Politics

What Tinubu Should Consider Before Flying Muslim-Muslim Ticket – South-West Group

Published

3 years ago

June 27, 2022

The Coalition Movement for Bola Ahmed Tinubu (COBAT), a support group based in the South-West geopolitical zone, has released a report to guiding the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate on the selection of his running mate and the controversy over a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

COMBAT, which was convened by the Deputy National Chairman of the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju, Senator Rilwan Akanbi, released the report on Sunday, a copy of which was forwarded to The PUNCH.

The report was titled, ‘Nigeria Stakeholders Engagement Review: APC 2023 Presidential Election.’

The coalition noted that the emergence of Tinubu, a Muslim from Lagos State in the South-West, “has turned out to be a very challenging and tense in views of a selection of his vice-presidential candidate.”

According to the report, the situation is “a reversal of political status on the country in 1993” when the late Chief MKO Abiola, a Muslim from the South, ran the presidential election with Bashir Tofa, another Muslim from the North.

COMBAT stated that the plan that APC candidate picks a Muslim running mate from the North “seems inevitable for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, considering the roles played by notable members of the party from the North and knowing that northern regions remains the stronghold of the party”.

The report read in part, “Expectedly, Christian Association of Nigeria’s vehement opposition to such a ticket favour opposing views among the segment of the party and non-party public, especially from the Southern part of the country. For those opposing the Muslim-Muslim ticket, it is perceived that the ticket will be a direct challenge to the Christian community and may have a negative impact on the chance of the party winning the 2023 presidential election.

“There is school of thought who doesn’t see Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wife (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) being a Christian and a possible First Lady as a solution to the issue because they thought the attention given to the South-North regional diversity should be applied to Muslim-Christian diversity as well.

“All over the world politics is about interest, which can be personal, communal, ethnic, racial, religious, etc. However, there are strong views who believe that strong and admirable values and visions for nation-building should override these sentiments which should be our selling proposition.

“With this development, political analysts believed that the chances of presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the ruling party of APC to retain the position in the 2023 may be threatened based on the outcome of selection of a vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 election.

According to COMBAT, those supporting a Muslim running mate to Tinubu “believe that it would be politically expedient for the party to take advantage of huge potential voters in the northern regions, dominated by Muslim population and being the stronghold of the party in the last two presidential elections.”

The coalition stated, “The fear about the Muslim-Muslim ticket can be doused through a political solution where strategic government positions are zoned to individuals from others (zones) not represented at the presidential or vice-presidential level. Such positions may include the President of the Senate president, Speaker of the House of Reps, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, etc.”

COMBAT also stated that the APC needs to make “all necessary sacrifices, appeals or negotiations” that will help to reach an amicable solution in the light of winning the 2023 presidency.

It noted, “The good starting point is to understand the mindset of stakeholders and the electorate to guide the decision in respect of the vice-presidential candidate because the struggle for the 2023 presidential election will certainly remain the APC and PDP affairs.

“Despite the favourable outlook for the opposition party in settling the matter of religion of its running mate, what may be the deciding factor for APC is how internal democracy is effectively managed to avoid division over the choice of vice-presidential candidate for the party.

“Just like in another political environment, it is important to recognise religious factor in the Nigerian context, going by our political history and current the challenges, thus the need to ensure a wider consultation both within and outside the party if the Muslim-Muslim ticket must be considered for stakeholders to buy-in.

“The party and the candidate need to recognise people’s emotional attachment, perception, and reality to all religious interests, in view of the prevailing circumstances.

“However if the running mate must be a Muslim, he must be a personality that will be seen has accommodating and sensitive to the Christian community over the years and who they can trust. This can be achieved through a commitment to the national interest.”

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

4 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

4 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”

Politics

Bye-Election: Edo Deputy Gov Assures Of 98 Percent Victory For APC

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Deputy Governor of Edo, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has assured the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) of 98 percent victory in the August 16 bye-election for the Ovia Federal Constituency.

He noted that the party does not only have a formidable flag bearer in person of Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, but the development strides of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the state.

Idahosa in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, expressed this sentiment when he interacted with the leadership and members of the APC in Ovia North East local government on Monday when the campaign team was birthed at Uhen and Isiuwa communities for the ward-to-ward campaign.

He urged the people to come out enmass to support their own, Omosede Igbinedion who is from the council.

Idahosa, while urging the party not to be complacent, said all hands must be on deck to mobilise eligible voters across the council area to cast their votes on the election day.

The deputy governor said his aim was to see that the election was concluded and victory announced in favour of the APC by 1pm on the election day.

“We don’t need to talk much at Isiuwa because this is Omosede’s community, and Ovia North-East is her local government area,” Idahosa declared.

He reminded the supporters that aside their past political differences, he and the party’s candidate share a lot in common, development of the Ovia federal constituency.

On her part, Omosede Igbinedion expressed appreciation to the deputy governor for personally leading the campaign team.

She promised to make provisions of healthcare facilities where needed and the completion of electrification projects started by her predecessor, Idahosa, as well as provide agricultural inputs for the agrarian communities.

She warned against betraying the party over monetary gains.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate said she nursed no regrets for dumping her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.

She attributed the reason to the need to stay connected with the federal government in order to attract development to her constituents and the state at large

“APC is the only team that is afloat and floating. Our ship is beautiful, it is a beautiful Yacht and it is ready for everybody,” she said.