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Barau tasks TPI to extend it’s ideals to Nation’s Parliament,Political Parties, ECOWAS  subregion  ….pledges NASS support to Institute 

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7 months ago

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Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jibrin
Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin has called on the newly established Democratic Institute to instill it’s Democratic values to  the nation’s legislature, political parties and the West African subregion.
This is even  as he has pledged the support of the National Assembly to the programmes and policies of the Institute.
Addressing the Director General an top management staff of The Progressive Institute when they paid him a courtesy visit in his office, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin recalled his experience at the National Democratic Institute of the United States while in the House of Representatives years ago.
According to the deputy Senate President the training he received from the institute impacted so much on his parliamentary practice.
“I was one of those that witnessed the unveiling of the Institute. And I’m one of the admirers and supporters of this Institute and what it stands for. I am doing this wholeheartedly for several reasons.
“One of the reasons, of course, is that I’m a beneficiary of a similar Institute from a foreign land. And since when I go from that Institute, I’ve been praying that we have a similar body in Nigeria. And when I heard the news through the National Chairman that this Institute was coming on board, I was delighted.
“Because I remember 25 or 26 years ago, when I won the election to represent the Tairani constituency in the Federal House of Representatives. We got a call and a letter from the National Democratic Institute of the United States. Which is a similar body owned by the Democratic Party of the United States.
“That body, that Institute, decided to come here to give us intensive training. Respect on how to go into the legislature of this country. Because at that time, there was a gap,” he noted.
Continuing Jibrin said,”There was a long period of time that we didn’t have a legislature in this country. Because of the military intervention, our politics then. So almost everything about the legislature was forgotten.
“It was the NDI who came and taught us, in the classroom style, on how to go into the legislature of this country. On how to conduct ourselves. And we gained a lot from what we were taught.
“So the training we got made us stand out amongst the set of legislators we have in this country. The legislators of the Fourth National Assembly were very much vast in the Arab legislature. That’s where you had the likes of Gali Omanaba.
“And even Massari was also part of the team. And so we’re very, very, very strong in terms of legislative experience or legislative knowledge. Because I wouldn’t say experience because I knew then.
“But the knowledge was there. And we worked very hard. We did very well.
‘Based on our performance there. Courtesy of what we were taught by the NDI. So I was delighted that we are going to have a similar party in Nigeria.
“So I was very, very happy. So that’s why I was really, I commend all of you, commend the national chairman. So my commendation goes to the national chairman.”
He warned the management of the Institute not to limit the gains from the Institute to only the All Progressive Congress but to all political parties in the country and beyond.
“And of course all of you for bringing this institute into our country. And it’s not going, all I know is that it’s not going to be to the benefit of APC as a party. No, no, no, no.
“It’s not going to be. It’s a journey for the entire democracy in this country. Not even this country.
“In the entire region. I thank God I’m the first deputy speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. So I will also want to plead.
“I also want to extend your tentacles beyond the confines of this country. Try to reach out to us. And even I know we have different ideologies.
‘We have two conservatives within the legislators in the ECOWAS Parliament. But then, yes, you are going to be very useful. Please extend your tentacles to the ECOWAS Parliament.
“Just like the NDI extended its tentacles to Nigeria, from far away America, to Nigeria. And indeed, there was something again. The same NDI sponsored us when we started.
“After the initial training. After a year, it came on board. The members of the appropriations committee, which I was heading then.
“I was the chairman then. They took us to the US Congress, to the Brazilian Parliament, and other areas. For us to study fiscal federalism.”
Jibrin noted that,”To understand fiscal federalism. Because the operating systems are similar to ours. So it’s the same NDI that did that.
“So they were just everywhere to promote democracy. So I’m glad that you’re on board. And you’ve started the same pattern.
“The training, the event that was held a few months ago. I was also talking about entrepreneurship. Looking at how we can promote entrepreneurship amongst our youth.
“Also to make them useful to themselves. So it was something good. Something that we really need as a nation.
“Because we have the abundance of young people. So it’s really good that we teach them the necessary traits. That will help them to live their lives.
“And also try to bring entrepreneurship into the entire arrangement for the betterment of our people. Which is very, very good. Now, you are now coming with this.
” I commend you for what you’ve done. And I commend the national chairman for his foresight.
“For his innovative ideas. Because whatever you do, if you don’t bring innovation, you go nowhere. And you’ve done something that is in tandem with the current contemporary happenings in the world.
“Innovation. Wherever you find yourself, try to be innovative.
“And this is what you’ve done by setting up this very, very important body. So I will support whatever you do. Whatever you bring before me.
“And I want to assure you that I’m going to go in line with what you’ve put forward. With little amendment. I’m not a senator for North alone.”
Earlier, Director General, The Progressive Institute (TPI) Dr Olanrewaju Adebayo explained that to strengthen the community through giving our youths capacities, skills in governance and leadership.
“And so, these are some of the examples of what we’re doing. So coming home to Kano, we’ve seen all the things you’ve been doing for the party leaders, and we think that we can also provide some kind of support in that area.

