Inside details of how Buhari chased SSS away from inner Aso Rock.

Sani Tukur

PREMIUM TIMES has obtained more details of how President Muhammadu Buhari and his handlers have pushed personnel of Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Service, from getting close to the President or mounting guards or patrolling areas inside the presidential villa.
Under the present arrangement, the operatives are only to guard the “outer perimeter” of the presidential palace, a measure that has humiliated the 29-year old agency charged with gathering domestic intelligence for Nigeria and protecting public officials.
The presidency claimed, through Mr. Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, that there were “routine adjustments” of security personnel at the Aso Rock Villa. He denied that the president ordered the expulsion of the SSS personnel from the premises.
What Mr. Adesina did not however say was that the SSS officials, who were traditionally part of the president’s primary security details, have been banned from being close to Mr. Buhari and virtually reduced to manning the outer gate at the villa.
A presidential memo, seen by PREMIUM TIMES Friday, showed the nature of the directive barring the SSS (also known as DSS) from the villa.
The memo, written by Mr. Buhari’s Aide de Camp, Mohammed Abubakar, on June 24 and distributed to key officials in the Villa stated that from then on, “DSS personnel have been redeployed from some duty beats/locations”.
The memo made it clear that the major security tasks initially being handled by SSS officials are now to be handled by officials of other security agencies.
Mr. Abubakar said personnel of the Armed Forces and the police, who were trained as Presidential Body Guards, PBGs, are to “provide close/immediate protection for Mr. President henceforth”.
Mr. Abubakar subsequently listed some of the areas to be taken care of by the PBGs to include, Admin Reception, Service Chiefs Gate, Residence Reception, Rear Resident, Resident Gate, Office Reception, C-In-C Control Office, ACADE Gate, C-IN-C Control Gate and Panama.
“However, the personnel of the DSS in conjunction with other security forces are to man other duty beats/locations located within the immediate outer perimeter of the Presidential Villa,” he said, without providing reasons for the action.
Mr. Abubakar added that the Admin Officer, AO, shall be submitting a list of all personnel deployed for physical security within the premises of the Villa to the office of the ADC every Thursday for “perusal, observation and approval as the case may be before final publication and dispatch to the office of the CSO”.
The only explanation so far for the “re-organisation” was provided by Mr. Adesina who stated that “the changes being made are routine adjustments which are not unexpected in any dynamic environment from time to time”.
The Spokesperson for the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, did not answer or return calls seeking comments for this story.
She also did not respond to a text message sent to her.

Rivers Inquiry: Witnesses link PDP Chairman, former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, to election violence.

 

June 27, 2015Ben Ezeamalu

Rivers' Commission probing killings, destruction during 2015 elections

 

Several  witnesses who testified before the Commission of Inquiry probing politically motivated killings in Rivers State during the 2015 general elections accused the former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, of having a hand in the series of violence recorded during the polls.

Out of the 97 allegations of killings received by the Commission, 94 of them occurred between November 15, 2014, and April 11, 2015 – a monthly average of 19 killings in the five months during the election, according to the final report of the Inquiry exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

The Commission was instituted in April by the immediate past Rivers State government, to probe politically motivated killings and destruction of properties before and during the elections.

The inquiry opened on May 4, and undertook seven days of public hearings during which it heard over 18 hours of oral testimony, in respect of 43 memoranda concerning incidents of violence from 11 of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.

On May 22, the Commission submitted its final report to the Rivers State government.

“Evidence presented to the Inquiry included allegations and perceptions that either the first lady in person on persons claiming to represent her interests, including one Evans Bipi, who is a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, exercised undue or negative influence on the security agencies in Rivers State or on other persons or entities involved in the violence reported,” the report stated.

“The Inquiry was unable to put these allegations to the First Lady and could not, therefore, verify or form an independent view of these allegations.

“They are recorded here as proof that they were made not necessarily as confirmation of the allegations made.”

PREMIUM TIMES has been unable to reach Mrs. Jonathan. Those close to her said she is vacationing abroad with her husband.

They also prefer that she responds to the allegations herself.

‘Unwilling’ security agencies

The Inquiry received evidence of 83 incidents of destruction of property, including acts of vandalization or arson during the elections, the report said.

No allegations of political violence was recorded after the elections.

“It is quite possible that the numbers or tallies on similar incidents maintained or produced by the NPF (Nigerian Police Force) or other security agencies could be different,” the report said.

