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Obasanjo, Jonathan at Tambuwal’s birthday, demand credible leadership in Nigeria

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Prominent Nigerian leaders, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as ex-vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday demanded credible leadership in Nigeria.

They spoke at an event held in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday of former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership, accountability and quality representation, which they described as critical pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.


Obasanjo and Jonathan, while speaking on how Tambuwal emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives, stressed the need for credible leadership in the country. The ex-presidents insisted that credible leadership was required to strengthen democracy in the country.

Obasanjo, who was chairman of the occasion, shed light on how Tambuwal’s leadership led to his emergence as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011 despite initial opposition by himself and then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

He explained that their position was informed largely by a desire to sustain gender inclusion in leadership following the rise of Mulikat Akande-Adeola, whom the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had backed.

“Our thinking was that if, for the first time, a woman had become Speaker of the House, she should be encouraged to remain there,” Obasanjo said, recalling the intrigues that played out at the time.

However, he explained that the members of the House of Representatives exercised their constitutional independence, insisting on Tambuwal, a decision that tested party supremacy in a democratic system.

“But your members thought otherwise, and you made your decision. And we supported your decision. Initially, even you were not sure of where we would stand, but we stood with you,” Obasanjo further disclosed.

Obasanjo described Tambuwal as a humble leader whose rise demonstrated that legislative authority ultimately rests with elected representatives.

“One thing I saw in you was humility. Greatness that does not include humility is greatness that is hollow. Your greatness is not hollow,” Obasanjo said.

Jonathan, who spoke virtually, corroborated Obasanjo’s account, admitting that there were issues and disagreements between the executive and the House over the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time.

“When he (Tambuwal) was Speaker, I was the President, and we had some disagreements,” Jonathan said. “But one thing I must give to Tambuwal is that members of the House believed so much in him.”

He said the overwhelming support Tambuwal enjoyed among lawmakers demonstrated leadership qualities that many politicians lacked.

“He held the House together. His colleagues always believed in him, and as President then, I appreciated that quality of leadership, even when we disagreed,” Jonathan added.

Also speaking at the event, former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, described Tambuwal as a humble, dependable and trustworthy leader committed to Nigeria’s democratic ideals.

According to Mark, Tambuwal’s political career reflects discipline, loyalty and service to the nation, adding that his leadership has earned him respect across party lines.

Mark added, “For me, Senator Aminu Tambuwal is a son. He is a dependable and humble leader whose contributions to our democracy cannot be overlooked.”

Tambuwal, in his response to the tributes, expressed concern that Nigeria had not attained the democratic promise envisioned by its founders and was now in desperate need of national salvation.

Tambuwal emphasised that national rescue must be collective and cannot be left to political parties alone, insisting that citizenship itself confers responsibility.

He explained that activities marking his 60th birthday were deliberately framed around sober reflection rather than a big celebration, nothing that he opted for a lecture that would confront the stark realities facing the country.

Noting that the choice was intentional and symbolic, he added, “It is all about the people of this country. It is all about good governance. It is not about me, it is not about merrymaking. It is about looking for a pathway for our country.”

Tambuwal painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s condition, stressing that the nation has drifted dangerously from the aspirations that underpinned its democratic journey.

According to him, both the living and the dead who genuinely believed in Nigeria would be deeply disappointed by the current state of affairs.

“Whether we like it or not, where we are today is unfortunate. This is not where we expected to be. Those who laid the foundation for this democracy, some alive, many of them are not living. Even in their graves are not happy with the current situation in Nigeria,” he said.

Tambuwal argued that the starting point for national recovery must be an honest admission that governance in Nigeria was fundamentally flawed.

He added, “The only way out of it is for all of us to agree that there is something fundamentally wrong with what we are doing and having as government in Nigeria today. Therefore we must resolve to work together and bail out the country. Our country is in peril and we are looking for salvation.

“I have attained this age and therefore I must also commit myself to what I had always believed in, even as a younger person. I may not be taking too much risk, even though I’m prepared to take some of these risks, but I recommit myself to working along with every Nigerian who believe in finding and enthroning good democratic governance for this country.”

