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Dropping Shettima won’t stop Tinubu’s 2027 victory — APC N’Central Forum chair

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The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Forum in the North-Central, Saleh Zazzaga, speaks with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI on the region’s political interest, opposition realignment against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, internal party threats, and the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of 2027

Some opposition elements have claimed that Professor Nentawe Yilwatda’s emergence as the APC National Chairman threatens the credibility of the upcoming general election because he is a former Resident Electoral Commissioner. Isn’t this concern legitimate?

No, the man resigned from the position in 2022. He contested for the Plateau State governorship under the platform of All Progressives Congress and lost the election. But based on our calculations, he is the best to lead our party to victory in 2027. More so, you can’t predict the outcome of the next election based on our chairman’s past performance. This is because a lot of people play religion politics against him at the last election. But this won’t happen in 2027.

Recently, the All Nigeria Peoples Party bloc in the APC threatened to dump your party if President Bola Tinubu drops Vice President Kashim Shettima and fails to pick someone else from their bloc. What is your take on this?

There is no person or group of people that will pull out of the APC that will make President Tinubu lose the 2027 election. That will not even happen because he has a strong relationship with Shettima and the rest. The ANPP people are only trying to create a gap between the President and the VP. But even if that happens, the President will still have his lead in the 2027 election. We have a feeling that those who called the press conference are not even leaders of the ANPP bloc. So, we can’t take them seriously. More so, even if the President decides to change the VP, it’s for the interest of the APC. If you look at the last election, the President closely lost in Borno State. The President lost the entire North-East. So, if calculation will lead to changing the VP, nothing will happen.

Are you saying the ANPP leaders are being sponsored to cause issues between Tinubu and the VP?

Yes, exactly and they know their sponsors. They just want to create issues where there is none. This is because as we speak, there has been no official statement that President Tinubu is going to change Shettima. So those agitating should wait and see. If the President will change Shettima, he will just issue a statement that will convince everybody.

You said that going by calculations President Tinubu can decide to drop Shettima because in the last election, he did not win the North-East. Will that be a fair ground to drop the VP?

If calculation gives us that alternative to change Shettima, why not? At least, it is for the interest of winning the 2027 election. Mind you, we are not talking of regional interest. We are only calculating how to win the 2027 election. We will do our mathematics to know what is going to happen in the next election. If going with Shettima will give us victory, why should we change him? We will simply manage him and continue with him. But if we do our calculations and find that we are not going to win the 2027 election that way, we will have no alternative than to change him.

Do you think Shettima has performed well enough to make the APC win his region in the next election should the President decide to run with him?

The VP has tried his best. It is just the ANPP people who are trying to strain his relationship with the President, all in a bid to gratify their own interests and those of the opposition parties. They are just trying to create problem between the two leaders.

Are you saying those people are likely being sponsored by the African Democratic Congress?

No, opposition parties. It might not be only the ADC because we do not take the party seriously. We believe that very soon the party (ADC) will scatter because it is being programmed to fulfill the interests of a particular person. So, if that person doesn’t have his way, some of the people will fall out and the party will not be the same.

Whose interests are you talking about?

The party is running for the interests of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, from all indications. If you see the kind of people in the party, all of them are Atiku’s supporters. So, if they don’t give Atiku the presidential ticket, the party will crash. I’m very, very sure. You will just wait and see. Time shall tell.

The North Central seems to be agitating for the vice-presidential slot under President Bola Tinubu in 2027. How true is this?

No, I kicked against that. You know, we cannot just agitate for something of four years. If we are to bring something from the North Central, we need somebody that will spend eight years, not four years. Automatically, if they substitute Kashim Shettima with someone from North Central, the person is going to be there for only four years. I am against that agitation. Let Tinubu and Shettima finish their term with anybody from any region, not from North Central. If they are going to zone, let them zone the presidency to the North Central, not the vice presidency.

So you feel it is better they should zone the presidency to your region and not the vice presidency?

Yes, after Tinubu’s second term. This is because of all the regions, we (North-Central) and South-East, are the only ones that haven’t produced a president or vice president since the beginning of current democratic dispensation. And we have contributed a lot. In the last general election, we gave APC five governors (Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, Kogi, and Kwara). No other zone produced five governors for the APC in 2023. We gave President Bola Tinubu the third highest number of votes after South-West and North-West. Secondly, among all the zones, we had the highest number of governors, senators, Reps, and House of Assembly members.

Recently, the New Nigeria People’s Party and the presidency have been locked in a verbal war over alleged marginalisation of northern Nigeria. Will you say President Tinubu’s administration has truly been fair to the North?

