The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has launched a fresh attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as a political strategy aimed at deceiving Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Adebayo argued that the 2023 presidential ticket was built on religious sentiment rather than competence, insisting that Nigerians are now more interested in electing leaders who can deliver justice, good governance and economic prosperity.

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According to him, the APC’s same-faith ticket has failed to meet the expectations of many Nigerians, including those who supported it because of the candidates’ religious affiliation.

“There is nothing like the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Even when the contraption was brought up four years ago and I was in Kano, I was asked the same question while meeting with the Ulamas.

“I told them that if you are hoping for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, you will be lucky to even have a single Muslim out of the two.”

Adebayo maintained that leadership in Islam is defined by justice and competence, not by a leader’s religious identity, describing the Tinubu-Shettima administration as a “zero-zero ticket.”

“It turned out now that it’s not a Muslim-Muslim ticket. From the point of view of Muslims in Nigeria, it is a zero-zero ticket because in Islam, what is expected of a leader in Islamic jurisprudence is not the religion of that leader but justice.”

The SDP flagbearer added that Islamic teachings encourage the appointment of only qualified and capable individuals to positions of responsibility.

“The reason why Muslims get involved in politics is to have a just society, and there are guidelines in Islamic jurisprudence regarding politics. In Islam, it is expected that if you are a good Muslim, you do not give public office or responsibility to anyone who is not fit for that.”

He further alleged that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was introduced to manipulate voters through religion instead of presenting credible leadership.

“The whole concept from the beginning was just to defraud the populace by using religious sentiment. What the North and all Nigerians are looking for is a righteous leader, no matter the person.”

Adebayo also criticised the current administration over the country’s socio-economic challenges, arguing that the religious composition of the presidency has not translated into justice or improved living conditions.

He referenced former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying even one of the prominent advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket has recently been seeking justice.

“So when you say you are looking for a Muslim-Muslim ticket and there is no justice anywhere, even one of the proponents, El-Rufai, who was celebrating it, he and his family are now crying for justice. That is the biggest irony you can have.”

He concluded that Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election are more concerned about competent leadership, fairness and better governance than the religious background of presidential candidates.

The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a thorough investigation into an incident involving security personnel attached to the convoy of Governor Francis Nwifuru following the circulation of a viral video on social media.

The video purportedly shows a confrontation between members of the governor’s convoy and occupants of a civilian vehicle along the Centenary City–Chiboy Motors axis of the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road.

According to available information, the incident occurred after a Toyota Camry reportedly collided with a motorcycle rider attached to the governor’s convoy, leaving the rider injured. The ensuing confrontation allegedly resulted in damage to the civilian vehicle.

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Reacting to the development, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, called on the Ebonyi State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

He urged security agencies to identify and interview those involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

The party also called on the Ebonyi State Government to provide clarification on the incident and disclose the identity and conduct of the security personnel involved.

In addition, the PDP urged relevant authorities to review the operational procedures and rules of engagement for security personnel attached to official convoys to ensure the safety of other road users.

Onwe said the party believes the public deserves a full account of what transpired and urged eyewitnesses and other persons with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.

Responding to the controversy, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, said “the viral video captured only part of the incident and did not present the complete sequence of events.”

He appealed to the public “to refrain from drawing conclusions until all the facts have been established.”

Oketa explained that official convoys, like ambulances, fire service vehicles and other emergency responders, are required to move swiftly in the interest of public safety and national security.

He noted that motorists are expected to comply with lawful traffic directives issued by police officers and convoy personnel to ensure the safe movement of official convoys and prevent accidents.

According to him, “Governor Francis Nwifuru remains committed to professionalism, respect for the rule of law and the protection of lives.”

He added that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being reviewed and urged road users “to remain patient, obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with emergency and security personnel in the interest of public safety.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially unveiled David Amapakaye Okumgba as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Rivers State.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Rivers State Chairman of the party, Chukwudi Dimgba, who confirmed that Okumgba will serve as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate and former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson.

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In a statement issued to journalists, Dimgba described Okumgba as a seasoned politician with extensive leadership experience in both the political and private sectors, expressing confidence in his ability to help drive the party’s vision for the state.

According to the party, the Pidomson-Okumgba ticket represents competence, experience, inclusiveness and a shared commitment to delivering good governance, accountability, economic growth, security and equal opportunities for all residents of Rivers State.

The ADC chairman highlighted Okumgba’s political credentials, noting that he previously served as South-South Zonal Secretary and South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary of a major political party.

He also chaired the Appeal Committee for Senatorial Primaries in Edo State and had earlier contested for a seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The party said Okumgba’s political experience, organisational capacity, interpersonal skills and deep understanding of Rivers State’s political landscape make him an ideal choice to partner with Pidomson ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Dimgba stated that the party believes the governorship ticket reflects the aspirations of Rivers people and offers the leadership and integrity needed to move the state forward.

He called on party members, supporters and residents of the state to embrace the Pidomson-Okumgba ticket and join the ADC’s campaign to build what he described as a government that truly serves the people.

The Rivers ADC chairman also assured that under his leadership, the party would continue to unite its members, inspire public confidence and work towards building a better future for the state ahead of the 2027 elections.