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Tinubu’s Cabinet: El-Rufai May Decline Chief Of Staff Role, Eyes Private Sector

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Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on Saturday, opened up on why he wouldn’t want to be Chief of Staff to Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-elect, saying, he would rather stay committed to contributing to the country’s development through useful counsel.

el-Rufai indicated further that he would also prefer to play big in the private sector in the next 22 days after handing over as governor.

He made this disclosure in an address during the commissioning of the Gombe Geographic Information Systems service centre, after performing the groundbreaking ceremony of 550 Shongo Homes and Gardens under the Family Homes Fund in Gombe State.

el-Rufai said, “I will be leaving in 22 days, but I will be available anytime you need a troublemaker. I will be in the private sector, I’m not going to be any chief of staff. I will take a break and advice people like governor Inuwa Yahaya, if they need it.”

Fielding answers from journalists on why he would not accept the “compensation” to serve despite his support to Tinubu, el-Rufai added, “I have not had the discussion with the president-elect and I don’t want to speculate. I read on the pages of newspapers and I see all kinds of portfolios assigned to me.

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“I’m a committed Nigerian and I want to see my country make progress and whatever I can do to contribute to the development I will, but I don’t have to do it working in the government. People working in the private sector or civil society are contributing their own one way or the other, to the growth and development of our country. I will never stop working for Nigeria’s progress.”

The Kaduna State Governor who commended Gombe electorates for massively supporting and voting for Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya back into office, disclosed that the Tinubu team was initially troubled when the President-elect, polled second highest votes in Gombe.

“When the presidential result was announced and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came second, we were quite worried about the re-election of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, but I was very pleased that the people of Gombe have shown once again that they know how to separate the wheat from the chaff.

“They know those that work for them they know those that promise and break their promises by being strategic and selective in their voting that they returned governor Inuwa Yahaya with overwhelming votes of over 130,000 votes for the election and even increased the number of APC members by two,” el-Rufai remarked.

He assured that Yahaya would do more than he did in his first tenure, stressing that the first term was hectic with its economic challenges; “I want to thank the people of Gombe State for re-electing my brother, my friend and in-law. I assure you that what you have seen in the last four years is just the beginning because the last four years have been very challenging for anyone in governance.

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“In 2020, we had COVID-19, in 2022, the Ukraine war disrupted the global economy which affected our revenues and most states Federal Allocation dropped by about 30 per cent. It was with these challenges that Governor Inuwa Yahaya was able to build the infrastructural and social capital development that you have seen in the last four years. I want to assure you that the next four years will be better because there will be more resources and he has overwhelming support in Gombe State Assembly to do more,” he said.

The governor also commended the traditional institution for the overwhelming collaboration with the security agencies, pointing out that it had impacted the state’s record as one of the safest in the country.

“Far from when Gombe used to be a base for Boko Haram terrorists. Your royal highnesses, we continue to pray for you for God’s guidance, so that you continue to assist the State Government to keep Gombe safe,” he said.

el-Rufai who specifically noted that Inuwa Yahaya standardised the Gombe Geographic Information Systems, lauded, “It’s important to know how much land you have to allow development and increase revenue.”

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Gov Akeredolu Releases N1bn For Retired Teachers, LG Workers In Ondo

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Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has flagged off the payment of N1bn as a gratuity to teachers and local government workers who retired in 2011.

Akeredolu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, said the N1bn was sourced from the October allocation from the federation account.

He said the payment of N1bn marked a gradual defrayment of the backlog of gratuity arrears for retirees of Local Government and Primary school teachers.

According to him, “another tranche would soon be paid within the first quarter of next year.

Some pensioners who retired in 2012 were paid, while those the government termed distressed benefitted from the N1bn payment.

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The governor said that his administration has fully paid all outstanding salaries and pensions, including the allowances of all retirees left by the previous administration.

“We want to make sure pensioners in the state do not suffer anymore. We are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals, as well as those who engage in cult-related activities in our dear state.

“The State Government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources.

“This is in addition to the provision of funds and other logistical support to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. Our government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Takuro Amidu, said the payment of the gratuity was initiated by Governor Akeredolu by ensuring that some money was saved every month.

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Amidu said that Governor Akeredolu was poised to take care of senior citizens.

Some of the pensioners said it was suicidal for them to survive 12 years without collecting their gratuities.

Many of them said that they would use a chunk of the money to pay accumulated debts.

One of them, Chief Ojo Samuel, said it was difficult for him to cope with life situations after he retired and his gratuity was not paid.

“We thank God we are alive to collect and enjoy our benefit.”

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The chairman of pensioners in Ondo State, Johnson Osunyemi, said the payment of N1bn was a reassurance that the governor would do more for them.

Osunyemi said pensioners have not witnessed such a good gesture in the state.

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Gunshots At NANS Convention In Abuja, Seyi Tinubu Accused Of Imposing Candidate

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Gunshots In Abuja At Nigerian Students, NANS Convention As Seyi Tinubu Allegedly Plots To Impose 48-Year-Old Candidate As President

Heavy gunshots on Wednesday rocked the vicinity of the old parade ground in Abuja, venue of the national convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), according to videos obtained by SaharaReporters.


NANS, the umbrella body of students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, is currently holding a convention to elect a new set of national leaders.

A source, who spoke to SaharaReporters, said some students sustained wounds from the gunshots and machetes after thugs loyal to a candidate said to be the preferred choice of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, began attacking opposition delegates.

The thugs were said to have been led by one Sunday Asefon, recently appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagements.

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SaharaReporters had earlier reported how students and stakeholders kicked against the candidature of one Lucky Emonefe, a 48-year-old citizen, as president of the association.

Emonefe, who has been parading himself as Seyi’s preferred choice left the College of Education, Warri, Delta State 20 years ago (2003).

It was learnt that some politicians had raised millions of Naira to influence the ongoing election and support his candidature.

“It’s extremely shameful to see old men who should rather be more concerned about the lives and welfare of their wives and kids fighting for positions in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS),” a student had said.

“Imagine someone who left the College of Education since 2003, about 20 years ago is now planning to become President of the association due to selfishness of some people working with politicians.”

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Another student added, “This same old man, his wife is a serving councillor under PDP in Delta, she is serving her second tenure, so you can guess his age. He is supported by the Delta State Government machinery over this.

“But in Abuja, he is claiming to be an APC member after racketeers led by Asefon collected millions of Naira from him and sold him to Seyi Tinubu as APC candidate for NANS President. Now they came here and started shooting anyhow and attacking delegates who are not in Lucky’s support.”

About seven other aspirants are contesting to be President of the students’ association.

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