₦airaland Forum

NIGERIA UPDATE: ACCEPTANCE SPEECH by: GOV RAUF AREGBESOLA on appointment as THE INTERIM NATIONAL SECRETARY, ADC - The party platform adopted by the National Opposition Coalition Group - Tuesday, 1st July, 2025

Dear Party Leaders, Distinguished Members, Friends, and Fellow Citizens,

It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party and that I accept the appointment as The National Secretary of our great party.

I thank the leadership for the trust reposed in me. But more than that, I thank every committed member of this party are those who still believe that politics can be a force for good, people who believe that party forms government and must control it. Those who believe in the supremacy of the party in a democracy and all products of democratic contests. Those who recognise that parties must stand for and with the people in the promotion of their interests and aspirations. That parties therefore are not merely machines for winning elections but institutions for mobilizing, organizing, energizing, educating, empowering and encouraging the people towards their emancipation and development.

Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.

Throughout Africa’s history, and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa; a 113 year- behemoth of party organization that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve. The ANC is not perfect but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.

Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.

Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.

That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.

As The National Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass, a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.

We must become an institution where:
(1) Internal democracy is not just preached but practiced.
(2) Intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just.
(3) All party structures from the ward to the national level and function effectively and efficiently.
(4) Young people, women, and the marginalized have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion.
(5) All special and critical interests(security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc., must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.

We will model international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics. We will study what works from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya, and adapt what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us.

We must be the party that talks about public education and actually builds schools. That speaks of security and supports real policies to keep our communities safe. That believes in jobs and works to create them. That stands for Nigeria not just during elections, but in everyday governance.

This is not an easy task. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice. But it can be done.

I ask for your support not just in words, but in action. Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we begin this journey to rebuild our party, restore its soul, and return politics to its rightful place—as a service to the people.

Thank you, and may our work ahead be worthy of the hopes our people place in us.

Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari Media Team Implodes, WhatsApp Group Disbanded Over Internal Wrangling, Anti-Tinubu Sentiments

The WhatsApp group of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s media team has been quietly dissolved following internal wrangling fueled by rising anti-Tinubu sentiments—especially from former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie—and deepening factional tensions among members.

The now-defunct team, which Garba Shehu—former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Buhari—had kept running after the end of Buhari’s presidency, was eventually disbanded following months of internal conflict.

Details of the internal wrangling on the “PMB Media Team” WhatsApp group were exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters.

According to multiple insider sources, the group had grown increasingly toxic, with several northern members—alongside Onochie from the South-South—allegedly pushing negative narratives against President Bola Tinubu after being overlooked for government appointments.

“This whole thing turned messy when certain people who were expecting appointments in the new administration didn’t get anything,” one insider told SaharaReporters.

“Lauretta Onochie especially became openly antagonistic—sharing fake news, attacking key appointees, and even promoting discredited narratives from people like one Mahdi Shehu on X (Twitter). It was embarrassing.”

Onochie, who once served as Personal Assistant to Buhari on Social Media and later as Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), fell out with members who had either aligned with the Tinubu administration or secured roles within it, such as Ayobami Oyalowo and Tope Ajayi.

The latter, who was once degraded within Buhari’s media team, is now Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity.

“The Buhari Media Team was supposed to transition to serve the Tinubu media infrastructure. Many thought someone among them would be appointed government spokesperson,” said another member.

“But when that didn’t happen and when Tope Ajayi got the role, the bitterness escalated.”

Sources told SaharaReporters that Onochie, who had initially supported former Senate President Ahmad Lawan during the All Progressives Congress’ presidential primary elections, only backed Tinubu after former First Lady Aisha Buhari intervened.

“That woman is a case,” another source said bluntly. “She started sharing those fake Burkina Faso Traore propaganda videos, even after we pointed her to the fact-checks. She never listened. Her grudge seems to have gotten worse when the PDP structure in Delta joined the APC. Some say her beef is rooted in state-level politics,” one of the sources said.

It was also gathered that Hon. Sadiq, an Executive Director at one of the River Basin Development Authorities and a close ally of APC chieftain James Faleke, had attempted to revive Onochie’s political standing following her unsuccessful tenure at the NDDC.

“He later backed out because her antics became too much,” a source noted.

The final straw, insiders believe, was the fear that the group’s escalating internal disputes and inflammatory content could reflect poorly on both Garba Shehu and former President Buhari, especially with the growing calls for unity within the ruling APC.

“Shehu just shut the group down. Everyone was removed,” the insider said. “I think he didn’t want to be linked to anything that could be seen as divisive or toxic. After all, he still speaks for PMB.”

Sensiblerealist:
You would more or less agree with me that the number 3 on your list is an offshoot or number 1; so we are not in disagreement

Lithiumite:
Tinubu haters,you can see ganduje with his signature tinubu cap and you can see Kabir yusf the gov if Kano state with a minister in this APC govt....surprised kwakwanso isn't there... If tinubu can get ganduje and RMK to work together,he is already halfway to 2027.thats over a million votes in the bag.

Sensiblerealist:
I really love how these two Emirs conducted themselves. No unnecessary brouhaha. But I think the one with the federal Government backing had more visibility which is Emir Ado Bayero