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Kukah And The Vice Presidential Story

Published

4 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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Abuja Building Collapse: Wike Orders Full Probe, Engineer Arrested

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered a full investigation into the building collapse in Abuja, revealing that an engineer connected to the project has already been arrested.

Wike also disclosed that the developer behind the structure would be arrested as investigations continue. He said a panel had been constituted to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

Speaking during a visit to the scene on Monday, the Minister described the incident as “very pathetic,” stressing that the government would not compromise on the safety of residents.

“From the report I received, five persons lost their lives while some others were rescued. Nobody is happy when lives are lost,” Wike said.

He confirmed that the Department of Development Control had sealed off the site, adding that preliminary investigations were already underway pending the panel’s final report.

“One of the engineers has already been arrested. From there, we will get to the developer, and the developer will also be arrested,” he stated.

Wike warned developers against obstructing officials of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) from carrying out routine inspections on construction sites.

According to him, some developers resort to blackmail whenever government agencies attempt to enforce building regulations instead of complying with laid-down standards.

“Sometimes when government officials take action at construction sites, some people choose to blackmail them rather than understand why such actions are necessary,” he said.

The Minister emphasized the need for strict compliance with building standards, including proper soil testing and the use of quality materials, to prevent future tragedies.

“In every building project, the quality of materials used must be verified. Soil tests must also be conducted to determine whether the land can support two floors, three floors, or more. These things are very important,” he explained.

Wike maintained that the government’s primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, lamenting that the lives lost in the incident could never be replaced.

“How can those lives be brought back? They are gone forever. Government has a duty to protect life and property,” he added.

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Shettima withdraws from Kaduna Central Senate race, backs APC candidates , Shehu Sani

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

Our Reporter

From Hassan Taiye

Former Kaduna Central senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yerima Shettima.
A former Kaduna Central senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yerima Shettima, has withdrawn from the race and pledged support for all candidates of the party ahead of the forthcoming general election.

Shettima announced his withdrawal at a press conference on Sunday, saying the decision followed extensive consultations and careful reflection.
The former aspirant explained that his action was taken in deference to the decision of the APC regarding the Kaduna Central senatorial contest.
“After wide consultations and deep reflection, I have decided to respect the decision of our great party regarding the senatorial contest,” he said.

He stressed that the withdrawal should not be interpreted as an act of fear or weakness, but as a demonstration of loyalty to party unity and discipline.

“This decision is not borne out of fear, weakness or cowardice, but rather from my unwavering commitment to party unity, discipline and collective progress,” Shettima stated.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the ruling party and vowed to continue supporting its success at all levels.
“As a loyal and committed party man, I remain steadfast in my support for the APC and reaffirm my readiness to

continue contributing my quota towards the victory of our great party,” he added.
Shettima also appealed to his supporters and political associates to remain calm and support candidates produced by the APC.

“The unity and success of the APC must remain our collective priority,” he said.
The former aspirant further called for reconciliation among aggrieved party members to strengthen cohesion within the party ahead of the elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the Capacity Movement, led by Sani Shehu Sado, and his campaign council for their support during the political process.

Shettima also reaffirmed his support for the President and the Kaduna State Governor.
“I hereby formally announce my withdrawal from the Kaduna Central Senatorial race in good spirit and align accordingly with party decisions,” he declared.

The development comes amid growing political realignments within the APC in Kaduna State following the party’s recent primary elections, which produced candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In recent weeks, some aspirants and party stakeholders have raised concerns over the conduct of the primaries, alleging irregularities and manipulation in certain contests.

However, party leaders have continued to urge aggrieved members to embrace reconciliation and work for the unity of the APC.

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Mustapha in senatorial race with Gov AbdulRazaq despite denial

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni Ilorin

Despite denial, documents Indicate that Senator Saliu Mustapha Is in the Kwara Central senatorial race Against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite claims of backing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s senatorial bid for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, party documents reveal that the incumbent Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Saliu Mustapha, is in the race against Governor AbdulRazaq.

According to party documents, while Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is listed as No. 17 among the cleared aspirants to participate in today’s senatorial race in Kwara State, Sen. Saliu Mustapha is listed as No. 18, making him the only contestant against the Kwara State Governor for the Kwara Central senatorial seat.

Meanwhile, Senator Mustapha had, via a statement issued by his media assistant, Nasir Sholagberu, earlier today, claimed he is backing Governor AbdulRazaq for Kwara Central Senate, while calling for peaceful and orderly primaries.

Speaking on the Kwara Central Senatorial District contest, the Senator expressed strong support for the aspiration of the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is the sole contestant for the APC senatorial ticket in the district ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the emergence of Governor AbdulRazaq as the lone aspirant is a clear indication of the immense respect, acceptance, and confidence he enjoys among party stakeholders and members across the state.

Senator Mustapha noted that the development reflects the belief among party leaders and stakeholders that Governor AbdulRazaq deserves such recognition and preeminence in view of his contributions to the growth and stability of the party and the state.

He further wished the Governor and all other aspirants participating in the primaries across the state a peaceful, successful, and rancour-free exercise.

The appearance of Sen. Saliu on the list of contestants for the Kwara Central Senatorial race has, however, raised concerns among Kwarans, who expected that the Senator was actually in the race for the Kwara State gubernatorial election.