In response to increasing talk of tension between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ismaeel Ahmed, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly denied any intention to replace the Vice President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former APC Board of Trustees member described the narrative as “malicious rumours” and maintained that claims of discord between the top officials are unfounded.

“It’s (friction) not true. I know it very well. Who is ever in a 100 per cent relationship with anyone? There is trust between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. We are trying to create an issue where there is none,” Ahmed said on Tuesday.

“All of these, as far as I am concerned, are rumours—absolutely rumours. I am absolutely aware there is no discussion about substituting the Vice President. There is no discussion about the vice president being blocked.

“Those are all malicious rumours by people who probably don’t understand what’s going on in the presidency or don’t know how the presidency works.”

Ahmed encouraged party members and the general public to shift attention toward governance rather than political speculations, stating that the administration still has much to accomplish within its current term.

“We have a mandate from the people for four years. Two years have passed; we have one year to the primaries and two to the general elections. For God’s sake, we are a government in office, a party in government. That means we are supposed to obey the rules of INEC at a minimum. Let’s focus on governing,” he stated.

“There are so many things we are doing right—let’s espouse them. We need to communicate with the people effectively. That should be the focus of the party and the government. Anything other than that is a distraction.”

North-East Summit Endorsement Drama

His remarks come in the aftermath of the APC North-East summit on Sunday, which turned chaotic when Mustapha Salihu, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term—while making no mention of Vice President Shettima.

Responding to the backlash on the programme, Ahmed clarified that the endorsement should not be viewed as a sign of internal issues but rather as part of APC’s internal culture and broader political practice.

“We have a culture in the APC, and that culture is that the sitting president is not challenged; he is going to have his second-term ticket if he wants it,” the chieftain explained.

“The drama that happened at the APC North-East Summit was too melodramatic. Why are we endorsing a president that doesn’t need it? Tinubu doesn’t need endorsement from his own political party. It is a given that he is going to be our candidate in 2027.”

He further described such moves as “orchestrated sycophancy” and expressed disapproval of future endorsements.

“As far as I am concerned, there shouldn’t be any endorsements again.”

‘Tinubu Not Afraid of Opposition’

Ahmed further warned against prematurely positioning political opponents as major threats, suggesting the party should concentrate on governance instead of preparing for elections too early.

“APC is not scared of any opposition… The President and Vice President need to move around states to communicate with the people,” he said.

“That’s why I said—why are we doing all this? Who is chasing us? Why are we running? Why are we responding to an opposition that is not even yet an opposition?”

Ahmed added, “I know the President well enough to say he encourages competition. He does not run away from it. He’s not scared of it at all. I understand that the party needs to rile up the base and get us moving in one direction—and there will be time for that. But right now is not the time for a campaign.

“We cannot, as a government, be responding to opposition. I think we should just take it easy, focus on governance, and drill down on what the President is doing.”

Meanwhile, Salihu, the vice chairman at the centre of the controversy, appeared on the Monday edition of the same programme and rejected claims of Shettima’s exclusion, calling them the work of “conflict entrepreneurs”.

He said, “The administration of a party is not run on social media, newspapers, or television. It’s handled internally.”

“These kinds of rumours are inevitable in every administration—people will always try to suggest friction between the principal and the Vice. It’s what some insecure politicians thrive on. But if you’re secure in yourself, you shouldn’t be bothered by such noise.”

“Anybody saying there’s discontent (in the North-east) is simply wrong. We did what the law permits—mentioning and praising our son. Other zones didn’t even have that obligation.”

“We don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to offer; there’s only one ticket—President. Endorsing Tinubu with conditions would have been inappropriate. Suggesting a running mate for the 2027 election at this stage is like putting the cart before the horse,” Salihu stated.

In an effort to address the issues threatening the “99th National Executive Committee meeting” of the Peoples Democratic Party slated for June 30, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, PDP governors, and other stakeholders are set to meet with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday.

Since its loss of power at the centre in the “2015 presidential election”, the PDP has grappled with internal crises, unresolved litigations, and mass defections, including the recent exits of Governors Sheriff Oborevwori and Umo Eno of Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

The party faces challenges such as the Rivers State conflict, unresolved “South-South and South-East zonal congresses”, and disputes over the “National Secretary position” and the “North-Central zonal congress”, which have worsened internal tensions.

The unresolved crises have delayed the NEC meeting six times, disrupting major decisions ahead of the “2027 general election”.

The “South-East Caucus” nominated “Sunday Udeh-Okoye” as party secretary following “Anyanwu’s” emergence as the Imo PDP governorship candidate. However, Anyanwu returned to claim the role, supported by “Nyesom Wike”, who seeks control over party structures before the next elections.

To tackle the controversy, a PDP National Caucus Fact-Finding Committee led by Taraba Governor “Agbu Kefas” revealed that INEC recognises “Senator Samuel Anyanwu” as National Secretary. These findings were presented to the caucus on May 27.

Subsequently, the NEC meeting decided to reconvene on June 30, with “Setonji Koshoedo” appointed Acting National Secretary, following a Supreme Court ruling stating that choosing a National Secretary is an internal party matter.

Damagum informed INEC of the planned “100th NEC meeting” via a letter titled “Notice of 100th National Executive Committee Meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party”, notifying the commission of the June 30 meeting at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

INEC responded on Tuesday, raising concerns about the notice submitted by PDP. In a letter dated June 13 with reference number “INEC/DEPM/PDP/286/iii/80”, the commission stated that the notice did not meet its regulations, specifically citing “Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties”, which mandates joint signatures from the National Chairman and Secretary.

The letter, signed by Acting Secretary “Mathru Aminu”, advised the PDP to comply properly in future notices.

Speaking to The PUNCH, former Deputy National Chairman (South) “Chief Bode George” said Wednesday’s meeting between PDP leadership and INEC may resolve the matter. He questioned INEC’s authority over the issue, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling.

He urged the INEC Chairman to “tread softly”, referencing recent political developments and noting that the party currently has an Acting Secretary.

“Umar Bature”, National Organising Secretary, also suggested that “Senator Anyanwu” should be allowed to sign NEC meeting notices.

As the NEC meeting approaches, PDP Stakeholders warned that removing Anyanwu could damage the party. The group, led by National Convener “Aminu Das Sadiq”, urged leaders to maintain peace and uphold the law, allowing Anyanwu to finish his term ending in December.

They argued that a “unity elective convention” was the proper avenue for leadership changes, stressing that the current effort to remove Anyanwu, despite a Supreme Court judgment and INEC recognition, is dangerous and politically motivated.

The group referenced past crises resolved through diplomacy and questioned why Anyanwu’s case is being treated differently.

They emphasised that disregarding the Supreme Court and due process threatens party unity and democracy, warning that Anyanwu’s illegal removal could alienate loyal members and damage the party’s electoral prospects.

They called on key stakeholders including “Governor Bala Mohammed”, “Governor Seyi Makinde”, “Governor Peter Mbah”, the BoT, NEC, and the “South-East Caucus” to prioritise peace and stability.

They urged all sides to choose unity over division, reminding members that the PDP has survived past challenges by coming together.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has strongly cautioned motorists against giving bribes to its officials and emphasised that all traffic-related fines should be paid through authorised banks.

This directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the FRSC Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The statement noted that “The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has issued a stern warning to motorists to pay their fines to designated banks and stop attempting to bribe its patrol operatives, nor entice them with financial benefits as well as other gratifications when arrested for violating traffic regulations.”

It further mentioned that any driver caught trying to bribe FRSC officials would be apprehended and prosecuted.

Mohammed reaffirmed the Corps’ firm stance against corruption, pointing out that such actions contradict the agency’s core values and operational guidelines.

He stated, “Any motorist found attempting to bribe FRSC personnel will be arrested and prosecuted.

“This is in line with extant provisions in the Corps’ Establishment Act (2007), as the Corps does not, and will not, tolerate any form of corruption whatsoever.”

He highlighted that all payments made during patrols are directly deposited into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account and not to individual officers.

The corps marshal also warned FRSC personnel against soliciting or accepting any form of bribe from road users.

He added, “This is because all fines generated through patrol operations are paid into the Treasury Single Account, not into the pockets of individuals.

“It is against the standard operating procedures for patrol operations.”

He called on the public to report any inappropriate behaviour through official channels.

Mohammed appreciated citizens who report such incidents without resorting to confrontation, describing them as vital allies in promoting discipline and road safety.

He also urged all road users to strictly obey traffic rules that govern the transportation of people, animals, and goods nationwide.

Mohammed concluded, “The public is admonished to comply with all traffic regulations on the movement of persons, animals, and goods on Nigerian roads.”