Titans clash at Daily Trust Dialogue

Big political actors on the Nigerian political landscape offered contrasting visions yesterday of the challenges facing this country in the run up to the 2019 general elections, which has begun in earnest with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s [INEC] recent release of the time table for party primaries. Former Jigawa State governor Alhaji Sule Lamido charged at the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] and said nearly three years after it took over power at the federal level, it was still behaving like an opposition party by blaming others for its incompetence.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF] Mr. Boss Mustapha, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion, said as he was departing the hall that Lamido’s presentation indicated that President Buhari has already won reelection. Mustapha had earlier delivered the president’s address in which he vowed not to condone any action that could undermine the upcoming elections. Buhari also urged all political parties and actors to play by the rules and eschew violence.

Former Lagos State governor and APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose paper was presented by his former Finance Commissioner Wale Edun, urged his own party to “transform the nation by embarking on deep and impactful reforms, creating more jobs, providing social policy initiatives and building befitting infrastructure.” Tinubu also took a swipe at PDP, saying “advocates of the old ways had rebelled in full against even the partial blossoms of improvement” recorded by the APC administration.

Former Attorney General of the Federation, World Court judge and former High Commissioner to Britain Prince Bola Ajibola, who chaired the occasion, called for some changes in the law and tradition to smoothen the path to 2019, including allowing Attorneys General to serve as election tribunal judges. Chairman of Daily Trust board of directors Malam Kabiru Yusuf also said “politics is too important to be left to politicians,” which was why Daily Trust kick started the discussion of 2019. Other eminent guests who spoke included INEC National Commissioner Deji Soyebi, who represented the INEC chairman; former INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega, Senator Sa’idu Dansadau of the National Rescue Movement and former Niger State governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

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