News
APC opens up over alleged rift between Tinubu and his deputy, Shettima
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Finally the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted claims of a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, dismissing speculation that Tinubu is considering a new running mate for the 2027 elections.
Despite Tinubu not formally declaring his bid for a second term, his loyalists and key party stakeholders have begun mobilising support for his re-election.
Speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday, APC National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the reports as baseless.
“This is pure speculation without foundation. These are beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously.”
“Even if, for any reason, the president were to consider replacing the vice president, he cannot do so singlehandedly. Such a decision would require extensive consultation with critical stakeholders,” he said.
N/Central pushes for presidency or VP slot
Meanwhile, political stakeholders from the North Central geopolitical zone have renewed their call for either the presidency or vice presidency in 2027.
At a press conference in Abuja, representatives from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states, led by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, urged major political parties to zone their presidential or vice-presidential tickets to the region.
In a communiqué issued after their meeting, the stakeholders argued that if APC grants Tinubu the “right of first refusal” for the presidential ticket, the vice-presidential slot should be allocated to North Central.
Prof. Nghargbu, flanked by other regional leaders, noted that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, North Central has yet to produce a democratically elected president or vice president.
“Of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only North Central and South East have not occupied the positions of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic.
“The situation for North Central is even worse than that of the South East, which at least had Dr Alex Ekwueme as vice president from 1979 to 1983,” he said.
He stressed that the region must now demand equal support from other northern zones.
“This is about fairness. We want to be recognised not as mere political adjuncts but as full stakeholders in the ‘One North’ project,” he said.
APC: N/Central’s demand is unrealistic
Reacting to the demand, APC’s Bala Ibrahim dismissed it as unrealistic and “dead on arrival”.
North Central should not see the presidency or vice presidency as a right, especially given its relatively lower electoral contribution compared to zones like the North West.
“They have made similar demands in the past, but these are often irrational and only serve to create unnecessary political tension,” Ibrahim told Daily Trust.
He argued that discussions about zoning should not even arise now, as Tinubu has yet to complete his first term.
“The current occupant of the presidency must be given the chance to serve two terms. Conversations about zoning should only happen after that,” he said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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