By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fresh primary for the Gombe State governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

The primary was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Pantami polled 2,054 votes to emerge as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State.

Khamisu Mailantarki came second with 389 votes, while Usman Garry came third with 112 votes.

A total of 2,555 PDP members voted in the primary across Gombe State.

By Muhammad Sagir Bauchi

It has been three years since I last put pen to paper for public reading. That last article, published in July 2023, examined the new economic policies of the present administration: subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and student loans, through the lens of Keynes’ warning that “in the long run, we are all dead.” I argued then that these reforms, though painful, could pay off over time, while cautioning that fairness in how the pain and the palliatives were distributed would determine whether Nigerians trusted the process. Three years on, I return to ask the question those reforms were always going to face: has the long run arrived, and for whom?

Six years ago, I wrote an article titled, “Nigeria At 60: A Moment Of Joy Or A Moment Of Sober Reflection?” In it, I reflected on our journey since independence, the challenges we had faced, and the questions surrounding our progress as a country. Six years later, Nigeria is 66, and the question remains almost the same: is this a moment of joy, a moment of sober reflection, or perhaps both?

Since independence, Nigeria has gone through different political administrations, military interventions, democratic transitions, economic reforms, and countless attempts to solve the problems confronting it. We have built universities, colleges, hospitals and roads. Millions of Nigerians have acquired education and gone on to make meaningful contributions to the country and the world. There is certainly a lot to celebrate. But while celebrating our achievements, we must also have the courage to ask where we have failed, where we are today, and where we are heading.

A country can record economic growth while millions of its citizens continue to struggle with the cost of living. Economic reforms may be necessary, but that does not mean we should ignore the short-term hardship they create. Government may point to improving figures, but ordinary Nigerians are equally justified in asking when those improvements will begin to show up in their daily lives. Why celebrate GDP growth or falling inflation on paper while paying little attention to the struggles of the ordinary man whose reality reflects neither? Economic growth should not only be measured by what the figures say; it should be reflected in what people can afford, the jobs they can find, the businesses they can sustain and the quality of life they can provide for their families.

It is no longer news that petrol sells for about ₦1,400 per litre in parts of Lagos and around ₦1,500 in parts of the North. This is no longer a figure in newspapers or a talking point on social media; it is a living reality Nigerians are struggling to adapt to. Today, even people fortunate enough to own a car are becoming careful about where and when they drive. Some now choose the inconvenience of public transport not because they lack a vehicle, but because fuelling it has become too costly. A car that was once a convenience has, for some families, become an expense they must calculate before every journey.

Since the removal of the petrol subsidy, several policies have been introduced to cushion the effects of the reform. Yet from the perspective of the ordinary citizen, it is difficult to point to a corresponding drop in hardship. Nigerians are not asking for suffering to be eradicated overnight; they are asking for a meaningful reduction in the burden they carry daily. The real question is not whether the reforms were necessary, but whether the people bearing their immediate cost are beginning to see the promised benefits. A reform can be economically necessary and still be socially painful, and when that pain continues without improvement in people’s standard of living, government must expect citizens to ask hard questions.

Since independence, Nigeria has also built numerous institutions of learning, and millions of Nigerians have benefited from them. To follow the path of developed nations, the concept of education loans was introduced. In an ideal society, this can be a smart move, shifting the burden of financing higher education from parents to government, with students eventually repaying the cost. But what pushed us here in the first place? The same government policies that have left many parents living hand to mouth, with little or nothing to save for their children’s education. What they earn is often barely enough to cover food, shelter and other basics- things people now struggle to afford rather than plan for.

Can we truly celebrate a policy that pushes parents deeper into poverty while leaving them unable to afford their children’s education? More importantly, how many graduates can be certain there will be jobs waiting for them, jobs that let them repay what they borrowed? What happens when a graduate leaves school with a degree and a loan but no employment opportunities? What happens when companies close because policies make it hard to do business, or when entrepreneurs are forced to shut their doors because of low sales and rising costs?

Education loans may provide access to education, but access alone is not enough. There must also be an economy that gives graduates decent opportunities to work, earn, and repay. Otherwise, are we simply shifting the burden from parents who cannot afford education to graduates who may never find the jobs needed to carry it?

This brings us back to leadership. Six years ago, I argued that one of Nigeria’s major problems was how political leadership was perceived and exercised, a system where public office could become a means of personal advancement rather than service. Six years later, that question remains just as relevant. Leadership is not only about making policy; it is about understanding how policy affects the people who must live with it. The ordinary citizen does not experience an economic reform as a policy document; he experiences it through the price of food, transport, school fees, rent and electricity. Leadership must go beyond celebrating figures and ask whether its policies are producing a society in which ordinary Nigerians can live with dignity.

One issue I raised six years ago was vote buying. It is easy to condemn citizens who accept money during elections, but perhaps we should ask a harder question first. When people who once fought a previous administration on grounds of incompetence are now in government, defending the very policies that have subjected Nigerians to severe hardship, can we genuinely expect citizens to reject ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 when many are struggling to put food on the table? This is not an argument for vote buying; it is a question about the conditions that make it possible. A citizen who cannot afford food, medicine or transport is more vulnerable to financial incentives at the polls. That does not make vote buying right, but it should push us to examine the poverty that allows it to thrive. If we want citizens to make truly independent choices, we must build a society where poverty does not make those choices easier to manipulate.

Corruption remains one of Nigeria’s oldest struggles. We have created institutions, passed laws and established agencies to fight it, yet the perception that public resources are sometimes diverted for personal or political gain continues to shape public trust. What makes this worse is our own double standard: when a politician from the opposing party is accused, we demand accountability; when someone from our own camp faces the same allegation, the conversation quietly changes. We cannot build a strong country by applying different standards to the same behaviour based on political affiliation. Accountability cannot be selective.

Insecurity, too, was already a major concern six years ago, and it remains one today; its nature and location may shift, but the consequences are just as painful. Families are displaced, businesses suffer, farmers cannot operate freely in some areas, and young people grow up with insecurity as part of everyday conversation. A country cannot achieve sustainable development when its citizens constantly worry about their safety; security is directly tied to agriculture, education, business, investment, and general well-being.

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in Africa, an enormous potential advantage that becomes a burden when the economy cannot provide enough opportunity. Every year, thousands of graduates leave school hoping to find work, and many spend years searching, turning to entrepreneurship, migration or whatever else they can find. The rising desire among young Nigerians to leave the country, popularly called “Japa”, should make us ask why so many feel their future lies elsewhere. It is not enough to tell them to stay and build the country; we must create conditions that make staying a realistic, attractive choice.

Education remains one of the most important investments any country can make, yet Nigeria continues to face disruptions, prolonged strikes, and other setbacks that affect students and institutions. We cannot claim to be developing while young people spend years moving in and out of classrooms over problems that better planning, funding and dialogue could resolve.

So, are we better off than we were at independence? In some areas, certainly. We have more institutions, more educated Nigerians, greater access to technology, a larger private sector, and Nigerians making remarkable contributions around the world. But progress should not blind us to what remains broken. Nigeria is not a complete failure, just as it is not a complete success story; our story is more complicated than either label. We have achievements worth celebrating and failures that demand honest reflection. We celebrate Nigerians’ resilience, but we should also ask why they need to be so resilient just to survive.

Patriotism doesn’t mean defending every government policy, and criticism doesn’t mean hating one’s country. Sometimes, asking difficult questions is itself an act of patriotism.

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, we should celebrate what we have achieved, remember how far we have come, and, most importantly, have the courage to confront what still holds us back. The Nigeria we want will not be built by government alone. It requires responsible leadership, accountable institutions, an active citizenry, and a society that values merit, justice and equal opportunity.

At 66, Nigeria has every reason to celebrate. But it also has every reason to reflect.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

California has officially recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law on September 28, 2026.

The new law adds the two major Islamic festivals to California’s list of state holidays. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha is observed during the Islamic pilgrimage season and commemorates the sacrifice associated with Prophet Ibrahim.

The legislation also allows state and school employees to observe the two holidays using existing personal holiday credits or other available leave. K-12 public schools and community colleges may also close for Eid through locally negotiated agreements.

However, the law does not automatically require every school or workplace to close on the two occasions. It also excludes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from California’s judicial holidays.

The move formally recognises two important religious observances of California’s Muslim community and reflects the state’s religious and cultural diversity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged politicians and their supporters to maintain peaceful conduct as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

The Sultan made the call on Monday when the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, visited him at his palace in Sokoto.

The delegation also included the NDC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Dr Shamsu Haido, and other members of the party.

The visit formed part of the party’s consultations with traditional rulers and community leaders ahead of the elections.

The Sultan said politicians had the constitutional right to present their manifestos, programmes and ideas to Nigerians and seek their support.

He, however, urged political actors to exercise those rights responsibly, within the law and with respect for people who hold different political views.

He also cautioned politicians and their supporters against insults, abusive language and inflammatory statements that could heighten political tensions or contribute to violence.

According to the Sultan, political activities should not create hatred, division or hostility among Nigerians.

He urged political leaders to place the peace, unity and interests of Nigeria above political differences, stressing that political offices were temporary while national stability remained important to the country’s development.

The monarch further called on candidates seeking elective offices to lead by example and ensure their supporters conduct themselves peacefully.

He said political campaigns should focus on issues rather than personal attacks or activities capable of creating divisions among communities.

The Sultan’s warning followed a visit by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council on September 14, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari.

The APC delegation included Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the governors of Kebbi and Zamfara states.

According to the Sultan’s media team, both the NDC and APC delegations discussed national issues, presented their political plans and sought the monarch’s royal blessings.

Speaking during Monday’s visit, Obi thanked the Sultan for receiving the delegation and granting them an audience.

He said the meeting was part of the NDC’s wider consultations with traditional rulers and community leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

The call for peaceful political engagement comes after presidential candidates and political parties participating in the 2027 elections signed a National Peace Accord in Abuja in August. The accord committed political actors to peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has cautioned politicians against using insults and inflammatory remarks as the 2027 general elections approach.

The Sultan warned that such conduct could raise tensions and potentially trigger violence within communities.

He spoke on Monday when the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, visited him at his palace in Sokoto.

Obi and Kwankwaso were accompanied by the party’s Sokoto State governorship candidate, Shamsu Haido, and other party members.

According to a statement signed by the Sultan’s Media Team head, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the monarch said political activities should not be used to create hatred, hostility or division among Nigerians.

The statement reads: “His Eminence, particularly, cautioned politicians and their supporters across parties against the use of abusive language, insults and inflammatory statements, warning that such conduct could heighten tensions and potentially lead to violence within communities.

“Politicians have the constitutional and democratic right to present their manifestos, programmes and ideas to the electorate and seek the support of the people.”

Abubakar, however, urged politicians to exercise their democratic rights with decorum and within the provisions of the law while respecting other candidates, political parties and Nigerians with opposing political views.

The Sultan also stressed the need for political actors to place Nigeria’s interests and peace above their individual political differences.

He noted that political positions were temporary, while the unity, peace and stability of the country remained essential to its development.

The monarch further urged political leaders, particularly those seeking elective positions, to lead by example and demonstrate the conduct they expect from their supporters.

He also called on politicians to ensure that campaigns and other political engagements do not descend into personal attacks, hostility or actions capable of creating divisions among communities and citizens.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Sokoto State High Court has sentenced Ibrahim Usman, popularly known as Dan Iyali, to death for his involvement in the kidnapping and killing of three people in the state.

Usman was convicted in a case prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over an incident that occurred in September 2023.

He was arraigned alongside other suspects who remain at large.

The charges against him included criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, culpable homicide punishable with death and voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation.

The DSS described the conviction as another death sentence secured against a suspect linked to kidnapping and killings in Sokoto State.

The latest judgement comes months after another Sokoto State High Court sentenced three men, including a Nigerien national, to death by hanging over terrorism-related offences and illegal arms trafficking.

The three men were identified as Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Sallau, a Niger Republic national; Jabbi Alhaji Yalle; and Kabiru Muhammad.

DSS operatives arrested the men on June 13, 2025, over allegations of involvement in cross-border arms smuggling and terrorist activities.

In a judgement delivered in suit number SS/45C/2026, the court convicted the three men and ordered the forfeiture of money recovered from them to the Federal Government.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three more Nigerians have died in separate incidents in South Africa amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.

The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg disclosed the deaths in a statement issued on Monday by the Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche.

According to the statement, the three Nigerians died between September 18 and 21 in incidents reported in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.

The first victim, identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu, allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape what the consulate described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in the Central Business District of Bloemfontein.

The second incident occurred on September 20 at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, where Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde worked as a security guard.

The consulate said Olatunde was killed after he attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the premises with a cup belonging to the facility.

“This resulted in an altercation and the South African pulled out his firearm and shot OLATUNDE in his lower body part, leading to a serious injury and profuse loss of blood,” the statement reads.

“Upon noticing the grievous harm done, the shooter immediately fled the scene.”

Okey-Uche said the unidentified shooter also allegedly threatened to kill witnesses who tried to identify him to the police.

Olatunde was taken to hospital after the shooting but died the following morning.

The third case involved Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 after an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

According to the consulate, Nnaemeka was allegedly arrested and tortured by members of the team before attempting to escape by jumping over a fence.

He reportedly collapsed from exhaustion and injuries sustained during the incident and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Khumalo, who is seeking the position of mayor of Ekurhuleni, had previously faced allegations following the death of another Nigerian, Emeza Uzor, after an incident involving members of his team in February.

Consulate Raises Safety Concerns

The Nigerian consul-general described the reports as deeply troubling and said they had raised concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

“The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa,” the consul-general added.

The latest deaths come after two Nigerians were reportedly killed earlier in September during attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

Two other Nigerians were also reported killed two months earlier amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.

Okey-Uche called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths and establish the circumstances surrounding each incident.

She also urged Nigerians living in the country to avoid violence and remain security conscious.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Russian strike hit the National Academy of Sciences building in central Kyiv on Sept. 28, triggering a fire and a major emergency response, Ukrainian authorities said.

