Prominent leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other

party’s topnotch members, were conspicuously absent at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling party on Wednesday.

 

Others who did not attend the well-publicised NEC meeting, which was held at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, included former Governors Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and host of others.

 

However, President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, were all present.

 

Others present included Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, former deputy Senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, principal officers of the National Assembly, and Ministers.

 

Governors in attendance included those of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Benue State; Hyacinth Alia, Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji; Kaduna, Musa Sani, Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule, Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Kogi State, Usman Ododo; Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago,and Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, among others.

 

The former governors in attendance were from Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, his Kebbi State counterpart and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Zamfara State, Bello Mattawalle, among others.

 

Meanwhile, President Tinubu got the endorsement of the NEC members to run for a second term in office at the 2027 general election as the chants of “no vacancy at Aso Rock” rented the air in the makeshift NEC hall.

 

Also, the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, moved the motion to pass a vote of confidence on the president and it was seconded by former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

 

In his opening remarks, President Tinubu thanked the party leaders and members for their support to his administration, saying the government’s reforms were already yielding results.

 

He called for the setting up of reconciliation committees in various states to liaise with those aggrieved leaders and appealed to them to be calm.

 

“I have heard your various remarks on how we have strengthened the security of our sovereignty and food security in the country. I am grateful to all Nigerians for the electoral successes that we have from one state to another and I am also happy for the various people joining us in the National Assembly.

 

“On the economy, I am happy the food prices are going down particularly during this Ramadan period. I thank the leadership of our party. Let the NEC find a way to celebrate our progressive ideals. And I promise you, our governors and Nigerians, that we will sustain these progressive changes.

 

“Everywhere in the world, especially in Europe, we have economic shocks and we are doing everything possible. The place we are gathering today is too small for us and I agree with you that we need a bigger location. I think the Minister of National Economic Planning is here, we discussed with the Minister in charge and we will do something about it.

 

“The National Working Committee is doing a good job and I am happy with them. In all the various states, let us set up reconciliatory committees to liaise with these aggrieved leaders. I am appealing to them, please be calm. I am very happy and I promise not to let any of you down,” Tinubu told the NEC members.

 

For his part, the APC national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said his administration inherited a whooping sum of N8.987 billion legal liabilities which ranged from legal engagements during the pre-election matters, election cases and appeals for legislative, governorship and presidential elections.

 

Ganduje requested for a new national secretariat building that would conveniently accommodate national officers, the newly established Progressive Institute as well as the three wings of the party.

 

“As part of the commitment to secure and own a national secretariat complex befitting of a ruling party and one that would conveniently accommodate our national officers, the newly established Progressive Institute as well as the three wings of the party, we have formally applied for a land at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that will drive this project. May I, therefore, appeal for the kind intervention of Mr President for this project to materialise.

 

“Another promise we are fulfilling is the improvement of membership base of the party. Today, we have in our fold the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim who led prominent politicians from other political parties to join us, notably among them are: former Labour Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi state, Edwin Nkwegu, Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Uche Ekwunife from Anambra state, and thousands of their supporters.

 

“Also, Your Excellencies, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the formal engagement of Tunmef Global Limited for this exercise. The event was witnessed by some members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by the chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and some members of the APC Chairmen Forum led by their leader, Hon. Cornelius Oyefola Ojelabi, at the Party Secretariat,” he added.

Organisers of the Exponential Conference, a globally renowned gathering of ministry and marketplace leaders that returns in 2025, have confirmed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s participation.

According to the organisers, the hybrid conference with the theme “Intelligent Fire” will be held in Lagos from Monday, February 24, to Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Audiences worldwide can participate online.

Exponential 2025 is set to spark a renewed passion for leadership by exploring the powerful synergy of divine wisdom, strategic intelligence, and innovative action. Against a rapidly evolving world backdrop, this year’s conference will equip participants with transformative insights to lead with clarity, creativity, and conviction across sectors.

