Politics
Former APGA Scribe Shinkafi Joins APC National Chairmanship Race
The former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Dr Sani Abdulahi Shinkafi has indicated his interest to contest for the National Chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement at the weekend in Abuja Shinkafi stated that he has been under pressure from political associates and friends to run for the APC plumb job.
According to the statement tagged “Notification Of My Intention To Contest For The Office Of The National Chairman of Our Great Party All Progressives Congress (APC)” Shinkafi said that “after wide consultations and discussions with my family, friends and political associates I have decided to heed the call to contest for the office of the National Chairman of our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“With my wide experience as the immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the immediate past Secretary of the Board of Trustees of APGA I believe that I have what it takes to run the affairs of the APC. I would want to continue with the great job done by the Acting National Chairman His Excellency Malam Mai Bunu in re-organizing and making the party the greatest party in Nigeria.
Shinkafi declared that “If elected I will ensure that the values that birthed the party in 2014 are preserved. I would also ensure that the era of impunity and imposition of candidates against the will of the party’s teaming followers is gone, and this is the time to make hard and only decision that will serve in the interest of the general members even at the least level must be the only way out.
He noted that “In its bid to retain power in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria in 2023, there is urgent need for the party to look beyond personal interest to set its house in order by first of all ensuring that only a credible hand is ushered in to lead the party as the next National Chairman.
“The party came with sound policies and programmes that would have salvaged the country but the party’s dream was shortlived because the forces that are not progressives joined the party through the backdoors only to win elections. The internal functions and ranglings within the rulling party made it to loss elections in Bauchi, Adamawa, Edo and Zamfara states among others apart from many legislative seats both at the states and National Assembly levels that were dashed away as results of poor handling of the party’s 2018 primaries” he added.
Shinkafi pointed out that “the party currently needs a leader who commands respect among his contemporaries, a man whose mind is bounded by reconciliatory traits and a young and energetic man who is determined to pay a price for APC to survive against his personal interest. it will never be a plea bargain where personal interest superceed personal interest.
“The emergence of the rulling party from many political parties and subsequent defections at the aftermath of 2015 elections has been identified as some of the reasons why the party failed to implement its initial manifesto to get Nigeria on the right track again. The APC has very sound policies and programmes that are practicable, aimed at changing the fortunes of Nigerians and can only be sustained if an individual who shared the party’s traits are allowed to lead as the National Chairman.
Dr Shinkafi was born on 20th February, 1970 in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, he attended the township Shinkafi, and later went to the Government Secondary School Gwadabawa where he obtained the West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate in 1988, he later proceeded to Polytechnic of Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, from 1988 to 1991 where he obtained the National Diploma in Business Administration and the Plateau School of Accountancy and Management Sciences Studies from 1995 to 1999, where he was awarded the Higher National Diploma in Accounting. From 2006 to 2007 he was at the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto where he bagged the Post Graduate Diploma in Education.
In 2016 he attended the Nassarawa State University Keffi where he bagged a Masters Degree in Public Sector Accounting( Public Financial Management).
His working experience spanned various sectors starting his first job as an Accountant in training Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sokoto, Sokoto State. He was an Internal Auditor Sokoto Engineering and Construction Company (SECCO), Sokoto State.
He later rose to become an Acting Deputy Director Internal Audit Sokoto State Hotels Service Management Board.
Shinkafi was later promoted to the position of the Head of Audit Unit Sokoto State Teachers Services Board, from where he was made the Acting Deputy Director Internal Audit Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Gusau, Zamfara State. He also had a stint at the Ministry of Finance Budget and Economic Planning, Gusau, Zamfara State from where he voluntarily Withdrew his Service from the Zamfara State Civil Service in 2001.
He joined politics and ran for the Chairmanship of Shinkafi Local Government Chairmanship under the flag form of All People Party (APP), he also contested for the Chairmanship of Shinkafi Local Government Chairmanship under the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP).
He was the State Secretary of United Nigeria People Party (UNPP) and later the State Chairman All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He later contested as the Zamfara State Governorship Candidate under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
He was a member of the National Caucus of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA, Member National Executive Committee (NEC) said f APGA, he was the National Secretary All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Secretary Board of Trustee All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Shinkafi was a Member of the Zamfara State Committee for Finding Lasting Solution to Armed Banditry by His Excellency Hon. Dr. Bello Muhammad MON Matawallen Maradun Shattiman Sokoto, Executive Governor Zamfara State 2019.
