The All Progressives Congress has dismissed reports suggesting that Vice President Kashim Shettima could be dropped as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as speculative, false and without any factual basis.

The party’s response followed growing speculation that it might reconsider the Muslim Muslim ticket that delivered victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking over the weekend, the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, cautioned the ruling party against abandoning the Muslim Muslim ticket or removing Vice President Shettima.

“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.

She explained that politics in northern Nigeria is strongly influenced by identity, history and voter mobilisation, making the region particularly sensitive to changes in political representation.

“The core north states, like Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto, understand politics at a very deep level. Politics is a way of life. People wait every four years to line up and vote because that is where they feel they have influence,” she stated.

Musawa dismissed suggestions that the APC could alter its presidential ticket without repercussions, warning that such views reflected a poor understanding of political realities in the North.

“I think if we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem. People who suggest otherwise may not fully understand how politics works in the north,” she said.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said it had taken note of what it described as a “growing media frenzy” over an alleged plan to replace 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 party said.

The APC cautioned media organisations against amplifying unverified reports and urged them to avoid spreading rumours capable of creating division.

“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 said.

The party also stressed that political activities remain restricted under existing laws and electoral regulations, noting that it is not engaged in any 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 presently 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,” the APC said.

The party further warned its ministers, senior government officials and party leaders against making comments that could trigger 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,” it added.

The APC urged its officials to concentrate on promoting “the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader.”

Tension is growing in Abuja as workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration continue to demand the removal of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Supported by the Nigeria Labour Congress, the workers have staged protests at offices and court premises over unpaid salaries and poor welfare conditions.

How the Dispute Began

The problem started when FCTA workers began an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026. They said the government failed to meet important demands affecting their welfare.

These include five months of unpaid salaries, unpaid promotion arrears for 2023 and 2024, unpaid pension and National Housing Fund contributions, poor working conditions, and lack of basic tools needed for their jobs.

The strike was organised by the Joint Unions Action Committee and led to the closure of many government offices in Abuja. This disrupted public services and drew attention across the country.

The Nigeria Labour Congress supported the workers and described the strike as justified. During protests, workers carried placards with messages such as “Wike must go,” “Enough is enough,” and “Pay promotion arrears.” Some protesters accused Wike of ruling Abuja the same way he ruled Rivers State when he was governor.

In response, Wike and the FCTA went to court, asking that the strike be stopped. A case was filed against union leaders at the National Industrial Court.

The FCTA also claimed that most of the workers’ demands had already been met and that the remaining ones were being handled.

Tension increased on January 26 when workers protested at the National Industrial Court and later at the FCTA Secretariat. Videos online showed protesters chasing what looked like Wike’s convoy while shouting insults.

Wike’s aide later explained that the minister only used another exit to avoid trouble and was heading to the airport at the time.

Current Situation

On January 27, 2026, the National Industrial Court ordered FCTA workers to stop the strike and return to work immediately. The judge said it was wrong to continue the strike while the case is still before the court. The matter was postponed until March 23, 2026, for further hearing.

After the court order, Wike warned workers to obey the ruling or face punishment. He said the government is open to talks but will not allow actions that disrupt activities in Abuja.

Union leaders, however, insist that their major demands must be fully resolved, even though the court order now limits their options.

On the question of whether Wike will be removed from office, there is no sign of that happening soon. Only the president has the power to remove a minister, and President Bola Tinubu has not indicated any plan to do so. Despite calls for his removal, Wike is believed to enjoy strong political support.

Public opinion is divided. Some people praise Wike for development projects in the FCT, while others criticise his handling of workers’ issues. For now, his removal appears unlikely unless there is a major political change.

Attention is now on whether workers will obey the court order and how talks between both sides will progress.

The National Assembly will resume plenary today, with lawmakers set to concentrate on the review of President Bola Tinubu’s N58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal alongside proposed reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said both the Senate and the House of Representatives would also accelerate work on the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution, assuring that the final version would be transmitted to state Houses of Assembly before the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Bamidele disclosed that committees in both chambers had already commenced a detailed examination of the revenue and expenditure framework of the 2026 budget, which was presented by the President at a joint sitting of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.

According to him, “Now that we have resumed plenary, we will devote quality time to the scrutiny and passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill valued at N58.47 trillion. In both chambers, our committees are already looking deeply into the estimates of revenues and expenditures that President Bola Tinubu laid before the joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.
“The proposal is crucial to the growth, prosperity, and stability of our economy this year and even beyond, given its emphasis on consolidating the gains of the previous years.”

