Politics
Lagos LG chair aspirant withdraws for Obasa’s son
The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola, has withdrawn his interest to vie for the chairmanship position of the LG in the upcoming July 12, 2025 council election.
Abiola said he stepped down for Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Abiola, who is a political protégé of the Speaker, says his decision was borne out of his loyalty to Obasa, denying that he was forced to step down.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola affirmed his loyalty to the party and to Speaker Obasa.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola reaffirmed his commitment to the party and to Speaker Obasa.
He emphasised that his withdrawal was a voluntary and conscious choice in support of Obasa’s son.
On Monday, Agege stakeholders had urged Obasa to allow his son, Abdulganiyu, to contest the council chairmanship, citing the Speaker’s significant contributions to the development of Agege and his long-standing political influence in the area.
In response to rumours that he had been pressured to withdraw, Abiola made it clear that he remained deeply appreciative of Obasa’s role in his political career.
He further pledged his full support for the Speaker’s leadership, stating that he would never act against the party’s direction or Obasa’s guidance.
“I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me,” Abiola stated. “He appointed me Special Assistant on Media when he became Speaker in 2015.
In 2016, I was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege LGA, thanks to his recommendation to the governor. That appointment made me the youngest council boss in Lagos State at the time.
“In 2017, I became Secretary to the Local Government, and in 2021, Vice Chairman — all through the party’s and Speaker’s support.
So, why would I oppose a man who built me politically and helped me grow in experience and influence?
”Although Abiola admitted to having aspired to the chairmanship, he made it clear that he respected the party’s collective decision.
“Yes, I aspired. Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree.
Leaders and stakeholders have united. They’ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest, and I respect and support that,” he stated.
Abiola also expressed his commitment to serving the people, stating that he believed greater opportunities would come in the future.
“I trust my leader. He knows what’s best and can recommend me for even greater responsibilities when the time is right,” he said.
“I’m still young and full of energy. I’ll work for the party and ensure we achieve victory.
”Abiola said he had instructed members of his Obasa Youth Alliance to fully support the party’s decision.
Politics
I will concede defeat if 2027 election is credible — Obi
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.
Obi stated this in an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the will of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.
“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.
Fielding question on what about “turn-by-turn” presidency, Obi said elections should not be determined by tribe or religion.
“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction.”
Politics
Trump promises $5,000 ‘dividend’ to U.S. citizens if Republicans win midterms
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the Republicans are victorious at the upcoming midterm elections.
Americans will vote in the midterms in early November, with the Democrats currently projected to win control of the House of Representatives.
Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump’s legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president’s policy mix throughout his second presidential term.
“Here is my promise: if the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” he told a crowd at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he added.
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
The potential payout compares to the $1.27 trillion the U.S.
Politics
Benue Politician,Terhemba Shija Vows To Bring Back Home Over 900,000 in IDP Camps
Shija, while describing IDP camps as ranching human beings, said, ” First of all, I have to rescue them from this situation. They have to go back to their land. They have to resume their farming. They have to resume their normal life.
The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, promises to reset the state if he wins the 2027 governorship election.
Shija gave the assurance during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, declaring unacceptable – 900,000 people in Benue State currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.
Benue State has an official census population of 4,253,641 from 2006, with recent projections estimating the population to be over 6 million people.
Shija, while describing IDP camps as ranching human beings, said “First of all, I have to rescue them from this situation. They have to go back to their land. They have to resume their farming. They have to resume their normal life. We can’t continue normalising what is happening. And once you rescue them, then you set a programme for restructuring. You make sure that Benue is reset afresh.”
“As it is now, this state is in a state of disrepair. The state is no longer in the hands of the owners of the states. Most of over 900,000 people are living in IDP camps. You should know that Benue state is an agrarian state,”he said.
He emphasised “70% of the people of Benue are farmers. They can’t farm. Their land has been taken over by invaders.
Shija, blames the situation on “Herdsmen have taken over Benue land. And these people are living in IDP camps. Now the government has intended to introduce ranching. They have ended up ranching human beings. Human beings are now in IDP camps. And they are at the mercy of people in government.”
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