Mohammed, Amaechi, Tunji-Ojo, in the news
This week, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State came into focus after he announced his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South; a former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, was also in the news when he insisted that he would not step down for any […]
This week, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State came into focus after he announced his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South; a former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, was also in the news when he insisted that he would not step down for any candidate in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s primary election. Also, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, came up in the news after the announcement of an increase of the price of international passport.
Bala Mohammed says ready to deputise southern presidential candidate
The Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed says he is ready to serve as a vice presidential candidate to the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde in 2027 if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) adopts such a ticket.
Mohammed, who is the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, disclosed this on Friday while speaking on Channels Television, saying the party had learnt tough lessons from its 2023 loss and would prioritise unity and fairness.
He stressed that personal ambition would not stand in his way. “If the party and our presidential candidate from the South choose me, I am ready. If not, I will support whoever emerges,” he said.
The governor admitted that PDP’s decision to throw its ticket open in 2023 hurt its chances, adding that the presidency should be about consensus and not individual ambition.
He noted that a southern presidential candidate, who is a Christian, would be the preferred candidate while a northern Muslim would be the deputy, adding that the party is reaching out to former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to widen its options.
On reports of a possible Makinde–Mohammed ticket, the Bauchi governor said no
formal discussion had taken place but did not dismiss the idea. “If the party decides so, I am ready. What matters is presenting a credible candidate who can defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
Amaechi insists on not stepping down for anybody in ADC
A former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, appeared in the news when he insisted that he would not step down for any candidate in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s proposed primary for the 2027 presidential election.
Amaechi, who visited some traders in Kano on Wednesday, said he would not step down for any aspirant in the party’s primary election.
“I will contest the ADC presidential primary, and by God’s grace, I hope to win so that I can face Tinubu in 2027. I am not stepping down for anyone. Let the people decide who they want to lead,” he said.
Amaechi stressed that the ADC must conduct an open contest, adding that internal democracy would strengthen the party.
According to news reports, the former Rivers governor also criticised the Bola Tinubu administration, saying Nigerians were dissatisfied with its policies, which he said were biting hard on the masses.
“Whether the government wants to conduct credible elections or not, one thing is certain – time is up. Nigerians are tired because no one is happy under Tinubu, not even in Rivers or across the South. People are suffering everywhere,” he said.
FG hikes passport price
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was in the news over the increase in the price of Nigerian international passports.
In a statement by the public relations officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, the minister announced that the rate for the 32-page five-year validity would now be at N100,000 from N50,000, while the 64-page 10-year validity is N200,000 from N70,000.
Meanwhile, the fees for the same passports for Nigerians in diaspora remain at $150 for the 32-page document and $230 for the 64-page document.
The statement noted that the increase was part of a bid to uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport. The Nigeria Immigration Service hereby announces an upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees, set to take effect on September 1, 2025,” it added.
The decision attracted criticisms from the public, who accused the minister of turning the Nigerian passport fees into a revenue-generating avenue for the federal government at the expense of citizens’ rights and the prevailing economic hardship.
Reacting, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi, said the hike was the third increase in three years when the minimum wage is only N70,000.
“Instead of making life easier, this government keeps shifting the burden onto ordinary Nigerians. It is alarming that the price of the international passport is higher than what workers earn in a month,” he said.