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Budget Constraints, Infrastructure Woes Stall Diplomatic Deployment

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2027: Angry Lawmakers Plan Major Showdown With President Tinubu Over Constituency Projects Funding

Tinubu Moves to Fill Foreign Missions: Fani-Kayode, Pedro Among Nominees Undergoing DSS Vetting

 

The Federal Government has commenced a crucial vetting exercise for potential ambassadors to fill Nigeria’s 109 diplomatic missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates across the globe.

Sources close to the presidency confirmed that the process is already underway, with high-profile nominees such as former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro among those undergoing security screening.

Rather than a centralized assessment, nominees are reportedly being directed to the nearest offices of the Department of State Services (DSS) for background checks and verification of personal, academic, and work histories.

“They’re already doing security checks with DSS. When they have cleared security checks, we will release the list. Only those who have been cleared are announced,” a senior presidency official disclosed on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, the list of final nominees is expected before the end of April.

 

Diplomacy on Hold: Missions Still Without Ambassadors Since 2023

Since September 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has operated Nigeria’s foreign policy—framed around the 4Ds: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diasporawithout ambassadors. This followed a sweeping recall of over 83 envoys during a reassessment of Nigeria’s diplomatic strategy.

Although sources said the President reviewed nominations during the 2023 December holidays, insiders revealed that the release of the final list was stalled in January 2024 due to severe funding constraints.

$1bn Gap: Infrastructure, Overheads Cripple Foreign Service

The absence of a consolidated ambassadorial list has been largely attributed to a staggering $1 billion financial shortfall, needed to settle accumulated foreign service arrears, overheads, dilapidated embassy infrastructure, and obsolete vehicles.

“Most of those embassies, almost 90 per cent, are rundown. Either the residence is uninhabitable or the office has no power or running water. Some ambassadors don’t even have serviceable vehicles,” one top official said.

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar echoed the same sentiment at a previous briefing, stating,

“There is no point sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated countries. One needs funding to run these missions effectively.”

Who’s on the List? Insiders Spill on Big Names and Big Surprises

While the full list remains tightly under wraps, sources confirmed several notable nominees, including:

  • Femi Fani-Kayode – Former Minister of Aviation

  • Femi Pedro – Ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State

  • Fola Adeola – Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank

There were also unconfirmed reports of former presidential aide Reno Omokri being on the list, but credible presidency sources dismissed this.

“Reno is not on the list. But FFK is there,” a source clarified.

Why the Vetting Matters

Officials stress that the vetting process is essential to prevent future diplomatic embarrassments and ensure Nigeria’s global representation remains credible.

“This is about protecting the image of the country. Every nominee is undergoing background checks to make sure they’re fit to represent Nigeria on the world stage,” a source noted.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, also emphasized the need for diligence.

“Ambassadorial appointments involve both career and political nominees. Every name has to be carefully vetted before transmission to the National Assembly.”

With the clock ticking and diplomatic gaps still unfilled, all eyes are on the presidency as the nation awaits the official rollout of ambassadors to reposition Nigeria on the global stage.

 

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Top Reps Aspirant, Abudu-Balogun Assures Constituents of Inclusive, Progressive Representation

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Top Reps Aspirant, Abudu-Balogun Assures Constituents of Inclusive, Progressive Representation

 

It is an incontrovertible fact that Watersiders should GET IT RIGHT this time around by overwhelmingly support this distinguished Watersider, Hon. Abudu-Balogun to emerge as the Candidate of APC for the Federal House of Representative in the 2027 elections.

Apart from being a respected politician among the creme-de-la-creme professionals in politics in Ogun State, and undoubtedly a prominent grassroots politician of Waterside extraction, Hon. Abudu-Balogun has seen it all in National politics that will be of great benefits to the Federal Constituency if eventually elected.

 

Hmmm! With the emergence of the distinguished Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the consensus Governorship candidate of APC in Ogun State, Waterside agitation for enduring developmental projects and its realisation like Deep Sea Port, assumption of Oil producing LGA via Eba Oil deposits, sustainable Electricity Supply would be a walk-over. This anaysis is predicated upon a scientifically established empirical evidence that Hon Abudu-Balogun is a sustainable Bridge between this Federal Constituency and the Powers that be at Federal level.

 

He has the competence, he posseses the Capacity, he has the cognate political experience, he has fortified the developmental blueprint, he has worked tirelessly, and earned the link to facilitate the expected developmental projects to this Federal Constituency.

 

Above all, Hon Abudu-Balogun has concluded political and economic arrangements to galvanise support in all respects from the main actors at the National and sub-national levels in the country for the tasks ahead.

