₦airaland Forum

Scale of damage equals mass violence:
When billions meant for hospitals, roads, power, and security are looted, the result is preventable deaths from collapsed healthcare, insecurity, and poverty. Proponents argue this is national sabotage on the level of treason, so the penalty must match the harm.

Current punishments don’t deter:
Plea bargains, fines, and 2–3 year sentences have not stopped repeated looting. High-profile cases end with seized assets but no lasting personal cost. The death penalty raises the stakes high enough to break the “steal, settle, return” cycle.

Impunity is entrenched:
Many convicted officials return to politics, run for senate, or become party financiers after short jail terms. Execution permanently removes actors who treat public office as a criminal enterprise.

Recovers stolen time for the country:
Nigeria loses decades of development to corruption. Every year of diverted budgets sets back entire generations. An ultimate penalty signals that wasting national time is an existential crime.

Restores public trust in law:
Citizens see armed robbers executed while officials who steal pensions walk free. Applying the death sentence to grand corruption shows the law is not reserved for the poor and rebalances public faith in justice.

Breaks godfather networks:
Corruption in Nigeria runs through patronage chains. Executing convicted kingpins dismantles the command structure and makes successors calculate that the system will no longer protect them.

Prevents use of stolen wealth to escape justice:
Wealthy convicts fund endless appeals, medical tourism, and political comebacks. Capital punishment stops the ability to buy time and influence after conviction.

Aligns with public sentiment:
After 60+ years of underdevelopment tied to looting, there is widespread demand for penalties that match the scale of betrayal. Proponents say lighter sentences have been tried and failed.

Protects national security:
Diverted defense budgets have directly led to soldiers fighting Boko Haram/ISWAP with inadequate weapons. Corruption in that sector costs lives of troops and civilians, making it a life-and-death matter.

Sends a message to foreign partners:
Nigeria’s debt and aid negotiations are undercut by corruption perception.
A death penalty law signals to lenders and investors that the country is willing to take maximal steps to protect public funds.

Netanyahu Says Iran Supreme Leader ‘No Longer Alive’ After 30-Bomb Strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday claimed there were indications that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, may no longer be alive following a joint United States–Israeli military operation targeting his compound.

Addressing reporters, Netanyahu said there were “signs” suggesting that Khamenei was “no longer alive,” though he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.

He also urged Iranian citizens to rise up, calling on them to “flood the streets and finish the job.”

Israel’s Channel 12 network reported that 30 bombs were dropped on the compound of the Iranian Supreme Leader during Saturday’s coordinated operation.

According to Channel 12 correspondent Amit Segal, who is regarded as close to the Israeli Prime Minister, the strike was extensive and specifically targeted the complex believed to house Khamenei.

“Thirty bombs were dropped on the complex. Ali Khamenei was underground, but probably not in his own bunker,” Segal said during the broadcast, without citing an official source.

There has been no independent confirmation of the report, and Iranian authorities have yet to issue a formal statement on the condition or whereabouts of the Supreme Leader.

Israel confirmed that Iran’s supreme leader was killed in strikes on Saturday, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter.

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One of the sources told CNN Israel had obtained a photo of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s dead body. The second source said an official announcement is being prepared.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Iran’s president and Supreme Leader are “safe and sound.” But Khamenei has not been seen in public or in videos since the strikes began.

BREAKING: Crisis Erupts at APC as New Faction Emerges, Declares New Chairman

A fresh crisis has rocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as a new faction has surfaced, deepening the party’s leadership troubles and raising fresh concerns ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development, which unfolded on Wednesday, signals a sharp division within the party’s top hierarchy and threatens its internal stability.

The crisis reportedly escalated after a reconciliation meeting convened at the instance of the President failed to produce any meaningful outcome.

What was expected to calm rising tensions instead exposed deeper cracks within the party, leading to the emergence of a rival leadership structure.

Findings indicate that the dispute has been brewing for days but took a dramatic turn when two opposing camps failed to reach a compromise.

The faction led by Nentawe Yilwatda is said to have made a financial offer of 40 billion naira to the rival group led by Hafsatu Danladi in a bid to resolve the impasse.

However, the offer was rejected outright, further widening the rift and dimming hopes of a quick resolution.

Sources familiar with the development say the disagreement is now threatening the party’s ability to present a united front in future elections.

There are growing fears that the lingering crisis could affect the APC’s chances of fielding a strong presidential candidate in 2027 if not urgently addressed.

Meanwhile, legal fireworks appear imminent. Strong indications suggest that the matter may soon be decided in court, as moves are underway to challenge the legitimacy of the current leadership.

There are also suggestions that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be drawn into the dispute, especially if a court ruling compels it to withdraw recognition from one of the factions.

When contacted, the camp loyal to Nentawe Yilwatda acknowledged the existence of the crisis but declined to provide details. The camp also avoided commenting on allegations that some governors within the party may be backing efforts to remove the current leadership.

In a strongly worded statement, the rival faction made its position clear and signaled its next line of action:

“PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Re: Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

I, Alhaja Hafsatu Danladi, hereby assert my position as the true and authentic Chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In light of recent developments within the party, I will be approaching the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the legitimacy of the current leadership.

This action seeks to unseat what I consider an illegitimate structure presently overseeing the affairs of our great party.

Furthermore, I will be requesting the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discontinue recognition of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mr. Nentawe Yilwatda.

This step is necessary to uphold the rule of law, protect the integrity of our party, and ensure that due process is followed in its leadership.

Thank you.

Alhaja Hafsatu Danladi

APC Chairperson.”

The statement has further intensified the situation, with both camps now standing firm on their claims to legitimacy.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to broker peace between the factions have yet to yield results. The coming days are expected to be decisive as legal actions commence and pressure mounts on party leaders to find common ground.

ADC: Atiku Out, Obi In – The Underwhelming End To Atiku’s 25-Year Marabouts-Inspired Political Odyssey

Given the excessive hoopla now ŏcascading the ranks of members and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) since being joined by Mallam Mohammed Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE FNIQS, former governor of Kano state (1999 – 2003 and from 2011 – 2015), Minister of Defence and later, one – term senator representing the good people of Kano Central Senatorial District, one thing has become quite obvious, namely: that his movement is not just being seen as a case of the ‘more the merrier’ but, rather that this is one Northern catch to have on their Presidential ticket rather than the revered, but serial election

loser, the Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar who, being a consumate financier of political parties at elections, most Nigerians have assumed would head the party’s Presidential ticket.

That being the case, it would then follow, logically, that the other front runner, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour party Presidential candidate, would now be expected to head the team with new comer, Rabiu Kwankwaso as the Vice- Presidential candidate since the ticket cannot, constitutionally consist of two Northerners.

