Politics

PLATEAU APC’S IDES OF MARCH

Published

3 years ago

March 5, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

PLATEAU APC’S IDES OF MARCH

BY CHRIS GYANG

Saturday, March 11, 2023, is judgement day for the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Plateau State. It is a date many citizens have anxiously waited for with so much expectation and high hopes.

As things stand, the inevitable verdict of the people is bound to be justifiably, proportionately, damning. The long-term outcome shall be the rebirth of the state and its citizens.

The past eight years of the APC have left in their wake a forlorn populace and a devastated landscape devoid of the kind of development other states of the federation have experienced.

Plateau State citizens have never before been subjected to the kind of rudderless leadership, accompanied by an almost complete absence of infrastructural, economic and social development, the way the current APC administration has done.

Today, it has the negative distinction of being the fourth poorest in the country. You see this in every corner of the state.

The tragedy of the state is best appreciated when it is also realised that the Lalong government has so far incurred a debt of more than N200 billion – one of the largest in the entire country. And there is virtually nothing on ground to show for it!

This sort of bleak record is vastly replicated in other sectors of the economy, governance and general administration of the state.

The full extent of the damage the APC administration has wrought will only become clearer when the next governor takes office. They have substantially succeeded in reducing the stat to a shadow of its once glorious and robust self.

The APC government here loves to flamboyantly tout itself as The Rescue Administration. By the way they have misapplied and corrupted this concept, it is either they accidentally picked this fanciful notion by the road side or they never got the hang of what its original fabricator had in mind.

Whichever way, it has become apparent that Plateau State never needed rescuing in the first. Since it set out on this self-serving and delusional mission, the APC administration has, rather, plundered and destroyed the immense and palpable gains made by its predecessor.

It is Governor Lalong himself and his misguided administration that are in dire need of rescuing. They have completely lost all sense of direction and cannot find the way out of this stifling morass into which they have dragged the state.

Today, a majority of the people who are not blinded by their political allegiances to the APC are yearning for a return to those good old days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Broken promises, outright lies, fabrications and missed opportunities are some of the derelict mementoes the APC administration will leave for Plateau people. Citizens are still asking about the 400 tractors the government said it procured in its first tenure.

No one has seen one of them. So local farmers still toil on their farms using the most rudimentary tools and methods, reminiscent of their forebears in the 1960s. The state’s huge comparative advantages in the areas of Irish potatoes, cabbage, carrots and exotic fruits production have been squandered.

The Agriculture Services and Training Centres (ASTC), which was the touchstone of the Jonah Jang (PDP) administration’s agrarian revolution, has been systematically destroyed by the APC. They could not simply sustain the incredible vision and determination that went into bringing cutting edge Israeli technology to bear on the state’s mainly subsistence agricultural sector.

That phenomenal quantum leap, which became the benchmark for other states, even the Federal Government, has been brutally killed.

Questions are still being asked about the humongous loan facility said to have been procured for the completion of the Olympic size Zaria Road stadium, which has remained uncompleted. But because this administration does not care a bit about accountability and transparency, nothing will be known about this shady deal until a new government takes over. The same with the mysterious case of the 400 tractors.

The APC’s attack on, and disregard for the rule of law, is unmatched in the political history of the state. They orchestrated the wholesale exclusion of the main opposition PDP in the 2021 local government election which it went on to ‘win’ in all of the 17 local government areas of the state.

In October 2021, the same party masterminded the impeachment of the Speaker of the state legislature by six of its twenty four members. That move has remained controversial.

The Speaker had dared to question the governor’s sincerity in the fight against herdsmen’s bloody attacks on indigenous communities of the state. The APC found that offensive and contrary to its code of conduct and moved against the Speaker. The scars have refused to heal.

The presidential election has come, gone and left its sour taste in the mouths of majority of Nigerians. But that should neither dampen their morale nor deter them from performing Saturday’s necessary exercise of purgation, especially in Plateau State.

Citizens should trudge on with determination. Purge this APC scourge that has sucked the life out of the state so perniciously in the last eight years. It is now stranded, motionless, in the national race towards greatness.

The people must return to that golden era where the overall good and interests of the masses are the overriding concerns of government.

