Politics
Political Undertones As APC Chairman Buries Mother in Jos
▪︎▪︎▪︎APC/PDP Renew Battle For Control of the Soul of the Plateau.
By: Special Correspondent.
All roads led to Jos, the Plateau state capital last Saturday, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC Governers, ministers and top government officials, for the burial of Madam Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe; mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda.
Madam Yilwatda, who died penultimate week, was buried with pop and peagentry, which started with the service of songs on Friday, through a church service at the COCIN headquarters, before the final interment at Kanke
Our correspondent reports that, while burial activities were going on, a serious political drama was equally playing out on the sidelines.
It was an occassion of tears and Tributes, on one hand, just as it was a test of political strength, on the other, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and the APC re-enacting the battle for the soul of the plateau, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emotions poured out as various speakers paid glowing tributes to the late APC Chairman’s Mother, with
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in particular, describes the late matriah of the Goshwe lineage as “a woman of deep faith and boundless love,”.
Tinubu said that her legacy of service and sacrifice to humanity will continue to inspire generations.
To the Plateau state Governor, Caleb Manaseh, the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda brought honour to Plateau state with President Tinubu’s attendance.
While thanking the President for honouring the people of Plateau with his presence, he described it as a gesture of love and unity.
The chief mourner Proffessor Nantawe poured out his emotions as he spoke about his mother’s strength.
He said, in a cracking voice,how “At age 36, doctors said she had only two years to live—but God gave her 47 more. She lived for others and gave everything to her family.”
In thanking President Tinubu and the Progressive Governors Forum, as well as the people of Plateau for their support, promising to carry his mother’s lessons of faith and service into his new role as APC National Chairman, Professor Yilwatda said the pains of the loss has been cushioned by the general show of solidarity.
Our correspondent who has been in Jos however reports that, the funeral wasn’t just a farewell to the Chairman’s mother, it was a rhedezvous for political leaders who thronged Jos to register their allegiance and scheme against 2027.
The Plateau state government rolled out the drums to welcome the President to Jos, but not without a show of the political strength of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the ruling party on the Plateau.
Ahead of President Tinubu’s arrival to the coal city, every electric pole in Jos city was darbed in the flag of the PDP, while strategic roundabouts were adorned with welcome banners for the President.
Findings indicate that Governor Caleb Muftwang had ordered all government officials to avail themselves of the presidential visit and deployed logistics for participation in the burial.
The All Progressives Congress, which Chairman is from the state, had its own plans to make a political statement with the burial.
Prominent politicians who are from Plateau state have been holding meetings and strategizing on how to turn the apple cart in 2027 by retaking the state from the PDP.
The APC stalwarts are planning to show their disapproval of Governor Caleb Muftwangs reluctance to accept President Tinubus offer of a softlanding if he decamps to the APC.
Our findings reveal that the governor had initially agreed to move into the APC at his meeting with the president, only to renege.
As part of plans to show their resolve of taking Plateau from the PDP, the entire Federal Government structure, led by the President, as well as that of states governed by the APC relocated to Jos, during the burial.
Since Friday, when the burial rites started, Jos was turned into a political battlefield with the APC and PDP showing of their followerships.
Placard bearing youth with various inscriptions lined up the streets as support groups fall over themselves in trying to impress President Tinubu, while the PDP worked underground to show that they are in charge in Plateau.
In the residences of former Governor Simon Bako Lalong, former deputy Governor Pauline Tallen and Senator I D Gyang, the national coordinator of Team Tinubu 2027, political consultations continued throughout the night, on the best strategies to outshine the PDP during the burial.
Before leaving Jos, President Bola Tinubu held meetings with church leaders on how to win the sympathy of Northern Christians in the face of perceived challenges from the core northern states.
A source close to Governor Muftwang told our correspondent that, plateau people were not bothered by the heavy presence of APC jaguarnauts, arguing that, since they were all imported to intimidate the PDP, the people of Plateau will eventually decide, who governs the state in 2027.
But a prominent member of the Team Tinubu 2027, who prefers anonimity told National Trail, that, the burial seemed to show the overwhelming popularity of the APC in Plateau.
He confirmed that most political figures in Plateau have accepted to work for President Tinubu from the background, even if they may not officially decamp to the APC.
Governor Muftwang seem to suggest in his own speech during the funeral, that, he is prepared to work for the Renewed Hope agenda, along with the President’s wife, Oluremi Tinubu.
Political analysts believe that, with Professor Nantawe as national Chairman of the APC, Plateau state could be the melting pot of the 2027 politics.
National Trail can safely report, that, part of the mandate handed down to the new APC chairman, was to deliver his state back to the APC.
The days ahead will confirm if the permutations are true to the effect that, last Saturdays burial, was a pointer to what nay obtain in the journey towards 2027.
An independent investigation by Nigerian Concord Newspaper has found no evidence linking a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, to the Utan Bran compensation case or other alleged scandals at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The investigation, conducted at the Federal Ministry of Justice, followed reports in sections of the media alleging misconduct by the former chief law officer of the federation.
Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act indicate that Chief Aondoakaa was not involved in the legal firms that handled the Utan Bran compensation matter. Findings further show that the judgement debt related to the case was reportedly paid in 2006 under the tenure of a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Multiple officials at the Federal Ministry of Justice, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Chief Aondoakaa’s tenure as one marked by adherence to the rule of law. The sources said court orders were generally complied with during his time in office.
They also questioned claims portraying the former Attorney General as emblematic of alleged institutional failings within the legal system, stating that no specific instance had been cited in which he abused public office or undermined court judgements.
Regarding reports suggesting that Chief Aondoakaa interfered with court processes during the post-election period of the 2007 National Assembly elections, sources within the ministry said available records do not support claims that he acted to obstruct court orders or delay the swearing-in of elected officials.
