A coalition of Christians of Northern Extraction in the All Progressive Congress has warned that the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the party for the 2023 general election will have serious and grave consequences.
The organisation, which comprised Christian politicians in the 19 northern states within the APC, said they would not go against their conscience and faith, and go to their various constituencies to campaign for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The organisation made its position known in a communique issued on Tuesday in Abuja after its meeting, which discussed the issues of the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket and the implications to the nation, signed by its Chairman, Prof. Doknan Sheni, and Secretary-General, Ishaya Bauka.
The presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had on Sunday announced Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
While describing the development as unacceptable, the coalition said Nigeria remained a multi-religious and constitutional democracy and not a theocracy, adding that the current political atmosphere of the nation was different from what occurred in 1993.
The communique read, “The selection of a Muslim vice presidential candidate portrayed insensitivity to the Christians in the nation.
The communique read, “The selection of a Muslim vice presidential candidate portrayed insensitivity to the Christians in the nation.
“The fear of the Christians in the North and the nation, in general, is that the APC will be viewed as an Islamic party and the Muslim -Muslim ticket was not possible in 2015, why should it be possible in 2023?
“More so, that we are apprehensive that the person picked might have had a hand in the Chibok girls Saga and other terror activities, Muslim-Muslim ticket would undermine the election chances of Christian candidates in the APC in the various states in the North. The Christians in the North and the whole nation are highly aggravated
“Considering that the Chairman of the party is a Muslim, Deputy Chairman – North, is a Muslim, the President of the Senate is a Muslim, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are Muslims, and now both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are Muslims and apart from this violating the constitution, section 14 subsection 3, if this was to be reversed that all these were Christians, can any Muslim in the North be able to sell the APC presidential ticket to any Muslim ummah?”
They warned of serious and grave consequences if the selection of a Muslim vice-presidential candidate was not changed, maintaining that “at this moment of national peril, what should be paramount in Nigeria is unity and not infrastructure or economy.”
“For without unity, we cannot build. Any party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few above the needs of the many has no business running the affairs of Nigeria,” the coalition said.
Ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election, twenty-one governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have described the incumbent governor of the State and candidate of the party, Adegboyega Oyetola, as an excellent performer who has brought purpose to governance.
They said those who have a fair mind devoid of prejudices and biases will testify to the developmental strides Oyetola has registered since becoming governor of the State in 2018.
The progressive governors, therefore, reaffirmed their unalloyed support for Governor Oyetola just as they declared their readiness to do all necessary within the law to ensure his re-election.
While addressing a mammoth crowd at the Mega rally held at the Osogbo Township Stadium on Tuesday, national leaders of the APC expressed confidence that the party will coast home to victory in overwhelming fashion come Saturday.
The Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, lauded Oyetola’s prudence and efficiency in managing the state’s meagre resources, calling on citizens to look beyond political sentiments in their choice of who to elect, and to vote massively for Oyetola.
Lawan said: “I’m bringing solidarity from the National Assembly. We are believers of this party and its candidate because Osun has witnessed serious and massive transformation in the last three and a half years.
“We have a governor who is prudent and efficient in the face of very meagre resources. Today, Osun has witnessed so much infrastructural development, political stability and peace. We believe that we have everything we need for development with this our Governor”.
On his part, the presidential flag-bearer of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged the people of Osun to replicate the victory recorded last month in Ekiti.
According to Tinubu: “We have come to ask that you vote massively on Saturday for APC, not as a mark of entitlement but because of the future of your children.
“Before you make your decision, think of the future. We are a party that guarantees your future because we are known for fulfilling our promises. Let us entrust the affairs of our state into the hands of those who mean business, not mushroom parties”.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the mega rally was an indication that the APC was not taking any chances with the affairs of Osun, saying the State deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development.
Adamu said: “This is a mega rally to promote our candidate. We are taking no chances with the affairs of Osun because the state deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development. This is why we have come in full strength to support him in a bid to ensure his re-election. Those who have a fair mind will testify that he has done so much since he became governor in 2018.
“We are here not only to testify to what he has done but to appeal to you to turn out in large numbers to vote massively for him. We are anticipating a better outcome than what we had in Ekiti and by the grace of God, we are sure of victory. I want you to be the APC ambassadors, telling those who are not here what you have seen. Continue to spread the good works of this government in the nooks and crannies of the state.”
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of the Nigeria Progressives Governors’ Forum, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, assured that Oyetola has the backing of all APC governors in the coming election, saying he had earned it with his outstanding performance.
Bagudu also lauded the tremendous and landmark developments Osun had recorded across sectors since Oyetola’s emergence.
