…More troubles for ruling party as 28 coalition groups reject Ex Borno Gov’s nomination
By Ezeocha Nzeh
There were indications that the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have not completely weathered the storm over on the acceptability of the nomination of former Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, by the party and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election
This is as the APC has postponed the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as the running mate of its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, which was earlier scheduled for Thursday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja
Tinubu had earlier planned to officially present senator Shettima to the APC National Working Committee, at the botched occasion
While journalists and party supporters gathered at the APC’s Blantyre street secretariat, a member of the NWC simply stated that the event has been postponed, even as no official reason was given for the decision.
Also, no new date has been announced for the unveiling.
It would be recalled that criticism and negative reactions had trailed Tinubu’s announcement of Shettima as his running mate, leading to a gale of resignations from major stakeholders in the party, in protest to the decision of the APC to field a Muslim – Muslim candidate for the 2023 presidential election
Also, many Nigerians faulted the selection of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, warning the APC against having a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Among the APC stakeholders who have resigned their membership of the party are former governorship candidate in Rivers state, Tonye Princewill, former Miliatary administrator of Abia state, Air Commodore Frank Ajobena (rtd), Nollywood star, Kenneth Okonkwo, former House Representatives member, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande
The APC Muslim – Muslim ticket has also been rejected by the religious bodies like the Christian Associationn of Nigeria (CAN), Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), as well as the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Coalition of Northern Christians in APC, as well as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babarchir Lawal among others
More rejections have trailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) choice of a Shettima as tiniubu’s running mate, as 28 coalition groups on Thursday announced their rejection of his choice as the Vice Presidential candidate of the party for next year’s Presidential election.
The coalition in a statement issued after their meeting onWednesday in Abuja, rejected the nomination, while insisting that the APC must go for a youthful vice presidential candidatye ahead of the 2023 elections
The joint statement was signed by their leaders, Igwe Ude-umanta, Convener Coalition of APC Youth Group, Solomon Adodo, President National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mallam Suleiman Musa, Convener Coalition of Northern Youth Leaders, High Chief Jator Abido, President Niger Delta Youth Council, Hon. Mohammed Garba Yahaya, Director General, EL-DABI Support Groups, Hajia Zainab Sule, President
APC Women and Youth Grassroots Forum and Comrd. Prince Miaphen, President Middle Belt Youth Vanguard.
Also included is Comrade Mujahed Shuaibu, National President of National Association of University Students (NAUS). Comrd Asiegbu Kingsley Chinonso, National President, National Association of Polytechnic Students ( NAPS), Comrd. ( Amb) Aminu Habibu, National President, National Association of Colleges of Education Student (NANCES), General Pius, Convener, Coalition of the Niger Delta Ex-Militant Generals, Mr. Verlumun Gajir, President, Civil Society and Youth Groups in Nigeria, Transformed Eucharia, President, Forum of Young Female Progressives, Comr. Gbolahan Agbaje, President , NWTS Innovators, Comr. Churchill Igwe, President General Congress of Igbo Progressive Youths, Comr. Joseph Abrukwe, President General South South Youth Democratic Front, Comr. Sani Madaki, President, Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria, Comr. Auwalu Majiri, President, Almajiri Youth Support Initiative, Comr. Abdulkareem Onoja, Director General Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity and Jonathan Ochai, Co-Convener, Nigeria in Safe Hands Project, among others.
The Coalition, which drums support for Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda as APC Vice Presidential candidate in its statement said, “We, he substantive members of Coalition of All Progressives Congress Support Groups, here speaking in one voice and unanimously rejecting in totality the recent announcement of former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the Presidential Candidate of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban).
“We call on the Leadership of All Progressives Congress, Progressive Governors Forum and His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the choice of his running mate of the Party, and give support to the Nigerian youths’ nomination of a young Vice Presidential Candidate by picking Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda, to whom we all rally round and give all our fullest support nationwide ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election.
“This group is standing firm on “Nigerian Youths Inclusion,” and hence, urging the APC Leadership to give a space to the youths to exercise their civil rights to actively participate and make a choice of leadership.
“We emphasize on the fact that this Coalition of APC Support Groups has found Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda (EL DABI), a true detribalised Nigerian Youth Leader, worthy to be the running mate and Vice President to His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next political dispensation.
“We reiterate that it is on record that there is no ‘Vice Presidential Nominee’ that has enjoyed this uncommon and unprecedented level of supports from Youth Groups, Eminent Nigerians, Market Women Leaders like Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda.
“This group cannot but reflect on the fact that, most of these political leaders became Ministers and Governors at their prime youthful age of late 30s and 40s, and were given that opportunity and support by the elders and leaders.”
