2027: Tinubu/Shettima ticket non negotiable for North East APC….. Says Dalori

By Ndahi Marama

Following the fracas that erupted when the National Vice Chairman (North East) of the All Progressives Congress, Hon Mustapha Salihu endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term come 2027 general elections, without mentioning the name of Vice President Kashim Shettima as running mate during the party’s Zonal Consultative Meeting held in Gombe state last Sunday, the Deputy National Chairman (DNC North) of the party, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori said, there is no cause for alarm.

Dalori said, as the 2027 political atmosphere, alignment and realignment continues, the Tinubu/Shettima ticket remained non negotiable, pointing out that, the party has not yet found the sin committed by Senator Kashim Shettima to warrant his substitution.

The APC Chieftain stated this in an interview with our Correspondent on Monday while reacting to the chaos that ensued at the meeting soon after Hon. Salihu chose not to endorse Shettima.

Recalled that during the Zonal APC meeting, the National Chairman of the party, Hon. Umar Ganduje, the Governors of Borno, Yobe and Gombe, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) Some Ministers, national and state assembly members, Chairmen of local governments and other stalwarts from the North Eastern region who converged at the International Conference Centre, venue of the meeting in Gombe state capital have all endorsed Tinubu and Shettima to again fly the ticket come 2027.

Unfortunately, some aggrieved and loyalists of Kashim Shettima hurled chairs and other objects targeting Hon. Salihu after his speech to demonstrate their anger against his stand.

Hon. Dalori who expressed displeasure over the fracas, revealed that, if Hon. Salihu and one other influential member of the APC (Name withheld), would team up against Shettima for reason best known to them, their decision will not in any way distract or destroy the unity of the party in the zone, rather, the APC will continue to unite and become stronger not only in the North East but the country as a whole.

His words: ” I have read in various national dailies on the outcome of our APC North East/Zonal Meeting in Gombe yesterday (Sunday). Yes I agreed there was a fracas where some people felt aggrieved and hurled some objects targeting Hon. Mustapha Salihu who is the National Vice Chairman APC North East that did not mention the name of Kashim Shettima after he endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to run for second term come 2027.

“But whether Hon. Salihu did it intentionally or otherwise, I can assure all the people of the North East and Nigeria in general that there is no cause for alarm. He (Hon Salihu is entitled to his political opinion).

“This is because, as the 2027 political atmosphere, alignment and realignment continue to hit up, the Tinubu/Shettima ticket remained non negotiable. Infact, we in the ruling APC have not yet found the sin committed by Senator Kashim Shettima to warrant his substitution.

” I am very happy at the end of the meeting. Let me also commend the National Chairman of our great party, Hon. Umar Ganduje, my humble self, the Governor of Borno, Professor Babagana Umara. Zulum, his counterparts from Yobe and Gombe, Hon. Mai Mala Buni and Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) Some Ministers, national and state assembly members, Chairmen of local governments and other stalwarts of the party from the North Eastern region who converged at the International Conference Centre, venue of the meeting in Gombe state capital. All of us unanimously endorsed Tinubu and Shettima to fly the ticket come 2027. This is to enable them complete their second term as they continue to put smiles on the faces of all Nigerians.

“Yes….. unfortunately, some aggrieved and loyalists of Kashim Shettima hurled chairs and other objects targeting Hon. Salihu after his speech to demonstrate their anger against his stand. The fracas that ensued is normal in politics, sometimes, we have to agree and disagree. But let me reassure that we are on top of the situation.

“I have since expressed my displeasure over the fracas, but if Hon. Salihu and one other influential member of the APC (Name withheld), would team up against Shettima for reason best known to them, then their decision will not in any way distract or destroy the unity of the party in the zone, rather, the APC will continue to unite and become stronger not only in the North East but the country as a whole”. Dalori stated.

He therefore called on all supporters and loyalists of the party to remain calm and focused, as the leadership of the party which is supreme, will not leave no stone unturned to sustain the peace, unity and progress of the party at all levels, to ensure dividends of democracy reaches all nooks and crannies of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led -administration.

2027: Tinubu/Shettima ticket non negotiable for North East APC….. Says Dalori

Troops captured suspected bandit dressed in military combat camouflage, recover arms in Kaduna, Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven have arrested a suspected bandit and recovered arms and ammunition in separate operations in Kaduna and Plateau states.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that on June 15, troops intercepted a suspected armed bandit at Katsit community in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The suspect, dressed in military combat camouflage, was allegedly impersonating soldiers in order to rob unsuspecting members of the community.

Recovered from him were an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammo, 7 empty cases of 7.62mm (Special) ammo, a fake vigilante identity card, a mobile phone and two ATM cards. The suspect is currently in custody for further action.

The sources added that in another operation, in the early hours of June 16, troops raided a suspected gunrunning syndicate’s hideout at Kwanar Lauje in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The suspects fled before troops arrived, but a search of the area resulted in the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, an AK-47 rifle butt, 300 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammo, a 9mm round and two 12.7mm rounds. An abandoned motorcycle was also recovered during the operation.

Recovered items are currently in custody, while follow-up operations are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

Troops captured suspected bandit dressed in military combat camouflage, recover arms in Kaduna, Plateau

In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan

By: Our Reporter

Former Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan has commended the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) North East Zonal Stakeholders Forum held in Gombe state, today.

The former Senate President said it was an honour to stand alongside His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, the coordinating governor for the APC North East zone, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, and His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, of Borno State, chairman of the North East Governors Forum to discuss issues affecting the region.

According to Senator Lawan, the Forum commended Mr. President for giving the required leadership in the country and also taking courageous and bold reform decisions to revamp the economy and stabilize the polity.

“The Forum resolved to continue to support Mr. President in the implementation of his renewed agenda and equally commended the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, for his commitment to his responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President.” Senator Lawan said

He said while the trio (governors) are dynamic leaders passionate about their various states and the North East in general. “The presence of our National Chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, further underscored the importance of this gathering. Alongside him were the National Deputy Chairmen (North and South), and other National Working Committee members, as well as numerous party stakeholders from across the North East, whose passion and contributions are the lifeblood of our political movement.

“We deliberated on critical issues affecting our region and nation and strategized on ways to consolidate our gains and address the needs of our people.” He added

In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan