In a move that signals fresh political recalibrations ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Kano State, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of former Kano governor and influential political figure Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as its deputy governorship candidate. The announcement was made by the party’s governorship flagbearer, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who is expected to lead the NDC into what is shaping up to be a highly competitive contest in Nigeria’s most politically significant northern state. Mustapha, a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Kano State, stepped down from his cabinet position earlier this…
Author: National Update
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for greater transparency from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of judicial pronouncements affecting the leadership structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement issued in Abuja, the rights group said INEC must clarify its position on court decisions that have raised legal questions about the party’s internal leadership arrangements and compliance with constitutional provisions. HURIWA expressed concern over what it described as uncertainty surrounding the Commission’s response to multiple judicial findings linked to ongoing disputes within the PDP. The group specifically questioned whether INEC…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF) has called for strengthened democratic governance in Nigeria, urging greater respect for press freedom and an end to alleged security agency overreach. In a statement marking the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, the Executive Director of RECEF, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, said Nigerians must continue to safeguard democratic values while pushing for improved governance and accountability. Muraina noted that although Nigeria has made progress since returning to democratic rule, the nation still faces significant economic hardship and persistent security challenges that demand urgent and sustained attention. “As we mark…
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has challenged young Nigerians to become drivers of innovation, enterprise and ethical leadership, insisting that the country’s future rests on a generation committed to productivity and value creation. Speaking at the This Generation Conference organised by Summit Bible Church in Abuja, Obi said sustainable success is rooted in competence, integrity, discipline and hard work rather than the pursuit of quick gains. Addressing an audience of young entrepreneurs, professionals and business leaders, he shared lessons from his years in business and public service, stressing that meaningful progress is achieved through consistent effort…
Nine high-value Abuja properties allegedly connected to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, have been placed under interim forfeiture by a Federal High Court in Abuja. The order, granted by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, followed an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the assets were suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. The properties, located in some of Abuja’s most sought-after districts, are to remain under temporary forfeiture pending the determination of a substantive application seeking their permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, the anti-graft agency invoked provisions of…
The political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections may have been significantly altered following a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties over poor electoral performance. The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment in Abuja, held that the parties no longer met the constitutional conditions required to remain on INEC’s register. The case was brought before the court by a group of former lawmakers, who argued…
Former Abia State governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has thrown his weight behind legislative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s judiciary, while also reaffirming his commitment to youth empowerment and transparency in regional development initiatives. Speaking during Senate deliberations on two judicial reform bills, Kalu supported proposals seeking to increase the number of judges in the Federal High Court and justices in the Court of Appeal, arguing that expanding the judiciary would help reduce case backlogs and accelerate access to justice. According to him, delays in the justice system undermine public confidence and weaken democratic institutions, stressing that…
The Senate Committee on Army has expressed deep sadness over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, describing his passing as a painful loss to the nation and the military community. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Chairman of the Committee, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, the committee recalled that the retired senior military officer was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, along the Katsina–Matazu road. The committee noted that General Abubakar served Nigeria with distinction during his military career and remained actively engaged in national security discussions even after retirement.…
Mo Ibrahim has commended Aliko Dangote, describing the $20 billion Dangote Refinery as a defining example of Africa’s growing ability to finance and execute world-class industrial projects. Speaking on the project, Ibrahim said the refinery reflects a shift in narrative—from reliance on external capital and imports to African-led solutions built at scale and driven by local ambition. He noted that the Lagos-based facility is already influencing fuel supply dynamics across the continent, gradually reducing dependence on imported refined products and strengthening regional energy resilience. According to him, the significance of the project goes beyond production capacity. It represents confidence in…
Seventeen farmers were killed in a violent attack that turned an ordinary day of farming into a scene of mass tragedy in Goron Namaye community, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victims, according to reports shared by Amnesty International, were working on their farmlands on June 12, 2026, when armed attackers stormed the area and opened fire, leaving behind a trail of death and injuries. What makes the incident especially devastating is not only the scale of the killings, but the setting: a place meant for survival and sustenance. The farmland—central to rural life in Zamfara State—became the…