Politics

2023: Don’t Dream About Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Group Warns Tinubu, Others

Published

4 years ago

December 14, 2021

Group known as Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has described as “insensitive and selfish,” thoughts of fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for presidency in the 2023 general election, warning that such moves will be massively resisted.

NOSCEF expressed this in a statement signed by its chairman, Engineer Ejoga Oyinehi Inalegwu, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday December 14, 2021.

“The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) read with concerns the reported meeting of a frontline politician with some Northern Elders, advocating a Muslim/Muslim ticket, if given the Presidential ticket and many days after, the report has not been refuted.

“We wonder which Northern Elders were in the said meeting.
Let us recall the Chief Abiola Alhaji Kingibe Muslim-Muslim ticket that won the election in a military imposed two-party system in 1993. Majority of Nigerians, including myself voted for that ticket because, a vote for that ticket was a vote for fairness, equity, justice and power rotation between North and South, South East and North East,” the statement said.

They submitted that at the previous election, Alhaji Shehu Shagari (North West)/Dr. Ekwueme (South East) ruled Nigeria and Abiola/Kingibe therefore, meant power shifting between North and South and in the North, power shifting from North West to North East and in the South, from South West to South East.

“Remember there were no other alternatives since it was a two party system.

“Therefore, the same injustice, inequity, marginalization that Nigerians fought against to vote a Muslim–Muslim ticket cannot now be promoted by voting same Muslim-Muslim or Christian- Christian ticket,” it said.

NOSCEF said that it is deeply concerned about this kite being flown again.

“When we remember the speculated rift between Senator Bukola Saraki and the clique that had pressed in 2015 for a Buhari/Tinubu Muslim-Muslim ticket, which Saraki and many like-minded patriots had considered insensitive in the Nigerian state.

“Linking it with the North West, would remind observing Nigerians, who have seen how a similar insensitivity has deepened the divide and mistrust in the North West state,” they pointed out.

The group said that they had identified with the President in his call for unity and therefore, condemn in strong terms, any move that will further aggravate the lines of divide for selfish political gains at the expense of a peaceful and united Nigeria.

“We appeal to all Nigerians across party, regional, ethnic and religious divides to rise up and mobilize the citizenship against any inconsiderate politician or political grouping, seeking to promote exclusion and marginalization of any section of our country.

“Those that do not wish Nigeria well have no business seeking its leadership,” they warned.

They added that such politicians would make every attempt to manipulate Nigerians as a people, through double talks and deceit but, “we trust that God who put us together for a great nation, will defeat them in all their antics/craftiness and bring to pass the expectations of true and patriotic Nigerians seeking a truly united and prosperous Nigeria.”

They, therefore, tasked Nigerians to pray that anyone who plans to rise to power by fueling the embers of discrimination, using the instrumentation of religious ethnic differences will fail, because God is greater and wiser than any manipulation of man.

“NOSCEF being mindful of the various crisis that has bedeviled our nation to date calls on all Nigerians to be vigilante and prepared to defeat the enemies to our peaceful co-existence without regard to party affiliation and persuasion.

“Remember that loyalty to the nation Nigeria, ranks far above loyalty to any party.

“The nation is in dire need of a selfless, considerate, sensitive, honest, transparent leader who will unite, bind, heal the wounds that have posed a great danger to our corporate existence as a nation, integrate and foster lasting bonds of unity of our dear country.

“We need politicians across party lines and all peace loving Nigerians across religious, regional and ethnic divides to reject politicians sowing seeds of further polarization and work for/align with inclusiveness, unity, equity, fairness, justice.

“This might even entail going against regional and party affiliations to drive home the point that power is giving in trust for the good of the people not for self centered ambition.

“Anyone that is seeking the highest political office of the land at the expense of the peace the nation and building of tolerance amongst the diversity of our country, cannot lay claim to being a patriot and would therefore have no business being encouraged or voted to such a position.

“NOSCEF enjoins Nigerians to continue to pray for our country,” it concluded.

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Politics

2027: Why We Called On Goodluck Jonathan To Run For Presidency – Ohikere

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

Supporters of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan have explained why they marched to his office, urging him to run in the 2027 presidential election.

While addressing the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 in Abuja on Thursday, its National President, Tom Ohikere, said the group was motivated by concerns over the state of the country.

Ohikere, on behalf of the coalition, appealed to the former president to “save Nigeria from impending collapse.”

