By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly retract his controversial “All Is Fair in Politics” remark, warning that such rhetoric fuels political division, emboldens thugs and poses a grave threat to the nation’s peace and stability.

The ADC-PCC also expressed concern over what it described as the President’s disturbing silence on the conduct of some APC governors and party chieftains who have openly made inflammatory statements and allegedly encouraged political violence.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC urged President Tinubu to rise above partisan interests and demonstrate the statesmanship expected of a national leader, citing former President Goodluck Jonathan’s unequivocal declaration that no presidential ambition was worth the blood of any Nigerian.

The Council described as shocking the President’s failure to condemn the growing wave of political violence, noting that, through his spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency had instead chosen to caution opposition parties while shielding those allegedly responsible for violence within the ruling APC.

“President Tinubu cannot claim to desire peace when his own words provide cover for violence.
“‘All Is Fair in Politics’ is not the language of a Head of State. It is the language of political desperation and an open licence for thuggery, ballot snatching, intimidation and bloodshed.
“From Edo to Cross River, Gombe to Lagos, and Kebbi to Kaduna, Nigerians have witnessed attacks on opposition gatherings, destruction of campaign materials and the brutalisation of innocent supporters, allegedly by APC-sponsored thugs.
“Yet, Mr. President has not considered it necessary to call his governors and party members to order.
“Instead, the Presidency has resorted to diversionary tactics, blaming victims and preaching restraint to the opposition while members of the ruling party are accused of unleashing violence across the country,” the statement said.

The ADC-PCC challenged President Tinubu to explain why his condemnation of political violence appears directed at the opposition rather than members of his own party.

It asked: “Why has Mr. President refused to condemn APC governors who openly threaten opposition supporters? Why has he remained silent over public incitement by officials of his party? Why is his anger always directed at the opposition and never at those within his own political fold?”

The Council maintained that the ADC remains committed to peaceful, issue-based political engagement, insisting that its campaign is focused on addressing the country’s pressing challenges, including hunger, insecurity, unemployment, corruption and what it described as the failures of the Tinubu administration.

It accused the APC of resorting to violence because it had little to offer Nigerians in terms of credible solutions to the country’s problems.
Consequently, the ADC-PCC demanded that President Tinubu immediately and publicly withdraw his “All Is Fair in Politics” remark, condemn and call to order APC governors and party officials accused of inciting violence, and direct security agencies to protect all Nigerians impartially rather than allow them to become instruments of intimidation and oppression against opposition parties.

” Nigeria belongs to all of us. No political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“If former President Goodluck Jonathan could make that profound declaration in 2015, President Tinubu has no excuse not to say so and demonstrate the sincerity of his commitment to peace in 2026.

“The ADC will not be intimidated. We will continue to campaign peacefully, and in 2027, Nigerians will have the opportunity to vote for competence, integrity and a new beginning,” the statement added.

By Abdullateef Bamgbose

The Founder and Convener of the Tinubu-Uba Sani Consolidation Front (TUSCOF), Malam Sani Liman Kila, MFR, has commended Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, over the approval of land for the establishment of four additional Nigerian Army bases in strategic locations across the state.

Kila described the development as a significant step towards strengthening the state’s security architecture, improving collaboration with federal security agencies and enhancing the protection of lives and property.

The proposed military bases are to be established in Buruku, Igabi Local Government Area; Samaru Kataf, Zangon Kataf LGA; Kachia LGA; and Birnin Gwari LGA.
He noted that the approval followed a request by the Nigerian Army for additional military facilities, describing it as a demonstration of the importance of sustained cooperation between the Kaduna State Government and federal security agencies in addressing security challenges.

According to him, bringing military facilities closer to vulnerable communities would expand the operational reach of security forces, improve response capabilities and strengthen efforts to prevent and contain security threats.

Kila further emphasised that peace and security were essential to the state’s economic recovery, agricultural productivity, investment climate and sustainable development, noting that the protection of citizens remained a fundamental responsibility of government.

He also called on residents of the affected communities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to support the initiative by cooperating with security agencies and providing credible intelligence.

The TUSCOF convener expressed confidence that the additional military installations would complement ongoing security efforts and contribute to creating safer communities across Kaduna State.

He added that achieving lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the state required collective responsibility and sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies and residents.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that President Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming presidential election, will garner far more votes in the South-South region than he did in 2023.

Governor Diri made the declaration while speaking with newsmen shortly after participating in the Edo State APC Presidential Campaign Rally flag-off in Benin City on Thursday.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Bayelsa Chief Executive maintained that the majority of South-South people would vote for Tinubu in the election scheduled for 16th January, 2027, because of the impact his administration has made in the region.

He pointed out that, apart from the APC gaining firm control in all the South-South states, President Tinubu has equally shown love and political will towards tackling the challenges confronting the region.

Governor Diri, who expressed delight at the massive turnout at the Benin event and similar rallies held so far, noted that the organic support the APC is enjoying from Nigerians will translate into a commanding electoral victory in 2027.

Commenting on the level of preparedness of the Bayelsa APC family in working for the re-election of President Tinubu, he said that, contrary to unfounded claims by some opposition elements, the APC “is not only predominant but remains the party to beat in Bayelsa.”

His words: “You saw the mammoth crowd that thronged the Ogbemudia Stadium and its environs a moment ago. That is a mammoth crowd of organic supporters of our party. It is not a rented crowd. And it is like that all across the South-South.

“Our brothers and sisters in Edo have actually proved that Edo was the first to become an APC state in our region, and that they are determined to maintain its dominance in Edo.

“But as you can see today, all the states in the South-South are now APC, and the party has firm control of what happens in each of the states in the region. So, President Bola Tinubu will not only win, but will also win with a bigger margin of votes in 2027 than he did in 2023.

“The APC family is solid and it is working to return our leader, the President. You know that talk is cheap. Anybody can say anything or make any claims. January 16th is not far from now. Let us patiently wait for the results to determine the strength of the APC and that of other parties in Bayelsa.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, reiterated his promise that President Tinubu would secure not less than 2.5 million votes from the state in the upcoming election.

Okpebholo, who attributed the achievements of his administration to what he described as uncommon support from the Tinubu-led Federal Government, vowed that nothing would stop the state from fulfilling its promise to the President.

Speaker after speaker, including the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, assured President Tinubu that the people of the South-South would vote massively to ensure his re-election in 2027.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged Nigerians to objectively judge his administration by its transformational reforms, works, and its determination to complete ongoing projects.

Shettima highlighted some achievements of the administration to include the upgrade of healthcare facilities at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, infrastructural development, provision of social support for vulnerable citizens, and improved security.

He said: “We are also investing in your educational institutions and the people who sustain them. We have allocated subsidised fertilisers to your farmers and entrepreneurs… and vocational programmes through the National Directorate of Employment.

“We are providing different kinds of financial assistance to vulnerable citizens and communities affected by disasters. We have also improved the rejuvenation of our armed forces and other security agencies, and prioritised their operational capabilities.

“We have completed some works and some works are ongoing. We ask that our stewardship be judged by the lives it has touched… and the works we are determined to complete. We seek your mandate to finish the work we have begun.”

The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, was accompanied to the Edo State APC Presidential Campaign Rally by the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Weri Warman Ogoriba, its Women Leader, Mrs Rose Itoko-Amadi, the South-South Zonal Director for Youth Mobilisation, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mrs Deme Pamooso, among other party chieftains.