Connect with us

General News

APC Dumps Amaechi, Picks Fashola as Buhari’s Running Mate

Published

on

Babatunde Fashola,General Muhammadu Buhari,Rotimi Amaechi....Pic Credit, Nigerian Tribune
Kindly share this post

Babatunde Fashola, Lagos state governor has been reportedly endorsed by the South-West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the vice-presidential candidate to whoever emerges as the presidential standard-bearer of the party, according to the  Nigerian Tribune.

The zone is also strongly working for the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari, former head of state, as the presidential candidate for 2015 election.

According to the newspaper, following its earlier exclusive report that a new power-sharing formula favoured Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State governor, as Buhari’s running-mate, the South-West caucus of the party reportedly launched a lobby on why the zone, and not the South-South, should be on the expected northern presidential ticket.

The party leadership and elders reportedly bought the argument that South-West would be the battleground in the presidential contest and it was just politically correct that a viable south-westerner should be on the ticket.

Amaechi was said to be aware of the move to dump him and had not been folding his arms.

A national officer of the party told the Nigerian Tribune that making a choice between Amaechi and Fashola was asking the party at large to choose between picking Amaechi and winning just a state with less than two million votes and picking Fashola and sweeping an entire geopolitical zone.

The source noted that while Amaechi was an asset to the party, the arithmetic of the presidential election and the candidates expected to be involved demanded that someone with capacity to win more votes should be picked as the running-mate

The APC national officer conceded that South-South and South-East were for Jonathan, but expected that the likes of Amaechi would not only significantly reduce the president’s votes, but should be able to prevent the usual alleged rigging in the zones that accounted for the high number of votes in the past elections.

When reminded that it might be difficult persuading Amaechi to go empty-handed, after his many sacrifices to the party, the national officer said it would be in Amaechi’s interest to work for the victory of the party in Rivers State, whether he was picked as running mate or not, considering that his failure at the poll would hurt him more in the state.

“We will first appeal to him, but it is in his own interest to win Rivers for us, both in governorship and presidential elections. If (Nyesom) Wike becomes governor and PDP wins Rivers for Jonathan, Amaechi would suffer more personal loss than the party,” the source said.

It was further learnt that the party leadership, both at the national level and South-West, was being pragmatic with the choice of Fashola, with those who would not even readily agree with him now supporting the push for his candidacy.

“Fashola is a game-changer. He complements Buhari. Buhari is old, Fashola is young. Buhari is conservative, Fashola is dynamic. Are you saying South-West would leave its own and support Jonathan and Sambo? Every politics is local. South-West will first consider which party brings it closer to Aso Rock.

“Because we had been considering him all this while, that is why we didn’t go on air, disclaiming the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Fashola’s wife is a strong Christian. Nigerians want good governance, not religious sentiments. Would you, in good conscience, call Fashola a religious bigot?” the source asked rhetorically.

Nigerian Tribune also reliably gathered that former Attorney General of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, earlier considered for the job, was no longer on the radar of the party leadership.

A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from the South-West disclosed that it was reasoned that he had been too politically-quiet to be marketed nationally within the time-frame for the election.

The party caucus was said to have reasoned that his involvement in the Buhari ticket might present the Buhari/Pastor Tunde Bakare’s 2011 ticket scenario, which reportedly failed mainly because the VP candidate could not deliver votes in his zone.

Fashola’s involvement, according to the party’s blue-print, was primed to deliver votes across Yorubaland and, at the same time, deny Jonathan the possibility of 25 per cent constitutional requirement.

APC also believed that Buhari/Fashola’s ticket would sweep Ondo and Ekiti states, currently governed by PDP governors, though the party was not that optimistic on the governorship elections.

In Lagos, Fashola would be expected to back the candidate of the party’s caucus which the national officer said was Akinwunmi Ambode.

When asked if Fashola had been officially informed, Nigerian Tribune was told “politics is not played that way.”

Nigerian Tribune was also told that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would not be begged to concede the presidential ticket to Buhari, because it could backfire if he decided to go public with the claim.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

General News

Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.

