Reports have emerged claiming various caucuses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have commenced intense push to produce the running mate for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was gathered that eight names have been penciled down as possible running mate for the former Lagos State governor but northern political clout and the fear of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is currently leaving APC leaders in a dilemma.
The eight names that have so far emerged included Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Samuel Lalong (Plateau); former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima (who led Tinubu campaignorganisation); former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
Top critic of the APC and Bishop of Catholic Diocese in Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah has surprisingly emerged among those been considered.
Daily Tribune quoted a source as saying, “The only drawback for Kashim Shettima is that he’s not Hausa/Fulani and that it will be the first time Hausa/ Fulani will not be represented in government. The same holds for Dogara, Boss, Lalong.
“Another source claimed that there is a strong push for Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah who retires later this year to balance the ticket, in spite of his occasional acerbic views on the APC federal administration.”
It was gathered that leaders of the northern region are bent on securing the interest of the region in the next general election in the country.
Those proposing the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim ticket are of the opinion that that is the only way of stopping northerners from voting against Bola Tinubu.
The source added: “The APC is likely to fly a Muslim/Muslim ticket because some influential members of the northern establishment have insisted that they do not want a Christian vice president in the North.
“There’s no Christian who can match Kashim Shettima in the entire North. Dogara can’t win more than Tafawa Balewa Local Governnent Area in Bauchi State. The SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, is neither Hausa nor Fulani and can’t win in multi-ethnic Adamawa State.
“Lalong is neither Hausa nor Fulani stock, so the majority Hausa Fulani may not accept him. Let’s look at the turn of events, something tells me it will be a Muslim/ Muslim ticket.”
Lalong is seen by some influential members of the northern establishment as part of the ethnic minorities who are spread across such states as Plateau, Benue, Kogi and Niger.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered Governor Nyesom Wike the position of Petroleum Minister if he wins the 2023 elections.
A source close to the negotiation told Premium Times that Atiku also offered the Rivers governor the opportunity to nominate one should the party win the election.
However, Wike camp is insisting on the vice-presidential slot, saying “a promise is not as important as what is currently on hand”.
It was gathered that the Rivers governor insistence in picking the PDP VP slot is behind the delay in the announcement of Atiku’s running mate.
Those in favour of Wike, including some governors, have pointed out his roles in rescuing the party at numerous times and how he had also supported PDP chapters without State governors.
But his critics are of the opinion that the Rivers State governor is not “presidential in conduct”.
They also claim that he would be a dangerous deputy and divisive figure in the presidency should they take over power in 2023.
On the other hand, Okowa who enjoys massive support among PDP leaders was instrumental in the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of the PDP.
According to Premium Times, Atiku is said to also prefer Okowa to run as his vice president.
But the possibility of Wike adding a stronger political structure and financial muscle to the ticket is delaying Atiku’s decision.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all political parties to submit the names of candidates that emerged from their respective presidential and national assembly primary elections within the next seven days.
The political parties were also mandated to submit the names of running mates of all presidential candidates within the stipulated time.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, at a meeting with the commission’s resident electoral commissioners (RECs) Thursday, said failure to include the names of running mates in the submitted lists will render the nominations invalid.
According to Yakubu, the political parties have until 6.00 pm on June 17, 2022, to submit the presidential and national assembly candidates’ list, after which the online portal will be shut down.
The names of governorship, deputy governorship, and state houses of assembly candidates must be submitted between July 1 and July 15, said the electoral umpire.
The INEC Chairman’s reminder came as the deadline for concluding all primary elections expire today.
It also followed the conclusion of the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic (PDP), where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar emerged as the respective candidates of the parties.
Yakubu said, “For the next one week from tomorrow 10th June 2022, all Political Parties are required to submit their list of candidates for national elections (Presidential/Vice Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) latest by Friday 17th June 2022. For State elections (Governorship/Deputy Governorship and State Houses of Assembly), the list of candidates shall be uploaded from 1st to 15th July 2022 as already provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election already released by the Commission.
“All Political Parties are required to upload the details of their candidates for each constituency to the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP). To achieve this objective, four officials recommended by each of the 18 political parties were trained on the procedure for uploading the nomination forms to the dedicated web portal. Confidential Access Codes to the portal have already been given to each Political Party to facilitate the uploading of its nominations.
