Politics
Jega: Tinubu has political will to end farmers-herders crises
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Livestock Reforms, Professor Attahiru Jega, has declared that the President possesses the political will to resolve Nigeria’s long-standing farmers-herders crisis if the right reforms are implemented with support from relevant stakeholders.
Professor Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated this during a distinguished personality lecture at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The lecture, titled “The Political Economy of Livestock Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects,” was delivered as part of activities commemorating the university’s 50th anniversary and held in honour of Senator Saliu Mustapha.
Jega, who described the escalating clashes between farmers and herders as a product of worsening land pressure, climate change, and poor governance of natural resources, stressed the need to tackle all issues as part of broader livestock sector reforms.
He said: “President Tinubu has demonstrated the willingness and capacity to solve this crisis. What is needed now is stakeholders’ support, especially from the National Assembly, security agencies, and state actors, to implement evidence-based reforms.”
The Political Scientist, who now advises the President on livestock reform policy, also painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s looming protein deficit and rising food insecurity. Citing population growth projections by 2050, Jega warned that Nigeria, expected to become the world’s third most populous nation with nearly 400 million people, could face severe nutritional and economic crises unless the livestock sector undergoes urgent transformation.
“To meet basic consumption needs by 2050, Nigeria will require a 253 per cent increase in poultry production, 117 per cent in beef, and an astonishing 577 per cent growth in milk output,” he said. “These are not abstract projections —they are clear warning signs,” he added.
According to him: “The livestock sector already contributes 7 to 9 per cent to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP and sustains over 20 million livelihoods. Yet, the sector remains crippled by outdated production systems, poor veterinary services, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented value chains, and chronic underinvestment.”
He added that insecurity tied to the farmer-herder conflict further compounds the problem, disrupting rural livelihoods and exacerbating national instability.
“Violent conflict over land use and grazing routes is not only a food systems issue —it is a peace and security issue,” Jega said. “Reforming this sector is no longer optional; it is a developmental and national security imperative.”
He emphasised the need for climate-smart agricultural practices, investment in rural infrastructure, and the creation of inclusive value chains that bring private capital into the sector.
“The alternative is continued protein deficiency, widespread rural poverty, and deeper reliance on food imports,” Jega said.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, commended Professor Jega for what he described as an intellectually rich and timely lecture.
Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District, pledged the National Assembly’s full backing for the Tinubu administration’s livestock and agriculture reform agenda.
He said: “The insights provided by Professor Jega today will no doubt shape policy thinking and empower our youth to pursue sustainable livestock ventures,” Mustapha said. “The legislature remains committed to working collaboratively with the executive to deliver food security and rural transformation.”
In her welcome remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Adedoyin Omeda, said the theme was selected in response to Nigeria’s worsening economic and security crises. She described Professor Jega as “a bridge between rigorous academic scholarship and transformative public service”.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Fawole Adisa, stated that the event reflects the university’s alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Professor Jega’s selection for this lecture is deliberate,” Egbewole noted. “His expertise and leadership in public policy make him the right voice to speak on the future of livestock development in Nigeria.”
The event attracted academics, policymakers, lawmakers, and students, many of whom echoed the urgency of investing in Nigeria’s underperforming livestock sector.
End
Politics
2026: Atiku Bagudu Grassroots Group Dismisses ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Campaign
The Atiku Bagudu Grassroots Network for Tinubu 2027 has dismissed claims that a so-called “Tinubu Must Go” campaign is gaining meaningful traction in Northern Nigeria, describing the narrative as exaggerated and disconnected from the realities on the ground.
In a statement signed by Hon. Ali Oriri, the network declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to enjoy solid and expanding support across the North due to ongoing infrastructure delivery, security gains and economic reforms that are beginning to yield results for ordinary citizens.
According to the group, attempts to project isolated discontent as a widespread northern revolt ignore the substantial work being done by the administration and the loyalty of key stakeholders who recognise the difficult but necessary decisions taken since 2023.
The network said its mobilisation efforts are already consolidating grassroots structures in preparation for the 2027 elections.
“The so-called Tinubu Must Go movement is making noise, but noise is not the same as organised political strength,” Oriri stated.
“What we see in the North is growing appreciation for the roads being constructed, the power projects advancing, and the renewed focus on security that is gradually restoring confidence in many communities.”
He added: “President Tinubu inherited deep structural problems. The reforms he embarked upon were tough, but they are laying the foundation for a stronger economy.
“Our network is on the ground educating our people on these realities and organising them for 2027.”
The Atiku Bagudu Grassroots Network for Tinubu 2027 emphasised that Northern Nigeria remains a critical political base and that genuine engagement with traditional institutions, youth groups, women organisations and local political actors is already yielding positive responses.
Oriri noted that the network is working closely with like-minded stakeholders to counter misinformation and highlight measurable progress in infrastructure and security across the region.
He pointed to major highway projects, rail developments and increased investment in the security architecture as evidence that the administration is addressing the very concerns being exploited by critics.
The group insisted that any assessment of public mood in the North must go beyond selective voices and examine the broader picture of development and stability efforts.
“We are not blind to the challenges of cost of living and insecurity. No serious person is,” Oriri said.
“But we also see the deliberate investments in roads that link our markets, the push to improve electricity transmission, and the operational successes being recorded by our security agencies. These are not imaginary.”
“The people of the North understand that sustainable progress requires continuity of purposeful leadership.
“That is why the Atiku Bagudu Grassroots Network is mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027,” he continued.
Oriri further accused promoters of the “Tinubu Must Go” campaign of seeking to capitalise on temporary hardships without offering a coherent alternative that addresses the root causes of Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
He maintained that the network’s approach is rooted in constructive engagement rather than opportunistic agitation.
According to the statement, the group will intensify town-hall meetings, community outreaches and stakeholder consultations across northern states in the coming months to deepen understanding of the administration’s policies and consolidate electoral structures.
“Our loyalty is to the Nigerian people and to the progress that is being made under this administration,” Oriri declared.
“We will not allow a campaign built on frustration alone to define the political conversation in the North.
“President Tinubu has shown the courage to take hard decisions. The Atiku Bagudu Grassroots Network for Tinubu 2027 stands firmly with him because we believe continuity is essential for the gains already recorded in infrastructure and security to be fully realised,” he concluded.
Politics
APC PCC Appoints Hafiz Kawu Director of Grassroots Engagement, Mobilisation
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has appointed Hon. Hafiz Muhammad Kawu Ibrahim, OON, mni, as Director of Grassroots Engagement and Mobilisation, entrusting the former lawmaker and public administrator with the crucial responsibility of strengthening the party’s connection with supporters and voters across the country.
The appointment is widely viewed as a strategic move by the ruling party to reinforce its grassroots structures and deepen engagement at the ward, local government and state levels ahead of future political contests. As Director of Grassroots Engagement and Mobilisation, Kawu is expected to coordinate outreach programmes, grassroots campaigns and stakeholder engagement initiatives aimed at expanding the party’s support base nationwide.
A seasoned politician with extensive experience in governance and public service, Hafiz Kawu previously served as Special Assistant in the Office of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo before representing Tarauni Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023 under the platform of the APC.
During his time in public office, he earned a reputation for grassroots development, constituency engagement and people-oriented representation. His political journey has been marked by active involvement in community empowerment programmes, youth development initiatives and sustained interactions with party supporters at the grassroots level. Reports on his public service record consistently highlight his commitment to maintaining close ties with constituents and promoting inclusive development.
Political observers say these attributes make him a natural fit for the role. Grassroots mobilisation remains one of the most critical components of electoral success in Nigeria, and many within the APC believe Kawu’s experience, accessibility and understanding of local political dynamics position him well to lead the party’s engagement efforts across diverse communities.
Beyond his legislative experience, Kawu currently serves as Executive Commissioner (Technical) at the National Pension Commission (PenCom), a position that further reflects his administrative competence and policy experience.
Supporters of the APC have expressed confidence that his leadership will further energise the party’s grassroots machinery, particularly among youths, women and first-time voters. They believe his ability to engage communities directly and communicate government policies in relatable terms will help strengthen public participation and reinforce support for the ruling party’s agenda.
A recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Hafiz Muhammad Kawu Ibrahim brings both political experience and institutional knowledge to his new role.
With this appointment, the APC appears to have placed a trusted grassroots operator at the heart of its mobilisation strategy, underscoring the party’s recognition of the pivotal role grassroots engagement will play in shaping its future electoral fortunes. For many within the ruling party, Hafiz Kawu’s emergence as Director of Grassroots Engagement and Mobilisation represents not only a reward for years of service but also an investment in a political figure widely regarded as capable of connecting government policies with the aspirations of the people.
