“Tinubu Is Gone, In 2027, He Has No Pathway To Win. He Cannot Win” – El-Rufai

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June 24, 2025

By Gideon Njoku

“If anybody had told me in 2023 that Tinubu will perform this woefully, I would have dismissed the person as mentally ill”

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that President Bola Tinubu, would never win the 2027 Presidential Election.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Monday night, anchored by Charles Aniagolu, El-Rufai said of Tinubu’s chances in 2027: “None. Tinubu is gone. He has performed woefully. He has failed woefully. If anybody had told me in 2023 when we were campaigning for him that Tinubu would perform this woefully, I would have dismissed the person as mentally ill.”

On why he is confident that the President would fail in his reelection bid in 2027, El-Rufai said that President Tinubu’s approval rating, nationwide is abysmal.

For instance, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State revealed, a scientific opinion poll showed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rate in the North and the South-east stands at 91%. In Lagos, it stands at 78%. And, said El-Rufai, in, other States there is none where his disapproval rate is less than 50%. “The guy is gone. He has performed miserably. They are deceiving themselves when they say the 2027 Election is settled because of the defections. But the election is not settled. Tinubu has no pathway to win. No, he cannot.”

Until a couple of months ago, El-Rufai was a member of the President’s All Progressives Congress. He was one of those who strongly backed President Tinubu’s candidacy in 2023. He seriously campaigned for him. They fell apart after the Senate declined his confirmation as a Minister with no clear reason when he was nominated by President Tinubu. But he says: blame not the Senate, blame Tinubu who asked them to drop him.

“I Was Saved The Embarrassment Of Serving In Tinubu’s Disastrous Cabinet” – El-Rufai

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The Source

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June 24, 2025

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Bola Tinubu and Nair El Rufai — Bola Tinubu and Nasir El Rufai

By Gideon Njoku

Tinubu’s Cabinet Lacks Quality, it is a joke The Government is a disaster.

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s Cabinet as a joke. He said it lacks quality representation. He, however, admitted that only about five members of the Federal Cabinet would pass as quality people.

El-Rufai a former APC chieftain who is now a member of a coalition intent on removing President Bola Tinubu from office in 2027 spoke Monday night to Charles Aniagolu on Arise Television’s Prime Time.

Recall that El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, was nominated by President Bola Tinubu to be a member of his Cabinet. But to the surprise of not a few people, the Senate declined his confirmation.

However, El-Rufai is not blaming the Senate. He blames Tinubu who he said instructed the Senate not to confirm his nomination.

Asked if he is unhappy over his non confirmation as a Minister, El-Rufai emphasised that the contrary was the case.

According to him, the quality of the members of President Tinubu’s Cabinet is so low, that it would have been a huge embarrassment for him to be a member of a Cabinet he described as disastrous.

He said the Cabinet has no quality; is nothing to write home about. But for about five of them, El-Rufai asked, who are the others?

Comparing the class of Ministers in Tinubu’s Cabinet to those of his class, he asked: “Where are the Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealas, where are the Oby Ezekwesilis?

“These guys can’t get it together. God saved me the embarrassment of being a part of this disaster.”

He said he would have had problems explaining to Nigerians, if he was a member of Tinubu’s Cabinet, why there is no electricity; why the economy is this terrible; why the exchange rate is like a “yoyo”.

He laughed at those who think he was desperate to be a Minister, and disclosed that Tinubu was not his friend but begged him to be his Cabinet member. “I rejected from the beginning. He sort me out. He begged me. He requested for me. I am grateful to God it didn’t happen because I don’t know how to explain this disaster to Nigerians.”

Falana Slams FG, Benue Government For Failing To Prosecute Suspects

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 23, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has faulted the Federal Government and the Government of Benue State for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with violent attacks in Benue State.

Falana said that in saner climes, the suspects would have been prosecuted, and if found guilty, face the full wrath of the law.

In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, which he chairs, Falana lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged to Court, making this a recurring decimal.

Falana made this assertions following President Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the State.

However, Falana described the President’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.

He berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers.

He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.

Providing a timeline of law enforcement actions, Falana stated:

“On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

“On January 17, 2024, police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.

“On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area. On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.”

The former Ekiti State Governorship Candidate in 2003 under the National Conscience Party, NCP, further said that between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days.

He said despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.

“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served,” Falana added.

He stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the State acts decisively to punish those who violate it.

He warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.

Kogi Polytechnic Asks 273 Students To Withdraw, Expels Six Students

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 23, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The authorities of the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, on Monday June 23 ,2025 announced the forced withdrawal of no fewer than 273 students over poor academic performance.

