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Kukah And The Vice Presidential Story

Published

7 months ago

January 19, 2026

By Simon Reef Musa

According to a news story published by a national newspaper, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah was one of the names being tipped to replace vice president Kashim Shettima as running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
This story fits into the barrage of misinformation devoted to swinging the political pendulum, ahead of next year’s general elections. Any storyteller can come out with a better narration insinuating such a fabrication.

The allegation that all is not well between Tinubu and his deputy gained credence when an appointee of the presidency, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, resigned in April 2025 and said his resignation was principally influenced by the lack of resolve by the Tinubu-led administration to tackle insecurity and poverty. The relationship between insecurity and poverty is intertwined. As long as insecurity festers, so long will the dream of emancipating citizens from the claws of deprivation remain forlorn and unrealisable.

The Drumbeats Begin

With the drumbeats of the general elections becoming louder, those plotting to wrest power from the incumbent are exploring all avenues to defeat Tinubu. Following the US President Donald Trump’s tweet late last year that degenerated into a pro-Christian and pro-Muslim genocide group, the discourse assumed a feverish religious undertone. In the face of a debate that had turned into a conversational warfare, both camps became a tool in widening the religious gulf and portraying the cross and the crescent moon with a star in a combat.
Contrary to the erroneous assumption that Christianity and Islam are at war, the deployment of politics to gain ascendancy has always been an established rule among members of the ruling elite, with democracy practised devoid of the people’s participation. Taking advantage of turning poverty into an effective weapon, ethnicity and religious sentiments are now the albatross of the ballot system of government.
The 2023 general elections proved an eye-opener as they uncovered the underbelly of religious and ethnic sentiments taken too far. Against the old practice where both faiths had informally agreed to some sharing of position in maintaining religious relevance, the APC in 2022 adopted a Muslim-Muslim ticket. While former Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai of Kaduna State revealed that the real reason behind the same faith ticket was to put non-Muslims in their true position as political underdogs, he vowed that by the time the same faith ticket was put into practice for many years, non-Muslims would realise that the same faith ticket is for justice and not injustice.

The Kukah Position

In its third year of being in power, the same faith ticket of Tinubu and Shettima has clearly shown that it can and has worked for both faiths. Comparing the previous administration, led by a pious Muslim, General Muhammadu Buhari, and a pastor of Redeemed Church, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, with the present administration amounts to comparing apples and oranges in delivering equity. The incumbent may not have shown an adequate commitment to resolving the intractable problems of the country, but it has shown an unparalleled devotion to tackling challenges confronting Nigeria.

Kukah is a metaphor for negotiating many curves by Nigeria in its many years of being trapped in the mud. More than any cleric, Kukah has left no one in doubt that he is a committed humanist for both faiths. Sometimes his views may be unfathomable to many, but to some, he remains a roadmap to a prosperous future devoid of disunity.

The unique trait of Bishop Kukah is his interest in finding solutions through intellectual debates to our national woes, without throwing his hat in the ring for a contest. Though not an active political participant, he is a friend to many across the political and religious divide. He still sees the problem in religious colouration but a deeper manipulation of the twin factors of ethnicity mixed in religion.

Identifying Kukah as a potential running mate to Tinubu in 2027 is a reporter’s infertile figment that is devoid of any sense of the cleric’s footprints. The Catholic Bishop has not only chosen the path of serving God, but also, he has chosen the path of intellectualism in providing solutions to the myriad of challenges plaguing his nation of birth.

As a public intellectual for the common good, Bishop Kukah dreams of a country where all can walk through the door and be assessed based on their competence and not religion or ethnicity. Linking Kukah’s intellectualism into a political dream could turn into a strategy to deepen the religious debate over Christian-Muslim sharing power that has left ethnic minorities politically disadvantaged.

Shooting Down Same Faith Ticket

There is no doubt that under a Muslim-Muslim ticket, Christians have been visited with justice and equity. The ministerial rejection of el-Rufai as a ministerial nominee has endorsed the assertion that politicians are always in love with their personal interests. With his dream of being a minister rendered futile, the former governor has become a bull in a China shop in undoing what he helped to bring about in 2023.

Unfortunately, those who were accused by el-Rufai of being religious bigots in supporting Peter Obi in 2023, are yet to re-align themselves to realities. A former governor told me in 2014 that, when politicians resort to religious sentiments, the real intention is to confuse the polity and give a stamp of acceptability to their personal ambition.

Even when the presidency is under the same faith ticket, some Muslim groups have accused Tinubu of favouring Christians, as shown in a report where over 60 per cent of appointments have been given to non-Muslims.

Those riding on the wings of Trump Christians’ killing tweet are now calling for a reversal of the same ticket for political equity for both faiths. Shooting down the Muslim-Muslim ticket cannot be an answer to the religious divide ripping across the Nigerian polity. The US cannot decide what is good for us as a nation. When voters outsource the exercise of power in a democracy to the ruling elite, the hope for transparent governance will always be incinerated by the greed of politicians who deploy ethnicity and religion for their own selfish ends.