One woman was killed and three people were injured in the attack, according to Kyiv officials. Emergency crews continued rescue and firefighting operations at the site.

Russian strikes also targeted other locations in Kyiv, including a medical facility and other civilian infrastructure, officials said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and said Russia must face stronger international pressure and consequences. He called on Europe, the United States and other partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and help protect civilian lives.

By Uzair Adam

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old housewife over the alleged killing of her co-wife during a domestic incident in Bauchi metropolis.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Bauchi.

According to Habib, the suspect, whose name was withheld, was arrested on September 27 following the alleged killing at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in the state capital.

He said the Police C-Division, Bauchi, received credible information at about 4:05 p.m. that a domestic incident had occurred between two wives living in the same household.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 33-year-old suspect, who is the second wife, allegedly, acting under hallucinations, struck the first wife with a pestle on the forehead, and the victim fell unconscious,” Habib said.

He added that detectives attached to the division immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving the report.

Habib said the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where a medical doctor certified her dead.

He said the victim’s remains had been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while the police recovered the pestle allegedly used in the incident.

The spokesperson said the suspect was being investigated for alleged culpable homicide.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as directing that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The commissioner condoled with the family of the deceased and warned against domestic violence.

Aliyu also advised families to seek timely medical and psychosocial support for members experiencing mental health challenges.

By Uzair Adam

Africa Academy, an Islamic online learning platform under Africa Media Network, on Saturday graduated 3,500 students who completed its free Diploma programme in Islamic studies at a ceremony held at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

The graduation marked the academy’s second convocation, established to make Islamic education accessible to Muslims regardless of location, occupation, or level of formal education.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Africa Media Network, Dr Habib Tijjani Tahir, said the academy was created to give people the opportunity to acquire Islamic knowledge despite their busy schedules.

He explained that the initiative was driven by the need to help Muslims understand how to worship Allah correctly, stressing that people were created to worship Him.

According to him, the academy provides free online lessons that enable students to learn at their convenience from anywhere.

Tahir said the curriculum covers various areas of Islamic studies, including Fiqh, Seerah, Tafsir and Hadith, among others.

He said the academy also encourages academic excellence by rewarding outstanding students.

Tahir said top-performing students would receive incentives, including Umrah packages and cash rewards, while other outstanding students would also receive financial rewards.

He further announced that the academy would sponsor the marriages of four students by covering major wedding expenses, including dowry, wedding trousseau, rent and other associated costs.

“We want to encourage our students not only to acquire knowledge but also to remain committed to their studies and strive for excellence,” Tahir said.

He said the academy initially offered short one-week Islamic courses with certificates but later introduced its free Diploma programme, known as “Tsangaya,” following increasing demand from learners.

Tahir noted that 2,200 students graduated in the previous edition, while the number rose to 3,500 this year.

He said the academy was targeting between 50,000 and 60,000 graduates in subsequent years, or even more.

According to him, any Muslim who can read and write and meets the required level can enrol in the programme without presenting a previous academic certificate.

He added that the initiative therefore gives students of Qur’anic and Tsangaya schools, as well as people with conventional academic backgrounds, an opportunity to acquire further Islamic knowledge.

Representing the teachers, Prof Abdulqadir Ismail congratulated the graduates and prayed that Allah would make the knowledge they acquired beneficial to them and society.

He urged the graduates to put their knowledge into practice and use it to benefit others.

“Knowledge becomes more valuable when it is practised and used to benefit other people,” Prof Ismail said.

He also appealed to the graduates to continue praying for the academy as it works towards introducing online degree programmes similar to those offered by universities around the world.

Also speaking, Sheikh Abubakar Abdussalam Baban Gwale said opportunities to acquire Islamic knowledge through platforms such as Africa Academy were not readily available in the past.

He recalled that even people with the financial means sometimes struggled to find accessible opportunities for Islamic education.

“Today, Allah has made it easy for people to acquire this knowledge,” Baban Gwale said, urging parents to encourage their children to participate in such programmes.

He added that even people with conventional academic qualifications could benefit from the opportunity, describing access to Islamic education as a blessing.

Among the graduates, Fatima Usman, 40, emerged as the best-performing student.

A mother of nine, she said she learnt about the academy through a television announcement and continued following its activities until registration opened.

“I was determined to study despite my responsibilities as a mother of nine children,” she said, adding that she remained committed to her studies throughout the programme.

Muhammad Saminu, who came second, attributed his success to consistency and effective use of the academy’s learning materials.

He said he listened to audio lessons while travelling or working and studied the PDF materials more thoroughly whenever he had time to sit down and concentrate.

Amira Nuhu Umar, who emerged third, described her success as a source of immense joy, saying the lessons had significantly influenced her life.

“My joy cannot be described. The lessons have had a great impact on my life,” she said.

She thanked her parents and teachers for their support and dedication throughout her studies.