Six students were, also, expelled over offences bordering on examination misconduct.

A statement from the institution’s spokesperson, Uredo Omale, informed that the development was part of the decisions reached at the Polytechnic’s 120th Academic Board meeting held on Thursday April 17,2025 .

According to the statement, the Rector, Chairman of the Board, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, expressed dissatisfaction with the general academic performance of the affected students, resulting in the decision to advise them to withdraw.

However, the Chairman lauded members of the Committee for Result verification headed by the institution’s Deputy Rector, Dr Taiwo Olowo, for their diligence in the discharge of their duties.

Omale stated that the 273 students affected by the withdrawal notice cut across 20 academic departments, and 42 programmes.

The expulsion of the six students, he noted, was approved by the Board after the consideration of the report of an examination misconduct committee led by Dr Grace Ehimony

The Academic Board Chairman similarly commended the examination misconduct committee, and those of the various Schools and Departments for a thorough job.

This is just as he called for a sustained synergy among the committees so as to ensure the continued making of decisive resolutions capable of positively impacting the quality of teaching and learning in the institution.

The Rector reaffirmed the commitment of the Board and Management towards the institutionalization of reforms that will promote the best interest of the Polytechnic.

Uzodimma To Flaunt Legacy Projects Before Tinubu In August

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The Source

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June 23, 2025

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The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has assured that some of his numerous ongoing projects in the State will be completed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August.

Senator Uzodimma gave the promise Monday, June 23, 2025, when he defied the heavy downpour to visit the project sites to ascertain the level of progress on them.

In a statement, his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said some of the projects the Governor visited include the Imo International Conference Centre, now named after Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the Renovated Government House Chapel, the former Assumpta Round About understanding transformation with a multi-pronged flyover, the Concorde Hotel Owerri (now Concorde Hilton Hotel) and the Imo State Land Information Service Centre.

Speaking to newsmen after inspection, the Governor affirmed that the projects have attained 90 per cent completion and will be ready for commissioning by the President in August this year when he visits.

His words: “The job is about 90 per cent complete, meaning that by the end of next month or early August, it will coincide with the visit of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who will be here by August to commission all the numerous projects we have achieved under his Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“We have enough convenient construction weather to complete the job as planned,” the Governor added, dispelling insinuation that the rainy season may affect the deadline for the completion of the projects.

The Governor further disclosed that the construction and establishment of Imo Land Information Service Centre was a deliberate effort by his administration to give a permanent solution to many years of land grabbing and illicit land transactions in the State.

He noted that there was legislation by the Imo State House of Assembly to that effect which he gave assent to in 2021, making it compulsory for all land owners in Imo State to recertify and document their lands with the Geographic Information System (GIS) provided by the Centre.

This, he said, can be done online as all land allocation records have been converted to a digital format in other to harmonise the administration of land in the State.

“98 per cent of the land transactions will be done online for convenience. By so doing, we will have a society that will be governed by sanity and harmonious way of doing things, given the 21st century challenges,” he stated.

Governor Uzodimma was accompanied on the projects inspection by the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, and other members of the State expanded executive Council.

Fidelity MD Urges Women to Embrace Lifelong Learning and Collaboration for Career Success

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The Source

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June 23, 2025

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Fidelity Bank Mentorship — Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON (Middle) flanked by participants of a Women’s Roundtable themed, “Mentorship with Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe” hosted by the bank over the weekend at the Fidelity SME Hub, Gbagada, Lagos.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON, has encouraged women professionals to embrace continuous learning, courage, and collaboration as key habits for achieving long-term career success and breaking through professional barriers.

She gave the charge during a Women’s Roundtable hosted by the bank over the weekend at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos. Themed “Mentorship with Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe”, the event drew female professionals from various sectors and was held under the Recognition and Networking arm of the bank’s HerFidelity Proposition—a flagship initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs and professionals across Nigeria.

Explaining the vision behind HerFidelity, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe noted that the initiative was born out of a strong need to provide women with holistic support beyond access to finance.

“In my engagements with women across different industries, I’ve seen first-hand that while talent and ambition abound, many still lack access to capital, skills development, health support, and networks,” she said.

“HerFidelity was created to bridge that gap by focusing on four key pillars: access to capital, capacity building, wellness for work-life balance, and entrepreneurship support. It’s one of the initiatives I’m most proud of, because when women thrive, communities prosper and economies flourish.”

The interactive mentorship session, held in a Q&A format, offered participants an opportunity to learn directly from the trailblazing CEO, who shared personal experiences and career insights.