 

TENI NI TENI. This is the time TIME FOR “ACTION” in the realisation of the enduring Developmental Agenda (that has been eluding us from time immemorial) for the entire Federal Constituency, particularly, our dear Ogun Waterside LGA.

 

Distinguished Watersiders, particularly, the comrade professional politicians and the astute Professionals in politics, please factcheck this. Hon Abudu-Balogun is a very popular and honoured politician in Ijebu-North LGA, he is cherished and respected professional in politics in Ijebu-East LGA, he is a consistently consistent rare breed politician in Waterside who has the interest of Waterside development at heart.

 

ACTION needs our support, he needs our endorsement at this political turning point of our dear LGA, the Wealth Side of Ogun State.

Iwe teni, iwe teni, iwe teni o.

Ajuse ri Dede Eni o.

Happy Sunday to us all.

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ADC Unstoppable, Like the Sun — Aregbesola Declares at 8th National Convention

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ADC Unstoppable, Like the Sun — Aregbesola Declares at 8th National Convention

 

 

ABUJA — Former Osun State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that the party remains “unstoppable,” likening its rise to the inevitability of the sun, despite what he described as attempts by the ruling establishment to weaken opposition forces.

Speaking at the ADC’s 8th National Convention, Aregbesola said the party’s existence is rooted in the will of Nigerians and protected by the constitution, insisting that no political pressure or institutional interference could halt its progress.

“Just as no power can stop the sun from rising, so can the ADC not be stopped,” he told delegates.

Blasts Political System, Accuses Ruling Forces of Undermining Democracy

The ADC leader accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of actions he described as anti-democratic, alleging efforts to frustrate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

He criticized what he termed the normalization of political “criminality,” arguing that recent political realignments and electoral practices undermine democratic integrity.

According to him, ADC does not owe its existence to any individual or institution but to Nigerians “tired of deceit and mismanagement.”

Harsh Assessment of Economy, Security, and Governance

Aregbesola painted a grim picture of the nation’s condition, citing economic decline, rising inflation, and worsening living standards.

He noted that the naira’s depreciation from about ₦700 to ₦1,400 per dollar reflects what he described as poor economic management, while fuel prices have surged significantly, making daily life difficult for citizens.

On security, he described the current situation as one of the worst in Nigeria’s history, raising concerns about increasing violence and what he called a lack of empathy from leadership in responding to national tragedies.

ADC Positions Itself as Nigeria’s “Rescue Mission”

The former minister said the ADC has, within months, transformed into a major opposition force, claiming it now represents the “hope of the Nigerian people.”

He outlined the party’s rapid structural expansion, ongoing membership drive, and efforts to build alliances with other opposition groups including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Aregbesola emphasized that the party is preparing to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections through what he described as a “united opposition front.”

Defends Party Leadership Changes, Convention Legitimacy

Providing details of internal restructuring, Aregbesola said the emergence of new leadership, including David Mark as caretaker national chairman, followed due constitutional process and was duly communicated to INEC.

He argued that the commission’s refusal to monitor the convention violates provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that ADC fulfilled all legal requirements.

Alleges Persecution of Opposition Figures

The ADC leader further accused the government of using state institutions such as anti-corruption agencies and security services to intimidate opposition politicians.

He cited cases involving figures like Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal, describing the trend as a dangerous signal for democracy.

Calls for United Front Ahead of 2027

Aregbesola concluded with a rallying call for Nigerians to support the ADC’s mission to restore “freedom, security, and prosperity,” warning against political apathy.

“A democracy without opposition is an autocracy,” he said, urging citizens to reject what he termed any attempt at political “coronation.”

Closing Note

The convention, themed “So that Nigeria will work for Freedom, Security and Prosperity,” brought together party delegates and stakeholders, marking a significant step in ADC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

 

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CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO APC CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA YAYI

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CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO APC CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA YAYI*

 

On behalf of our Grand Patron, Dr. Tunde Osinowo (Pepperito Jnr.), we leaders and Members of Ogun East for Yayi heartily congratulate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) for being the consensus Governorship candidate of our party, APC, in the 2027 election.

This is marvelous and indeed great in the sight of God.

Without mincing words, the choice of Yayi by the party stakeholders is the best and the most surest assurance to coast the Party to victory at the general elections come February, 2027.

We commend the maturity, dispositions and spirit of sportsmanship with which all the Gubernatorial aspirants embraced the decision and extended hands of fellowship to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, the Gubernatorial Hopeful.

We beseech God to grant Yayi and all of us, leaders, followers and supporters, the enablements to see him duly elected as Governor of Ogun State at the general election in Jesus mighty name.

We congratulate the incoming Governor of Ogun State and our Excellency in waiting, Yayi.

This is Yayi O’clock.

Praise God!

Mo yo fun e, mo yo fun ra mi.

 

 

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