Politics

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

Published

3 years ago

June 27, 2022

Editor

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: Crisis Rocks Kaduna ADC Over Power Tussle

Published

14 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is enmeshed in crisis as a fierce power struggle among leading figures threatens the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

ADC stalwart, Malam Salihu Lukman, raised the alarm on Wednesday, warning that the party may not make a meaningful impact at the polls if the internal rift persists.

In a statement, Lukman alleged that some party leaders have aligned with certain aspiring candidates for the 2027 elections to the exclusion of others.

He called on former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Malam Jaafaru Sani, Alhaji Bashir Saidu, and other opposition leaders in the state to halt what he described as “the madness” of candidates bent on hijacking party structures.

According to him, “anybody who is not ready to work as part of a united opposition in Kaduna State is consciously or unconsciously working for the APC.”

Expressing concern over the infighting, Lukman said his efforts to mediate had largely failed.

“The fact that Senator Musa Bello is aggressively seeking to control structures of ADC in Zone 2 is a reflection of my failure, largely because I am associated with him.

“Senator Lawal Adamu (Mr. La) has avoided all my requests to meet him. I have met Malam Jaafaru Sani on this matter and had discussions with Malam Nasir. Sadly, we are not united, and the perception is that I am part of the problem.”

Lukman stressed that he has no political ambition but remains committed to building a united front. “As a citizen from Kaduna State, I am willing to make every necessary sacrifice to move our state forward. Without sounding immodest, I made every sacrifice to contribute to forming the coalition and negotiating the agreement with ADC.

“May I therefore appeal to Malam Nasir and all our leaders to please seek to unite us. It is only if we are united in ADC that we can unite our people in the state to defeat the APC in 2027. We must bear in mind that it is not just about defeating APC but about producing a government controlled by our party based on collective leadership.

“We need to put an end to the era when we produce emperors as governors. Anything short of a government managed by collective leadership under ADC will be unacceptable.”

Politics

Ondo PDP Spokesperson Resigns, Gives Reason

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Mr Leye Igbabo, has resigned from his position, citing an unfriendly and hostile environment.

Igbabo’s resignation letter was addressed to the state secretariat of the party and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Akure.

He alleged that the working environment has become “hostile” to him, hence the need for him to resign.

“It is disheartening to know that the secretariat has become hostile to me, and this is affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of my duties as the Director of Media and Publicity.

“I note with pain, utter deceit, huge compromise, and gross indiscipline that there is no more sincerity of purpose, and under such circumstances, I do not want to be labelled as an incompetent official.

“My continuously staying in such an unproductive environment amounts to a precious waste of my time and energy.

“I, therefore, resign my appointment as the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP in Ondo State with immediate effect,” he said.

(NAN)

Politics

Nigeria Not Difficult To Govern If… – Obasanjo

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, says that although Nigeria is a diverse and complex nation, it is not a difficult country to govern.

Obasanjo made the remark on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Bakhita ICT Centre at the Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto State, where he stressed that Nigeria’s strength lies in its unity in diversity.

“There are many good things in Nigeria. These are shown in our unity in diversity, and Nigeria is what it is today because of its diversity.

“If diversity is managed with good governance and inclusiveness, then we will be respected and counted among the leading nations in the world,” he said.

The former president added that honesty and sincerity on the part of leaders remained crucial in managing the country.

“Nigeria is not a difficult country to rule if leaders are honest with themselves, with God, and with the people.

“I am one of the greatest beneficiaries of Nigeria’s diversity. Since 1979, I have sought counsel and blessings from elders across the North, South, East and West to manage our unity in diversity,” Obasanjo said.

He emphasised the importance of education and knowledge as tools for national development.

“No matter our religion, tribe, culture or language, we cannot develop our full potential without education.

“In today’s world, we need not only general knowledge about our society but also practical skills to empower individuals, families, communities, and the nation,” he added.

Obasanjo warned of the challenges Nigeria could face by 2050 when the population was projected to reach 400 million.

“If we fail to prepare for these challenges, the Boko Haram of today will be child’s play.

“Already, 24 million children who should be in school are out of school. That alone could become a recruiting ground for future insurgencies.

“We must not give up on educating every Nigerian child. If everyone is educated, you will have better servants, better leaders, and a better society,” he cautioned.

Obadanjo commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for his efforts in managing Sokoto State and praised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for his commitment to unity.

He also lauded Bishop Matthew Kukah for establishing the ICT centre, while acknowledging Aare Afe Babalola for supporting the initiative.

In his remarks, Sultan Abubakar appreciated Obasanjo for gracing the occasion and urged Nigerians to emulate his dedication to promoting unity.

He emphasised the urgent need for Nigerians to unite in addressing security challenges and fostering development.

Representing Aliyu, Alhaji Aminu Dikko, the Chief of Staff to the Sokoto State Government, expressed appreciation to Obasanjo and the Catholic Diocese for the initiative.

He assured that the state government would remain committed to promoting technology education to expand opportunities for future generations.

Earlier, Kukah explained that the centre was open to all citizens without discrimination and was designed to empower the people with digital skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that courses at the centre will include: Computer literacy, office productivity, coding, computer engineering, software development, data science, and digital analysis, among others.

(NAN)