“For emphasis, the Commission wishes to remind Political Parties that only the names of candidates that emerged from democratic primaries as provided by Sec. 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 shall be submitted to the Commission. Similarly, the list of all Presidential and Governorship candidates must be accompanied by the names of their running mates (i.e. Vice Presidential and Deputy Governorship candidates) without which the nomination is invalid. All nominations must be uploaded to the portal on/or before the deadlines. The portal will automatically shut down at 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 17th June 2022 for national elections and 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 15th July 2022 for State elections. With this innovation, the Commission has eliminated the physical interface between party officials and INEC staff for the purpose of submitting the list of candidates for the 2023 General Election.”
He added that a nomination centre had also been set up at the INEC’s headquarters to receive and process all nominations by political parties, including dedicated telephone lines to assist all political parties resolve issues they may encounter.
Yakubu also addressed complaints that citizens in some parts of country are unable to access INEC officials to partake in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
He noted that insecurity in some parts of the country has prevented INEC officials from carrying out registration activities but promised that the commission will ensure that all eligible persons seeking to register are captured.
“Unfortunately, in some places the exercise was disrupted by general insecurity. In other places, our Local Government Areas offices were consistently attacked resulting in the suspension of all activities, including voter registration. A number of IVED machines were snatched and uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) destroyed. Worse, our registration officials were violently attacked. Some of them were abducted but later released. In one sad incident, an official lost his life.
“Despite these challenges, the CVR has continued nationwide. However, as the deadline for the suspension of the current exercise approaches, the Commission has received reports of a surge in the number of prospective registrants that daily throng our State and Local Government Area offices as well as designated centres in many States across the country,” he said.
Yukubu added, “I wish to reassure Nigerians that the Commission remains committed to ensuring that all citizens who wish to register are given the opportunity to do so.
“This is one of the reasons why this meeting has been convened. Already, some of the Resident Electoral Commissioners have requested for more voter registration machines to ease the congestion. The Commission will deploy additional machines to areas of need immediately. Thereafter, the Commission will meet to review the progress of the exercise and take further decisions. We will always respond positively to the needs of Nigerians and therefore appeal to all citizens to be patient with the Commission as we strive to serve them better. We appreciate the desire of Nigerians to register as voters. Let me reassure all eligible registrants that no one will be left out.”
THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the INEC chairman’s chief press secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, had specifically blamed the activities of ‘unknown gunmen’ in the South East for the commission’s failure to efficiently capture residents in the region.
“While our staff are prepared to do their job, it should not be at the expense of their lives,” Oyekanmi had said.
A media entrepreneur, Dumebi Kachikwu, has defeated a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghlau to the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Naija News reports that Kachikwu defeated Moghalu, who had vowed to retire Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, the presidential primary of the ADC held on Wednesday night.
Kachikwu polled 977 votes against Moghalu’s 589 votes. Chukwuka Monye came third with 339 votes at the primary exercise in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
It was gathered that other aspirants kicked against the victory of Kachikwu. They accused the Roots Nigeria CEO of “dollarising” the process by bribing delegates.
“I appreciate Prof. Moghalu and other credible aspirants for a spirited fight even though we didn’t make it. The fight to rescue this country from the brink of disaster is still on…. Monye is committed to this” Mr Monye said. “Will communicate who we will support.”
Kachikwu is the younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.
Earlier Kingsley Moghalu had vowed to retire Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu and set Nigeria on the path of prosperity.
Moghalu said, “I am here to offer myself to you not because I am better than anybody here but because I care about the future of our country. I offer myself because God has given me the main recognition to stand side-by-side with Atiku, Tinubu and to send them into retirement.”
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu in the just concluded presidential primary of the ruling party.
Tinubu on Wednesday won APC’s presidential ticket with a wide margin to defeat the likes of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who came third in the race and former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi who came second.
Atiku had through his official Twitter handle earlier, mocked the ruling party for allegedly failing to fulfil the promises made to Nigerians in the 2015 elections.
The PDP presidential candidate added that the ruling party cannot gloss over its scorecard for the mandate Nigerians gave to the party.
Nigerians have reacted to a viral video of MC Oluomo and his supporters rejoicing after Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged flag bearer of the APC.
Naija News reports that with Tinubu’s victory, he will square up against PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and NNPP’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Nigerians have taken to social media to react to MC Oluomo and his supporters dancing happily to Tinubu’s victory.
nimotabeddings wrote; ‘These ones only cares about that pockets’
Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket.
The APC national leader polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other aspirants, including a former Transport Minister, Rotimi Ameachi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who scored 316 and 235 votes respectively.
