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.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved an allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to support Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

The approval by FEC comes after the US government granted an emergency humanitarian waiver, reversing a previous funding pause on HIV treatment in developing countries—including Nigeria.

The pause was initially ordered under an executive directive by President Donald Trump as part of a broader review of foreign aid.

Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance for HIV initiatives, particularly from the US president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR).

The federal government’s approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over four months.

This initiative aims to provide immediate relief and demonstrate Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

Speaking on the approval on Monday after the FEC meeting, Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, said it underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

“This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption,” Pate said.

The minister said the FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the ministries of finance, budget, defence, environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to come up with a sustainability plan.

“This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment

Pate announced that the FEC has also approved the HOPE (human capital opportunities for prosperity and equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing governance and strengthening primary healthcare systems across the country.

“This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister said.

He added that the funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare.

The minister noted that the governance component will incentivise states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A violent clash over a chieftaincy dispute in the Esa-Oke community of Obokun local government area, Osun state, has reportedly left one person, identified as Clement Ajayi, dead, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.

The conflict erupted following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s appointment of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle, a neighbouring community to Esa-Oke.

However, residents of Esa-Oke opposed the appointment, arguing that the newly installed monarch is an indigene of Ilesa, whereas the town is a distinct entity from Esa-Oke.

A top security source in the community, speaking anonymously, disclosed that tensions escalated when vigilantes allegedly brought in by the new monarch were arrested by the police four days ago.

The unrest has since led to heightened security concerns in the area.

“Meanwhile, there the village head who has already been installed, was been kidnapped over the night. So early this morning a Hillux and a Hummer bumper bus drove in and some people dressed like DSS started shooting toward the police station, but people barricaded them.

“Some people were even hit with stray bullets. It was the securities that were shot because others were not armed.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola said: “We have deployed our men to the community.”