News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Umar Bago has directed security agencies to arrest individuals with dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital, as part of a broader clampdown on crime.  

During a high-level security meeting on Tuesday, Governor Bago ordered that those with dreadlocks be arrested, forcibly shaved, and fined. “We will have zero tolerance for rascality. Anybody found with dreadlocks should be arrested, their hair barbed, and fined,” he declared.  

The governor also banned commercial motorcycles and tricycles from operating between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., except in cases of medical emergencies. Additionally, he warned parents to caution their children, vowing a “fire-for-fire” approach to crime.  

Traditional rulers were instructed to document all residents in their domains, while houses harbouring criminals faced demolition. “Niger State is not for useless people,” Bago stated.

The measures aim to curb rising criminality and restore order in the state.

By Anwar Usman

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states will meet in Ghana on Tuesday to discuss the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

The meeting will take two days, Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the bloc said member states will discuss the modalities of the countries’ withdrawal and its implications for ECOWAS agencies in the countries.

The bloc also said it would “set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries.”

Furthermore, the ECOWAS member state will discuss its relationship with the three countries in Accra today.

“The session is being held to deliberate on the reasons for the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc.

The statement further revealed that “Key items on the agenda include the modalities of the withdrawal process and the implications for ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies operating in the three countries. The session will also address other related matters of regional importance”.

Three weeks ago, the junta-led states, under the Alliance of Sahel States, imposed a 0.5 per cent import duty on goods from ECOWAS.

The levy applies to all goods from ECOWAS countries entering any of the three nations, except for humanitarian aid.

The policy countered ECOWAS’s intention of ensuring free movement of goods between its members and the AES countries despite their official exit from the bloc in January.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Hisbah Board has dismantled an unauthorized pilgrimage site in the Dakata Industrial Area after false claims spread that the spot bore the footprint of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The site attracted large crowds when a muddy imprint and seeping water led to rumors of divine healing powers.

Videos showed people bathing in, drinking, and collecting the water while performing religious rites.

Deputy Commander Muhahideen Aminudeen of the Hisbah Board dismissed the claims as baseless, stating that the Prophet never visited Africa.

He warned against the health risks of consuming the water and urged the public to seek proper Islamic knowledge.

No arrests have been made, but authorities are investigating the source of the misinformation.

By Uzair Adam 

Troops of the Joint Task Force have arrested a 55-year-old man suspected to be a notorious kidnapper during a security operation in Sumana village, Tundun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued to journalists by Capt. Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, on Tuesday. According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended on April 20.

He was later paraded before the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Tukur, during the commander’s Easter visit to troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Falgore, Doguwa LGA.

The commander commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, describing the operation as a significant success in the ongoing campaign against criminality in the region.

A cache of arms and other items were recovered during the operation. These include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, one Den gun, nine rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, a woodland camouflage uniform, a desert camouflage outfit, a camouflage vest, and a Bajaj motorcycle seat suspected to be used for concealing weapons.

Brig.-Gen. Tukur reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to working with other security agencies and local authorities to restore peace and order in troubled areas.

“The army remains dedicated to its mandate of safeguarding lives and properties. We will not relent in our efforts to bring perpetrators of criminal acts to justice,” the statement read.

The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing a preliminary investigation.

By Uzair Adam 

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said political leaders from northern Nigeria have failed the region and should collectively apologise to the people for decades of underdevelopment and neglect.

Speaking during an interview with Trust TV, Sani stressed that criticism of government policies should be driven by the genuine interest of the people and not by political ambition.

“Every democracy must allow criticism, but it must be constructive, and in the interest of the Nigerian people. That’s what we did as activists — not because we wanted power,” he said.

He noted that those who have held public office in the last two decades — including himself — bear responsibility for the challenges facing the region.

“Anyone who is from northern Nigeria and held a political office in the last 20 years, we all need to look at ourselves in the mirror and apologise to the people of northern Nigeria. We let them down,” he admitted.

Reflecting on his own time in office, the governor said the region’s problems stem from long-standing structural and economic neglect.

“I’ll say it here today — all of us; I was a senator in this country, and the problems of northern Nigeria didn’t start two years ago,” he added.

Sani also criticised the outcomes of the massive social intervention programmes under former president Muhammadu Buhari, saying they failed to uplift the region due to deep-rooted financial exclusion.

“Buhari spent hundreds of billions on social interventions,” he said. “But the North became poorer even after that because 70% of the population, especially the masses, were completely financially excluded.”

He pointed out that anyone who had served as a senator, minister, governor, or vice-president from the region over the past 20 years shares in the blame.

The governor cautioned politicians against misleading the public and lauded honest critics who maintain integrity and a people-first approach.

