Headlines

2027: Tinubu To Retain Shettima As VP

Published

3 months ago

August 18, 2025

Our Reporter

☆☆☆ The Nantawe/Ganduje Switch as Strategic Balancing and the Kwankwaso Facade

By: Special Correspondent

Never in the history of elections in Nigeria has the polity become so heated, so early, as in the countdown to the 2027 elections.

The seeming desperate attempt to cause disaffection against government in the face of hardships has provided fertile ground to de-market the presidency in particular.

While it remains an open secret that some people insist on having their way in the next elections, the fight looks dirtier, with the contest essentially among hitherto close political allies.

As it stands, plans are being drawn up to drag President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into political brawls far too early. While both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima seem to have mustered the political will to withstand such diversionary tactics, some of their allies have not been as patient.

Of all the political speculations, the hype about President Tinubu substituting his Vice, Kashim Shettima, in 2027 has been most pronounced.

Our correspondent, who has been keenly monitoring events in and around the Presidency, however reports that there is actually nothing happening to suggest that President Tinubu has plans to pick a different running mate from Shettima.

Investigations reveal that, contrary to widely held notions that former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, was forced out to pave the way for Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join the party and subsequently become Tinubu’s running mate, the real issues at stake were tactical realignments to correct certain impressions about the party.

Very close sources to the President confirmed to National Trail that Ganduje was made to give way for pure religious balancing in the top hierarchy of the APC leadership.

We can authoritatively report that Ganduje might not have resigned solely on health grounds, but rather to pave the way for the emergence of a Christian from the North Central—if only to correct preconceived notions that the APC favors only Muslims.

Our correspondent gathered that Ganduje’s exit and Professor Nantawe’s emergence were purely political calculations to correct such impressions about the APC, and not because President Tinubu is making adjustments to ease Shettima out.

While it remains true that the President has reached out to Rabiu Kwankwaso for a possible working relationship, the claim that Kwankwaso was being considered as Tinubu’s running mate was nothing but a facade.

According to a close confidant of the President, who preferred to remain anonymous, the last-minute choice of Professor Nantawe ahead of someone like Tanko Al-Makura as APC National Chairman was part of Tinubu’s strategy to maintain the Muslim-Muslim ticket while compensating Christians with other top positions.

Our source added that the relationship between Tinubu and Shettima has remained unshaken, with the Vice President still his closest confidant and work partner.

“There is nothing wrong with the pairing. Everything the Vice President has presented to the President has always been expressly approved. As we all know, the Vice President remains the face of this administration in global circles,” our source noted.

National Trail can also report that the President has often given Shettima a pat on the back at the end of every outing, just as the Vice President always attributes every success to his boss, the President.

Our correspondent, who monitors Vice President Shettima’s public statements, reports that he consistently attributes every official assignment to the President and always reverts to his principal at the end of engagements.

Speaking to our correspondent on the relationship between President Tinubu and his Vice, an APC stalwart from Borno State, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, told National Trail that the ruse about substituting the Vice President was a familiar echo from dominant political forces who believe that nothing good could ever come from minority groups in the North.

Investigations also reveal that, far beyond the claims about demands from minority Christian Northerners for a Christian to be brought on board, the Muslim-Muslim ticket is no longer an issue, as the Tinubu/Shettima pairing has deconstructed arguments of religious dominance.

A visit to both the President and Vice President gives no sign of any friction; rather, one notices the usual cordial relationship known with the duo.

Sources in the Presidency confirmed to this medium that a think tank is strategically working out ways to deconstruct criticisms against President Tinubu while mapping out a robust re-election plan.

“You will agree with me that the promised benefits of our reform programmes are beginning to manifest, and we shall leverage the results to market President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. For now, we are still watching,” he said.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.