Politics
Eggon Political Forum Endorses Ombugadu as Consensus Candidate for 2027 Nasarawa Governorship Race
In what many observers are describing as a watershed moment in the political history of Nasarawa State, the Eggon Political Forum has officially endorsed Rt. Hon. Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the consensus candidate of the Eggon Nation for the 2027 governorship election.The announcement was made at a grand assembly held at Albert Event Hall in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, where leaders, stakeholders, and representatives of diverse groups gathered to deliberate on the future of Eggon political aspirations. The Forum, a non-partisan body devoted to fostering unity and political stability among the Eggon people, emphasized that the decision was the product of months of consultations, assessments, and feedback from across the state and beyond.The Forum acknowledged that six prominent Eggon sons had secured party tickets for the governorship contest, namely: Hon. Shuaibu Umaru Kubi (ACCORD), Gen. Nuhu Angbazo (ADC), Hon. Chris Mamman (ADP), Hon. Ibrahim Kassimu Aboh (APGA), Rt. Hon. Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu (PDP), and Mr. John Tanko Kigbu (YPP). While commending all six candidates for their courage and commitment to public service, the Forum explained that the need for unity and collective interest compelled them to adopt a single candidate. This, they argued, would prevent the fragmentation of Eggon votes and strengthen the community’s chances of producing the next governor of Nasarawa State.According to the communiqué, the Forum’s assessment was guided by several political considerations: party stability, grassroots presence, popularity across the state, structural strength of the political platforms, track records in previous positions of responsibility, governance experience, and manifesto credibility. On these grounds, Ombugadu was adjudged to be the most suitable candidate, having demonstrated consistency, political maturity, and a broad appeal across Nasarawa State.In a communiqué signed by Alh. Umaru Gwamna (Cingarin Eggon), Chairman of the Forum, and Hon. Chief Istifanus Dennis Abaku (Dan Masani Akun / Uban Garin Ende), Secretary, the Forum appealed to the other five Eggon candidates to rally behind Ombugadu in the spirit of unity. “We respectfully appeal to the five other candidates to kindly support and rally round the adopted candidate to ensure victory in the forthcoming elections,” the Forum declared.The Forum further extended its appeal to other ethnic nationalities in Nasarawa State, urging them to align with the Eggon people in supporting Ombugadu’s candidature. It stressed that while divergent interests are natural in politics, the collective interest of the land must remain supreme.Shortly after the endorsement, the Forum led a high-powered delegation to the palace of the Aren Eggon, His Royal Highness Justice Ahmed Ubangari Alaku, to formally notify him of the resolution. Speaking on behalf of the Forum, Chairman Alh. Umaru Gwamna briefed the paramount ruler on the aims and objectives of the Forum and explained the decision to adopt Ombugadu as the consensus candidate. He emphasized that the Forum deemed it necessary to seek the royal father’s advice and blessings as the Eggon Nation embarks on this united political journey.In his response, the Aren Eggon commended the Forum for its efforts to unite the Eggon people and described Ombugadu as a “blessed son of the Eggon Nation” who has consistently made his people proud. He noted that Ombugadu is not only an asset to the Eggon Nation but to Nasarawa State at large, wishing him success in the forthcoming governorship election. His Royal Highness also admonished all Eggon candidates and their supporters to shun politics of bitterness, propaganda, blackmail, and hatred, reminding them that leadership ultimately comes from God. “We as men can only do our human arrangements, but God alone can make it happen,” he cautioned.The royal father concluded by offering his blessings and wishing Ombugadu well in his political pursuit.The endorsement and royal affirmation are being hailed as a historic opportunity for the Eggon Nation, which has long aspired to produce the governor of Nasarawa State. With unity of purpose and the backing of traditional authority, the Forum expressed optimism that 2027 could mark the realization of this dream. Political analysts note that the move could significantly reshape the dynamics of the forthcoming election, as the Eggon people constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in the state. By consolidating their support behind a single candidate, the Forum hopes to maximize their influence and bargaining power in the wider political landscape.The Eggon Political Forum’s decision underscores the importance of unity, consultation, and collective interest in the pursuit of political power. As the countdown to the 2027 governorship election begins, all eyes will be on Rt. Hon. Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, who now carries not only the weight of Eggon aspirations but also the blessings of their revered traditional ruler.
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