Naija News reports that with Tinubu’s victory, he will square up against PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and NNPP’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Tinubu defeated the likes of Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation; and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Governor David Umahi; Governor Ben Ayade; Pastor Tunde Bakare: Senator Sani Yerima.
Fourteen aspirants in the race were Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Gov. Ben Ayade, Gov. David Umuahi, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Sen. Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawal, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Gov. Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Nine aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race including Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Dr Felix Nicholas, former Gov. Godswill Akpabio, former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, and former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, Gov. Muhammad Badaru, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri has dropped a bombshell on how President Muhammadu Buhari has been allegedly planning revenge on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
This is coming a few hours after Yemi Osinbajo refused to step down for the National leader of the All Progressives Congress Party, Bola Tinubu.
In a post shared on Twitter, Reno Omokri alleged that Buhari felt Osinbajo betrayed him when he went for his medical trip.
According to Reno Omokri, Buhari has been plotting his revenge, revealing that this was the major reason he encouraged Osinbajo to run for the presidential election and vowed to back him but he didn’t keep to his words.
Reno Omokri added that Osinbajo running for the office of the presidency will make him politically useless both at home and abroad.
He wrote: “I am told Buhari felt Osinbajo betrayed him when he went for his medical trip. Buhari has been plotting his revenge. So he encouraged Osinbajo to run. Vowed to back him, but did not back him, knowing that by running, Osinbajo will make himself politically useless home and abroad”
Voting exercise at the ongoing National Convention of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja to elect the presidential candidate of the party has been suspended.
The suspension was announced at exactly 03:15am after former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stormed the voting area and complained bitterly to electoral officers manning the polling votes about irregularities.
Consequently, Atiku Bagudu, the Kebbi State Governor, who doubled as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, made the announcement directing the halt to the voting exercise while tasking the security agents to clear the voting arena.
He further directed that only security agents and agents of aspirants, who should be two each, be allowed around the voting corridor after a proper clearance has been made.
Despite the announcement, arguments persisted as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambblazzau and former Senator from Lagos State, Ganiyu Solomon engaged in heated argument over the development.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, later joined them to calm the situation for voting to resume.
This was as delegates and supporters of one of the aspirants, Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, accused the electoral officers of manipulation.
They accused the officers of speaking South Western dialect and directing those voting on what to write.
Delegates were asked to simply write the name of the aspirant they want, forcing some who are not schooled enough to require help.
It was in that process that accusations and counter accusations of rigging began, thereby forcing a halt to the voting exercise.
As at 3:34 am when this report was filed, voting has not resumed.
A presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has disowned a viral text message alleging that he plans to pick a fellow Muslim as his running mate if he emerges as the ruling party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
Tinubu said the text message is being circulated to delegates while the APC presidential primary election is ongoing.
According o him, the ‘fake’ text message was fashioned by “undemocratic elements” whom he said are already intimidated by his “imminent victory” at the poll.
A statement issued by his media office on Tuesday midnight reads: “We have been informed of a text message going round APC delegates at Eagle Square, Abuja purportedly from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming that with his imminent victory at the APC Presidential Primary and emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, the APC leader has now decided on a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“This is nothing but a lie. It has no basis whatsoever. We enjoin the distinguished delegates to ignore this completely.
“The fake text message is a ploy by some undemocratic elements to confuse and hoodwink delegates sensing that Asíwájú Tinubu is comfortably coasting home to victory.
“Truth is Asíwájú is destined for victory and no one can scuttle this through their shameful tactics.
“Asíwájú is not known to jumping guns. He will deal with all important matters pertaining to his presidential pair at the appropriate time, after his victory has been fully established by the distinguished delegates.”
At least seven aspirants have so far stepped down and backed Tinubu to pick the APC presidential ticket.
No fewer than fourteen governors are also said to be rooting for the Tinubu for the 2023 presidency.
THE WHISTLER, however, reported earlier that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo refused to imitate other southern leaders who have withdrawn from the race to support his former boss and political godfather.
Osinbajo had told delegates at the Eagle Square venue of the presidential primary that “You cannot wish this country well and vote for someone you don’t believe in.”
![Breaking News: Jubilations As Bola Tinubu Emerges APC Presidential Candidate [See Final Breakdown Of Result]](https://www.societygazetteng.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Asiwaju-Bola-Ahmed-Tinubu-APC-41-400x242-1.jpg)
