A Northern Islamic group has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his choice of running mate for the 2027 presidential election, urging him to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima in favour of a Northern Christian.
The group, known as the Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah, made the call in a Sunday statement signed by its convener, Bala Duguri.

The appeal, it said, followed extensive consultations with Islamic organisations across Northern Nigeria.

“Our group has undertaken wider consultations across the northern states with different Islamic organisations in a bid to speak with one voice over the political direction in the APC-led administration. The outcome is very encouraging,” Duguri stated.

The group argues that the principle of religious balance is essential for national cohesion, especially after the Muslim-Muslim ticket that saw Tinubu and Shettima elected in 2023.

While that decision was controversial at the time, it ultimately garnered enough support to secure victory. However, Duguri stressed that the Christian community’s support during that election must now be acknowledged.

“The sacrifices made by our fellow Christian brothers and sisters in the 2023 presidential elections, in the spirit of unity and national progress, need to be acknowledged. It’s time for Muslim political actors to make similar sacrifices,” he said.

He further appealed to all Muslim aspirants eyeing the vice-presidential slot in 2027 to “drop their ambitions for the good of the country.”

The statement called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and President Tinubu to adopt a more inclusive approach.

“After extensive consultations across religious, ethnic, and political lines in the North, we believe the most appropriate step forward is for a Northern Christian to be selected as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2027,” Duguri said.

Though Vice President Shettima has not commented publicly on the matter, speculation has swirled in political circles that Tinubu may be under pressure to reshuffle his ticket.

Duguri concluded that the group’s recommendation was based on “genuine concern for national cohesion, democratic stability, and the continued success of Tinubu’s government.”

In another major career milestone, Ayra Starr has reached a total of 1 billion views on YouTube.

This impressive record sees her become the first Nigerian female artist to reach this milestone.

She joins Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Davido, Ckay, Omah Lay, Kizz Daniel, Tekno, P-Square, Flavour, and Fireboy as the Nigerian artists to have surpassed a billion total views on YouTube.

Ayra Starr has released several hit records that have garnered millions of views on the platform, with her Grammy-nominated hit song ‘Rush’ leading the list with over 450 million views.

Rush’ is one of the most viewed Afrobeats music videos on YouTube and the biggest by a Nigerian female artist.

‘Rush’ is one of Afrobeats’ biggest exports, which recently earned her a UK platinum plaque.

The song, released in September 2022, has enjoyed commercial success in the United Kingdom, where Ayra Starr became the first Nigerian female artist to debut a solo track on the UK Official Top 100.

2025 has gotten off to a busy start for the singer, who recently released a new single titled ‘Gimme Dat’ featuring Wizkid.

The single, released on April 25, 2025, samples Wyclef Jean’s classic records ‘Diallo’ and ‘911’ featuring Mary J Blige.

Earlier in the year, she made history by winning 2 MOBO Awards, further emphasizing her status as one of Africa’s biggest global exports.

Ayra Starr also added to her Headies collection at the 17th Headies, where she won the prize for Best R&B single for her song ‘Last Heartbreak Song’ featuring Giveon.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has intensified speculation over a possible defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) after reportedly boycotting a key party event endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The APC National Working Committee hosted the high-profile summit at the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall to consolidate party unity ahead of the 2027 polls.

However, Governor Alia’s conspicuous absence raised eyebrows and deepened existing fractures within the party’s Benue chapter.

Sources within the party claim Alia had sought a dual endorsement — one for Tinubu’s re-election and another for his own second-term bid. When APC leadership declined the request, he reportedly withdrew from the process.

Tensions have been mounting between Alia and top APC figures in Benue, particularly Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The friction reached a flashpoint last year when Alia allegedly attempted to oust APC state chairman Austin Agada, an Akume loyalist.

That move was thwarted by a November 2024 Federal High Court ruling, which reinstated Agada and curtailed Alia’s influence over the state party machinery.

Despite the court’s decision, Alia is said to be operating a parallel APC faction in Benue — a development that has fractured local party cohesion.