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APC CHAIRMAN: Shettima as the Reluctant Bride

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APC CHAIRMAN: Shettima as the Reluctant Bride

APC CHAIRMAN: Shettima as the Reluctant Bride

By: Inuwa Bwala


Experiences often show, that, God catapults people into positions of leadership, not because such persons have ambitions, rather, those who showed no interest in such a position.

The stories of how the late Shehu Shagari, the late Umar Musa Yar ‘Adua, the late Mala Kachallah of Borno and Mohammed Goni in Borno, Peter Odili of Rivers and Peter Obi in Anambra, and numerous others emerged as leaders, readily come to my mind.

Very often too, such leaders emerge from desperate circumstances, when the best hands needed to be brought on board to salvage a situation. Such leaders who emerged in challenging circumstances, without any prior ambition, often give very good accounts of themselves and always Excell.

Such is the leader the ruling party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress, APC needs. Ahead of its planned National convention, the APC is at a labyrinth, so to say, as to who fits into its permutations for 2023, as National Chairman. Already, there is a coterie of aspirants who have indicated an interest in leading the party in the coming years. Amongst them are politicians, with genuine and patriotic intentions, but there are also those, who seek to use the party to advance their personal political interests.

There are those whose pedigrees speak volumes about their real intentions, and there are those who seek the office for vendetta against political foes, or as a refuge for hibernation, after having squandered their goodwill.
I have been musing about who could fit into the permutations of the APC ahead if 2023 elections, taking into account the fact that, unlike before, the contest in the next elections is not going to be a tea party.

I know as a matter of fact that, the party’s numerous think tanks are working behind the scene, trying to work out an acceptable choice in the face of the anticipated intrigues that may play out in 2023. Every curious onlooker could guess, that, the delays in the dates for the congresses and convention might not have been unconnected with the crisis of choice, in who takes over from Mai Mala Buni.

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There are strong pointers, as it is, that the Chairmanship position may be zoned to the north: the North East in particular. Except if otherwise, the Vice Presidency will be zoned to the northeast region.

Should that happen, there are those who think that the party should evoke the doctrine if necessary, which will permit Mai Mala Buni to continue beyond the mandate initially given to him to save the APC from imminent collapse, no thanks to Comrade Adams Oshimole’s disastrous outing. But the fear of likely legal war makes allowing Buni to continue a bad option which is the likely incumbrance.

Those who feel that my former boss and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff could be a good alternative to Mai Mala Buni, are skeptical, looking back at his scandalous handling of the affairs of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, as it acting chairman.

That remains a big minus for him. Besides that, Sheriff’s alleged connivance with others, and the Shabby manner he treated President Muhammdu Buhari in past outings makes him a leprous choice. If Sheriff were not a Governor and in control of the ANPP, when he worked for the PDP in the past, to the detriment of his own party, he might have been charged for anti-party activity and possibly sacked from the ANPP.

It is against the background that, should the party Chairmanship position be zoned to the North East, that my mind quickly went to the immediate past Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima.

I have been a witness to Kashim Shettima’s commitment and dedication to the emergence of an APC President. In the two elections which he midwived in Borno, the APC scored the highest average votes in the country, during the elections.

He has no negative tendencies towards the President nor the party, going by his pedigree.
What counts for Kashim Shettima, even more than his fidelity to the party’s goals is his shrewd intellectual acumen which places him ahead of other contenders. Shettima is highly intelligent and perfectly understands the dynamics of Nigerian politics. He does not have a history of failure, neither does he keep malice. He is very unlikely to have any suspicious motive against the party.

Above all, he is a team player, who played various roles in mediating between contending interest in some serious national debates.

I may not be able to exhaust everything that makes me feel Senator Kashim Shettima is better suited to lead the APC, but suffice it to provoke a debate amongst party members on the subject matter.

I have not had the privilege of meeting him in recent times, hence my dilemma, as to whether he may agree with my position. But I feel the biggest challenge is, who could come to tell Senator Kashim Shettima, to step forward and bell the cat. So far, he is the beautiful but reluctant bride: who may not have the ambition but should be compelled to make sacrifices for the party and the country.

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Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

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Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

By: Michael Mike

In a move that underscores early political positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections, key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term in 2027.

The endorsement, announced during a high-level gathering at the Government House Multipurpose Hall in Maiduguri on Saturday, signals a consolidation of political support in one of the APC’s strongest northern bases. Party leaders, government officials, and influential grassroots mobilizers unanimously pledged to rally voters across the state to ensure the continuity of the Tinubu administration.