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Kwara: Ifelodun Travellers Transport System Revived

Published

1 hour ago

August 19, 2026

Our Reporter

As Council Signs MoU With P&A Contract Ltd

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ifelodun local Government, under the leadership of Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with P & A Contract Limited for the construction of a modern motor park in Amoyo, as the Council moves to revive the Ifelodun Travellers transport system and improve transportation within the Local Government.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony at the Council s Contact Office in Amoyo, the Chairman explained that the decision to construct the motor park was driven by the need for Ifelodun Local Government to establish its own transport identity, intended to ease people’s transportation problem.

He recalled that residents travelling to and from Ifelodun had, over the years, relied on transport facilities at Offa Garage and Maraba in Ilorin, stressing the need to create a dedicated transport hub that would serve the people of the Local Government.

“At some point in the history of Ifelodun Local Government, we had Ifelodun Travellers, which does not exist anymore. I don’t think there is anything wrong with bringing that identity back to the limelight. Now, we want to add value to that identity,” the Chairman said.

He added that the Council was also working with relevant stakeholders to bring in 10 units of Korope buses, which would commence operations as soon as possible.

“We are working with the NURTW, Kwara State Chapter, for guidance and to ensure that the operation runs smoothly,” he added.

The Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Kolo Rebecca, explained that the proposed park would feature several amenities, including a garage, warehouse, 100-unit shopping complex, parking spaces and general toilets.

She said the facilities were designed to boost economic activities, improve the image of the Local Government and provide a more convenient transportation system for residents.

According to her, the initiative is also in line with the efforts of the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to take governance and development directly to the grassroots.

The contractor, Mallam Jimoh Toheeb Abolore, assured the Local Government of the prompt execution of the project, promising that the construction would meet the required standards and contribute positively to the image and development of Ifelodun Local Government.

Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman, Hon. Nike Ajibola; Secretary to the Local Government, Dr. Kamil Akorede; DPM, Mallam Ayinde Salman; LGT, Mallam Usman Waheed; Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Chief Ademola Zubair; Head of Works, Engr. Awodi Muhammad; Land officer, Tola Kadir and other Special Assistants.

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Lawyer Demands Release of Detained Kano Blogger, Maryam Shehu

Published

19 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, has called for the immediate release of Kano-based blogger, Maryam Shehu, who he said has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for almost 30 days.

Dantani, in a statement on Monday, said the prolonged detention of Shehu was becoming difficult to reconcile with the rule of law and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly her fundamental right to personal liberty.
He questioned why Shehu should remain in detention for nearly 30 days, particularly over an offence he described as ordinarily bailable.

“How on earth can a person be detained for almost 30 days and counting, particularly in relation to an offence that is ordinarily bailable, without meaningful consideration of her liberty and constitutional rights?” he asked.
Dantani said the EFCC’s powers to investigate did not give the commission the right to detain a suspect indefinitely, punish her before trial or disregard her fundamental rights.

He also criticised the alleged practice of photographing persons in EFCC custody and publishing their images online while they remain presumed innocent.
Citing Section 36(5) of the Constitution, Dantani said the law guarantees the presumption of innocence until a suspect is proven guilty by a competent court.

He warned that publicly portraying suspects as criminals before trial could amount to subjecting them to public punishment and humiliation.
“The EFCC is a law-enforcement institution. It must therefore be the first institution to demonstrate obedience to law. It cannot demand respect for law from citizens while appearing to disregard constitutional safeguards itself,” he said.

Dantani urged the commission to either charge Shehu before a competent court if it has credible evidence against her or release her immediately
.
“We call on EFCC to respect the Constitution, respect presumption of innocence and respect fundamental right to personal liberty. Investigation is not conviction. Detention is not punishment. And an allegation is not guilt,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Comment on Lionel Messi’s Tribute to His Dad Becomes Most-Liked Instagram Comment

Published

21 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Fabian Apechihin

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, has reportedly become the most-liked comment in Instagram history.

Jorge Messi died on August 7 in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68. Five days later, Messi paid tribute to his late father in an emotional Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair.

In the post, Messi wrote, “Te amo, pa” — meaning “I love you, Dad” — alongside a lengthy tribute reflecting on his father’s influence and the pain of losing him.

Among the many reactions from fans, celebrities and fellow footballers was a message from Ronaldo.

“Un abrazo enorme para ti y los tuyos en estos duros momentos, Leo. Mucha fuerza,” Ronaldo wrote, which translates to: “A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”

Ronaldo’s comment reportedly attracted more than 6.86 million likes and over 86,000 comments, making it the most-liked comment on Instagram.

The previous record was also held by Ronaldo, whose comment on Kylian Mbappé’s announcement of his move to Real Madrid reportedly received more than five million likes.

Other football stars also expressed their condolences to Messi. Neymar Jr.’s message, translated as “Much strength for you and your family. Big hug,” reportedly received more than 1.6 million likes, while David Beckham’s comment expressing support for Messi and his family attracted more than 300,000 likes.

In his tribute, Messi described his father’s death as difficult to comprehend, saying he struggled to accept that he would no longer see or speak with him.

Messi also recalled how his father had encouraged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his deteriorating health. He said his father had hoped to watch him compete and had planned to travel if his condition improved.

According to Messi, he had promised his father that Argentina would reach the final so he could be there. Although Argentina reached the final, his father was unable to attend.

Reflecting on the loss, Messi said he had wanted to win the tournament and bring the trophy to his father but ultimately struggled physically during the competition.

The emotional tribute highlighted the close bond between Messi and his father and the profound impact of his loss on the football superstar.