News
Tinubu unperturbed by criticisms from Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi – Jimoh Ibrahim
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) at the weekend said President Bola Tinubu remains untroubled by recent criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Amaechi had urged Nigerians to be vigilant in defending their mandate during the 2027 election, warning that politicians, including the current President, would not easily relinquish power.
El-Rufai, on his part, criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a “zero-man show.”
He also called on opposition parties to unite and form a coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.
Atiku accused the Presidency of offering a N50 million bribe to opposition parties to undermine their structures ahead of the 2027 election, though most political platforms denied the allegation.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ibrahim dismissed the concerns, asserting that Tinubu was unfazed by the criticisms.
“Is El-Rufai saying that Tinubu doesn’t have legitimacy now and in 2027? If the answer is no, what are you worrying yourself about?” Ibrahim questioned. “If Atiku says people give bribes, he needs to provide evidence. We deal with empirical evidence to do reaction. We don’t react by narratives.”
He emphasised that the legitimacy of governance remains intact despite opposition sentiments.
“The key point is that the opposition will say whatever they want to say. But that does not take away the legitimacy of governance. I don’t think Tinubu is bothered by all the comments and sentiments that have been expressed,” he added.
Addressing El-Rufai’s criticism, Ibrahim said: “El-Rufai was in the National Assembly to be cleared as a minister and answered questions. At the end of the day, he didn’t get the ministerial appointment, probably because of some challenges or whatever happened.
“Another time, he claimed he had never applied to be a minister. If you don’t apply to be a minister, who forced you to come to the National Assembly? It’s not about whether he was treated fairly or not. It’s about the issue of security.”
The senator also questioned the motives of those criticising the current administration, suggesting they were mainly aggrieved party members and candidates who lost in the 2023 election.
He further dismissed fears about defections from the APC, noting that for every member who leaves, more join from opposition parties. “Look, when I contested the governorship election in Ondo State and didn’t get the ticket, did I gather a storm and destroy the government?” he asked.
Highlighting the influx of new members, he said: “This argument is one-sided. What about those from the PDP who have joined us? How many governors have crossed to APC, and how many of them are still planning to come? How many senators have left there?”
When asked if more Governors were considering joining the APC, Ibrahim affirmed: “Of course. A sitting governor is planning to come to the APC. I don’t want to mention names so that I don’t embarrass people.”
Recalling a previous prediction, Ibrahim concluded: “When I came here the last time, I told you Donald Trump would win the US election. You shouted at me.
Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.
Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Nigeria is set to experience one of the highest increases in food insecurity worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, compiled by agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, raised fresh concerns over worsening hunger levels driven by insecurity, economic hardship and declining humanitarian funding.
According to FAO findings, about 4.1 million additional Nigerians could fall into acute food insecurity in 2026, placing the country among those with the largest increases globally.
Reacting to the development, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Mr Alvaro Lario, said “the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to contain”.
“We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” warning that the situation is placing growing pressure on global stability.
FAO noted that about 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute hunger in 2025, with conditions expected to remain severe into 2026.
In Nigeria, the situation is being worsened by continued insecurity in key farming regions, rising inflation and limited access to food.
According FAO projections, over 34 million Nigerians may experience crisis level hunger between June and August 2026, during the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Hussein Gadain, said the combined impact of armed conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and cuts in global aid funding is pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that without immediate action, millions more could slide into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
Prosecutors in Florida, United States, are seeking the d3ath penalty against a woman accused of k!lling both of her ex-husbands on the same day.
Susan Avalon faces charges in the December 17, 2025 k!llings of Timothy Fletcher in Tampa and David Scott in Bradenton, according to authorities.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said it will pursue the d3ath penalty in the case tied to Fletcher’s d3ath.
The investigators said the case began when Manatee County deputies responded to Scott’s shooting and alerted Tampa police.
Scott was still alive when officers arrived and told them the shooter could have been his ex-wife, authorities said.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing a vehicle leave the scene. Investigators later located Avalon in Citrus County.
When questioned about her ex-husband, Avalon allegedly responded, “Which one?” according to authorities.
That response led investigators to request a welfare check on Fletcher, who was found fatally shot at his home in Tampa.
Authorities allege Avalon k!lled Fletcher before traveling to Bradenton and shooting Scott.
Avalon is charged with first-degree premeditated m8rder in Fletcher’s death and two counts of second-degree m8rder in Scott’s k!lling.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
Arteta gives updates on injured players ahead of Newcastle clash
-
Tech22 hours agoNCC inaugurates IPv6 Council, pushes for urgent adoption
-
News22 hours agoTelcos to Credit Users for Service Failures Under Tougher NCC Rules
-
Metro11 hours agoTwo Injured as Police Foil Kidnapping Plot in Ibadan
-
News11 hours agoTight Security as Court Arraigns Suspects Over Jos Killings
-
News12 hours agoOAU Medical Student Slumps, Dies During Clinical Examination
-
Politics11 hours agoLagos 2027: Obasa Hosts Hamzat,Promises Support For Governorship Bid
-
News11 hours agoTinubu Unveils ₦25 Trillion Pension Fund to Strengthen Workers’ Retirement Security
-
News11 hours ago$516m loan request: Tinubu’s borrowing bonanza mortgaging Nigeria’s future
You must be logged in to post a comment Login