By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi

During the build-up to the 2019 general elections, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign slogan was “Next Level”—a misleading slogan intended to make people believe that the 2015–2019 administration had anything to write home about.

 Public affairs commentators throughout most of the campaign period cautioned Nigerians not to accept this slogan and to vote the system out. Those who survived Buhari’s second coming have many stories to tell the next generation.

This administration’s re-election campaign slogan, “Renewed Hope,” relies on similar gimmicks. What kind of hope is the Tinubu administration renewing? Is it the hope of addressing lingering insecurity, such as banditry and kidnapping, or the hope of reversing poor economic policies and programmes that have plunged the common man into avoidable hardship?

This administration, deceitfully designed, introduced several palliative programs to cushion the negative effects of subsidy removal, such as promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, as well as establishing social safety nets. Tinubu administration halted the N-Power scheme, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, and other social security initiatives without offering any convincing reasons.

The Tinubu administration also established a dedicated agency, the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), as a financial institution designed to expand financial inclusion and drive economic growth across Nigeria and appointed the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as its chairman, backed by a 100 billion Naira budget allocation. 

Three years into this administration, the agency has not yet secured an office building; it is squatting within the Bank of Industries building, and no official records of beneficiaries are available for verification. 

The same administration is currently prosecuting an individual who, according to reports, established a fake agency, received funding, and spent huge amounts of money. This is Nigeria for you.

Dear Nigerians, vote wisely to avoid experiencing a situation similar to, or worse than, Buhari’s second term.

Isyaka Laminu Badamasi writes from no 555 Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Police Force has warned of possible coordinated terrorist attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations across the country.

The warning follows intelligence reports indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements and surveillance of potential targets, particularly ahead of the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a security alert circulated to police formations nationwide, the Force said intelligence available to its Department of Operations had revealed an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on vulnerable locations.

The alert was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police across the states, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised formations.

The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

“There is an increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations,” it stated.

The Force further disclosed that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators were carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

The police described the threat to educational institutions as a major concern because of the possibility that attacks could coincide with the reopening of schools.

As a result, affected commands and formations were directed to strengthen security around schools, religious centres, NYSC camps and other locations considered vulnerable to attacks.

“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” it added.

Commanders were also instructed to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified targets.

Police commissioners were directed to strengthen security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other strategic approaches to restrict the movement and infiltration of armed groups.

The Defence Headquarters said it was also monitoring the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation,” the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, meanwhile, said it had expanded its intelligence network across its state commands to protect schools and other educational institutions.

The NSCDC spokesperson, Babafemi Afolabi, said intelligence-based operations conducted by federal and tactical teams had prevented more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

He said the Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed personnel to remain alert as schools reopened.

“All tactical squads, officers, and men of the Corps in different state commands — the Commandant General has already briefed them through their commandants. So, now that schools have resumed, they’ve doubled their intelligence network, and I’m very sure that nothing of such will happen,” he said.

Afolabi appealed to parents to allow their children to return to school, while urging communities to cooperate with security agencies.

“I would advise parents and their wards to just let them free to go to school. Nothing of such will happen. That’s why we’ve been able to work in collaboration with other stakeholders, even the community leaders,” he said.

“This is the time we have to work and we have to do it all together because security is a collective responsibility. When they notice anything going on in their area, they should quickly alert us and let us know.”

He said the NSCDC was also working with private security personnel across the country to strengthen intelligence gathering.

“Not only Civil Defence are doing this; we work together with other sister agencies, and also the private guards. We have millions of them all over the federation,” he said.

“So, part of the training we are giving to them is to put their ear on the ground and to furnish us with any information—whatever that is going on in their area—that they should furnish us and let us know.”

Ex-Security Chiefs Urge Vigilance

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, described the security alert as part of the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence, warn citizens and prevent attacks.

He urged Nigerians to take the warning seriously and remain alert to suspicious activities.

He said, “Whichever department must have actually ignited or sent the alert is going to serve one and the same purpose. And it is a good thing; it’s a responsibility of the law enforcement, not only to enforce law but to gather intelligence and send alerts so that citizens can always be alert.

“Citizens can always be ready. They cannot take things for granted. When such an alert is given, from experience, you discover that everybody will sit up.

