The Senate on Wednesday formally received a letter from Senator Suleiman Abdurrahman Kawu (OFR, PhD) of Kano South Senatorial District, announcing his defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irreconcilable divisions within the NNPP. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Senator Kawu’s letter during plenary, where the lawmaker declared his move to the APC pursuant to Section 68 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Kawu described the APC as “the largest party in Africa” and “the only stable party in Nigeria.” In his letter, Kawu stated…
Author: National Update
***Warn Against One-Party Rule At a memorial held in honour of the late elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, former President Goodluck Jonathan issued a strong warning against the emergence of a one-party system in Nigeria, calling it a dangerous trend that could unravel the nation’s democracy. Speaking at the Memorial Lecture and Day of Tribute in Abuja, Jonathan said that though one-party states have succeeded elsewhere under special circumstances, such systems imposed by manipulation or intimidation would backfire in Nigeria’s delicate political landscape. “One-party rule is not automatically bad — Tanzania used it for national unity,” Jonathan said, referencing the…
By Fatima Ndagi The Nigeria-US Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives has cautioned the United States against listing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), stating that such a designation could harm Nigeria’s ability to combat crime and hinder international partnerships. The warning was issued during a six-day diplomatic mission to the United States, where the delegation, led by Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, engaged top U.S. lawmakers including Congressman Christopher Smith. The group used the meeting to appeal against any move to categorize Nigeria under CPC status, which is often reserved for countries accused of severe religious…
***Warns Against Tyranny Disguised as Democracy Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary and ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned in the strongest terms the arrest and unlawful detention of popular activist and social media personality, VeryDarkMan (Martins Vincent Otse), by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Otse was arrested three days ago after visiting a GTBank branch in Abuja to lodge a complaint about unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. Instead of receiving justice, he was reportedly whisked away by masked EFCC agents and has remained in custody since…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Kogi State House of Assembly has issued a stern warning to the Coordinator of the Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency (KOSSIPA), Hajiya Aishat Oyiza Omade, threatening to issue a bench warrant for her arrest if she fails to appear before the House on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, gave the warning during Tuesday’s plenary in Lokoja after Omade failed to honour a summons issued by the House Committee on Special Duties, Legislative Compliance, Government House Administration, and the Governor’s Office. The House is seeking clarification on…
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse In a bold move to curb persistent clashes between farmers and herders, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of a Mobile Police Unit and the construction of 20 blocks of police barracks in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State. Senator representing Jigawa Northeast, Abdulhamid Ahmed broke the news during the Jigawa State Government’s town hall meeting tagged Gwamnati da Jama’a in Guri town. The senator also announced plans to build a fully equipped, one-storey police station in the area—part of a federal-state collaboration aimed at restoring lasting peace in one of Jigawa’s most fertile…
In a notable display of public accountability, Jigawa State Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwalu Danladi Sankara, has returned N301 million in unspent funds from the 2025 Ramadan feeding programme to the state government treasury. The announcement was made during the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Malam Umar Namadi. Mr. Sankara stated that the funds were part of the N4.8 billion released by the state for the feeding of vulnerable citizens during the Ramadan fast. The feeding exercise, conducted across 638 centers in the 287 political wards of the state, reportedly reached over 5,550 people daily for 29…
By Dr. James Aduku Odaudu The agitation for the creation of new states and local government areas in Nigeria is deeply rooted in the quest for equity, growth, political and economic inclusiveness. The faulty federal system in place has ensured that no matter the number of states in existence, the agitations will not end as long as there are cases of marginalisation, inequity and fear of domination. I dare say, however, that some of the demands are not only just, but also timely. Nigeria’s democracy must be built on fairness, inclusion, and responsiveness to the aspirations of its people. One…
By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia In a landmark humanitarian and peacebuilding milestone, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has overseen the safe return of thousands of internally displaced Bassa people to their ancestral communities in Toto Local Government Area, seven years after violent communal clashes forced their displacement. The Bassa ethnic group, displaced by persistent conflict with the Egbira community between 2018 and 2019, had been living in temporary camps after fleeing over 100 villages. Despite repeated attempts by previous administrations, meaningful reintegration remained elusive until Governor Sule’s sustained mediation and reconciliation efforts, which created an atmosphere conducive to safe…
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an enabling investment climate rooted in macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, and a clear pathway to inclusive and sustainable prosperity. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, gave the assurance during a high-level private dinner held on Monday in Lagos. Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, in a statement indicated that the event, hosted by Kuramo Capital Management as part of Africa Venture Capital Week, brought together leading global investors, development partners, and business executives for a strategic dialogue on unlocking long-term capital for Africa’s…