The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has explained why she visited Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) today, at their Minna, Niger State residences.

Accompanied by wife of Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the First Lady and her entourage were received at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport by the state Governor, Muhammed Umar Bago, his wife and other top government officials from where they drove to General Babangida’s residence and later Abdulsalami’s house.

At General Babangida’s uphill residence, the visitors met with Babangida for more than one hour behind closed doors. They they proceeded to the residence of the former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar and were received by former first lady Justice Fati Lami Abubakar.

The delegation went into another closed door meeting with the former Nigerian leader and his wife for about 90 minutes before going to the government house for a visit with Governor Muhammed Bago.

She’s Nigeria’s No1 ambassador – Abdulsalami Abubakar
Details of the private talks were not made public, but former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, told journalists after the closed-door meeting described the first lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Nigeria’s No1 ambassador.

“She has done very well during her 1st and 2nd years. She has done a lot of things in order to bring Nigeria to greatness.

“You have been carrying the governor’s wives along in all you have been doing, especially what you are doing for young children,” the former head of state remarked.

They’re father of the nation – Tinubu
Senator Tinubu had also described both General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar as ‘father’s of the nation’.

“I, however, have to say that my visits to the former Nigerian leaders are private visits without any political undertone, because I had always tried to visit them but for exigencies of duties.

“The Nigerian leaders have been very supportive of government of President Bola Tinubu and they have always encouraged Mr. President,” she declared.

At government house, the First Lady donated N100 million to victims of the recent disasters in communities in Niger state, which included the tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara local government; Sabon Pegi in Mashegu local government, and Allawa in Munya local government.

The first lady said each of the affected families should get N1 million from the total amount, while the governor’s wife, Hajia Fatima Bago, should disburse the balance of N30 million to the victims for food and other items.

Senator Tinubu pleaded with the people to always remain vigilant and refrain from scooping fuel in the event of fuel-laden tanker overturning.

On his part, Governor Mohammed Bago appreciated the gesture of the First Lady and assured her that the donation will be judiciously used.

According to him, “We thank you that you have come to share in our pains over the tanker explosion in Dikko, the dynamite explosion in Sabon-Pegi and the collapsed mine in Munya.”

VANGUARD

*As INEC opens defence Wednesday

After calling 19 witnesses at the Edo State governorship election tribunal,  to attack the credibility and outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election that produced governor Monday Okpegholo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, closed their case.

The decision was communicated to the Justice Wilfred Kpochi- led three-member tribunal yesterday by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN.

In their petition, the petitioners who called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents and devices used for the disputed polls, urged the tribunal to nullify the election of Governor Okpegholo over alleged irregularities including over-voting and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, produced five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines that were used for the election.

The electronic devices, which were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Anthony Itodo, were admitted in evidence, amidst opposition from the camp of the respondents.
This is in addition to the 148 BVAS machines that had earlier been admitted in evidence by the tribunal for the conduct of the election in 133 polling units.
After the short proceedings, the  tribunal then adjourned till Wednesday for INEC to open its defence.
The electoral body had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247,655 votes.

However dissatisfied with the results, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the election.

In the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the petitioners argued that Governor Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

Daily Sun

The lawmaker representing the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Oluwole Oke, stated on Sunday that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu.

In a social media post, Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, emphasised that if he were in Aregbesola’s position, that is exactly what he would do.

The comment comes amid political tension in Osun State, where Omoluabi Progressives, a political group supported by Aregbesola, recently announced its departure from the All Progressives Congress in the state.

The decision followed prolonged and irreconcilable differences with the mainstream APC, which were fuelled by conflicts between Aregbesola and his successor, ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Multiple sources within the APC suggest that the rift that led Aregbesola to leave the party was partly due to a fallout with Tinubu over unspecified issues.

In his post shared on his official page, Oke, who confirmed the post to our correspondent, stated that if he were a member of the APC, he would have worked to ensure that Aregbesola and Oyetola reconciled their differences.

Oke also urged the PDP to seize the opportunity presented by the APC’s internal divisions, describing Aregbesola as a significant political figure in Osun State.

Oke wrote: “Egbon Rauf ‘Soji Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, is an enigma – a grassroots mobiliser, singer, and dancer. He is a major force and a BRIDE in Osun politics, whether we admit it or not.

“If I were in his shoes, I would go and beg, prostrate, and make peace with my principal, PBAT. Assuming I were a member of the APC in Osun, I would ensure that Asiwaju Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni Aregbesola reconcile. As we know, ‘Ija o dola’ – fighting doesn’t bring wealth.”

Oke advised the PDP to move quickly to gain from the political impasse within the APC.

He described Aregbesola as a “bride” in Osun politics, stating, “The PDP must act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and bring this ‘bride’ into their fold. Symbol, as he is popularly known, is not someone you let wander.”

Reflecting on Aregbesola’s time as governor, Oke continued: “Even though I wasn’t in Aregbesola’s party – AC, ACN, or APC – I still won my elections. The secret? The great people of Ijesa North. In the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes. In Ijesa North and Ijesa South, Ogbeni’s influence is undeniable.”

Oke stressed the importance of bringing Aregbesola into the PDP, adding, “Any politician who can invite 10 to 20 people to a meeting, feed them, and provide them with a token afterward should not be ignored.”

He concluded by stating, “Baba Kabiru is a factor in Osun politics. Please keep this post and get back to me after 2026.”

PUNCH