On questions surrounding eligibility to hold public office, legal practitioners pointed to established Supreme Court jurisprudence, which holds that concurrent judgements carry equal legal weight with lead judgements. A concurring opinion by Justice Mary Odili, JSC, was cited as stating that the issue of disqualification from public office did not arise in the matter concerning Aondoakaa.
The case is reportedly the subject of further judicial proceedings, following claims that earlier judgements were obtained through misrepresentation. The matter remains pending before the courts.
Sources also said documents generated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and signed by senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, support the position that Chief Aondoakaa was not implicated in the Utan Bran case. Nigerian Concord Newspaper said it would publish the documents after concluding its investigation.
Further findings indicate that the former Attorney General was not linked to major cases such as the Halliburton scandal, the OPL 245 (Malabu) oil deal, or the recovery of Abacha-era assets.
Supporters of Aondoakaa also note that he was cleared by his party to participate in the 2023 governorship primary election, arguing that this further demonstrates that no court order barred him from holding public office.
Legal experts reaffirm that qualifications and disqualifications for elective office are constitutionally defined, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Attorney-General of Abia State v. Attorney-General of the Federation, which established that constitutional provisions on eligibility cannot be expanded or restricted by implication.
An independent investigation by Nigerian Concord Newspaper has found no evidence linking a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, to the Utan Bran compensation case or other alleged scandals at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The investigation, conducted at the Federal Ministry of Justice, followed reports in sections of the media alleging misconduct by the former chief law officer of the federation.
Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act indicate that Chief Aondoakaa was not involved in the legal firms that handled the Utan Bran compensation matter. Findings further show that the judgement debt related to the case was reportedly paid in 2006 under the tenure of a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Multiple officials at the Federal Ministry of Justice, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Chief Aondoakaa’s tenure as one marked by adherence to the rule of law. The sources said court orders were generally complied with during his time in office.
They also questioned claims portraying the former Attorney General as emblematic of alleged institutional failings within the legal system, stating that no specific instance had been cited in which he abused public office or undermined court judgements.
Regarding reports suggesting that Chief Aondoakaa interfered with court processes during the post-election period of the 2007 National Assembly elections, sources within the ministry said available records do not support claims that he acted to obstruct court orders or delay the swearing-in of elected officials.
On questions surrounding eligibility to hold public office, legal practitioners pointed to established Supreme Court jurisprudence, which holds that concurrent judgements carry equal legal weight with lead judgements. A concurring opinion by Justice Mary Odili, JSC, was cited as stating that the issue of disqualification from public office did not arise in the matter concerning Aondoakaa.
The case is reportedly the subject of further judicial proceedings, following claims that earlier judgements were obtained through misrepresentation. The matter remains pending before the courts.
Sources also said documents generated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and signed by senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, support the position that Chief Aondoakaa was not implicated in the Utan Bran case. Nigerian Concord Newspaper said it would publish the documents after concluding its investigation.
Further findings indicate that the former Attorney General was not linked to major cases such as the Halliburton scandal, the OPL 245 (Malabu) oil deal, or the recovery of Abacha-era assets.
Supporters of Aondoakaa also note that he was cleared by his party to participate in the 2023 governorship primary election, arguing that this further demonstrates that no court order barred him from holding public office.
Legal experts reaffirm that qualifications and disqualifications for elective office are constitutionally defined, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Attorney-General of Abia State v. Attorney-General of the Federation, which established that constitutional provisions on eligibility cannot be expanded or restricted by implication.
An independent investigation by Nigerian Concord Newspaper has found no evidence linking a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, to the Utan Bran compensation case or other alleged scandals at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The investigation, conducted at the Federal Ministry of Justice, followed reports in sections of the media alleging misconduct by the former chief law officer of the federation.
Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act indicate that Chief Aondoakaa was not involved in the legal firms that handled the Utan Bran compensation matter. Findings further show that the judgement debt related to the case was reportedly paid in 2006 under the tenure of a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Multiple officials at the Federal Ministry of Justice, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Chief Aondoakaa’s tenure as one marked by adherence to the rule of law. The sources said court orders were generally complied with during his time in office.
They also questioned claims portraying the former Attorney General as emblematic of alleged institutional failings within the legal system, stating that no specific instance had been cited in which he abused public office or undermined court judgements.
Regarding reports suggesting that Chief Aondoakaa interfered with court processes during the post-election period of the 2007 National Assembly elections, sources within the ministry said available records do not support claims that he acted to obstruct court orders or delay the swearing-in of elected officials.
On questions surrounding eligibility to hold public office, legal practitioners pointed to established Supreme Court jurisprudence, which holds that concurrent judgements carry equal legal weight with lead judgements. A concurring opinion by Justice Mary Odili, JSC, was cited as stating that the issue of disqualification from public office did not arise in the matter concerning Aondoakaa.
The case is reportedly the subject of further judicial proceedings, following claims that earlier judgements were obtained through misrepresentation. The matter remains pending before the courts.
Sources also said documents generated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and signed by senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, support the position that Chief Aondoakaa was not implicated in the Utan Bran case. Nigerian Concord Newspaper said it would publish the documents after concluding its investigation.
Further findings indicate that the former Attorney General was not linked to major cases such as the Halliburton scandal, the OPL 245 (Malabu) oil deal, or the recovery of Abacha-era assets.
Supporters of Aondoakaa also note that he was cleared by his party to participate in the 2023 governorship primary election, arguing that this further demonstrates that no court order barred him from holding public office.
Legal experts reaffirm that qualifications and disqualifications for elective office are constitutionally defined, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Attorney-General of Abia State v. Attorney-General of the Federation, which established that constitutional provisions on eligibility cannot be expanded or restricted by implication.
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