“The Inquiry received ample evidence indicating that security agencies were unwilling or unable to attend to incidents of political violence or that in some locations, they were overwhelmed by the intensity and frequency of reported incidents.

In the course of its sittings, the Commission met in confidence with the Department of State Services in Rivers State, and then arranged to meet with the Rivers State Police Command.

On May 20, the day scheduled for the meeting at the police headquarters, the police instead requested the Commission to submit a questionnaire to be completed and returned at an agreed time.

The Commission’s questionnaire did not receive any response from the police as at the time the report was finalised.

“The attitude of the security agencies that the Inquiry encountered was largely defensive, tending towards avoidance of the subject. This corroborated the perception of institutional indifference, reluctance or avoidance reported by most witnesses and victims.”

Several witnesses testified to killings and destruction of lives and properties across the state.

Vincent Ogbuagu narrated how one Ezekiel Thompson, the security guard of Emmanuel Ogbuagu, was shot and killed; Christopher Adube and his three children and four other relations were murdered; and the APC ward secretariat burnt down.

Austin Ahiamadu, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA), spoke about how thugs attacked Godspower Ahiadu, an APC leader, and his family and vandalized their properties. The victim and one Tony Okanu, according to him, went to report the attack at the police station but were detained and later transferred to Force headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Two weeks after the attack on his family, Mr. Ahiadu was murdered.

On March 24, Sampson Oreke was murdered in Okposi town.

The next day, George Eweh and Nwabueze Robinson were murdered in Obizimini community.

On November 28, 2014, Gladys Emeka’s brother, Emenike Obulor, was shot and killed at Ogbakata community.

On the same day, Augustina Wilson’s husband was fatally shot at Omoku.

On January 8, 2015, the APC office in Okrika local government was razed down with dynamites. A police officer was shot and killed during the party’s campaign rally.

A lot of the witnesses who testified mentioned Felix Obuah, the Rivers State PDP Chairman, as a mastermind of the killings.

Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to reach Mr. Obuah were unsuccessful. He would not return phone calls or text messages.

‘Assist the widows’

The Commission recommended that the allegations of murder and illegal possession of firearms be referred to the police for further investigation.

It also recommended a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

The Commission noted that it is necessary to restore credibility and public trust in the role of elected political office holders in protecting the public good.

“Given this problem, the Commission recommends that the National Council of State should play a significant role in restoring public confidence in state security agencies to be able to effectively deal with cases of political violence,” the report stated.

“The Council of State may also offer non-partisan standards or guidance for mediating cultures of internal democracy in political parties.”

The report also stated that the police proved incapable of containing the political violence during the 2015 general election in Rivers State.

“The Inspector-General of Police should develop and issue for the NPF (Nigeria Police Force) a clear doctrine of zero tolerance for and clearly spelling out the kinds of acts or circumstances which the Force would regard as political violence.

“Reflecting the seriousness of crimes of political violence, the Inspector-General of Police should designate an officer of a rank not below that of Commissioner of Police with responsibility at the federal level to lead the operationalization of this Force Order and the development of a new Force disposition on political violence.”

The report also recommended assistance to widows and children of those killed during the political violence.

“For those widows who may be dispossessed because of security issues as a result of the loss of the breadwinner in the family, the Commission recommends that the Government take steps to provide alternative secure accommodation.

“For those of school age, scholarships should be provided to those children up to and including the completion of university education for those who are accepted into university.”

DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT HERE

Buhari certificate saga tore the army apart – Gen. Ikpomnwen

Brig. Gen.Don Idada Ikpomnwen (rtd) is a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army and a lawyer. He represented retired officers of the armed forces at the 2015 National Conference. Last Tuesday, Ikpomnwen defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he co-founded in Edo State. In this interview, the retired general says he dumped the PDP the very day Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerged the candidate of the APC ahead of the presidential election. According to him, the fall of PDP was predicted by some of them which was why he withdrew his participation in the party following what he describes as the promotion of mediocrity by the leadership of the PDP.
Ikponmwen
Gen. Ikponmwen
He gives an insight into the mood in the Army when the leadership of the military told the world that they were not in possession of Buhari’s certificate. Excerpts: By Simon Ebegbulem,
Benin City
You were in PDP since 1998 until last Tuesday when you defected to the APC. Was the defection the result of the victory of one of your colleagues, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect?
The truth is that I was not just a member of the PDP, I was one of the founding fathers. I was one of the pillars from Edo that made sure that we went into PDP in 1998-1999. I worked consistently to ensure the success of this party in this state. I was a senatorial candidate.
I was shocked at what happened before and after the primaries. Later the leadership of the party appealed to me to calm down, that they will want me to go to the centre as a party official, I agreed. I got there and started working to ensure that I was elected into the position of the National Deputy Secretary.
The same cabal made sure that another person with less experience emerged. In the circumstance, after the rigged and fraudulent national convention, we went to court but the next thing was that our lawyer started saying things I could not understand and the judge was persuaded to strike out the case.
That led to my disaffection with the PDP and I stayed away for some time. Having experienced all these in politics, I decided to devote my time to the South-South struggle, which succeeded when Jonathan became the President of Nigeria.
Before then, our struggle was almost rubbished when, contrary to our belief that the South-South will not take the vice presidency, some people within the caucus went and arranged with the Northern Forum and they agreed that the South South will take the position if it is given to an Ijaw person.
That angered me and those like me because that was not what we were struggling for. I did not completely stay away from the movement, we continued to pioneer the whole thing from Edo under the South-South Elders and Leaders Forum, it was in this capacity that we operated when the late President Yar’Adua took ill, we kept on pushing that the then Vice President, Jonathan should be sworn as the President. Later the National Assembly agreed with us and went for the Doctrine of Necessity and okayed the Jonathan presidency.
But with all my struggles, the PDP has never treated me like a member and in my presence, they were promoting mediocre. They never gave people like us a chance, all because the powers-that-be felt we are too vocal, too idealistic, too principled and uncontrollable. I am not uncontrollable; the different between me and them is that I believe that in politics it is service to the people first. If there is any over flow, then everybody will benefit because they say sovereignty belongs to the people.
The PDP almost since inception was taken over by a cabal that can do anything, a cabal that wants you to lick its boot, that wants you to be a slave. I am not cut out to be a slave to anybody. I was trained as a soldier, a strategic thinker, a lawyer and I go for what is ideal. That was our point of departure. Just before the elections, they appealed to me to come and play a leadership role in the PDP but I told them that all these years they never allowed me to play any role, so how come now? This happened after the National Conference where I represented retired military officers. But the moment Buhari emerged as candidate of the APC, I knew they knew what they were doing. The convention that threw up Buhari was more democratic and the moment he emerged I spiritually became an APC man because this is a man I had worked with. I have in fact left the PDP since the emergence of Buhari, I have no choice. Nigeria deserves a political revolution and that was why I had to rally all my supporters to work for him during the presidential election. I am exceedingly happy about the development and I want to express my deepest appreciation to all those who helped in his emergence such as Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Amaechi and the APC presidential aspirants who conceded defeat such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Kwankwaso. It shows that they knew what they were doing. They have put this nation on the path of visible change. I have worked at different times with the general and I knew that all they are saying about him was to run him down but Nigerians are wiser now. There is no way I would have worked against Buhari or my state governor Oshiomhole, who has brought visible change in Edo. That is why I am telling our people in Edo that there is no other wise choice than to join hands with this messiah that God had brought to bring credibility to Nigeria and make Nigeria a leading country in the world.
Why Jonathan lost
Jonathan’s administration has never been able to chart the right course for this country. Jonathan may be a good man on his own, he may have been a lucky man to emerge on the basis of emotions and sentiments, but certainly he does not have the liver to lead a country like Nigeria. Jonathan surrounded himself with people who did not mean well for Nigeria. That Jonathan failed to win the election as sitting President did not come to me as a surprise. You only win election in the world now when you are doing well for the country not this situation where there is no security, no power, no roads, nothing at all. The average Nigerian did not feel the so-called impact of the transformation, therefore, Nigerians have no choice than to embrace change. We needed change and that we got. I don’t care what I will benefit, all I want to see is a society where those who work hard benefit while those who are lazy will have themselves to blame. Let us have a government that will create the favourable environment for every Nigerian to achieve its best. Let us have an environment where we can move around freely and happy.