“Given your commitment to the party, your leadership of the party, we propose a kind of retreat for leaders at the state level. Again, trying to provide a non, I wouldn’t say political, but still a political environment, but a non-controversial, or I say controversial, an environment where party leaders can interact without competing. Where they can interact and engage in discussing common issues concerning the party.
“Issues of leadership, issues of financing. Issues of review of what we’ve done in the last two years. Because by May 2029, we will have been two years in government.
“How far have we done in terms of managing the party at the state level? And what we can do more? And then reviewing the manifesto of the party in the last two years in terms of implementation. What we can do for the next two years, as well as planning for 2027. 2027 is very close by,” he noted.
The DG further said,”We want to support and participate in that area. We want to be also party leaders to discuss party organization, internal communication, issues of finances, and also looking at the political environment in Canada. Very important.
“That’s part of planning. So we have developed four options, or five options, four options. One of the options is to have a retreat for principal officers of the EPC from the 13 local government areas and 151 wards in Canada.
“That is one option. The other option is to look at local government chairman and secretaries of wards. And of course the fourth, the third option is local government and wards chairman.
“And the final one, which is more comprehensive, is to look at all party leaders from the 13 local government areas and 151 wards in Canada. Now we are doing this as part of the TPI national project to take a stock of what we’ve done in the last two years. What are the challenges? What are the issues? And encourage our leaders to focus attention on this one and prepare for how we can address some of the challenges, some of the gaps.
“And that is the only way the party will remain strong, resilient, and be an example to others. You know, when you look at Nigerian political environment now, I don’t think we have many. I don’t think we have a party that can challenge EPC.
“But we have to keep on working. We have to keep on working very hard to ensure that the leadership God has given to us will stay. We have to work under our leaders like Senator Jibril to make sure that EPC leads and provide the direction for the future.
“And one of the areas is ideology. Ideology is to change the political environment in our country. We need to stop all this mundane, petty discussion on the media.
“People talking about sexual harassment. We should be just talking about governance. Serious issues that affect our people.
“But we need to. APC has that responsibility as a party to provide that leadership. That is why we are here, sir.
“I would like, therefore, sir, before I present to you a proposal in this area. The Institute and other principal officers of this esteemed Institute. Other guests that are here.”
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Politics

Rivers Assembly Speaker, 16 others dump PDP for APC

Published

1 day ago

on

December 6, 2025

By

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaehwule, 16 others defect to APC

By Our Correspondent
Seventeen members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, on Friday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The lawmakers announced their defection during plenary on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Auditorium of the Assembly quarters currently used as the hallowed chambers.

The defected lawmakers, led by Speaker of the House, Martin Amaehwule, cited the division in the PDP at the national level as the reason for their defection, noting that the situation has made the future of the party “hazy and nebulous”.

Among the lawmakers who defected to the All Progressive Congress were; the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, Majority Leader, Major Jack, Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari- Stewart, Chief Whip, Hon. Frankline Nwabuchi, and the Deputy Whip, Hon. Ofiks Kabang.

Others are; Hon. Peter Abbey, Smart Adoki, Igwe Aforji, Arnold Davids, Enemi George, Tekenari Granville, Christian Nwankwo, Gerald Oforji, Azeru Opara, Lolo Opuende, and Hon. Solomon Wami.

Recall that the Speaker, Martin Amaehwule had in December 2023, in the heat of the over two years political crisis in the state, led all 27 members of the Assembly loyal to the FCT Minister to the APC but later denied their defection, and returned to the PDP.

