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2023: APC may replace Shettima as VP candidate over Muslim-Muslim ticket

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Muslim-Muslim ticket winning option for Tinubu – APC Chieftain

By Paul Eso

Following the sudden postponement of the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as the running mate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, speculations are rife that the party may have jettisoned the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

APC on Thursday, postponed the unveiling ceremony without giving any reasons. Also, no new date has been announced for the unveiling.

Tinubu had on Sunday, announced Shettima as his running mate on Sunday, saying the former Borno State Governor was picked to enable good governance.

He said he prioritised national growth and development above “religious sentiments” in picking Shettima.

According to him, Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that “he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all-important electoral victory”.

The APC presidential candidate recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in “one of our fairest elections ever held”.

He explained that if we truly understood the challenges upon Nigeria, citizens would place competence in governance above religious sentiment.

“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” he added.

However, the APC had failed to officially announce Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate four days after.

Recall that controversy greeted Shettima’s choice as some northern governors and other stakeholders in the party expressed reservations.

Also, many prominent Nigerians and groups including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, faulted the selection of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, warning the APC against having a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

These concerns have led to mass resignations from the party.

As at the time of filing this report, no fewer than 10 APC members have resigned their membership of the party to register their displeasure over the same faith pairing.

Few hours after the announcement, a chieftain of the party and legal practitioner, Daniel Bwala, announced the resignation of his membership of the party.

Also, a member of Tinubu Support Group and senator representing Adamawa North, Elisha Abbo, while resigning from the party, expressed his disgust with Tinubu’s choice of Shettima describing it as irresponsible.

READ ALSO: Shettima’s Visionary, Detribalised posture is an advantage for APC Presidential Ticket

A chieftain of the party and a veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, also resigned his membership.

Similarly, some strong supporters and allies of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, such as Prince Tonye Princewill, former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, Dawari George, Marvin Yobana, Nkemka Amadi and Robinson Elechi, have started dumping the APC in Rivers State.

This development comes just a few days after he appealed to his supporters not to be angry but to cast their votes for the APC in the 2023 elections.

Princewill in a letter addressed to his APC ward 3 Chairman in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers, disclosed that his resignation was in connection with the choice of Muslim vice presidential candidate by the party’s presidential candidate.

Also, Semenitari, a former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in her resignation letter wrote: “I write to resign my membership of APC with effect from today. I appreciate the friendship, camaraderie and opportunities that this platform has provided me to serve my state, region and country even as I wish the party well.”

Furthermore, another chieftain of the party in Delta State, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena (retd.), has also joined the increasing number of the APC members who has dumped the ruling party in protest against the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

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‘We’ll Bring Back Subsidy in Our Own Way’ — Kwankwaso

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Former Kano State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said an NDC government would bring back fuel subsidy if elected in the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso made the declaration during an exclusive interview with ARISE Correspondent, Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie.

SEE ALSO: ‘Obi Has Nowhere to Hide’ — APC Campaign Council Tackles Peter Obi Over Anambra Record

The former governor said the subsidy would not necessarily return in the same form as the previous system, stressing that the NDC would adopt its own approach to reduce the cost of petrol for Nigerians.

“We’ll bring back subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said.

He added that the party would do “whatever it takes” to bring down the price of fuel.

Kwankwaso also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy at the beginning of his administration, describing the policy and its consequences as having left Nigeria in a “total mess, economically.”

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, triggering a major shift in petrol pricing and subsequent increases in the cost of transportation, goods and services.

The policy has remained a major subject of political and economic debate, with the Federal Government maintaining that subsidy removal was necessary to reduce the financial burden on the country, while critics have argued that it has worsened economic hardship.

Kwankwaso, who is running alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on the NDC ticket, said bringing down fuel prices would be a priority under an NDC administration.

The former Kano governor also took a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar while discussing Nigeria’s refineries.
According to Kwankwaso, “Atiku would sell our refineries to his friends.”

His comments come as political parties and presidential contenders begin to intensify their positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with economic hardship, fuel prices, subsidy policy and the future of Nigeria’s refineries expected to remain major campaign issues.

