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‘Tensions Rise In APC As Zulum, Ndume’s Criticism Fuels Shettima VP Ticket Uncertainty’

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The internal power dynamics within the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to shift as party insiders reveal growing unease over Vice President Kashim Shettima’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to sources who spoke with Punch, at the centre of the storm is an emerging perception that key political allies from Borno State, including Governor Babagana Zulum and Senator Ali Ndume, may be weakening Shettima’s grip on the vice-presidential slot.

OsunDaily understands that Governor Zulum, a longtime loyalist and successor to Shettima, has openly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly on tax reforms and the federal response to insecurity in the North-East.

At the height of the tax policy debate, Zulum dismissed the reforms as “Lagos-centric”, arguing they disproportionately benefited the South-West at the expense of the North.

He has also repeatedly faulted the Federal Government’s security strategy in Borno, once publicly slamming Information Minister Mohammed Idris for what he described as poor communication and a disconnect from the crisis on the ground.

But what sparked major party concern was Zulum’s vocal protest during the APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe on June 15, where the governor condemned the failure to mention Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in the party’s 2027 endorsement.

The event spiralled into chaos when the party’s North-East Zonal Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, declared support for Tinubu’s re-election without naming Shettima as his preferred vice-presidential candidate.

“We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the National Working Committee, that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election,” Salihu stated.

The omission prompted an angry backlash from Shettima’s supporters in the hall, who erupted in chants of “Shettima! Shettima!! Shettima!!!” while one delegate stormed the stage to confront Salihu.

Zulum, sources said, insisted on the VP’s inclusion in the ticket, demanding that both Tinubu and Shettima be jointly endorsed.

Ndume’s Tensions With The Presidency

Adding fuel to the fire is the uneasy relationship between the Presidency and Senator Ali Ndume, another prominent Borno politician seen as part of Shettima’s circle. Ndume’s persistent criticism of Tinubu’s policies has not gone unnoticed by the party leadership.

On July 17, 2024, the APC’s National Working Committee wrote to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging the removal of Ndume as Senate Majority Whip. The letter cited his “unguarded outbursts” and described them as “unbecoming of a senior party member.”

Although Ndume’s current alignment with Shettima remains unclear, party insiders believe the combined actions of both Zulum and Ndume are hurting the VP’s chances of returning to the 2027 ticket.

One APC source told Sunday Punch, “The main problem for Shettima is the conduct of politicians from his state. When people you’re closely associated with keep criticising the government, it becomes a problem of perception.”

In the aftermath of the Gombe fracas, insiders say political jockeying has intensified, with governors and lawmakers discreetly positioning themselves as alternatives should Tinubu opt for a new running mate.

A source familiar with the discussions said, “It’s very much within the realm of possibility. The VP isn’t particularly close to the President. There’s no official word that he’ll be dropped—but it’s also not guaranteed that he won’t.”

Another insider revealed that two principal officers from the National Assembly and four northern governors—two each from the North-East and North-West—are believed to be eyeing the slot, including one person within Shettima’s inner circle.

The source said, “Two principal officers from the National Assembly and about four governors are involved, two each from the North-East and North-West. I know of a few, including one within the VP’s circle.”

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Anambra Govt to introduce code of conduct, operation for state security agencies

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Anambra Govt to introduce code of conduct, operation for state security agencies
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Anambra State government has said that it will issue a code of conduct and operation to all security agencies operated by the government to ensure civility at all times.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor stated this after the 13th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting, which took place at the Light House, Awka, on Monday.

The code of conduct and operation for the security operatives follows recent complaints about rights abuse by some operatives of the various agencies.

Recently, operatives of Agunechemba, the state operated security agency, while going after suspected criminals shot and killed a girl in a community in Anambra State.

In a move to curb such unethical conduct, the state government said in addition to the code of operation and conduct for the operatives, it has also organized trainings to polish them on how they should operate.

Mefor said: “Recognising the need for enhanced security and service delivery, the council (ANSEC) gave the state’s enforcement agencies—including Agunechemba, Ocha Brigade, and the Anti-Touts Squad high marks for their performance.

“However, to strengthen their capabilities and guarantee more accountability and responsive enforcement across all sectors, it was reported that further training for the operatives had begun, and a Code of Conduct would be issued for all operatives after the training.”

The Council also awarded some contracts, including; the approval of the sum of N253,167,28.13 for the construction of Onwurah Street, beside Township Stadium, Awka, by the Anambra Road Management Agency (ARMA).

