Politics

Running Mate: Confusion Engulfs APC, Tinubu Limits Search To Borno, Kano, Kaduna

Published

3 years ago

June 26, 2022

The confusion over the choice of the authentic running mate to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is deepening as he has returned to Abuja to continue consultations on the contentious issue.

Tinubu had returned to Lagos on Sunday, June 19, 12 days after he defeated a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, among others, to pick the APC presidential ticket.

Tinubu had in the days following his emergence visited all the contenders for the exalted seat in a bid to solicit their support and build unity in the party.

The APC candidate is expected to name his final running mate on or before the July 15 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission to replace Kabir Ibrahim Masari, whom he named as in ‘placeholder’ capacity.

As the deadline draws near, Tinubu, the APC and the Progressive Northern Governors’ Forum are said to be in a dilemma over the choice of an acceptable running mate as opposition continues to mount over a possible Muslim-Muslim ticket for the ruling party. They have however continued the search for a formidable candidate.

Masari, a chieftain of the APC in Katsina State, is a serving board member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had picked Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate; while the Labour Party candidate, peter Obi, settled for a former presidential spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, as his running mate in ‘placeholder’ capacity.

The New Nigeria People’s Party, on the other hand, settled for a legal luminary, Ladipo Johnson, to run alongside its presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Both LP and NNPP are still holding talks to have a joint ticket but they have yet to decide on who among Obi and Kwankwaso would be the candidate and the running mate.

However, Tinubu’s choice of running mate is generating controversies the most with different groups kicking against a potentially same faith ticket. The former Lagos State governor is a Muslim married to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Tinubu, who is from the South-West, is expected to pick his running mate from the North, which is dominated by Muslims. It is believed that Christian politicians from the region are not popular enough to garner massive votes.

The national stakeholders of the APC had urged the party to narrow the search for the vice-presidential candidate to a northern Christian, while the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, advised politicians to feel the pulse of the nation before settling for the next set of leaders.

According to him, political leaders need to make consultations, especially on speculations around Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian tickets for the presidential election.

“The Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket is a difficult and slippery area,” he said.

A group, Northern Nigeria’s Front for Equity and Good Governance, has also rejected the proposed Muslim-Muslim ticket.

While insisting that there are a number of Christian northerners that the APC can choose from, the group recommended that the search is narrowed down to the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, for the sake of equity and justice.

Leader of the group, Zakariya Abdul’aziz, noted that religion had never dictated the voting pattern of the North, adding that the region had always participated in national politics as a diverse but united entity with common goals.

A former Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Henry Ajomale, however, said the presidential candidate was set to unveil a Muslim as his running mate next month.

Speaking with The PUNCH in a telephone interview, Ajomale stated that the slot for the vice-presidential candidate, which is presently being held by would be filled by July 15.

Ajomale told one of our correspondents, “Although we are still consulting, it is certain that the APC will be flying a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“Masari, our placeholder, may likely be substituted before July 15. However, the destination is still between Borno State in the North-East and Kano/Kaduna states in the North-West. Either way, it will be a Muslim running mate.”

The names that have previously been mentioned in the three states are former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima and the incumbent governor, Prof Babagana Zulum. In Kano State, the governor, Abdullahi Ganduje is said to be on the list, while in Kaduna State, the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is being considered.

Ajomale maintained that the APC could not afford to gamble at such a critical moment when opposition candidates were desperately seeking an inroad to claim massive votes in the North.

He stated, “The truth is that Asiwaju has no choice. The majority of the northerners are Muslims and fielding a Christian northerner is a risk that can split his vote to give Atiku an edge. But if he settles for the former (a Muslim), they will troop out in large numbers to vote for him.”

Meanwhile, the synod of the Christian Reformed Church -Nigeria (CRC-N) on Saturday kicked against the proposed Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the APC.

The CRC-N synod said Nigeria was a secular state and that choosing a Muslim -Muslim ticket would come with consequences.

This was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the 154th General Church Council meeting signed by the President, Rev Isaiah Jirapye, and the General Secretary, Rev Sagarga Gargea.