 

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Adeleke Celebrates First Lady Oluremi Tinubu

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the auspicious occasion of her 66th birthday, celebrating her as a remarkable example of devotion to nation building.

According to a government house statement in Osogbo on Monday, Gov Adeleke notes with reverence Senator Tinubu’s refreshing history of outstanding service and contributions to public good, praising her as a distinct voice in the advocacy for inclusive governance and a visible hand in the quest to build a country that serves all.

READ ALSO: Why Ondo is Buying Dangote Shares for 500 Citizens

He hails the first lady for the frontline roles she played in shaping legislations that empowers women and expanded opportunities for young people as a senator and currently in her role as the Mother of the Nation, recalling with nostalgia the partnership he enjoyed from Senator Tinubu while in the Senate.

“I join family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate a symbol of excellence, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the joyous occasion of her 66th birthday. Senator Tinubu was a lawmaker per excellence, using legislation to address past failings and setting the pathway for a prosperous future for both the nation and its people” Gov Adeleke noted.

“As the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Tinubu has proven to be the mother of all, galvanising interests irrespective of the political divide towards the ultimate purpose of moving Nigeria forward. As a Senator, she was truly pan-Nigerian and as a First Lady, she is an excellent nation builder.

“As she turns 66 today, I honour her life of incredible service and contributions, and more importantly, praise her for sharing in the burden of serving Nigerians with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and charting the course for Nigeria that will serve all.”

Gov Adeleke prays to Almighty God to bless the first lady with more rewarding years in good health and sound mind while she continues to stay by the side of our beloved President Tinubu, offering the needed strength in his enviable pursuit of a prosperous Nigeria.

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‘Obi Has Nowhere to Hide’ — APC Campaign Council Tackles Peter Obi Over Anambra Record

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#NigeriaDecides: Obi Leads With 6 Of 8 LGs Declared In Plateau

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has launched a fresh attack on former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, over his administration’s financial record, accusing him of failing to fully account for the state’s liabilities when he left office.

The APC campaign council, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Dele Alake, on Monday, September 21, 2026, said recent disclosures by the Anambra State Government had challenged claims that Obi left the state without a debt burden.

SEE MORE: The Soludo, Obi Spat – When Brothers Fight to the Finish

According to the council, the Anambra State Government disclosed that Obi spent about $4.05 billion, equivalent to N5.4 trillion, during his eight years as governor and contracted $123.77 million in external loans.

It further claimed that eight external borrowing facilities for projects covering malaria control, erosion management, education and healthcare were outstanding when Obi left office on March 17, 2014.

The APC council said subsequent administrations, including that of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, continued to service the obligations.

Alake argued that while borrowing was not inherently wrong when used for development, the issue was significant because of Obi’s long-standing public image as a financially prudent leader and his alleged claim that he left Anambra without a debt burden.

The statement also raised allegations concerning unpaid salaries during Obi’s tenure.

Alake cited a memo purportedly written by Obi’s then Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam, dated April 25, 2006, appealing to the former governor to pay N15 million in monthly salaries owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation.

According to the APC spokesman, the memo warned that the workers could protest at the Governor’s Office over the unpaid salaries.

The statement quoted Ileogbunam as appealing to Obi to consider the welfare of the affected workers and their families.

The APC campaign council further claimed that Obi had promised during his campaign for governor that he would resign if there was any case where workers were not paid as and when due.

Against that backdrop, Alake challenged Obi to honour what he described as his previous commitment to withdraw from the presidential race if it was established that his administration left liabilities behind in Anambra.

“Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra,” Alake said.

The APC spokesman also criticised Obi over a recent solidarity visit to an individual facing an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) trial, questioning the political implications of the visit.

The latest statement comes amid an ongoing dispute over the financial record of Obi’s eight-year administration in Anambra.

The Anambra State Government has maintained that records show external loans contracted during Obi’s tenure remained outstanding after he left office, while the issue has become a major point of political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC campaign council urged Obi to address the allegations and account for his administration’s financial record rather than continue to project himself as a leader who left Anambra without liabilities.

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