He was a member of the Zamfara State 25th Years Silver Jubilee Anniversary by His Excellency Hon. Dr. Bello Muhammad MON Matawallen Maradun Shattiman Sokoto, Executive Governor Zamfara State 2021.
He is the Chairman Anti-Illegal Mining Committee appointed by His Excellency Hon. Dr. Bello Muhammad MON Matawallen Maradun Shattiman Sokoto, Executive Governor Zamfara State 2021.
He was a Delegate of the National Conference in 2014.
He was awarded a Certificate of Participation, he attended the 1st All Party Summit Organized
By House Committee on Inter/Intra Party Relations 2005.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctors of Management Science Honoris Causa in investment Analysis 2017, an Honorary Doctorate Degree in International Relationship and Diplomacy by Atlas University Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania 2009.
He also bagged an Award of Excellence by Zenith International News Magazine 2009.
He was also named as a Young Ambassador of Peace by Universal Peace Federation and Youth
Federation for World Peace 2010 by the National Drug and Law Empowerment Agency 2011.
The Muryar Talaka Award of Honour, 2013, Award of Excellent by SUG Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria 2018.
An Award by Arewa Student Forum, ISM Adonai University 2019.
He also got the Africa Illustrious Award by My Media Africa 2020. The National Education Awards Program (NEAP) 2020.
The Special Gold Award Award of Excellence by Zamfara State Student Association (ZAMSSA), Parental Recognition Award by Lala International School, Gusau, Zamfara State.
The Award of Excellence for outstanding performance in leadership of the Party APGA by National Working Committee of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Award of Merit by Young and Getting it (YAGI LEVEL)
He holds many Chieftaincy Titi led which includes, Wamban Shinkafi by His Royal Highness Emir of Shinkafi, Alhaji Muhammadu Makwashi MON, Sarkin Gabas Shinkafi Local Government, Zamfara State, the Tambarin Mada by District Head of Mada, Sama’ila Bara’u Mada, Gusau Local Government, the Jagaban Tudun Wada Gusau by District Head of Tudun Wada Nura Kabiru Danbaba, the Shattiman Birnin Yaro, by Alhaji Labaran Abdullahi Suleman Dikko, District Head of Birnin Yero, Shinkafi Local Goverment, Sarkin Sudan Nakware (Na Farko) by District Head of Kware Sarkin Yakin Kware Alhaji Umaru Dangaladima Isah, Shinkafi Local Goverment.
Shinkafi is also the Tafidan Kurya which was given to him by District Head of Kurya Alh. Mudi Ibrahim Fakai, Shinkafi Local Goverment, he is the Matawallen Gidan Goga, by District Head of Gidan Goga Alh. Aliyu Danmaliki, Maradun Local Government.
He is also the Durumbun Badarawa by District Head of Badarawa, Sarkin Kudun Badarwa Alhaji Namakka Ibrahim, the Adimula of Ijesamodu Ekiti by His Royal Highness Oba Samuel Agboola Osatuyi Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He is the Ochendo I of Umuihi by His Royal Highness, Eze Dr. Robert Asiegbu Ndukwe (JP) Ihi II of Umuihi Autonomous Community in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government, Imo State.
He also bagged another Chieftancy Title of Enyiora I of Aguleri, (Friend of the People) by Eze C. N. Idigo iv Ogalagidi Eze Aguleri Ancient Kingdom Anambra East Local Government, Anambra State.
He was also Conferred with Traditional Chieftancy Title of Nwannendimba I of Agulu Ezeigo, (My Brother from Another Place) Anaocha Local Government, Anambra State. He also holds the traditional title of Ugomba I of Nwgu, which was conferred on him by His Royal Highness Igwe George E. Okaa-Onwuogu (KSM) Dunukopia Local Government, Anambra State
He is Member of All Progressives Congress (APC), the State Chairman Miners Association of Nigeria, Zamfara State Chapter, Member Zamfara State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, mines and Agriculture, National Organizing Secretary Small Scale and Artisanal Miners Association of Nigeria.
Shinkafi is also the Executive Director Patriot for the Advancement of peace and Social Development.
He has demonstrated the ability to recognize the strengths of various employees and delegate tasks accordingly.
He has as his watch word honesty, Integrity, Accountability, Prudence Management, Creativity, Disciplined, Objective and Flexibility.
He is consistent, Creative, he is punctual,dependable and hardworking,highly dedicated, highly motivated and accountable.
His hobbies includes; Research and Study, Traveling and Watching Football.
He is married with Children.
He is expected to openly declare his intention to lead next week.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a split decision of two to one, the three-member panel affirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, holding that the congresses organised under the caretaker committee violated an existing court order.
Justice Okon Abang, who delivered the lead judgment, ruled that there was no basis to set aside the restraining order issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on April 29.
The appellate court also upheld the lower court’s decision barring the caretaker leadership from interfering with the functions and tenure of the party’s duly elected state executive committees.
According to the court, the ADC Constitution vests the responsibility for conducting state congresses in the elected state executive committees, not the national caretaker leadership.
Justice Donatus Okorowo concurred with the lead judgment, while Justice Abba Mohammed dissented, arguing that the matter was an internal affair of the political party and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The suit was filed by aggrieved members of the ADC, who challenged the legality of committees established by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership to conduct state congresses. They argued that the appointments breached the party’s constitution, insisting that only duly elected party organs had the authority to organise state congresses.
In its earlier ruling, the Federal High Court held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remained valid until fresh congresses and a national convention were properly conducted.
Justice Abdulmalik further ruled that neither the 1999 Constitution nor the ADC Constitution empowered the caretaker committee to appoint committees to conduct state congresses.
While noting that courts generally refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, the judge held that judicial intervention is justified where constitutional or statutory provisions are alleged to have been breached.
Affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal declared the state congresses and national convention conducted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership null and void for being carried out in defiance of an existing court order.
The appellate court stressed that once a dispute raises constitutional issues, it ceases to be merely an internal party matter and becomes subject to judicial review.
Consequently, the court dismissed the ADC’s appeal, upheld all the orders of the Federal High Court, and awarded ₦10 million in costs against the party.
By Chinedu Sabastine
A pro-Yoruba women group, operating under the banner of Yoruba Women in Politics (YWIP), has applauded the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Benjamin Obi Nwoye, for strengthening the party across the Southern part of Nigeria barely three months he assumed office.
They said: “Dr. Benjamin Obi Nwoye is a very honest and open person. He has done considerably well,” the group said.
He was also praised for displaying high democratic ideals and delivering electoral victories for the ruling party in Southern Nigeria.
Chairperson of the women group Mrs. Dorothy Akinyele, in a statement issued in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Saturday applauded Nwoye “for his loyalty, strength of character, and consistency of purpose to the cause of democracy.”
They expressed delight and satisfaction “with the high degree of determination so far exhibited by Nwoye to applying the principle of fair play in treating all party members and asserting independence and neutrality in most cases.”
The highly revered South West women body also commended Nwoye “for deepening the party’s structures in the South-west, South-South and South-East, empowering women and youth and building a stronger APC and a more inclusive future for Nigeria.”
In particular, the women lauded Nwoye “for mobilizing support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, preserving the progressive ideals upon which the APC was built and curtailing the abuse of democratic norms in the ruling party.”
According to them, “Dr. Benjamin Obi Nwoye is level headed, has milk of human kindness flowing in his veins and committed to the success of President Tinubu and the party in 2027 and beyond,” YWIP said.
It therefore, described Dr. Nwoye as “the influential exponent of national unity,” extolling him for ensuring a smooth internal
Democratic process in his home state Enugu, the coal city state.
The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed a public debate challenge from the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, saying the minister must first become a presidential candidate before seeking such an engagement.
Obi made the remark during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, where he responded to Umahi’s challenge following his criticism of the condition of Nigerian road.
The former Anambra State governor argued that presidential debates are reserved for candidates seeking the nation’s highest office, insisting that Umahi does not fit that category.
According to Obi, the controversy over the poor state of the roads had already produced results, noting that his criticism prompted repairs.
“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first,” Obi said.
Drawing an analogy with international football, the NDC presidential flagbearer likened Umahi’s challenge to a team that failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup inviting a qualified team to a match.“The World Cup is going on now. You cannot stay outside and invite a team that qualified for the World Cup to come and play against you simply because you think you are good. No. There is a qualification process,” he added.
Obi maintained that leadership should be measured by performance rather than rhetoric, suggesting that the repairs carried out after his criticism underscored the importance of holding public officials accountable.
His response comes days after Umahi declared that Obi posed no political threat to President Bola Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while challenging him to a public debate over the state of federal roads and infrastructure across the country.
