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2019 : Only Saraki Can Unite Nigeria-Baraje
By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, has declared that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, remains the only politician that can unite Nigeria.
He added that Saraki has what Nigerians are looking for in a true and pragmatic leader.
Baraje spoke with newsmen on the sideline of the graduation activities of his Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara state.
He argued that Saraki had twice stepped down his presidential ambition in 2011 and 2015 to support former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammad Buhari and today “has what it takes to unite Nigeria.”
He warned those seeking to impeach the Senate President to desist from ‘playing God’, having tried their hands at least thrice to reach that goal without success.
He said the decision by the Saraki group to be less combative in the war of attrition that has engulfed the political space must not be misconstrued for lack of boldness or what to say.
He said: “Saraki has been trying on being the President since 2011; if you remember he withdrew for then candidate Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and he also withdrew for the current President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 so for anyone with that ambition nothing is wrong to come forward to aspire.
“Today he is the only candidate that can unite this country because the present situation we are in this country today unless we get a candidate who can unite us then we are in serious jeopardy”.
He said Kwarans will support the ambition because ‘we have been supporting other candidates for long and so this will be the time to support our own’.
He warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against using ‘Gestapo’ method to impeach Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekeremadu but rather agree that having failed thrice to get them out of the seat; they need to submit to the will of God.
He alleged that some powerful people within the APC were profiting from the war between the National Assembly and the Presidency, hence their constant subtle moves to ensure absence of peace between the two arms of government.
“As a politician you need to have a mind that is alive; I read the constitution and on impeachment the law is very clear that it is only two third of the senators and not two third of members present that can decide on the issue. Some of us are not trained to talk more but the fact that we don’t talk doesn’t mean we know less; people are saying many things on this issue that is really an insult to our collective sensibilities.
“Some of us have experienced leading political parties and we have gone through this kind of situation before and we know that resolving it is not by Gestapo method or just talking anyhow; we know that the conflict between the executive and national assembly has continued unabated because some people are making profit from it and so they don’t want it to cease. It is better to avoid using Gestapo method to remove Saraki because there is nowhere in the constitution that says the party with the majority must produce the Senate President; the law says the senators will produce their own president not the party. If that is incorrect let them bring it pout to the world to see.”
On how Saraki became the Senate President, Baraje said he was the one who led the negotiation with the PDP senators and stakeholders the night before the election and that he personally drove Saraki to the national Assembly complex in the wee hours of the day after discovering the PDP would have ousted the APC from the race.
“We had 48 PDP senators in the chamber, and only nine APC senators when Saraki stood up to contest the seat; if that day the PDP had wanted to have the Senate Presidency, they would have gotten it because the constitution says only senators will elect their leader and not the party.
“Because of our own experience in politics, we went to the PDP the night before the election to campaign across parties for Saraki and those of them still alive will bear witness to what I’m saying . it was there they told us they (PDP) wanted to produce the Senate President but on seeing out team and after listening to us; they agreed to step down. Some governors and senators persuaded the man to step down. But they gave us a condition which was that they would produce the Deputy President.
“Saraki said no; that it was a party affair but I was the one who said, ‘yes, we agree’. I said that because I knew that we needed the PDP to win the race. The others were looking at me and wondering why I did that and when we got outside they were blaming me but I stood on the matter and said we would go and discuss with our party about the offer.
“I told our party, but I also told them that we could avoid the deal by making sure that our senators were in the majority in the chamber during the election so that we could use that as excuse for the PDP. But we didn’t know that our own party had other plans and it was later I learnt that they had been called to a meeting outside the chamber, to be addressed by the President.
“I called the personal assistant to the President to know what was happening and he told me that the President had gone upstairs and would not be coming down till about 11am. I asked if he was not aware of the meeting the President had called with the senators and the man drew blank; he said he was not sure. I then called the Clerk of the Assembly and he said he was going to go ahead with the election that morning because he had not secured any order to the contrary.
“That was when I called Saraki and asked him to come out; I took him to the Assembly that early morning to await what would happen. Later I got to know that the then Inspector General of Police was driving senators back from the Assembly and I called him and asked why. He said it was because the President wanted to meet with them. I asked if he had clarified that information and that was when he too realised what was happening and he started allowing the senators in.
“I called one party elder from the south to ask where they were and he told me they were expecting the meeting to start. I asked him, as party leader have you crosschecked that information? That was when he too woke up. The question is who authorised that meeting? If the president was not in the know that means it was treasonable. But because we are more matured we didn’t make any noise about it. Wait for me when I come out with my facts.”
News
Senator Monguno Delivers Monguno LGA for President Tinubu
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip of the Senate and distinguished representative of Borno North Senatorial District, has once again proven his political dexterity and grassroots command by delivering Monguno Local Government Area overwhelmingly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primaries.
The primaries, conducted in a peaceful and transparent atmosphere, drew massive participation from party faithful, stakeholders, youth groups, and women across Monguno LGA. The exercise was marked by unity, discipline, and enthusiasm, as members reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and their unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Tinubu.
