Politics
Muslim-Muslism Ticket: Mass resignation hits APC over choice of VP
By Paul Eso
Obviously, the choice of the former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, for the 2023 general elections did not go down well with some of the members, leaders and other stakeholders of the party.
The APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a Muslim from the South West, had on Sunday announced Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East as his running mate.
Tinubu made the announcement while speaking with journalists in Daura, Katsina State, after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, the gale of resignation that greeted the party since Sunday is a confirmation that things are falling apart in the party following the choice of Shettima.
At the last count, over 10 prominent APC members across the country have resigned from the party to register their displeasure over the Muslim – Muslim pairing. Few hours after the announcement, a chieftain of APC and legal practitioner, Daniel Bwala, announced the resignation of his membership of the party. Bwala made the announcement on Sunday night amid wide condemnation and rejection that trailed the party’s decision.
The legal practitioner took to his Twitter page to say, “Tonight, I officially resigned my membership of @OfficialAPCNg on principles and conviction that I hold so dear. At this time of our national existence, our efforts and energy should gravitate towards uniting our people.”
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.
He said: “It is very irresponsible of Tinubu to take his political survival over the stability and peace of Nigeria. For Tinubu now to be given the ticket and turn around to do what he couldn’t achieve in 2015 despite opposition from Catholics and other Christian leaders is extremely irresponsible.”
Another chieftain of the party and a veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, also resigned his membership.
Okonkwo in a letter shared on his Instagram page on Monday wrote: “Recall that I joined the APC because of its Constitutional vow, as true progressives and patriots, to eliminate all forms of discrimination and social injustice in Nigeria…
“Those ideals are now alien to the APC, with their unfortunate decision to paint our Muslim brothers in bad light, by insinuating that the Muslims in Nigeria will not accept or vote for a Northern Christian as vice president to pair with a Southern Muslim. If Muslims could vote voluntarily for Southern Christian Presidents, it is then a fallacy to insinuate that they cannot accept a Northern Christian vice president. This will permanently destroy the political viability of Northern Christians in Nigeria, if allowed to stand.”
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.
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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.
According to Princewill, “While I appreciate my leader Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party, in fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides.”
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, a 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.
The retired Air Force chief, who is also a national caucus member of the APC in a statement, described the decision as “the highest level of insensitivity to the Christian faith in the country.”
With permutations for 2027 elections already play high on the cards of Nigerian politicians, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is banking on Edo and Delta States to team up and swing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Biztellers reports that his calculation is informed by the massive defection of notable politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in both States.
Gov Okpebholo made the assertion while welcoming the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, who led the members of the Unity Group to join the APC.
Notable among other party stalwarts at the occasion were the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and the party’s South-South leaders.
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According to Okpebholo “just like Edo, Delta is ready to witness practical governance under APC.”
Beaming with joy, Gov Okpebholo added, “It is our turn to shine in the South South. It is now your turn in Delta. It is happening here, as it happened in Edo State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing very well for the nation. He is repairing the foundation of the country for better prosperity. Because of that, in Edo State, we have started. We said 2027 is already possible. It is also possible here in Delta. I am here to welcome my brother, Chiedu Ebie.
“Chiedu is an intelligent young man who knows when to move. It is time for Delta to move, and it is starting here with Ika people.”
Receiving the decampees, Alh Ganduje, described the Delta Unity Group as great fighters of democracy, who have provided a strong vehicle that will lead APC to the Delta State Government House in 2027.
According to the APC national Chairman, “we have the three Senators now. We have members of the House of Representatives and State Assembly members, and over 60 percent of the followers of PDP have now joined the APC. We are assured of taking over this State come next election.
“We are not surprised because of the timber and caliber of politicians you have in Delta State in the APC. What we require now is unity. Unity of purpose and unity to win election. So we can provide quality governance to the people of Delta State.
“Very soon, we will organize a stakeholders meeting for all those major stakeholders because they are all good people. They are all wise people. They are all intelligent people, and they are all democrats. So, all of them will be convened for unity, like the Delta Unity Group.”
On his part, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Ebie, noted that their conviction to join the party was borne out of the love for good governance and party inclusiveness which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated.
Earlier, while at the Palace of the Dein of Agbor, Dr Benjamin Ikenchukwu, the Keagborekuzi the first, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure peace and security across the country for the needed development in the country.
Present at the rally were Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko; Chairman House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Teke Ibori-Swenu; former Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege, among other party big wigs.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
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Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has strongly stated that there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027, reaffirming his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Idimogu, who served as the representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, shared his views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
His comments followed the recent declaration from an opposition group promising to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
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A steadfast member of the APC and deputy leader of the Ndigbo socio-cultural group in Lagos, Idimogu dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that no coalition of opposition leaders could pose a significant challenge to the president’s second-term aspirations.
“The ruling party has strong leadership and unwavering grassroots support that will carry us through to victory in 2027,” Idimogu stated, branding the opposition’s efforts as “futile.”
He further noted that power rotation between the North and South made it clear that it was the South’s turn to complete its eight years in office.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027, and I am appealing to all Northerners in the APC to support the president in completing his eight years,” he added.
In his assessment of the current administration’s progress, Idimogu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing positive developments such as better power supply, the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, and the implementation of policies that have helped reduce food prices and boost agricultural output.
“With the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal and the export drive, we are seeing tangible results. I don’t see any opposition candidate who can present a policy better than what Tinubu’s administration is already doing,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2027, Idimogu expressed his firm belief that he would be among those advocating for President Tinubu’s re-election, given the progress already made under his leadership.
Idimogu concluded by urging the opposition coalition to reconsider its stance, suggesting that they join forces with the president for the greater good of the nation.
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