“Security is everybody’s business. I must be very frank with you, over the years, we Nigerians have taken things for granted. It is now dawning on us that there is a need for us to be very cautious in what we do and to be alert.”

Amodu advised residents to report suspicious persons, unfamiliar movements and questionable vehicles, especially around places of worship.

He said the police, Department of State Services and military have intelligence-gathering responsibilities and should act on information received through security alerts.

“Now that election is by the corner, there’s need for everybody to be more of that alertness. The security agents are doing what they are supposed to do,” Amodu said.

Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, also urged Nigerians and security agencies to treat the warning seriously and take preventive action.

He said, “If you get such an advisory, we should take it seriously so that people are not caught unawares.”

Ejiofor stressed that preventing terrorist attacks required cooperation among security agencies, governments and members of the public.

“Now that we have preventive information, we should be sitting up. All of us—the military, the police, the state government, the Federal Government—everybody must be involved. But most importantly, the people must be security conscious,” he said.

He also urged residents to share useful intelligence with security agencies.

“The people must be security conscious, and they must also report back to the security agencies. That’s what this ‘see something, say something’ is important for,” Ejiofor said.

Parents Fear Return To School

The security warning has also raised concern among some parents, according to the National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi.

Nabayi described the situation as “an unfortunate” development and called on governments at all levels to improve security around schools.

“Parents are worried now, parents are scared of sending children back to school,” he said.

He said the government had the resources to address the security situation and should deploy them to protect schools and students.

Nabayi also called for the deployment of technology capable of detecting threats approaching schools.

“I want to implore the Federal Government as well to develop, to deploy technology whereby from about five kilometres in the radius of a school, any weapon, any danger that is approaching towards the head of the school, government should be able to watch it from a distance and contain it and avoid this situation,” he said.

According to him, many schools remain vulnerable because the security personnel assigned to them may lack the capacity to confront heavily armed attackers.

“All our schools are porous. The kind of ammunition these guys move around with is more that what the security guards in the schools have. They cannot contain them until there’s intervention of a superpower,” he said.

Nabayi recalled the Safe School Initiative introduced when Christopher Musa was Chief of Defence Staff, saying it involved mapping schools for improved surveillance, coordination and rapid response.

“When the present Minister of Defence was the Chief of Defence Staff, he rolled out a military kind of system, what he called Safe School Initiative, whereby schools were mapped out for proper coordination, for swift response and surveillance,” Nabayi said.

He said the association raised the matter with the Defence Minister during a courtesy visit about three months ago, adding that Musa promised that the Federal Government would strengthen the initiative.

“So, this is the climax of where we need him and the ministry and all paraphernalia of government to contain this situation,” he said.

Nabayi also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies, communities and parent-teacher associations.

“We want synergy between the government and the communities where schools are located. Security is not the responsibility of the government alone. The communities where schools reside should be proactive. They should say something when they see foreign objects around them,” he said.

On whether schools in areas considered highly vulnerable should be temporarily closed, Nabayi said, “Of course, that’s the best way.”

He, however, proposed moving students from high-risk areas to safer schools rather than shutting down their education completely.

“I think instead of closing down schools, they transfer to the nearby schools that are safer and more reliable in terms of security. It’s a dynamic approach,” he said.

He warned that prolonged school closures could worsen educational inequality, especially for children who lack access to online learning.

Nabayi further urged the Federal Government to involve parent-teacher associations in school security and community sensitisation programmes.

“And we implore the Federal Government to involve critical stakeholders like PTA. We can sensitise people on how to mitigate such ugly incidents,” Nabayi said.

He said NAPTAN had previously conducted sensitisation programmes for school administrators, students and other stakeholders but stopped the initiative because of funding challenges.

Nabayi expressed concern over what he described as inconsistency in government policies on school security and called for renewed attention to the Safe School Initiative.

“The most unfortunate thing in this country is the somersault in policy decision-making. And the issue of the Safe School Initiative—we have been clamoring for the Safe School Initiative right from the attack on the Chibok girls,” Nabayi said.

He again advocated the use of technology to monitor activities around schools and detect possible threats before attackers reach their targets.

“We are saying that the government should be more proactive. We should evolve another strategy using technology in our schools,” he said.

On parents’ concerns, Nabayi said their fears were understandable and that government had a responsibility to provide safe learning environments.

“For parents who are apprehensive, it is a genuine fear, and I respect that. I cannot send my child where he is not safe,” he said.

