President Bola Tinubu has officially presented Vice President Kashim Shettima with a certificate confirming his nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The presentation followed the APC’s confirmation of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate for the next general election.

The event became public on Thursday after the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, shared a video on his social media pages showing Shettima arriving at the venue, exchanging brief remarks with Tinubu and receiving the certificate.

Sharing the video, Dada wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presents certificate to Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in 2027 election.”

He also dismissed reports suggesting uncertainty over Shettima’s position, saying: “At no point was the Vice President’s place in this administration under any doubt. People just create scenarios in their head and start cooking.”

The certificate presentation follows the APC’s recent endorsement of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, ending months of speculation over who would represent the party as its vice-presidential candidate.

The ruling party has expressed confidence that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket will seek a second term in the 2027 election after completing its nomination process ahead of the deadline for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The certificate presentation forms part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has inaugurated a 25-member reconciliation committee to resolve internal disputes within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the inauguration in Gombe on Thursday, the governor urged party members dissatisfied with the outcomes of recent congresses, primary elections and local government polls to set aside their grievances and embrace peace.

He said the committee was established after the party concluded several political activities, noting that while the exercises were largely successful, some members were disappointed with the results.

According to him, “Perfection belongs only to Almighty God. As human beings, we are bound to make mistakes in our daily dealings.”

Inuwa added that the committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, would engage aggrieved members through dialogue to rebuild trust and restore unity within the party.

He said, “We need to sheath our swords and embrace dialogue so that we can put our house in order as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Our strength lies in our unity, and together we must build a stronger and more formidable APC.”

The governor also charged the committee to carry out its duties fairly and keep its discussions confidential. He said members could invite additional persons or divide their responsibilities across the state’s three senatorial districts if necessary.

Inuwa said the APC’s goal was to retain all elective positions in Gombe State and secure at least one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Jatau, the committee chairman, thanked the governor for the confidence placed in the members and pledged that they would work diligently to reunite the party and strengthen its prospects in future elections.

ABUJA — Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday lightened proceedings in the Senate by teasing Senator Adams Oshiomhole over a viral video that purportedly showed him aboard a private jet with a woman, saying lawmakers initially dismissed the footage as a possible artificial intelligence (AI)-generated fabrication.

Akpabio made the remark during plenary while discussing petitions before the Senate, drawing laughter from fellow lawmakers.

“I don’t want to go outside of what we are doing… I would have asked a question when there was a picture showing one of our senators in a plane, massaging the leg of a girl,” he said.