By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has welcomed former governor and senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his return as a major boost to the party’s strength in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, who said the development reflects the party’s growing appeal and consolidation in Kano.

Governor Yusuf said a date would soon be announced, in consultation with the party’s national secretariat, for the formal reception of Shekarau into the APC.

He noted that the party “continues to witness increasing support and consolidation,” positioning it as a dominant force in the state.

According to the statement, the governor expressed confidence in the party’s readiness for future elections, stressing that unity and strategic political alignments are key to its rising strength.

He added that the APC is “battle-ready to win all elective positions” in the forthcoming polls.

Yusuf further assured members that the leadership remains committed to strengthening internal cohesion and expanding its grassroots base across Kano.

He urged party loyalists to remain steadfast and intensify mobilisation efforts.

“We call on all party faithful to remain committed and continue mobilising support as we prepare for future political contests,” the governor said.

By Uzair Adam

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has apologised for failing to release the second batch of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results as earlier scheduled, assuring candidates that the results would be made available before the end of Sunday.

The board had initially fixed Saturday for the release of the results for candidates who sat for the examination on Friday, April 17, but missed the deadline, sparking frustration among candidates across the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, attributed the delay to the absence of the board’s Chief Executive, who was away on official duty.

He said the board regretted the inconvenience caused, noting that the situation was beyond its control.

“We sincerely apologise for the delay in releasing the results for Friday, April 17, which is the second batch in the series as earlier promised,” he said.

Benjamin explained that the Chief Executive had now returned and would oversee the release process.

According to him, the results would be made public later in the day, “surely before nightfall.”

He also acknowledged the anxiety among candidates who had waited late into the night for the results, thanking them for their patience and understanding.

The delay comes shortly after JAMB released the first batch of results for candidates who wrote the examination on Thursday, April 16, with a total of 632,788 results already published.

A prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has restated his claim that he emerged winner of the 2023 presidential election, despite the official results announced by electoral authorities.

Obi spoke on Saturday during the Naija Unfiltered podcast. He said the declared outcome did not match what he believes to be the true result of the poll.

“I can show you today, as far as I’m concerned, I have run election for the office of the President of Nigeria and won. But the system decided otherwise and they know it,” he said.

He stressed the point again, adding: “And we won. I can show you today as far as I’m concerned. I have run election for the office of the President of Nigeria and won. But the system decided otherwise and they know it.”

Obi was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election. He polled about six million votes in the contest.

The Katsina State Police Command has apprehended 26 suspected miscreants during a late-night operation aimed at improving security in the state capital.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, made this known in a statement released on Friday in Katsina. He said the arrests took place in the early hours of April 14 after officers carried out an intelligence-led raid on identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the metropolis.

“The operation, led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, focused on dismantling gangs linked to public disturbances and unlawful activities,” he explained.

According to the police, the suspects are linked to offences that include gang-related activities and acts that disturb public peace.

Sadiq-Aliyu said officers recovered several items during the operation. These include live ammunition, a sword, two cutlasses, a knife, sticks, a saw, and six mobile phones suspected to be stolen. Other items include substances believed to be Indian hemp, 500 Exol tablets, and a pair of military camouflage shirts.

“All the 26 suspects have been charged to court following the conclusion of investigations,” Sadiq-Aliyu stated.

The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, commended the officers involved in the raid. He also reaffirmed the command’s resolve to continue actions against criminal elements in the state.

He called on residents to support the police with timely and useful information to help prevent crime and improve public safety.

Reports indicate that on the same day, April 14, Governor Dikko Radda signed an executive order that bans thuggery, known locally as Kauraye and Sara-suka, across the Katsina metropolis.

Plans by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) have broken down after both sides failed to agree on how to share control within the party.

Talks between the governor, his Turaki-led PDP faction, and leaders of the APC ended without resolution. The disagreement centred on a proposed 60–40 arrangement for control of the party structure in Bauchi State, which the APC was said to have rejected.

Despite the setback, the governor’s camp has indicated that it may still pursue political realignment. His supporters said they are open to working with other parties and are already considering new options for possible defection from the ward level up to the state.

Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, the Chairman of the Turaki-led PDP faction in Bauchi, Sama’ila Burga, said the outcome of the talks showed the APC was not prepared to integrate the existing PDP structure or accommodate the state government.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has rejected reports that it has withdrawn support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, describing the claim as untrue.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Auwalu Abdullahi, said the report was attributed to a group identified as the Arewa APC Forum, Kano State Chapter. He said the claim does not reflect the position of the party.

The APC said the statement was false and intended to damage its reputation. It added that no recognised organ of the party in Kano had taken such a decision.

“The APC in Kano is aware of attempts by certain individuals and faceless groups to create confusion and disunity within the party.

“We wish to state categorically that this so-called forum is not known to the party structure and does not represent the views of APC members in Kano State.”

The party restated its backing for Tinubu and his administration. It said the Kano chapter remains committed to the President’s leadership and policies.

The statement also noted that the administration is focused on governance, economic reforms, and national development.

Under the leadership of Umar Doguwa, the Kano APC urged members of the party and the public to ignore the report. It described those behind it as individuals seeking to create tension.

“The so-called signatory of the purported withdrawal is faceless and not a stakeholder of the party at any level in Kano,” the statement read.

The party concluded by affirming its unity and continued support for Tinubu’s plans for the country.

By Muhammad Abubakar

U.S. military officials have disclosed that Iran still possesses nearly 40 percent of its attack drone stockpile, despite weeks of sustained strikes targeting its military infrastructure.

The assessment underscores the resilience of Iran’s drone capabilities, which analysts say remain a central pillar of its military strategy. Earlier intelligence estimates had suggested that roughly half of Iran’s drone arsenal remained intact, highlighting the difficulty of eliminating such systems entirely due to their relatively low cost and ease of production.

Officials warn that the continued availability of these drones poses an ongoing threat to U.S. and allied forces in the region. Iranian drones—particularly low-cost, one-way attack models—have proven challenging to counter, with defenses struggling to intercept large-scale barrages effectively.

The latest figures come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where drone warfare has become a defining feature of the conflict. Military experts say Iran’s strategy relies on maintaining sufficient stockpiles to sustain prolonged pressure, even in the face of repeated airstrikes.

The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the exact figures, but officials indicate that efforts to degrade Iran’s drone capabilities are ongoing.

By Mohammed Usman (Noble-pen)

Let’s talk beyond political party affiliation. Let’s tell ourselves the brutal truth.

Believing that all these people under the shade of one political party, ADC, and many more to move into it, are after the interest of the poor, the masses, instead of themselves, is the gravest mistake one will ever make. 

All these people have their own vested and individual interests, which spurred them to cross-carpet into the party, which seems to them promising, full of potential, and offering vistas for achieving those interests. And you know what? The poor, the masses, are the last thing they think of. Let alone the country’s future. 

Let me give you a practical, relatable elaboration on this by picking the few and the major points among them. Maybe, that way, you will understand what I am trying to say here.

1. Atiku Abubakar 

This person has been investing heavily and persistently in his ambition to become the country’s president. He never reneged since he started. He had been spending billions of naira on it. Therefore, do you sensibly think working for the poor, the masses, will be his top priority when he attains the power he has been so adamantly vying for, instead of looking for a return on his financial and material investment for years before? Don’t forget, he is a business-oriented person. And you should know what I mean. 

2. Nasir El-Rufai 

This person was once one of the cocks of the work of the current brutal government under the auspices of the APC. They entrenched it with their sweat and blood. And he never felt sorry for the poor suffering under the coarse, clueless policies of the government until the government, headed by Tinibu, betrayed him and denied him the opportunity he was dying for: a ministerial post and a place at the driving force of the government. That marked the genesis of his enmity towards the government and turned him into one of its most blunt and fierce foes. Hence, his decision to move to SDP, which refused him, then to ADC. His mission is purely to take vengeance on the government which made him an outcast rather than to save the poor masses from the bondage and shackles of poverty and insecurity, which they have been grappling with for donkey’s years.

3. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso 

Just like El-Rufai, Kwankwaso is being driven by the force of spite and vendetta over the betrayal he suffered at the hands of his once political apprentice accomplice, Abba Gida Gida. His mission is driven solely by the quest to uproot the government of Abba Gida Gida, rather than by the welfare of the people of Kano State. However, he is a politician with very, very good antecedents. No one can deny that. But he is not into ADC for the masses. No. 

