Politics
Hard times for Rotimi Amaechi as Governors, Stakeholders kick against appointment as Buhari’s campaign DG
Major stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have kicked against the re-appointment of the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, as the Director- General of the President’s Campaign Organisation in the 2019 election. The stakeholders include party leaders, governors elected on the party’s platform, ministers, and National Assembly members.
New Telegraph learnt that the argument of the APC stakeholders is that the President cannot just appoint anyone as the Director- General of his campaign organisation without consulting the party’s hierarchy.
Amaechi served as the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015, but our correspondent gathered that the party chieftains are rooting for someone who is “more matured” to handle the position ahead of the 2019 polls. They reasoned that Amaechi lacks the temperament to handle such position now that the ruling party is facing confidence crisis.
A source, who disclosed this to New Telegraph, said the APC chieftains also posited that Amaechi is presently not holding a strategic position to be able to galvanise members of the party for the President’s reelection in the forthcoming elections.
The source said: “The opinion of most of the party stakeholders is that the Transportation Minister was a sitting governor and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), when he held the position of Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015. “According to them, Amaechi is just a member of the cabinet now and may not wield the kind of influence he had during the last elections.
The party chieftains are, therefore, saying that the President cannot just appoint a minister as the director-general of his campaign organisation without consulting the party’s hierarchy.”
The source further disclosed that what particularly infuriated the governors, APC leaders and ministers is that they believed that the appointment of Amaechi as the campaign boss was done by the trio of President Buhari; Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el- Rufai and Amaechi himself. The major organs of the party, which Amaechi is going to work with should his appointment stand, were not consulted, according to a party source.
This, according to him, explains why only two members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) – National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, are the only ones working with Amaechi on the President’s second term project.
His words: “The way Amaechi’s appointment as the campaign director-general was made, without due consultation of the various organs of the party, informs why only Buni and Izunaso are the ones working with Amaechi. Other members of the NWC are not with him.” He also revealed that the development is responsible for the way the governors and ministers have been responding to meetings called by the Transportation Minister on the President’s reelection bid.
He said: “When Amaechi calls for meetings, the governors and ministers reluctantly attend to avoid being seen as opposition to the president’s ambition as attendance is usually taken at such meetings. So, it is just like they are being blackmailed to attend the meetings. “It got to a level that a South-West APC governor, who is close to the President, had to go to the villa to express his displeasure over Amaechi’s appointment.
He particularly told Buhari that he will not sit with the campaign organisation with the former Rivers State governor as the director-general.”
Our correspondent further learnt from party sources that the lack of confidence on Amaechi came to the fore when he called for a meeting with the APC governors, only for one of the governors to inform the minister that if there is anything to discuss about politics, he should liaise with his predecessor.
Amaechi’s colleagues in the cabinet are also not comfortable with his choice. At a recent meeting held among the ministers where Amaechi briefed his colleagues on his appointment, it was a cold response. According to him, “Some of the ministers told Amaechi that they are all appointees of the President, so if he (Buhari) has any message for them, he should summon them or pass the message through Chief Audu Ogbeh (Minis-ter of Agriculture), who is the chairman of the Ministers’ Forum.” Ogbeh acts as a liaison officer between his colleagues and President Buhari.
The ministers usually meet at Ogbeh’s residence to take a common position on some issues which they could not express or agree on during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings because of the presence of other presidential aides. Amaechi had succeeded in railroading the ministers into the campaign. Two meetings have been called with one held and another shelved.
The only meeting held so far had 18 ministers in attendance. The source also expressed concern over how Amaechi intends to convince some party chieftains who worked for Buhari’s victory in the 2015 presidential election, but were abandoned after his government was inaugurated, to key into the 2019 project.
Amaechi did not reply to an SMS sent to him on the development. An aide to Amaechi, who described the misgivings as normal in politics, however, told our correspondent that no one can fault the competence of the Transportation Minister. He added that such dissenting voice is not unexpected, given the divided loyalty among APC chieftains.
His words: “It is natural that some people will not be happy with Amaechi’s appointment as the Director- General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation. That is natural. They may have their reasons, which are likely to be personal, but definitely not over his ability to do the job.” The aide added that a majority of the APC governors, ministers and members of the National Assembly are working with Amaechi, and advised those who have objection to his appointment to direct their protest to the President.
“There is no doubt that the vast majority of APC governors, ministers and members of the National Assembly are working with Amaechi on the President’s re-election bid, but if anyone is opposed to his headship of the campaign organisation, the most decent thing to do, is to channel his or her grievance to the appropriate quarter,” he said.
The minister’s aide told New Telegraph that “you don’t expect a governor who wanted to head the presidential campaign in 2019, but lost out to support the choice of Amaechi. So it is all politics.” A source said against the growing discontent among stakeholders, President Buhari will soon clear the air on Amaechi’s appointment.
“The Presidency will soon issue a statement on Amaechi’s appointment as Buhari’s campaign DG. There is need to clear the air on the issue.
Don’t forget that a minister even asked the president during the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting if truly Amaechi has been appointed. I’m sure a statement to that effect will soon be released,” a source told New Telegraph.
When contacted on the issue, National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said: “It is the prerogative of a candidate to choose who leads his campaign. It, therefore, has nothing to do with the party.”
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, in line with existing public service regulations.
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, indicating that the renewed appointments will take effect from April 27, 2026.