Advising young women aspiring to leadership, she said: “Believe in yourself, be ready to work hard, and never shy away from taking smart risks. Seek out mentors, invest in meaningful relationships, and above all, collaborate—because no one truly succeeds alone.”

The event also featured fun competitions and giveaways, with attendees winning exciting gifts courtesy of Fidelity Bank.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s session left participants inspired, reinforcing Fidelity Bank’s position as a champion for gender empowerment and a leading supporter of women’s advancement in business and leadership.

Gunmen Hijack Bus in Benue, Kidnap Passengers

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 23, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

Gunmen have hijacked a Benue Links Nigeria Limited Bus. They kidnapped all passengers in the passengers.

The Benue State Police Command on Monday confirmed the sad incident.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, in a statement said that the incident took place Sunday evening.

According to the Benue State Police Command, “We are investigating a suspected kidnapping where a Hummer bus with registration number 14B-43BN was parked by the road in Ugbokolo.

“On receipt of the information, Police Tactical Teams, Military and Benue State Civil Protection Guards arrived at the scene; they combed the bush and rescued one Paul Terna, who escaped from the hands of the suspected kidnappers.

“Additional reinforcements have been sent to the location to locate other passengers as soon as possible,” she said.

The Benue Links Nigeria Ltd Management has also confirmed the attack and kidnapping.

Johnson Ehi, the Company’s Spokesperson, said in a statement that 10 passengers and the driver were still missing.

“Benue Links Nigeria Ltd regrets to inform the public of an unfortunate incident involving one of its buses, with registration number 14B-143BN, which was attacked while en route from Abeokuta to Makurdi.

“The attack occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at Eke Elengbecho, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue.

“The vehicle, which departed Abeokuta with 12 passengers and the driver, was later discovered by the roadside at Eke with some of the passengers’ luggage. However, the driver and 11 passengers were missing.

“One passenger managed to escape and reached the Eke Police Station and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers,” Ehi said.

The company strongly condemned the attack on its vehicle and passengers by criminal elements.

“We stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those affected, and we assure the public that we are actively collaborating with security agencies.

“The security agencies are working diligently to ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers and the driver.

“We commend the swift response of law enforcement agencies and express confidence in their ongoing efforts to bring this distressing situation to a safe and prompt resolution,” he added.

Baba-Ahmed Blasts Atiku, Others For Messing Up Opportunity To Build Credible Coalition

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James Orji

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June 23, 2025

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Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has faulted the ongoing plan by some opposition leaders in the country to form a coalition to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progress Congress, APC from power in 2027.

The coalition leaders include former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, former governor of Kaduna state, Ahmad Nasir El-Rufai and former governor Peter Obi of Anambra state, amongst others.

The magazine reported that Abubakar and others are behind a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, that applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for registration last week.

Speaking on Arise News Channel’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Monday, the former Political Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Office of the Vice President said the opposition leaders are messing up the opportunity to sack President Tinubu from office. He said the coalition leaders are very unserious, and could by their actions, return the president back to office in 2027.

He said Nigerians are not sure whether they can trust Abubakar and others, saying they have failed to show that what they are doing is in the interest of the country.

He stressed that he’s not part of the coalition contrary to speculations.

According to him, young Nigerians are being left out in the coalition talks by its promoters who he said have occupied one position or the other in the country but have no capacity to give Nigerians a better future.

“I’m just an observer who is watching with a lot of worry that an opportunity to create a strong opposition to the ruling party is being messed up by people who insist that they must be the face of that opposition,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“These are people who have been governors, vice-presidents, ministers. Some of them have contested three times for president. Now they are telling Nigerians, ‘trust us again.’ But Nigerians can see through that. They don’t represent a different future.”

“It’s the wrong approach. They meet, agree among themselves, and say, ‘We’ve decided this one will be this, and that one will be that.’ Then they invite Nigerians in. That’s not how to build a credible opposition.

“What they need is a complete departure from who they are, what they’ve done, and what they still represent. They can work behind the scenes, but new faces must emerge to give Nigerians real hope,” he said.

The magazine reported that ADA had last week applied to INEC for registration, a development that has sparked reactions among not a few Nigerians to the effect that the coalition leaders are really bracing up to challenge President Tinubu and APC in the next election.

The promoters of the new party which appointed Chief Akin A. Rickets as its Protem National Chairman said they have met the requirements to be registered by the commission, in line with Section 40 and 222 of the Constitution, Section 75 of the Electoral Act (2022) and “global democratic principles and objectives.”

The letter read in part: “Application For Registration As A Political Party.

“We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, as a political party.

“This is sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.

“The National Secretariat of the party is as stated at the bottom of the association’s letterhead used in this application.

