Politics

2023: Group okays El-rufai as Tinubu’s running mate

Published

4 years ago

July 4, 2022

The Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) has endorsed Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai as the vice-presidential candidate for the former Lagos state governor.

Mega Icon Magazine recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced July 17 as the deadline for political parties to submit the lists of their candidates for the 2023 general election.

Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) publicly admitted that he is still searching for his running mate.

Sources within the APC said the party’s candidate is considering Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum or his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima as preferred options.

However, speaking during a press conference on Monday in Kaduna, TSO’s Director-General, Aminu Suleiman, said the group arrived at the choice of El-Rufai after meeting with critical stakeholders from the northwest zone and beyond.

According to Suleiman, the choice of running mate is a critical success factor for the victory of Tinubu in 2023, hence the organisation having assessed all options wants the APC’s candidate for the vice president should come from the northwest, which is the largest voting bloc in the country.

El-Rufai, the group stressed, is a very experienced person who has done well in both politics and governance at the federal and state levels and is the best candidate that can complement Tinubu as Vice President.

Suleiman said, “After due consultation with critical Stakeholders especially in the North-West, it is of the fact that El-Rufai is Asiwaju’s best choice for VP”.

He continued, “The Tinubu Support Organisation is working tirelessly for the election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria. TSO believes that the choice of running mate is a critical success factor for the victory of Asiwaju.

“We are glad that the APC has many outstanding individuals among its leaders. But having assessed all the options, it is the view of TSO that the APC’s candidate for VP should be chosen from the North-West, the single largest voting bloc in Nigeria.

“It is our view that the person that can best compliment Asiwaju as VP is Malam Nasir El-Rufai The Executive Governor of Kaduna State and we recommend that he should be chosen as the running mate.

“El-Rufai is a very experienced person. He has held office at the federal level and at the state level, and he has done well in every office. He has always stood for progressive policies. He is not afraid of difficult decisions. This is a man that is running a state government with appointees from all over Nigeria.

“His capacity is not in doubt. His ability is outstanding. He is firm. He is courageous. He is principled. We know that he resisted every pressure to be dragged into the presidential race. We appreciate him and his colleagues, the APC governors from the north, for sticking to the view that gentlemen should respect agreements.

“El-Rufai is a leader whose talents and energy should be brought back to the federal level. We appeal to all our leaders in the APC to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to choose El-Rufai as his running mate.”

Related Topics:2023: Group okays El-rufai as Tinubu’s running mate

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Politics

Osun 2026: Oyo APC Backs Oyebamiji, Urges Voters to Reject Adeleke

Published

20 hours ago

August 13, 2026

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As attention shifts to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has urged voters to support its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, saying the state needs a change of leadership.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed August 15, 2026, for the Osun governorship election. The contest is expected to be closely fought, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking a second term and Oyebamiji flying the APC flag.

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC said the need for quality leadership, effective representation and equitable distribution of resources informed its call for a change of government in the state.

The party alleged that Osun had suffered from poor leadership, nepotism and uneven development under the present administration.

“Regrettably, Osun and Oyo states fell into the wrong hands in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and the sad results of this development are evident in the key sectors of both states today,” the statement said.

The party further alleged that political and social divisions had deepened in Osun, while appointments and infrastructure were not being distributed fairly across communities.

It also criticised the relationship between the two states and other states in the South-West, attributing what it described as political differences to the situation.

The APC, however, said the forthcoming election provided Osun voters with an opportunity to change the direction of the state by electing Oyebamiji, whom it described as competent, intelligent and capable of uniting the people.

“Fortunately enough, the good people of Osun State have been offered another opportunity to get it right by electing a competent, intelligent and unifier as their new governor.

“Dr Bola Oyebamiji of the APC is the ideal man for the job and he will not disappoint if elected, as he is prepared to deliver on his electoral promises,” the party said.

The Oyo APC also urged voters to reject violence and what it described as brigandage, promising that an APC administration would prioritise peace, accountability and accelerated development in the state.

The statement came as the major contenders intensified their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s poll, with Oyebamiji, Adeleke and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam, among the leading contenders in the race.

Politics

‎Oyo: Oseni Supports Gbagi/Ogunpa Traders With N50m, 5 Boreholes, 200 Solar Lights

Published

2 days ago

August 12, 2026

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• rallies support for Tinubu, APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has supported traders at Gbagi/Ogunpa Market in Ibadan with a N50m grant, five boreholes and 200 solar-powered lights.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the interventions during an enlarged meeting with the leadership and members of 11 traders’ associations in the market on Tuesday.

According to the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the N50m grant was to strengthen the traders’ businesses and helping them cope with the challenges affecting their businesses.

‎The lawmaker said the five boreholes would improve access to water in the market, while the 200 solar lights would enhance security and trading activities. He added that the lights were also part of his support for the traders’ ‘Light Up Ogunpa’ initiative.

Oseni urged the traders to support President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates, saying the Federal Government’s economic reforms were aimed at addressing some of the challenges confronting the country.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy, the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and increased investment in infrastructure as some of the measures being implemented to redirect resources to areas with wider social and economic benefits.

“Some of these reforms have come with sacrifices, but we must also look at what they are intended to achieve. Resources that were tied down can now be deployed to infrastructure, education and other areas that directly affect the people,” Oseni said.

The APC chieftain also said the reforms in the foreign exchange market had addressed the previous multiple-rate system, adding that periods of relative stability showed that the measures were beginning to address some of the distortions in the system.

“We may not have reached where we want to be, but there have been changes. The foreign exchange market has been reformed, and now the benefits of these reforms are gradually reaching ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The traders, represented by the leader of the Footwear Dealers Association of Oyo State, Elder Kolawole Alabi, and the President of the First Gbagi Ogunpa Joint Traders Association, Olaitan Adams, commended Oseni for the interventions.

They described the engagement as significant, saying it demonstrated that the lawmaker understood the challenges confronting traders and small business owners.

The traders pledged their support for Oseni, Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists, the lawmaker stressed that the intervention was part of his continued engagement with traders, artisans and other stakeholders across Oyo South.

‎The statement added that Oseni would continue to support initiatives capable of improving livelihoods and strengthening grassroots businesses, maintaining that effective representation must produce tangible benefits for the people.

Politics

‎Rep Oseni Gives Ibadan Motor Parts Dealers N90m Support, Donates 100 Solar Lights

Published

5 days ago

August 8, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Aderemi Oseni, has unveiled a N90 million support package for motor parts dealers at the Araromi Gate Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

‎Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the intervention on Saturday during an engagement with traders at the market.
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‎The package comprises a N50 million interest-free revolving loan and a N40 million grant for traders operating in the four major sections of the market — car, lorry, tyre and iron.
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‎In addition to the financial support, Oseni donated 100 solar-powered streetlights to the market and pledged to take responsibility for the monthly salaries of the market’s Baale and chiefs.
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‎The lawmaker said the intervention was designed to strengthen the businesses of the traders and improve their contribution to the local economy.

He said, “The motor parts dealers are critical drivers of the local economy. We must continue to support them so that they can expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods and contribute more to the economy.”
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‎Oseni explained that the N50 million revolving loan would be provided without interest, while the N40 million grant would serve as an empowerment package for traders across the four sections of the market.
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‎He said the provision of solar-powered streetlights was also intended to improve security and extend the conducive environment for commercial activities within the market.
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‎The APC candidate further called on the traders to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Federal Government’s reforms were beginning to produce positive results.
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‎He also appealed for the support of the traders for APC candidates in the state, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.
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‎Earlier, the Chairman of Araromi Gate Market Motor Parts Dealers, Alhaji Ojo Azeez, commended Oseni for his contributions to the development of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.
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‎Azeez said the traders had confidence in Oseni’s leadership and ability to fulfil his promises.
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‎“We believe in your achievements so far. By the grace of Almighty God, you shall defeat your opponents hands down,” he said.
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‎The chairmen of the four sections of the market also pledged their support for Oseni, President Tinubu and other APC candidates.
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‎The meeting was attended by the Baale of the market, Alhaji Raimi Ewebiyi, as well as leaders and representatives of the various groups and sections within the market.