He recalled an earlier visit to Jonathan on April 8, 2026, during which the group first appealed to him to contest the 2027 election.

The coalition noted that it had yet to receive a clear response from the former president and expressed concern that he had not picked up a nomination form from any political party.

According to them, Jonathan should commit to the race, obtain a presidential nomination form from any party of his choice, and contest the election, pledging to mobilise support for him across the country.

“Last month, April 8, 2026, the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 paid a friendly visit to Your Excellency to urge you to run in the 2027 presidential election to save Nigeria from impending collapse. Though we did not meet you in person, we believe that our message was unreservedly passed on to you, as it was to the entire Nigerian people through the media.

“Since then, we have had little information as to whether you have yielded to our clarion call, as you have not yet, to our knowledge, picked up a nomination form for the presidential contest in any registered political party.

“Because of our genuine fear of a possible collapse of Nigeria, as peace and unity are now gradually eluding all of us, we decided to march to your office again today, hoping you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation.

“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election, sir. This mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of your supporters nationwide and represents every tribe, tongue, and religious belief in this country. We, young and old, girls and boys, men and women, are all here crying for your voice to say ‘yes’ to our request,” Ohikere said.

Recall that Jonathan had hinted at the possibility of returning to the presidential race in 2027, saying he would “consult widely” following growing calls for him to contest.

Jonathan made the remark while responding to members of the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 who marched to his office to urge him to run for president in the next general election.

“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely. But the most important thing is that Nigeria should have young people who will plan for our grandchildren,” Jonathan said.

Politics

Kaduna APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plot, Warns Against Imposition Of Candidate

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

One of the frontline aspirants for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, has alleged that ongoing moves to impose a consensus candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District are aimed at undermining the electoral fortunes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and weakening the ruling party ahead of future elections.

He warned that any attempt to sideline credible aspirants through what he described as a “scripted consensus arrangement” could trigger an internal crisis and hand political advantage to opposition parties in Kaduna Central.

In a statement personally signed in Kaduna on Thursday, Shettima maintained that he remains one of the strongest contenders in the race and enjoys widespread grassroots support across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

According to him, the alleged endorsement of former senator, Shehu Sani, as a consensus candidate was not only undemocratic but also a calculated move capable of hurting the APC’s unity and electoral strength in the state.

He insisted that Kaduna Central is too politically strategic for the party to gamble with imposition, stressing that only a transparent and credible process would produce a candidate with the legitimacy and acceptance needed to mobilise voters for the APC and President Tinubu.

“We strongly reject the so-called consensus arrangement in its entirety. Kaduna Central cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political manipulation and backroom deals,” Shettima declared.

The senatorial hopeful argued that denying party members the opportunity to freely choose their candidate through direct primaries amounts to undermining internal democracy, inclusivity, and fairness within the APC.

He warned that attempts to impose candidates against the wishes of party faithful could deepen disaffection among loyal members and create avoidable cracks capable of benefiting opposition parties during the general elections.

“There is growing concern among party supporters that some forces are working to weaken the APC from within. Any move that alienates committed stakeholders and grassroots members is dangerous and could ultimately affect President Tinubu’s political standing in Kaduna State,” the statement added.

He called on the national leadership of the APC, Governor Uba Sani, and other critical stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants seeking the Kaduna Central senatorial ticket.

He specifically demanded the adoption of direct primaries, insisting that party members must be allowed to determine who flies the APC flag in the contest.

He vowed to challenge any attempt to impose a candidate through “every legitimate political and legal means available”, while reaffirming his commitment to the APC and the success of President Tinubu and Uba Sani’s administrations.

He stressed that free, fair, and credible primaries remain the only path towards sustaining party unity, preserving internal democracy, and guaranteeing victory for the APC in Kaduna Central and beyond.

Politics

2Face’s Wife Natasha Idibia Dumps PDP

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

Hon. Natasha Osawaru-Idibia, the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and wife of music star 2Baba, has announced her defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

She disclosed the move during a visit to the residence of the party’s national chairman, Senator Seriake Dickson, where she formally aligned with the platform and got her membership card.

Osawaru-Idibia also confirmed the development in a post on her Instagram page, where she shared a picture of her visit alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

Before her defection, she was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and currently represents Egor Constituency in the 8th Edo State House of Assembly.