Politics
Governors: Muslim-Muslim ticket not designed to punish Christians
He also dismissed as unjustifiable the insinuation by the Adamawa politician that the Ganduje Foundation, a philanthropic organisation, was being used by him to force Christians to join Islam.
Masari, who spoke with reporters in Katsina, said the choice of Shettima was a wise decision, assuring that Christians and Muslims will vote for the ticket.
Senator Adamu also allayed the fear of some Christians about the ticket, saying that they have nothing to fear.
Akeredolu urged the electorate to ignore religion and vote for competence in next year’s election.
The governor, who spoke during the swearing in of new commissioners in Akure, the state capital, said the buck stops at the president’s table, adding that the vice president’s religion does not affect the performance of any administration.
Second Republic member of the House of Assembly in Imo State Ugochukwu Nnawuike advised critics to stop lamenting over the APC ticket.
He said their lamentations cannot produce any result, except the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) agree to forge an alliance ahead of the 2023 poll.
Lawal, a prominent APC chieftain, had on Wednesday described the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a “disastrous error” by the president candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The ex-SGF, who recalled that he had warned Tinubu against the option, commented that by choosing a Muslim as running mate, he has brought religion to the front burner of politics and taken sides with his own religion.
Lawal said: “He (Tinubu) must also be told that there will be consequences for his choice. Christians all over the country will revolt against the APC to put the chances of his election in serious jeopardy.”
The former SGF also accused Ganduje of an agenda to convert Christians to Islam.
He alleged that the primary purpose of his foundation is to force Christians to become Muslims.
Ganduje preaches tolerance
However, Ganduje, in a statement by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Mallam Muhammed Garba, cautioned Lawal against inflammatory utterances.
He lamented that Lawal, who claimed to be Tinubu’s friend, has indulged in falsehood at a time when the country required an atmosphere of unity for religious tolerance and national development.
Ganduje said the ex-SGF should re-dedicate himself to the APC’s search for quality leadership for the country instead of making false allegations.
He also clarified that there is no religious compulsion in Kano, stressing that his administration has fostered freedom of religion and association, while also guaranteeing the economic, cultural and political rights of non-Muslims.
He said there was never a time any Christian or non-believer was forced to embrace Islam by the foundation because it negates the teachings of Islam.
He said non-believers are only called to Islam at their wish just as missionaries go to villages in Kano to invite them to embrace Christianity.
The governor said the 40-year-old foundation was set up for philanthropic, humanitarian and charitable activities, including giving medical support and assistance to the needy in the society.
He said the foundation has built many schools, healthcare centres, distributed free school uniforms and instructional materials to new intake in primary schools, construction of boreholes and mosques.
The governor said no fewer than 380, 000 people have benefited from the foundation’s eyecare programme, including treatment for cataracts and glaucoma, as well as distribution of medical glasses.
Ganduje said his position on religious harmony is exemplified in the creation of the Ministry for Religious Affairs, where the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is a partner, and the introduction of an Inter-Faith Dialogue for promotion of religious harmony between Muslims and Christians.
Akeredolu: It’s about performance
Akeredolu, urged Nigerians to ignore religion and vote for competence.
The Ondo governor, who said Tinubu would rescue the nation, added: “Muslim/Muslim ticket has nothing to do with performance.
“Let’s vote for someone that can do something. The work stops on the table of the President. It is the president that you are voting for. He decides what happens.
“Whether it’s a Muslim/Muslim or Christian/Christian, it should not matter to us in the South because we fought for this.
”I have no doubt that given the opportunity, from what he has done in Lagos, Asiwaju Tinubu will turn things around for better.”
Competence is what matters, says Masari
Masari described Shettima’s choice as good news to the party, describing him as an “intellectual, brilliant and accommodating person with all the qualities to be considered as the Vice President.”
Masari said: “I am in full support of Shettima’s nomination.
“What is most important is for a leader to be good, just and fair, irrespective of his faith and wherever he comes from.”
The governor also assured Christians that they had enothing to fear, adding: “We assure you of good governance come 2023.”
Adamu: Christians have nothing to fear
Adamu believes Christians have nothing to fear.
He said: “The party’s Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket is the work and the will of God.”
Nation
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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