The newly constructed Solution Market and Park, Ekwulobia, was also scheduled for commissioning on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The project is part of the Soludo government’s urban regeneration of the major cities in the state.

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‘We gave it our best’ – 2Face reveals why he parted ways with Annie

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'We gave it our best' - 2Face reveals why he parted ways with Annie
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Legendary music icon Innocent idibia, better known as 2Face, has spoken about his decision to end his marriage to Annie after being together for over a decade.

In a recent interview on the 234 Mzansi Podcast hosted by Nedu, 2Face shared that he and Annie had given their best efforts to save the marriage, but ultimately decided to part ways.

While declining to discuss the specific reason for their separation publicly, he described Annie as an amazing woman. He emphasised that no one should feel pressured to stay in an unhappy union.

The music icon also noted that individuals should not allow societal expectations to dictate their feelings, stating that forcing a relationship that is not working can lead to unnecessary suffering.

He said: “I think both of us gave it our best. And why we’re not together today is not something I’m going to talk about publicly.

“Me and her have our own understanding. She’s amazing, it just wasn’t working no more. Something wey una get before wey no dey again, that’s why I said I won’t talk about it here.

“I think you should try to fix your marriage but if it’s beyond that, I don’t think anybody should force anything. Only people in the marriage know exactly what they’re feeling.

“It’s always good not to torture yourself, and not to allow society or people to dictate your feelings. Because this thing called ‘living in bondage’ is real and many people have gone to their grave very sad people.

“So for me, if it’s obvious that people cannot work things out then I don’t think anybody should force themselves to be together.”

2Face’s explanation stirred mixed reactions among netizens – while some applauded the music star, others accused him of being a serial cheat and talking too much.

Here are some of the reactions below:

@divine_neny wrote, “He cant even say or place a finger on what she did to him. Annie loved him too much”

@t_e_s_s_y123 commented, “Oh shes amazing now? Nice you saying the truth about your ex, as it should be. Annie’s crime was loving someone else more than herself. We can all learn from their story, women you cannot love a man more than he loves you”

@rejioce.johnson.12 reacted, “Stay with your new wife oo, even if Annie’s at fault we are happy that shes no longer in the marriage. Let her choose herself for once. Annie deserves love not a serial cheat that will make her look like she is the problem”

@belleglamchic said, “Why him dey jump from one interview to another since”

@agentvic_ wrote, “To those bashing him for what he said, you would have collected the mic and helped him talk better now, since you were with him in the marriage, if he had said she is terrible they would still attack him. He spoke well and decided not to give them the regular negativity they wanted to hear and humans are still bashing him. Everything is not by force, it did not work out and that is it. Learn to allow people to make their choices”

@favsgold_declutter said, “May we not love who will leave us halfway in life, Amen”

Recall that 2Face, who recently started a new relationship with Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru after announcing his divorce earlier this year, caused a stir on social media with his assertion that men cannot be with just one woman.

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DSS, JTF synergy instrumental in decimating criminal networks in Kogi – Sen Karimi

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DSS, JTF synergy instrumental in decimating criminal networks in Kogi - Sen Karimi
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Kogi West Senator, Sunday Karimi, has said the synergy between the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Joint Task Force has been instrumental in the recent decimation of criminal networks operating in Kogi West.

Karimi commended the DSS for partnering the JTF and vigilantes to rid his senatorial district of kidnappers and criminal elements.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the lawmaker said the rise in kidnappings was possibly politically motivated criminality to destabilize his zone.

But the lawmaker said the sustained operations are essential to “achieving lasting security,” stressing that the “effectiveness of vigilantes rest on actionable intelligence provided by the DSS”.

He commended the efforts of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu in “ensuring strategic synergy between the security organisations and local vigilantes nationwide”.

He also called for a legislation that would lead to the formation of forest guards as planned by President Bola Tinubu.

The senator also reiterated his call for continued cooperation among all security agencies, underscoring the need for a unified approach to safeguard Kogi West.

Karimi’s remarks align with recent statements from Kogi State’s security leadership, including Special Adviser on Security to the governor, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd.), who has vowed to root out banditry and kidnapping from the state’s forests.

Omodara harped on strategic measures to fortify border security and enhance community-based vigilance, while urging residents to support local security efforts with timely intelligence.

His advocacy reflects growing public demand for decisive action, following reports of over 30 abductions in the district within a single week, a crisis he previously described as a “coordinated assault on peace”.

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