Category: News

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has revealed that his administration successfully paid off N90 billion in debts inherited from the previous government led by Nasir El-Rufai. The announcement was made during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Monday.

Sani further disclosed that his government has attracted $2.5 billion in investments to the state. He emphasized that since taking office, no new loans have been taken due to a lack of fiscal space.

“In the last three years, we have repaid over N90 billion of the inherited debt, and we have not taken any new loans because we lack the fiscal capacity to borrow,” Sani stated.

Explaining the challenges, the governor noted that his team attempted to restructure the loans with the World Bank but were unsuccessful because all funds had been fully disbursed before their tenure. “We started repaying the loan in our first week in office in June 2023,” he added.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urgently convened a security council meeting in response to a surge in attacks and the destruction of public assets across the state. The decision was announced on Monday through a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, highlighting the need to address what the administration describes as politically motivated violence.

The meeting, scheduled to take place at the Governor’s Office, will bring together service commanders to deliberate on curbing thuggery allegedly carried out by individuals linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Adeleke emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “I have called this emergency meeting to tackle a matter of critical public concern. We must investigate why hoodlums damage public property while security forces fail to intervene or make arrests.”

The governor stressed that the security council will formulate strategies to prevent future occurrences and rebuild public trust. “It is our constitutional duty to maintain the public’s faith in security agencies,” he added. This development occurs against a backdrop of escalating political tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with reports of vandalized campaign materials across the state.

The Imole Campaign Council has accused suspected APC supporters of destroying billboards belonging to both the governor’s campaign and the Accord Party. In response, the APC campaign council, through its spokesperson Oluremi Omowaiye, dismissed the allegations as false and politically driven. Meanwhile, DAILY POST reported the killing of Kolade Eluyera, son of the Accord Women Leader in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, by unidentified assailants, further underscoring the deteriorating security situation.

The head of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed to the electoral commission to increase the compensation for corps members engaged as election workers. During a meeting with the INEC chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, Nafiu stressed that better pay would encourage more youth corps members to volunteer for election duties.

In addition to higher allowances, he demanded the swift payment of insurance benefits or medical aid for corps members who are killed or wounded while performing election-related tasks. He pointed out that the existing insurance coverage for corps members does not apply to election assignments, so they rely entirely on INEC’s provisions.

The NYSC chief also asked for the early release of the list of corps members assigned as electoral officers, arguing that this would enable the scheme to train and prepare them effectively before election day. He commended INEC for the security support extended to corps members during the recent Anambra governorship poll and expressed hope that such measures would continue.

Nafiu described corps members as exceptionally competent, impartial, quick to learn, and digitally skilled, making them ideal for ensuring credible elections. He reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to Nigeria’s democracy, noting that the partnership with INEC has been vital since 1999, with a formal pact signed in 2011 and renewed several times.

“We have enough manpower to assist INEC not only for the 2027 general elections but also for off-cycle polls this year,” Nafiu stated. He called on government agencies, NGOs, and individuals to back INEC’s efforts. “Our corps members are ready, and we take pride in INEC’s success because your success is ours,” he added.

In a notable political development in Ekiti State, Hon. Ademola Alade, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, has officially crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a large number of his followers. The event took place on Sunday at his Awo Ekiti ward, marking a significant boost for the ruling party as the June 20 gubernatorial election approaches.

Explaining his move, Alade cited the exceptional leadership and achievements of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. He praised the governor’s inclusive governance, developmental projects, and people-centered policies, which he said inspired his decision to align with the APC. Alade highlighted key initiatives such as infrastructure upgrades, agricultural programs for youth, and the six-point agenda that has transformed Ekiti into a model of peace and prosperity.

The defection ceremony drew several prominent APC figures and government officials, including Ekiti State Commissioner for Information Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, local APC chairman Ope Ogundele, and retired Chief Judge Justice Ayodeji Daramola. Alade emphasized that he and his supporters were not seeking to take over the party but to contribute to its growth and secure more democratic benefits for the people.

Alade noted that Awo Ekiti had gained unprecedented political inclusion under Oyebanji, with more appointments and recognition than ever before. He expressed confidence that the APC would win overwhelmingly in all 177 wards of the state. He also pledged full support for Oyebanji in the upcoming election and for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Commissioner Olatunbosun, receiving the defectors, assured them of equal opportunities within the party. He described Alade as a seasoned grassroots politician whose experience will strengthen the APC locally. Ogundele, speaking on behalf of State Chairman Sola Elesin, welcomed the new members and urged them to uphold the party’s values of unity and progress.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that opposition parties in Nigeria are making a strategic error by zoning their 2027 presidential ticket exclusively to the South. In a statement released by his media aide, Olusola Sanni, Atiku argued that such a move is not only politically naive but also ignores historical electoral realities.

Atiku pointed out that no sitting president has ever been defeated by a challenger from the same geopolitical zone. With President Bola Tinubu—a Southerner—seeking re-election, fielding another Southern candidate would be futile. He stressed that the opposition must base its decisions on hard arithmetic and coalition-building, not emotional appeals or moral posturing.

The former vice president also challenged the equity arguments behind the zoning demand. He noted that by 2027, the South would have held the presidency for about 18 years in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, compared to the North’s 10 years. Allowing the South to retain power for another term would further widen this imbalance, making calls for fairness ring hollow.

Atiku criticized political actors who now champion zoning but abandoned the principle in 2011 when the North’s turn was interrupted by President Yar’Adua’s death. He described their sudden embrace of rotational justice as selective and opportunistic, driven by personal ambition rather than genuine commitment to fairness.

While acknowledging the legitimate aspirations of the Southeast to produce a president, Atiku cautioned against reducing this to transactional bargaining. He called for a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership for the region, free from tokenism or individual interests.

