Politics
2027: Tinubu Gets APC Stakeholders’ Backing, Running Mate Decision on Hold — Basiru
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, says President Bola Tinubu has received overwhelming backing from party stakeholders to seek re-election in 2027 but insists that discussions on the choice of a running mate are premature.
Basiru, who served as spokesman of the 9th Senate, stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday. He explained that the decision on Tinubu’s running mate will only come after the party’s national convention, which typically holds a year before the general elections.
“As far as we are concerned, the national summit held in the Presidential Villa has endorsed Mr. President based on his track record. A large spectrum of stakeholders in our party have also overwhelmingly given their endorsement,” he said.
He added, “The question of a running mate is not yet onboard, and nobody has come to say that the President has made any adverse decision regarding the current Vice President.”
His remarks come amid controversy surrounding a recent APC stakeholders’ summit held in Gombe State for the North-East geopolitical zone, which turned rowdy after the party’s Vice Chairman in the region, Mustapha Salihu, named Tinubu as the sole candidate for re-election — without reference to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The omission sparked protests from attendees who demanded that Shettima, an indigene of the region, also be endorsed.
Reacting to the incident, Basiru said the situation was not unusual in a democratic space.
“I was physically present in Gombe State. After the summit, we had a reception at the Government House. Some people in the North-East felt it sufficed to endorse the President alone and trust him to pick a running mate, while others felt the VP deserved mention, particularly as the summit was held in his region,” he said.
He stressed that the running mate issue has traditionally been handled after the presidential primary. “Even at the national convention, it is only the presidential candidate that emerges. The running mate selection comes after that. As far as our party is concerned, we have not made any statement or involved ourselves in the politics of the North-East.”
Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, and Shettima, ex-governor of Borno State, were elected on a joint APC ticket in 2023 and were sworn in on May 29 of the same year.
The re-election push received a boost on May 22, 2025, when 22 APC governors unanimously endorsed Tinubu as the party’s flagbearer for 2027. However, the endorsement also notably excluded any mention of the Vice President.
The silence on Shettima has drawn criticism from some quarters. Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, publicly dissociated himself from the endorsement of Tinubu for a second term, saying he pitied the President.
Ndume warned against overconfidence, recalling that in 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan secured the backing of 22 PDP governors but still lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
Politics
Ibarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
An aspirant for the Ibarapa East State Constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Engr. Yusuf Abiodun Ramon, on Tuesday congratulated Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya (Ajiboye) on his emergence as the State Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Akinsanya was elected at the party’s state congress held today, a development party faithful in Ibarapa East Local Government described as significant for the zone’s growing influence within the APC structure.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement of the results, Ramon described Ajiboye’s victory as “well-deserved and timely.”
According to him, “Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya has remained steadfast, loyal and committed to the ideals of our great party. His emergence as State Treasurer is a clear affirmation of the trust and confidence members have in his integrity and administrative competence.”
Ramon noted that the election of a party stalwart from Ibarapa East into a critical financial office at the state level would further strengthen grassroots participation and unity within the APC.
“This is not just a personal victory for Ajiboye; it is a collective achievement for Ibarapa East. It reinforces our relevance in the progressive family and encourages broader inclusion in party administration,” he said.
The aspirant expressed confidence that the new treasurer would discharge his responsibilities with transparency, accountability and diligence in order to deepen internal democracy and institutional stability within the party.
He urged party leaders and members across Oyo State to close ranks in support of the newly elected executive members to ensure cohesion and effective management of party affairs ahead of future political engagements.
Ramon reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of the APC in Ibarapa East and Oyo State at large, stressing that sustained unity and responsible leadership remain essential to consolidating the party’s strength across the state.
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