Politics

El-Rufai’s son denies involvement in contracts during father’s administration .

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2024

The member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Bello El-Rufai, has denied involvement in the award of contracts during the tenure of his father, Nasir El-Rufai, as the governor of Kaduna State.
Bello stated this in an interview hosted by Yaya Abba, titled, ‘With Shuraim.’
The former governor, who served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also served as a two-term governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.
He was recently accused of leaving a huge debt for his successor, Uba Sani, to the tune of $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion in contract liabilities.
Sani noted that the state is now left with a few amounts, not enough to pay salaries.
However, Bello said, “I think he (Nasir) is an exceptional mind and the sort of leader that Nigeria really needs; there are many like him.
“When he became governor, we campaigned for him seriously. We knew the wave was coming, we knew there was a merger. We knew Buhari could win this time, especially the alliance that happened with the Southwest.”
Bello, the Chairman, House Committee on Banking Regulations, noted that at the time, “some of us were just learning the process. But immediately he became governor, he sent me, as I say, on exile. Unlike the children of the governors back then, I didn’t really stay in Kaduna doing contracts.”
While stating that he now understands the reason behind his father’s decision to send him away from the political scene, Bello noted, “What happens to the man in power is that if they can’t get to him, they’ll get to the wives or children,” adding that it was “natural for contractors in Kaduna to think if they come through you, they’ll gain favour.
The lawmaker said that during the first four years of his father’s administration in Kaduna, he worked in the Enterprise Business Unit of the technology firm, Huawei, adding that his work experience in the firm made him understand organizational structure.
It is gathered that this is not the first time Bello will speak of his father’s administrative and leadership prowess.
Recall that in early March 2024, Bello said the nation had lost an effective administrator in his father after the Senate rejected his nomination as minister.
According to him, it took his pleas and those of other family members for his father to accept the ministerial nomination from President Bola Tinubu.

Politics

2027: There’s no coalition, I know who’ll get ADC presidential ticket – Omokri

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, will not get the sole ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, come 2027.

According to him, there is no coalition against President Bola Tinubu since all those involved cannot settle for one candidate with Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Chibuike Amaechi all indicating interest.

Omokri told Arise News that one thing that political leaders in the coalition all have in common is that they all lost in 2023.

He described the coalition as a loser’s convention, adding that President Bola Tinubu has no reason to be afraid of them.

“You’re forming a loser’s convention. I mean, why should I be afraid of you?

“It happens all the time in the United States, we see people forming a loser’s convention. When you gather negative thinkers together, there’s more negativity,” he said.

Reminded that there is a certain logic behind the coalition which is that the likes Peter Obi and Atiku do not want to split their vote, which collectively beat Tinubu hands down in 2023.

Recall that Tinubu got 37% of the votes in 2023, while Atiku and Obi combined got 54% and both parties feel that they might have won on a joint ticket in 2027.

Omokri, however, noted that there is no coalition, adding, “If Peter Obi says he’s running, if Atiku says he’s running…, if we are seeing Amaechi submitting a proposal to the ADC officially for a one term presidency. I mean, have you seen any coalition there?

“There’s no coalition. What you’re just seeing is egos, different egos. The man, Peter Obi, based on what has happened in the past, it’s very unlikely to get the ticket of the ADC.

“Because if you see what’s happening with the ADC, he doesn’t have that clout within the ADC. I have a good idea who’s likely going to get a ticket. It’s likely going to go to a Northerner.

“And the man [Obi] has said, I’m definitely going to run. So, there is no coalition, there are no general forces, this is just egos going here, right, and there.”

Politics

2027: I’ll defeat Matawalle by 10am – Gov Lawal

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Ahead of 2027 general election, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has claimed that he will defeat the former Governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, if he makes a come back to run.

Lawal stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.

The statement comes amid speculation that he might switch camp to newly unveiled African Democratic Congress, ADC, following the intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

However, the governor said he remains a member of the PDP, while also dismissing speculations that he was about to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking about what would happen if the current Minister of Defense (State) Matawalle decides to seek a ticket for the governorship position under the APC, governor Lawal said he thinks there is no reason for him to fear anybody.

He said: “The truth of the matter is, when I contested in 2023 all these forces were there. They were all in APC when I contested in 2023 and I still won.

“What do you think will change now, in 2027 is it not the same Matawalle that I took over from? I’m praying to God that he should be the one under APC, and let’s see what will happen in 2027 I’m sure history will repeat itself.

“He’s (Matawalle) the one that will be an easier race, in fact, by 10am, it should be a walk over inshallah.”

Politics

Tinubu building on Buhari’s reforms – Former SGF, Boss Mustapha

Published

6 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is building on the foundation of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mustapha said this at the public presentation of a book, “According to the President”, written by former presidential aide, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mustapha highlighted Buhari’s legacy of institutional reforms and praised Tinubu for sustaining and building upon them.

The Ex-SGF stressed that both administrations exemplify a commitment to systemic governance rather than personality-driven politics.

“President Buhari governed with duty rather than drama. He was driven by principles, not applause,” Mustapha stated.

Mustapha also highlighted key policy interventions during Buhari’s tenure, including the Petroleum Industry Act, large-scale infrastructure projects, military retooling, and the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP.

He hailed the former president for advancing reforms in agriculture, power, education, and the digital economy, describing these efforts as part of a broader architecture of inclusive development.