Headlines

Peace Of The Graveyard In APC

Published

9 years ago

July 11, 2016

Our Reporter

Big Wigs Mull Mass Defection Into New Party
As Govs Annex Party Structures Ahead Of 2019
Salient War Raging Between, Buhari, Atiku and Tinubu

By Lateef BAMGBOSHE, Abuja

While clapping as gladiators in the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, battle themselves over leadership positions, the ruling All Progressives congress, APC, may have inadvertently forgotten to check brewing trouble in the ranks of its own leaders, the outbreak of which may make the PDP scandal a mere rehearsal. Investigations by nationalTRAIL revealed that, apart from the general misplacement of priorities by the APC Government, the unspoken whirlwind of crises within it, may lead to massive resentment by its key stakeholders and possible implosion before the 2019 polls. Indications to an oncoming crisis is being noticed from remarks credited to key players in the party, which suggest that there is a deepening sense of alienation, and dissatisfaction with the way both Government and party affairs are being run. Even the failure of the APC to its Board of Trustees, and attendant appointments into key positions which seem to negate earlier expectations are seen as indicators of trouble in the offing, as the party moves towards 2019. Similarly, reports of in-house quarrels between President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu over who is the national leader of the APC, on one hand, and between The President and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over the latter’s perceived presidential ambition on the other present warning signals. Our correspondent reports that, there is a deep seated suspicion amongst these key players, with each of them plotting to undermine the other in the race for the Presidency in 2019, in which all of them are seen to be interested. nationalTRAIL observes that, while President Muhammadu Buhari moves to consolidate his hold on both Government and the party, Atiku and Tinubu seem to have something up their sleeves and may be posing in the dark to upstage him at the last minute, failure to which they may desert him. Already, the Presidency is said to be keeping a close tab on Atiku, against intelligence reports that he may be planning to ditch the APC and poach from it in 2019 to pursue his presidential ambition on the platform of another political party, possibly the PDP. Atiku Abubakar who has the knack for jumping political ship at the slightest provocation, is under watch by the President’s men, who are also said to be working to correct the impression that Buhari is President while Tinubu is National leader of APC. A source close to the President confirmed to us that, it has become worrisome to the President that Tinubu wants to relegate him to the background in party affairs, by proclaiming himself the leader, even when the constitution of the APC states otherwise. Investigations also reveal that, while the President, Atiku Abubakar and Tinubu were locked in a salient
war of supremacy against 2019, some Governors and legislators within the ruling party have began moves to form a new alliance, which may lead to the formation of a new party or picking a weak existing party and reposition it for their own contests. nationalTRAIL had reported of a series of meetings of thirteen Governors with the top echelon of the National Assembly, and other like minds in Dubai, Kaduna and Abuja, at which the moves to pull the carpet from under the feet of the trio of Buhari, Atiku and Tinubu was muted. A source from the meeting confirmed to us that, the arrow heads of the meeting include, Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who is being positioned for the Presidency, Adams Oshimole of Edo State, who may be his running mate, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, also interested in the Presidency with Rochas Okoraocha of Imo State as his running mate, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Bindow Jibrilla of Adamawa State. Others said to be in consonance with the moves include Abdulfattah of Kwara, Abubakar Mohammed of Bauchi, Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina and Bagudu Bello of Kebbi States, while in the National Assembly, the likes of Dr Bukola saraki, Senate President, Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senate Leader, Danjuma Goje, Abdullahi Adamu, Bala Na-Allah, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamako, Dino Melaye, and Baba Kaka Garbai may have been coopted. Findings reveal that a total of 74 senators were involved, 163 members of the House of Representatives, and some key members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, most of whom are seen to be dissatisfied with developments in the APC, to the effect that the party seems to be derailing. Reports from across the states which governors are involved with the project indicate that the governors have taken firm control of the APC structures, with a view to relocating them into the new arrangement, even as Tinubu and Atiku, are said to be making inroads into some states, with a view to having them on their sides, when the chips are down. In each of the states so far listed, the governors, ostensibly capitalizing on the economic conditions of the leadership of the party have eff3ctively pocketed party Chairmen, Secretaries, Women leaders and Youth Leaders in their states.

Headlines

BREAKING: Senate to Engage US Lawmakers Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Nigerian Senate is set to engage with US lawmakers following renewed debate on alleged targeted attacks against Christians in the country.

The controversy intensified after American TV host Bill Maher, on his HBO program, described the situation as a “silent genocide,” accusing Western media of downplaying mass killings by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and Fulani militias. He cited claims that over 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and thousands of churches destroyed.

Maher’s remarks were echoed by Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who argued that the crisis had not received the international media attention it deserves.

Government Rejects Genocide Narrative
In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as misleading and divisive. He emphasized that terrorist groups do not target Christians alone, insisting that Nigerians of all faiths—including Muslims and non-religious citizens—have suffered at the hands of violent extremists.

“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” Idris said.

Headlines

Nigeria @ 65: The Worst Is Over, We’ve Turned a New Corner — Tinubu

Published

1 week ago

October 1, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, assured citizens that the country has overcome its toughest challenges and is on the path to recovery.

Honouring the Founding Fathers

Tinubu paid tribute to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s independence leaders, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
“They believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the black race as the largest black nation on earth,” he said.

Journey So Far

Reflecting on six decades of nationhood, the President noted that Nigeria had endured a civil war, military dictatorships, and political crises but survived with “courage and grit.”
“At Independence, Nigeria had only 120 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Today, we have over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education,” he said, adding that the country had made “remarkable progress” in healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and infrastructure.

Tough Reforms, Signs of Recovery

Tinubu said he inherited a fragile economy distorted by decades of poor policies but chose reform over inaction.
“Our administration ended the corrupt fuel subsidy regime and abolished multiple foreign exchange rates that enriched a few while impoverishing the majority,” he stated.
According to him, the measures are yielding results:

GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest in four years.
Inflation fell to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years.
₦20 trillion was realised from non-oil revenue by August.
Debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 97% to below 50%.
Foreign reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.
Oil output rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, while Nigeria refined petrol domestically for the first time in four decades.
The stock market surged from 55,000 points in May 2023 to 142,000 points by September 2025.

“The worst is over. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to today’s relief,” the President declared.

Tackling Insecurity

Tinubu said security agencies were making gains against insurgency, separatism, and banditry.
“Hundreds of communities have been liberated, with thousands of displaced persons returning home. We salute the gallantry of our armed forces,” he said.

Investing in Youth

Describing young people as Nigeria’s “greatest asset,” Tinubu highlighted ongoing programmes:

NELFUND Student Loans: ₦99.5bn disbursed to 510,000 students.
Credicorp Loans: ₦30bn given to 153,000 Nigerians for solar, housing, transport, and digital devices.
YouthCred: Credit support extended to NYSC members.
iDICE Programme: Partnership with AfDB, AFD, and IsDB to boost innovation in digital and creative sectors.

Call for Collective Effort

Acknowledging that reforms have caused temporary hardship, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain steadfast.
“Our progress must not be measured by statistics alone, but by food on our tables, quality of education, electricity in our homes, and safety in our communities,” he said.

He called on citizens to embrace productivity, pay taxes, support local industries, and contribute to nation-building.
“The dawn of a new Nigeria is here — self-reliant, prosperous, and united. With God on our side, we will overcome. Let all hands be on deck,” he concluded.

Would you like me to compress this further into a shorter news report (around 6–7 tight paragraphs) for quick-read media, or keep it as a detailed feature-style recap like this one?

Headlines

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

Published

3 weeks ago

September 17, 2025

Our Reporter

A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.

The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.

Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.

Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.

Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.

A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.

Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.