Ada Ogbu, who made the clarification in a statement posted on her official X account on Saturday, was responding to Keyamo’s ultimatum demanding that Obi apologise to airport officials, pay a ₦25,000 parking fine or face action by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).Executive Branch
Ogbu, who described herself as an eyewitness, maintained that she was among those who accompanied Obi to the airport on Saturday, July 4, and categorically denied the minister’s claim that the politician was driven by a police officer.
“As a member of the team that accompanied His Excellency @PeterObi to the Abuja airport on Saturday, July 4, I can state categorically that he does not have a police officer as his driver in Abuja. Therefore, if airport CCTV captured a police officer entering the driver’s seat of a vehicle, that vehicle could not have been Mr. Obi’s,” she stated.
She further argued that the incident highlighted by Keyamo was different from the one Obi narrated during his interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo.
According to her, Obi’s frequent travels across the country have exposed him and his aides to repeated hostile treatment by airport personnel.Government
“It is also important to note that Mr. Obi travels through as many as ten Nigerian airports every week. Over time, there have been several acts of hostility directed at him and members of his team by airport personnel across different locations,” Ogbu said.
She concluded that the aviation minister had referenced an entirely separate incident.
“Based on the account shared by the Honourable Minister, it is clear that the incident Mr. Obi referenced during his interview with @Chude did not occur on the date or at the airport cited by the Minister. They are plainly two different incidents.”
Her reaction comes hours after Keyamo released CCTV-based findings from an internal inquiry into the airport incident, insisting Obi must publicly apologise to airport workers and pay the prescribed parking fine within one week or risk further action by FAAN.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday formally retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
This was as political parties made last-minute moves to beat the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates.
The ruling All Progressives Congress presented the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja for onward transmission to INEC, effectively ending months of speculation that the President could replace his deputy with a northern Christian.
The development came as INEC confirmed that it had received the presidential and vice-presidential nominations of the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and Young Progressives Party.
Meanwhile, several other political parties continued uploading the names of their candidates ahead of the commission’s Saturday midnight deadline.
The electoral commission had fixed July 11, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to upload the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The submission exercise, which commenced on June 27, covers Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E for presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates.
According to the timetable released by the commission, political parties are expected to begin uploading the names of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates from July 18, with the exercise ending on August 8.
INEC is scheduled to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while those of governorship and state assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29 to allow members of the public raise objections where necessary.
The commission also fixed August 22 as the deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and state assembly candidates have until September 19 for withdrawal or replacement in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The July 11 deadline marks one of the most critical stages in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, as only candidates validly nominated by political parties through primaries monitored by INEC are eligible for submission.
The commission had repeatedly warned political parties against submitting the names of candidates different from those who emerged from duly monitored primaries, insisting that any nomination outside the provisions of the Electoral Act and its regulations would be rejected.
Against this backdrop, the APC used Friday’s presentation ceremony to publicly affirm its presidential ticket, signalling that it would head into the 2027 contest without altering the Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Following President Tinubu’s emergence as the APC’s presidential candidate during the party’s convention, political discussions had intensified over whether the President would retain Shettima or opt for another running mate to broaden the party’s electoral appeal.
Those speculations gathered momentum in recent months amid reports that the ruling party was considering a northern Christian as vice-presidential candidate to address concerns over religious balancing.
Friday’s submission, however, ended the uncertainty, with the APC formally presenting Tinubu and Shettima as its flag bearers for the 2027 election.
The nomination documents were presented on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, during a ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, the APC National Working Committee, state chairmen of the party and APC governorship candidates.
Earlier, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the event as the formal presentation of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Argungu noted that President Tinubu had earlier secured the party’s presidential ticket through what he described as a transparent primary election, and urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 polls.
He also commended the President for what he described as the achievements of his administration before formally handing over the nomination documents to the APC National Chairman for onward submission to INEC.
Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the governors’ support for President Tinubu and the party leadership.
“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” he said.
Uzodimma said the APC remained committed to internal democracy and inclusiveness, adding that the governors would continue mobilising support for the President across the country.
“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. To the National Working Committee, we reaffirm our support. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies,” he added.
Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, described the event as a reflection of the confidence reposed in President Tinubu by millions of party members across the country.
According to him, the President’s endorsement by members of the party demonstrated widespread support for his administration and its policies.
He stated, “Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of the APC who overwhelmingly voted for Mr. President as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election. We are proud that APC members across the country cast over 12 million votes for Mr. President and overwhelmingly endorsed him.
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