This, I suspect, must be one reason the likes of Kenneth Okonkwo, an Igbo member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party , have been waxing lyrical of late.

That fact will also mean that former President Obasanjo has successfully escaped the wrath he feared God might inflict on him if , with all he claims to know, Atiku ever became the Nigerian President. It is, therefore, already looking like Obasanjo has got his boy, no mentee, Peter Obi, ( probably one of the reasons he failed in ’23) exactly where he wanted him since he has been canvassing an Obi/ Kwankwaso ticket which I earlier poo – poo-ed in an article on these pages.

I urge the reader to consider the above scenario as the logic behind the article you are about to read.

But then this will not be Obi’s first attempt at the Presidency and with all the ethno- religious baggage he carries, some of which this essay would touch on, we shall wait and see how far he goes.

The article is, therefore, something of a dirge on Atiku Abubakar’s long and spirited -attempts at trying to become Nigeria’s Number One Citizen.

And what a courageous effort!

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo first muttered that Atiku Abubakar’s presidential fixation traced back to “marabouts” — the itinerant Islamic diviners who trade in amulets and electoral prophecy across the Sahel — most Nigerians filed it under OBJ’s usual ‘bad belle’ politics.
But the image stuck: Atiku not merely as a restless Adamawa businessman-politician, but as a man haunted by nighttime consultations, cowrie-shell promises, and the old Northern belief that power can be foretold, bought, and ritually secured. For twenty-five years that notion shadowed his march from vice-president (1999-2007) to perennial PDP contender and now, in 2027 calculations, to the man now edged aside for Peter Obi.

The marabout thread is not literal documentation; Obasanjo never produced a receipt from a Mallam in Maroua as evidence of his claim. Rather it is a metaphor that came to describe Atiku’s method: coalition-building, as divination, delegate congresses treated like prayer sessions, with the ambition sustained by the hope that the next ballot will finally deliver; almost akin to playing ‘kalo kalo’.

He lost PDP primaries in 1993, ran under AC in 2007, returned to PDP for 2011, 2019 and 2023 bids. Each defeat was followed by a quiet recalibration — new alliances, new financing, new readings of the political tide. Like a client returning to a marabout after a failed charm, he never abandoned the craft.

Peter Obi entered that spiritual marketplace late. In 2019 he accepted the vice-presidential slot beside Atiku. The pairing lost, but Obi absorbed the clientele, mostly young urban voters who treat politics less as fate than as spreadsheet. By 2023 he had walked out of PDP, ran on Labour, leveraging almost solely on ethnicity and religion both 0f which he hugely bastardised,

and polled over six million votes, making him a direct challenge to Atiku’s claim on opposition leadership. Thus Where Atiku’s story depended on endurance, Obi’s relied on rupture.

The 2027 cycle has made things more explicit. While Atiku was still lobbying inside the African Democratic Congress, Obi’s supporters, the Obidients with Baba Obasanjo’s annoiting, now describe him as “already accepted” by the ADC’s grassroots and warn Atiku against seeking a “one-term Deputy” arrangement. Headlines speak of Atiku being “out” while Obi is “in.” Obasanjo’s marabout jab resurfaces on Twitter not because anyone believes Atiku carries a marabout about, but because it captures a deeper weariness: the sense that his ambition has become ritual, a charm repeated until the beads wear smooth and the competition becomes: Obi or nothing.

What a life!

Atiku’s odyssey mirrors Nigeria’s own post-1999 dream: that civilian politics could be routed through bargaining elites who, if they balanced zones and pockets, would eventually produce governance. The marabout metaphor fits because it was always about intermediaries — emirs, generals, businessmen — who claimed to read the unseen.

Atiku mastered that system. He survived Obasanjo’s impeachment plots, EFCC investigations, and party switches because he knew which Mallams and generals to visit. In ’23, they browbeat Tambuwal so much he ended up messing up the PDP primaries and finally ended up scattering that party.

But the voters he courted in 2023 are no longer waiting for intermediaries. Existential challenges have changed all that – fuel queues, Naira collapse, kidnappings and allied insecurities have rendered prophecy feel obscene.

Obi’s ascendancy in the opposition is the subversion of that logic, underpinned mostly by his ethnic Igbo enthusiasts in the Obidient movement and a couple of pastors and ‘Yes Daddies’ who think nothing of turning their pulpits to campaign rostrums. They did it once, they’ll do it again.

There is, of course, some irony. The North that Obasanjo once described as “led by marabouts”, now houses governors — Uba Sani of Kaduna among them — who publicly blamed Northern elders, not Abuja, for insecurity and underdevelopment. They call out the same fatalism Obasanjo mocked: the habit of outsourcing responsibility to charms or to the Federal Government. In that sense, Atiku’s underwhelming politics is also the North’s critique of its own old politics.

The odyssey ends, then, not with a coup or a scandal, but with a ballot dilution. If Obi finally secures the ADC ticket and Atiku retires, the moral will be this: political longevity is not the same thing as inevitability. Marabouts can advise, but they cannot manufacture a majority of voters.

The marabout-inspired journey that carried a Vice-President from 1999 through four failed bids finishes not in prison or exile but in polite obsolescence. Ritual replaced by résumé.

But for tribe and religion – loving Peter Obi, even this victory can only be phyrric as it won’t take him near the diadem. Therefore, Atiku die- hards like Dele Momodu in ADC need not fret unnecessarily..

Ordinarily, the new hegemons – Obi and Kwankwaso – cannot afford to summarily deal with the Atiku group in the party – those powerful men Atiku had handpicked to run the party in the wake of their hurriedly purchasing a party in an inchoate manner as it is fast turning out.

Trouble is, however, Obi has enough troubles of his own – troubles to drown his Presidential ambition.

Nigerians are no fools and the days of a candidate winning 99 per cent of votes in his/her geo-political zone as always happen in the Southeast is long gone.

Besides that, Peter Obi’s appeal rests on a counter-mythology to Atiku’s marabout endurance act, that is, the myth of the austere, incorruptible politician who will rescue Nigeria by sheer personal frugality.

Really?

Where is the truth of that as a correct reading of Obi’s tenure as the Anambra state governor? He claimed he left ₦75 billion in savings, invested in International Breweries but what did his successors as Anambra governos say of that dubiety?

What was his answer to the allegation that he invested state funds in family business?

How much unpaid debt did he leave on his way out, not minding that his supporters continue to clip those false effusions into a legend: Obi never steals, Obi flies commercial, Obi reads budgets while rivals consult seers etc.

But the downsides stick to that same legend. First, sanctimony. Obi’s “go and verify” rhetoric slides easily into a holier-than-thou posturing which alienates educated minds which, incidentally, most Igbo are.