Boko Haram & Nigerian Army
We are all witnesses to how our soldiers have performed in international operations in the past, be it Congo, Yugoslavia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad. The puzzle is that this same Army winning laurels all over, all of a sudden became a force that could do nothing in the face of insurgency. The only explanation I have for that is that the military was compromised. The government contributed to rubbishing and destroying the army all because it wanted the military to be loyal to individuals and to those in power rather than to be a country. The Army moved away from its constitutional role and became an Army doing routine police work until Boko Haram began to hold towns and cities and operate as a regular force. I did not see the reason for our armed forces to be on the road, supporting politicians in power and being seen as agents to pull down the opposition.
But talking about the sudden turn, that is another intriguing thing. The military that could not curtail Boko Haram over the years began to record unprecedented success when election was on. It means the capacity to do it was there and you refused to do it and allowed our soldiers to be massacred. Nigerians who said government was supporting Boko Haram cannot be wished away because it looks evident that if government under President Jonathan wanted to stop Boko Haram they would have done so as they are doing now.
Army and Buhari’s certificate
What happened was sordid, shameful. For a professional army, for the military to come out to say that a former Head of State, a former Commander-in-Chief, a general did not have certificate in their record, the issue really is not whether the certificate was with them or had disappeared, the issue is that a professional army would have said, ‘we are not politicians, don’t drag us into this political argument going on. If you are worried about certificate, go to INEC, if you are worried about certificate, go to the school which the man attended’. But for them to say ‘we don’t have his certificate, we have not seen his certificate on record’, it brought the Army to ridicule, it brought down this country to ridicule. I think it points out to the fact that some people have compromised. And I was hearing a few days ago on the internet that the same certificate has been found. I think the Army have given good account of themselves in the past, they can continue to play that role as neutral people, as the last hope of the people.
What were the feelers in the Army when the certificate saga was on?
Officers will always be officers. We are in touch with ourselves when all these were happening. That issue tore the Army apart because we began to wonder whether this was really the Nigerian Army that we all served in. As soldiers, whether serving or retired, we are friends and many of us were discussing what was happening. It was most embarrassing for retired officers to see what they were seeing and to hear what they were hearing. The demystification of the military is demystification and rubbishing of officers who have given all they have in the service of this country. It has always been our wish that the Army remains an honourable profession that we knew it to be when we went there, that we strove to sustain and anything less than that embarrasses any good officer and many of our officers are good. Many good officers that I know watched helplessly as these things were going on, even me there was a limit to what I could say because a good soldier must run away to fight again. I know what I went through, I know the constraints that I had; so for a while I decided to support in a very subtle way those who we want to develop Nigeria.
Message to Buhari
Nigeria is lucky to have Buhari. I recall his days as military Head of State, a few things made people feel he was too rigid. The law that visited drug trafficking with death penalty, that was too harsh and it cannot happen in a democracy. Nobody is perfect but three things are important in a democracy and ensuring good governance, the right to choose your leader, the right to change him when necessary and the right and duty to make inputs into the goings on in government. If we all take interest in what is going on, we have already demonstrated our choice in what is going on now. If any government falls out of grace, that government knows it will go. Even before it gets to that point, if people continue to make their inputs and say what is good that government is doing and encourage government to do it and also voice out what they think is not good that it could be going on, the then government will be challenged. Any government that is not being challenged by way of having clear picture of what the people want is likely to go wrong. So we all have a duty to make sure that this good man that has been chosen stays on course, we should not be afraid to talk. To me, a strategic thinker, I will always say it as it is and, also importantly, I will do whatever is in my power to ensure that we enhance this government that is coming up. I did my best in this Jonathan’s administration to speak out the truth but they never listened to me.
I was called by the Obasanjo regime to look at the environment at that time to see whether we needed an organization that will fight financial and economic crimes. I sat down with my team chosen by Obasanjo and, within four months, we gave them a blue print. It was that blue print that gave birth to the EFCC. I did my best to put forward what I believe in because we knew what was happening. Like when I went to the constitutional conference, I also emphasized the need to improve the armed forces by improving the Act setting them up, the need to improve the policy decentralizing it, the need to have a decentralized police for effective federal system. The important thing is that some of us have done our best even in a hostile environment but I think we will continue to do our best now that we know we have a strong system in place with the emergence of Buhari.