He called for the Safe School Initiative to be “dusted off and implemented properly” and challenged journalists to investigate its current state in schools.

“As a journalist, go around and investigate. Conduct an independent investigation. In the schools in your community, is there any Safe School Initiative active? Who is the anchor person in that school? Who do you report to directly as the first point of contact?” he asked.

Nabayi maintained that education could not thrive without adequate security.

“Once the government can create a safe environment, education thrives. When there is fear, nothing can be learned,” Nabayi said.

The latest warning follows previous attacks on educational institutions and other public facilities across the country.

In May 2026, several students and teachers were abducted in separate attacks on schools. On May 15, armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler. A mathematics teacher was also killed while in captivity.

The Department of State Services had also warned Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State about an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Government says it has regained control of more than 500,000 hectares of land previously occupied by bandits across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this on Sunday at a gala night hosted by his ministry for members of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The journalists were in Kaduna for their 2026 Retreat, which focused on “2027 General Elections: Navigating Legal, Security and Ethical Challenges in the Media.”

Maiyaki said the recovery of the affected areas had improved the security situation and allowed farmers who were previously prevented from accessing their farms to return to agricultural activities.

He said, “I’m happy to tell you that the present administration under the able leadership of Governor Uba Sani has, within the past three years, recovered over 500,000 hectares of land from bandits.

“As you know, without security you cannot achieve anything. Before now, farmers in such areas were unable to go to their farms due to the activities of the bandits.”

According to the commissioner, insecurity had previously disrupted movement between Kaduna and Abuja, with some travellers avoiding the route because of attacks by bandits.

“I’m happy to say that that has now become a thing of the past because the security situation in Kaduna State has greatly improved,” the commissioner said.

Maiyaki maintained that security remained central to the state government’s development agenda, describing it as a foundation for economic and social progress.

He also highlighted the government’s interventions in agriculture, saying 500 trucks of fertiliser were distributed free of charge to more than 150,000 farmers during the 2026 farming season.

“In 2024, the government distributed 400 trucks of fertiliser to farmers free of charge. Similarly, 500 trucks of the commodity were distributed in 2025 in addition to the 500 trucks distributed to over 150,000 farmers in 2026,” he said.

On education, Maiyaki said the number of out-of-school children in the state had dropped from 550,000 to 187,000.

He added that the state government purchased 100 compressed natural gas buses in July 2025 to provide cheaper transportation for students and civil servants.

“From July 2025, no fewer than 3.5 million people have been transported with the vehicles, and nothing less than N3.8m has been saved for people.

“Even the Nigeria Labour Congress has confirmed that workers have saved 40 per cent of their income since the introduction of the CNG buses,” he added.

The Chairman of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, commended the Kaduna State Government for hosting the gala night.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested six suspected kidnappers in Adamawa State, while a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist surrendered to the military in Borno State.

The six suspects were arrested around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State after troops received intelligence on the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating in the area.

The acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to Goni, troops from Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai, working with local hunters, raided the suspected hideout after receiving credible intelligence about the group.

The statement read, “Following credible human intelligence on the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, troops of Sector 4 OPHK, in conjunction with local hunters, swiftly mobilised and raided the identified hideout.

The operation, he said, “led to the arrest of three suspected members of the syndicate and the recovery of one Dane gun.

“Further investigation and subsequent covert operations led to the arrest of three additional members of the syndicate, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to six.”

Goni said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had been active across the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas of Song LGA.

He added that the suspects reportedly confessed to taking part in several abductions for ransom as well as other violent crimes in the area.

“They remain in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action,” he stated.

In Borno State, Goni said troops had also received a repentant Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist who surrendered at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.

He said the development occurred on September 13, 2026, when troops of 29 Task Force Brigade under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, alongside Forest Guards, received the terrorist.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorist escaped from an enclave with the intention of abandoning terrorism,” he said.

According to the military, the surrendered fighter was found with an AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four magazines, an Improvised Explosive Device, a magazine pouch and a bicycle.

“The surrendered terrorist is currently in military custody undergoing further investigation and profiling in accordance with extant procedures,” he stated.

Goni described the arrests and surrender as evidence of continued military pressure against terrorists and other criminal groups within the Operation Hadin Kai Joint Operations Area.

“The Theatre Command remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action, creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and enabling an environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive,” he assured.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the Federal Government over the rising cost of petrol, following the latest increase in the pump price to N1,470 per litre.

Atiku, through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, said the development had added to the economic pressure confronting Nigerians, especially as higher fuel prices continue to affect transportation, food and other household expenses.

The former vice president also challenged the government to explain how the savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy have been used to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

According to him, Nigerians who have endured the effects of subsidy removal deserve to know what has happened to the funds saved by the government.

He said, “Petrol at N1,470 per litre is not merely a figure at the filling station. It enters the price of transportation, food, school runs, farming, manufacturing and virtually everything Nigerians buy. Every increase at the pump travels directly into the household budget.

“After all the pain imposed on Nigerians, they have a right to ask: where are the subsidy savings and where is the money?”

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, also compared the current petrol price with the situation in 2008, when crude oil prices were significantly higher but petrol sold at a much lower price under the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“With crude oil around $102.52 per barrel, Nigerians are paying as much as N1,470 per litre. In 2008, when crude oil reached about $147 per barrel, petrol sold at N65 per litre under the Yar’Adua administration. The difference is that government then understood that economic policy must ultimately protect the welfare of citizens,” he stressed.

The latest increase in petrol prices has continued to raise concerns over its wider effect on the cost of living, with transportation operators, businesses and households facing higher operating and daily expenses.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Shehu Buba Umar has vehemently denied allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, describing the claims as “politically motivated smear campaigns” that have persisted since 2014.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Bauchi State lawmaker said the allegations had reached a point where “silence is no longer sufficient,” particularly given their implications for national security and public confidence in security institutions.

“I categorically and unequivocally deny these allegations. I have never sponsored, financed, armed, facilitated, or supported banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, or any criminal organization or activities whatsoever,” Umar declared.

The senator, who previously served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, announced that he had voluntarily submitted himself to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for thorough investigation.

Through his legal team led by Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Umar said formal letters had been written to the three agencies requesting comprehensive investigations into every allegation against him.

“I have nothing to hide and I have nothing to fear from any legitimate investigation,” he stated. “I do not believe allegations of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping against a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be allowed to remain matters of social media speculations. These are serious crimes; they should be investigated seriously.”

The senator issued a direct challenge to his accusers, inviting politicians, activists, social media influencers, and journalists to present any credible evidence to security agencies rather than hiding behind “edited videos, insinuations, propaganda, or anonymous allegations.”

He also revealed that he had made himself available to international bodies, including Amnesty International, and expressed willingness to cooperate with all relevant security agencies.

Umar stated that if a prima facie case is established against him based on credible evidence, he is prepared to face prosecution, and would accept the consequences prescribed by law if found guilty by a competent court.

Reflecting on his tenure as Senate Committee Chairman on National Security and Intelligence, Umar noted that his legitimate engagements with military, intelligence, and security agencies were now being “distorted and weaponized” to create a false impression of relationships with criminal elements.

The senator disclosed that he had previously pursued lawful remedies against his accusers, including a September 2025 petition to the Nigerian Police Force that resulted in criminal proceedings currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He further revealed that one Hassan Sani Hussain, believed to be behind several allegations, is reportedly operating from Niger Republic, with the matter reported for INTERPOL intervention and legal counsel engaged in Niger Republic to pursue appropriate measures.

“I seek no special treatment. Let every allegation be subjected to impartial scrutiny, let every piece of evidence be examined, and let the truth prevail,” Umar concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has disclosed that more than 5,000 school structures were destroyed at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency, with about 2.2 million children forced out of school.

Zulum made the disclosure on Sunday in Maiduguri when Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi A. Sule commissioned several projects across the Borno State capital.

The commissioned projects included the Post Office 9-Span Flyover, Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School, Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School, as well as a 2.5-kilometre dualised road with five kilometres of drainage from Budum Tandari Junction to Kasuwan Shanu.

The governor said the insurgency caused extensive damage to the state’s education infrastructure and also claimed the lives of several teachers and school administrators.

Zulum said his administration’s response to the destruction goes beyond rebuilding damaged structures, as it also seeks to restore access to education and confidence in affected communities.

“Rebuilding schools is not just about constructing physical structures. It is about restoring access to education, rebuilding confidence in our communities, and providing our children with the opportunity to secure a better future,” he said

The governor disclosed that the Borno State Government spent N46,987,069,675.33 on basic and secondary education during the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years.