It is like the Northern power brokers Obi is ever so ready to please – going to, and kneeling, in Mosques, hugging El Rufai and others, promising that a people, the Igbos, who are yet to have a Nigerian President in decades, would be content with him serving only a term of 4 years, when they are no fools.

All they hear is “I don’t give shishi” which they translate as “he lacks the pragmatic generosity that nourishes their system. Politics in the Third World runs on patronage, refuse it absolutely and you risk even your own victory at the polls.

His party has shaky structures, no governors, weak, even negligible NASS presence, with some court cases still ongoing.

Obi’s charisma, if I can say that, cannot deliver the Republic.

He is merely grandstanding. And Nigerians cannot, and should not expect any miracles from an Obi/ Kwankwaso Presidential ticket.

The 7th Waziri Adamawa has had his run, he has done his utmost and it is my prayer that he finds inner contentment.

Borrow2222:
Below is the tweet from Donald Trump as he reacts to the bombing in Borno State.

Nigeria insecurity situation dey make me shame as a citizen.

We have lost it as a country.

President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Trump stated this in a post on Truth Social, noting that Khamenei was unable to avoid US intelligence and tracking systems.

DAILY POST earlier reported that the Iranian Supreme Leader died after an Israeli strike in Tehran.

“The supreme leader was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump announced.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and said his death represented justice for Iranians, Americans, and others around the world who he claimed had suffered under his leadership.

The US President also disclosed that other Iranian leaders were also killed.

Trump further announced that members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with other military and security personnel, were seeking immunity from the United States.

According to Trump, some within the Iranian security structure no longer wished to continue fighting.

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reacted to the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.


Gumi described him as “a lucky soul” who “died in jihad.”

In a post shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, Gumi said Khamenei died “in jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere.”

He added that Khamenei’s blood “will fuel the change in the ummah,” noting that the Iranian leader stood firmly for justice and didn’t hide in bunkers.

Gumi wrote: “Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: A lucky soul, he died in Jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere.

“His blood will fuel the change in the ummah. He stood firmly for Justice and didn’t hide in bunkers. For those who killed him or assisted in killing him, let us see what they will live to do in this world.”

DAILY POST reported that Khamenei, who served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for decades, was a central figure in the country’s political and religious leadership.

The Iranian Supreme Leader died after an Israeli strike in Tehran on Saturday.

The Supreme Leader Of Iran, Ali KhameneiThe Supreme Leader Of Iran, Ali Khamenei
Iranian state media on Sunday confirmed that the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint United States and Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

Naija News reports that a 40-day national mourning period has been announced for the 86-year-old cleric, who has led the Islamic Republic since 1989.

The confirmation followed earlier claims by US and Israeli officials that Khamenei had been killed during the coordinated strikes which began early Saturday.

Initial reports by Iran’s Tasnim and Mehr news agencies had suggested that the Supreme Leader remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.” However, state media later confirmed his death at his office in Tehran.

United States President, Donald Trump, had earlier announced Khamenei’s death in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump wrote, “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.

“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. Hopefully, the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots.”

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had also claimed there were “growing signs” that Khamenei had been killed.

Reuters, quoting a senior Israeli official, earlier reported that Khamenei’s body had been located.

Khamenei’s death is expected to significantly alter the trajectory of the escalating conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.

Although Iranian authorities had reportedly prepared contingency plans in the event of his assassination during wartime, analysts say his killing injects fresh uncertainty into an already volatile situation, raising fears of further escalation.

Khamenei became Iran’s Supreme Leader in 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Shah.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigerians can now use the Naira Card for payments and transactions across the world, saying the achievement reflects growing confidence in the nation’s currency.

The announcement was made on Saturday in Abuja during the 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for the Nation organised by the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation.

The event focused on the theme, Faith and Justice: The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the president said recent economic reforms had begun to yield positive results. He noted that interest rates had been adjusted downward by the Central Bank of Nigeria, while inflation figures were showing signs of improvement.

According to him, the country has moved away from heavy dependence on foreign currencies for basic international transactions.

He said Nigerians can now travel abroad and rely on their Naira Card without needing to carry dollars, euros or pounds.

Tinubu attributed the change to improved stability in the naira and better management of external reserves.

He also claimed that food inflation has been on a steady decline over the past year and that headline inflation has followed a similar trend in recent months.

The president admitted that the economic reforms introduced by his administration came with hardship at the initial stage. However, he said those difficult decisions were necessary to correct long-standing problems in the economy.

He stressed that current indicators show Nigeria is gradually recovering, pointing to currency stability and improved confidence in the financial system as evidence.

On security, Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his government remains committed to defeating terrorism and banditry.

He praised religious and traditional leaders for their prayers and support, saying national unity is key to restoring peace and stability.

He maintained that those threatening Nigeria’s progress would be confronted and defeated through collective effort and strong governance.

Remove Sharia From Constitution Or Preside Over Nigeria's Breakup, Igbo Group Tells National Assembly

The group declared that ongoing tensions surrounding Sharia criminal law have pushed the country toward what it described as an existential national test.

The Ndi Igbo Worldwide Union has issued a warning to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, and Northern Islamic leadership.

The group declared that ongoing tensions surrounding Sharia criminal law have pushed the country toward what it described as an existential national test.

In a press statement signed by its President, Benjamin I. Nwankwo, and Secretary, Chief Charles Edemuzo, the organisation said Nigeria had reached a critical turning point, stressing that “the time for ambiguity is over.”

According to the group, recent opposition by Islamic authorities to calls for the repeal of Sharia criminal law has exposed deeper constitutional and political contradictions within the Nigerian state.

The statement said, “The recent push-back by Islamic authorities against Mr. Riley Moore’s call to repeal Sharia criminal law exposes a bitter truth—the Nigerian state, in its current configuration, is no longer sustainable.”

The union argued that the controversy highlights structural realities embedded in Nigeria’s legal framework, noting that “Nigeria enshrines Sharia in its Constitution and, as a ranking member of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), cannot simply erase it overnight.”

It added that attempts to impose a unified legal order without constitutional restructuring would fail, stating that “any proposal to impose a uniform common law system without first dismantling the 1999 constitution is a non-starter,” and warning that “those pretending otherwise are living in denial.”

The organisation maintained that the coexistence of dual legal systems undermines national unity, declaring that “two legal codes cannot coexist in a serious, modern nation.”

It further stated that Nigeria “cannot continue to pretend that a ‘common law’ society can function alongside a full-blown religious legal system.”

Addressing Northern political and religious leaders directly, the group said they must make a definitive choice, insisting that leaders should “either fully embrace an egalitarian common law society where all Nigerians are equal under the law or be allowed to exist as an exclusive Islamic enclave, legitimate, sovereign, and separate if they so choose.”

Describing the present arrangement as untenable, the union declared emphatically that “the status quo is dead,” adding that “the Sharia crisis proves that Nigeria cannot survive as a single, unified state under its current arrangement.”

The statement warned that Nigeria now faces only two possible outcomes, saying the nation stands between “a peaceful referendum establishing a safe-haven in the East for persecuted Judeo-Christian citizens, or violence and inevitable fragmentation, a reality no one desires but which history will enforce if the government continues to ignore the structural fault lines.”

Drawing historical parallels, the organisation argued that global precedents support sanctuary arrangements during periods of religious conflict, stating that “history offers clear lessons.”

It added that “England once guaranteed sanctuary for Protestants fleeing Catholic persecution in France,” and asserted that “Biafra can serve as a modern-day sanctuary for all citizens fleeing oppression in Northern Nigeria.”

The union stressed that its position should not be interpreted as a threat, saying plainly, “This is not a threat, it is a historical inevitability.”

The group also directed its message to federal lawmakers, declaring that “the National Assembly stands at its moment of truth.”

According to the statement, legislators must decide whether to “remove Sharia from the Constitution and preserve peace” or “ignore the writing on the wall and preside over a fracture of the Nigerian state.”
It added emphatically that “there is no middle ground.”

Defending the tone of its message, the organisation stated that “Ndi Igbo Worldwide Union makes no apology for this frankness,” while referencing incidents it described as evidence of insecurity and persecution, including “the public lynching of a college student—Deborah Samuel, the kidnapping and forcible slavery of Leah Sharibu, till date and several others.”

The group warned that continued inaction would carry consequences, insisting that “the safety, survival, and future of Ndi Igbo and all persecuted Nigerians demand clarity.”

It further cautioned that “any attempts to maintain the current imbalance will be recorded as deliberate negligence, with consequences that the architects of such inaction must face.”

Concluding the statement with a stark warning, the union said, “Nigeria has a choice. The clock is ticking.
History will remember who acted and who failed.”

We Voted Because Of Muslim/Muslim Ticket, If You Want To Replace VP, Tell Us What He Did–Abdullahi

According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Umar Abdullahi, National President of the Millet Farmers Association, has said President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, will face problems if Vice President Kashim Shettima is replaced in 2027.

He stated that the Muslim Muslim ticket was a major reason many people voted during the last election and insisted that any move to replace Shettima must be properly explained to Nigerians.

Abdullahi spoke on Thursday during an interview on Trust TV.
The interview was monitored as part of discussions surrounding political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His comments followed growing speculation that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be replaced before the next presidential election cycle.

The speculation has continued to generate conversations in political circles about the future composition of the ruling party’s ticket.

Abdullahi said any decision to substitute the Vice President would require clear justification from those involved.
He maintained that the current Vice President has continued to represent Nigeria in various capacities, including at international engagements.
The Millet Farmers Association leader stressed that political leaders must take into account the expectations of voters who supported the joint ticket during the previous election.

He noted that party supporters would want to understand the basis for any major change affecting the ticket ahead of 2027.
According to him, the electorate deserves transparency if adjustments are to be made at that level of leadership.

He indicated that replacing a sitting Vice President without providing reasons could create challenges for the President and the ruling party.
The discussion formed part of broader political conversations as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the next general elections.

He said: “We voted because of the Muslim/Muslim ticket.
If you want to replace somebody, you have to tell people what wrong he’s done that requires his replacement.
But to the best of our knowledge, Shettima has been representing Nigeria very well even in foreign fora.”

Panic in Aso Rock Villa as Opposition Leaders Reject Tinubu’s Electoral Law, Announce Next Action
“Opposition coalition vows constitutional resistance, warns new electoral amendments could undermine 2027 polls.”

On 26 February 2026 in Abuja, opposition political parties triggered political turbulence inside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa after publicly *rejecting the recently amended Electoral Act 2026 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The rejection came during a high‑profile press conference where leaders described the new law as anti‑democratic and threatening to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

The opposition, led by figures including former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and other prominent voices, faulted key provisions of the Act; especially clauses allowing manual result collation and limiting real‑time electronic transmission of polling unit results. They argued the law could undermine transparency, deepen electoral manipulation and entrench the governing party’s advantage.

In response, the coalition called for the National Assembly to commence a fresh amendment process and vowed to use constitutional means to resist implementation of the legislation ahead of elections widely seen as decisive for Nigeria’s democratic future.

The confrontation has ignited heated debate among civil society, political analysts and within the ruling party, reflecting widening fault lines over electoral reform and democratic credibility in the run‑up to 2027.

Christians Bear The Brunt: US Lawmaker Urges Trump To Take Action On Nigeria’s Targeted Violence.

According to a report by Daily Post, on Friday, February 27, 2026, a prominent United States lawmaker has raised an alarm over the persistent insecurity in Nigeria, asserting that the Christian population is being disproportionately targeted in the country's ongoing wave of violence.
In a direct appeal, the legislator called on President-elect Donald Trump to prioritize this humanitarian crisis and take decisive action once he assumes office.

The lawmaker highlighted the deteriorating safety conditions in various regions of Nigeria, where attacks by armed groups, insurgents, and bandits have led to mass displacement and significant loss of life.

By framing the issue as a matter of religious persecution, the legislator aims to bring international pressure to bear on the Nigerian government and shift the focus of US foreign policy toward protecting vulnerable religious minorities.

During the address, the lawmaker emphasized the severity of the situation, stating: "Christians bear the brunt of Nigeria’s violence."

This specific assertion serves as the cornerstone of the argument that the conflict is not merely a byproduct of general lawlessness or resource competition, but rather a targeted campaign that requires a specific, faith-based diplomatic response.

The appeal to the incoming Trump administration suggests a desire for a hardline approach to foreign aid and bilateral relations, potentially conditioning future support on Nigeria’s ability to protect its citizens from sectarian attacks.

The lawmaker insists that without direct intervention or a shift in diplomatic strategy from the United States, the cycle of violence against Christian communities will continue to escalate unchecked.

As the transition of power in Washington approaches, advocates for religious freedom are closely watching to see if the plight of Nigerian Christians will become a central pillar of the new administration’s African policy.

The Federal Government says a recent report by United States House Committees on Christian persecution in Nigeria should serve as a basis for broader cooperation between both countries.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said the government has taken note of recommendations contained in a joint report submitted to the White House by the US house foreign affairs committee and the house appropriations committee.

Idris said Nigeria acknowledges that parts of the country continue to face serious security challenges, including terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts.

He said the federal government remains concerned about the loss of lives and destruction of property resulting from criminal acts and extended sympathies to victims and their families “regardless of faith, ethnicity, or region”.

“The violence being confronted by our security agencies is not driven by government policy or religious bias, but by complex security threats, including terrorism, organised criminality, and longstanding communal tensions,” he said.

