society
Badaru’s Shameful Outing and Tinubu’s Second Term Bid
*Badaru’s Shameful Outing and Tinubu’s Second Term Bid*
By Ali Ibrahim
In Nigerian politics, a bye-election is rarely accorded the gravitas of a general poll. It is frequently dismissed as a parochial affair, yet, in the eye of a keen observer, they function as a canary in the coalmine of a ruling party’s vitality. They are the microscopic fissures that presage a larger structural failure or success, the subtle tremor that warns of a coming catastrophic event. The recent bye-election conducted in Garki/Babura Federal Constituency in Jigawa State is one of such tremor which have presented an inconvenient and politically hazardous truth which the All Progressives Congress (APC) party never forget easily. This truth was the embarrassment in the person of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of Defence. Shamefully, the party now openly nurtures a profound vulnerability which constitutes a clear and present danger to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.
However, the real facts of the election are not merely disappointing for the APC, but becoming nothing short of a categorical repudiation. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured a resounding victory by amassing 308 votes in comparison to 112 votes APC struggled to get. This numerical deficit of nearly a three-to-one ratio, is politically significant and defining in itself. However, the true moment of profound symbolic rupture occurred at the very epicentre of the Minister’s supposed influence: his own polling unit. For a former two-term governor of the state, and a sitting Minister of Defence to suffer such a comprehensive and humiliating defeat on his home turf, is not just a simple political setback; it is an unequivocal verdict on his evaporated political capacity. It is the electorate’s most potent form of communication, which declares its local influence to be not merely diminished, but utterly annihilated.
Evidently, this electoral defeat clearly goes beyond one man’s personal humiliation. It exposes a much more pernicious and destructive story of the powerful, nearly indisputable proof of activity at the highest levels of the Tinubu administration. A scandal of epic proportions is presented by reports and widely shared images of people who have been identified as Minister Badaru’s own political operators, his loyal foot soldiers, publicly celebrating the PDP’s victory. This is not the behavior of disheartened partisans, but a victorious celebration of people who have just accomplished a well planned mission.
A troubling question has been imposed on all patriotic minds by this blatant political drama: is the Minister of Defence, the same man entrusted with the sacrosanct duty of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, so politically consumed that he is now openly working for the opposition? The rational response to this is quite disturbing to understand. How can a Minister who cannot command the loyalty of his own men in a simple bye-election be trusted to command the loyalty of the armed forces in the intricate realm of national security? The level of cognitive dissonance is astounding, and a reassessment of national security is necessary.
To put this in a better perspective, it can be said that the long-standing suspicion regarding Minister Badaru actions has brought is political allegiances to question. His purported alliance and overt sympathies with elements of the PDP in Jigawa State have long been the subject of sensitive discussion within underground political circles. This electoral result provides concrete evidence of his men’s actual allegiances, and it speaks volumes about his own stand. It portrays a character whose interests are aligned on two opposing sides, revealing a political schizophrenic whose main focus is on a self-serving agenda of personal political survival rather than the party platform he purports to openly support. This duality renders him a liability of the highest order. It projects the Tinubu-led administration as a government that is not in full control of its own apparatus.
Unfortunately, this electoral irrelevance is in fact, the direct consequence of his underwhelming performance during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Jigawa State. How? It is no rocket science that Governments are judged by the tangible improvements they make and the legacy they leave, and the verdict on Badaru’s legacy has been delivered by the best language that matters: “the ballot.” The result showed that his constituent lacked tangible transformative impact, thereby destroying any electoral leverage he might have once possessed. The people have spoken, and their message is a unified rejection: “We are disappointed in Badaru.”
It is worthy of note to state that, this profound political inadequacy wouldn’t have been concerning enough if it was just confined to party alignment. But unfortunately, it is exponentially magnified by also reflecting in his current portfolio as the Ministry of Defence. At this point, the implications has shifted from merely politically damaging to existentially threatening for the country at large. His personality is one that can be termed “Transactional Politics,” a style of governance that views every public office, no matter how sensitive, through the prism of political interest and commercial opportunity that should be explored. This is a dangerous mindset that would not think twice in sacrificing national stability on the altar of political expediency. Under his watch, the Ministry of Defence has morphed from a strategic command post into what increasingly resembles a political bazaar, a arena for the trading of influence and the settlement of cronies, tilting it into a vegetative state of bureaucratic inertia and strategic confusion.
What many Nigerians failed to understand is that, the correlation between a weak, politically compromised Defence Minister and the escalating fragility of the nation’s security architecture is not coincidental. It is causal. It is a result gotten when the leadership of a ministry is so preoccupied with political survival and internal scheming, then, the single-minded sharp focus that is required to execute asymmetric wars becomes dissipated. The morale of the troops, who witness the political jubilation of their minister’s men for the opposition, inevitably suffers. Strategy becomes subjugated to political calculation. The procurement process, becomes vulnerable to manipulations that favour political affiliates over national interest. This is not mere speculation; it is the logical outcome of placing a politician of demonstrably low credibility and conflicted loyalties in charge of the nation’s most sensitive portfolio.
Therefore, it is even a big understatement to postulate that Minister Badaru is merely worthless to Tinubu’s administration. He is not a passive non-entity, but an active liability. He is a danger, a ticking, walking, talking vulnerability that can easily and ruthlessly be exploited by opposition in the run-up to 2027. It is comically laughable that the campaign advertisements virtually write themselves ready for use:
“If the President’s own Defence Minister cannot win his polling unit, Can you trust such a government to secure your home?”
Believe me when I say that this is a devastatingly simple and potent narrative that will resonate with many Nigerians who are already aware of the present state of insecurity and political hypocrisy in the country. Minister Badaru’s presence in President Tinubu’s cabinet is a gift to opposition parties. His inability to mobilise, inspire, or deliver his immediate constituency presages a catastrophic inability to secure a wider region for the second term for President Tinubu. A general who cannot hold his own fort has no business with being entrusted with the defence of an empire.
Consequently, for the APC to be revered as a truly dominant and purposeful ruling party, and for it to be taken seriously in its ambition to secure President Tinubu’s second term, the call for Minister Abubakar Badaru’s immediate resignation or dismissal is urgent and very imperative, not one to be seen as partisan malice. It is a necessary surgery in removing a rotting limb in order to save the body politic. A continual toleration of such a monumental and publicly demonstrated failure erodes the very foundation of the party’s credibility.
As a renowned political strategist who President Tinubu is, he needs to understand the level of this threat. Compounding the monumental tasks before him ahead of 2027 election, with an internal, self-inflicted wound of this magnitude in his party is an act of political suicide. However, removing Badaru, who is a proven failure and electoral liability, is not only just a good way of positioning Nigeria well for the next election, but also the only way to avert a catastrophic erosion for himself and the party’s base. Making a mistake to retain him, is to signal that political accommodation trumps electoral viability and national security.
At this present, the embarrassing bye-election should be perceived as a deafening shout from a small constituency. It must be seen as a warning that must be heeded on the national stage. The choice before President Tinubu is clear: succumb to the pressure of political accommodation and risk everything, or jettison a minister who has become the living embodiment of his government’s vulnerabilities. The fate of the second-term bid may very well depend on this singular, decisive act.
Ibrahim writes from Gusau.
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
-
society6 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news3 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society6 months ago“You Are Never Without Help” – Pastor Gebhardt Berndt Inspires Hope Through Empower Church (Video)
-
society7 months agoWho is Chief Kestin Pondi? Niger Delta’s “People’s Chief” Winning Hearts With Hundreds of Millions in Generosity