first term, he and his deputy, Kofo, had issues and she had to leave. Femi Pedro replaced her, but later defected in the second term to pursue a governorship ambition. It’s wrong to frame this as a pattern of discarding deputies,” he explained.

Addressing the speculation of a strained relationship between Tinubu and Shettima, Onanuga dismissed such claims as baseless rumors.“From what I know, they have an excellent working relationship. The idea that there’s friction is just beer parlour gossip. Some even claim Seyi Tinubu is the vice president—it’s all nonsense,” he said.

When asked if the APC would repeat the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, Onanuga said the issue has lost relevance.

“There’s no Islamisation agenda. Christians are living freely, and the president even attended the Pope’s inauguration in Rome. Many of the speculated running mates are also Muslims—it’s not a matter of concern anymore,” he said.

Responding to criticisms over early endorsements before the official campaign season, Onanuga said it was a necessary reaction to opposition attacks.

“If the so-called coalition hadn’t started attacking the administration, we would’ve waited until next year. But we had to respond and show readiness. You can’t expect the president to stay silent while others plot openly,” he said.

He noted that the endorsements reflect public confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, even if the campaign has not yet formally begun.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled his scheduled visit to Kaduna State, redirecting his trip to Benue following a renewed wave of violent attacks that have claimed multiple lives and displaced several communities.

This was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, on Monday, as obtained by The Daily Reality.

According to the statement, President Tinubu will be in Benue on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, where he is expected to meet with traditional leaders, religious figures, political stakeholders, youth groups, and community members in a town hall session aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict and finding long-term solutions.

Ahead of the visit, the President has already deployed top government officials to the state, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the National Assembly Committees on Defence.

President Tinubu, while condemning the latest violence, urged citizens to embrace peace, unity, and mutual respect.

He also extended his condolences to the families of those killed and affected by the unrest.

Meanwhile, his postponed visit to Kaduna will now take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, where he is expected to commission key state projects.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The meeting, which was not previously announced, comes amid ongoing political turbulence in Rivers State.

Neither the presidency nor Fubara’s camp has released an official statement on the meeting, but it is widely seen as part of efforts to resolve the deepening crisis in the state.

The Daily Reality reports that Governor Fubara has faced relentless opposition since assuming office in 2023.

His dispute with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, led to Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers on May 18, 2025.

In his announcement, Tinubu cited the collapse of democratic structures in the state, pointing to the December 2023 demolition of the House of Assembly and the prolonged deadlock that followed.

The Supreme Court also weighed in on February 28, 2025, stating that there was effectively no government in Rivers due to the absence of a functioning legislature.

As political watchers await an official update, Tinubu’s meeting with Fubara has heightened expectations for a breakthrough in the lingering crisis.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a bold and unflinching statement, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has voiced the frustrations of many Nigerians amid the worsening economic crisis.

“We are all hungry. If you’re not feeling the hunger, I certainly am… If you want us to get rid of the man in charge, we can certainly do that,” Amaechi declared during a public event.

His remarks have sparked intense debate, with some viewing them as a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has faced mounting criticism over inflation, insecurity, and economic hardship.

A former APC presidential aspirant and ex-Rivers State governor, Amaechi’s comments suggest growing discontent within the ruling party.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his two years in office, calling for continued support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

In a statement, Buhari emphasized that leadership is a continuous journey and urged Nigerians to remain patient as reforms take time to yield results.

Buhari warned against allowing necessary policy changes to be derailed by political disputes, stressing the importance of unity in achieving progress.

He also expressed support for the administration’s efforts to tackle poverty and inflation but noted that the responsibility should not rest on the government alone.

“The private sector and all citizens must contribute in any way they can,” he said.

Encouraging optimism, Buhari advised Nigerians to manage their expectations while remaining confident in the country’s future.

He concluded by wishing Tinubu success, saying, “May you keep leading with wisdom and care.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria joined other West African leaders in Lagos on Wednesday to celebrate the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Golden Jubilee. The event marked 50 years of regional cooperation and integration.

Among the dignitaries present were Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Togolese President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, and Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Emalo. Also in attendance were former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon and ECOWAS Commission President Umar Alieu Touray.

The gathering highlighted ECOWAS’ achievements in promoting peace, economic development, and solidarity across the region since its founding in 1975. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deeper integration amid current challenges.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, praised ECOWAS’ resilience and called for stronger collaboration to address security and economic issues. The ceremony featured cultural displays and discussions on the bloc’s future.

The event concluded with a renewed pledge to advance the ECOWAS vision of a prosperous and united West Africa.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new governing council members for the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU).

This move comes months after the dissolution of UniAbuja’s governing council and the removal of its former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, over eligibility concerns.

The newly appointed council members for UniAbuja include Prof. Rosemary Iriowen Egonmwan (South-South), Dr. Adedeji Adefuye (South-West), Prof. Sarki Abba Abdulkadir (North-West), and Prof. Aminu Mohammed Dukku (North-East). For the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the appointees are Rt. Hon. Barr. Ogbonna Eugene Odo (South-East) and Muhammad Inuwa Tahir, mni (North-West).

Similarly, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) will now have Dr. Nkem Okeke (South-East), Ofoke Chukwuma Charles Ugbala (South-East), Dame Amina Patrick Yakowa (North-West), and Nojeeb Oriola Agunbiade (South-West) on its governing council.

The appointments are expected to bring renewed leadership to the institutions as they work towards academic excellence and administrative stability.