According to Godman Akinlabi, Global Lead Pastor of The Elevation Church and Convener of Exponential Conference, “Today’s leadership demands more than conventional wisdom; it requires Intelligent Fire, an inspired balance of purpose-driven passion and practical strategy. At Exponential 2025, we aim to empower leaders with the tools to build enduring legacies and shape society through faith, innovation, and resilience.

“This year’s conference will host an impressive array of speakers who have significantly impacted ministry, business, and governance. Featured speakers include Bola Akinlabi, Global Co-Lead Pastor of The Elevation Church and Co-host of the Exponential Conference; Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria and advocate for governance and youth empowerment; Ibukun Awosika, former Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria and accomplished entrepreneur; and Sam Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre and global leadership expert.

Other distinguished speakers include David Abioye, respected clergy leader and mentor; Leke Alder, renowned brand strategist and leadership consultant; Paul Cole, President of the Christian Men’s Network, USA; Jerry Eze, Convener of New Season Prophetic Prayers (NSPPD); Yemi Davids, Global Lead Pastor of Global Impact Church and Chairman of PFN Lagos; and Nathaniel Bassey, an internationally acclaimed worship leader.

These thought leaders would share practical insights on leadership resilience, economic transformation, and faith-based influence to help attendees thrive in an increasingly complex world.

 

 

Former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari wasn’t comfortable having his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, go head-to-head with President Bola Tinubu for the sole presidential ticket at the 2022 primaries of the All Progressives Congress.

The pioneer national chairman of the APC disclosed this on a podcast anchored by a popular broadcaster, Edmund Obilo.

Akande recalled that the former VP did not step down for Tinubu, despite efforts to avoid bitterness among Yoruba contenders.

When asked if Buhari opposed Tinubu’s candidacy, Akande shook his head.

“He didn’t tell me so,” he said. “I asked him many questions, including whether he instigated Osinbajo to contest against Tinubu. He said no and explained that, in his culture, when your mentor is interested in a position, you don’t contest with him.”

In the build-up to the 2023 general elections, Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.

The APC national leader defeated 13 other aspirants, including Osinbajo, to emerge as the APC flag-bearer at the end of the Special National Convention of the party in Abuja.

His other opponents included Rotimi Amaechi, ex-governor David Umuahi, Senator Ahmad Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawal, ex-governor Yahaya Bello and the late Ogbonnaya Onu.

Others were  Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Tein Jack-Rich and former Governor Ben Ayade.

The race began with 23 aspirants, but nine withdrew shortly before the commencement of voting at the convention.

They included Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Dr Felix Nicholas, former Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, Senator Ken Nnamani and Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Akande however concluded by acknowledging Tinubu’s growth as a political strategist.

The former governor also touched on the relationship between Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, revealing that he played a key role in Osinbajo’s nomination as vice president.

He said, “In 2011, Tinubu was discussing with Buhari about replacing Bakare with someone. I told Tinubu, ‘I’m going to recommend Osinbajo, and I did.”

Former presidential Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu outsmarted his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022.

Ojudu said Buhari never supported his then Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary election.

He pointed out that Tinubu outsmarted Buhari in so many ways to pick the party’s ticket and eventually emerge president.

Ojudu disclosed this while featuring on Edmund Obilo’s podcast ‘State Affairs’ on Monday evening.

According to Ojudu: “I knew Osinbajo was going to lose the primary, I saw it coming.

“Because of the system we operated and still operating, I kept saying at our meeting that all of the efforts we are making like traveling around, convincing people, and addressing delegates is only 40 percent.

“60 percent of it lies in Buhari’s hands unless and until Buhari mobilizes people around him, the governors, his aides, we are going nowhere.

“I used to refer to Buhari as a one-man majority and he never mobilized his team towards Osinbajo and I think Tinubu outsmarted him in so many different ways.”

In the build-up to the 2023 presidential elections, there were widespread claims that Buhari preferred the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan over Osinbajo and Tinubu.

But results from the primary showed that Tinubu pulled 1, 271 votes, former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi pulled 316 votes to come second, Osinbajo had 235 votes, while Lawan got 152 votes.