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Osuntokun: Tinubu’s 2011 Move Sparked El-Rufai, Ribadu Feud.

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A former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun, has alleged that the long-running political feud between Nasir El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu deepened after Bola Tinubu chose to support Ribadu over El-Rufai in the build-up to the 2011 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Osuntokun said the rivalry, which he traced back to the twilight of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, escalated following a public opinion survey reportedly commissioned by Tinubu that placed Ribadu ahead of El-Rufai.

According to Osuntokun, the tension first surfaced during the closing phase of Obasanjo’s presidency, a period marked by shifting political alliances. However, he maintained that the real break occurred years later as political actors prepared for the 2011 presidential race.

He revealed that Tinubu, having just completed his tenure as Lagos State governor, was keen on backing a younger northern politician and aligning him with South-West political support.

“He was looking to identify someone from the younger generation in the North who could attract his backing from the South-West,” Osuntokun said.

To inform his choice, Tinubu allegedly ordered a public opinion poll.

“The survey results strongly favoured Nuhu. He polled 45 per cent, while El-Rufai recorded 7 per cent. Based on that outcome, Tinubu approached Nuhu and adopted him as his preferred candidate,” Osuntokun explained.

Ribadu later became the presidential flagbearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Osuntokun argued that the poll’s outcome triggered resentment.

“I believe that development created lingering resentment in Nasir — seeing Nuhu ranked far above him. In my view, he never truly moved past that disappointment,” he said.

He added that even El-Rufai’s eventual tenure as a two-term governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 did not completely heal the rift.

“He may have had the advantage of serving eight years as governor while Nuhu remained out of mainstream politics for some time, but when 2023 arrived, the dynamics shifted again,” Osuntokun stated.

By the time preparations for the 2023 general elections gathered pace, Osuntokun noted that Ribadu had strengthened his ties with Tinubu.

“Nuhu had by then built a close working relationship with Tinubu and became one of his trusted allies. He was eventually appointed National Security Adviser — a highly influential office,” he said.

Osuntokun also referenced El-Rufai’s unsuccessful ministerial nomination, suggesting it may have further complicated matters.

“There was clearly a contest of interests,” he said. “At some point, it appeared he developed a fixation on Nuhu Ribadu, often linking him to the challenges he encountered.”

Although he expressed hesitation about revisiting past political dealings, Osuntokun said he felt compelled to provide context to what he described as the longstanding rivalry.

“Frankly, I’m not comfortable discussing some of these shared political experiences,” he said. “But the situation has escalated to a point where clarification has become necessary.”

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“Inside The Power Play: Governors Privately Plotting Against Tinubu As 2027 Tensions Explode!”.

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Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has claimed that the party’s presidential candidate can secure victory against President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer Peter Obi by leveraging strategic support from the North. Speaking during a recent interview on Nevon Media, Momodu argued that the 2027 presidential race would be a formidable challenge for the incumbent president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Northern Dominance: Momodu asserted that Atiku is positioned to win a majority of votes in the North, where the largest volume of votes is concentrated, potentially leaving opponents struggling in the South.

  • Constitutional Strategy: To satisfy the constitutional requirement of securing the highest number of votes alongside at least 25% of the vote in two-thirds of the states, Momodu believes Atiku will comfortably reach the 25% threshold in at least 26 states.

  • Strategic Consolidation: According to Momodu, the North has made a “strategic” move by ensuring no strong northern leader remains to compete against Atiku, with Kwankwaso now positioned as a running mate.

  • Shifting Political Allegiances: Unlike the 2023 election, Momodu suggested that the North now views anyone not supporting Atiku as a “traitor,” a dynamic he believes creates a different political landscape for 2027.

  • Southern Competition: Momodu expressed confidence that Atiku would effectively navigate the southern political terrain, specifically highlighting Osun State as an area where the candidate would perform well.

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Data Breach Scandal: NDPC Launches High-Stakes Probe Into Voter Information Leak Linked To Emeka Ike.

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The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched a formal investigation into a suspected voter information breach involving Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike. NDPC National Commissioner Vincent Olatunji confirmed that the agency is treating the matter with extreme urgency due to its potential impact on electoral credibility and public trust.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Active Engagement: The commission has initiated direct contact with both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Emeka Ike as part of its procedural inquiry.

  • Context of the Breach: The investigation was prompted by recent controversies surrounding the publication of Emeka Ike’s voter registration details by Lere Olayinka, an aide to the FCT Minister.

  • Procedural Diligence: Commissioner Olatunji emphasized that the NDPC operates based on established protocols rather than social media reports, ensuring each investigation is methodical and evidence-driven.

  • Broader Security Inquiries: Concurrent investigations are being conducted by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, who have questioned Olayinka and an electoral officer regarding the alleged leak from the INEC portal.

  • Commitment to Integrity: Highlighting the sensitivity of the case, the NDPC boss reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to investigating all reported data breaches within both public and government institutions to maintain the integrity of national databases.

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Oshiomhole Roars: Tinubu Has More Than Enough Political Will To Transform Nigeria.

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Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) has pushed back against criticisms suggesting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration lacks the “political will” to address Nigeria’s security challenges. Speaking at the Abuja book launch of FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu, the Senator maintained that the President has demonstrated his resolve through decisive actions and consistent financial support.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Demonstrated Leadership: Oshiomhole highlighted that the President has repeatedly issued clear directives to security agencies to secure the nation.

  • Resource Allocation: The Senator pointed to the approval of supplementary budgets by the National Assembly as proof that the President is backing his orders with the necessary funding.

  • Decisive Actions: He cited the declaration of a state of emergency and the strategic replacement of former service chiefs as clear evidence that the President possesses political will “in abundance”.

  • National Unity: Oshiomhole emphasized that security must be treated as a bipartisan issue, stating that when it comes to national safety, there is “no APC, no PDP”.

Focus on Operational Implementation While defending the President’s resolve, Senator Oshiomhole raised questions regarding the gap between high-level leadership directives and operational execution on the battlefield. He expressed concerns about whether lower-ranking officers consistently receive the necessary morale, allowances, and equipment required to carry out the commands issued by their superiors.

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