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Japan’s LDP elects Takaichi as new leader likely to be first female prime minister

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Sanae Takaichi, a former economic security minister and a right-wing figure in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been elected to lead Japan’s ruling party, making her the likely candidate to become Japan’s first female prime minister. She defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in a run-off vote. The parliamentary vote to formally elect the new prime minister is expected to take place on October 15.

Takaichi, 64, is a protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and aligns with a conservative vision for Japan. While her victory is historic as the first female leader of the LDP, critics note her generally conservative stance on social issues. In the past, she has supported the LDP’s view of women serving as good mothers and wives, and she opposes social reforms such as same-sex marriage, patrilineal imperial succession laws, and allowing married couples to have separate surnames.

She has, however, recently spoken about the need to educate men about female health issues like menopause to better support women in school and at work, and during her campaign, she promised to increase female representation in her cabinet. Some experts are skeptical, suggesting she may not actively champion women’s rights or gender equality policies, despite her prior role as Minister for Gender Equality, and may be primarily focused on following the right-wing agenda of her mentor.

As the new leader, Takaichi faces significant domestic and international challenges. Domestically, she must work to regain public trust in the LDP following recent election losses that left the coalition without a majority in both houses of parliament. Key issues she will need to address include an aging population, a faltering economy, and growing public anxiety about rising prices and immigration.

During the campaign, both Takaichi and Koizumi appealed to voters concerned about immigration, with Takaichi stating that Japan should “reconsider policies that allow in people with completely different cultures and backgrounds.” Economically, Takaichi has historically favored aggressive monetary easing and big fiscal spending, policies similar to “Abenomics,” though she has recently tempered her stance.

On the international front, Takaichi, known as a China hawk and a wartime history revisionist who regularly visits the Yasukuni Shrine, may face complicated diplomatic relations with China and South Korea.

Her “Japan First” policy is seen as aligning with the “America First” policy of U.S. President Donald Trump, and a diplomatic meeting with him is anticipated in late October, where he may pressure Japan to increase its defense spending. She will also need to secure cooperation from opposition lawmakers, particularly more centrist groups, to govern effectively since the LDP-led coalition no longer holds a parliamentary majority.

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2027: Why I want to succeed Sanwo-Olu as governor –Jandor

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The Lagos State 2023 Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, a.k.a Jandor, says his ambition to become the next governor of the state is in a bid to further promote inclusive governance and development in the state.

The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.

Jandor said his aspiration is not merely about ambition but about articulating a shared vision for the future of Lagos.

“It is about stewardship, about building a Lagos where opportunity, innovation, and prosperity are accessible to all,” Adediran said.

He added that he is eyeing Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s seat to further strengthen accountability, transparency, and service delivery, stressing that he was a firm believer in party supremacy and would subordinate his aspiration to the party’s decisions for 2027.

According to him, his team will be working tirelessly to ensure that the APC not only succeeds electorally but also delivers meaningfully for the people of Lagos.

“Today, we are in APC and we are happy to return home where we belong. In 2023, I ran for the topmost office in the state.

“I was on the ballot, not an accidental candidate. I picked the ticket to be governor in 2023 of a major political party, which is the PDP, and we have not departed from that path.

“I am also here in APC to continue where we stopped. I am running. I’m running in 2027 for governorship in Lagos state.

“We will subject ourselves to the internal democracy of the party in APC, and whatever the party decides, we’re going to work for the party. I am running for governor of Lagos state in 2027 under APC,” he added.

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2027: You can’t match Tinubu – Jandor tells Jonathan

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The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general elections, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, aka Jandor, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan not to heed calls to contest the presidential poll in 2027.

Jandor, Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, gave this advise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

According to him, Jonathan would be taking a political risk by contesting, predicting he would be reduced to a minnow by President Bola Tinubu at the polls.

Jandor urged the ex-president to stay in retirement.

He further told Jonathan that those telling him to run against Tinubu were deceiving him, reiterating that Tinubu is a master in the game of politics, who cannot be defeated by Jonathan or any other figure in 2027.

“I disagree with people calling on Jonathan to re-contest, people saying Jonathan is the only person who can challenge Tinubu, citing his popularity and experience.

“It was this same man (Tinubu) who defeated him (Jonathan) from the outside. So, they are not the same. If you accidentally found yourself at the Aso Villa as President, it is different from somebody who gave his all to get there.

“It is different from somebody who, against all odds, got there. They did all sorts for him not to get there, and he got there. Such a man, cannot be put side by side with somebody who just slept and woke up and found himself on the seat of President,” he said.

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Tinubu playing games, can’t fix Nigeria without dismantling 1999 constitution – PDP’s Adetokunbo

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adetokunbo Pearse, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as deceptive assurances to Nigerians amid worsening economic hardship.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Pearse said President Tinubu’s recent statement that “the worst is over” was “reckless and irresponsible,” considering the tough realities Nigerians face daily.

“Tinubu is playing games with Nigerians, telling us everything will be okay tomorrow. We have been hearing that for a long time, but things are only getting worse. We are not solving our problems.”

He added that president Tinubu cannot succeed in rebuilding Nigeria unless he replaces the 1999 Constitution, which he described as a product of military rule.

Pearse argued that Nigeria’s challenges stem from an “illegitimate 1999 Constitution,” which he described as a “military-imposed document” that has hindered growth, weakened security, and concentrated too much power in the hands of the federal government.

“The 1999 Constitution is a fabrication of the military. It does not represent democracy or development,” he said.

“For 26 years, it has restrained economic growth and left states unable to develop their resources.”

He urged the federal government to revisit the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, stressing that Nigeria does not need another expensive confab but the political will to implement past agreements.

“We must devolve power to the states. Let them develop their human and material resources without begging the federal government for permission,” he said. “This constitution keeps all major minerals in an exclusive list controlled by Abuja, and that’s why our economy is not growing.”

He also raised the alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security situation saying the country is gradually drifting into a failed state.

“Many parts of Nigeria are controlled by terrorists. If you cannot even go into your own community to control it because we don’t have state police, then anything can happen to anybody at any time.”

Pearse added that true independence and progress would only be achieved when Nigeria returns to a system that gives states more autonomy and ends what he called a disguised military rule.

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