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2027: APC Forum Says Replacing Shettima Could Hand Victory To Obi.
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has cautioned strongly against any move to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such a decision would amount to a “grave political miscalculation.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The warning follows growing speculation that some interests within the ruling party are pushing for Shettima to be dropped from the APC ticket in favour of a Christian running mate.
The speculation gained momentum after the Vice President’s image was noticeably missing from a banner displaying key APC leaders at the party’s zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments held in Maiduguri. The banner featured President Bola Tinubu, five North-East governors, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, but excluded Shettima.
Reacting to the development, the Forum, led by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said removing Shettima would weaken the APC and significantly endanger President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“There is serious danger in altering a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject any plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima. Such a move would turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation,” the Forum said.
North-Central Not Seeking VP Slot
Addressing claims that the North-Central zone was lobbying for the vice-presidential slot, Zazzaga clarified that the region is not interested in the position for 2027 but is instead focused on contesting the presidency in 2031.
“The North-Central is preparing for the 2031 presidential election after President Tinubu’s tenure. We are not part of any agitation to replace Shettima,” he stated.
The Forum also criticised attempts to inject religious considerations into political strategy, arguing that there is no Christian candidate in the North with the political structure capable of complementing Tinubu.
It warned that abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket could strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to the Forum, individuals calling for Shettima’s removal were not supporters of Tinubu during the 2023 election and cannot be relied upon to support him even if their demands are met.
The group noted that many of the areas backing the agitation voted for Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in 2023.
“What is likely is that Tinubu will lose support among core northerners, reduce his vote share, and hand an advantage to Peter Obi,” the Forum warned.
The Forum also dismissed claims that foreign governments, including the United States and other Western countries, could pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation. No one will dictate our political choices. The Muslim-Muslim ticket delivered victory in 2023, and external interference could undermine democracy and trigger avoidable conflict,” it said.
The Forum urged President Tinubu and APC leaders to resist pressure from both within and outside the party, warning that yielding could weaken the APC’s northern base.
“They do not want President Bola Tinubu to be re-elected. That is the only reason anyone with political understanding would make such a demand,” the statement concluded.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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