“We are pleased to be here today, we are proud to hear about the numerous progress that this administration in Osun has recorded. We are confident that the love and admiration of the people of Osun are with you because of your great achievements.
“Today, we are here for this grand rally and honoured to be here to throw our support behind you. We did it about four years ago, and you were elected based on what you can do. Now, we are here again to show solidarity based on what you have done.
“We are assuring the citizens of Osun that this gentleman Governor will continue to do what is healthy for our democracy. He did not disappoint in the first term, he won’t disappoint in the second term,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Osun governorship election and Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, described Oyetola as deserving of another term based on his personal encounters with the people of the State.
In his words; “We thank the originator of IleriOluwa political slogan, our dear Governor Oyetola, the one because of whom we are here. Indeed, it is a huge honour that we stand here today because this is a worthy assignment and we have a sellable candidate. It is a job that is gratifying and doable because Governor Oyetola has indeed performed excellently well.
“I have been on campaign trail with him and I have witnessed the overwhelming support and how the people have said he is deserving of another term.
“People of Osun, do not be deceived by those who are trying to say otherwise. Let us vote massively for Oyetola to continue doing his great works for every sector of the population. This is a man that that is an embodiment of good governance.”
While welcoming members of the National Campaign Council to the State, the Director-General of Oyetola’s re-election Campaign Council, Senator Ajibola Basiru, described the grand rally as a celebration of excellence.
He said: “Today, you are being welcomed to the celebration of excellence in governance because in the last three and a half years, Governor Oyetola has brought dexterity, commitment and integrity to the affairs of this state across sectors.
“Now, we are on the path to consolidating the progress and development of the state by re-electing that man that is certain to deliver development over and over. With him, Osun is on the path of sustainable development”.
In his short remarks, Governor Oyetola, said Osun is on the path of consolidating on the gains of the last three and a half years.
He urged the people of Osun, especially workers, to shun political traducers who are peddling falsehood that his administration will renege in its commitment to their welfare if re-elected, saying he remains strongly committed to their welfare.
Oyetola also declared his readiness to do beyond what he has done in his first term, saying the welfare of workers and citizens and the overall development of Osun remains his priority.
Actress, Funke Akindele-Bello, has confirmed that she is the running mate to Olajide Adediran, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan.
In a video she posted on Tuesday, she revealed her reasons.
She said, “I saw it as an opportunity to help liberate and improve the wellbeing of our people, particularly the deprived youth, women and the girl child.
“My decision is not just to accept this huge responsibility but to also work tirelessly and complement Jandor’s burning desire to see our dear Lagos live up to its full potential.
“Meanwhile, when she said her name at the end of the video, the Ikorodu-born indigene of Lagos didn’t include her husband’s name, Bello.
The Osun governorship candidate of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, has strongly condemned reported invasion of the residence of Hon Rt Hon Lasun Yusuf, the governorship candidate of Labour Party, describing the incident as “an aggravated threat to the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s elections.
In a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Senator Adeleke called for urgent review of security architecture for the election even as he called on the security agencies to conduct security audit and mapping of the state before Saturday elections.
“The news of alleged attack on my brother and fellow aspirant is condemnable as it is reprehensible. We just had a debate in which electoral violence took the bulk of our time. I had expressed my fears and worries about security situation in the state. I had warned against politicization of security institutions. Less than 24 hours, we wake up to reading news of such dastardly attack.
“Election is not a war; it is about voters freely electing their leaders. Democracy is about free choice. Our people should be allowed to vote for leader of their choice without violence and intimidation. I call on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of Department State Service and all service Chiefs to help secure Osun state. Osun is being overwhelmed by sponsored, armed political thugs”, the governorship hopeful warned.
While urging the people of the state to remain steadfast and troop out to cast their votes, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke affirmed that people’s power is supreme in a democracy , calling for sustained mass mobilisation to enthrone PDP as the next ruling party in the state.
“We are the people. Nothing can stop us from victory. Don’t be scared to cast and defend your votes. With God and people, our victory is assured”, Adeleke was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Labour Party governorship candidate in the Osun 2022 poll, Yusuf Lasun has raised an alarm that his life is in danger following an attack by gunmen in his home.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives made this known via Twitter in the early hours of Monday morning.
He tweeted, “Just in: gun men in uniforms are presently in my residence shooting sporadically”.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso said he was pleased with the pairing of Bola Ahmad Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
The former governor of Kano State, who referred to Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a friend, said he can endorse the pairing even if not because he does not know what they would do differently from the current administration.
“That is my serious concern for him. Ordinarily, if I cannot get it, I can recommend him but it’s going to be like building something on zero.”