4. Nasiru Gawuna 

This was once an accomplice to the current merciless APC government, who fought a political battle—over his inspiration for the Kano state gubernatorial office—with Kwankwaso and his boy, Abba Gida Gida, but lost to them. He was once their worst enemy. But today, he and the Abba’s boss kwankwaso have leagued up as sweet friends in another political party (ADC) each with different and individual vested interest: kwankwaso to dislodge the assumed betraying government of Abba Gida Gida as well as to occupy an influencial office in the presidency; while Gawuna, to use it as an opportunity to become the kano state governor which he failed to in his previous opposition party APC. 

4. Peter Obi 

This person has the worst political andecedent, being the former governor of Anambra State and has—allegedly— a strong affiliation to IPOB, being the terrorist and outlawed political group in Nigeria, which had been perennially insurgent and rebellious to successive Nigerian governments with their impossible mission of dividing the country and taking their own share, which they aimed to call BIAFRA. So Peter Obi might clearly have this scheme hidden in his mind to, when he tapped the supreme power —presidency—become instrumental for the IPOB to finally make it possible to see the last light —they have been dying and killing people for—at the end of the tunnel, and reach their daydreamed-promised land. Polarising the country is the plot of his horizon. 

Likewise, if you pay very close attention to the other people who will be cross-carpeting into the party, ADC. You will notice that they were once fundamental figures in the previous governments who failed the masses and never took concrete, robust action to save their lives and property. Let alone improving their welfare and standard of living. Tell me, when did they change to be trusted with our mandates and entrusted with our lives once again, simply because they moved into another political party? The same applied to the others who are beneficiaries of the current APC government and are now quitting it for the shining party of the day, ADC.

Let me wrap up by telling you the secret of these Nigerian politicians. 

The fact is, they are always the same set of people.  They only switch color and identity by jumping from one political party to another— using the very public funds they looted while occupying the public offices they were once either elected or appointed into — with romanticized manifestations to sway the minds of the poor masses and pave a wider way for themselves to achieving their vested and selfish interest; increasingly impoverish the already poor masses, steal their future and the future of their children and grandchildren; while enriching themselves, their children and grandchildren, making their lives and future always the brighter.

And mind you, they switch political parties based on their analysis of which political party the poor masses lean their attention and hope towards. This means that it’s always the previous, unchanging enemies the masses mistake for their beloved ones and the beacon of hope, revolution, and transformation. 

Therefore, until the poor citizens of Nigeria understand these Nigerian politicians’ Machiavellian formula and devise a way to dismantle it—instead of continuing with their primitive thinking that their problems lie with one political party and that the solutions are in another—they shall continue to live in bondage, suffering, humiliation and destitution.

Mohammed Usman (Noble-pen) is the Author Of “Butterfly’s Wings.”

By Saifullahi Attahir

The desperation to fail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by some politicians and their consistent attempt to recruit others into believing their rhetoric will always be an anticipated issue in the realm of politics, but whenever myopic outlooks like sectarianism, blame games, and regionalism are used, that’s what irritates my conscience into responding at the expense of whatever others may label me. What I believe is to stand for what I think is right, even if I have to stand alone.

The level of those campaigns was to the extent that you can’t say anything good about the Tinubu government without being portrayed as anti-North or even a heretic. This is preposterous!

Politics should not be built on emotions, and governance should not be like inheritance, where no matter who it is, if they’re not your kinsmen, all is not well. This is not the original personality of a typical Northerner. 

I’m not a party card-carrying member but an ordinary student, so I have the liberty to express my views based on my limited understanding. I would like to address the issue of labelling every project undertaken by President Tinubu as nepotistic, especially when it is situated in the South-West. 

Let me give an example with the recent trip President Tinubu led to the United Kingdom, where he secured a deal to revamp the Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos. Sealing a deal to revamp Tin Can and Apapa ports should be viewed with such an open mind as a national investment. Lagos would remain the economic bloodline of this country for the time being, hence supporting its economic growth. 

Among the notable achievements of even the most pro-Arewa leaders, like the late Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammad, during his short stint, was the decongestion of the Lagos Apapa port led by the famous brig. Benjamin Adekunle (The Scorpion).  