Yes, 100 per cent. This is because insecurity, whose rate used to be very high is 30 per cent now. The economy of the country is also developing every day. If not because of Tinubu, we don’t even know what would have happened in the country. So, I believe the President has really tried in the area of security. He has also sited some education and health infrastructure in the North. He has done a lot for us.

The North seems divided over President Tinubu’s re-election. Do you believe the President deserves a second term based on current state of the country?

If you look at the people leading the opposition coalition, you will see that it is only North Central that hasn’t brought anybody forward to contest against the president, because we believe in his leadership. We see the massive achievements. There used to be high rate of insecurity before, but it is over now.

But dozens were killed in Benue and Plateau in recent months?

You cannot stop all like that. But the President is trying. There is a lot of effort he is putting on the ground to end insecurity in our zone. So, we cannot challenge that. Before, our natives could not access their own farms. But now, some of them are already in their farms, due to his effort. So, we believe that with the current effort he is putting in place, in the next two years, insecurity will end in our region.

Since being adopted by opposition coalition, the African Democratic Congress has been gaining momentum across the country, attracting members in the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC. Don’t you think this may likely pose a significant threat to President Tinubu’s re-election?

No. They are going nowhere. They are an association of past politicians. They are not even recent politicians. They cannot go anywhere. All those people are power hungry. All of them have served in various capacities. We know how they play. So, the masses are not going to support them. The people still trust President Tinubu’s leadership.

Are you saying the coalition leaders do not have support base. What of Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor?

Yes, if you call El-Rufai, can you name three or four more people?

What about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar?

No. That person doesn’t have any value. When he was vice president of this country, there was no evidence in his village. We know all their records.

What about Peter Obi of the Labour Party and the Obidient Movement?

Peter Obi won’t get the kind of support he had in the last election because they are not going to make him their candidate. They will overpower him and won’t give him the ticket. Even if they give him the ticket, in the last election, how many votes did Obi have in Anambra State?

He had over 580,000 votes in Anambra State out of 624,612 total vote cast? So you don’t still think he is a force to reckon with?

No. Go and check again. The records are there. All I know is they are going nowhere.

What if ADC eventually picks Obi as its standard-bearer?

If they finally pick Obi, they know they are not going to win. All the northerners will not vote for him. None of them will support him. We know their politics.

But some of them voted for him in the last election. He won Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory?

And which state again? You only mentioned one, but the North has 19 states.

Considering that segments of the PDP, and even parts of the APC are folding into the ADC, alongside the deepening alliances of Atiku and El-Rufai, don’t you think if Obi clinches the party’s ticket, he would pose a formidable challenge to Tinubu?

No. The politics of northern Nigeria is different. Immediately Obi becomes the candidate of ADC in the forthcoming election, just believe me, that is the end of the ADC movement.

Are you saying giving Obi the ticket would sink the ADC?

Yes, Obi or Atiku. If any of them gets the ADC ticket, that is the end of the party. Though Obi will win some votes, he is not going to win many states. I believe President Tinubu’s performance will overcome all of them.

Do you see governors from PDP and even APC eventually joining the ADC-led coalition as the 2027 presidential race hots up?

No, it’s not going to be possible. Instead of them joining ADC, they will rather come to APC. This is because the governors are in the best position to know President Tinubu’s achievements. So, they cannot go to any ADC. Instead, they will join the APC. Since the creation of this country, we’ve never had a president that touched the lives of the common man like Tinubu.

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“Let us stop rigging Election & arm!ng thugs” – Senator Adams Oshiomole tells his colleagues and other politicians

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Senator Adams Oshiomole has urged his colleagues and other politicians to stop rigging Election and arming thugs. The Former Edo state governor cum lawmaker, made the appeal while speaking during the debate on Electoral Reforms in the Senate in Wednesday, October 22.

In his words

‘’As elected persons, we as Senators shall not, directly or indirectly, secretly or openly, aid and abet unemployed or semi-employed people and arm them to disrupt elections, If we reform our character, this problem is 90% solved.

In Edo state, I launched one man, one vote, At the end of the day and as of today, it is now impossible to do election without counting dead bodies. It wasn’t so before because we convinced everybody that there is no merit in taking election as if it is a state of war.

The beauty of democracy is not the fact that you find yourself occupying an important elective office. It is the feeling in your heart that people actually in their free will, found you worthy to be their voice and to entrust our collective patrimony in your hands to manage to deliver the greatest good to the greatest number. That for me is the beauty.

If you achieve it through rigging or other manipulation, deep in your heart you know you are not a happy person. After every election, violent crime increases because the politicians who have procured weapons for children who are hungry and pay them a little fee, once the election is over, they are not able to retrieve the weapons and the weapons are then deployed by these people for violence. You can see a strong correlation between the level of criminality, robbery etcetera immediately after the election because these people have been abandoned since results have been given”’

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Electoral reforms: Senate pushes INEC to defend election results

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The Senate on Wednesday called for the transfer of the burden of proof in election petitions from aggrieved candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission — the body that conducts and supervises elections.

