The All Progressives Congress Youth Parliament, North-East Zone, has warned against what it described as rumours circulating about the potential substitution of Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election. Speaking during a press conference on Friday in Bauchi, the group’s chairman, Kabiru Kobi, said such a move would not only be detrimental to the party’s unity but could also jeopardise President Bola Tinubu’s chances of re-election. Kobi noted that the speculation around Shettima’s possible replacement has created unease within the APC, potentially leading to internal strife that could undermine the party’s prospects in the next general election. He urged party stakeholders to learn from past mistakes and avoid internal conflicts that could lead to implosion, citing the Peoples Democratic Party’s loss in 2015 as a cautionary tale. According to him, the APC Youth Parliament fully supports the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in 2027, describing the duo as “tested and trusted.” He said “We want to state it unequivocally clear that any attempt to reconfigure the joint ticket of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Kashim Shettima in 2027 will only bring resentment that could linger beyond the elections, with negative reverberations capable of affecting the party’s success. “It is far from hidden that the ghost of the PDP’s past actions still haunts the party today — history has little patience for those who choose to ignore its lessons. “As APC sails through these tumultuous waters, we must ask some pertinent questions: Can the party survive the machinations of fifth columnists within, who aim to use conspiracy theories to destroy the progress made with the 2027 elections on the horizon? “Should we ignore all the lessons of history and allow excessive ambition to cloud the reasoning of key players, ignoring the dangers ahead?” Kobi further stated, “At this juncture, we wish to inform His Excellency, our popular and charismatic leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the calculated attacks are not truly aimed at the Vice President but at you. What these assailants are trying to achieve by this hypocrisy is to replace Kashim Shettima with someone of a fragile political reputation. “They know fully well that the Vice President would pacify his supporters to leave everything to God, and that would leave you to face the wrath of the Nigerian populace. This is because — in His just nature — God dislikes injustice.” The group vowed to continue mobilising unwavering support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and called on all party members to rally behind the duo. Kobi also expressed concern over rising tensions within the APC, which he warned could destabilise the party before the 2027 elections. He stressed the need for unity and collaboration among members. He concluded by reaffirming the group’s confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and vision for the country, particularly his courage in making tough economic decisions.

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The Premier League has been littered with deadly strike partnerships over the years. But you can add another duo to the long list of double acts: Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. The pair both scored in Brentford's 4-2 win against Brighton, with Mbeumo scoring two before Wissa added the Bees' third. It was the seventh time they have both got on the scoresheet in the same game this season. It has helped put the Brentford pair alongside some Premier League greats, but where do they rank in the competition's history? With five matches left this season, Mbeumo and Wissa's chances of breaking a Premier League record are still alive. The seven matches the pair have both scored in this season is a campaign-high, ahead of the six that Liverpool's Salah and Cody Gakpo have both netted in. But the Brentford duo will have their eyes on matching - or even beating - the Premier League record, jointly-held by Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, Mane and Salah (twice). Salah and Firmino both scored in 10 matches in the 2017-18 campaign, while the Egyptian equalled his own record with Senegal winger Mane in the 2021-22 season. Six further partnerships have scored in eight or more matches in a single campaign, meaning Mbeumo and Wissa are joint-10th on the list. Their goals against Brighton meant Mbeumo and Wissa have scored in the same match for the 18th time during their Brentford careers. Only seven pairings in Premier League history have a better overall record. "That's an incredible achievement from the two of them," said manager Frank after the win against Brighton. "When you consistently over the past six seasons have produced top scorers, that must be something we're doing right. "I'm happy that Mbeumo is shining and is the main man now for us. But I think it's a duo. "Wissa is fantastic. He has scored actually more open-play goals than Brian. But Brian is the penalty taker, unbelievable at penalties, assists, work ethic, an unbelievable player." But they will have to seriously ramp up their scoring rate if they are to catch the record set by Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who both found the back of the net in 37 matches for Spurs in the same game.

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The All Progressives Congress has released the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, outlining key dates and processes that aspirants and party members must adhere to. According to the timetable signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, and shared on the party’s official X account on Friday, the process began with the “Notice of election to the state chapter” on Friday, July 25, 2025, followed by the “Update of Membership Register” which began July 28, 2025, and will close on Friday, August 15, 2025. The party emphasised that “only members whose names appear on the register and are up to date in paying their membership dues will be eligible to vote and be voted for.” The sale of nomination and expression of interest forms for the governorship position will run from “Monday, August 18 to Monday, September 2, 2025. The last day for submission of completed Governorship Nomination Form, Expression of Interest Forms, and accompanying documents & submission of Delegate Forms” is set for Thursday, 11th September, 2025.” The timetable added, “The screening of aspirants will take place from Tuesday, September 23 to Wednesday, September 24, 2025, with the publication of screening results slated for Friday, September 25, 2025. Any appeals regarding screening outcomes must be submitted by Saturday, September 26, 2025.” The “Delegates Congress” will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, followed by the “Delegate Congress Appeal on Friday, October 3, 2025.” The party revealed that it will conduct its “Primary Election on Monday, 27th October, 2025, while appeals arising from the primary will be entertained from Wednesday, 29th to Thursday, 30th October, 2025.” A congress will be convened to “ratify the result of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in compliance with Article 84 (4): (b) & (c) of the 2022 Electoral Act (as amended)” on Tuesday, 28th October, 2025. Aspirants can collect access codes for submission of nomination forms from Monday, 10th November, 2025″, while the “Submission of list of nominated candidate to NWC is scheduled for Wednesday, 7th January, 2026” and the “Final list of candidate to be submitted on the INEC Portal must be completed by Friday, 16th January, 2026.” It added that campaign activities will “officially commence on Monday, 6th April, 2026, leading up to the final day of campaign/grand finale on Thursday, 18th June, 2026. The gubernatorial election itself is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 20th June, 2026.” The party has pegged the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms at ₦50,000,000.00 for governorship aspirants, with ₦10,000,000.00 for the Expression of Interest and ₦40,000,000.00 for the Nomination Form. However, “Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are to purchase the Expression of Interest Form while the Nomination Form is Free. Additionally, youth between the ages of 25 to 40 are to purchase the Expression of Interest Form with a 50% discount on the Nomination Form.” The cost of the delegate form was pegged at “₦5,000.00, with members required to have been financially committed for no less than three months before the delegate congress at the rate of ₦200 per month.”