“We must not deceive the people of northern Nigeria. We must not mislead them. I’ve no problem with people criticising the government — people like Dan Bello Galadanchi. 

“Those individuals have the moral right to speak. But those who contributed to the rot and now claim to have repented — I think that’s wrong,” he said.

_________________________________

Muhsin Ibrahim, PhD

Institute of African Studies, 

University of Cologne 

Blog: www.muhsin.in

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Monday night after a 19-day private visit to Europe, where he stayed in Paris and London.

Initially, the presidency stated that the trip would last two weeks, but the extended stay raised concerns among Nigerians.

Upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, President Tinubu was welcomed by top government officials, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and Defence Minister Bello Matawalle.

The president had traveled to Paris on April 2, 2025, before proceeding to London, where he continued handling official duties remotely.

However, his absence drew criticism from opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who argued that the president should not have left the country amid worsening security challenges.

The Presidency dismissed rumors that Tinubu traveled for medical reasons, insisting it was a private visit.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, expressed profound grief on Monday over the passing of Pope Francis, honoring him as a “distinguished humanitarian and dear friend.”

In a heartfelt Facebook post, El-Tayyeb praised the late pontiff for his lifelong dedication to serving humanity, advocating for refugees, the oppressed, and marginalized communities.

He also lauded Pope Francis’s efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and global peace.

“The world has lost a towering symbol of compassion,” El-Tayyeb wrote, recalling the Pope’s steadfast support for Palestine and his condemnation of Islamophobia.

He highlighted the historic 2019 “Document on Human Fraternity,” co-signed by the two religious leaders, as a testament to their shared vision.

Al-Azhar acknowledged the strengthened ties between the Vatican and the Islamic institution under Pope Francis’s leadership, citing his 2017 visit to Al-Azhar’s peace conference as pivotal.

The Grand Imam extended condolences to Catholics worldwide and the Pope’s family, praying for solace during this difficult time.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

With a single stroke, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has upended Nigeria’s constitutional order, suspending Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature under the guise of a state of emergency.

This unprecedented and legally questionable move raises urgent questions: Has Nigeria’s democracy just been hijacked? If a sitting president can summarily remove elected state officials without due process, what stops Abuja from toppling any governor who falls out of favor?

The political crisis in Rivers has been simmering for months, with intense factional battles within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leading to threats of impeachment against the governor. But was the situation truly dire enough to warrant a presidential intervention of this magnitude?

Under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, a state of emergency can only be declared in cases of war, imminent danger of invasion, total breakdown of public order, or natural disasters. Even then, such a declaration requires National Assembly approval.

More importantly, the Constitution does not grant the President the power to suspend a sitting governor, deputy governor, or members of the state legislature.

By single-handedly ousting a duly elected state government and replacing it with a military figure, Tinubu has overstepped his constitutional bounds, effectively staging what many legal experts are calling a “constitutional coup.”

If this move is allowed to stand, it raises a troubling question: which state is next? Today, it is Rivers; tomorrow, it could be any other state where the President or ruling party faces political opposition. The implications are chilling—no governor, regardless of electoral mandate, would be safe from federal interference.

Would this have happened in Lagos or Kano? Would a northern state be subjected to such federal strong-arming? The answer is clear. Rivers, an oil-rich and politically volatile state, is an attractive target.

But what happens when this dangerous game of executive overreach extends beyond Rivers? If Tinubu can remove Fubara this easily, then Nigeria’s entire federal structure is under threat.

Beyond the political chaos, a more pressing question emerges: Is this really about governance, or is it about controlling Rivers’ oil wealth? History has shown the federal government’s keen interest in oil-producing states—from the militarization of the Niger Delta under past administrations to the strategic placement of federal loyalists in key oil-rich states.

The pattern is all too familiar. Could this move be less about political stability and more about tightening Abuja’s grip on Rivers’ vast economic resources?

With the Constitution clearly violated, all eyes now turn to the judiciary. Will the Supreme Court rise to the occasion and declare this move unconstitutional? Or will the courts bow to political pressure, allowing a dangerous precedent to take root?

The judiciary must recognize that this is not just about Rivers—it is about safeguarding Nigeria’s fragile democracy from the creeping shadows of authoritarianism. If this unconstitutional takeover is not reversed, no state governor in Nigeria will ever govern with full confidence in their electoral mandate again.

Since the return to civil rule in 1999, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is now the third sitting governor to be suspended by a Nigerian President under a democratic setting. In 2004, former President Olusegun Obasanjo suspended Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye and the State Assembly over ethno-religious violence in Jos and other parts of the state, appointing Maj. Gen. Chris Alli (rtd.) to take charge.

