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

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

Published

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months 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.