The proposal formed a key part of deliberations as lawmakers debated the general principles of a bill seeking to repeal the 2022 Electoral Act and enact a new Electoral Act 2025.

The move, they argued, would make the electoral process more credible, transparent and accountable.

But the Senate’s fresh proposal sharply divided opposition parties, with the Peoples Democratic Party warning that the move could undermine democracy.

The proposal, which formed part of deliberations on the new Electoral Act 2025 Bill debated on Wednesday, seeks to make the electoral umpire — as organiser and regulator of elections — primarily responsible for defending the integrity of polls it conducts.

Lawmakers backing the proposal, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Seriake Dickson, argued that INEC should “bear the burden of proving that elections were free, fair, and credible,” describing it as a long-overdue reform to strengthen democracy ahead of the 2027 polls.

The lawmakers also believed, if signed to law, it will mark a turning point in the bid to reform Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections,

Under the current law, petitioners who challenge election results bear the legal burden of proving irregularities — in line with the Evidence Act, which provides that “he who asserts, must prove.”

But several senators, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, insisted that INEC — as the organiser and regulator of elections — should be held responsible for defending the integrity of the polls it conducts.

Leading the debate, Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) argued that the reform was long overdue if Nigeria must strengthen its democracy.

“If there is one major achievement we must secure in this 10th Senate under your leadership, it should be meaningful electoral reform. We have the opportunity to modernise our system — authorise INEC to deploy more technology and back that authorisation with adequate funding.

“Our political parties are among the greatest challenges to our democracy; we must find ways to regulate and control party behaviour so democratic norms are strengthened. Critically, the burden of proof in electoral disputes must be reformed.

“Electoral matters are sui generis and require special treatment.

INEC conducts elections, appoints ad-hoc officials, collates and announces results; it should therefore bear the primary burden of proving that elections were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law,” Dickson said.

Akpabio backed the proposal, saying the electoral umpire must be held accountable for the conduct of elections.

“I agree with Senator Dickson and other Senators who have called for shifting of burden of proof in electoral litigations from litigants to INEC being the organiser and supervisor of elections,” Akpabio said.

“INEC obviously must be held responsible because it is the one in charge of conduct and logistics, and is in the best position to carry the burden of proof in litigations.”

Beyond the contentious issue of proof, lawmakers also raised other electoral concerns, including the status of delegates at party primaries and the defection of elected officials.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged the inclusion of all elected political office holders as delegates during primaries, while Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South) called for a clause that would compel defecting officeholders to lose their seats — a move he said would “strengthen multi-party democracy and restore Nigeria’s dignity in the international community.”

Contentious proposals

The new Electoral Act bill also proposes transferring the conduct of local government elections from state electoral commissions to INEC — a development expected to stir debate between federal and state authorities.

Another proposal seeks to make the use of the Permanent Voter Card optional for accreditation, alongside provisions for enhanced technology deployment and real-time transmission of results.

Despite the sensitive nature of the proposals, the bill scaled through second reading with minimal opposition following its public presentation, where many of the contentious issues had been discussed.

The fresh debate comes a week after the Senate suspended consideration of the Electoral Act repeal bill to allow for broader consultations.

The decision, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti) and Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue), was to give senators time to engage stakeholders and fully grasp the bill’s far-reaching implications.

Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau), who sponsored the bill as Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, described it as a “comprehensive reform, repeal and enactment — not a mere amendment.”

Lalong noted that while the 2022 Act introduced innovations such as electronic transmission of results, it also exposed deep flaws, including weak enforcement of electoral offences and disputes over result collation and voter registers.

Reform deadline

 

 

Last month, Senate Leader Bamidele assured Nigerians that the amendment process would be concluded before December to allow sufficient time for implementation before the 2027 elections.

He explained that previous delays in the transmission of electoral amendment bills had hindered timely presidential assent, as seen under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“Between now and December 2025, we will ensure that the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 is concluded so that it will not be too close to the 2027 elections,” Bamidele said.

He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through credible electoral laws and constitutional reforms, adding that “our focus is on rebuilding Nigeria, stabilising our polity and growing our economy — and we will never be distracted from this goal.”

Opposition

The PDP described the move as “dangerous and premature”, warning that INEC’s credibility challenges made such responsibility risky.

PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, told The PUNCH that the electoral body “cannot yet be trusted to be independent, neutral, or truthful.”

He said, “We don’t want the burden of proof to be on INEC alone because time and time again, we’ve seen that INEC can become even more partisan than political parties themselves.

“God forbid that one is contesting an election and INEC becomes both the sole arbitrator and the only body required to provide proof. That would be a lost cause from the beginning.

“INEC must first reform, purge itself, and rebuild credibility. In a democracy, to give the burden of proof in any capacity whatsoever solely to INEC is dangerous. As it stands today, INEC having such sole responsibility would be too dangerous and too risky for the democratic process.”

Similarly, the Labour Party’s two rival factions expressed mixed feelings.

Prince Tony Akeni, spokesperson of the Nenadi Usman-led faction, said the proposal “sounds great on the surface” but warned that without sincerity and punitive safeguards, it could empower corrupt INEC officials to manipulate results.

“On the surface, the proposed amendment to shift the burden of proof to INEC for the integrity, credibility, and acceptability of electoral results sounds great,” Akeni told The PUNCH. “But our worry is the scarcity of sincerity in the affairs of Nigeria’s political class.

“If they are sincere with this move, they must build in adequate penalties for INEC officials who may cash in on the new law and see election results as trading stock for the highest bidder — whether as petitioners or declared winners.”

Akeni also cited the 2023 presidential election as a cautionary tale, accusing INEC of frustrating the Labour Party’s petition at the tribunal.

He recalled how the Peter Obi legal team was allegedly frustrated by INEC’s refusal to release election materials during the 2023 presidential petitions.

“When the then INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was required by Peter Obi’s legal team to provide IReV and other sensitive result evidences, INEC delayed till the tribunal deadline virtually expired,” he said.

“Under such circumstances, a dishonest and subornable INEC taking over the role of burden of proof would make no difference,” Akeni stated.

The Abure-led LP spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, however, dismissed the plan.

Ifoh cited past irregularities and judicial overreach in elections such as those in Imo and Adamawa states.

He said, “Although I have not seen the full presentation, in Nigeria, we have had situations where institutions beyond INEC determine the outcome of elections. For instance, in Imo State about six years ago, the candidate that came fourth was eventually sworn in as governor.

“Even when INEC proved that the candidate did not win, the court relied on a police document to declare the result. So, how can the same INEC that glossed over irregularities in Adamawa and Imo now be the one to bear the burden of proof?”

The LP spokesman continued, “If you take a look at Adamawa State, where an INEC returning officer snubbed the rightful winner and declared another candidate of the APC governor, even when it was obvious that PDP won — is it the same INEC that should now defend the process? That arrangement is neither here nor there.”

He further argued that only full electronic voting and real-time result uploads could ensure transparency.

“There has to be some modification where electronic voting becomes compulsory in every election,” Ifoh said. “If they allow human interference to remain, I can tell you that the Nigerian factor will still be there.”

However, not all opposition voices rejected the idea.

The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, threw his weight behind the proposal.

Johnson insisted that aggrieved politicians who bring “spurious or hopeless cases” should face sanctions.

“What if the candidate brings a spurious or hopeless case? Should they still bear no responsibility for wasting everyone’s time? If INEC proves beyond doubt that the results were credible, what happens to the person who brought up the unfounded claim?

“Should he be allowed to go scot-free and cost the country millions in taxpayers’ money?” he queried.

“If anybody wants to go to court, he should be ready to pay for it. If it is justice that you want, then you are entitled to some costs.” Johnson added.

The Obidient Movement, a cult-like followership of LP 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, openly supported the Senate.

Its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said the burden of proof “rightly belongs to INEC.”

“I support it completely,” Tanko told The PUNCH. “The proof of these particular election irregularities lies in the hands of INEC. They have the records — whether false or right, they should prove it because they are the institution. Individuals can bring up any kind of result, but INEC has a duty to affirm or contradict it.”

He added, “When it is from INEC, it is more solid and confirmed. So, I am backing the lawmakers because that is the way it is supposed to be.”

 

 

The Senate’s debate on the sweeping Electoral Act 2025 Bill — sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC — also touched on other reforms such as real-time result transmission, stripping state electoral commissions of local government poll powers, and sanctions for defecting lawmakers.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has pledged that the electoral reform process will be concluded before December to allow for implementation well ahead of the 2027 general elections.

If passed into law, analysts say, the proposal to shift the burden of proof to INEC could reshape Nigeria’s post-election litigation landscape — either by deepening transparency or, as critics warn, by placing too much trust in a body still struggling with credibility.

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Tinubu swears in Amupitan as new INEC chairman

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President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Amupitan took the oath of office at 1:50 pm at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu charged Amuputan to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and electoral process as well as strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.

Amupitan’s swearing in by the President comes a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment as INEC Chairman following a rigorous screening session on October 16.

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