ANOTHER BOMBSHELL! HOW DSS CONSPIRED WITH EX-PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO EXONERATE SENATOR ALI MODU SHERIFF AS BOKO HARAM SPONSOR!

Over the past 5 days, the CUPS organisation has published documents showing the DSS's complicity in detonating deadly bombs, targeted killings, mass hacking into citizen's mobile phones and computers including those of his Excellency the President, elections rigging, vandalism, assault and inflicting grievous bodily harm, abductions, unlawful detentions, and tantrums and rampages at beer parlours, among others.
The CUPS organisation has obtained yet another damning evidence proving the fact that the DSS under its current DG, Ita Ekpeyong, is nothing but a treasonous criminal agency giving comprehensive support to the Boko Haram insurgency and its sponsors.
In early 2013 there was agitation by Nigerians that Ali Modu Sheriff was one of the Boko Haram sponsors, and must therefore be arrested and tried accordingly. This was preceded by a spate of bombings and targeted killings in the North East that were directly linked to him.
To cover up for their partner in crime, the DSS high command embarked on a bogus fact finding mission to establish the “truth”. After several months of wasting tax payers' money traveling across the North East, supposedly interviewing security chiefs, the DSS produced a shambolic report not worth the paper it was written on. In that report, they completely absolved Ali Modu Sheriff of any wrong doing. It was therefore not surprising that when in September 2014, when the Australian peace negotiator, Reverend Canon Dr. Stephen Davis, made his famous allegations identifying Lieutenant General Onyabor Azubuike Ihejirika and Ali Modu Sheriff as Boko Haram sponsors, his serious allegations were swiftly rejected by Marilyn Ogar of the DSS in a press conference.
Below is the “conclusion and findings” of the DSS investigation, which was addressed to President Jonathan, dated April 2013.
“Former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has never been part of the Boko Haram Terrorist Sect. We found out that all the victim of terrorist violence in Borno and Yobe States, especially the VIP’s are members of the ANPP Party, a party that Modu Shariff belongs to. And all the while, when he was the Governor of the state, he tried his best to control and diffuse the tension. This was corroborated by security chiefs interviewed in the state. And as we submit this report, Your Excellency may wish to know that Ali Modu Sheriff is now a marked man by the BHT. If he were involved with them, they wouldn’t make him a marked man. If they had a chance, they would kill him instantly. The issue of BHT is highly politicized. But on findings on the ground in Borno and Yobe states did not link Ali Modu Sheriff with the Boko Haram sect. Rather he is their no. 1 enemy. Mr. President should disregard those that are politicizing the BH issue. Mr. President should rather engage Alhaji Modu Sheriff to find a lasting peace in Borno and Yobe states, because he is a well-respected figure in the North east. Please accept Sir, the assurances of our esteemed regards.”
CUPS remarks: Going by all the leaked documents we published over the past 5 days including this latest one, which is by no means the last one, it is evidently clear that the DSS has been operating as a dangerous terror organisation using Nigeria's resources to destroy Nigeria and Nigerians. It must therefore be disbanded and reconstituted with immediate effect. His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, must show Nigerians and the rest of the world that he is a strong, visionary, and competent leader, who has the capacity to make though and decisive decisions in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians when the need arises.
May God save Nigeria and Nigerians. Amen.
Dr. Idris Ahmed.
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Email: idris.ahmed@outlook.com
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19/06/2015

Northern Traditional Rulers Promised To Assist Buhari

Clement Ejiofor,

Traditional northern monarchs, who have visited President Muhammadu Buhari on June 23, promise their support to the government’s battle against insecurity, economy crisis.

The Northern traditional rulers arriving for a meeting with President Muhhamadu Buhari

The Gbong Gwong Jos, Jacob Gyang-Buba, told newsmen that it was a politeness visit to Buhari by the Northern leaders and not a meeting.
His words: “Traditional rulers from the North deemed it fit to come to congratulate Mr President, pray with him and of cause, assure of our total support and resolve to work with the government, to enable it surmount the various problems that are facing Nigeria.”

Gyang-Buba added that the traditional rulers all determine the fact that there are so many challenges, but that they need braveness to work them out.
According to him the traditional rulers were hoping that Nigeria’s leader would use his sense of sincerity toward his assignment and that Nigerians would make forfeit to enable Buhari’s government success.
“We want to count on his record of sincerity and to work with him, cooperate with him, and we are calling on all Nigerians to appreciate that we all need to make sacrifices for us to move forward.
“That is the assurance we came to give Mr President.
“We intend to go back to our various communities to mobilise them to cooperate, particularly to do with security and of cause, whatever can be done about the economy,’’ the monarch said.
On his own turn, ex-comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service said that the president assured traditional rulers to cooperate in his development agenda.
“Mr president gave assurance as he has always done.’’

