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JUST IN: APC Denies Shake-Up of Tinubu-Shettima Ticket Amid Fears of Electoral Collapse

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3 months ago

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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.

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“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.

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EFCC Secures Arrest Warrant for Former Humanitarian Minister, Permanent Secretary

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11 hours ago

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April 16, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, following her failure to appear for arraignment.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the ex-minister on Thursday after the prosecution informed the court that she had repeatedly failed to attend proceedings. The judge also ordered the arrest of Bashir Alkali, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who is facing trial alongside Farouq.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two defendants on a 21-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged sums involved are approximately $1.37 million and ₦748 million.

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At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants had been granted administrative bail and served with the charges. “However, they have failed to appear before this honourable court for their arraignment,” he said.

Jacobs added that efforts to secure their attendance had proved unsuccessful, with only one of the defendants present in court. He also drew the court’s attention to the former minister’s failure to return her international passport after being permitted to travel abroad for medical reasons. “The first defendant has failed to return her international passport after travelling abroad on medical grounds, and no medical report has been presented before this court to justify her absence,” Jacobs stated.

Defence counsel Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) attributed his client’s absence to ill health and urged the court to consider an affidavit to that effect. He further requested a six-week window to produce the former minister in court.

Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected the request and granted the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

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Dangote Spotlights Refinery, Vision 2030, Others, At Nasarawa Trade Fair

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11 hours ago

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April 16, 2026

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Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Aliko Dangote, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman.

 

Africa’s leading conglomerate will feature its flagship Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the 2026 Nasarawa Trade Fair, which will be officially declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 20.

Dangote Industries Limited will also showcase its Vision 2030, which focuses on driving innovation and Africa’s industrialization.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.

A statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said other Strategic Business Units of the company will be participating at the annual event in the state capital, Lafia.

Anthony Chiejina stated that products to be featured at the Fair will include those from the Group’s Strategic Business Units, such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt and seasonings, Dangote SinoTruk, Dangote Packaging, and Dangote Fertiliser.

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The statement quoted the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that Nasarawa State is key to the Group’s overall investment in Africa.

“It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments in Africa,” she said.

Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.

She stated that a dedicated Help Desk will handle inquiries, enabling the company to effectively engage participants on the Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units.

Speaking to newsmen in Lafia, Chairman and Council members of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the theme for this year’s Trade Fair aptly aligns with Dangote Group’s vision.

“We align strongly with the vision of Aliko Dangote, whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s economic future. His focus on industrialization, local production, and value creation inspires our efforts to connect MSMEs to structured value chains.

“Through this partnership, we are building a bridge between grassroots businesses and large industries, driving inclusive growth,” he said.

He said the third edition of NASTFE is designed as a practical business, industrial, and human capital development platform, adding that it is not just an exhibition.

According to him: “A major highlight of this year’s programme is the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), now structured as a package project for sponsorship support.

“ESAP is a yearly initiative from July-December targeting 2,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.

“The programme is strategically designed as a mobile training system, moving from one Local Government to another to ensure inclusive grassroots participation.”

Speaking on the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030, he said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems.”

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Al-Istiqama University Secures Full Accreditation for 11 Academic Programmes

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11 hours ago

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April 16, 2026

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The Management of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, is pleased to announce that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted Full Accreditation status to a total of eleven (11) academic programmes following the comprehensive accreditation exercise conducted in November and December 2025.

According to the official report released by the NUC, the programmes were assessed based on the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with emphasis on curriculum content, quality of academic staff, physical facilities, library resources, and employers’ rating.

The programmes granted Full Accreditation are:

Faculty of Health Sciences:
• Community Health Science
• Nursing Science
• Public Health

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Faculty of Arts, Social and Management Sciences:
• Shari’ah
• Criminology and Security Studies
• International Relations
• Sociology

Faculty of Science and Computing:
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering

This achievement affirms the University’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality education and reflects the dedication and professionalism of its academic and administrative staff in building a centre of excellence. With this development, all accredited programmes have secured full recognition for a period of five (5) years.

The Management expresses its profound appreciation to the Founder, Senator Sulaiman Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, OFR, Ph.D., the Governing Council, Faculty Members, Heads of Departments, staff, and students for their collective efforts and commitment, which made this milestone possible.

Al-Istiqama University remains resolute in sustaining and further enhancing the high standards that have earned it this prestigious recognition.

Signed:
Professor Abdulhadi Sale Kumurya
Vice-Chancellor
Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State

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