According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.

“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.

Key Insights from the White Paper:

  • Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
  • Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
  • Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes

Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative

As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.

The package provides access to:

  • Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
  • Urinalysis
  • Electrolytes
  • Urea
  • Creatinine
  • Pap Smear Submitted slides
  • HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
  • Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
  • Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
  • Ongoing support via the Myitura platform

Access:

Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

DBI Unveils Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Report Highlights Strategic Trends, Risks

Published

on

Kindly share this post

DigitalSENSE Business Intelligence (DBI), powered by ITREALMS Media, has launched the Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Intelligence Report (Executive Edition), delivering vital insights for navigating Nigeria’s fast-paced digital landscape.

DBI Unveils Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Report Highlights Strategic Trends, Risks

This executive summary spotlights trends, risks, and opportunities in telecommunications, fintech, digital infrastructure, policy shifts, and investment flows. It underscores digital transformation’s pivotal role in boosting economic growth, financial inclusion, and nationwide innovation.

DBI Publisher, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, emphasized its value for leaders: “This Executive Edition offers a sharp, strategic view of Nigeria’s digital economy during a pivotal moment. As the sector surges ahead, reliable intelligence is key to seizing opportunities and tackling risks.”

Key highlights include:

  • Broadband infrastructure expansion.

  • Surge in digital payments adoption.

  • Evolving regulations.

  • Investor pivot to sustainable, profitable ventures.

The report urges action on digital financial inclusion, infrastructure funding, skills training, and public sector digitization.

Freely accessible, the Executive Edition complements the premium Full Edition with in-depth analysis for executives and institutions. Stakeholders can request full access or briefings.

Media & Access Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.itrealms.com.ng


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

NASENI Renewable Energy Industrial Park Underway as Construction Gains Momentum

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The on-going construction works at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State is gathering momentum as the project is envisioned to address the country’s energy needs.

NASENI Renewable Energy Industrial Park Underway as Construction Gains Momentum

NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State

The project occupying a 40-hectare park designed as a multi-energy hub will help curb capital flight and save foreign exchange expenditure by enabling local production of key renewable energy components such as solar panels, mounting racks, wind systems and biomass technologies.

Speaking during an inspection visit on the project site on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Special Adviser to the Executive Vice Chairman on Renewable Energy, Engr. Suyud Abdullahi Muhammad, who also serves as the Gora Project Manager, disclosed that the initiative is designed to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported renewable energy equipment.

“There will be a wind assembly plant, small hydro power equipment production, and solar panel manufacturing; Renewable energy goes beyond just solar, and this park reflects that broader vision,” he said.

Abdullahi noted that the project aligns with NASENI’s goal of reducing energy poverty in Nigeria, where over 80 million citizens remain off-grid, while many connected to the national grid continue to experience inadequate power supply.

The Special Adviser also emphasised on the project’s industrialisation potential, highlighting its role in job creation and value chain development. The park is expected to generate 2,000 direct jobs, with an additional 50,000 indirect employment opportunities across supporting industries when completed.

“This initiative will localise the renewable energy value chain. Instead of relying on imports, Nigeria will begin to produce and eventually export these technologies, starting with the West African market and scaling up to the rest of the continent,” he added.

On sustainability and long-term viability, he revealed that the project is being executed in collaboration with private sector players, academia and other stakeholders, in line with NASENI’s “3Cs” principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation.

The ongoing construction is being handled by about 35 contracting firms, each handling specific components at varying levels of execution such as Multipurpose Halls for industrial productions, Research and Development (R&D) Centre, Knowledge Park, Energy Centre, Workshops, Researchers Lodge, Studio Apartments, Clinic, Restaurant, Wellness Centre, Solar Farm, Drivers Lounge, Gate House, Internal roads and drainage system and Fencing.

The Gora Renewable Energy Industrial Energy Park is considered a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, enhancing energy security and positioning Nigeria as a renewable energy hub in Africa.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending