News
APC Chairman Appoints 15 Aides, Opposition Parties Raise Concerns (view Full List)
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has approved the appointment of 15 aides, comprising Special Advisers, Advisers and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).
According to the party, the appointments are intended to strengthen administrative efficiency and strategic coordination at the APC national secretariat. The move is also aimed at improving policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and overall support for the national chairman in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The APC expressed confidence that the newly appointed aides will bring professionalism and experience to enhance the party’s internal operations.
However, the appointments have drawn criticism from stakeholders in the Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who described the move as political patronage at a time when many Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship.
Reacting, former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, said the decision was in line with what he described as a pattern of bloated appointments under the current administration. He questioned the source of funding for the aides’ remuneration and accused the ruling party of acting without regard for the prevailing economic realities.
“When I was ADC National Chairman, I never had more than three aides,” Nwosu said, adding that such appointments do not promote effective political management or national development.
Also speaking, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Eddy Olafeso, accused the APC of wasteful spending, warning that excessive appointments at the party level reflect broader governance concerns.
“If a national chairman is making such appointments, one can only imagine what is happening at the government level,” Olafeso said.
Similarly, Tanko Yinusa, spokesperson for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, criticised the APC for what he described as excessive wastage, arguing that greater attention should be given to critical sectors such as education and security amid the country’s ongoing challenges.
FULL LIST BELOW
The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has criticised those accusing the ruling party of failing to address insecurity, saying they did nothing to tackle the problem for over 20 years.
Yari made the remarks on Saturday during the APC presidential rally in Jos, Plateau State, while defending the administration of President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over its handling of insecurity.
"Those who are saying we don't have a plan for security, I want to remind them that they did nothing about insecurity for over 20 years because it started during their time," Yari said
The former governor of Zamfara State assured Nigerians that the APC would implement its manifesto, adding that the party expected to achieve almost all its promises by 2031.
Yari also expressed confidence in the APC's chances in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said political leaders and influential figures in the state had assured President Tinubu of their support.
Yari further praised Tinubu's leadership, particularly over the increase in revenue accruing to the Federation Account.
He recalled that the President inherited a federation account balance of N732 billion in June 2023, but said the figure had since risen to trillions of naira.
Those criticising APC on insecurity did nothing for 20 years – Yari
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.
The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.
Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.
Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.
He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.
Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."
Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.
He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.
Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.
He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."
Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.
2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas
-
News2 days agoUNIJOS Appoints Patricia Lar as First Female Vice-Chancellor
-
News3 days ago
NiYA: Nigeria Awards ₦49m grants to 17 young entrepreneurs – Technology Times
-
News2 days ago
Democrats launch Nvidia investigation, write scathing letter on Huang’s ‘scheme’ with Trump
-
News2 days ago
Nigeria opens 3MTT Cohort 5 with ₦4bn funding – Technology Times