“We have also herewith attached our logo describing in details the symbolism of our party colours and the their configuration and the corn (Maize).

“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology, and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures and organization, regulates our affairs and guides our actions in alignment with Section 40 and 222 of the Constitution, Section 75 of the Electoral Act (2022) and global democratic principles and objectives.

“Please find attached the following documents: our party flag depicting our name, acronym and slogan, manifesto, constitution and minutes of meeting.

“While we eagerly await further action from the commission on the next step forward towards attaining our desired goal, please accept the consideration of our highest respect. Thank you yours most sincerely; Chief Akin A. Rickets, Protem National Chairman.”

ADA’s application letter, dated June 19 2025, was stamped received by INEC on June 20, 2025.

“Leave Me Alone, Face Security Challenges In Benue” – Fmr. Gov. Ortom Tells Gov. Alia.

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 23, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The immediate past Governor of beleaguered Benue state, Samuel Ortom, has expressed regret that his successor in office, Hyacinth Alia, has been dissipating energy and time blaming past leaderships of the State instead of concentrating on governance.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, on Sunday, June 22, 2025,

Ortom enjoined the Governor to meaningfully apply himself to the urgent task of addressing the security challenges facing the state, as well as their attendant mounting humanitarian crisis.

He warned the embattled Governor Alia that his continued obsession with his name will not lead to the mitigation of the attacks and killings of innocent residents of the state.

The Source reports that Ortom’s reaction comes against the backdrop of Governor Alia’s claim that under his immediate predecessor in office, Benue recorded a whooping four million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, resulting from countless mindless attacks .

However, in his statement, Ortom dismissed the claims as not only false, but also a diversionary tactic by the Governor in the face of his glaring failure to provide leadership to the beleaguered people of Benue state when needed most.

While not denying the existence of IDPs during his tenure, Ortom, however, insisted that the number never exceeded 1.5 million, noting that his adminstration equally worked in concert with reputable organizations to provide succor to the affected people.

“At no time did Chief Ortom claim there were four million IDPs. The adminstration worked with reputable agencies to generate accurate, verifiable data.

“The figure of 1.5 million was officially documented, and is the same figure Governor Alia inherited, accepted and presented to partners.

“From the day he assumed office, Governor Alia and his aides have made it their mission to drag Ortom’s name into every matter ,whether relevant or not. This obsession won’t solve the crisis in the State,” Ortom’s spokesperson noted.

The former Governor lamented the increased level of neglect and complete abandonment of the IDPs by the current adminstration in the State .

According to Ortom, while the IDPs were protesting hunger and neglect, the Executive Secretary of the State emergency management agency, SEMA, was seen attending a lavish wedding in the United Kingdom .

“While IDPs were protesting hunger and neglect ,the Executive Secretary of SEMA was seen attending a lavish wedding in the United kingdom.

“We had expected a press release that would address that shameful act of insensitivity. Instead, what we got was yet another attack on Ortom.

“Mr President gave practical steps to address insecurity in Benue .But rather than act ,Governor Alia keeps spinning excuses –one day blaming foreign mercenaries, the next day, it is Abuja politicians, and now even religious leaders.” Akase noted .

The Source reports that Benue state has been on the spot in the last few months due to a sustained wave of gruesome attacks and killings by suspected killer herdsmen .

The mindless attacks which climaxed with the genocidal attack on the Yelewata community last week, have left hundreds murdered and several thousands rendered homeless.

Fmr LG Chairmen Plead Inclusion Into National Convention Delegates’ List Of Political Parties

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Ayodele Oni

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June 23, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ASELGON) has made a case for members to be included in national convention delegates list of political parties.

The association specifically protested the exclusion of its members from the National Convention Delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Constitution Amendment.

In the Memorandum of protest personally signed by the National President of the Association, Albert Asipa and submitted to the Committee, the ruling party was urged to amend Article 12.1 of the APC constitution to accommodate former elected local government chairmen in Nigeria.

According to the memorandum, “there are three tiers of government, while the constitution recognizes former Presidents and former Governors as automatic delegates to the National Convention, it excludes former Local Government Chairmen.”

This oversight (if that’s what it is), according to the former Chairman of Imeko/Afon Local Government in Ogun State “has been part of the ploys to deprive local government councils the autonomy they deserve”.

Asipa, said in Abuja that the same Memorandum would be submitted to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance Party (APGA) to accommodate and protect the interests of the members of ASELGON, that belong to those other political parties.

“We are appealing to the National Executive Committees of the political parties to give all the former elected chairmen a sense of belonging as the current executive under my watch would continue to do our possible best to give the association a solid pedestal to be proud of by the coming generations.”