Senator Monguno, addressing the gathering, commended the people for their steadfastness and collective spirit. He emphasized that the success of the primaries was not merely a reflection of his leadership but a testament to the enduring bond between the APC and the people of Borno North. “Our strength lies in our unity, our discipline, and our loyalty to the ideals of progress and development. Together, we will continue to sustain the dominance of our great party,” he declared.
Observers noted that the outcome of the primaries further cements Senator Monguno’s reputation as a formidable political figure in Borno State. His ability to mobilize diverse groups – from traditional leaders and community stakeholders to youth and women organizations – underscores his deep connection with the grassroots and his commitment to inclusive leadership.
The primaries also highlighted the growing confidence of the people in President Tinubu’s administration. Many participants expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope Agenda would bring lasting development, security, and prosperity to the region. The atmosphere was charged with chants of solidarity and renewed determination to ensure the continued success of the APC at both state and national levels.
Political analysts have described Monguno’s achievement as a strategic boost for the APC in Borno State, reinforcing the party’s dominance and strengthening its prospects for future contests. The senator’s role in coordinating the primaries has been widely praised as an example of effective leadership and organizational skill.
As the APC consolidates its position across Nigeria, the Monguno LGA primaries stand as a clear demonstration of the party’s resilience and the people’s trust in its vision. Senator Monguno’s influence, coupled with the collective will of Borno North, has once again positioned the district as a stronghold of support for President Tinubu and the APC.
With this successful outing, Borno North remains united, resolute, and firmly committed to advancing the progress of the party and the nation under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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KUMO CONGRATULATES TINUBU ON PRIMARY VICTORY: “NIGERIA HAS FOUND IN YOU A LEADER WORTHY OF HER TRUST “
Hon. Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo, popularly known as “Dattuwa”, Deputy National Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his landslide victory at the 2026 APC Presidential Primary Election.
In a warm and heartfelt message, Kumo described the President’s victory as a clear and resounding endorsement by millions of ordinary Nigerians who have seen, felt, and believed in his leadership.
“Mr. President, today the people have spoken. From the North to the South, from state to state and ward to ward, APC members came out in their millions to say — we are with you. This victory belongs to every Nigerian who believes in a better tomorrow,” Kumo said.
He praised President Tinubu for the courage and humility he demonstrated by subjecting himself to the democratic process — choosing to stand and be elected rather than using the power of incumbency to sidestep the people’s verdict.
“You are a President who could have taken the easy road. Instead, you opened the door to all, welcomed a challenger, and stood before the Nigerian people to be judged. That is the mark of a true democrat, and we are proud of you,” he said.
Kumo also celebrated the Electoral Act 2026 — signed by the President — which abolished the delegate system and empowered grassroots party members across all 8,809 wards to vote directly for their preferred candidate. He described it as one of the most important gifts any President has given to Nigerian democracy.
“You did not just talk about democracy. You legislated for it, and then you lived by it. That consistency of character is what sets you apart,” Kumo added.
As a member of the APC’s National Working Committee and Chairman of the ITF Governing Board — a position he holds by the confidence of the President — Kumo said he remained fully committed to supporting the Tinubu administration in delivering on its Renewed Hope agenda for all Nigerians.
He closed with a personal charge to the President.
“Your Excellency, the mandate is yours. The people trust you. Go and finish the work. Nigeria is counting on you, and we are all standing firmly behind you.”
News
CBIAMEC Elects New Executives as National Coordinator, Onomuodeke Unveils Seven-Point Agenda
The CSO Budget Implementation, Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC) has on Friday, elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the committee, with Comrade Patrick Ogheneyero Onomuodeke, emerging as the newly elected National Coordinator.
The election, which drew members, stakeholders, and observers from different sectors, marked a significant transition in the leadership structure of the committee and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, inclusion, and effective project monitoring across the country.
Other officers were also elected into key positions including General Secretary, Head of Operations, Head of Legal, Head of Media, among others.
Speaking shortly after the election, Comrade Patrick Ogheneyero unveiled a seven-point agenda aimed at repositioning the committee for greater efficiency, visibility, and impact. According to him, the agenda will focus on strengthening institutional capacity, promoting transparency in budget implementation processes, improving collaboration with relevant stakeholders, enhancing media visibility, deepening citizen engagement, promoting inclusiveness, and ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of projects and policies.
He stressed the importance of unity, professionalism, and dedication among members, noting that civil society organizations must continue to play active roles in promoting good governance and accountability in the country.
The newly elected National Coordinator further pledged to run an open, inclusive, and result-driven administration that would prioritize teamwork, transparency, and national development.
The election also witnessed the presence of notable observers and stakeholders, including Comrade Adodo Solomon, Chairman Public and Private Partnership, as well as international development expert, Mrs. Tamara Jensin, President and Chairman Arc-royal International, alongside other dignitaries.
Members of the committee expressed optimism over the emergence of the new executives, describing the development as a fresh opportunity to reposition the organization and strengthen its relevance within the civic and governance space.
The event concluded with goodwill messages and renewed commitments by members to work collectively toward achieving the vision and objectives of the committee.
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