By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress has dismissed reports suggesting that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be replaced as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as “purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.”

Reports have it that there is a mounting pressure on the President to review the Muslim–Muslim ticket that secured victory in the 2023 presidential election.

However, in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said its attention had been drawn to “growing media frenzy” over an alleged plan to substitute the Vice President.

“While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacements for Vice President Shettima,” the statement said.

The APC warned media organisations against giving space to unverified reports, urging them to avoid promoting what it described as rumours designed to cause division.

“Our Party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.

“We urge media organisations to refrain from lending their platforms to rumour-peddlers and mischievous ‘news sources’ of questionable provenance whose only intention is to promote discord and confusion in the polity,” the statement added.

The ruling party also noted that political activities remain restricted under existing laws and electoral regulations, stressing that it is not engaged in succession discussions at this time.

“Under our laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force,” Morka said, adding that the party is currently focused on governance.

“At this time, our Party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people,” it said.

The APC further cautioned its ministers, senior government officials and party leaders against making statements that could fuel unnecessary speculation.

“We call on our ministers, senior government and Party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and our Party,” the statement added, urging them to bolster “the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader.”

This also comes hours after the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, warned that the ruling party risks losing key northern states in 2027 if it alters the Bola Tinubu–Kashim Shettima presidential ticket.

Musawa issued the warning during an episode of Mic On Show with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, which was published on YouTube on Sunday.

She said removing Shettima from President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ticket, or failing to retain a northern Muslim running mate, would significantly weaken the APC’s electoral chances in the core North.

“If there is no Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim on that ticket, it creates a hurdle. That is the reality of the way people think,” Musawa said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, has resigned his appointment and membership of the Kano State Executive Council.

Mr Kwankwaso announced his resignation in a letter made available on Monday in which he said the decision was taken with a “heavy heart,” bringing an end to his tenure in the cabinet of Governor Abba Yusuf.

In the letter, the former commissioner expressed deep appreciation to Governor Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the state, describing his time in office as rewarding and impactful.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve the great people of Kano State. I have cherished the experiences and lessons gained while serving, and I appreciate the trust placed in me,” he stated.

Mr Kwankwaso also offered prayers for the continued welfare of young people in the state, urging sustained attention to youth empowerment and sports development programmes.

“As I resign, I pray that the youth of Kano State will continue to receive the attention and support they deserve. I hope for the best for our sports development programmes and initiatives, and I am confident that they will flourish in the years to come,” the letter read.

He further prayed for continued peace and progress in the state, asking Allah (SWT) to bless Kano State and its people, while wishing the government success in its efforts.

Mr Kwankwaso’s resignation marks another change in the composition of the Kano State Executive Council, although no official reason was given for his decision beyond the contents of the letter.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chief Executive Officer of Shell Plc, Mr Wael Sawan, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership for creating a healthy climate for investments to thrive and restoring investor confidence.

At a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently, Sawan said Shell is deepening and expanding its investments in Nigeria, and the company is ready, alongside its partners, to invest an additional $20bn primarily because of the robust and bold leadership of the President.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Sawan emphasised that Nigeria, under the Tinubu administration, is one of the countries attracting significant investment from global oil companies.

Highlighting Shell’s recent investments, such as the $5bn in Bonga North, $2bn in HI, and the gas project to NLNG, Sawan stated that the corporation is committed to long-term investments in the country, underscoring the stable economic environment.

“We have really been in a space where we are very keen to invest in Nigeria. But I would say this has not always been the case.

Your leadership and your vision have created an investment climate over the last few years that, I will be very honest with you, propelled us to invest, in particular, also as we compare to other investments around the world,” he said.

The Shell CEO maintained that “stability in today’s environment will honestly have a premium for corporates because we are investing not for one administration or five or 10 years; we want to invest for 20, 30, or 40 years, and in the case of Nigeria, for many, many decades.”

Speaking on the expansion of Shell’s investments in Nigeria, Sawan maintained that the corporation has also deepened its interest in OML 118, the Bonga Block.

“TotalEnergies was selling, so we bought it because we want to deepen it further. But that, we think, is not enough. We think there is more to invest here, and we understand the vision that you have for the country.

“And so we are indeed working on a project, Bonga Southwest, that could, if we reach an FID stage, see us, with our partners, invest around $20bn in foreign direct investment, half of which will be capital. The other half will be the operating expenses and the like that will come into the country. This will be one of the biggest energy projects in the world,” he explained.