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A former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, recently claimed that the cabal in President Bola Tinubu’s administration is more powerful, and deadlier than the one that operated under his predecessor.
The same week, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) promised to abide by the Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed Sunday Udeh-Okoye as its National Secretary.
These and three other stories we tracked dominated public discourse during the period.
1. Dalung on Tinubu govt’s cabal
On January 8, the former minister alleged that the cabal surrounding President Tinubu was more powerful, deadlier, and dangerous than the one that operated under his predecessor.
Dalung spoke during a Channels Television programme.
He said: “They are educated and have a sound knowledge of what power is.
“Their capacity to manipulate power, stifle information, and control access to the president makes them more dangerous than any cabal in the history of this country.”
Why it matters
The ex-minister’s remark may have spoken the minds of many Nigerians on the hijack of the government by some individuals to achieve their treacherous agenda.
Indeed, there are genuine fears of the ongoing reform programmes of the current administration by interest groups for their personal interests.
2. PDP to abide by court ruling on Udeh-Okoye
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on January 7 promised to abide by the Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed Sunday Udeh-Okoye as its National Secretary.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated this at a news conference in Abuja.
The appellate had recently upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, removing Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary.
“He said: “There were two court orders, and on December 24, 2023, after consultation with the PDP National Legal Adviser, it was confirmed that we had received the judgment of the appeal court affirming Udeh-Okoye as the national secretary of the party.
“We are a rule of law-compliant party; we believe in this finality of the judicial process.”
Why it matters
The controversy surrounding the national secretary position again points to the current state of the PDP.
The development has further confirmed fears that the party that once prided itself as Africa’s biggest may be slipping into obscurity with its needless and endless leadership crisis.
3. El-Rufai, others meet on political realignment
The former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and close allies of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, held a private meeting at the Social Democratic Party (SDP) national secretariat in Abuja on January 8.
Also at the meeting were Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, and Atiku’s former spokesman, Otunba Segun Showunmi.
Although the agenda was not explicitly disclosed, participants hinted it was a strategic effort to unite opposition forces under a shared vision for Nigeria’s future.
The SDP Chairman, Shehu Gabam, who briefed journalists on the meeting, said: “It’s not about a political party; it’s about the future of Nigeria.
“We are looking for individuals who believe in the country’s progress so that we can work together to uplift Nigeria.”
Why it matters
The ongoing realignment by groups and individuals shows the desperation of politicians to provide a platform for Nigerians following the abysmal performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last nine years.
However, it is hard to see different outcomes as many of those promoting the idea have been in the system for more than 25 years, moving across the two biggest political parties in the country in their quest to grab power either legitimately or otherwise to share spoils.
4. Labour Party confident of 2027 success without coalition
The Labour Party (LP) on January 6 declared its readiness to win the 2027 presidential election without forming any coalition.
The party cited its strong grassroots support and the growing dissatisfaction with the APC in the country.
In a chat with journalists, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed rumors of a coalition agreement with Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
He said: “As it stands, Labour Party has not been approached or invited to any meeting whatsoever to discuss a coalition. What we see already is that people are thinking of alternatives and how best elections can be won in a landslide against the ruling APC.”
Why it matters
Although the LP punched above its weight in the 2023 election thanks to the goodwill enjoyed by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the country, the recent crisis in the party has eroded the modest achievement.
To repeat, the party leaders must set aside their ego and work for its progress otherwise the goal of repeating the 2023 feat in two years will be a herculean task.
5. Okupe on Tinubu’s visit to Enugu
A former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, on January 6 described President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Enugu State as a game changer.
The president paid a one-day visit to Enugu State on Saturday and commissioned some projects initiated by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.
Tinubu’s visit to the South-East state was the first by a sitting president in 10 years.
Okupe, who was the Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 presidential election, in a statement said with the official visit to the state, Tinubu has demonstrated that he is a fair-minded president who has shown that the South-East deserves attention and support from the Federal Government.
He said: “The visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Enugu on Saturday is a major game changer.
“Any objective observer can easily discern President Tinubu’s open-heartedness and unrestrained affection for the South-East.
“He (Tinubu) spoke openly and candidly from his heart and made significant commitments for support for developmental projects in the South-East.”
Why it matters
Okupe’s newly-found love for Tinubu brings to mind David Bwala’s case, a profound antagonist of the president.
Sycophancy is a popular trick in the Nigerian political space and the medical doctor-turned politician is very adept at this skill.
It will, therefore, not come as a surprise if he bags a plum job in the presidency for taking his praise-singing capability a notch higher in the last few weeks.
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