He stated that Buhari “is not a person to be afraid of giving assurances, and with good intent at that’. That is why we all need to rally round and work together, so that we can overcome by the Grace of God.”
During electoral campaign Muhammadu Buhari said that the insecurity, bad economy and corruption are the most pertinent of the grievous challenges that Nigeria grapples with and must be tackled before the country can chalk out any path to development.

Buhari One-Term Pledge Tears APC Apar

Akpan Jeremiah,

The  decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve only one term is said to be  responsible for the brewing crisis within the the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as major bigwigs  are fighting hard to retain control of the party’s machinery ahead of 2019 general elections.

According to Daily Times, this has made politicians to start forming informal alliance gearing to 2019 general elections. The report stated that this in-fighting within the ruling party might  distract the president  on his mission to bring the needed change to the Nigeria’s people.
It  was gathered that the decision of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to thwart efforts of   candidates presented by the APC for the position of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has serious link to the 2019 Presidential contest.

According to a Source within the ruling party said , ” the decision of President Buhari not to run in 2019 is already tearing the party into shreds as potential aspirants for the office are already mobilizing across parties and geo- political zones to forge a realignment for the contest.”
“The visit by Akpabio and Agbaje to the Abuja residence of Atiku, according to information pieced together in Abuja, is the beginning of the much-expected realignment and coming together of former PDP political heavy weights across the nation before the commencement of the onslaught on the factionalized APC.”

The reports said that the  visit of  Senate President, Bukola Saraki, shortly after being sworn in confirmed that Atiku was one of those that backed Saraki’s emergence. It was also gathered that Atiku is still aspiring for the presidency; noting  that decision of Buhari to run for one term has further inspired him to start making moves to realise his dream among the political divides.

It  was further stressed that the main reason why Bola Ahmed Tinubu was against Saraki’s emergence was his alleged opposition to the choice of Professor Yemi Osibanjo as then running mate for Buhari. Saraki’s was reportedly gunning for former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi. But it took  the intervention of former president Obasanjo before the opposition to Osibanjo was lay to rest.
The report revealed  that Tinubu is already working on the background to ensure that Atiku does not become the Chairman of APC Board of Trustee  in order to checkmate Atiku’s growing influence within the party. While, Atiku is using his vast contacts within and outside the party to clinch the  leadership position.

APC Crisis: Party Chieftains Gang Up Against Tinubu

Jerrywright Ukwu

Former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu may lose the popular appellation “National Leader of the All Progressives Congress” attached to his name. 
This is because some APC big wigs are planning a convention, that will amend the party’s  constitution which will allocate the position to President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to The Union, Tinubu may be forced to drop the title if there must be peace within the party. Although the position he will occupy afterwards has not been determined.

The leadership of the party is set to alter the structure of the party and its principal officers’ positions in order to make them function within the ambits of the party’s constitution.

Part of the restructuring, according to a source is the National Leader of the Party, which Tinubu currently occupies.
No such position reportedly exists in the party’s constitution and as such, the position has somewhat become anachronistic with the new image of the party as the ruling party working to have a national outlook.

Those pushing for the change say President Buhari should become National leader of the party, Governors and Local government Chairpersons would function as such at the states and local government levels.
The move by the party chieftains is reportedly because of  Tinubu’s overbearing attitude and their plans are meant to tame him.
The source said, “the political wizardry with which he consummated the merger, first between the President’s Congress for Progressive Chance (CPC) and his Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), before the rump of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led by Governor Rochas Okorocha and All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), led by Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and later the new-PDP, earned the respect of the party rank and file. But as the party grew, he became too fast-paced in his dealings for many to catch up, some getting dazed in the wake of his tactics.

“After the emergence of the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, Buhari as party presidential candidate at the November 2014 party Convention and the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, all through his support, his deep involvement in the scheming for the leadership of the NASS, rankled the party leaders, particularly from the north. Enough is enough”, said the source who opined that “our party needs a bigger face beyond Tinubu and his magisterial style.”

Meanwhile, Tinubu has raised an alarm over a plot by some people to turn him against Buhari.