APC Mulls Oyegun’s Replacement

Published

10 years ago

March 7, 2016

Our Reporter

Sheriff ’s Emergence In PDP Throws Party Off Balance
PDP NEC In Make Or Mar Meeting To Decide Fate Of NWC

A new power game

may be playing

out in the ruling

All Progressives

Congress, APC,

to the effect that its National

Chairman, John Odegie oyegun,

may have been shoved aside to pave

way for a more aggressive politician

that can match Senator Ali Modu

Sheriff as National Chairman of

the opposition Peoples democratic

Party, PDP.

Apparently jolted by Sheriff ’s

emergence as chairman of PDP, the

APC our correspondent gathered

is making frantic moves ahead

of PDP’s planned re-unification

agenda spearheaded by its new

chairman, to puts its house together

and stem the possible effects on its

followers.

Investigations reveal that,

Oyegun’s current annual vacation

was a mere façade, as the chairman

may not resume afterall, having

been told before he left that, he

was being considered for another

appointment as compensation

for his service and for him to step

down, while the party seeks to

bring on board, a more charming

personality that can march Sheriff

as he seeks to re-positioned the

P D P.

nationalTRAIL reliably learnt

that, even before Modu Sheriff ’s

emergence as national Chairman

of the PDP, stakeholders in the

APC had agreed in principles that

Oyegun must give way, ahead of the

2019 battle, which they believe he

lacks the capacity to handle.

Investigations reveal that, the

meeting amongst stakeholders of

the APC with Vice President Yemi

Osinbajo at the Aso Rock Viilla,

shortly after Ali Modu Sheriff was

announced as the Chairman of the

PDP, may not be unconnected with

the moves on how best to confront

the new challenge, as well as address

the festering ego war between key

stakeholders of the party that have

all along held strongly onto their

various camps, which includes;

President Buhari, Bola Ahmed

Tinubu, and former vice President

Atiku Abubakar, who is believed to

still have his eyes firmly fixed on

2019.

Sources told

nationalTRAIL

that the gulf between President

Muhammadu Buhari and Bola

Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National

leader on one hand, and between

former vice President Atiku

Abubakar and the duo of Buhari

and Tinubu on the other, seems

to be deepening, with the APC

hierarchy getting more polarized,

depending upon the allegiance of

individual members and groups

within the party.

This was made even more

manifest during the reconciliatory

meeting summoned through the

vice President Yemi Osinbajo at

the Aso Rock Villa recently, where

each of the parties remained glued

to their different trenches over

certain decisions of the party,

which caused ill feelings amongst

key stakeholders.

Our correspondent reports

that, after a thorough review of

its performance in government

in the last ten months, and the

attendant drift of its leadership,

APC stakeholders were of the view

that the opposition may make

good its threat to takeover in 2019

unless certain measures are taken,

including the change in party

leadership and style.

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, had

immediately after he took over as

chairman of the PDP told Nigerians

that, his main task is to reposition

his party for eventual takeover in

2019 from the APC, even as he

pledged to address the grievances

that rocked the party during the

2015 elections.

While the APC mulls the idea of

the change of its National Chairman,

an enlarged meeting of the National

Executive Committee, NEC, of the

opposition Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, is under way in Abuja,

at which the docrine of necessity

may be evoked to extend the tenure

of its national chairman, Senator

Ali Modu Sheriff beyond the initial

three months handed out to him.

Our correspondent reports that,

the NWC which tenure officially

ends this month risks a vote of no

confidence by the NEC in the face

of unfolding developments in the

party, which makes the evocation

of the doctrine of necessity to

extend Senator Ali Sheriff ’s tenure

as national Chairman, to pave

way for the smooth conduct of

party congresses and convention,

necessary.

nationalTRAIL

reliably

gathered that, the NEC members

have resolved even before going

into session that, something needs

to be done urgently if the PDP is

to be rescued from the hands of

individuals who mismanaged its

fortunes during the last general

elections, leading to its loss of the

Presidency to the then opposition.

We noticed that, embattled

members of the NWC who may be

affected by the NEC decision have

been running from pillar to pole in

their desperation to sway the NEC

from taking a drastic position on

their tenure, by converting them to

caretaker committee.

However, at the time of this

report it was not clear whether any

decision on this was reached

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.