“Bola Tinubu was my colleague in 1992, I was a deputy Speaker in the House of Reps he was a Senator, we had many political battles, 1999 we were together, I was Governor of Kano, he was Governor of Lagos.”
“Shettima was also my colleague when I was a Governor in my Second term, he is a good man, I wished him well,” Kwankwaso said.
However, the NNPP presidential aspirant raised concerns about Tinubu’s health.
Speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Sunday, Kwankwaso said Tinubu should pay attention to his health.
“If you see my friend, Bola, tell him to take it easy, take good care of his health and make sure that… because I love him so much, he is my friend,” he said.
“This campaign is very rigorous, it requires a lot of effort and so on and so forth. I hope he will take it easy so that we can continue the struggle to ensure one solid and prosperous Nigeria.”
Kwankwaso also described the APC as a problem for the ticket of Tinubu and Shettima
“My only worry is the platform. This platform I don’t know. I know he is a strategist, Bola Tinubu, he is a good man. I had reasons to sit with him uncountable number of times from 1992 to date,” he said.
“I wish I will see him to ask him what he will tell Nigerians what he will do differently from what Muhammadu Buhari is doing today,” he said.
The umbrella body of Christians in Borno, CAN has thrown his weight behind the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s running mate, Alh. Kashim Shettima, claiming such decision is a brilliant one.
CAN Chairman, Bishop Naga Williams Mohammed said; My brothers, those who are not from Borno State may not know, but you and I know better. In the history of Borno State, there is no Governor that has been fair to the Christian Community in this State as much as Governor Kashim Shettima.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel Akobo, Ibadan
“I am saying this in the presence of God Almighty and this is nothing but the truth. Governor Shettima, in the history of Borno, is the only Governor that has sponsored highest number of Christian Pilgrims every year since 2011.
“I am speaking boldly without fear or favour because as CAN Chairman I do not receive salary or kobo from Government or any institution, but the facts need to be told. This Governor has shown compassion to the Christian Community. For example, when Gwoza people were driven from their ancestral homes, they fled to Maiduguri, and the Governor personally came to CAN Centre in Jerusalem ward two times in June and July 2014.
“He gave N10 million for their upkeep at first instance, by the victims were not many. By the end of October 2014, the IDPs from Gwoza increased to 42,000 in that camp alone. Governor Shettima came again and gave another N10 million. He also gave additional N5 million for Christians from Borno who fled to Cameroon to be returned home. He gave another N5 million for non-indigenes who fled to Cameron to come back to Nigeria.
“The Governor even directed the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA to be supplying food directly to the IDPs in under the Christian leadership. In fact, the Governor insisted that he wanted Christian IDPs to stay together with their Muslim counterparts in various designated IDP camps here in Maiduguri but we the leaders felt it wise to separate Christian IDP’S to avoid frictions between displaced persons dealing with trauma.”Picking Gov shettima as Asiwaju’s running mate is a brilliant decision”.
The paramount ruler of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal has directed residents and indigenes of Ede to vote massively for Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke and ignore 2026 false promise of governorship rotation to Osun West.
He admonished people yesterday at Eid Praying Ground while throwing his support to PDP gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming July 16th governorship election in Osun.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel Akobo, Ibadan
Timi of Ede in a viral video was seen at Eid Praying Ground, Ede openly declaring support for PDP governoship candidate, Ademola Adeleke
Recall this newspaper had earlier reported how several taditional rulers in Osun believed by people to be maintaining neutrality in politics were seen openly declaring support for their preferred candidates.
Earlier last week, Oluwo of Iwo had promised to Garner 90,000 Bloc votes for the incumbent Governor of Osun State currently seeking a return to government house.
Amidst backlashes from the people, the traditional rulers seem to let the sleeping dog lie as various politicians throng their palaces to seek support for their gubernatorial ambitions.
Four members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were injured in a clash after supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) invaded the APC secretariat in Ede South Local Government Area.
PDP candidate Ademola Adeleke hails from Ede. It was gathered that the clash happened about 3pm yesterday as the PDP supporters marched to the Oba Laoye Grammar School, venue of their campaign.
A party member, Abdulateef Usman, who witnessed the attack, recounted: “The PDP members were holding their governorship rally in Ede today. They trekked from Oke gather to Oba Laoye Grammar School. The APC party secretariat in Ede South is on that road, via St Peters, and while they moved, some of the PDP members attacked the APC secretariat. “Four APC members were injured and property destroyed, including bikes and vehicles.”
But spokesperson of the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Olawale Rasheed, said “APC members attacked our supporters during the rally because they are envious that the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal endorsed Adeleke.”