Meanwhile, the PDP which is now the minority party in the House with 9 members, has constituted their officers with Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo emerging the Minority Leader, Hon. Barile Nwakoh was elected Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. John Dominic Iderima, Minority Whip, and Hon. Justina Emeji, Deputy Minority Whip.

The Assembly has also renewed its earlier call on the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to forward his list of Commissioner-nominees to the House for screening and confirmation in line with the 1999 Constitution; regretting that “the State is yet to have the complement of a full cabinet.”

The Assembly also reaffirmed its earlier resolution made on the 14th of December, 2023, and adopted the auditorium at the State House of Assembly quarters as its legitimate and lawful Chamber for the conduct of legislative businesses for the life of the Tenth Assembly of the State.

Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaehwule in his speech lauded President Bola Tinubu for his purposeful and exceptional leadership and pledged their support to the APC and the President.

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Politics

Sulu – Gambari , Ita Enang , Dambazzau , Ibas Ibok -Ete, 61 others make Tinubu’s Ambassadorial list

Published

3 days ago

on

December 4, 2025

By

Senate in session in the chamber

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate Thursday received requests for confirmation of nominations of 65 Ambassadorial nominees from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The nominees as read from two different lists by the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio during plenary, fell into two categories of 34 Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners and 31 Non – Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners designate .

Notable names among the 34 Carrer Ambassadors and High Commissioners are Ambassador Sulu – Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State , Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno from Borno State , Ambassador
Maimuna Ibrahim from Adamawa State etc .

Notable in the list of Non Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners are Senator Solomon Ita Enang from Akwa Ibom State , Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok – Ete from Cross River State , Ex Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahaman Dambazzau from Kano etc .

President Tinubu in the requests hinged on section 171 sub section 1, 2 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution , sought for expeditious consideration of the nominees .

Accordingly, the President of the Senate, forwarded the requests to the committee on Foreign affairs for screening and report back within one week .

Recall that President Tinubu had earlier forwarded to the Senate , three ambassadorial nominees last week for appointment confirmation .

The three earlier nominees , namely
Kayode Are ( Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu ( Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke ( Oyo State ), were screened on Wednesday by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello ( Niger North ) led committee .

Full list of the Ambassadorial nominees per state reads : ” Ambassador Ezenwa Chukwuemeka ( Abia ) Maimuna Ibrahim ( Adamawa ), Monica Ogochukwu ( Anambra) ,
Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Lele ( Bauchi) ,
Endoni Sindo ( Bayelsa) and Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Minguno ( Borno ) .

Others are Jane Adams Okon Michael ( Cross River ), Clark Omeruo Alexandra ( Delta ), Chimma Geofrey Davies ( Ebonyi) ,
Oduma Yvonne Ehinose ( Edo State ), Wasa Segun Ige ( Edo State )
Ambassador Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel ( Ekiti ), Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley ( Enugu ) and

Magaji Umar ( Jigawa) .

Other nominees in the category of Career Ambassadors are
Mohammed Saidu Dahiru ( Kaduna ) ,
AbdulSalam Abus Zayat ( kano) ,
Shehu Barde ( Katsina ) , Aminu Nasiu ( Katsina ),
Abubakar Musa Musa ( Kebbi) ,Mohammed Idris ( Kebbi) ,
Bako Adamu Umar ( Kogi ) ,

Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed ( Kwara ),
Ramata Mohammed ( Lagos ), Shaga John Shama ( Nasarawa )
Salau Hamza Mohammed ( Niger ) and Ibrahim Danlami ( Niger ) .

Others are
Adeola Ibrahim Mopelola ( Ogun) ,
Ruben Abimbola Samuel ( Ondo),
Akande Wahab Adekola ( Osun) ,
Adedokun Esther ( Oyo) ,

Gedagi Joseph John ( Plateau ) ,

Luther Obomode Ayokalata ( Rivers ),

Danladi Yakubu Yaku ( Taraba ) and

Bello Dogondaji ( ( Zamfara ) .

Names on the list of the 31 Non – career ambassadorial nominees are
Senator Grace Bent ( Adamawa ) , Senator Eta Enang ( Akwa – Ibom),
Nkechi Linda Okocha ( Anambra ),
Mahmud Yakubu ( Bauchi )
Philip K. Ikurusi ( Bayelsa ) ,

Paul Oga Adikwu ( Benue ),
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas rtd ( Cross River ),
Hon. Abasi Braimah ( Edo ) and

Erelu Angela Adebayo Ekiti )

Others are Barrister Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa ( Ekiti ),
Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ( Enugu State ) ,
Barr. Mrs. Chioma Ohakim ( Imo State ),

Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.) ( Kano State ),
Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari ( Katsina ) ,
Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliyu ( Kogi) and
Olufemi Pedro ( Lagos State ) .

Others are
Barr. Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu ( Nasarawa ),
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim ( Ondo), Ambassador Joseph Sola Iji ( Ondo ),

Fani-Kayode ( Osun ) , Professor O. Adewole ( Osun) , Florence Ajimobi ( Oyo ), Lola Akande ( Oyo), Professor Nora Ladi Daduut ( Plateau) , Yakubu N. Gambo ( Plateau ) , Chukwujinka Okocha ( Rivers ) , Haruna Abubakar ( Sokoto ) , Rt Hon Jerry Samuel Manwe ( Taraba ) and Adamu Garba Talba Nangree ( Yobe State ) .

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Politics

Kano Guberpoll: Former LG chairmen adopt Sen Barau as APC’s sole candidate for 2027

Published

3 days ago

on

December 4, 2025

By

Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jibrin

By George Mgbeleke

Former local government chairmen in Kano State have adopted the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship race in the state.

The former LG chairmen who served between 2019 and 2022, during the era of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as Governor of the state, adopted Senator Barau during a courtesy call to the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday.

A motion for the adoption of Senator Barau was moved by the former chairman of Rimin Gado Local Government Area, Barrister Dahiru Mannir Maigari, and seconded by the former chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Hon. Baffa Mohammed Takai.

When the former chairman of Madobi LGA, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, put the vote, all the former chairmen unanimously approved it through a voice vote.

Two members of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon Zubairu Hamza Masu (Sumaila) and Hon Garba Yau Gwarmai (Tsanyawa/Ghari), witnessed the event.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, said that after the voice vote, the local government chairmen appealed to Senator Barau to declare for the governorship race as soon as possible.

Former chairman of Gwale LGA. Alhaji Khalid Ishak Diso informed the Deputy President of the Senate that the people of Kano, especially at the grassroots level, are eagerly awaiting his declaration for the race.

” Kano people are waiting for you to declare for the governorship race. We recently organised an event, where we asked you to declare. You are yet to. The people of Kano are anxiously awaiting your declaration. When are you declaring? Please answer the call to serve our people,” he said.

Also, the former Chairman of ALGON, Baffa Mohammed Takai, who led his colleagues on the courtesy call, said they adopted Senator Barau in view of his outstanding performance in parliament, adding that his contributions to Kano’s development are immense.

” We are here to throw our weight behind you. We are 100 per cent with you. Insha’Allah, you will be the next governor of Kano State, come May 29, 2027. You have the capacity to address the challenges facing our state,” he said.

Responding, the Deputy President of the Senate thanked the former local government chairmen for their support, describing them as grassroots politicians.

“It’s indeed true that Kano was second to Lagos before, in terms of development, in terms of commerce and so on. Unfortunately, Kano is now trailing behind due to a lack of good leadership. Let us not live in denial. This is a fact that we must all work together to address in the interest of our people and state.

“I wish to assure you that by the grace of God, we will take bold steps to bring Kano back to its glorious days. We will succeed by the grace of God. We will always stand by the truth and for our people,” he said.

* Tsanyawa, Ghari stakeholders endorse Barau

Meanwhile, stakeholders from Tsanyawa and Ghari LGAs of Kano State have also thrown their weight behind Senator Barau’s candidature during their visit to him on Wednesday.

A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Garba Yau Gwarmai, representing Tsanyawa/Ghari, moved the motion, which Hon. Aminu Yakanawa seconded. A thunderous ovation from over 100 stakeholders in attendance followed the announcement of the endorsement.

Yakanawa told the Deputy President of the Senate that the people of the two local government areas are solidly behind him.

” By the grace of Allah SWT, you are the next governor of Kano State. Our people are solidly behind you, and we are committed to supporting you,” he said

Responding, Senator Barau thanked them for the support, saying the massive support from all the people of the state is a signal of what will happen in 2027.

On the security challenges facing some parts of Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs, he said, ” We are not leaving any stone unturned in tackling this challenge. We are working underground to bring an end to it. We have taken all the necessary steps. It is not something that we go to radio stations to announce.”

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