The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculation that President Bola Tinubu may consider dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to the APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, the rumours of the replacement are baseless and distracting, affirming that the relationship between the President and his deputy remains strong.

“I’m hearing that for the first time. There’s a solid working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” Arodiogbu stated.

“Shettima is a key asset—intelligent, focused, and deeply involved in this administration. These rumours are likely just political noise meant to create division.”

He further noted that such speculations are not uncommon in the run-up to an election, especially as political alignments begin to shift. However, he stressed that the President and the Vice President enjoy full confidence and backing from the party leadership.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, denied such a plan.

“I am not aware, Sir,” he said.

The rumours emerged in the aftermath of a high-profile endorsement of President Tinubu by key APC stakeholders. At the APC National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, 22 governors, National Assembly leaders, and senior party figures threw their support behind Tinubu as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

The motion for endorsement was moved by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and was seconded by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani. Their position was later reinforced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who cited the President’s performance as justification for continuity.

The flurry of endorsements has fueled speculation that the Vice President could be replaced to balance regional interests or expand Tinubu’s electoral base in 2027.

At least 10 countries have confirmed their places at the 2026 World Cup.

Jordan and Uzbekistan qualified for the first time on Thursday, while South Korea sealed their 11th successive appearance.

Uzbekistan were held to a goalless draw by the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhahi.

The result was enough for them to clinch the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a game to spare.

The trio join Japan, New Zealand, Iran and Argentina as the countries to have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Co-hosts USA, Canada and Mexico automatically qualified for the competition.

As well as the six automatic qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar will finish third and fourth and advance to the next stage.

In the next stage, six teams will slug it out for two more places at the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea have offered the likes of Robert Sanchez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to West Ham United in a bid to sign their winger, Mohammed Kudus in a part-exchange deal.

But as reported by talkSPORT, West Ham turned down Chelsea’s approach for Kudus this summer transfer window.

While the transfer fee offered by the Premier League west London club is unclear, the Blues were ready to include Sanchez and Dewsbury-Hall in a bid to lure the Hammers to sell their top player. 

The report added that Kudus has also attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but the Ghanaian international wants to remain in England.

Kudus joined West Ham from Dutch giants Ajax in 2023.

Chelsea recently made a transfer move to bring the 24-year-old to Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca’s side have been a long admire of Kudus since when the player was at Ajax before he eventually moved to the London Stadium.

The Management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State has raised the alarm that unknown persons are offering admissions to candidates who scored 150 and above the 2025 UTME.

The advertisements, according to the University authority, were done on social media, inviting candidates to apply for admission into the school’s College of Management Sciences, COLMAS.

A statement issued on Thursday by the University Registrar, Dr. Nkeiruka Charity Mbanasor disowned the publications, saying that no cut off marks has been placed by either JAMB or the admission board of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.

It warned the unsuspecting admission seekers and the general public against falling for the fraudsters but to use the University’s official website.

The University, however, confirmed that undergraduate programmes of Accounting, Banking and Finance, Economics, Marketing and Business Administration in MOUAU are now fully accredited by the National Universities Commission, NUC, and have also been listed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,, JAMB.

Anambra State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appealed to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to return to the party.

DAILY POST recalls that Obi defected to LP when he felt he could not achieve his presidential ambition within the PDP’s fold.

The PDP made the appeal following the enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee, SEC, to review the state of the party and chart a way forward in Awka on Thursday.

According to the communique, signed by the State Chairman of the party, Chidi Chidebe, alliances with ideologically incompatible political formations in the guise of coalitions would likely not yield the desired success.

“The committee extends an open invitation to all aggrieved and former members of the PDP in Anambra, particularly our revered former governor, Mr Peter Obi, to return home and reunite with the now rejuvenated and restructured PDP.

“We will gladly welcome our brothers and sisters back to join us in the collective quest for a better Nigeria,” he said.

Chidebe told Anambra electorate to support Mr Jude Ezenwafor and his running mate, Mr Francis Okeke, in the coming election while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial electoral process.

While announcing the unanimous nomination of Chief Clems Ezike to fill the vacant position of National Ex-Officio from Anambra, Chidebe urged the Southeast Zonal Executive Committee under Chief Ali Odefa to recognise and transmit same to the national secretariat.

…they don’t know what they’re talking about

President Bola Tinubu has asked David Umahi, minister of works, not to listen to the critics of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Tinubu spoke in Lagos on Thursday during the launch of the reconstruction of the deep-seaport access road. 

On May 31, Tinubu inaugurated the completed 30km section one, phase one of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road. 

However, criticism has trailed the inauguration of section one of the road since it is less than five percent of the 700km project.

In March 2024, Tinubu flagged off the construction of the highway project awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.

During the inauguration of the seaport access road, Tinubu said those complaining about the cost of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project can explore other roads. 

The president said his administration is ready to deliver enduring infrastructure for the benefit of the country.

Tinubu asked Umahi to plan the other sections of the Lagos-Calabar project and continue construction activities. 

“I appeal to you, David, don’t listen to those critics. They don’t know what they are talking about,” Tinubu said.

“If they don’t like the road or if it’s too expensive, toll it for them. They could go to Idumota.

“My own is to affirm our commitment to deliver enduring infrastructure across our great nation.

“Forget all the misconceptions; you are a doer, thinker, and great professional, David.

“On my way here, I witnessed the significant progress of section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar highway project, with 10km out of a 55km stretch already done.

“I’m also pleased to report ongoing works at the Cross River and Akwa-Ibom sections and have directed that more segments be designed and procured. Go ahead and do the job.”

Tesla Inc. shares reportedly tumbled by over 14 percent on Thursday, as the public feud between Elon Musk, the company’s chief executive officer (CEO), and President Donald Trump rattled investors.

The development was said to have resulted in a $150 billion loss in the automaker’s market capitalisation.

Musk, who previously led the department of government efficiency (DOGE), described a Republican-backed tax bill as a “disgusting abomination” and claimed that Trump’s earlier presidential victory was partly due to his support.

Shortly after, he announced his resignation from the department.

In response, Trump threatened to revoke federal subsidies and contracts linked to Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.

Following the exchange, Tesla shares dropped to $284.7 at market close, pushing the company’s valuation below $900 billion.

The broader Nasdaq Index also slipped by 0.8 percent.

The tension between the duo sparked investor concern over Tesla’s future in the US, especially its planned launch of autonomous robotaxi services, which are expected to roll out in Austin, Texas, later this year and expand to more cities by 2026.

Meanwhile, reports show Tesla’s vehicle sales in Europe are also slowing.

The company is also facing renewed scrutiny over its autopilot system, after the resurfacing of a fatal 2023 crash allegedly linked to the software.

The latest development has also cut into Musk’s net worth, which dropped by nearly $27 billion, although he remains the world’s richest person.

Tesla has not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of this report.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked US President Donald Trump’s proclamation banning Harvard University from enrolling foreign students.

Although Kristi Noem, secretary of the department of homeland security, announced the restriction on Harvard last month, it took on the weight of a presidential directive on Wednesday after the White House issued an official order.

Allison Burroughs, district judge, issued a temporary restraining order against Trump’s ban. 

Burroughs said if she does not intervene, the school would “sustain immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties”.

The judge said her order “shall remain in effect until further order of this Court”.

Foreign students make up roughly a quarter of the student body in Harvard, US’ oldest and wealthiest university. 

Trump’s spat with the university stems from its refusal to budge to presidential directives, including reporting international students accused of misconduct no matter the degree, and eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes.

 

Harvard has vowed to fight till the end. 

Burroughs set a hearing for mid-June to listen to arguments over whether she should block Trump’s proclamation indefinitely.

Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, was absent on Thursday when President Bola Tinubu flagged off the reconstruction of the deep seaport access road in Epe, Ijebu-Ode area of the state.

Several dignitaries, including Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, and Femi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos, attended the event. 

Sanwo-Olu’s seat was clearly labelled, but he was noticeably absent, with his deputy, Hamzat, seated behind it. 

Speaking at the event, Tinubu directed his remarks at the deputy governor rather than Sanwo-Olu.

The president also cautioned governors against issuing planning approvals for unauthorised islands and developments that encroach on designated road setbacks and maritime zones.

“Please, our dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaborating with the surveyor-general of the federation and the ministry of works on these roads,” the president said. 

“I’m glad the deputy governor of Lagos state is here. Take it that we will revoke all those approvals given on setbacks, and please note that we are very serious about it. No more approvals for those unapproved islands being created illegally.”

While the Lagos government has not given an official reason for Sanwo-Olu’s absence from the event, it may be linked to the alleged rift between the two politicians. 

On Saturday, Tinubu snubbed Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the completed phase 1, section 1 (30km by six lanes) of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The event was attended by personalities, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Zulum, Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, and Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River.

Tinubu exchanged pleasantries by shaking hands with the dignitaries as he proceeded along the line of officials.

However, when Tinubu reached Sanwo-Olu, he ignored the Lagos governor and extended a handshake directly to greet Ahmed Ododo, the governor of Kogi, who was next in line.

There has been speculation that Sanwo-Olu and Tinubu are not on good terms following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Lagos assembly speaker.

Obasa was removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in February over allegations of financial misconduct but was later reinstated after 49 days following the alleged intervention of Tinubu.

Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, says Nigeria has reversed its status as one of the world’s largest importers of cement and now exports more than any other country in Africa.

Dangote spoke on Wednesday at the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event held in Lagos.

He said the West African nation has made significant strides in reversing its dependence on imports in key sectors such as cement, fertiliser, and petroleum products, adding that the same success can be achieved in healthcare. 

“I think you are right. We can make it happen in business and also in health. We have actually done a lot. Let me start with health,” Dangote said.

“In health, through our own partnership with Bill, we have actually end polio. Also, we have participated and also did quite a lot in nutrition. So that’s our partnership.

“In terms of business, it’s true. We have done quite a lot by reversing a lot of things. 

“Nigeria used to be the second largest importer of cement in the world and now, we have reversed it. Nigeria now exports cement more than any other African country.

“We have looked at also challenges in terms of fertiliser where our farmers were suffering.

“We built from the zero level to the second largest plant of fertiliser in the world. So, Nigeria now not only exports, we actually export 37% of our fertiliser to the United States of America.”

On petrochemicals, the billionaire said Nigeria used to import 350,000 tonnes of polypropylene, but that challenge has now been addressed and will not recur.

He said the country will meet domestic demand and also export 600,000 tonnes to other African countries.

“We are the highest, biggest capacity of refinery that has ever been built in the world by Saudi Aramco, which is 430,000 barrels. We said, let us do what has never, ever been done before, that is to do 650,000 barrels per day and we have delivered,” he said.

“In May alone, we have actually exported 400,000 metric tonnes of PMS, which is petrol. Nigeria imports 100%, but right now, no more.”

Dangote said the achievements in business should serve as a model for transforming the healthcare sector, particularly by ending Nigeria’s reliance on medical tourism.

He emphasised the need for the country to begin local drug production and ensure that people can access quality treatment without needing to travel overseas.