The affected officials include Kachallom Shangti Daju, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Beatrice Jedy‑Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mary Ada Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.
According to the statement, the renewal represents a second and final four-year tenure for the officials, in accordance with the provisions of Public Service Rule 020909, which allows Permanent Secretaries an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second term based on satisfactory performance.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their reappointment and urged them to see the renewed mandate as a call to greater dedication and excellence in service delivery.
She further encouraged them to deploy their experience and professional expertise toward strengthening governance and advancing national development.
The statement was signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and dated March 6, 2026.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
‘Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal has tackled insecurity head-on with verifiable evidence that even those in the opposition have commended him for his huge investment in equipment that will further give security and armed forces an edge over those fueling insecurity in the country.
Since his assumption as Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Lawal has vowed that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as well as the chief rescuer, an unprecedented commitment to tackling the security challenges that have plagued Zamfara for over a decade is his top priority and he is engaging it with much gusto. Unlike previous administrations, that engaged in shadowy deals with non-state actors, this Governor has chosen the path of transparency, capacity building, and decisive action. He was one of the Governors who openly declared that His administration would not negotiate with bandit rather his administration with fight them to a standstill and ensure they are cleared out.
In a bid to address the issues of insecurity with a well-planned arrival plan, he procured heavy Security Assets that even the Federal Government commended, him for. The recently procured and unveiled 25 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and an 80-meter endurance surveillance drone capable of covering 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This represents the single largest state-government investment in security hardware in the history of Zamfara State.
The Defence Minister, during the inauguration ceremony, praised what he described as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property, making the striking projection that “if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai”. This is not praise from a partisan source it is professional acknowledgement from the highest level of Nigeria’s defence establishment that Governor Lawal is doing something right.
Beyond heavy military hardware, the Governor has operationalised the Community Protection Guards in accordance with the law, providing them with 60 brand-new, well-equipped Hilux operational vehicles and specialised motorcycles to ensure swift response and effective first-responder services in difficult terrains. This is complemented by the distribution of 150 Hilux vehicles to mainstream security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC, plus 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (both armoured and soft-body).
Perhaps most significantly, Governor Lawal established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, which provides a predictable, structured framework for logistical support to security forces. This moves the state away from the era of fragmented, reactive responses to a professional, sustainable security architecture.
When recent attacks occurred including the unfortunate February 19 incident in Anka LGA, Governor Lawal did not go into hiding or issue condolence statements from his office in Gusau. He immediately convened and personally presided over an emergency security meeting with all heads of security agencies at the Government House in Gusau, tasking them to urgently review the current security framework and implement coordinated countermeasures.
The Governor charged security chiefs to maintain “heightened vigilance, strengthened intelligence, and immediate, coordinated countermeasures” to ensure that criminal elements do not gain further ground. He also commiserated with affected communities and assured them of his administration’s full support both logistical and institutional. This is not the behaviour of a detached leader. This is the conduct of a Governor who understands that his primary constitutional responsibility is the protection of lives and property.
The public needs to understand the pedigree of those behind these allegations. The so-called “Zamfara Good Governance Forum” has a well-documented history of partisan attacks against Governor Lawal. A simple review of their previous statements reveals a pattern they have consistently attacked the Governor while remaining conspicuously silent during the administrations that presided over the worst years of banditry in the state. Interestingly, these attacks often coincide with political manoeuvres by the immediate past governor, Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. The Zamfara State Government has previously accused Matawalle of using federal security apparatus to intimidate opposition figures in the state. The current criticism fits a familiar pattern, when you cannot defeat a Governor politically or at the ballot box, you attempt to undermine him through sponsored propaganda spreading sheer falsehood to ensure the public turns their back on a performing Governor who is rebuilding the rot the Matawale-led administration caused.
These same critics who now demand a “security roadmap” conveniently ignore that Governor Lawal inherited a state that was virtually a failed entity where farmers could not access their lands, where markets were paralysed, and where government had lost all credibility through failed negotiations and ransom payments to bandits.
Critics also conveniently ignore a fundamental reality Governor Lawal is the only opposition governor in the entire North-West geopolitical zone. Since taking office in 2023, his administration has received no federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations no special palliatives, and no enhanced security support that flows to states with ruling-party governors. Yet despite this political isolation, he has managed to fund security without resorting to new borrowing, while monthly servicing N1.2 billion in inherited debts from the Bello Matawalle-led administration. This is governance under siege fiscally constrained, politically isolated, yet still delivering.
Governor Dauda Lawal has never claimed that the battle against banditry is easy or that success will come overnight. What he has demonstrated is sincerity of purpose, strategic vision, and relentless commitment. From the Security Trust Fund to community protection guards, from armoured personnel carriers to surveillance drones, these are not the actions of a leader who has failed. The growing influence of Governor Lawal across the North-West clearly frightens those who benefited from the old order of insecurity. When banditry thrives, politicians who negotiate with criminals remain relevant. But when peace is restored through genuine security architecture, such elements become obsolete.
Zamfara State is on the path to lasting peace. The detractors may continue their campaign of falsehood, but the facts on the ground speak louder than their sponsored propaganda. Governor Dauda Lawal remains focused, undeterred, and absolutely committed to restoring full normalcy to every inch of Zamfara State. The people of Zamfara see the progress. The Federal Government acknowledges the investment. And history will remember who truly fought for the state’s liberation.
Signed: GDL Media Force Support Group
March 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria
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