It described the proposal by the APC as a calculated arrangement aimed at pushing Christians out of the political leadership of the country.

Group advocates Dogara

The Coalition for Peace and Progress has called for the nomination of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as Tinubu’s running mate.

Addressing journalists on Saturday in Kaduna, the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr Muhammad Chindo, said in keeping with the tradition of democracy, a lot of lobbying and search were ongoing to pick a capable and acceptable running mate for Tinubu.

He said such a candidate must be acceptable to the APC and the entire country.

“Above all, it is imperative that the future vice-president must be a Christian who can transcend primordial sentiments bordering on religion and the twin evils of tribalism and sectionalism in the country, for which Dogara is most appropriate,” he said.

Describing Dogara as a good Christian who would promote the cause of unity and togetherness among the diverse and heterogeneous citizens of Nigeria, Chindo said he was a viable candidate to run together with the APC presidential flag bearer.

Similarly, the General Overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission in Maitama, Abuja, and former Chaplain of Aso Villa during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Rev Williams Okoye, has said a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election will be the height of insensitivity because the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari, “has encouraged all kinds of bigotry and discrimination.”

Okoye, who is also the Director of the National Issues in the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the church would move completely against any political party that tried a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Okoye said, “It is the height of insensitivity for anybody to consider Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket at this time because since this government came into place and has encouraged all kinds of bigotry and discrimination, these things have been heightened.

“People are so sensitive now to religious matters and ethnicity. So, if you go and start talking now about a Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket, it shows you are not sensitive to what is going on with the feelings of the masses.”

A prominent member of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation also said the presidential candidate had reduced the search for his running mate to Borno, Kano and Kaduna states.

He said the need for further consultations made the former Lagos State governor to return to Abuja after his brief stay in Lagos.

The source said, “Asiwaju is back in Abuja. He needs to make further consultations on this issue of running mate. He will meet with all stakeholders like members of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, members of the APC in the National Assembly, former governors produced by the party and he will even have discussions with the President on the issue.

“The issue is dragging on for too long and we do not like it. That’s why the man hurriedly left Lagos for Abuja. He is no longer a Lagos man now, but a national figure working to become the President.”

CRPA issues warning

Meanwhile, the Centre for Reforms and Public Advocacy has said the Electoral Act, 2022 prevented political parties from withdrawing running mates.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by its Executive Director, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, the advocacy group observed that political parties fielding ‘placeholders’ had not taken time to study the amended Act.

According to him, the Act is clear on provisions for withdrawal and substitution of candidates, warning that sections 28 and 84 relate to only the candidates – presidential and governorship – and not their running mates.

He stated that substitution of candidates by political parties could only become possible in the case of withdrawal or death of presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assemblies’ candidates nominated by parties through valid primaries in accordance with sections 29 and 84 of the electoral law.

Okechukwu said, “Section 33 of the Electoral Act says, ‘A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the commission for the election concerned’; and to conform with Section 33, Section 29 must be adhered to, to ascertain categories of candidates captured.

“Section 29 in subsection (1) says ‘every political party shall, not later than 180 days before the date appointed for a general election under this Act, submit to the commission, in the prescribed forms, the list of candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, who must have emerged from valid primaries conducted by the political party’.”

The advocacy group leader enthused that it was no more business as usual for parties and their candidates as the current electoral law was stringent in many areas, especially on methods of political parties’ primaries, delegates, how withdrawal and substitution would be done and transmission of results, among others.

Okechuckwu added, “The current and subsisting electoral law does not capture a scenario that makes the possible substitution of associate candidates or running mates either by the account of voluntary withdrawal or death. Subsequently, any substitution of running mates nominated by presidential and gubernatorial candidates comes flat in the face of the law.

“While this might not have been a deliberate oversight, it must be accepted that the law is sacrosanct and nothing can be added or removed from it unless through amendment of sections 31 and 33 to make provision for that in the future.

“Until then, in accordance with section 31 which says, ‘A candidate may withdraw his or her candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered personally by the candidate to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the commission not later than 90 days to the election’.

