By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to release any disclosable records concerning President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the agency’s invocation of “danger to lives” as justification for withholding information rings hollow amid widespread suffering in Nigeria.

Atiku, who ran for president under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, that millions of Nigerians are already facing severe economic hardship and insecurity.

“The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives. Which lives? Nigerians are already dying,” Atiku stated.

The former vice president pointed to the three and a half years since Tinubu assumed office, citing economic policies that have intensified hardship across the country.

“In the past three and a half years since Tinubu became Nigeria’s President, he has pursued economic policies that have made his government a threat to the daily survival of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

Atiku highlighted the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, describing it as “senseless” and carried out without a credible plan to protect ordinary citizens.

“Families that once managed three meals now struggle for one. Parents cannot afford medicines for sick children. Breadwinners are buckling under debt and unbearable economic pressure. This is the human cost of Tinubu’s senseless removal of fuel subsidy,” he added.

The former vice president questioned the administration’s celebration of the policy, asking: “When Tinubu boasts that subsidy is gone, Nigerians should ask him what exactly he is celebrating: the empty cooking pots, abandoned medical prescriptions, unaffordable transport fares or businesses struggling to survive?”

While clarifying that he did not seek disclosure of sensitive information that could compromise legitimate American law-enforcement operations, Atiku maintained that the FBI should not use safety concerns as a “bulletproof vest for Tinubu.”

“Protect your agents. Protect your sources. Protect legitimate investigative methods. Redact whatever American law genuinely requires you to redact,” he said. “But do not stretch those protections until they become a bulletproof vest for Tinubu.”

Atiku framed his demand as a humanitarian and democratic appeal rather than an attempt to interfere in Nigeria’s political affairs.

“Nigerians have a democratic right to know the history and character of the man who occupies their country’s highest office. Where information relevant to that legitimate public interest rests with American law enforcement and can lawfully be disclosed, the principles of openness and democratic accountability demand that it should not be unnecessarily hidden,” he stated.

The former vice president concluded: “Nigerians are not asking America to conduct our democracy for us. We are saying that American secrecy laws must not inadvertently become a sanctuary from accountability in Nigeria.”

Atiku reiterated his commitment to transparency, insisting that “if information can lawfully be released without endangering investigators, confidential sources or legitimate law-enforcement operations, release it.”

The FBI has not yet responded to Atiku’s latest comments.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Voice of Concerned Teachers (VCT) Forum has raised concerns over the conduct of elections into the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kano State, alleging that no election was held in 42 of the state’s 44 local government areas.

In a press briefing, the forum’s chairman, Comrade Abbas Adamu, alleged that elections were conducted only in Nasarawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas.

“Apart from these two local governments, all the remaining 42 local governments’ NUT officials refused to consider any teacher as a contestant,” Malam Abbas Adamu alleged.

The forum further claimed that rather than conducting elections, NUT officials in the affected local government areas declared themselves winners unopposed.

The VCT Forum described the alleged development as a cause for concern, highlighted what it said were irregularities in the process, and called on the Kano State Government and other stakeholders to intervene.

The Daily Reality could not independently verify the allegations. Efforts to reach NUT officials for a response were also unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

NUT officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he is determined to keep opposition politicians under pressure as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the statement on Friday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The minister, who addressed the political situation ahead of the elections, said the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party had weakened the opposition and made it difficult to identify a dominant opposition party.

According to him, the PDP would ordinarily be regarded as the leading opposition party, but its internal problems had affected its ability to play that role effectively.

He said, “I’ve told you there is no position. What do you have people who are not trying to see whether they can be relevant? Who’s the opposition leader now? Ordinarily, it would have been PDP, but because of the crisis we have had, and so you can’t see a formidable party that you call a leading opposition party.

“So, whatever they feel, it’s none of my business. I don’t want them to feel well. It’s not my wish that they should feel well.

“My business is to make them not to feel well all the days. Because they will be having high blood pressure. Yes, that’s my job.

“To make them to have high blood pressure. I am not here to make them to feel good, no. You see, when you are having a contest with somebody, your business is not to make him feel well.

“Your business is to make sure you beat him thoroughly. So that he will be sick all through. And that’s what we are doing to them.”

Wike, a former Rivers State governor and a member of the PDP, has been involved in a prolonged political dispute with several opposition figures amid the party’s internal crisis.

The FCT Minister also played down concerns about how former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, might respond to the unfolding political developments.

He said their reactions would not affect his approach to the political contest.

He added, “So how Atiku feels, how Obi feels, it does not give any headache. If I know how they feel now, I will add more crisis for them.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has recounted the unusual reaction of a retired soldier whose university-student son was arrested for cultism in Ogun State.

Disu said the retired soldier initially demanded that the police kill his son after his arrest, but returned to the police station the next morning with food for the detainee.

The IGP shared the experience on Thursday at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.

The three-day event, which ended on Saturday, was held as part of activities to mark International Youth Day 2026. It focused on youth leadership, security, responsibility and the need to discourage violence and thuggery.

Disu said the incident happened when he was serving as a Divisional Police Officer in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

According to him, the retired soldier went to his office after learning that his son, a university student, had been arrested for cultism. The man asked about his son and, after learning that he was in detention, demanded that the police kill him.

“And he said, DPO, where is the boy? I said, he’s detained. He said, very good. I want you to help me to kill him.

“Kill him! That was what he said. That you must kill him. He doesn’t want him at home,” he said,

The retired soldier reportedly remained at the police station from morning until almost night, insisting that his son should be killed.

Disu said he eventually persuaded the man to go home and assured him that the police would handle the matter.

However, the father returned early the following morning with food for his son.

“And he left. The following morning, very early in the morning, he started calling me. He has brought food for his son. He brought food for his son,” Disu said.

The IGP said he intentionally waited until the afternoon before meeting the man, despite repeated calls from him.

When the retired soldier eventually entered his office, he explained that he had come to give food to his detained son.

Disu said the development made him reflect on what could have happened if the police had acted on the man’s earlier demand.

“What if I’ve killed this boy since yesterday? That is a parent for you.”

The IGP said the experience demonstrated the complex emotions that parents can experience when dealing with the misconduct of their children.

He also stressed the importance of parental responsibility in the upbringing and discipline of young people.

Disu had previously shared the same experience in a March 2025 reflection titled The First Lawmakers: My Reflection on Home, Discipline, and Duty, when he was Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the IGP, the young man later completed his education, got married and became a father himself.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Multiple people have died after a collision involving a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on a major road in northern England.

The incident occurred at about 3:39am on Saturday along the A66 at South Bank, near Middlesbrough in Teesside, according to reports by the BBC.

Cleveland Police said its vehicle was involved in the crash, while the North East Ambulance Service confirmed that three vehicles were involved in the incident.

A police spokesman said: “Sadly, the collision has resulted in multiple fatalities. We are working to identify the victims and contact their families.”

The police said the A66 remained closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane. The closure was expected to last “for some time” as emergency personnel continued operations at the scene.

The force described the situation as “quickly evolving” and appealed to members of the public to “respectfully avoid speculation” while investigations continued.

The North East Ambulance Service said 14 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The service added: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene.”

It further stated: “We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”

Authorities were yet to release the identities of those who died, while investigations continued to establish the circumstances that led to the collision.

The public was advised to avoid the affected section of the road and use alternative routes as emergency services remained at the scene.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, naming former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General and Governor Hope Uzodimma as Secretary.

The announcement, made on Saturday, August 22, 2026, establishes a comprehensive structure to steer the party’s re-election bid in the January 2027 presidential elections. President Tinubu will serve as Chairman of the council, with Vice President Kashim Shettima as Vice Chairman.

The campaign council’s leadership includes Party Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as Vice Chairman, while APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman have been appointed as Deputy and Assistant Secretaries respectively.

A distinguished body of advisers will guide the Chairman’s office, comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abass, and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni have been assigned as Deputy Director-Generals for the campaign in the southern and northern zones. They will work alongside Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau in their respective regions.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff has been appointed as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, returns as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring. He will work with zonal directors across the six geopolitical zones:

1· South West: Senator Olushola Adeyeye

2· South South: Dr Ngozi Olejeme

3· South East: Senator Uche Ekwunife

4· North West: Muntaqha Rabe

5· North Central: Ahmed Muhammed Ketso

6· North East: Senator Sani Danladi

Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat, and Audu Maikori will serve as secretaries of the election planning directorate.

Muiz Adeyemi Banire will lead the legal directorate as Director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members include Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former Governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms, and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, working alongside Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu. The media directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Felix Morka as coordinating deputy directors.

Abdulaziz AbdulAziz will work with Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke, and Frederick Nwabufor as coordinating secretaries of the media directorate. Segun Dada returns as Director of New Media, with Solomon Arowolo serving as Secretary of New Media.

The campaign has appointed five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake. Other spokespersons are Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, and Adamu Fanda.

President Tinubu has charged all council members to work tirelessly to deliver victory for the party in the January 2027 elections. He has also encouraged leaders of the various directorates to reach out to other party members who may not have been formally listed to join their crucial efforts.

“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians,” President Tinubu stated.

“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.”

The announcement signals the formal commencement of APC’s campaign machinery ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a structure that blends experienced political operatives with strategic administrative personnel.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has honoured the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resource and Development, DCG Tijanni Abe, following his retirement after 35 years of service to the nation.

The retirement ceremony was held on August 19, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, with members of the Service’s Management Team in attendance.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, led tributes to the retiring officer and described him as a man whose career was built on faith, composure and strong integrity.