I’m not promoting the idea of continuing channelling of funds to develop Lagos at the expense of other regions, but it would be absurd when overnight we heard the FG seal a deal to start importing goods through Niger-Maradi or the Lake Chad basin or create artificial ports in the North linking us to the transatlantic trade (it’s possible, but not overnight like in Libya or the UAE).

The North should have focused more on ensuring that fighting illiteracy included at least a mandatory universal secondary school education with skills. The ‘right education’ would solve 60% of all this menace. 

An enlightened self would not be used as a tool to create and perpetuate insecurity in the form of banditry and suicide bombings. An ignited mind wouldn’t be fertile ground for sectarian conflicts. You can’t woo an educated person into choosing a leader whose focus is to distribute spaghetti.

We should accept the fact that the North is a landlocked region. We are surrounded by Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. We have our own priorities that, if well executed, can boost the regional economy. Comparing ourselves to Lagos wouldn’t help matters. Lagos was an island inhabited by whites centuries ago. It was the former national capital for almost thirty years and home to almost all the country’s major industries. 

As to the second part of the rhetoric, which was also the ultimate agenda, to wrest power from President Tinubu and hand it over to another ‘Arewa politician’. Governance returning to Arewa would never be our solution. This was tried in 2015 by removing Jonathan through every possible means, only to regret a similar decision less than 4 years later.

A bitter truth to swallow was that, since our return to democracy in 1999, leaders from the South-West have proved to contribute more to issues of national development. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 8 years would always be remembered for bringing a near-normal political stability to the country, improved national security, an improved economy, the cancellation of national debt, improved foreign relationships, the introduction of several empowerment programmes, the introduction/subsidisation of telecommunications, and a decisive leadership unparalleled when compared to late President Buhari’s 8 years of bewilderment.

It’s not about Tinubu prioritising Lagos and intentionally killing Arewa. The seed of sustainable national development was sown long ago, when Awolowo’s Action Group was fighting for universal education and ideological politics in their region, while our NPC was busy seeking alliances to dominate the Parliament. It’s better to hold our governors more responsible instead of the federal government.

Between 2007 and 2015, the Southwest Governors (Aregbesola, Fashola, Mimiko, Adams Oshiomhole, etc.) used their opposition to create massive developmental programmes for their region, consolidate power around the leading opposition figure, Tinubu, and enhance their regional security, while we were busy trying to wrest power from Jonathan.

To the question of ‘Arewa-2027′, who should be the candidate? The inconsistent Baba Atiku, or politicians renowned for vengeance politics, or those lacking an accommodating mind for others to win national elections, or politicians without international exposure? Tinubu is not the ideal for Nigeria, but the aforementioned politicians are no match for his governance track record as governor and, 2 years into the presidency, as president.

The current insecurity menace is a testament to how one man is incapable of addressing it. Many among the top security brass are from the North: the NSA, the Federal and State Ministers of Defence. In a region with the highest illiteracy rate, things worse than this could happen. Spaghetti and religious affiliation can woo the masses to vote for a candidate.

We should focus better on finding the RIGHT MAN rather than on which part of the country he came from.

Saifullahi Attahir is the President of the National Association of Jigawa State Medical Students (NAJIMS) National Body. He wrote this piece from the Rasheed Shekoni Federal University Teaching Hospital, Dutse, via saifullahiattahir93@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the full digitisation of the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials, marking a major shift toward automated public service delivery.

In a press release dated April 15, 2026, the Ministry said the new system is part of ongoing efforts to improve transparency, strengthen data management, and enhance efficiency in the education sector.

Under the new arrangement, all applications for credential authentication and evaluation will be processed exclusively online through the Ministry’s official verification portal. Applicants are required to register, upload necessary documents, and follow the outlined procedures digitally.

The Ministry also directed applicants to request their awarding institutions to send academic transcripts directly from official email addresses to the designated verification channel for processing.

It emphasized that physical visits to its offices for credential verification are no longer necessary, as the entire process has been automated.

According to the statement, the transition is expected to reduce processing time, simplify procedures, and improve the credibility of academic credential verification in Nigeria.

The statement was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations.