Politics
OF ZULUM, SHETTIMA AND CONFLICT THEORISTS
OF ZULUM, SHETTIMA AND CONFLICT THEORISTS
By: Inuwa Bwala
I had to cause to write about the seeming unbreakable bond between Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima before, in which I cited their relationship as a reference for others to copy. I did that knowing as a matter of fact that Professor Zulum and Senator Shettima have come a long way.
Theirs’ is a relationship that transcends politics. It was a virtual bond, built on trust and confidence, mutual respect, commonality of interest and a commonly defined goal. Very often, they acknowledge the fact of their existential bond. Nothing in their actions or utterances indicates otherwise, that there is a departure.
I was surprised reading on a particular platform, authored by one saleh mari Maina, that there is a brewing crisis of confidence between the duo, to the effect that Senator Shettima is plotting to thwart his compatriots, professor Zulum’s second term bid.

Whatever was the author’s source of information, I dare say that, it must have come from the depth of hell fire, as nothing could be further from the truth. I know as a matter of fact that, the relationship has made others so envious, to the effect that outsider political jobbers are being deployed and fifth columnists being recruited to create a façade in semblance of conflict.
It is common knowledge in the political cyle that, Zulum and Shettima are on the same page as far as the leadership of the APC is concerned and have a common focus on political permutations. I consider it most uncharitable for Saleh to leave his his base in Kaduna, only to come and be theorizing on a nonexistent political conflict.
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Kashim Shettima acknowledges Professor Zulum as the leader of the party in the state, which has never been in doubt, and zulum reciprocates acknowledging Shettima as his benefactor. These facts have never been controverted. I know Mari as a good writer, but he cannot pass as a good investigative journalist, because, he often cannot conceal his biases and prejudices. His theory of a brewing crisis is at best the outpourings of his mischievous calculations, in which he hopes to take one side as a hatchet man to feed.

I wish to state on authority, that, Professor Zulum’s second term bid is not under any threat whatsoever, neither is senator Shettima’s quest to return to the red chamber. There are no issues over control of the party machinery, neither has there ever been claims nor counter claims over party control. The history he hopes to recreate is a farfetched dream, which is at total variance with what obtains in the current circumstance.
I was hoping all citizens will rally round the duo of Shettima and Zulum, who are united in trying to redefine the focus of governance and give citizens hopes. Our immediate experiences leave us with little or no luxury for political bickering. Where there are no conflicts, we should not try to create one and where there is peace, we should try to engender it.
OF ZULUM, SHETTIMA AND CONFLICT THEORISTS
Politics
Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa
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
Politics
2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe
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
Politics
Edo South 2027: Why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Remains a Strong Senatorial Option,
Edo South 2027: Why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Remains a Strong Senatorial Option,
By Augustine Osayande, PhD
As Edo South gradually enters the early phase of political alignment ahead of the 2027 senatorial election, it is becoming increasingly evident that the contest will not merely be about personalities, but about the depth of experience, institutional capacity, and the ability to translate political influence into measurable development outcomes.
Among the figures already shaping this emerging conversation is Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, whose name continues to surface consistently in stakeholder consultations and intra-party engagements across the district.
Whether one views him through a partisan lens or a governance-oriented perspective, his presence in Edo South political discourse is neither incidental nor new—it is the product of sustained political engagement spanning multiple electoral cycles and administrative roles.
From my perspective, Ize-Iyamu represents a category of political actors whose relevance is built not only on ambition, but on long-term institutional exposure and embeddedness within the machinery of state governance. This factor alone places him in a distinct position within any serious evaluation of potential senatorial contenders.
Recent engagements across Edo South, particularly within political structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC), indicate an early but deliberate process of consultation and alignment among key stakeholders.
These meetings—often involving local government party leadership, ward representatives, and aspirants—have focused on representation gaps, development priorities, and internal party cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle.
In one such engagement, an aspirant formally met with APC chairmen across the seven local government areas in Edo South to declare intent and outline a preliminary vision for legislative representation. Discussions reportedly centred on the need for stronger advocacy at the National Assembly and improved coordination between federal presence and local development needs.
Such consultations are increasingly becoming a defining feature of pre-election politics in Edo South, reflecting both the strategic importance of the senatorial seat and the growing awareness among political actors that legislative representation must go beyond symbolic presence.
A central argument in favour of Osagie Ize-Iyamu is his extensive experience within the executive arm of government in Edo State. His service as Chief of Staff between 1999 and 2003, and subsequently as Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007, placed him in positions that are critical to governance coordination and policy execution.
These roles are not peripheral; they are central to the functioning of government. They involve oversight of administrative systems, coordination between ministries and agencies, and direct interface with the governor on policy implementation. This kind of exposure is particularly relevant to legislative duties at the National Assembly, where success is often determined by an understanding of how executive decisions are formulated, funded, and implemented.
In practical terms, senators are expected to do more than debate legislation—they are also required to influence budgetary outcomes, negotiate constituency projects, and engage in complex intergovernmental advocacy. A background such as Ize-Iyamu’s provides a form of institutional literacy that can be difficult to acquire quickly within the legislative environment.
One of the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s legislative system is the gap between representation and effective delivery of constituency benefits. Many legislators enter the National Assembly without prior experience in governance structures, which often limits their capacity to navigate federal bureaucracy.
In this context, Ize-Iyamu’s administrative background becomes a significant factor. His exposure to executive processes equips him with an understanding of how to engage ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as how to position constituency priorities within national development frameworks.
For Edo South, where issues of infrastructure development, youth unemployment, environmental challenges, and industrial underdevelopment remain central concerns, the ability to effectively interface with federal institutions is not merely desirable—it is essential.
Another dimension of Ize-Iyamu’s political profile is his endurance across Nigeria’s often volatile political terrain. Over the past two decades, he has remained an active participant in Edo State politics, navigating multiple party affiliations, electoral contests, and shifting alliances.
While political opponents sometimes interpret this fluidity differently, it also demonstrates a form of adaptability that is increasingly relevant in Nigeria’s coalition-driven political environment. Legislative politics, particularly at the Senate level, is rarely driven by ideology alone; it is shaped by negotiation, alliance-building, and strategic compromise.
In this respect, political resilience is not merely about survival—it is about maintaining relevance, influence, and access to evolving power structures.
Ize-Iyamu’s political career has also been marked by sustained engagement across party lines and political blocs. This has resulted in a network of relationships that extends beyond immediate partisan boundaries within Edo South.
Such networks are often critical in legislative politics, where influence is exercised not only through formal committee structures but also through informal alliances that shape decision-making, funding priorities, and project allocation.
His repeated participation in high-profile electoral contests has further reinforced his visibility at both state and national levels. In practical terms, visibility translates into political leverage, particularly in negotiations involving federal presence and constituency development projects.
Within Edo South itself, questions of equitable representation have increasingly become part of the political discourse. One recurring observation is that certain local government areas, such as Orhionmwon, have not historically held the senatorial seat since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
While zoning arrangements are often informal and politically negotiated, such historical imbalances tend to influence stakeholder conversations as elections approach. These considerations add another layer to the broader debate on fairness, inclusion, and regional balance within the senatorial district.
Ultimately, the emerging discourse around the 2027 Edo South senatorial race is beginning to crystallise around a familiar but important dichotomy: experience versus experimentation.
On one side are arguments that emphasise the need for seasoned political actors who understand governance systems, legislative procedures, and federal negotiation dynamics. On the other are calls for generational change and new political approaches.
Ize-Iyamu’s supporters clearly position him within the first category. Their argument is that Edo South requires a representative who does not need time to learn the system, but one who can immediately operate within it to deliver results.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu remains a significant figure in the evolving Edo South senatorial conversation for 2027, not merely because of political ambition, but because of a combination of institutional experience, political resilience, and established networks of influence.
While the final outcome will ultimately be determined by party decisions, zoning arrangements, and voter preferences, his profile ensures that he remains a central reference point in any serious discussion about Edo South’s representation at the National Assembly.
At its core, the debate is not simply about individuals. It is about the kind of leadership Edo South believes is best suited to navigate the complexities of federal politics and convert representation into tangible development outcomes for the district.
Augustine Osayande contributed this article through austinelande@yahoo.com
Edo South 2027: Why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Remains a Strong Senatorial Option,
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