He said the investment forms part of a wider reform programme in the education sector, with 136 projects completed and awaiting commissioning.

According to Zulum, the number of usable classrooms across the state has increased to 5,792, while functional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities have reached 4,563.

The governor also highlighted the expansion of senior secondary education across the state.

“At the senior secondary level, the number of functional schools has grown exponentially—from just 34 schools spread across eight Local Government Areas in 2019 to 129 schools spanning 25 Local Government Areas by 2026.

“This expanded access and renewed public confidence have driven a massive surge in student enrollment. State data shows that school enrollment skyrocketed from 766,551 learners in 2019 to 1,801,295 in 2026, marking an increase of more than one million learners in just seven years.

“These indicators demonstrate the scale of our efforts to expand educational access, restore infrastructure, and improve the learning environment for our children,” Zulum stated

By Sabiu Abdullahi

More than 600 senior academics from public universities across Northern Nigeria have declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, Daily Trust reported.

The endorsement was announced after a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, in Kaduna.

The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Centre, brought together academics and several political leaders from the region.

Those present included Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Also in attendance were Minister of Defence Bello Matawalle, Minister of Housing Muttaqha Rabe Darma and former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.

According to a source at the meeting, representatives of most public universities across the 19 northern states participated in the discussions.

The Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Prof Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, represented academics from the North-West, while the Chief Librarian of the Federal University Lafia, Prof Abdulrazaq Baba Abdulrahman, spoke for the North-Central zone.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Agriculture, Gwoza, represented the North-East.

However, Prof Mainasara Yakubu Kurfi of Bayero University, Kano, denied attending the meeting when contacted. He said he was not even aware of the gathering.

The Vice Chancellors of several federal universities in the North were also said to have attended.

Academics Assess Tinubu’s Performance

Prof Musa, who read the communiqué issued after the meeting, said the academics examined the performance of the Tinubu administration since May 2023.

He said their assessment covered the economy, security, education, politics and social conditions, with particular attention to the situation in Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the academics recognised that Tinubu inherited serious fiscal, monetary and structural problems, alongside insecurity, infrastructure deficits and gaps in human capital.

They also acknowledged that some of the government’s reforms had increased economic pressure on citizens.

“While these reforms have imposed substantial short-term hardship through higher living and transportation costs and inflationary pressures, we also acknowledge that they have altered government revenues and public finance,” they said.

The academics, however, said the administration had recorded progress in education financing, agriculture, infrastructure, business support, compressed natural gas, investment and the digital economy.

At the end of their deliberations, they declared: “We resolved to express our support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in the 2027 presidential election.”

They stressed that their endorsement should not be interpreted as unconditional support.

“Our support should not be interpreted as a blank check,” they said.

They called on the Federal Government to listen to citizens, respond to legitimate criticism and address the rising costs of food and transportation, unemployment and insecurity.

The academics also advocated a broader security strategy that would combine military operations with intelligence gathering, effective policing, community engagement and economic opportunities.

They further urged increased investment in agriculture, education, healthcare, roads, electricity, irrigation and other critical infrastructure across Northern Nigeria.

Meeting Was Designed To Mobilise Support

The invitation to the meeting showed that securing the active backing of senior academics for Tinubu’s re-election was one of its principal objectives.

The event was described as an “interactive session of senior academics from Northern Nigeria and selected government functionaries” under the theme: “Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda: Three Years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Achievements and the Road to 2027.”

The organisers listed two main objectives: assessing the administration’s record in the economy, security, education, infrastructure and social welfare, and to “secure the endorsement and active support of the academic community for the re-election of Mr President in the 2027 General Elections.”

The invitation further stated that “the purpose of the gathering is therefore not open-ended debate but mobilisation.”

It also said participation was voluntary and encouraged academics who supported the objective of the meeting to attend.

“All inquiries regarding accommodation and transport arrangements should be directed to the respective state coordinators, please,” it was stated in the letter.

Sources also said organisers provided logistics and transportation arrangements for participants.

A senior university staff member who did not attend the meeting said participants were expected to receive reimbursement for transportation and other expenses.

“Of course, you should expect all those who attended the stakeholders’ engagement to be reimbursed for their logistics and transportation. You don’t expect them to just attend and leave with empty hands,” the source said.