Idris added that the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship for all citizens, noting that the government remains committed to upholding those protections and ensuring equal protection under the law.

He said coordinated military and law enforcement operations have been strengthened across affected regions to address evolving security threats.

According to him, ongoing counter-terrorism offensives have degraded armed groups, disrupted kidnapping networks and led to the arrest and neutralisation of key criminal elements.

Idris said Nigeria values its longstanding partnership with the United States and remains open to constructive dialogue rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility.

“The Federal Government will continue to engage international partners through appropriate diplomatic channels while remaining focused on its primary duty, the protection of all Nigerians,” he added.

https://www.threads.com/@ocho4god/post/DVBO4c2kQYc?xmt=AQF0NuznSJBu5hSI0I78LCaGhbaQrxuLOw1T9REmIMsWdXj6JaCQVIbFCISm9TCLCGmxqSYF&slof=1

Fulani leadership Has only Two Main Options, cooperate with U.S.A To end terrorism or seek an independent Islamic Emirate state

The realistic solutions in Nigeria;

The British government, because of its own interests, has kept Nigeria underdeveloped for a long time.
The Trump administration in the United States has already informed Britain about certain issues.
Britain may not be happy about it, but it also cannot avoid dealing with it.

Under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Britain was accused of interfering in the 2020 U.S. elections in a way that did not favor Donald Trump. Because of that history, Britain is now being careful in how it relates with Trump to avoid more tension.

At the same time, China is reportedly reducing its activities in Northern Nigeria after U.S. intelligence exposed alleged illegal operations.

China’s constitution does not allow it to engage in wars outside its borders, which limits its ability to directly confront the United States or openly support Northern Nigeria in any conflict involving American forces.
This leaves the Fulani leadership, according to this view, with two main options:

1 To seek an independent Islamic Emirate state, or allow a U.S. mission in their region. However, this could greatly affect their long-term religious and political goals.

2 To cooperate with a U.S. mission aimed at ending terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel region. This could include reforms such as addressing extremist ideologies and reviewing certain religious laws.

Some argue that declaring an independent Emirate state might allow them to receive support from countries like Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or China, and continue practicing Sunni Islam under their own system.

The argument concludes that it may be better for them to seek independence now, rather than risk facing stronger international intervention later.

Finally, the view expressed here is that America cannot fight Islam as a religion in Northern Nigeria, but it can fight terrorism and violent methods linked to extremist groups.

Five US Military Aircraft, First Batch Of US Troops Arrive Nigeria

Five US military aircraft and the first batch of United States troops arrived in north-east Nigeria ahead of a joint offensive against ISWAP terrorists in the region.

The New York Times reports that a US military aircraft touched down in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Thursday night.

By Friday evening, three aircraft were visible at the base, with equipment being offloaded from at least one of them.

According to Brant Philip, a counter-terrorism researcher and expert, the military aircraft touched down in air force bases across Nigeria’s northern region over the past few days.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that the United States would send 200 troops to Nigeria to train the country’s military, as the West African nation battles insurgents across swathes of its territory.

A US official said the troops would supplement a handful of United States military personnel already on the ground in Nigeria.

The deployment follows an increased security partnership between both nations since US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over Christian genocide claims.

In a post on X, Philip shared that in furtherance of the security deal, six US Air Force cargo planes were deployed in West Africa over the past week.

Philip said one aircraft stopped in Ghana, with five proceeding to Nigeria.
He said a sixth aircraft arrived in Nigeria on Saturday and will likely follow the route towards the north-east.

Philip noted that one of the US planes, 1x C-17A, was deployed in the Kainji Airbase, while two others, 3x C-17A and 1x C-130J-30, flew to Maiduguri Airbase in Borno.

He said all of them left their respective bases on the same day they landed.

“Maiduguri Airbase will likely be the primary base of operations for supporting the Nigerian army against ISWAP,” the analyst said.

According to him, the Borno state capital is a critical location because the IS affiliate currently controls most of the rural areas in the state.

He said parts of the deliveries may include at least one or more MQ-9 Reaper drones, attack helicopters, and a large number of US troops.

Yoruba Leader Raises Alarm Over New Boko Haram-Linked Islamic Group in South West.


The Grand Mufti of Yorubaland has raised strong concerns over the emergence of a new Islamic body in the South West.

He warned that the group could open the door to extremist influences similar to Boko Haram and Maitatsine.

Sheikh Abdulrasaz Abdulazeez Ishola said the newly launched League of Imams and Alfas does not represent the true Islamic leadership of the Yoruba region.

He described it as an imitation of the long-standing and recognized body of Muslim clerics in the South West.

According to him, the group was inaugurated between February 11 and 12, 2026, in Iwo, and later expanded its reach to Edo and Delta states.

He faulted the move, saying Edo and Delta do not belong to the traditional South West structure of Yoruba Muslim leadership.

Ishola explained that the authentic League of Imams and Alfas has existed since the early 1960s and is made up of respected Chief Imams across Yoruba land. He said the new body was formed by only a few individuals without the consent of established religious authorities.

He accused the founders of pushing a hidden agenda and trying to draw closer to northern Muslim organizations in a way that could create division. He insisted that the legitimate league has always maintained peaceful cooperation with Islamic bodies in other regions.

“The authentic league isn’t fighting the North,” he said, while recalling past engagements with northern Muslim institutions.

The cleric noted that regional Islamic groups have existed for decades without causing conflict. He cited Jama’atu Nasril Islam as an example of a northern-based body that operates without tension with southern groups.

Ishola stressed that true Yoruba Muslims would not support any movement capable of provoking religious crisis in the region.

He warned that the formation of rival structures could destabilize long-standing harmony among Muslims in the South West.

On the issue of Ramadan, he defended the position of the authentic league in using astronomical calculations to determine the fasting period. He said the method is scientifically reliable and suitable for modern times.

The league has announced February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan this year. Ishola stated that any claim of moon sighting on February 17 would be incorrect and misleading.

He added that such disputes only weaken unity among Muslims and confuse worshippers who depend on clear guidance from their leaders.

“BVAS Works Offline” — Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Clarifies Amid Network Concerns over E-Transmission.

Former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu has clarified that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not depend on internet service to work on election day.

He made this known while speaking in a video that circulated online.
His comments followed renewed concerns about poor network coverage affecting elections in some parts of the country.

Yakubu said the BVAS device performs voter accreditation without any connection to the internet at polling units.

“The machine on election day does not require internet for upload, it works offline,” he stated.
He explained that network access is only needed after voting ends, when results are to be transmitted electronically. According to him, polling officials scan the result sheet using BVAS and upload it when they reach an area with network coverage.