Others who spoke at the event include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Adams Oshiomhole, Kayode Fayemi and Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

Also in attendance at the event were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; former Speakers of the House of Representatives Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Minister of Housing, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Aminu Masari, Udom Emmanuel, Ibikunle Amosun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Emeka Ihedioha and National Secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola.

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Hold Deji Adeleke Responsible If Anything Happens To Me Or Anu – Davido’s Alleged Babymama Cries Out

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Davido’s alleged Babymama, Ayo Labinjoh, has responded to the singer’s father, Adedeji Adeleke, over DNA claims on her daughter, Anu.

Recall that Adeleke had dismissed the paternity claims against his son, insisting that Any is not Davido’s child.

The singer’s father made the declaration on Wednesday during a press conference in Lagos.

According to him, five DNA tests have been done to verify the paternity claim, but all of them have come out negative.

Reacting via her daughter’s Instagram page, Labinjoh vowed she would not be intimidated.

She expressed shock that her sister, Titi Labinjoh has been in contact with Deji Adeleke.

Labinjoh lamented that her sister has been collecting money from her oppressors.

She stated that Adeleke should not be speaking for his son, insisting that he is using his power and money to intimidate her.

She urged the Nigerian police to hold Deji Adeleke responsible if any harm came to her or her daughter.

Labinjoh also disclosed that she was poisoned while she was in Adeleke’s University, and that was the reason she dropped out.

She wrote, “DR DEJI ADELEKE: YOU CANNOT INTIMIDATE US SIR

“To my shock my own sister Titi Labinjoh reportedly has been talking to Dr Deji Adeleke since the pandemic about what? Titi called here last week from Abuja telling our mom that she’s scared about the media attention Anu is getting and that her coworkers keep bothering her. Our mom said she should ignore it as Anu’s story does not belong as gossip on her office.

“What about Anu who has to endure everything? Titilayo my only sister singlehandedly raised alongside me by our mom went to the oppressors to collect money? How? Matthew 10:36. We are shocked they said she has been talking to them since 2020. Did you also give my number to David?

“YES‼️Dr Kemi opened this page and took photos online, those she took with Anu and some I posted myself. She handed the page to us in 2019. The gap is there. I’m not a social media user and I didn’t post for 4 years. In 2023, I started to post on her 10th birthday photoshoot and I’ve logged on from many locations. I no longer live in Ibadan. Anu lives with my mom.

“I’m a trader by profession and buy my goods from border countries. There was no time Titi told Dr Kemi to stop posting about Anu. They don’t have each others contact nor talk. My mom Mrs Ropo Labinjo also posts some of Anu’s videos.

“We are not in touch with Dr Kemi even though she posts about us. She held a press conference and did public relations for us during our 2018 appeal. SIR, as the Patriach of the family you should not be talking on David’s behalf. I’m not Sophia negotiating child support etc. Let David address me. Your power and money is being abused here.

“David is obviously a boy and not a man. It took money for you to use a family member of ours to spy on us. If anything happens to me, my daughter and mom, the police should hold you responsible.

“Anu and I NEVER met with you in 2020 for 4 additional DNA tests. I have not seen BRed since the night when they dined at my place of work GQ club in Ibadan February 2013. Anu has never met BRed, Dr Kemi suspected I may have also slept with him as she asked me in my detailed interview which is now floating around. Post the tests sir.

“Dr Kemi just posted this to clarify herself. Titi you are a liar. We did not cut ties with her 4 years ago. She cut ties with everyone in Ibadan 7 years ago and moved to Lagos then out of Nigeria. My sister was collecting money from one Sikiru Adeleke, Dr Deji Adeleke’s younger brother who Titi reached out to claiming she will be our spokesperson to get the clean DNA 🧬 Instead they paid her off and she was giving us a portion of the money unknown to us. I heard ~N250K was sent for Anu’s care monthly for a year but Titi only gave me N100K.