The amount reportedly paid to individual participants could not, however, be independently verified.

ASUU Rejects Endorsement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has distanced itself from the endorsement, stressing that the union remains politically neutral.

ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, said the endorsement should not be associated with the union or presented as an ASUU position.

He explained that individual members were free to belong to political parties under the law, but such participation must remain personal.

“We will never take such positions, going by our constitution. They cannot mention ASUU. Nobody can mention ASUU in that context because we’re apolitical. Our members can belong to any political party that they want.

“They can do whatever they want to do under the law. We have never, and we will never endorse any political party candidate. Nobody should drag us into such things,” he said.

Piwuna also warned ASUU members against associating the union with the endorsement.

He said, “Neither our members nor our comrades should drag us into that controversy. We have never done it and we will never do it. We’re apolitical and we retain that apolitical position.

“It is the same mistake people make when lecturers go to participate in electoral duties and they will say ASUU members are participating in electoral duties. It is misleading.

“It is misleading because ASUU has not sent anybody outside to participate in the electoral duties or serve as electoral officers. You can imagine heads of institutions like vice-chancellors that are always fighting us on campus; when they go out and do something, they will say they are our members. Meanwhile, these are the people fighting the union. We don’t endorse candidates of political parties.”

Masari Seeks Northern Support For Tinubu

Masari continued his political consultations on Sunday with a meeting involving women Islamic scholars from the 19 northern states.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani also attended the engagement.

Masari attributed opposition to Tinubu in some parts of Northern Nigeria largely to ethnic considerations, arguing that some people oppose the president because he is neither Hausa nor from the North.

“What is the fault of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other than the fact that he is not a Hausa man or from the North?” Masari asked.

He condemned ethnic discrimination and argued that Islam does not place people above one another based on ethnicity, language or skin colour.

“Show me any weak Hadith that tells us to discriminate based on skin colour in Islam, or to discriminate based on language—that this person is Yoruba, this person is Hausa, or this person is Arab—such that their standing before Allah would be different, when fear of Allah is the only measure,” he said.

The presidential adviser, who served as Tinubu’s placeholder before the 2023 election, urged Muslims and Northerners to base their political choices on character, competence and fear of Allah rather than ethnicity.

He also pointed to the long period during which Northern politicians governed Nigeria and questioned whether citizens should continue to blame past administrations for unresolved problems.

He said, “Since the creation of the Nigerian Federation, northern leaders ruled Nigeria for nearly 30 years. So, I wonder: if what those people are complaining about wasn’t done back then, should we sit around complaining now?”

Masari also defended the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, saying those who supported the arrangement did so because of their religious convictions.

“Indeed, if Almighty Allah raises us on the Day of Judgment and asks us why we supported a Muslim-Muslim ticket, by Allah, we will have an answer: ‘Lord, we did it for Your sake,’” Masari said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Pro Ref has acknowledged that Erling Haaland’s winning goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United should not have been allowed to stand.

Haaland settled Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford with a second-half strike that initially appeared to have been ruled out for offside.

The decision was later overturned after a VAR review, with officials determining that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had played Haaland onside.

However, another aspect of the attack has since come under scrutiny.

Manchester City’s Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball before it reached Haaland. Although Fernandez did not make contact with the ball, Pro Ref said his position could have affected the play.

A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.

“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.

“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

Manchester City’s victory gave them all three points from the derby, but the admission from Pro Ref is expected to intensify debate over the VAR decision that led to Haaland’s goal being awarded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Twelve people have died in a road crash along the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.

The accident involved two Volkswagen Golf cars and occurred at Doka Village in Southern Kaduna, according to the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Andrew Paul Longkam.

Longkam said 14 people were travelling in the two vehicles when the crash occurred. Twelve of the occupants died, while two others sustained serious injuries.

The victims comprised eight males and six females. All eight males and four of the females died in the accident, while the remaining two females survived with injuries.

The two vehicles involved were a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number APP 394 FN and a red Volkswagen Golf registered as ACN 205 HK.

The FRSC commander said a tyre burst was suspected to have caused the crash.

He added that none of the occupants, including the two drivers, wore seat belts or used any protective device at the time of the accident.

The two survivors were taken to Rapha Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at Idon General Hospital pending identification and contact with their relatives.