“When it comes to transmission of results, that’s where it needs network but if there is no network in the immediate vicinity, the scanned image of polling unit level result which is taken using BVAS will be transmitted as soon as the staff move from the polling unit to the collation centre,” Yakubu said.
He also revealed that INEC has been working with telecommunications companies to improve coverage in areas known as network blind spots.

“And we are working with telecommunications companies and we are satisfied that there are blind spots that can be addressed,” he added.
Yakubu’s explanation comes as public debate continues over the credibility of electronic result transmission in Nigeria’s elections. The BVAS system was introduced to strengthen transparency by using biometric accreditation and uploading polling unit results to a public portal.

However, past elections recorded complaints of network failures in remote areas.
These issues later became subjects of court cases and political disputes.
His remarks were aimed at assuring Nigerians that voting itself is not disrupted by internet challenges, and that only result transmission depends on network availability.

Meanwhile, controversy has intensified following recent changes to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly.
The Senate amended Section 60 of the law to allow electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), but also approved a clause that gives priority to manual result sheets where electronic upload fails.
Under the amendment, presiding officers must attempt to upload results electronically after voting. If this fails due to network problems, Form EC8A will be used as the main document for collation and declaration.
The decision has triggered criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures who say the amendment weakens election transparency.

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, joined protesters at the National Assembly under the banner of #OccupyNASS.
He accused lawmakers of creating loopholes that could allow manipulation of results.

“We know why they are doing it. These people cannot win in free and fair elections. But the people have a duty to demand processes that guarantee free, legal and transparent elections,” he stated.

We Reject Any Plan By Defense Minister To Wage War On Fulani People – NHIS Ex-Secretary, Prof. Yusuf

The former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, has issued a stern warning against any military strategy targeting the Fulani population. Following recent developments in the nation's security architecture, Yusuf expressed deep concern over the posture of the Ministry of Defense under the leadership of Christopher Musa.
He argued that the transition from military command to political leadership requires a fundamental change in approach, moving away from the use of force toward more sustainable administrative solutions.


In a public statement regarding the current security climate, Yusuf emphasized that the Minister of Defense must recognize his current standing within the federal cabinet.
He noted that the Minister is now a political office holder and not a battlefield soldier, suggesting that the responsibilities of the office demand a higher level of statesmanship.
Yusuf maintained that the reliance on military confrontation has historically proven ineffective in resolving deeply rooted communal and ethnic tensions.
He cautioned that continuing on a path of kinetic operations would only lead to a cycle of endless warfare that the country cannot afford.

Professor Yusuf has consistently advocated for a shift in the federal government’s engagement strategy, demanding dialogue and non-violent solutions over armed conflict. He stated that we strongly reject any plan by Defense Minister Christopher Musa to wage war on Fulani people, adding that military confrontation will fail in the long run. The Professor called for a comprehensive framework that prioritizes mediation and addresses the socio-economic factors underlying the insecurity in the North. He urged the government to utilize political channels to foster peace, asserting that the current security challenges cannot be solved through the barrel of a gun.

The call for a non-violent approach comes amid growing debates over the efficacy of internal military operations. Yusuf remains firm in his position that the inclusion of community stakeholders in the peace process is the only viable path forward. He reiterated that the office of the Defense Minister should be used to facilitate reconciliation rather than orchestrating further military offensives against specific ethnic groups. The Professor concluded by urging the federal government to reconsider its current trajectory and embrace a more diplomatic and inclusive security policy.

Your Days Are Numbered– Kabba-Bunu LG Chairman Vows to Hunt Down Bandits After Ihale, Olle Bunu Attacks


The Chairman, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi state, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, has condemned the deadly attacks on Ihale and Olle Bunu communities.

Ihale was attacked by terrorists in the early hours of Friday, while Olle-Bunu witnessed another attack later same day.
Yet-to-be ascertained number of persons were killed and abducted in both communities.

Reacting to the twin incidents, Barr. Zacchaeus said the days of the insurgents terrorizing these area and the LGA at large are numbered.

The local government Chairman described the incident as a grave affront to public safety, and threat to and communal harmony and it sustainability.

He expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives, especially the courageous security operatives who lost their lives in the cause of the gruesome attack, and commiserates deeply with the Olle community, the Omonayi and other families of the victims in the affected communities.

He assured that the Local Government, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, has intensified coordinated efforts aimed at securing the safe and unconditional release of all abducted victims.

The Chairman decried the rising security challenges in the region and in the LGA, and reaffirmed that the government will not relent in its determination to curtail the escalation of insecurity, particularly within the Bunu axis.

He emphasized that decisive measures are ongoing to further strengthen and enhance the local security architecture to prevent future occurrences.

The Chairman commended the bravery, dedication, and professionalism of security operatives who continue to demonstrate uncommon courage in the line of duty. He also appealed to residents to support ongoing operations through credible, timely, and actionable intelligence, noting that effective community participation remains a critical component of successful rescue and security operations.

The Kabba/Bunu Local Government Council reassures the people of Ihale, Olle Bunu, and the entire Local Government Area that the safety of lives and property remains paramount, and that no stone will be left unturned until peace is fully restored and criminal elements are brought to justice.

If You Deny The Christian Genocide In Nigeria, your have Blood On Your Hands- Judd Saul


Judd Saul, director of Equipping the Persecuted, has raised serious concerns about the rising violence against Christians in Nigeria.
In a recent interview, he warned, “If they deny the genocide in Nigeria, they have blood on their hands because, um, they're being wilfully ignorant, and they are ignoring the facts, and the facts don't lie. The dead bodies don't lie. The number of dead certainly doesn't lie. Neither does the number of destroyed churches lie.”

Saul described increasing attacks by armed groups on Christian communities, particularly in Plateau, Kaduna, and Benue states. He reported that over 20 Christians have been killed in just the six days leading up to Christmas.

He shared specific incidents, including the killing of four children while having dinner in an open compound, the murder of a pastor with his wife kidnapped, and attacks on farmers during the same period.

According to Saul, Christian communities are being deliberately targeted, while Muslim communities remain largely unharmed. He said this shows a pattern of systemic attacks, which he described as a genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

Equipping the persecuted is providing urgent help on the ground. The organisation supports victims with medical care, burial costs, and assistance for affected families. Despite this, Saul stressed that the scale of the violence requires immediate government and international attention.

He also cautioned against misinformation campaigns that deny Christian persecution, calling such denial dangerous and misleading.

Saul urged people to support organisations like Equipping the Persecuted and to call on governments to respond to the crisis. He emphasised that ignoring the evidence has serious consequences and that action is needed now to protect vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

His warning is a reminder of the urgent need for awareness, intervention, and protection for Christians facing deadly attacks across the country.

Breaking: We Will Show No Mercy To Terrorists – President Tinubu Declares



"We Will Show No Mercy" - President Tinubu Declares During 2026 Budget Presentation
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, presented a ₦58.47 trillion 2026 federal budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The 2026 Budget is christened Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity, according to the President.

He added that the 2026 budget will witness a hard reset because, from April 2026, Nigeria will operate a single budget and there will be no rollover.

“This is a reset. A very hard one…By March 2026, all capital liabilities from the previous years will be fully funded. From April 2026, we will operate a single budget. No roll over…” he said.

Speaking during the budget presentation, Naija News reports that President Tinubu vowed that the government will show no mercy in the fight against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and all other forms of criminality, promising to deal with them decisively.

“We will show no mercy to all those who commit acts of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
We will fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and violent crimes…” President Tinubu declared.

A breakdown of the President’s presentation shows that the budget is anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.

In terms of sectoral allocation, defence and security took the lion’s share with ₦ 5.41 trillion, followed by infrastructure at ₦3.56 trillion.

Education got ₦3.52 trillion, just as health took ₦2.48 trillion in the proposal tagged, “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”.

Malami To Remain In EFCC Custody As Court Rejects Bail Application.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court on Thursday rejected the bail application of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Malami had in the application sought bail from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Babangida Hassan, said Malami’s detention was lawful and backed by a valid court order.

The EFCC had accused Malami of money laundering and abuse of office.

DAILY POST recalls that the anti-graft agency on November 28, invited Malami for questioning.

Subsequently, reports emerged indicating that Malami’s international passport was seized over the ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged $490 million Abacha loot, which was secured by the immediate past administration through a Mutual Legal Assistance, MLAT, request.

The former minister has been detained in the custody of the anti-graft agency.
However the former AGF has described the allegations against him as “baseless, illogical and wholly devoid of substance”.

He claimed that upon his assumption of office in 2015 as Nigeria’s Attorney-General, the recovery of the said funds had already been completed by a Swiss lawyer, Mr. Enrico Monfrini.

https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/18/malami-to-remain-in-efcc-custody-as-court-rejects-bail-application/

Kwara Govt Confirms Nabbed Armed Men Are Miyetti Allah Members From NSA Ribadu-Led Security Operation

The Kwara State Government has clarified that the armed men recently apprehended by soldiers in the state, initially believed to be bandits, are members of Miyetti Allah participating in a federal security operation coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The clarification comes in the wake of public concern following reports by SaharaReporters that Nigerian soldiers intercepted a group of armed individuals carrying AK-47 rifles while patrolling in a security vehicle in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The suspects claimed that they were sponsored by the ‘Ilorin government,’ a development that sparked public anger and renewed fears over insecurity in the state.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that residents strongly opposed an alleged plan by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to deploy armed Fulani herders, popularly known as Bororos, to combat banditry in Kwara.

They criticized the government for empowering herders allegedly responsible for violence while sidelining indigenous security actors.

However, when contacted by SaharaReporters, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Usman-Ngelzarma, dismissed claims that the association or its members had been armed to fight in Kwara.

He described reports of the deployment of armed herders as propaganda and emphasized that Miyetti Allah collaborates with security agencies to promote peace without carrying arms.

Similarly, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Alhassan, denied any involvement in arming herders or participating in violence, attributing insecurity in the state to criminal gangs, jihadist groups, and poor governance rather than the herders themselves.

He urged adherence to due process, lawful arrests, and fair trials as the only path to lasting stability.

President Tinubu urges service chiefs to end terrorism and banditry nationwide, assuring them of complete government backing to achieve results.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, charged the new service chiefs to intensify effort to defeat, once and for all, the scourge of terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities across the country.

Tinubu told the service chiefs that Nigerians expected results, not excuses, from them, and he promised to provide all the support they would need to get the job done.

Tinubu gave the charge at Council Chambers of State House, Abuja, following the decoration of the service chiefs with their new ranks as four-star general and three-star generals.

He declared, “We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal.

“Nigerians expect results, not excuses. I also urge you to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary.”

The president tasked the new service chiefs to dismantle the activities of emerging armed groups that had regrouped in some parts of the country.

According to him, “Security threats are constantly evolving and mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-central, North-west, and parts of the south.

Governors Pledge Full Support for Tinubu’s Counter-Terrorism Drive as AbdulRazaq Hails…
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“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right at the head.”

He assured the armed forces of the federal government’s readiness to support their efforts, reiterating that the safety and security of Nigerians remain paramount for national development.

Tinubu commended the courage and commitment of the military and their families.

He stated, “Over the years, our military has remained steadfast in defending our nation’s territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the supreme price for their service. Their sacrifices will not be in vain.

“We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege, rescued countless kidnapped citizens, and significantly diminished the capacity of terror groups.

“There were times when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land; this is no longer the case.”

He urged the service chiefs to ensure synergy and provide exemplary leadership in all their operations.

He said, “I advise you to work together as a team. Compare notes, exchange information effectively, and follow up proactively to ensure a seamless process.

“Work with other security agencies and defeat this enemy once and for all. We need to clean them up, clear them out. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.”

Responding on behalf of the service chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, thanked the president for finding them worthy of the appointments.

Oluyede urged Nigerians to support the military in the campaign to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and rid the country of terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities.

He also assured the president of their determination to keep the country safe.

He stated, “Security should be our business, but without the support of Nigerians, we can hardly achieve anything. I want to encourage Nigerians of all ethnicities to support us, and ultimately, we will make Nigeria a safer place. That’s our promise to you.”

Speaking with newsmen after the ceremony, Oluyede pledged the commitment of the Nigerian armed forces to the sustenance of democracy and the preservation of national security, reaffirming absolute loyalty to Tinubu and the Nigerian people.

He assured the people that the military under his command would work relentlessly to rid the country of all forms of criminality and create a secure environment where socio-economic activities could flourish.

He said, “I want to assure the president and all Nigerians today that we’ll do all our utmost best to ensure that we rid Nigeria of all forms of criminality and make Nigeria safer to ensure socio-economic endeavours can thrive.

“We pledge our loyalty to Mr. President, and we assure you that we will continue to support the flourishing democracy and support all your government aspirations to make Nigeria better. That’s our pledge for you today.”

The defence chief stressed, “In all, I want to thank all Nigerians for the support they give to the armed forces, and I expect that they give us more so that we can make Nigeria safer.”

The service chiefs, who were promoted and decorated with their new ranks, included Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

The service chiefs were accompanied to the event by their spouses.

The military chiefs drew applause from the audience when, after saluting the president, their Commander-in-Chief, they turned and saluted their wives.

The ceremony was witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin; Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and his deputy; Benjamin Kalu; Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; and Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola.

