₦airaland Forum

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, and the chairman of the party’s 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee, Aminu Bello Masari, have admitted that there are challenges confronting the forthcoming convention, but said such are not enough to stop the event scheduled for this weekend.

Both Yilwatda and Masari told journalists in Abuja after leading the Environmental and Sanitation Subcommittee of the convention on a road march, tagged ‘Walk for a cleaner and safer environment’, on Monday.

The National Chairman, represented by the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, said: “We want the country to know that we are not just preparing for our convention but also for our primaries.”

“Are there challenges, yes, but they are ones that are surmountable. Whatever challenges we can have for Saturday’s convention can be overcome. APC has shown that it is a resilient, ensuring party and a party built and anchored on time tested ideology.”

Masari, a former governor of Katsina State, admitted that it is natural for challenges to accompany every human endeavour.

“Yes, there are some challenges, but do you live life without challenges? Exactly, there are some. When you left your house to come here, didn’t you face challenges? Other traffickers will interrupt you. Life without challenges is meaningless.

“As for our readiness, why are you asking the obvious when you have seen it? I can tell you that we are ready and the event will go on as planned,” he assured.

Auchi professionals back Tuggar for governor

The League of Bauchi Professionals has endorsed the candidature of Yusuf Maitama Tuggar for the governorship of Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 election.

The endorsement was contained in a statement issued by the secretary of the group, Ibrahim Yusuf, following a meeting of the association held in Bauchi during the Eid celebrations.

In the statement, the group said the state requires leadership capable of blending its rich heritage with a modern governance vision, adding that Tuggar embodies this balance.

The League anchored its endorsement on four key pillars of Tuggar’s leadership framework—trust and truth, accountability, consistency, and a strong sense of duty.

It further cited his record of public service, including his tenure as a member of the House of Representatives representing the Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State from 2007 to 2011, his service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, and his current role as Nigeria’s top diplomat and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as evidence of his experience, discipline, and commitment to public service.

The group said these experiences demonstrate his capacity to drive transparent governance, attract investment, and reposition Bauchi State for sustainable growth.

It called on stakeholders and citizens across the state’s 20 local government areas to support his candidature in the forthcoming political process.

Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the court-recognised president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command alongside some of his supporters.

The arrest occurred when Baruwa and his team arrived at the NURTW national headquarters in Abuja to enforce a court ruling affirming him as the authentic president of the union.

The situation reportedly turned violent, with one of his supporters shot and several others assaulted by police personnel deployed to the scene.

The development follows a prior ruling by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, which ordered officials of a rival faction of the union, including the management team led by Musiliu Akinsanya, to vacate the union’s national secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory.

In the judgment delivered on March 6, 2026, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/203/2025, Justice E. D. Subilim directed that the claimants led by Baruwa take immediate control of the union’s affairs.

The court further ordered that the defendants and anyone occupying the office through them vacate the premises and hand over possession to Baruwa’s leadership.

The claimants in the suit include Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Eze Job, Dajuma Saidu, Prince Isah Dahiru Usman, Suleman Adamu, Odion Olaye (JP), Chief Herbert C. Iwuji, and Muhammed Bello Madu.

Others are Olajide Abideen Abimbola, Lekan Salami Folorunsho, Monday Eleazar, Comrade Chukwudi Asogwa, as well as the NURTW.

The defendants are Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Badru Agbede, Alhaji Kayode Agbeyangi, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alhaji Alhassan Haruna, Aliyu Tanimu and Alhaji Hakeem Adeosun.

In the suit, the claimants had asked the court to restrain the defendants from occupying the union’s national secretariat in Abuja or parading themselves as officials of the NURTW.

After reviewing the arguments and evidence presented, Justice E. D. Subilim ruled in favour of the claimants, ordering the defendants to immediately vacate the premises and cease all further occupation.

The court also directed the defendants to hand over all union property, documents, and facilities within the office to the leadership recognised by the court. In addition, it restrained them and their agents from collecting tickets or levies from union members nationwide.

The judgment was expected to restore full control of the Abuja secretariat to the leadership led by Baruwa.

However, despite the ruling, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command allegedly deployed officers to the secretariat, preventing Baruwa from assuming office in line with the court’s directive.

SaharaReporters gathered that Baruwa arrived at the NURTW headquarters on Monday morning but was resisted by police personnel, who reportedly assaulted him and his supporters.

Officers were said to have fired teargas to disperse the crowd, while one person was reportedly shot during the chaos. The condition of the victim could not be immediately confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Following the confrontation and reported shooting, Baruwa was arrested by the police, although his whereabouts remained unclear.

Before his arrest, Baruwa had addressed journalists at the union’s national headquarters, flanked by supporters from across the country. He maintained that his actions were backed by two court judgments delivered in his favour.

He added that the union had formally notified the police, attaching copies of the judgments to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat.

However, he said the response from authorities was not encouraging, prompting the union to issue a fresh notice declaring its intention to take over the office and resume duties in compliance with the court rulings.

Baruwa said, “Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belonged to them.

“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders.

“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years. We decided to resume back at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are."

"Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organization and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law," he said.

BREAKING: Police arrest Tajudeen Baruwa after he led members of his faction to take over the National Secretariat of the NURTW from MC Oluomo

The attempted takeover by Baruwa comes after a ruling of the National Industrial Court ordered MC Oluomo to vacate the office of the… pic.twitter.com/w6xLs3aRQG

— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) March 23, 2026

Gunmen on Sunday attacked a worship centre during service in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State.

The incident occurred at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo community, where worshippers had gathered for their regular Sunday service.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the bandits stormed the premises and began shooting sporadically, creating panic and forcing members of the congregation to flee in different directions.

Amid the chaos, eight worshippers were reportedly taken away by the attackers, it was learnt.

However, in a twist of events, three of the abducted victims were said to have escaped from their captors, while five others remain in captivity.

The incident is coming few months after bandits attacked a CAC church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government area, during church service, before they were later released.

The Kwara State Government confirmed the attack, describing it as a disturbing incident and condemning the targeting of a place of worship.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the government commended security operatives and local response groups for their swift intervention.

The statement acknowledged the role of security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes in the immediate response, particularly in facilitating the escape of three of the victims.

While condemning the attack, the government charged all security stakeholders to intensify efforts toward rescuing the remaining
victims and apprehending those responsible.

The government also urged continued collaboration among security agencies, community members, and local vigilantes to confront the growing threat of criminal activities in the area.

It further noted that ongoing operations, including forest combing exercises, have yielded progress in curbing the activities of criminal elements within affected communities.

Reassuring residents, the government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while pledging sustained support for security interventions across the state.

A Nigerian composed a song for Tinubu's Electricity promise. This is so touching!

Pls, REPOST!✍️ pic.twitter.com/QkkaXR4feQ

— Obiasogu David (@afrisagacity) March 21, 2026