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Arewa Forum: Producing President In 2023 Not Exclusive Right Of South

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Wednesday said it was not the exclusive right of the South to produce the president in 2023.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Independent, Anthony Sani, a northern leader and the outgoing Secretary-General of the ACF, said there was no national consensus on zoning that was binding on political parties in the country.

According to him, since Nigeria was practising a multiparty democracy, each political party was free to zone its presidential ticket to any part of the country.

“In a multiparty democracy, it is political parties that field candidates for elective positions because there is no provision for independent candidates.

“And if any political party, in its winning game plans, fields a candidate from the South and majority of Nigerians vote for him, so be it! That would be democracy in action.

“I say so because the president coming from the South is not a matter of right, considering there is no national consensus on politics of identity symbolised by zoning that is binding on the political parties.

“As long as there is no national consensus on politics of identity symbolised by zoning that is binding on political parties, it is not possible to shut out any region or zone or state from the contest for the post of the president.

“Recall when President Obasanjo wanted to force politics of zoning on the nation by bringing the late President Umaru Yar’Adua from the North after the South, he had to use political blackmail to shut out people like former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili, from the South.

“And when President Yar’Adua died, one did not expect former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest with Muhammadu Buhari in 2011 and 2015, in the spirit of zoning. But he did.”

Also reacting to the statement made by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State that the presidency should rightly return to the Southern part of the country, Sani said the statement was El-Rufai’s personal opinion and not the general belief of the North.

The ACF scribe said, in the last presidential election, even when it was agreed that the North should produce presidential candidates, a large percentage of presidential candidates that participated in the 2019 elections were from the Southern part of the country.

“In 2019, it was thought that the spirit of zoning would leave the field for presidential candidates from the North, but there were over 70 candidates, most of them from the South.

“This is testament to the fact that there is no national consensus on zoning that is binding on political parties with exclusive preserve to field candidates for elective posts in our multiparty democracy. That is why what Governor El-Rufai has said is not more than his personal opinion,” he said.

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My children are my pillar of Life – Nollywood Actress Bukky Wright opens up on struggles with depression

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Veteran Nollywood actress Bukky Wright has opened up on her challenges and struggles with depression and how she overcame them.

Bukky Wright, during a discussion with media personality and comedian Teju Baby Face on the Teju Baby Face show, spoke about her battles with depression.

She disclosed how she was on depression medication to help curb the killing issue.

She revealed that her children had to step in and help her overcome the problem.

The versatile actress gushed on her children, calling them her first critique and pillar. She stated that she loved them all her life, and the same was reciprocated towards her.

Bukky Wright noted that her children urged her to stop stressing out and take time to have fun.

She said, “There was a time when I was depressed. Yes, I was taking depression antidepressants. But my children had to wean me out of it. They have always been my number one critique.

I don’t know if I could call my children my pillar of life and they know that I would love my life for them.

So, they tell me, hey, Iya, you have been loving your

life for us; now it is time to live for you. Enjoy yourself and have fun…”

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BREAKING: Tuface Idibia Reported Missing as Family Petitions DSS

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Nigerian music icon, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, has been declared missing by his family after leaving for his routine morning walk on February 10, 2025, and not returning home.

The Idibia family has petitioned the DSS, expressing concerns over unusual posts from his social media accounts soliciting funds, raising fears of abduction.

Amidst the turmoil, 2Baba’s mother, Mrs. Rose Idibia, has voiced her disapproval of his ties with Edo lawmaker Hon. Natasha Osawaru, attributing his actions to his ongoing divorce from Annie Idibia.

The family pleads with the public to provide any information on his whereabouts.

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Bukola Saraki Celebrates Son Seni’s Grammy Win

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Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has congratulated his son, Seni, on his victory at the 67th Grammy Awards.

Seni earned his first Grammy for his contribution to the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which won Best Reggae Album.

In a post on X, Saraki expressed his joy at seeing his son’s passion recognised on a global stage, adding that he is “super proud” of him.

“Congratulations, Seni, on winning your first Grammy last night for your work on the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which took home the award for Best Reggae Album!” he wrote.

“Seeing you pour your heart into your passion and having it recognised on the global stage is an indescribable joy. Well done! We are super proud of you!

Reacting to the win, Seni expressed gratitude to all the artists and producers who contributed to the project’s success, including Nigeria’s Wizkid and Bloody Civilian.

appreciate all the amazing artistes, producers and engineers who were brave enough to take on this project because it is about Bob Marley’s legacy,” he said.

“I appreciate them for taking on the songs, reinterpreting them, and doing it their own way. Artists like Bloody Civilian, Wizkid, Daniel Caesar, and Jessie Reyez.”

Bob Marley: One Love is a biographical film depicting the life of the reggae icon, exploring how he overcame adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.

This is not Seni’s first major industry recognition. In 2023, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, a project he worked on as a music consultant, earned four Grammy nominations.

A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Seni is the CEO of The Native, a Lagos-based music magazine he co-founded with Teni ‘Teezee’ Zaccheaus in 2016. The publication celebrates music, style, and art while championing African sounds and culture.

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