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…Says Makinde Already Gasping for Breath Politically in Oyo

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has described as laughable the call by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside for its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, saying the party should first demonstrate that it possesses the national structure and political strength required to mount a serious presidential challenge.

The Campaign Organisation disclosed this in a statement sying it was the height of political hallucination for the APM to speak as though the presidency of Nigeria could be secured through press statements and political theatrics rather than through nationwide organisation and electoral support.

“Declaring an ambition is one thing; building the political structure required to prosecute a nationwide presidential election is another entirely.

“The APM should tell Nigerians how extensive its electoral structures are across the federation and demonstrate its capacity to compete effectively across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“It must have candidates across various elective positions in at least one third of the country to show seriousness.

“But can we blame the APM spokesperson for issuing a press statement at the end of the month in a subtle reminder to his hirers that his salary is due for payment?

“More importantly, even Governor Seyi Makinde, whom the APM now parades as its presidential candidate, has serious political battles to fight in his home state of Oyo. In fact, he is gasping for breath politically in the state.

“A man seeking to conquer Nigeria must first demonstrate compelling political strength on his own turf. Charity, as the saying goes, begins at home,” the statement said.

The 2027 presidential election will not be decided by who issues the loudest press statement. It will be determined by Nigerians.

President Tinubu is seeking another mandate on the platform of a party with an established nationwide organisation and on a track record that is solid and acknowledged internationally.

“For Governor Makinde, however, that national ambition does not erase the political contest unfolding back home in Oyo State.

“The APM should therefore prepare for the verdict of the electorate rather than behave as though political power can be transferred by proclamation.

“The presidency of Nigeria is neither inherited nor surrendered on demand. It is contested for and determined by the Nigerian people at the ballot box.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to inaugurate and lead the campaign machinery in Abuja and Rivers State to drive the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike disclosed this in Chikuku, Abuja on Friday, after he inspected the ongoing construction of Phase two of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualisation project.

He added that he would personally lead the campaign effort within the nation’s capital and extend the re-election operations to his home state of Rivers.

According to him, political parties across the spectrum are organising their ranks, and supporters of the President are fully prepared to initiate an aggressive campaign.

“The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I believe, is putting itself together for an aggressive campaign.

“For us who are supporting Mr President from different political platforms, we have put our machinery ready to fully kickstart.

“Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, which I will lead. All elements of the APC are ready, Mr President is ready, we are ready and you can see the enthusiasm.”

Addressing critics and political opponents, Wike argued that visible development projects would serve as the main driver for electoral support in the FCT, dismissing allegations of electoral malpractice ahead of time.

“People are happy, and I don’t know who will contest against Mr President as far as this election is concerned.

“This is governance, and this is what people expect. It will translate directly into actual votes,” he said.

Wike expressed confidence that the administration’s infrastructure record would secure victory across board in the FCT, including support for Sen. Philip Aduda and the two House of Representatives seats.

“It is very obvious. Nobody will be able to claim rigging in the FCT. The ‘rigging’ is the projects we are delivering, making the people happy,” Wike said.

Commending both the contractor and site engineers for the progress recorded so far, the minister assured stakeholders that adequate funding would be disbursed to guarantee completion by December.

“This is my first time getting to this side of the road, and I can see how highly populated this area is,” he said.

Wike emphasised that delivering functional infrastructure remains the cornerstone of good governance and public satisfaction.

“You can imagine the enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of the people. That is why we say the essence of governance is to make people happy.

“When the people are happy, those in authority are happy,” he added, expressing gratitude to Tinubu for providing sustained support for capital projects in the territory.

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The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council, headed by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director, Strategic Communications of the council, Phrank Shaibu, who is also Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.

According to the statement, the council was structured to reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerians, including rising food prices, transport costs and shrinking incomes.

Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for translating the council’s strategy into coordinated action.

Six Deputy Directors-General will superintend the council’s operational directorates, working alongside 30 directors assigned specific portfolios.

Campaign principals

Presidential candidate: Atiku Abubakar
Vice-presidential candidate: Rotimi Amaechi
National Chairman: Senator David Mark
Council Chairman: Kashim Ibrahim-Imam
Deputy Chairman: Nasir El-Rufai
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Senator Austin Akobundu

Campaign Advisory Board

Chairman: John Oyegun
Deputy Chairman: Lawal Batagarawa
Secretary: Eyitayo Jegede, SAN
Members: Senator Ireti Kingibe, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed

Policy Team

Chairman: Mohammed Hayatudeen
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Mohammed Sagagi
Members: Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi, Senator Abdul Ningi
Secretary: Aare Aremijoye

Senior Campaign Advisors

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Senator Patricia Akwashiki

Campaign Management Committee

Director-General/Campaign Manager: Austin Akobundu
Head, Research and Documentation: CID Maduabum
Head, Legal Services: Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN

Administration Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Yusuf Suleiman. Units: Administration (Dr Ajuji Ahmed), General Services (Abubakar Kanike), Special Duties (Dr Nicholas Msheliza), Finance and Accounts (Abdussamad Dasuki), Logistics (Prof. Gold Emmanuel), Head of Protocol (Prof. Onyi Nwagbara), Medical Services (Dr Amina Mohammed).

Operations Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Chief Ralph Nwosu. Units: Organisation and Field Operations (Abdullahi Maibasira), Strategy and Planning (Mohammed Kumalia), Security (retired Gen. Kabiru G. Nadama), Diaspora and Foreign Operations (Nnena Ukeje). Intelligence head left blank on the chart.

Media and Communications Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Dele Momodu. Units: Strategic Communication (Phrank Shaibu), Media and Publicity (Kola Ologbondiyan), Branding (Ladan Salihu), Digital and Online Media (Moji Rhodes-Vivour), Content Development (David Iyofor). Spokespersons: Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala, Alh. Dahiru Maishanu. Campaign MC: Chief Charles Ojugbana.

Contact and Mobilisation Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Senator Dino Melaye. Units: Mandate Protection (Solomon Dalung), Women Mobilisation (Naomi Labari), Persons with Disabilities (Dr Chike Okogwu), Stakeholder Engagement (Oladimeji Fabiyi), Youth Mobilisation (Balarabe Rufai).

Diversity and Support Groups Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Salihu Tanko Yakasai. Units: Support Groups (Aliyu Audu), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (Rhoda Sanda), Business and Professional Bodies (Hafiz Bayero), Gender Issues (Zainab Buba Galadima), Entertainment and Creative Industry (Dr Don Pedro Obaseki).

Technical and Systems Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Lauretta Onochie. Units: Election Operations and Management (Chille Igbawua), Polling Unit Operations (Ezeokolie Blessing Jack), Voter Intelligence (Dr Alex Adum), Monitoring and Evaluation (Prof. Ola Olateju), Situation Room (Chief Teddy Ezeaghauche).

Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying the council’s success would be measured by how clearly it addressed the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.