Politics

Nigeria 2023: APC candidate, Bola Tinubu picks Shettima as running mate. How high can they fly?

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2022

The contentious issue around vice presidential candidates of major political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2023 elections is been laid to rest with candidates of major political parties announcing their running mates.

The latest in the lot is the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu confirming Senator Kashim Shettima as running mate after place holder, Kabiru Masari reportedly pulled out as the electoral acts stipulates.

The candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi whose popularity is growing like wild fire, particularly among young Nigerians, on Thursday had announced Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as running mate in the 2023 presidential elections.

Baba-Ahmed’s announcement came barely 24 hours after the Director-General, Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, announced his withdrawal as the vice-presidential candidate of the party.

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, who is the candidate of biggest opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had long announced the governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the elections.

Atiku choice of Okowa has enjoyed mixed reactions from different quarters within the PDP, particularly from the camp of River state governor, Nyesom Wike who came second in the party’s presidential primary in June.

The Nigerian state is a heterogenous and complex and political decisions like choice of running mate in presidential elections are always keenly scrutinized to reflect the plural nature the West African country.

Beyond the case of its ethnic plurality, religion is also a major factor that has proven to be a major factor for political balance in Nigeria. Political observers have argued that, religious balance was key factor in President Buhari winning the 2015 elections, been a practicing muslim, Buhari had a Christian running mate in Yemi Osibanjo who is a clergy and believed to have help suede the vote of “the church.”

Tinubu’s choice of Shetima overlooks the Nigerian theory of political balancing on religious basis as both are practicing muslims. Perhaps he considers the role of religion in Nigerian voters’ behaviour to be overrated or inconsequential. Afterall, Shetima is a former governor and Senator with strong political base in Nigeria’s most populated region who are largely practicing muslims.

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.