Bamidele stated that once approved, the budget would enhance macroeconomic stability, boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness, convert economic growth into tangible benefits for citizens, and help restore the January to December fiscal cycle.

“The budget, when it finally becomes effective, will further reinforce our collective resolve to guarantee our nation’s macroeconomic stability, deepen her global competitiveness and translate economic growth to decent jobs, rising incomes and a better quality of life across the federation.
“This will help us restore and maintain a budget cycle that annually starts from January and ends in December. Achieving these ends might be tough, perhaps unattainable, given the bottlenecks we have experienced before now,” he said.

He linked improved prospects for funding the 2026 budget to recent fiscal reforms, particularly the 2025 Tax Reform Act, which he noted had reshaped the fiscal framework to reduce pressure on low income earners while increasing obligations for higher income groups.

“Unlike previous years, we have significantly reformed our fiscal space to reflect our socio-economic realities. From the reforms of our fiscal space, we believe funding our budget will no longer be a challenge, and our budget deficit will definitely begin to shrink year by year,” Bamidele stated.

Beyond budgetary matters, the Senate Leader said electoral reforms would remain a major priority as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. He explained that lawmakers were amending the Electoral Act to strengthen the credibility, transparency, and security of future polls.

He revealed that the proposed Electoral Bill, 2025, contains over 20 key amendments, including voting rights for inmates, early release of election funds to INEC, electronic voter identification, real time transmission of results, uniform delegates for indirect primaries, stricter voter registration guidelines, and tougher sanctions for electoral offences.

“Apart from the 2025 Appropriation Bill, we are prioritising the delivery of an electoral governance framework that will guarantee a credible and transparent process in the 2027 general elections. We have started the review of the Electoral Act, 2022, clause by clause, to achieve this end.
“The Bill introduces a system of consequences to our nation’s electoral regime. This provision forecloses the possibility of impunity when electoral offences are established,” he said.

On the constitutional amendment process, Bamidele said technical engagements and public hearings had been concluded, adding that the final report would soon be submitted to the Senate.

“The review of the 1999 Constitution is also at its peak. Before the first quarter elapses, the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau Jibrin, will lay the report of the exercise before the Senate,” he said.

He noted that any proposed amendments would still require approval by at least two thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, underscoring the critical role of state legislatures in the process.

Reflecting on the lifespan of the 10th National Assembly, Bamidele observed that only 16 months remained of its four year tenure and pledged that lawmakers would intensify efforts on reforms related to governance, elections, and economic development.

“At this highly critical time, when what happens in other parts of the world now dictates the direction of our economy and polity, the onus rests much more upon us than at any time in history to reinforce our constituents’ trust in their representatives, in the National Assembly and in their fatherland,” he said.

Twenty two members of the Kano State House of Assembly have switched their allegiance from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The lawmakers announced their decision during Monday’s plenary session, coming shortly after Governor Abba Yusuf officially resigned from the NNPP following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

In a resignation letter addressed to the chairman of the Diso Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf said his exit was prompted by what he described as “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” within the party.

The governor’s defection occurred alongside that of 22 state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in Kano State.

Those who defected include the Speaker of the House, Jibril Falgore (Rogo), and the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa Rimin Gado).

Also leaving the NNPP are the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain (Dala); the Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya); and the Chief Whip, Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso).

A video of the session shared on X by user @Imranmuhdz showed the proceedings inside the assembly chamber, with Speaker Falgore calling on each lawmaker to step forward and publicly declare their defection.

While announcing his decision, Rep. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu) said, “I, Shuaibu Rabiu, representing Dawakin Kudu, resign my membership of the NNPP to the APC with immediate effect from today (Monday).”

Another lawmaker, Tukur Mohammed (Fagge), stated, “Mr Speaker, I am here to confirm I am resigning my membership of the NNPP and joining the APC.”

Other lawmakers who joined the APC include Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa), Lawal Tini (Ajingi), Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai Shanono), Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji), and Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure).

The list further features Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko), Abdulmajid Isah Umar (Gwale), Ahmad Ibrahim (Karaye), Alhassan Zakari (Kura Garun Malam), Suleiman Mukhtar Ishaq (Madobi), Abdulhamid Abdul (Minjibir), Muhammad Ibrahim (Rano), Kabiru Sule Dahiru (Tarauni), and Ali Abdullahi Manager (Wudil).

Responding to Governor Yusuf’s defection, the national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had earlier condemned the move, describing it as a betrayal and declaring January 23 as “World Betrayal Day”.

Kwankwaso was instrumental in Yusuf’s emergence as Kano State governor during the 2023 election through the Kwankwasiyya political movement.