Also present were the governors of Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Jigawa, Umar Namadi; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Ogun, Dapo Abiodun.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Head of the Civil Service, Esther Didi Walson-Jack.

In attendance also were chairmen of defence committees in the National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and Babajimi Benson; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Shake-Up in Army, COAS Redeploys Top Generals, Other Senior Officers

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across various formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army.

In a statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, explained that the shake-up formed part of deliberate efforts to reinvigorate leadership, strengthen command structures, and reposition the Nigerian Army (NA) for enhanced operational effectiveness.

Anele disclosed that the newly appointed senior officers included Major General Bamidele Alabi, who was redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army).

Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes at Army Headquarters, redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations.

Major General Peter Mala, moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Headquarters of the Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC), as Commander.

Major-General Samson Jiya was posted from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Accounts and Budget as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.

Other strategic appointments included Major-General Mayirenso Saraso, redeployed from NAHFC to the Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi, from Defence Headquarters to the Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army).

Major-General Musa Etsu-Ndagi was moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Training to the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major-General Abubakar Haruna, moved from NAHFC to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, as Commander, while Major General Philip Ilodibia, was transferred from the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans to the Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.

Also appointed were Major-General Godwin Mutkut, from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, to the Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as Corps Commander Infantry; Major-General Umar Abubakar, from the Ministry of Defence to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps as Commander Armour Corps.

Major-General John Adeyemo, from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), was sent to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Corps Commander Artillery.

Similarly, Major-General Mohammed Abdullahi was moved from the Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.

In addition, Major-General Taofik Sidick was redeployed from NAHFC to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army); Major-General Abdullahi Ibrahim, from NAHFC to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps as Corps Commander Ordnance.

Major-General Adeyinka Adereti, from Defence Headquarters to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as Corps Commander; and Major-General Nansak Shagaya, from the Army Headquarters Department of Operations to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport as Corps Commander Supply and Transport.

Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed was appointed Acting Corps Commander Education.

Anele added that the COAS also approved the appointment of Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye, from Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as Commandant.

Major-General Emmanuel Mustapha was moved from the Defence Space Administration to the Nigerian Army Signal School as Commandant; Major General Adamu Hassan, from the Nigerian Defence Section, Riyadh, to the Nigerian Army School of Artillery as Commandant; and Brigadier-General John Bulus, from the Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps, to the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts as Commandant.

Senior officers appointed as field commanders were Major-General Saidu Audu, from the Army Headquarters Department of Training to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, as Force Commander; Major-General Warrah Idris, from Defence Headquarters to the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA as Commander.

Major-General Oluremi Fadairo, from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, as General Officer Commanding and Commander, Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.

The COAS further appointed Major-General Olatokunbo Bello as Director, Defence Media Operations, at Defence Headquarters, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba was redeployed from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to Defence Headquarters as Director, Defence Information.

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu charged the newly appointed senior officers to bring to bear their wealth of operational experience, administrative acumen, and strategic foresight in driving a disciplined and combat-ready Army capable of decisively confronting contemporary and emerging security challenges.

He urged them to sustain the current operational momentum, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and remain unwavering in upholding the Nigerian Army’s core ethos of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.

Warri South LG Chair Lauds Tinubu Over Relocation of NPA Operational Office To Warri

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comrade Agbateyiniro Isaac, has commended President Bola Tinubu, for reportedly directing the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to relocate its operational office to Warri, describing the move as heroic and courageous.

The Warri South Local Government boss also thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for working tirelessly towards actualising the President’s directive.

Agbateyiniro, who was delighted with the strategic move to revitalise operations in Warri Port, said the unfolding development was a product of socio-economic and political synergy with the federal, state and local governments.

Agbateyiniro, whose position was contained in a statement in Warri, yesterday, assured of his administration’s readiness to provide the enabling environment for the management of NPA to immediately effect President Tinubu’s order.

Whilst urging importers, other port users and critical stakeholders to take advantage of the new policy of the Federal Government to decentralise operations of the NPA, Agbateyiniro, stated:”The President’s directive would open up economic activities in Warri South Local Government, other parts of Delta State and the entire South – South geopolitical zone.

“More job opportunities would be created and people of Warri South Local Government can now leverage on Oborevwori’s policy of encouraging Deltans to partake in the business of exporting local produce.This is one of the dividends of the wise decision of the governor to connect us to the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre.

“I must also thank the governor, who’s my political father, for the completion of the multi billion naira Trans – Warri – Ode – Itsekiri Bridges and Access Road.
He is really a promise keeper and a leader, who works the talk.”

State Creation: Ohanaeze Commends South East Governors For Endorsing Anioma As 6th State.

ABUJA — The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has praised the South East Governors for endorsing the creation of Anioma State, describing the decision as a step rooted in viability, historical justice, and the pursuit of Igbo unity.

In a statement issued by the Forum of Ohanaeze State Presidents, the group said the development marks “a new dawn for Ndigbo,” and commended the South East Governors and National Assembly members for what it called their forthrightness and patriotism.

The statement—signed by Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu (Anambra), Chief Benjamin C. Igumbor (Delta), Barr. Justice Ọkoha (Ebonyi), the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo, and Livingstone Wechie (Rivers)—called on all Igbo groups and patriots within Nigeria and in the diaspora to support the Anioma State creation effort.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed total solidarity with the South East Governors for endorsing Anioma as the 6th South East state,” the statement read.

The endorsement followed a meeting of South East National Assembly members convened by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, during which the legislators consulted their respective governors. The voting outcome was as follows:


Ebonyi: 1st choice – Anioma; 2nd choice – Adada

Abia: 1st choice – Anioma; 2nd choice – Adada

Enugu: 1st choice – Adada; 2nd choice – Anioma

Imo: 1st choice – ANIM; 2nd choice – Anioma

Anambra: 1st choice – ANIM; 2nd choice – Adada


Anioma ultimately emerged the preferred option, securing two first-choice votes and two second-choice votes.

The governors reportedly agreed that Anioma stands out in terms of viability, adding significant landmass, population, human capital, and economic potential to the South East—advantages the other proposals did not provide.

They also emphasized Anioma’s long-standing quest for statehood dating back to 1939, as well as the historical importance of addressing the trauma of the October 1967 Asaba massacre and the longstanding identity challenges faced by Anioma people.

The statement further highlighted the broader unification implications for the Igbo nation, noting that:

The election of Senator John Azuta-Mbata, an Ikwerre man, as Ohanaeze President General has strengthened the recognition of Rivers Igbos within the Igbo fold.

The creation of Anioma State would likewise reinforce the integration of Anioma communities and counter prolonged identity suppression affecting groups such as the Igbanke people of Edo State.

“This is indeed a new dawn for Ndigbo,” the Forum declared, urging all Igbo organizations and individuals to support the Anioma State project as “a call of duty.”