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BOMBSHELL! Shettima, does unspeakable things for power! – Datti-Ahmed
Who visited Yakubu Mahmood, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the dead of the night, sprung him out of bed on February 28, and forced him to declare the February 25, 2023 presidential election result in the wee-hours of March 1?
This was the eerie question Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), posed on Thursday, as he once again weighed into the political development in the country, particularly the controversial election, which he had earlier described as a criminal outcome.
A guest of Prime Time, a public affairs programme on ARISE NEWS television on Thursday, the foremost educationist and owner of the Baze University, Abuja, raised the question while offering his position on the rumoured decision of President Bola Tinubu to drop Kashim Shettima, Vice President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Known for his daring outspokenness, Baba-Ahmed, indicated that Mahmood must have acted under duress, after someone left a house in Asokoro, a high-brow area in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to pay him a visit at night, on the day he announced to Nigerians that he was retiring to resume the process the next morning.
In a statement he acknowledged was “pregnant with meaning,” Baba-Ahmed, said if it was true that Tinubu had decided to drop the VP, then he must have done him a favour because the relationship between them ought not have lasted this long.
Hear him: “On Shettima, I don’t blame Tinubu, because whoever knows what Shettima did and does, will not allow him last this long. What he did, the airwaves cannot carry it. I know I’m speaking on TV. So, Tinubu has tried keeping him this long. I think the consideration that he be dropped, I think Tinubu has tried.
“It is pregnant. I wish I could say it. What people. What people do for power is unbelievable. I’m more than gasping for air to understand how certain things can give you power. It is not of this world and it did happen. They do, do it. Somebody one day must come out and say, this is what politicians do for power.
Challenged about the fairness of his claims, he argued: “It is not fair, because even saying it is more unfair. It is even more drastic. But I’m saying it because it has to be said. Some of the things, the more you see them, the less you understand.
“Why was it (Tinubu’s election) declared at 4am? On the 28 (February, 2023), Mahmood Yakubu said he was adjourning till next day. Next day technically and legally-speaking is 9am. But by 4am, he sneaked and declared Tinubu the winner. What transpired in-between?
“Who came from one house in Asokoro to another house to say it must be declared. What I’m saying is it is too bad that the airwaves cannot carry it. Something happened that morning before 4am that they said before this thing finished – this thing finished at the Nigerian border.
“Believe me, Tinubu has tried. He has tried for keeping this man this long and for even giving him the privilege of being replaced. I think it’s good enough. In this world, there are things you rather not talk about, because it is just too bad. This tv station is not a court of law. I know what insinuations are, I know what allegations are. I’m not crazy. I’m not insane and I know what I’m saying that what people do for power is unspeakable.
“And this has to stop. Why are we getting everything wrong in Nigeria? Why can’t our leaders perform? Because of what people do for power. The difference between us losers and some winners is because there are certain things we cannot do. There are certain lines we cannot cross. But others will say whatever there is to do, do it. It is better there are no clarity to what I’m saying – better.”
“It demonstrates, in the clearest possible terms, that when citizens act with unity, clarity of purpose, and resolve, they can indeed move mountains.”
These were the exact words with which the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reacted to Tuesday’s agreement of the 10th Senate to reverse the controversial provisions in the Electoral Amendment Bill, in which they earlier retained the discretionary provision of transmission of results of election electronically by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the coalition party, attributing the U-turn to the resilience of Nigerians, described the development as a victory for democracy and people-powered civic action.
Abdullahi, a former Minister, who called on Nigerians to stay alert and continue mounting pressure on relevant authorities until the amended bill secures presidential assent, is duly gazetted, and takes full legal effect, urged Nigerians to maintain eternal vigilance.
Following a groundswell of outrage across the country, regarding its initial decision to retain the 2022 provision and subsequent protests, which saw Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 and Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor Rivers State, teaming up with a group of Nigerians on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, the Senate eventually bowed to pressure mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit elections to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), real time, but with a proviso to use manual collation only as a contingency in cases of technological failure.
Hailing the development, ADC stated that the recant by the lawmakers was beyond a simple legislative reversal, but a reflection of the resilience, alertness, and growing political awareness of Nigerians from all segments of society.
The statement, added: “The decision of the 10th Senate to urgently reverse the contentious provisions of the Electoral Amendment Bill that it passed is a significant victory for the Nigerian people.
“This outcome is not merely a legislative U-turn. It is a testament to the resilience, vigilance, and rising political consciousness of Nigerians across all walks of life. From street protests to digital campaigns, the Nigerian people have once again shown that sovereignty truly belongs to them.
“In the face of the ruling APC’s habitual disregard for due process and democratic values, the Nigerian people have reaffirmed their place as the ultimate custodians of our democracy.
“In this regard, the African Democratic Congress salutes the courage and tenacity of Nigerians. We commend every citizen who raised their voice, whether online or offline, to resist legislative mischief that threatened to undermine our electoral integrity.”
Calling on Nigerians to remain steadfast, stressing that the development represents only a step in the right direction, not the final victory, the party, added: “We must now ensure that this momentum is sustained until the amended bill is not only passed but duly assented to by the President, properly gazetted, and becomes an enforceable law of the Federal Republic.
“We must remain vigilant to ensure there are no last-minute betrayals or technical ambiguities, the kind that often lead to ‘stories that touch.’ Let this be a reminder that democracy does not thrive in silence or indifference. It demands participation, persistence, and sometimes, peaceful defiance.”
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Tuesday, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has once again intervened to stem the political schism between the Rivers State House of Assembly and Siminalayi Fubara, the governor that would have led to the latter’s impeachment.
But the Minister, left a caveat – this is the last time the President would be making such an intervention – as he added that both sides would now have to work according to the terms agreed at the parley.
In the latest faceoff which started early in the year, 27 members of the assembly said to be loyal to Wike, had launched a fresh impeachment move against the governor – the third since he took office in 2023, accusing him of sundry infractions of the constitution including spending money without appropriation.
Fubara, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), last year, was believed to have run to the President for succour, whose intervention is believed to have halted the move.
Giving details of the rapprochement, Wike told reporters in Abuja, on Tuesday that the President playing a fatherly role stepped in to resolve disputes between the two parties.
His words: “He is very kind to the people of the state. If there seems to be any problem between the legislature and the governor, as a father, he really has to intervene.
“This is the second time Mr President is intervening and I believe by the grace of God that this will be the last time Mr President will intervene.”
Wike, who has since been linked to the crises from the outset and in firm grips of the lawmakers, also pointed out his own role in the matter, saying: “I have told them to obey Mr President and I know that they would not hesitate.”
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday finally sent the name of Usman Isa Dakingari, former Governor of Kebbi State to the Senate for confirmation as as a non-career ambassador after last month’s embarrassing mix-up in which his name suddenly appeared for posting to Turkey without legislative clearance.
Tinubu, in a correspondence conveying the appointment, which was read by Godswill Akpabio, said: “I write for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Usman Isa Dakingari as non-career ambassador,.
“Whilst I hope that the senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept, distinguished senate president, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
After reading the letter at plenary, the Senate President, said the matter would be referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration and report back to the Committee of Whole within one week.
Electoral Act: Don’t go to sleep, maintain eternal vigilance, ADC tells Nigerians
This is the last time Tinubu will intervene in Rivers’ row – Wike
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