APC got this one right

Few persons are more qualified to fill the large shoes Lai Mohammed left behind in the governing APC than Bolaji Abdullahi.

APC made the right call with this guy.

This former Sports Minister ticks all the boxes for the position of National Publicity Secretary of a major political party in the 21st century.

Born in 1969, Abdullahi bagged a B.Sc. in Mass Communications from the University of Lagos and a Masters Degree from the University of Sussex, UK.

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Abdullahi has served in various capacities in government circles--Special Assistant, Communication and Strategy to then Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki in 2005; Special Adviser to Governor Saraki on Policy and Strategy; Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology; and Minister of Youth, Sports in the federal cabinet in 2011.

Armed with youthful grace, charm and eloquence, Abdullahi also worked as a Journalist.

Between 1997 and 2000, he served in ThisDay Newspapers in various capacities--from a lowly reporter to Deputy Editor of one of Nigeria's leading titles.

He wrote gripping feature pieces, some of which earned him awards and wide acclaim.

Abdullahi knows how to wow an audience. He possesses a wry sense of humour and a broad smile.

Those who worked under him in the past also say he's a decent administrator and a good manager of men.

He's shown the capacity to work with younger Nigerians in the past--an asset that will serve him well in his new role.

The case can be made that he owes his rise to prominence to Senate President Bukola Saraki and that he is a dyed-in-the-wool ally of his protégé, but since when did it become a crime to be guided through the murky terrain that is politics by a godfather--albeit a smooth, cunning, untrustworthy one?

Abdullahi is all shades of smarts, though, and can be trusted to be his own man if push comes to shove.

After Lai Mohammed left the role of writing controversial press statements to serve in the Buhari cabinet, the APC has been scouring the land for a suitable replacement.

In smooth talking Abdullahi, they finally have their man.