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Northern Elders Are Political Paperweight; Nigerians, Not Northern Region Will Determine Presidential Election – Defence Minister, Matawalle

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Northern Elders Are Political Paperweight; Nigerians, Not Northern Region Will Determine Presidential Election – Defence Minister, Matawalle

Bello Matawalle, the state minister for defense, stated that the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) members have become a political burden on Northerners and that they do not have the ability to speak for the entire region.

Recently, the NEF expressed sorrow for having backed President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election.

Someone who is viewed as “more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country” will be given priority, according to the forum.

In response to the statement, Matawalle issued a press release on Saturday characterizing NEF as essentially a political paperweight attempting to set out on a disastrous expedition that will drag the North into disrepute for the group’s self-serving and personal benefits.

Read also: Yoruba Nation Fighters Clash with Troops in Ibadan | Army Recovers Pump Action Rifle

He said, “My attention has been drawn to the threats issued by the Northern Elders Forum against President Bola Tinubu, which is ‘reprehensible and naive’. It is preposterous for a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create political disunity among Nigerians.

“The so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains.

“This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognised or made relevant in the scheme of things despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.

“In as much as many have overlooked them in respect of their utterances, it is pertinent to underscore their overbearing attitude on issues that affect political unity and cohesion. They can not offer any positive idea or thought about the future of Northern Nigeria or, indeed, of Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.”

Read also: We Made a Mistake Voting Bola Tinubu – Arewa Elders

He stated that the NEF is not in a position to threaten or undermine the president.

The statement went on to say,

“We all know President Bola Tinubu won the February 2023 presidential election convincingly. So, who is the NEF to want to undermine the president’s victory and even threaten to unseat him?

“This same group of people have intentionally shied away from their responsibility of engendering unity in the North by appreciating the incremental development being brought to the North by ministers appointed by President Tinubu from the North, especially the North West.

“The NEF has not deemed it fit to seek an audience with Mr President to discuss issues affecting the Northern region despite the numerous challenges facing the North as rightly highlighted by the President and being addressed by him.

“The group has yet to visit any of the ministers dealing with issues of security, agriculture, water resources, police affairs, education, health, budget, foreign affairs, or any head of security agencies in the country so far for first-hand knowledge of government programmes and actions.

“The majority of them are more interested in faulting the government so as to be recognised or accorded some relevance. Our region, the North, is united, disciplined and politically driven enough not to listen and accept being teleguided by any group of elites who had fed fat in the past on the North’s resources and opportunities which had retarded development in the region and nation due to their selfishness.

“President Tinubu is poised to do a lot for the North as President of Nigeria, elected by the people of Nigeria, not by one ethnic group or the other, therefore, anyone mistakenly seeing President Tinubu as a failure or a weakling is making a mistake and should rethink.

“Such a person or group is either blind or misguided and unable to see the new Nigeria that is emerging. Therefore, the NEF’s statement allegedly expressing regret for voting for President Tinubu is unfortunate. NEF is not more than a group that has refused to accept reality and is living in delusion.

“The truth is that the North is proud of its support and vote for President Tinubu and will continue to be proud of her relationship with the President given the enormous change and development his government has brought to the region.”

Read also; You Failed as Both a Minister and Governor – Arewa Youths to Kwankwaso

In order to assist Tinubu’s administration and work toward a strong and successful future for Nigeria, Matawalle asked the NEF to place a high priority on unity and cooperation within the North.

Instead of dividing the region, he urged the NEF members to reconsider their position and concentrate on shared objectives.

“My advice to NEF and others alike is to support the present government and join hands with President Tinubu in order to further move the country forward,” he concluded.

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Ihedioha Meets Labour Party Lone Governor Otti After Leaving PDP

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Ihedioha Meets Labour Party Lone Governor Otti After Leaving PDP

Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo State, paid Governor Alex Otti of Abia State a visit.

According to reports, Otti is the only governor chosen on the Labour Party’s declaration.

Ihedioha posted images during his visit to Government House, Umuahia, on Monday morning via X.

The post read, “Delighted to have met with my esteemed brother and friend, Governor @alexottiofr, at his residence in Isialangwa. We had a convivial discussion, even as I commend his giant strides in Abia State.” 

This occurs a few days after Ihedioha left the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP.

In the letter of resignation he sent to the PDP chairman in Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, the former governor of Imo State stated that his personal convictions did not coincide with the direction the main opposition party was taking at the time.

Despite his choice to leave the PDP, he declared his commitment to the nation’s progress toward democracy and a sound government.

He claims that since the party’s founding in 1998, he has made significant contributions to its expansion and development.

Read also: Suswam Criticizes Tinubu Administration’s Economic Strategy

But he bemoaned the recent changes that have occurred inside the PDP, saying that it has strayed from its fundamental beliefs.

He expressed worries about the party’s incapacity to implement internal reforms, adhere to its own rules, and successfully challenge the All Progressives Congress, or APC, in power.

“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs.

Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.’

“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately.

“While the decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria”, the letter added.

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Suswam Criticizes Tinubu Administration’s Economic Strategy

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Suswam Criticizes Tinubu Administration's Economic Strategy

According to Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is incapable of making changes to Nigeria’s economic situation.

Suswam stated this during a Channels Television interview.

He claimed that the nation’s economic problems, caused by the actions of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, cannot be solved by the Tinubu administration.

Read also: House of Reps Extend Support to Port Harcourt Tanker Blast Victims

“Well, it’s rather unfortunate right from the Buhari Government where the mantra of ‘Change’ was the singsong. Unfortunately, people didn’t ask what kind of change he was bringing into governance. Is it positive change or negative change?

“What we experienced under those eight years were what dovetailed into what we’re experiencing today because whatever foundation that was built by the PDP was completely destroyed by that (Buhari) government.

“We now began a journey to the abyss. The state of the nation, economically, is nothing to talk about, it’s unfortunate that the current (Tinubu) leadership does not have what it takes to change the economic fortunes of this country,” he said.

He claims that the government is clearly trying to worsen conditions for the majority of Nigerians, as seen by the elimination of the gasoline subsidy, the floating of the naira, and the hike in energy tariffs, among other initiatives.

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APC Wins LG Elections In Gombe

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APC Set to Host Ondo Governorship Primary in April, Sets Form Price at N50 Million

In the elections that were conducted on Saturday in Gombe State’s eleven local government areas, the All Progressives Congress, or APC, came out on top.

The results, which were declared by Saidu Shehu, the Chairman of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission, showed that the APC had won all 11 local government areas, including Kaltungo and Shongom, where it had done so without any opposition.

Only five of the 19 registered political parties—the APC, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Young Progressives Party—participated in the election, according to Shehu, who also announced the results.

Read also: FCT NSCDC Captured 111 Suspects in 3 Months

He stated, “Out of 19 registered political parties, five parties had candidates. The parties that participated are All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, Zenith Labour Party, and Young Progressives Party.

“APC cleared the 11 local government areas including Kaltungo and Shongom where the party won unopposed.

“Other parties didn’t have candidates for the councillorship seats, candidates of the APC were returned elected.”

Akko LGA, Shuaibu Adamu, Funakaye LGA, Egla Idris, Billiri LGA, Mohammed Danladi, Akko LGA, Ibrahim Jatau, Balanga LGA, and Sani Haruna, Gombe LGA were among the victors.

Others are Adamu Mohammed, Dukku, Babangida Adamu, Nafada; Binta Bello, Shongom; Iliya Suleiman, Kaltungo LGA, Abubakar Hassan, Yalmatu Deba LGA.

Voting in Yahaya Umar polling place 010, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya asked the losing candidates to unite and support the winners.

Yahaya emphasized the importance of composure and behavior, saying,

 “The people should remain calm and be of good conduct and above all go in solidarity so that whoever emerges will be supported to deliver on the needs of the people.”

“I’m convinced beyond doubt that we are going to head to the coast, there is no fear; you can see people are happy and the election is being conducted across the state. The people are happy and the conduct is good.”

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