Politics
TINUBU: Catholic priest supports Muslim-Muslim ticket, says it’s political dexterity
…Urges aggrieved persons to join Labour Party
By Paul Eso
Following the outrage that greeted the unveiling of former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, by the party’s flag bearer, Bola Tinubu, popular Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Oluoma Chinenye John, has described the move as a political dexterity.
Nomination of Shetitima means that the APC is flying a Muslim-Muslim ticket as both Tinubu and his running mate are members of Islamic faith.
The Muslim-muslim ticket has generated lots of concerns and vociferous outrage from mostly Nigerians of southern region and perhaps, the Northern Christian minority.
This is the first time in 30 years that such pairing by a major political party will occur. The last was in 1993 general election dubbed June 12, in which the late MKO Abiola, a Muslim from the South West ran with Babagana Kingibe, also a Muslim from the North East. They received massive votes from across the country to win the election adjudged to be the most freest, fairest and credible election in the history of Nigeria.
The APC presidential candidate said the spirit of June 12 was upon the country. He’s hopeful that Nigerians would replicate the 1993 outing by massively voting for him and his party in the next year’s presidential election irrespective of religious and tribal leanings.
Reacting through his verified Facebook page, the priest, popularly known as Fada Oluoma, said the move by the ruling party has nothing to do with religion but for electoral victory.
He however, counselled those who are not happy with the APC’s arrangement and or tired of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to join the political revolution being driven by the Labour Party.
READ ALSO: Who is Senator Kashim Shetima, Tinubu’s running mate
“I honestly do understand why some persons feel scared about it, however, I refuse to validate or consolidate that fear for some reasons. APC is just one party, we have other parties in Nigeria. One of the beauties of democracy is the availability of options. Crying over APC’s candidates in the midst of other candidates questions our readiness to change the status quo or our capacity to make and accept informed decisions.
“There’s only one major reason behind the Muslim-muslim ticket by the APC; electoral victory. Without a Muslim VP, the APC will lose significant votes from the North and probably lose the entire presidency. This is the fear and the reason for a Muslim VP. Don’t let anyone beguile you to make it a religious problem, if you do, you will keep losing the big picture.
“I’ll never reduce this issue to religious problem, it’s more of political dexterity. The APC chose electoral votes over religious sentiments. Of course, the party knows a number of christians will be offended, but they still went ahead probably knowing that the mathematics of more votes favour them in this issue more than feelings.
“If you don’t like it, you are right. Crying and bemoaning it? That’s where you and I separate. There’s Labour party that is driving a political revolution, invest in it, be part of it, preach it and convert others if PDP and APC don’t appeal to you.
Whether this is a smart move by APC or not depends on voters. If it’s a bad strategy, it’s the APC that should bemoan it, not you an independent voter. Even card carrying members of a party are not forced to vote the candidates of their party”, the cleric opined.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: PDP Crisis Deepens as Appeal Court Upholds Ban on Ibadan Convention
According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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