Headlines
Why Tinubu Cleared Coast for Sanwo-Olu to Seek Re-election as Lagos Governor
By Derrick Bangura
After months of apprehension and agitation, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and presidential candidate, has finally cleared Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to run for a second term, following the results of a secret poll that allegedly endorsed him as fit for re-election.
According to reports, the poll result deemed Sanwo-Olu fit and popular, based on spectacular performance above average, as indicated by physical infrastructure, governance initiatives, and the governor’s swift delivery of leadership.
Apart from the poll, which was believed to have helped Sanwo-Olu’s case, a party source claimed, Tinubu also believed that the governor has done impressively well, despite all that he went through in four years and therefore believed that denying him re-election would have been utterly unfair and against democratic ethos.
In addition, THISDAY gathered that members of the Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC), the highest political decision-making body in the state, also shared the opinion that the governor deserved a second term after all that he had done in four years and had subsequently communicated their common position to the leader
Importantly, also, another source told THISDAY Sunday night that, the APC national leader would not consciously set his own house on fire, since he too was seeking to be president, an assignment that would have taken him completely away from the local politics of Lagos.
In order words, the source explained that it would have been politically suicidal for Tinubu to want to be president and at the same time, seek to remove the governor of Lagos, two major undertakings that would have been too much to prosecute at the same time.
To that extent, THISDAY gathered that plans had been concluded for Sanwo-Olu to kick-off his re-election campaign at the national convention of the party slated to hold in Abuja this weekend.
This development, the source further explained, followed the clearance the Lagos governor, has received from Tinubu to proceed with his re-election plans and campaign, adding that the reason Sanwo-Olu has also kept everything relating to the campaign to his chest was, because the decision to unveil in Abuja during the convention was entirely his after the clearance.
“Yes, the coast is clear. But let’s get this straight. Tinubu has never been against Governor Sanwo-Olu’s re-election; he was not just talking. So, people started interpreting his silence to mean different things, including the fact that he might be considering dropping him. But in truth, the leader has never mooted that idea.
“Did you notice that even when certain names were dropped as possible replacement for the governor, the individuals on their own volitions came out to deny it, and not just that, many of them went on to affirm that the governor had done well and therefore, deserved re-election.
“Besides, Baba had his own way of verifying things, beyond what is available to the ordinary person. His personal checks confirmed that the governor should come back, given a credible election, thus, corroborating his own conviction and here we are today, it is sealed,” he said.
A source in the governor’s camp confirmed to THISDAY at the weekend that Sanwo-Olu already planned to come out with a bang this weekend, with all sorts of campaign memorabilia stored up ahead of the day, designed especially to complement Tinubu’s presidential bid.
According to the source, “It’s going to be a different kind of campaign. It is not for free that we are called Eko for show. That show is what is going to light up the venue and watch Lagos steal the show completely, not just for Sanwo-Olu, but also for the leader, who is going to be Nigeria’s president Insha Allah.”
Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Area Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Ibeju-Lekki, Epe Division, Lagos State, has warned truck drivers against speeding and reckless driving.
He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki on Tuesday.
The FRSC official, who blamed speeding on the ghastly vehicle accident that occurred at Aiyetoro market in Epe
which claimed several lives and left some injured, said that with careful driving, such accident could be avoided.
He added that “the accident was as a result of speeding, reckless driving and loading of truck beyond its capacity.
“All these are factors responsible for accident when drivers are not conscious of the driving rules.
“Vehicle can develop technical fault at any time, therefore, speed limit and caution need to be applied while driving.”
He said FRSC had been sensitising drivers on the need to install speed limit device and be road conscious while driving, in line with the mandate to instill decent use of road.
Ibitomi also advised passers-by and the public to be safety conscious while walking on roadsides to avoid falling victim of accidents.
He attributed major road crashes on roads to speed limit violation, urging drivers to respect the sanctity of human life by obeying traffic rules.
He added that the FRSC had evolved measures to ensure accident-free yuletide and new year festivities in 2024
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
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