News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The power struggle within the Kano Emirate has escalated as both Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstated Emir Muhammad Sanusi II have appointed different individuals to the prestigious Galadiman Kano title.

Emir Aminu Ado Bayero approved Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero, eldest son of the late Emir Ado Bayero, for the position, with his installation set for May 2, 2025.

Meanwhile, Emir Sanusi II had earlier named Alhaji Munir Sanusi Bayero as Galadiman Kano on April 9, filling the vacancy left by the late Alhaji Abbas Sanusi.

The conflicting appointments highlight the ongoing feud between the rival emirs, stemming from Sanusi II’s controversial reinstatement.

The situation raises concerns over further division in the historic emirate.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a biting and satirical letter that has quickly ignited debate across Nigeria’s political landscape, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has issued a mock apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him—without directly naming him—of promoting a culture of entitlement, favoritism, and personal gratification within the National Assembly.

The letter, which begins with exaggerated expressions of “theatrical regret,” ridicules what the senator describes as a system where “legislative success… is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.”

Her words appear to take aim at alleged improper advances and a patriarchal power structure within the Senate.

“I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors,” she wrote, drawing sharp applause from supporters online and condemnation from some quarters within the political class.

In her sarcastic reflection on the consequences of her so-called defiance, she writes of “egos so large they require their own postcodes,” and ends the letter with a searing line: “Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”

The statement, signed “Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken,” has been widely interpreted as a challenge to misogyny in Nigeria’s political system, with many calling it a rare act of public defiance against powerful male figures in government.

No official response has yet been issued by the office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the time of this report.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday advised opposition parties to accept responsibility for their internal crises rather than blame him for their inability to manage their affairs.

Tinubu said that political defections are neither new nor unique to Nigeria, citing examples from more advanced democracies where notable politicians have switched parties without controversy.

Speaking through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu dismissed allegations that his administration is tilting towards authoritarianism, describing such claims as baseless and exaggerated.

He insisted that democracy in Nigeria remains vibrant and under no threat.

The President questioned why defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), such as that of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), are celebrated, while defections to the APC are condemned.

In a statement titled, “Democracy strong and alive in Nigeria, ignore alarmists,” Tinubu said: “We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights crusaders, and emergency defenders of democracy over recent defections of key members of opposition parties into the governing APC.”

He noted that recent political shifts, including Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s support for Tinubu, the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and former PDP vice presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had unsettled the opposition.

“While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken over the failure of their grand coalition, it is disturbing they are resorting to false claims of promoting a one-party state against President Tinubu, who is working hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement,” the statement said.

It added that accusations of bribery, blackmail, and weaponisation of state institutions are mere fabrications from politicians who have failed in their roles as opposition.

Tinubu stressed that he bears no responsibility for the internal disorganisation and incompetence within opposition ranks, saying it is not his job to manage or strengthen their parties.

He also criticised what he described as hypocrisy, saying those celebrating the formation of an anti-Tinubu coalition now cry foul when politicians defect to the ruling party.

The statement further reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to freedom of association, freedom of speech, and democratic principles, asserting that Nigerians freely migrating to the APC do so because they believe in the reforms being implemented.

It concluded that under President Tinubu, democracy remains strong, and Nigeria’s multiparty system will continue to thrive.

“President Tinubu is an avowed democrat whose political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising opposition to defeat a sitting president stand as proof of his commitment to multiparty democracy,” it said.

Nigerians were urged to support the administration in defending democracy and disregard alarmists promoting baseless narratives.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted over two million pills of tramadol and arrested multiple suspects in a sweeping operation across Kano, Jigawa, and the Seme border.

In Jigawa, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle along Kano-Ringim road, Gumel town, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 23.

Two suspects, Abba Ibrahim, 28, and Shuaibu Umar, 29, were arrested with 200,000 pills of tramadol and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the main supplier, Jamilu Muhammad, 41, in Kano. 

An additional 1,584,000 tramadol pills were found hidden in a Nissan bus and his residence, bringing the total haul to 2,001,500 pills.

Meanwhile, at the Seme border in Lagos, three Ghanaian women — Haziza Zubairu, 42; Samirat Mustapha, 43; and Jamila Salifu, 26 — were apprehended on Sunday, April 20, while attempting to smuggle 4.8 kilograms of “Ghana Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, into Nigeria.

In other operations, NDLEA officers uncovered 46 wraps of cocaine concealed in body cream heading to Saudi Arabia, seized drugs destined for Canada, and arrested a 60-year-old woman with 5.6 kilograms of skunk in Kano.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the successful interdictions and the ongoing nationwide advocacy efforts under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided an 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, recovering illicit drugs valued at over one billion naira.

During the operation conducted between Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 2025, operatives combed through The Hook Hotel, also known as Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge, located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island. 

The operatives also recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — weighing a total of 417.3 kilograms and valued at ₦1,042,500,000 in street price.

Three suspects — Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh — were arrested during the operation, while two others, identified as Noble Philip and his partner Kenneth, are currently at large.

Items suspected to be proceeds from the drug trade, including five vehicles (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Jeep, Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Delivery Van, Kia Cerato, and a Grand Caravan Dodge), 74 new TV sets, 10 used TVs, and 13 refrigerators, were also recovered from the premises.

The chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the operatives for the successful operation and urged them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).

By Uzair Adam 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered a full crackdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical personnel operating within the territory.

The minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, following the death of a pregnant woman at a private facility in Durumi, Abuja, after undergoing a caesarean section.

According to the statement, Wike warned that anyone found operating an illegal health facility or working in an unregistered hospital would be arrested and prosecuted.

He described the incident as regrettable, especially given that vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, are eligible for free registration under the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS). 

He noted that despite this opportunity, many pregnant women were still patronising unlicensed and unsafe facilities.

“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, enjoy free enrollment into the FHIS, granting them free access to services covered under the basic minimum health package through primary healthcare centres,” he said.

Olayinka added that, in support of the federal government’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and the FCT Administration’s zero tolerance for maternal mortality, several hospitals—including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals—have been designated as comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care centres, offering free cesarean sections.

He urged pregnant women to utilise these government services instead of risking their lives by seeking care from quacks and unregistered facilities.

The statement also recalled that on Friday, 35-year-old Chekwube Chinagorom was brought dead to the Asokoro District Hospital after a caesarean section at the unregistered facility in Durumi. 

Although the baby survived and was referred for further care at the Asokoro hospital, the incident raised alarm over the activities of illegal operators.

The Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee (PHERMC) investigated and confirmed that the hospital was unregistered. 

Only one staff member, Mr. Simon Godiya, a junior community health extension worker, was found on duty during an inspection.

Godiya informed officials that Murtala Jumma performed the surgery alongside another unidentified person. Efforts to reach Jumma have so far been unsuccessful.

The PHERMC team, accompanied by police officers from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters, subsequently handed over the case to the police for further investigation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Mallam Nuhu Bamali, has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its unwavering commitment to fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The monarch gave the commendation when the Acting Director of the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, led a delegation on a familiarisation visit to the Zazzau Emirate.

The Emir praised the EFCC for its consistent collaboration with the emirate, stating, “The EFCC has always carried the Zazzau Emirate Council along in its activities, and we are grateful. I urge my subjects to live law-abiding lives, as no one will be shielded if found guilty of wrongdoing.”

He also expressed confidence in the professionalism of the Commission.

In response, Kaltungo thanked the emirate for its longstanding support and appealed for continued cooperation to enhance the EFCC’s operations in the region.

The visit reinforced the existing partnership between the EFCC and traditional institutions in the fight against financial crimes.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of favouring the South-West region in federal appointments and warned that the trend undermines national unity and violates constitutional provisions.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, NEF cited Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates equitable representation in government appointments.

The group condemned the recent composition of the National Census Committee as disproportionately skewed toward the South-West, calling it exclusionary and undemocratic.

NEF demanded an immediate review of the committee and a redistribution of appointments across all six geopolitical zones to ensure fairness.

It warned that continued marginalisation could deepen divisions and threaten national stability.

“Nigeria’s unity depends on leadership that upholds justice, inclusivity, and the rule of law,” the statement read.

The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 25-year-old man, Buhari Sule, who allegedly killed his younger brother’s wife, Ummi Saleh, with a pestle and injured another young woman during the same incident.

The police adde that the suspected might be mentally unstable when he carried out the act.

The suspect was apprehended after the violent attack that occurred in Gunka village, Jahun Local Government Area.

This was made known on Thursday by the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Shi’isu Adam.

The police stated that while attacking his brother’s wife, Sule also hit a neighbour’s daughter, Hauwa Alkassim, causing her serious injuries.

According to SP Adam, “Upon arrival, the victims were rushed to General Hospital, Jahun, for medical attention. Unfortunately, Ummi Saleh died while receiving treatment, while Hauwa Alkassim is still undergoing treatment.”

The police noted that the tragic incident took place on April 23 around 5:30 pm. Officers from the Jahun Division responded promptly after receiving the distress report.

Following medical efforts, the body of Ummi Saleh was released to her family for burial after the police concluded necessary procedures.

The statement added that initial information gathered points to possible mental health concerns.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect may be experiencing mental health issues,” SP Adam said.

He also disclosed plans for a detailed medical assessment.

“A thorough medical evaluation will be performed to determine the suspect’s mental state. This evaluation will help the police understand the extent of the suspect’s mental health issues and how it may have contributed to the incident.”

He further called for cooperation from the public, stressing that investigations remain active.

“The police investigation is ongoing, and the public is urged to cooperate with the police and provide any relevant information that may aid the investigation,” he stated.

The suspect remains in custody as authorities continue their inquiry.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law four landmark bills that establish new agencies designed to strengthen institutional frameworks and accelerate sustainable development across the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The new laws provide for the establishment of the Kano State Protection Agency, the Signage and Advertisement Agency, the Information and Communication Technologies Development Agency, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

According to the statement, these laws, which are now part of the Kano State legal framework, are expected to stimulate innovation, support small businesses, regulate signage and advertising, and enhance public protection and service delivery.

The governor described the signing as a significant step toward realising his administration’s vision of a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant Kano.

He reiterated that the new agencies will play a vital role in job creation, investment attraction, and the efficient implementation of government initiatives.

“Our mission is to lay a solid foundation for a greater Kano. These laws go beyond policy — they are key instruments of transformation that will help drive our development agenda,” the governor stated.

The governor further warns that, violations of the provisions of these laws would attract strict penalties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance.

The establishment of these agencies reflects Yusuf’s continued efforts to reform public institutions, improve governance, and position Kano as a leading centre for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.