Two years later, Obasanjo removed Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and his deputy over political crises and impeachment controversies, installing Brig. Gen. Tunji Olurin (rtd.) as the new head of the state.

In 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States in response to Boko Haram’s escalating insurgency. However, unlike his predecessors, Jonathan did not suspend the sitting governors; instead, he allowed state governments to continue operating alongside increased federal military intervention.

Now, in 2025, Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political crisis and governance breakdown. But his move goes even further—suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.

While past interventions were carried out under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the legality and necessity of removing elected officials have always been controversial. The Constitution outlines a clear procedure for declaring a state of emergency: the President must issue a proclamation, publish it in the official Gazette, and submit it to the National Assembly for approval.

Yet, in Rivers, Tinubu has acted unilaterally, preempting legislative approval and exceeding constitutional limits by removing elected officials.

As these events unfold, one thing is certain—2027 is shaping up to be a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy. Will the courts uphold the rule of law, or will this be remembered as the moment Nigeria’s democracy took a dangerous turn?

The Nigerian people, civil society, and democratic institutions must resist this unconstitutional move by all legitimate means. If left unchecked, this will mark the moment when the line between democracy and dictatorship in Nigeria blurred beyond recognition.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu- an NYSC serving corps member, writes from Center for Crisis Communication (CCC) in Abuja.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Pastor Tunde Bakare, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised concerns over Nigeria’s current state after accusing President Bola Tinubu of overstepping democratic boundaries and undermining the legislature.

Speaking during his State of the Nation address at the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) in Lagos on Sunday, Bakare criticized Tinubu’s leadership, stating that Nigeria is heading in the wrong direction.

“Mr. President, Nigeria is too delicate for this kind of politics,” Bakare said. “If this state capture was what you meant by ’emii lo kan,’ it is an anti-climax that can only be counterproductive in the end.”

The cleric condemned the National Assembly for allegedly acting as an extension of the executive, citing recent controversial actions, including the approval of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“This National Assembly has proven to be the most spineless in our recent history, rubber-stamping the whims of the presidency,” Bakare declared.

He accused lawmakers of violating the principle of separation of powers, turning the legislature into “the 48th member of the president’s cabinet.”

Bakare urged Tinubu to reflect on the dangers of unchecked power, warning, “No man is wise enough nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power. Please, stop playing God.”

His remarks come amid growing tensions over governance and legislative independence under the Tinubu administration.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, has reportedly reached a personal agreement with Manchester United ahead of a possible summer transfer, according to Turkish journalist Serdar Çelikler.

“Victor Osimhen has reached an agreement with Manchester United. But there is also the club side of the matter,” Çelikler said while speaking on a podcast.

Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray, has been in remarkable form this season.

He has scored 29 goals and made six assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.

Manchester United are believed to be prioritizing the signing of a top striker, especially with Rasmus Hojlund’s underwhelming performance in the current campaign.

The Danish striker has only scored three Premier League goals, and new manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen to offload him at the end of the season.

Although Osimhen is said to have agreed to personal terms with United, negotiations between the English club and Napoli regarding a transfer fee are still underway.

Osimhen’s release clause is reportedly set at €75 million (£63 million), but there are suggestions that Napoli may lower the asking price for United.

Juventus, another long-time admirer of the Nigerian star, remain interested.

However, Napoli are unwilling to strengthen a direct domestic rival, which could give United the advantage in securing his signature.

Reports also indicate that Osimhen is eager to play in the UEFA Champions League next season, making United’s qualification crucial to finalizing the deal.

In case the move fails, United have other options in mind, including Liam Delap and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Earlier, Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük revealed that Manchester United had offered Osimhen a weekly wage of £660,000 before tax, which would make him the highest-paid player at the club.

“There is a high possibility that Osimhen will say goodbye (to Galatasaray), but there is no decision made at the moment,” Küçük said. “Juventus and Manchester United clearly want Osimhen. Juventus and Manchester’s offer is a net €20m (£660,000-a-week).”Although Galatasaray would like to keep Osimhen, the club may not be able to meet his financial expectations. He is said to have demanded €15 million in wages from the Turkish side.

“Osimhen’s words do not mean that he will leave,” Galatasaray’s vice-president Ibrahim Hatipoglu said recently.

“He said that Galatasaray will always be in his heart even if he leaves in the worst-case scenario, but he did not say that he would leave. We want him to stay with us.”

When asked about his future, Osimhen responded, “There are always rumours about me, of course. But I prefer to live in the moment. I am enjoying myself right now. I am enjoying both the club and my life here.”

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan at the beginning of the season. The club is reportedly paying €6 million of his €10–11 million net annual salary, while Napoli covers the remainder.