“Section 33 states that only candidates who were nominated through valid primaries by political parties and whose names were submitted in accordance with Section 29 can withdraw and be substituted under the law, not running mates that were not nominated through any primaries but by presidential and gubernatorial candidates.”

PUNCH

Politics

2027: PDP Northern Group Endorses Jonathan For Presidency

Published

2 hours ago

October 9, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northern Support Group, a coalition of loyalists and affiliate organisations within the opposition party, has endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was among the key resolutions adopted at the group’s 8th meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, between Wednesday and Thursday, October 8–9, 2025.

The meeting drew participants from all 19 northern states to deliberate on the party’s state and strategies to strengthen it ahead of the 2027 polls.

In a communiqué signed by the Northern Coordinator, Hon. Yusuf Abubakar, and the North-West Zonal Secretary, Hon. Adamu Ahmed Narayi, the group described Jonathan as a unifying figure and symbol of peace and progress.

It lauded his leadership qualities, democratic values, and continued loyalty to the PDP.

“There is no going back on Goodluck Jonathan to redeem our party’s image in 2027. He remains a loyal party man who never abandoned the PDP and continues to command respect across the country,” the communiqué stated.

The group dismissed debates over Jonathan’s eligibility to recontest, maintaining that the issue had long been settled.

It also urged the PDP to embark on a coordinated media and grassroots mobilisation campaign, especially in the North, to promote Jonathan’s candidacy and highlight the potential benefits of his return to power.

The communiqué reaffirmed confidence in the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum, commending his ongoing reconciliation and peace-building efforts aimed at restoring unity within the party.

“We remain optimistic that the PDP is not beyond redemption. With genuine commitment and collective sacrifice, our great party will reclaim power at the national level and in other states currently under the APC,” it added.

However, the group expressed concern over what it termed “the negative conduct” of some party leaders allegedly undermining unity and reconciliation efforts. It accused certain National Working Committee (NWC) members of anti-party activities and “divided loyalties.”

The communiqué specifically mentioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging that his actions were divisive and detrimental to the PDP’s cohesion.

“Minister Nyesom Wike’s actions have been detrimental to the PDP’s unity despite his claims of being a member. His continued recruitment of party members to sow discord is unacceptable and must be addressed decisively,” the group stated.

It urged the PDP leadership to take disciplinary action against members sabotaging reconciliation efforts or collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reaffirming its commitment to party supremacy, the group said its loyalty remains with leaders genuinely devoted to rebuilding the PDP into a strong and united political force.

“The PDP retains strong grassroots support across the North. The party must seize this opportunity to rebuild its structures, restore its lost glory, and take bold steps to ensure unity, discipline, and progress,” the communiqué concluded.

Politics

JUST IN: Council Of State Meets As Tinubu Presents Nominees For INEC Chair

Published

2 hours ago

October 9, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a meeting of the Council of State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he is expected to present nominees for consideration as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The hybrid session, which began at 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, comes 48 hours after Prof. Mahmood Yakubu bowed out as INEC Chairman, ending his 10-year tenure that spanned two administrations and three general elections.

According to a draft agenda sighted by The PUNCH before the meeting went into a closed-door session, Tinubu will present three nominees for the Council’s consideration — Prof. Joash Amupitan, Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and Prof. Lai Olurede.

The three nominees, all legal and academic professionals, are being screened as possible successors to Yakubu.

The PUNCH earlier reported that at least five candidates underwent background checks by the Department of State Services and other security agencies.

Former Heads of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), joined the meeting virtually, while former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan had yet to join at the time of filing this report.

Those physically present include Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Also in attendance are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several state governors, with some represented by their deputies.

The Council of State, established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, advises the President on key national issues, including the appointment of the INEC Chairman, National Population Commission, and National Judicial Council members.

Thursday’s meeting is the second under the Tinubu administration, the first having been convened in August 2024 amid nationwide protests.

The president is also expected to brief the Council on the economy, security, and other national matters before forwarding his final recommendations to the Senate for confirmation.

