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Kwara APC crisis: Group chides Lai Mohammed for calling AbdulRazak ‘one chance’ governor

Published

4 years ago

July 22, 2021

A northern socio-political group known as Arewa Youth Frontiers for Good Governance, AYFGG, has chided Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for calling the governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq a “one chance governor”.

The minister, at the unveiling of a factional All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat in Ilorin recently, said he regretted supporting AbdulRazaq.

“It was immediately after the governor emerged as the party’s candidate for the election that it dawned on us that we had entered ‘one chance’,” he had said.

But at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the National Coordinator of AYFGG, Mohammed Hussaini, described the minister’s comment as sad and unfortunate, especially as it came from a Minister and a leading figure in the All Progressive Congress, APC.

According to the coordinator, Mr Lai’s ire was provoked because the governor has refused to dance to his tune and the political stakeholders have denied him the role of a kingmaker in Kwara state.

Mr Hussaini described the minster as an “Abuja politicians” who should diligently focus on the national assignment given to him instead of seeking relevance in Kwara politics.

He said AbdulRazak should be supported as he unprecedentedly transforms the state, instead of being distracted.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a recent statement credited to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, describing the government of Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, in his own language, as a “One Chance” Government.

“This is really sad and unfortunate, particularly coming from a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a leading figure in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“We are not surprised at the viturperation of Lai Mohammed, because we knew that since the coming of the Abdulrahman’s government in Kwara State, the kingmaker role he expected to regale in, did not come simply because Governor Abdulrahman has refused to dance to his tune or regard him as a kingmaker.

“The reality should dawn on Lai Mohammed that by the grace of the Almighty Allah, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak is the leader of the APC in Kwara state.

“And nobody can take that away. And to add Up, Lai has neither the financial muscle nor the political sagacity to lead the party in the state. He is an Abuja politician, who should remain in Abuja and do his work. T

“We salute the patience, resilience, tolerance and comportment of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak since assuming office, if it were in other states the pressure from the likes of Lai Mohammed would have gone out of proportion.

“He has remained focused, working for the people that voted him into office. He is a politician who has the interest of the people at heart rather than the elites.

“He thinks Kwara first before any individual. In fact, since Kwara state was created, this governor remains the most effective amongst all the governors put together, simply, because he is working and transforming the state and the people are feeling the impact.

“It beats our imagination why a governor that has revitalized Agriculture, revived moribund industries, constructed roads in all nooks and crannies of the state and empowered the youths; would be described as a “one chance” governor.

“This is absurd, weird and an insult to the sensibility of the Nigerians, Kwarans, and All Progressive Congress APC, a party Lai Mohammed claims to have worked for its success in Kwara state.”

Headlines

Benue IDPs block highway, demand return to ancestral homes

Published

3 days ago

July 30, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Vehicular movement along the Yelwata axis of the Benue–Nasarawa highway was brought to a standstill on Wednesday as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, staged a protest, demanding immediate return to their ancestral homes.

The protesters, believed to be victims of persistent attacks by suspected herdsmen, blocked both lanes of the busy highway for several hours, chanting “We want to go back home”.

The protest caused disruption, leaving hundreds of motorists and passengers stranded.

Eyewitnesses said the displaced persons, many of whom have spent years in overcrowded IDP camps, are expressing deep frustration over the government’s delay in restoring security to their communities.

“We have suffered enough. We want to return to our homes and farms,” one of the protesters told reporters at the scene.

Security personnel were reportedly deployed to monitor the situation and prevent any escalation, though tensions remained high as of press time.

Efforts to reach the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and other relevant authorities for comment were unsuccessful.

Headlines

NNPCL reveals decision not to sell Port Harcourt refinery

Published

3 days ago

July 30, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL has officially decided not to sell the Port Harcourt Refining Company.

NNPCL has, instead said it is committed to conducting an extensive rehabilitation of the facility and ensuring its continued operation.

During a company-wide town hall meeting held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, announced the decision regarding the future of the nation’s most significant state-owned refining asset, putting an end to weeks of speculation.

A statement by NNPCL reads, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has officially ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to completing high-grade rehabilitation and retention of the plant.

“The ongoing review indicates that the earlier decision to operate the Port Harcourt refinery, before full completion of its rehabilitation, was ill-informed and subcommercial.

”Although progress is being made on all three, the emerging outlook calls for more advanced technical partnerships to complete and high-grade the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.

”Thus, selling is highly unlikely as it would lead to further value erosion.”

Headlines

Tinubu appoints Olumode Adeyemi as Federal Fire Service boss

Published

3 days ago

July 30, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Adeyemi Olumode, as the new Federal Fire Service, FFS, Controller-General.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday on behalf of the Federal Government by retired Maj.-Gen Abdulmalik Jubril, Secretary of the Civil, Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB.

Jubril said the appointment followed the retirement of the current Controller-General, Abdulganiyu Jaji, on August 13.

Jaji is retiring upon attaining the age of 60 by August 13.

Jibril further disclosed said that Adeyemi Olumode is qualified for the position, having attended and passed all mandatory in-service training, Command courses as well as other courses within and outside the country.

“He brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having transferred his service from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and grown to the rank of DCG in the Human Resource Directorate of the Service Headquarters.

“He has served in various capacities and is equally a member/fellow of the following professional associations including Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.”