“I was vulnerable, poor and worked hard then took their university offer under poor advice from my sister and Davido still had not accepted my daughter with proper DNA. One day I went to eat my meal at the school and started vomiting 🤮 blood 🩸 I was POISONED at the school and was hospitalized. The hospital confirmed the poison and I left hurriedly and dropped out. I was scared to ever go back. Dr Kemi was not in the picture. LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS!! 😡😡😡She supported Anu financially till date even if I cannot say thank you as I have no contact.

“I did not want to get to this stage but I must talk. After I withdrew from the school they stopped giving Anu money. My sister Titi made poor decisions for me. I never saw Dr Adeleke or Davido one time when I was there. Thank you for your one year support🙏🏾 My DNA request will be done at the State Department.”

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Political Elites Are Too Ambitious – Buhari’s Former Chief Of Staff Reveals Why One-Party State Will Fail

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The former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, has stated that a one-party State in Nigeria cannot be actualised.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Gambari, who now chairs the Board of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), stated that he is not worried about a one-party state because political elites are too ambitious to be contained within a single political party.

He, however, stated that, as a measure to check the frequent case of defections in the country, adding that in other climes, ‘if you defect, you vacate the position because it belongs to the political party under which you emerged’.

He said, “On the political parties and the fear of a one-party state, I’m not worried about this country becoming a one-party state. You know what? You can quote me. It will not happen, if history is any guide. You know, we don’t even know our own history.

“This administration is not the first to try to have a dominant party in Nigeria. Right from the beginning, the NPC was a dominant party in the First Republic. They were not the ones who caused the crisis in the main opposition, but they didn’t discourage it. In fact, they took sides. Where has that led us? It didn’t lead us to peace or development; it led to chaos.

“The NPN was the successor. They became so confident they felt that they would be there forever. What happened to that? In the end, it didn’t work. Third one, PDP, not long ago they were boasting that they would rule for 60 years. Where are they today? So any effort to make this country one-party will not work. And sometimes, it will not work for the wrong reasons, because the political elites are too ambitious for the ambition to be contained within one political party.”

Gambari, however, cautioned, “But let’s not wait for disaster to happen. Let’s build political parties. That’s what has been missing. We have not paid enough attention as a people to political parties. We are, in a sense, super elite. We gather in this room. How many of us actually belong to any political party? How many of us here present have a party membership card? How many attend political party meetings?”

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Tinubu’s Tax Policy Is Progressive, I Fully Support It – Oshiomhole

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Senator Adams Oshiomhole has praised President Bola Tinubu’s new tax policy, describing it as consistent with the principles of a progressive government.

He said he was among the lawmakers who supported the tax bill that eventually became law.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the Edo North lawmaker said the Tinubu tax policy is progressive because it shifts the tax burden from the poor to the rich.

“The facts on the ground show that President Tinubu’s tax policy is consistent with the values of a progressive government,” Oshiomhole said.

“And this is a progressive tax policy that places a higher burden on those who earn more while offering tax exemptions to those who earn less.”

The former Edo State governor emphasized that he fully supports the new tax policy, noting that no government can function without taxes.

“It is only in Nigeria that people talk about government using money or claim that government earns money on its own. Governments do not earn money; citizens earn income, and the government taxes those earnings—whether individual or corporate. The sum of these taxes determines the annual revenue of the state,” he explained.

Oshiomhole added that working families will benefit under the new tax regime.
“There is no worker who is a member of the Nigeria Labour Congress earning N1 million a month, which totals N12 million a year. So, for salary earners, this tax policy is progressive.”

On Value Added Tax (VAT), the senator noted that the average Nigerian worker need not worry, as VAT primarily affects luxury purchases.

He also criticized Nigerians who pay VAT abroad but complain when paying the same tax in Nigeria.

“Everywhere in the world, when you buy non-food items, you pay VAT. Nigerians pay VAT in America, London, Dubai, yet they resist paying VAT here in Nigeria,” Oshiomhole said.

Despite criticisms, President Bola Tinubu had, in December 2025, reaffirmed that the new tax laws would take effect from January 1, 2026.

Tinubu explained that the tax laws were not intended to raise taxes arbitrarily, but to support a structural reset, promote harmonisation, protect citizens’ dignity, and strengthen the social contract.

He also urged all Nigerians to support the implementation of the new policy.

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