Politics

Jonathan Dragged To Court Over Bid To Participate In 2027 Election

Published

3 days ago

October 6, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja, was Monday, asked to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in the country for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The court was equally urged to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting from any political party, Jonathan’s name or publishing same as a duly nominated candidate for the presidential contest.

While ex-President Jonathan was cited as the 1st defendant in the matter, both INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation, were listed as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

Specifically, the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/ 2025, hich was brought before the court by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, posed a lone question for the court to determine:

“Whether in view of the combined provisions of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, the 1st Defendant is eligible, under any circumstances [whatsoever] to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

READ ALSO:

Upon the determination of the question, the plaintiff, sought four principal reliefs, to wit:

“A declaration of this Honourable Court that upon an intimate reading and complete understanding of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended the first Defendant [GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN] is ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“A declaration of this Honorable Court that in view of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended the 2nd Defendant [the INEC] lacks the constitutional power to receive from any political party the name of the first defendant or publish same as the candidate of any political party for the election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.

“An order of perpetual injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the first Defendant [Goodluck Ebele Jonathan] from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination as its candidate for the general election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.

“An order of perpetual injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the 2nd Defendant [INEC] from either accepting from any political party in Nigeria the name of the 1st Defendant [Goodluck Ebele Jonathan] or publishing same as a candidate for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.”

READ ALSO:

As well as, “an order of this Honourable Court directing the 3rd Defendant [Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation] to ensure compliance with the decisions and Orders of this court.”

In an affidavit of facts that was deposed to in support of the suit by one Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff told the court that he is an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.

He told the court that the 1st defendant was first sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on the May 5,2010, having previously been the Vice-President.

The plaintiff said he recently saw on various national dailies and television stations, reports on Jonathan’s intention to contest for the presidency in 2027.

“That the Plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as President.

READ ALSO:

“That if the court does not intervene timeously, a political party may present the 1st defendant as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, thereby breaching the Constitution.”

On his locus standi (legal right) to institute the action, the plaintiff maintained that part of his duties, as a lawyer, is to forestall a violation of the constitution and to uphold the rule of law.

“There are chances that one of the political parties in Nigeria may favour the 1st defendant to stand as its presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to be conducted and overseen by the 2nd Defendant.

“If unchallenged, the 1st defendant may enter the 2027 presidential race on the platform of one of the political parties in Nigeria and may possibly emerge the winner of the said election.

“In the event the 1st defendant is returned as elected and sworn as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come in 2027, it will mark the 3rd time the 1st defendant will be taking oath of office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In the event the 1st defendant is returned as elected and sworn as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come in 2027, the plaintiff as a Nigerian citizen, would become one of the those under the governance control of the 1st defendant [who by virtue of his office would be saddled with the responsibility of executing the laws of the country].

READ ALSO:

“As a Nigerian lawyer trained in Nigerian constitutional law, the plaintiff has come across a provision in the Nigerian constitution stating that a person who was sworn-in as President to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.

“The plaintiff knows that the 1st defendant was indeed, on the 6th May, 2010, sworn in as President to complete the term for which (former) President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was elected as President as a consequence of the demise of the former President on the 5th day of May, 2010.

“The 1st defendant after being sworn in on 6th May, 2010 to complete the term of late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was subsequently elected into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sworn in on the 27th May, 2011.

“I know that if the 1st defendant eventually wins the forthcoming 2027 general election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (which is for a term of 4 years spanning 2027 to 2031), he will have exceeded 8 years being the cumulative maximum years a Nigerian President is to stay in office.

“As a Nigerian Lawyer trained in Nigerian constitutional law, the plaintiff knows of a provision in the Nigerian constitution stating that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the same Constitution.

“The plaintiff being a lawyer committed to the reign of constitutionalism, an unrepentant apostle of the rule of law and a known crusader for democratic governance especially in Nigeria, does not wish to be governed by any person or group of persons who may have taken control of the Government of Nigeria in a manner not contemplated by the Nigerian constitution.

“The plaintiff has instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the rule of law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution and to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian Constitutional order.

“It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons,” the affidavit further read.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.