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Bola Ige once accused northern leaders of hidden agenda – Lamido

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Former Jigawa State governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has revealed an account of how the late Chief Bola Ige openly challenged northern politicians over their commitment to opposing General Sani Abacha’s military regime.

In his recently published autobiography, ‘Being True To Myself’, unveiled on May 13, Lamido recounts how early efforts to unite against the Abacha government was resisted. He said Bola Ige expressed deep mistrust toward northern members of the original nine-person group known as the G9—tasked with laying the foundation for what would later become the PDP.

Lamido narrated the encounter, stating that the G9, which included prominent figures such as ex-Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Senator Francis Ellah, and himself, convened at 9 Raymond Njoku Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, to strategize after their political parties were denied registration by the Abacha administration.

He recalled a heated moment when Ige interrupted the discussion and directly confronted the northern members.

Lamido quoted Ige as saying: “Look, Sule, before going into details about this G9… your collective position on many issues within the last few years has revealed that the North responds as one entity. The North has an agenda and, therefore… I don’t trust you. You are trying to use us to create a kind of moral force, a national momentum, but you have a private agenda behind it. Other wise, if you want me to believe you, go back to the North and create a fresh group to challenge Abacha’s military government. Only if you do that will I believe you.”

Responding to the challenge, Lamido admitted, “We agree, you are right.”

He explained the context behind Ige’s words, saying that many Nigerians saw Abacha as a symbolic representative of the North, and thus doubted the northern politicians’ true opposition to his regime.

Lamido further revealed that after this confrontation, the northern members returned home to form their own pressure group dedicated to challenging Abacha’s military government.

This new coalition included diverse voices such as university lecturer Dr. Usman Bugaje and retired Colonel Dangiwa Umar.

However, some influential northern leaders, including ex-Kaduna State governor, Balarabe Musa and Chief Sunday Awoniyi, declined to join the movement.

EVENTS

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR IFEANYI ARARUME ON HIS BIRTHDAY

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President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.

Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.

He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.

President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.

The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.

President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.

 

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Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project- Minister Dave Umahi dismisses calls for Biafra under Tinubu’s administration

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the all-inclusive style of governance being practiced by President Bola Tinubu has made the agitation for Biafra an unnecessary clamour.

While speaking at the inspection of the Enugu-Anambra road last Saturday, December 13, Umahi said the Tinubu administration had given Ndigbo what they had sought for decades, not through secession, but through what he described as unprecedented inclusion in national governance and development.

He explained that the agitation for Biafra was historically driven by neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation at the federal level, but insisted that the situation had changed under the current administration.

“When a people are fully integrated, respected and empowered within the structure of the nation, the dream they once chased through agitation has already been achieved through cooperation.

The push for Biafran secession over the years was borne out of neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation but today the narrative has changed dramatically under President Bola Tinubu.

The President has deliberately opened the doors of national development to the South-East. Appointments, policy inputs and infrastructure priorities now reflect true federal balance.

Every sector now bears visible Igbo footprints. The emergence of Igbo sons and daughters in strategic positions is a testament to this inclusion.

Biafra was never about breaking Nigeria; it was about being counted in Nigeria. Through inclusion, equity and concrete development, Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project; they are co-authors of its future. When justice finds a people, agitation loses its voice.”he said

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ADC Launches 90-Day Membership Drive, Fixes Dates For Congresses, National Convention

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a 90-day nationwide membership mobilisation, revalidation, and registration exercise as part of preparations for its internal party activities ahead of 2026.

The party also approved provisional dates for its congresses and the election of delegates at the polling unit, ward, and local government levels across the country.

In circulars issued by its national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC said the congresses are expected to hold between January 20 and January 27, 2026.

The process, the party said, will lead to the emergence of delegates who will participate in its non-elective national convention scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja.

A statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, said the decisions were reached at a meeting of the national working committee (NWC) held on November 27, 2025.

Abdullahi said the timetable and activities were approved in line with the resolutions of the NWC and in accordance with relevant provisions of the party’s constitution.

The ADC said further details on the membership exercise, congresses, and convention will be communicated to party members and stakeholders in due course.

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