Addressing the stakeholders, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum described the endorsement as both a vote of confidence in the current administration and a strategic commitment to sustaining ongoing reforms. He emphasized that the Tinubu-Shettima leadership had demonstrated resolve in tackling Nigeria’s complex security and economic challenges.

According to Zulum, Borno State—long at the epicenter of insurgency—has witnessed renewed federal attention in security coordination, humanitarian interventions, and reconstruction efforts. He noted that continuity in leadership would be critical to consolidating these gains, particularly in the North-East where recovery from years of conflict remains fragile.

“The support for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima is rooted in performance and trust,” Zulum said. “Borno has seen firsthand the impact of leadership that understands our realities and is committed to long-term stability.”

Borno’s Strategic Role in APC Politics

Borno State holds significant political weight within the APC, not only as a consistent electoral stronghold but also as the political base of Vice President Shettima, a former governor of the state. Since the party’s formation in 2013 and its landmark victory in the 2015 elections, Borno has remained central to APC’s dominance in the North-East.

The state’s political influence is further amplified by its frontline status in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Years of conflict involving Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents have shaped national security policies and elevated Borno’s importance in federal decision-making. As a result, endorsements from the state often carry symbolic and strategic significance for national campaigns.

Political analysts view the early endorsement as part of a broader effort by APC stakeholders to stabilize internal party structures and project unity well ahead of the 2027 elections. It also reflects a growing trend of pre-election alignments aimed at discouraging intra-party rivalries and consolidating incumbency advantages.

Momentum Builds Toward 2027

Saturday’s declaration comes amid ongoing national debates over economic reforms, security challenges, and governance priorities under the Tinubu administration. While opposition parties are expected to intensify criticism in the coming years, the APC appears to be laying the groundwork for a coordinated re-election campaign.

Stakeholders at the Maiduguri meeting pledged to embark on extensive grassroots mobilization, voter engagement, and party strengthening initiatives across all local government areas in Borno. They also called on other APC-controlled states to replicate similar endorsements to build a nationwide consensus.

As Nigeria moves deeper into its current electoral cycle, the Borno endorsement highlights how regional political blocs are already shaping the contours of the 2027 race—long before official campaigns begin.

Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

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Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa

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Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa

Abdulrahaman Kwancham, Adamawa Northern Senatorial zone aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the party leadership in the zone to be fair towards ensuring victory for the party in 2027 General Elections.

Kwancham made the call during a courtesy visit to the party leadership in Mubi-North Local Government Area.

He said fairness and justice would help the party members to remain united and succeed beyond politics.

“We should please remain peaceful and united in APC for the seek of God as well as to shun anti party for the victory of our party”, he said.

He explained that some people were in the party spreading rumours to cause problem between him and Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri because of the seat despite Fintiri is yet to officially declare his intentions to contest.

According to him, he is not desperate in his pursuit of the senatorial seat, despite the several groups coming to urge him to contest.

“If Gov. Fintiri comes out, I am ready to step down considering his outstanding performance in the state.

“Even if you don’t like Fintiri, you know that he has worked for the state and I am not fighting him “, he said.

In his remarks, the party Chairman appreciated the aspirant for the visit and assured a level playing grounds for all.

He assured their readiness to work in accordance with the party guideline for the success of the party.

Kwancham earlier paid homage on the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Isa Ahmadu who conferred on Kwancham the traditional title of Sarkin Fulani Mubi.

The Emir described the honour as well-deserved, citing Kwancham’s character, leadership qualities, and commitment to humanitarian activities.

Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa

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2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe

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2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Yobe state chapter, has promised to deliver 3.5 million votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in the 2027 presidential election.

The president of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan GCON, disclosed to newsmen in a communique issued after a meeting of all APC stakeholders, Yobe State chapter, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Damaturu.

He said in the last presidential election, Yobe state had the highest percentage performance in Nigeria, and we intend to repeat the same but with even bigger results, noting that we have, as a small state, produced election results that compete favorably against results from bigger states because of our unity and understanding shown for each other.

The communique further stated that the Yobe State APC chapter has resolved to adopt consensus as a mode of elections to produce its candidates for the governorship, national assembly membership, and state assembly membership that is out of the two modes specified in the electorate act, consensus and direct; the APC has fixed consensus.

“And from our previous experience, consensus has always worked for us in this state in APC, and a candidate that emerges in any position will receive the support of all in this party, including, of course, aspirants who would have wished that were fixed. We support our candidates whenever they emerge.

He said the national members from Yobe State have always worked very closely and harmoniously with the state government, which has always been in APC in the last few years, especially during the Geidam era and, of course, presently with the Rt. Hon. Mai Mala Buni administration, and therefore this will continue because we have always seen the benefit of understanding and supporting each other.

2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe

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