Politics

STANDING TRUTH ON IT’S HEAD : AN ACADEMICS WARPED NARRATIVE

Published

3 years ago

March 12, 2023

News Net Global

Zulum orders introduction of vocational skills in 3,226 Almajiri schools

STANDING TRUTH ON IT’S HEAD : AN ACADEMICS WARPED NARRATIVE

By: Inuwa Bwala

I am always fascinated by one anecdote about two neighbours: one kept sheep and goats while the other had a beautiful garden at the back of his house.

Very often, the neighbour’s animals invade the other neighbours garden and eat up his plants and flowers. On every such occasions, the garden owner complained to his neighbour, but no attempt was ever made to control the rampaging sheep and goats.

Every time, he explained that, he has the right to rear what he wanted, after all, he had no control over the sheep and goatd because they are animals.

Having been pushed to the wall, so to say, the garden owner abandoned his vocation and brought in two hounds, which he also left free around the house.

One day, the sheep and goats ventured into the hounds’ territory and were eventually devoured.The owner reported the matter to the authorities and a jury was called in to adjudicate.

The jury’s verdict was that: each of the neighbours were free to rear their animals and are not duty bound to control them since they are all animals.

This anecdote captures the political situation in Borno, between the All Progressives Congress, APC and the People’s Democratic Party. PDP.

When its hunt dogs were left free in their remarks: denigrating others, including the State Governor, the PDP never found anything wrong in their actions. Several times, the Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum personally pleaded with his followers not to retaliate: an approach which seems to embolden the PDP elements, pouring more invectives on him and even booing him on the streets.

It goes without saying that, unleashing street urchins on the chief executive of a state is most uncharitable and to start crying foul when faced in their own game is most cowardly.

It is even most mischievous to attempt to turn the Governors eventual response to the several acts of embarrassment, as a threat.

If I were not at the event where he spoke in Biu and if I were not aware of the several acts of disorderliness, often displayed when Governor Zulum visits, I would have swallowed the warped narrative being pursued by a nameless academic, via that audio.

When an ignorant tells stories from his or her uninformed position, people seldom take note, but when such an ignorant takes cover in an enlightened environment, like the academia, it becomes very dangerous and must be responded to.

If truly, the man speaking in that audio is an academic, I am sure most of those who listened him: especially those who know the truth must have been disappointed that, the refinement known of academics did not seem to have robbed off on him even as an ignoramus in that highly enlightened and sophisticated environment.

Listening to the audio made out by the nameless fellow claiming to be an academic about the Governors remark, one cannot but liken him to the sheep keeper, who did did not seem to care about the sensibilities of his neighbour.

I challenge him to go back and listen to what Professor Babagana Umara Zulum said, and I am sure he may discover that, the narrative he seeks to promote, by alleging threats; were actually his own conjectures.

Hear the Governor, “I am one Governor that have come here more number of times than any other one before me. Every time I come, I plead with people, including very small boys, but every time I don’t seem to cut the ice. I am here to tell you that I am prepared for any outcome of the elections. God gives power, and if he decides to do contrary to my preference, I am bound to accept, but given the chance, I will not allow anybody who shows no respect to others; even our leaders to come and work with me. If you insist, we will test our strength in the ballot box and I know that, whoever wins, both sides would have suffered at the end of the day”.

I beg to take only this portion, because this is where our so called academic seem to mischievously quote to bolster his narrative.

If there is anybody who does not seem to understand idiomatic expressions, it is evidently this faceless academic and not Governor Zulum.

If understanding the Governor or idiomatic expressioned was so difficult for the audio maker, there abound amongst his paymasters, many people who understood the Governor very well.

There is no need inflaming passions or appealing to the emotions of Bura people in his desperate quest to demarket the Governor.

Many people who spoke to me about the audio do not seem to fathom what the real motive was as the maker of the audio claims not to be a politician. I personally did not know what to make of it either, even after listening to the audio many time over.

Like the two neighbours in the opening montage of this piece, I think we need right thinking individuals to interprete to us the assumed threat. I did not hear it, and those with me did not hear it either.

If I were not at the venue of the event at which the revered Professor spoke in Biu, I could have easily believed in the nameless academicians theatrics, where in he attempted to stand the import of Governor Zulum’s message on its head.

STANDING TRUTH ON IT’S HEAD : AN ACADEMICS WARPED NARRATIVE

Politics

Buni wins the Yobe East senatorial seat

Published

6 hours 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

15 hours 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

17 hours 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.”