For Plateau APC, here comes your inevitable Ides of March – the damning verdict of the people.

PLATEAU APC’S IDES OF MARCH

Politics

Buni wins the Yobe East senatorial seat

Published

2 days ago

May 20, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Buni wins the Yobe East senatorial seat

By: Yahaya Wakili

The executive governor of Yobe state, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, has won the Yobe East senatorial district primary election.

And Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai has won the Yobe South Senatorial seat. While Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan GCON, the longest-serving senator, has won the Yobe North Senatorial seat, respectively.

Senator Musa Mustapha moved a motion for endorsement of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON as the sole APC senatorial candidate for the Yobe East Senatorial District.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Lawan Shettima Ali in line with the provisions of our laws.

“I am truly grateful to our political leaders and constituents for the opportunity given to me to serve in the Nigerian Senate,” Senator Mustapha said.

He maintained that Governor Mai Mala Buni and I have always agreed on everything that we have to do to make our state better, and he is the one that will take over from me.

“With his track record of performance, the Yobe East senatorial election has already been won by Governor Buni, inshallah, and I don’t think there is anybody today with the political capacity to even come near him in the upcoming elections.

Buni wins the Yobe East senatorial seat

Politics

2027: Fintiri wins APC’s senatorial ticket for Adamawa North

Published

3 days ago

May 19, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

2027: Fintiri wins APC’s senatorial ticket for Adamawa North

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial ticket in the forthcoming 2027 general elections for Adamawa North Senatorial District.

Mr Wilfred William, the returning officer of the APC primary election for Adamawa North senatorial district declared Fintiri the winner and returned him as APC’s candidate at the collation centre in Mubi-North Local Government Area of Adamawa.

He said that the election was conducted across the five LGAs in the zone; Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi-North and Mubi-South.

“The total number of votes for the five LGAs is 292,070, accredited votes 174,514, votes cast 174,514.

“The following are the number of votes scored by each aspirant; Abdulrahaman Kwacham 6,958 votes; Ahmadu Fintiri 160,579 votes and Hamisu Medugu 6,977.

“Having satisfied the requirements, Fintiri scored the highest votes and was hereby declared the winner and returned elected for the Adamawa North Senatorial District,” he said.

2027: Fintiri wins APC’s senatorial ticket for Adamawa North

Politics

2027: “VP Shettima is the soul of the Tinubu ticket.”

Published

3 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Net Global

Vice President Kashim Shettima

2027: “VP Shettima is the soul of the Tinubu ticket.”

By: Dr. James Bwala

In the complex and often unpredictable landscape of Nigerian politics, few figures command the nuanced respect and unyielding support that Vice President Kashim Shettima does within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and beyond. As Nigeria approaches the pivotal 2027 elections, political discourse has increasingly focused on the symbiotic relationship between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice president, Shettima—an alliance many analysts and insiders argue forms an inseparable whole. Among those who have championed this narrative for over a decade, I have steadfastly promoted and defended Shettima’s candidacy and political persona in the media, convinced that he is not only indispensable to Tinubu’s ticket but indeed its very soul.

Shettima’s political journey is marked by resilience, versatility, and a deep commitment to Nigeria’s democratic evolution. From his early days as governor of Borno State—where he confronted extremist insurgencies with a combination of diplomacy and firmness—to his current role as vice president, Shettima has consistently demonstrated qualities essential to governance: courage, strategic thinking, and an unshakeable connection to the grassroots. These attributes have earned him a rare kind of political capital, transcending regional and ethnic divides that often constrain Nigerian politicians.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-between-president-tinubu-and-vice-president-kashim-shettima/

The past few years have seen me articulate these points repeatedly, emphasizing Shettima’s unique ability to balance the interests of northern Nigeria while aligning with Tinubu’s southwestern base. This duality is critical in a country where political equations are fundamentally intertwined with geography and identity. Shettima’s presence on the ticket effectively broadens the coalition, ensuring that the APC maintains electoral competitiveness across key demographics. His role is not merely symbolic or ceremonial; it is a strategic masterstroke aimed at reflecting the diversity and unity Nigeria aspires to embody.

Yet, despite these clear advantages, skepticism about Shettima’s political heft persists among certain commentators and factions. Some critics assert that he lacks the “political weight” to govern effectively at the national level or that his influence is confined to limited spheres. These critiques often hinge on isolated events or a narrow interpretation of political dynamics. However, such views overlook the broader, more intricate realities of Nigerian politics, where soft power, coalition-building, and consensus-making are just as vital as raw electoral numbers or populist appeal.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-between-president-tinubu-and-vice-president-kashim-shettima/

A compelling rejoinder to these doubts was recently offered by my respected colleague, Mr. Abdul Rafiu Lawal, former correspondent for TELL Magazine, whose insights carry considerable weight owing to his extensive experience and analytical rigor. Lawal described Vice President Shettima as the “soul of the Tinubu ticket,” a phrase that encapsulates the essence of Shettima’s indispensability to the ruling coalition. He went further to caution that if President Tinubu were to disregard or sever this alliance, he would be committing a grave political error—a move that would jeopardize the ticket’s viability and electoral success.

Lawal’s commentary crystallizes the argument that Shettima is far more than a mere running mate; he is the linchpin of their collective political destiny. His presence on the ticket provides coherence to the APC’s narrative of inclusiveness and stability amid an often fragmented political landscape. Indeed, Shettima’s extensive networks, especially in the crucial Northern geopolitical region, afford the administration a strategic edge in mobilizing voters and consolidating support in areas that might otherwise remain skeptical of the Tinubu-led platform.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-between-president-tinubu-and-vice-president-kashim-shettima/

Beyond electoral calculations, Shettima’s role as the vice president projects a message of reconciliation and forward-looking governance. Nigeria’s history is punctuated by periods of sectional tension and mistrust among its diverse ethnic groups. Having a northeasterner of Shettima’s stature occupying this high office signals a commitment to embracing all corners of the nation, fostering unity and shared purpose. This symbolism resonates with millions who seek assurance that their voices and concerns matter in the corridors of power.

VP Shettima embodies a blend of youthful dynamism and seasoned political acumen that complements Tinubu’s leadership style. Together, they project an image of a government both rooted in experience and responsive to contemporary challenges. This synergy is critical as Nigeria confronts pressing issues—from economic diversification and security threats to social cohesion and infrastructural development.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-between-president-tinubu-and-vice-president-kashim-shettima/

Detractors might argue that political alliances in Nigeria are ephemeral, driven by expediency rather than enduring conviction. While this skepticism is not unfounded historically, the Tinubu-Shettima partnership demonstrates notable durability and shared vision. It is a relationship forged not solely on political convenience but also on mutual respect and a convergent understanding of Nigeria’s needs at this juncture. The consistency of Shettima’s public service record, alongside Tinubu’s leadership trajectory, attests to a partnership built on genuine collaboration.

In light of these considerations, the discourse surrounding the “Shettima issue” must be reframed. Rather than questioning his legitimacy or capacity, stakeholders ought to recognize that the vice president’s role transcends individual ambition. He is a critical agent for national consolidation, whose contributions underpin the larger framework of political stability and growth.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-between-president-tinubu-and-vice-president-kashim-shettima/

As the nation moves closer to the 2027 elections, the importance of coherent, inclusive leadership cannot be overstated. The stakes are high, and the electorate is discerning. Political actors who understand and embrace the composite nature of Nigeria’s polity will be better positioned to deliver lasting progress. Herein lies the significance of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s place on the Tinubu ticket—it is the embodiment of unity in diversity, a strategic nod to Nigeria’s pluralistic fabric, and a testament to the power of principled partnership.

The vice president is undeniably the soul of the Tinubu ticket. His political gravitas, regional representation, and commitment to national development enrich the ticket’s appeal and functionality. To undermine or dismiss his role is to risk destabilizing an alliance that offers Nigeria a credible path towards cohesion and prosperity. As articulated by Abdul Rafiu Lawal and evidenced by decades of Shettima’s public engagement, the vice presidency is not a peripheral appointment but a central pillar in the architecture of Nigeria’s evolving democracy. For those invested in the country’s future, embracing Shettima’s indispensability is not just a political calculation—it is a patriotic imperative.

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

2027: “VP Shettima is the soul of the Tinubu ticket.”