In conclusion, Atiku urged the opposition to focus on building a formidable national coalition capable of defeating an incumbent. He emphasized that winning power requires realism, strategy, and honesty—not romanticism or selective memory. The choice, he said, is between making an emotional statement and actually winning the election.

A prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Faizu Alfindiki, has expressed that the political collaboration between former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi has caught many in the northern region off guard. He shared these observations during a press interaction in Kano, questioning the direction and focus of Kwankwaso’s political maneuvers.

Alfindiki noted that numerous northern citizens are puzzled by Kwankwaso’s apparent inclination to link up with Obi’s political faction rather than fostering stronger bonds among northern leaders. The APC stalwart emphasized that the region requires its political figures to cooperate in order to safeguard its interests and amplify its influence nationally. According to him, the North necessitates leaders who prioritize unity and collaborative efforts for regional progress.

The former chairman of Kano Municipal Council also leveled criticism at Obi, asserting that Obi has not adequately addressed critical issues impacting the North. He remarked that Obi rarely speaks out on major challenges such as insecurity, agriculture, and economic development in a manner that many anticipate. Alfindiki further contended that Kwankwaso’s political choices could imply that personal ambition is being prioritized over collective regional welfare.

He stated that in politics, individuals are evaluated based on their positions and the alliances they form. The people of the North require leaders capable of uniting to preserve the region’s political integrity. Nevertheless, he urged politicians across Nigeria to pursue alliances that encourage national cohesion instead of exacerbating divisions. The APC chieftain also commended the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting ongoing projects in infrastructure, road construction, and agriculture as evidence of a commitment to national advancement. He argued that such initiatives warrant continued support for the President in the lead-up to future elections.

In a strategic move aimed at fostering unity within the party, six contenders for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in Kano Central Senatorial District have stepped aside and thrown their weight behind former governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau. The decision, announced on Sunday, May 10, 2026, following a meeting in Abuja, is seen as a step towards strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The aspirants who endorsed Shekarau include Usman Bala, Sha’aban Sharada, Muhammad Zango, Danyaro Yakasai, Abbas Sani Abbas, and Shehu Isa Driver. Speaking to journalists after the deliberation, they emphasized that their withdrawal was motivated by the need for unity, peace, and progress within the APC in Kano State.

According to the group, backing Shekarau is part of broader efforts to consolidate the party’s position and ensure stability in the Kano Central senatorial zone. They noted that the move would help the APC present a formidable front in the upcoming elections.

It is worth recalling that Senator Ibrahim Shekarau recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, setting the stage for his senatorial bid. The endorsement by these six aspirants signals a consolidation of support for the former governor within the party.

In a significant political shift, Sani Lawal, who represents the Zango/Baure Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has reportedly left the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made through a statement from Abubakar Yahaya Kusada, a former chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character. Kusada shared the news on his official social media page on May 10, 2026, revealing that Lawal is a close ally and longtime political partner. They first worked together in the Katsina State House of Assembly after being elected in 2015. Kusada described Lawal as more than a colleague, likening him to a blood brother. He praised Lawal as a dedicated and focused parliamentarian, noting that his absence will be felt within the APC. While extending best wishes for Lawal’s future political endeavors, Kusada did not specify which party the lawmaker might join. Sources suggest that the departure stems from disagreements over the party’s consensus process and issues related to Lawal’s reelection ticket. The development highlights ongoing tensions within the APC as the 2027 elections approach, with other party members also voicing concerns over internal conflicts.

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Farouk Aliyu, has stated that the party has a strategy to address the frustration of aspirants who fail to secure tickets for the 2027 general elections. During an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Aliyu admitted that not all contenders will be satisfied with the outcome of primaries and consensus arrangements. He appealed to aggrieved members to stay committed to the party, explaining that leadership will use dialogue, pledges, and even appointments to placate those left disappointed.

Aliyu emphasized that political decisions in the APC are shaped by broad consultations among key stakeholders, and governors do not always have the ultimate authority over candidate selection. He noted that the party will prioritize consensus but will hold direct primaries in instances where agreement cannot be reached. He remarked, “There will definitely be broken hearts. If you have an ambition and you don’t achieve it, you may feel heartbroken. But if you are a true party loyalist and the leaders agree on a particular candidate, you should either support that decision or contest in the election.”

He also highlighted the dynamic nature of politics, saying, “Today’s promise may not hold tomorrow. Even if a governor promises a ticket, there are limitations because other stakeholders may wield more influence.” Aliyu concluded that the APC has mechanisms in place to mend strained relationships, and will continue to engage with disgruntled members through soothing words, future opportunities, and possible appointments. The party is prepared and ready for the challenges ahead.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement, a political faction loyal to former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has shed light on the rationale behind the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) decision to zone its presidential ticket to the southern part of the country for the 2027 elections. The group emphasized that this move stems from a deep commitment to national unity and a desire to foster trust among all Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, the National Coordinator of the movement, Habeeb Saleh, stressed that the NDC’s zoning strategy is aimed at reinforcing the belief in a cohesive and indivisible Nigeria. He argued that such decisions are essential for promoting stability and mutual understanding across the nation’s diverse regions.

Saleh noted that the party is keen on ensuring that Nigerians have unwavering confidence in its candidates, trusting that they will always prioritize the country’s interests above personal or regional agendas. According to him, the zoning to the South is a calculated effort to build a sense of shared purpose and to demonstrate that the NDC is committed to equitable representation.

“The decision to zone the NDC presidency to the South is fundamentally about believing in one Nigeria,” Saleh stated. He added that the move is designed to create an environment where all citizens feel included and valued, thereby strengthening the fabric of the nation. The Kwankwasiyya Movement reaffirmed its support for this approach, viewing it as a pathway to greater political harmony and progress.