Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has explained the political considerations behind the opposition by himself and then-President Goodluck Jonathan to Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s emergence as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Obasanjo said their position at the time was guided by party interest and the desire to sustain gender inclusion in the leadership of the National Assembly.

He spoke on Saturday at a leadership colloquium and 60th birthday celebration organised in honour of Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, ex-governor of Sokoto State and current senator.

Reflecting on the events that preceded the 2011 Speakership election, Obasanjo said the Peoples Democratic Party had backed Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a lawmaker from the South-West.

“Our thinking was that if, for the first time, a woman had become Speaker of the House, she should be encouraged to remain there,” Obasanjo said.

Tambuwal, then a second-term lawmaker and former Deputy Chief Whip from the North-West, however, defeated Akande-Adeola in a keenly contested election, polling 252 votes against her 90 out of 340 votes cast.

Despite opposition from the executive arm, lawmakers insisted on Tambuwal’s emergence, a development Obasanjo said underscored the legislature’s independence.

“But your members thought otherwise, and you made your decision. And we supported your decision. Initially, even you were not sure of where we would stand, but we stood with you,” he added.

The former President described Tambuwal as a humble leader whose rise demonstrated the autonomy of the legislature.

“One thing I saw in you was humility. Greatness that does not include humility is greatness that is hollow. Your greatness is not hollow,” Obasanjo said.

Tambuwal’s victory was further boosted by support from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, then led by Bola Tinubu, marking one of the rare moments in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic when the legislature openly defied executive preference.
Jonathan Confirms Disagreements

Jonathan, who addressed the gathering virtually, corroborated Obasanjo’s account and acknowledged disagreements with the House during Tambuwal’s tenure.

Jonathan said, “When he was Speaker, I was the President, and we had some disagreements.

“But one thing I must give to Tambuwal is that members of the House believed so much in him. He held the House together, and I appreciated that quality of leadership, even when we disagreed.”

Former Senate President, David Mark recounted how Tambuwal and his deputy approached him before the election.

“They came to me and said, ‘Sir, whether you like it or not, you are adopting us as your sons,’” Mark said.

He admitted to ignoring pressure from the PDP leadership on the eve of the election.

“For once, Mr President, I disobeyed you,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Tambuwal as a leader in the making, while Peter Obi praised him as a bridge builder committed to justice, consensus, and national unity.

Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, commended Tambuwal’s ability to manage a politically fragmented House, while Akande-Adeola dismissed suggestions of lingering animosity.

“Only what God wills comes to pass. Tambuwal has been Speaker and a leader. There is no animosity among us,” she said.
Tambuwal’s Warning On Nigeria’s Future

In his remarks, Tambuwal said Nigeria was at a critical juncture and urgently needed rescue from years of poor governance.

According to him, national renewal must rise above personal ambition, ethnicity and party politics, warning against the imposition of unworthy successors.

He said such practices continued to weaken institutions and undermine democracy, stressing that meaningful recovery would only be possible if Nigerians acknowledged that “something is fundamentally wrong” and committed to genuine reform.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the general public, party members and supporters to disregard a series of fraudulent online links and social media handles circulating as the party’s official membership registration platform.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC said there is no official membership registration link or website currently open, describing all links in circulation as fake and misleading.

The party clarified that it has not launched any online registration portal for new members at this time.

“At this time, ADC has not launched any public online membership registration link,” the statement said.

It added that the party is still working on its official registration and verification platform, which would be formally announced through verified party channels when ready.

The ADC also cautioned that it would never request payments or sensitive personal information through unofficial links, WhatsApp messages, direct messages or third-party websites.

The party advised members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with unverified registration platforms.

It urged Nigerians to: Refrain from clicking on suspicious or unverified links; Avoid sharing unconfirmed registration messages; Not submit personal information such as names, phone numbers, PVC details, BVN or payment details on any unverified platform; Report suspicious links through official ADC communication channels.

The ADC stressed that all legitimate announcements, including the launch of its official membership registration platform, would only be communicated through verified party platforms and formal statements from the party leadership.

“The ADC is actively addressing this issue and will take all necessary steps to protect the public and preserve the integrity of the party,” the statement added.

Boko Haram Releases Video, Demands $150,000 For Borno Ex-LGA Vice Chairman....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

A fresh video has surfaced showing two men allegedly abducted by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State, appealing for help and intervention.

One of the captives was identified as Hon. Hassan Biu Miringa, a former Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area.

The two men were abducted on December 17, 2025, while travelling from Miringa to Maiduguri.

According to Zagagola Makama, in the video, the victims confirmed they were still alive but said their captors had demanded a ransom of $150,000 each, bringing the total to $300,000, for their release.

“We were abducted on our way from Miringa to Maiduguri around 2:30. Alhamdulillah, we are alive,” one of the victims said.

“We are calling on the government and individuals to come to our rescue.”

The abductees specifically appealed to several political leaders and prominent individuals to intervene on their behalf.

Those mentioned include the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, as well as Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu, Hon. Sule Ali Rimi, Hon. Yakubu Gambo Kimba, and Alhaji Musa Dogo Biu.

“We are pleading with them to come to our rescue. We are their sons,” the victim said.

“They said we must provide $150,000 each. For the two of us, it is $300,000. We want to be reunited with our families.”

The incident is the latest in a series of abductions along highways and rural communities in Borno State, where armed groups continue to target travellers despite ongoing military operations.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies regarding the video or efforts to secure the victims’ release.