Adeniyi also highlighted Abe’s consistent expression of gratitude throughout his years in the Service, noting that the quality reflected his character.

“You are a man of integrity and integrity pays. May God increase you in wisdom and happiness, and may your years ahead be even more pleasurable. We are all very proud of you, and we wish you well,” he said.

The CGC added that the relationships and bonds developed within the Customs Service would remain beyond Abe’s retirement.

Other senior officers who spoke at the ceremony praised the retiring DCG for his leadership style, humility and kindness. They recalled his courage, sacrifices and willingness to support colleagues throughout his career.

Several officers described Abe not only as a senior officer but also as a mentor whose conduct had influenced those who worked with him.

In his response, Abe expressed appreciation for the tributes and thanked the Almighty, the Comptroller-General and members of the Management Team for their support.

He also acknowledged the confidence placed in him by his colleagues and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Nigeria Customs Service and the nation for three and a half decades.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze over allegations that he operated a fake government agency within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The directive followed fresh findings from an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into alleged fake government agencies and weaknesses in public service procedures.

The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries in connection with the latest findings from the investigation.

The development forms part of ongoing efforts to address alleged irregularities within government offices and strengthen accountability in the public service.

According to the report, the investigation uncovered concerns linked to the alleged operation of a fictitious government agency within the OSGF premises.

Further details on the identities of the suspended permanent secretaries and the specific findings against them were not provided in the report.

TheCable said more information would follow as further details emerge.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has raised the alarm over the alleged recruitment of minors by criminal gangs to assist in traffic robbery operations across Abuja.

The command said some of the children, who often disguise themselves as beggars, are allegedly paid between ₦500 and ₦1,000 after helping adult members of the gangs steal from motorists caught in traffic.

The FCT Commissioner of Police disclosed this during an engagement with residents, where he explained that the children are used to divert the attention of drivers while other members of the gangs target their valuables.

According to him, the minors approach motorists under the guise of seeking financial assistance, while their accomplices use the distraction to steal from another side of the vehicle.

“These children are being recruited by these bigger ones. They would be the ones that would stop the vehicle or approach you as if they are begging you for something, distracting you so that when you are paying attention to them, these other ones would be stealing from the other side of your vehicle,” he said.

The commissioner said the children receive small payments after successful operations.

“They just meet these people that if they are able to steal anything, they will just give them ₦500 or ₦1,000 for them to go and eat,” he stated.

He also disclosed that some traffic robbery incidents have resulted in serious injuries to victims.

The police chief cited the case of a woman who allegedly lost part of her ear after a robber attempted to remove her earring.

“We have gotten some of them that were responsible for removing a woman’s ear because they went to remove her earring. They pulled it and the ear was cut,” he said.

The commissioner further alleged that some of the minors were brought into Abuja from other states and left there to participate in criminal activities.

“Unfortunately, most of these children were brought in from another state and dumped here for just this purpose,” he claimed.

He explained that the police cannot prosecute the minors in the same manner as adult suspects because of their age.

Instead, the command is working with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate them and facilitate their return to their families.

“When you get them, because of their age, you can’t take them to court. But we already have a place for them with the social welfare so that they can be rehabilitated and reunited with their families,” the commissioner explained.

He added that the police sometimes obtain information from the children to trace the adults suspected of controlling the operations.

“We also talk to them and give them the same ₦1,000 or ₦500 to tell us who is sending them to do the job,” he said.

The police warning comes amid concerns over traffic-related robbery and the alleged exploitation of children in parts of the FCT.

The command said the allegations remain under investigation, while stressing the need to protect and rehabilitate minors involved rather than treating them in the same manner as adult criminals.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Government has dismissed concerns over the safety of the Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area, saying there is no indication that the facility is at risk of collapse.

The government’s position followed concerns raised after images of structural sections of the dam circulated on social media, alongside the recent flood advisory issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for Kaduna and nine other states.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Ashiru Abdu Na Abdu, stated this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Abdu said the structural issues shown in the images were not new. According to him, they were first identified in 2015/2016 and were linked to ageing as well as pressure caused by heavy rainfall.

He said the state government responded at the time with emergency remedial work aimed at stabilising the dam and protecting communities around it.

The permanent secretary said the facility has remained under regular observation and limited maintenance since then, with “no evidence of active structural failure.”

He assured residents that the dam remains intact, operational and capable of serving its intended purpose.

The ministry said it was also taking precautionary steps to reinforce the structure and improve its monitoring capacity.

As part of the measures, the government said it is procuring modern safety equipment, including automated water-level gauges, early-warning sirens and telemetry systems.

According to the ministry, the new equipment will support continuous monitoring of the dam and provide early alerts where necessary.

The state government urged residents to disregard claims that the Kangimi Dam is close to collapsing.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting communities around the facility and maintaining the dam in a safe and functional condition.