Author: Gabby

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has shared a personal story about his daughter’s advice. During an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Monday, Kwankwaso revealed that his own daughter encouraged him to collaborate with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

According to Kwankwaso, many Nigerian political leaders are out of touch with the aspirations of the country’s youth, particularly in the age of social media. He noted that younger Nigerians prioritize competent leadership over the religious and ethnic considerations that older politicians often highlight.

Kwankwaso stated that even within his own home, his daughter expressed the growing desire for political cooperation and effective governance. He recounted, “During the 2023 election, in my own house, my daughter was telling me to go and work with Peter Obi. She didn’t say she was obedient, but she wanted us to collaborate.”

He further observed that many young Nigerians are united in their quest for credible leadership capable of tackling the country’s challenges. Kwankwaso emphasized, “People talk about religion and ethnicity, especially those at our level and age, but younger people are looking for the right leadership for this country. And I believe they are absolutely correct.”

Kwankwaso’s remarks highlight a generational divide in political perspectives and underscore the increasing demand for issue-based politics among Nigerian youth.

In a recent interview, former NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso explained the reasoning behind his decision to partner with Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 elections. He emphasized that the North is adopting a strategy reminiscent of the political collaborations seen during the era of Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello.

Kwankwaso noted that during the Second Republic, President Shehu Shagari successfully worked with leaders from the South East. He described the people of the South East as friends of the North, expressing a desire for their regions to cooperate.

Drawing from his own experience as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kwankwaso highlighted his positive working relationship with the Speaker. He stated that after careful consideration with northern leadership, they identified Peter Obi as the most capable and honest partner to move the nation forward, leading to the consensus to form an alliance.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former Kano State governor and a prominent figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has explained why he is elated about the party’s choice to zone its presidential ticket to the southern region. He emphasized that this move was driven by considerations of fairness, equity, and the need for political stability in Nigeria.

During an interview on Monday with Arise Television’s Prime Time program, Kwankwaso shared his satisfaction with joining the NDC, describing its members as kindred spirits dedicated to solving the nation’s political problems. He noted that the party’s leadership, including former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, collectively resolved to keep the presidency in the South for the next four years before rotating it back to the North.

Kwankwaso stated that northern members who recently joined the party readily accepted this arrangement because it addresses the ongoing disputes over power rotation in the country. He further connected the current zoning debate to the confusion that arose after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. According to him, while some Nigerians believe the presidency should go to the North, the NDC deemed it more suitable to support a southern candidate to ease political tensions and maintain equilibrium.

Expressing his happiness, Kwankwaso said, “Let me say that I’m so happy that I joined this party, the NDC. I believe so far, so good, we are doing well. I met people that I can call like minds, ranging from the leader of the party, Senator Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa State, and of course, Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, and many other leaders who are today in our party.”

He added that from the very beginning, they sat together, assessed the country’s situation, and made key decisions, including the zoning of the presidency to the South for four years. Kwankwaso stressed that they are loyal party members and recognized the party’s contemplation of this zoning even before they joined. He concluded by noting that the best way forward is to take the presidency to the South to eliminate the confusion introduced by Yar’Adua’s death, even though the South has historically spent more years in power since 1999.

A prominent chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has expressed confidence in forging a productive partnership with former presidential candidate Peter Obi as the 2027 elections approach. During a recent appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time program, Kwankwaso emphasized his historical ability to work harmoniously with colleagues from different backgrounds.

Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso noted that he maintained a cordial relationship with his deputy, which culminated in a seamless transition of power. He argued that political leaders often allow greed to disrupt potential alliances, whereas his past experiences demonstrate that there is ample room for collaboration without conflict. Drawing parallels to Nigeria’s earlier republics, he invoked the examples of Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello, as well as Shehu Shagari and southeastern leaders, as models of interregional cooperation.

Kwankwaso dismissed concerns about regional tensions influencing his proposed relationship with Obi, asserting that such divisions are unnecessary. He pledged that he and Obi would establish a relationship founded on mutual respect and shared goals, free from the infighting that has hindered many political partnerships in the past.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, has clarified that his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with Peter Obi was not due to any conflict with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He emphasized that political maneuvering is a normal part of democracy and should not be misconstrued as personal enmity.

During an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Monday, Kwankwaso explained that the decision to exit the ADC stemmed from unresolved internal challenges within the party. He noted that these issues could hinder the party’s ability to successfully field candidates in upcoming elections.

“Peter Obi and I left ADC not because we are at odds with Atiku or anyone else. We recognized that the party currently faces three major problems that we believe are very hard to fix in time for candidate nominations,” Kwankwaso stated.

He further expressed uncertainty about whether the ADC would ultimately be able to present candidates for future ballots. Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to view political contests as strategic games rather than personal fights, emphasizing that he holds no grudges against any political figure.

Reflecting on past primary elections, Kwankwaso recalled that he had previously competed alongside Atiku and other politicians without hostility. “In 2015, we had a primary in Lagos. Buhari was first, I was second, Atiku was third, Rochas Okorocha was fourth, and the late Isaiah was fifth. In 2019, Atiku won the primary, and I served as his coordinator for the North. We worked together. Politics is just like a game. I am not fighting anyone, and I do not expect anyone to fight me,” he said.

In a recent interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, responded to remarks made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding his political influence. Atiku had previously claimed that Kwankwaso’s popularity is confined to Kano State. Kwankwaso dismissed this assertion, advising patience and suggesting that the outcome of the upcoming general elections would provide clarity.

Kwankwaso stated, “Let’s wait and see the election. I have no issue with that, and I think we have gone past that level now.” He emphasized that he is currently aligned with the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while Atiku remains with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He expressed his well wishes for Atiku’s party but challenged the notion that votes would be split in Kano, urging critics to be patient.

“You see, anybody who is talking about or asking questions about whether our votes will split in Kano is not patient. Let’s wait for the election and see whether our votes are split in Kano or not,” he added, reinforcing his confidence in the electoral process.

In a major push for educational advancement, the Taraba State Government has disbursed more than N1.8 billion to cover registration costs for students sitting for the 2026 external examinations. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Augustina Godwin, during a cheque presentation ceremony held in Jalingo on Monday.

This initiative is designed to broaden access to education and alleviate the financial strain on families across the state. Commissioner Godwin revealed that N1,613,646,250 has been allocated for 44,133 candidates taking the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. Additionally, N53,865,000 has been set aside for 1,570 students registered for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) tests.

Furthermore, the government has released N196,822,190 to facilitate the registration of 38,956 pupils for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The commissioner highlighted that these actions underscore the administration’s dedication to enhancing educational quality and investing strategically in the sector’s growth.

She emphasized ongoing efforts to revitalize education through exam sponsorships, infrastructure improvements, teacher training, and creating better learning environments. Godwin also called on students, educators, and school leaders to honor this investment by upholding discipline, commitment, and integrity, particularly by avoiding exam malpractices.

The commissioner praised Governor Agbu Kefas for prioritizing children’s futures through timely payment of examination fees, noting that this policy has consistently boosted enrollment and retention rates in Taraba schools. Officials from NECO and NABTEB in the state also lauded the governor, stating that the free registration policy has led to a significant increase in candidate participation compared to previous years.

The Accord Party has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Kolade Eluyera, the son of its woman leader in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State. The incident occurred on Friday near Onireke Mosque in Ikire, sending shockwaves through the party and the local community.

Barrister Maxwell Mgbuden, the National Chairman of the party, expressed deep sorrow over what he described as the senseless murder of a promising young man. In a statement, he conveyed condolences to the grieving family, urging them to find strength in faith during this difficult period.

According to the party, Eluyera’s death will not be in vain. The statement emphasized that he made the ultimate sacrifice in the collective struggle for a better and more prosperous Osun State. The Accord Party called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, including their sponsors.

The party also criticized security agencies for failing to prevent the killing and other attacks, including the vandalism of campaign billboards and harassment of members. It accused thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the violence.

Accord reiterated its commitment to issue-based politics and rejected any form of bitterness, rancor, or violence. It warned against attempts to destabilize the state, noting that such actions would not yield political dividends. The party praised Governor Ademola Adeleke for his people-oriented leadership, despite what it termed deliberate sabotage by opposition elements.

Accord urged the people of Osun to remain vigilant and support the governor’s re-election on August 15, 2026. It called for a credible and transparent electoral process, urging citizens to resist vote-buying and protect their votes. The party expressed confidence that the masses would reject the APC’s alleged plot to rig the election.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially unveiled the baseline Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores that Nigerian universities will use for the 2026 admission cycle. These benchmarks were established during the annual Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions, a key event held in Abuja.

Among all institutions, Pan-Atlantic University stands out with the highest minimum requirement, set at 220. A cluster of prominent universities, including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Covenant University, Obafemi Awolowo University, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the University of Benin, have collectively adopted a 200-point cutoff. These figures represent the lowest scores candidates must achieve to be considered for admission.

The board emphasized that these cutoffs are the basic thresholds, but individual institutions retain the authority to impose more stringent criteria for programs that are highly competitive, such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, and law. This flexibility allows universities to maintain academic standards for their most sought-after courses.

Here is the comprehensive breakdown of the approved minimum UTME scores for the 2026 academic year: Pan-Atlantic University and Covenant University both require 220, while the Air Force Institute of Technology, Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Abeokuta, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka each demand 200. Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University have set their cutoffs at 195, and Lagos State University of Education follows with 185. A notable group, including Ahmadu Bello University, Afe Babalola University, Federal University of Health Sciences in Ila Orangun, Nigeria Police Academy, Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Shanahan University, University of Abuja (also known as Yakubu Gowon University), and University of Ilorin, all accept 180. Institutions like University of Jos, Augustine University, Babcock University, Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Federal University in Lafia, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nasarawa State University, and BITS University in Bwari have a cutoff of 170. A larger set of universities, including Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Admiralty University of Nigeria, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Ajayi Crowther University, Al-Hikmah University, Bamidele Olumilua University, Bayero University in Kano, Bells University of Technology, Caleb University, Chrisland University, Dominion University, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Federal University of Education in Pankshin, Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Federal University of Technology in Ikot-Abasi, First Technical University, Imo State University, Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Karl Kumm University, Kwara State University, Landmark University, Lead City University, Modibbo Adama University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Osun State University, Plateau State University, Redeemer’s University, Summit University, Tai Solarin University of Education, Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ilesa, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, have settled on 160. Finally, institutions such as AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Adamawa State University, Adeleke University, and African School of Economics in Abuja have the most accessible threshold at 150.

Prospective students are advised to verify specific course requirements with their chosen universities, as these scores are merely the starting point for the admission process.