News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State for the 2027 general elections, has resigned from the party.

Kashim announced his decision in a resignation letter dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the NDC chairman in Bauchi Local Government Area.

In the letter, he described the decision as a personal choice and expressed appreciation to the party’s leadership and members for the opportunity to be associated with the organisation.

“I hereby formally tender my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from the date of this letter.

“This decision has been taken after careful consideration and is a matter of personal choice. I wish to express my appreciation to the party leadership and members for the opportunity to have been associated with the NDC.

“I respectfully request that my resignation be acknowledged and that the necessary records be updated accordingly. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards,” the statement read.

Kashim’s resignation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, although the letter did not disclose his reasons for leaving the party or indicate his next political move.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has ruled out a return to petrol subsidy, insisting that Nigeria cannot reverse the policy introduced at the beginning of his administration in May 2023.

Tinubu made the remarks on Monday at an event organised by the City Boy Movement, a pro-Tinubu group led by his son, Seyi, which is mobilising young voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Defending the subsidy removal, the President said the policy was necessary to prevent the country from facing financial collapse, arguing that the government could no longer sustain the cost of subsidising petrol.

“I came and I removed subsidy the first day. I knew Nigeria would go bankrupt. There was nothing left to pay subsidy. I could listen to my political opponents promising a return to subsidy,” he said.

Using the Biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Tinubu drew a parallel between their journey and Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that the country should not return to its previous position.

“I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and in the Holy Quran.

“When Moses and Musa left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt.”

The President also urged young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2027 election.

“Make sure every young person you know has a PVC and uses it,” he said.

“Tell them what we have done and tell them what we will do.

“We will campaign with our ideas, original thoughts and deep thinking to move this country forward. With your energy and support, never will we go back to Egypt.”

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The policy has remained a major point of debate, with opposition politicians proposing different approaches to reducing fuel prices.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), recently said the party “will do whatever is necessary” to lower petrol prices, including potentially restoring the subsidy if elected.

The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had also said his administration would restore the subsidy after tackling corruption.

Meanwhile, Donald Duke, the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, said he would reduce petrol prices to about N300 per litre if elected in 2027.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, also pledged in August to restore the subsidy if he wins the election.

The competing positions on petrol subsidy are expected to remain a key issue in the campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A social media outcry has erupted in Kebbi State following claims that the Executive Chairman of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Agency donated 100 cars to support the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s 2027 election campaign.

Bashir Jelani, a Kebbi indigene and scholar based in the United States, raised the issue in a Facebook post, questioning the reported donation amid concerns over poverty, malnutrition and access to clean drinking water in the state.

Jelani drew attention to reports highlighting Kebbi’s development challenges, citing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), StatiSense, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF.

He questioned the reported donation in a state he described as facing severe socioeconomic challenges, asking where the money used to acquire the vehicles came from.

Other Kebbi residents have reportedly expressed similar concerns, with the controversy prompting questions about the source of funding for the vehicles and the priorities of public officials under the administration of Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Ƙauran Gwandu.

However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged donation, including the source of funding and the intended recipients of the vehicles, remain unclear. The claims and the statistics cited in the Facebook post could not be independently verified for this report.

The agency chairman and the Kebbi State Government have not been quoted as responding to the allegations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed confidence in his chances of defeating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the 2027 Kogi Central senatorial election.

Bello, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to contest the seat in the forthcoming election.

Their political relationship has been marked by public accusations and legal disputes. In October 2022, Bello accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of involvement in the Ajaokuta massacre and the Kuje prison break, incidents that occurred between June and July of that year.

Akpoti-Uduaghan denied the allegations, stating that she was in the United States for pregnancy-related reasons and childbirth at the time.

On November 4, 2022, she responded to Bello’s accusations by describing him as a “murderer, serial killer, and a terror to the people of Kogi State”.

Speaking during an appearance on TVC’s Sunday Politics, Bello said he was confident of securing victory in the senatorial contest.

“16 January 2027 is around the corner, the result will speak for itself.

“Let the day come and go, the day will bring massive votes, a decisive victory for Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, and for APC,” he said.

The election is expected to determine who represents Kogi Central in the Senate for the next term.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, over the alleged killing of his wife, Igbagbo Erobe, 40, in a house fire in Ogun State.

The incident occurred in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and was reported to the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, according to the police.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the woman was reportedly trapped inside the burning house and could not escape.

He explained that police operatives responded to the report, arrested the suspect and recovered the woman’s body from the scene.

The body has been deposited in a mortuary for an autopsy to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

Babaseyi added that the suspect remained in custody as the case was being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The police spokesperson also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, had directed a thorough and professional investigation into the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, assures the public that the matter will be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that domestic violence and murder would not be tolerated.

The suspect’s alleged involvement remains subject to investigation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, a Catholic priest abducted in Benue State, has reportedly regained his freedom following a rescue operation involving security operatives and local vigilantes.

Otache serves as the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

He was reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road while returning home from Otukpo.

His abduction raised concerns among members of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and residents of surrounding communities, prompting prayers and appeals for his safe return.

News of his reported rescue has brought relief to his congregation and other members of the Catholic community who had expressed concern over his whereabouts.

However, details surrounding the operation remain unclear. His current health condition and the specific circumstances of his reported release have yet to be confirmed.

Further information is expected as more details emerge.

By Uzair Adam

The third edition of the Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST) brought together writers, poets, artists and cultural enthusiasts in Kano to promote indigenous languages, celebrate cultural diversity and create opportunities for young creatives.

The festival, organised by the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, held from October 15 to 17, 2026, under the theme “Reclaiming Languages,” with activities aimed at encouraging literary expression, cultural exchange and the preservation of indigenous languages.

The main festival programme opened on Friday, October 16, at Amani Event Center, following a cultural showcase at Gidan Dan Hausa on Thursday.

The three-day event featured literary conversations, performances and exhibitions, culminating in a poetry slam competition with a N1 million prize for participants on the final day.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the founder of Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, Salim Inusa, said the festival was established to provide young people with creative talent a platform to showcase their abilities, connect with artists from different parts of the world and improve their skills in writing, poetry and other artistic expressions.

Inusa said the initiative also sought to challenge perceptions that Northern Nigeria lacked young intellectuals and accomplished writers, noting that creatives from the region were often overlooked in national conversations about literary talent.

“Our aim is to change the narrative about the North that we do not have young people who think or writers. Whenever you see any list, you hardly find a writer from the region,” he said.

He added that KAPFEST was designed to promote Northern Nigerian creatives beyond the region and provide them with opportunities to engage with their international counterparts, rather than limiting their exposure to Southern Nigeria.

Inusa said the festival also sought to honour past generations of writers and cultural figures whose contributions had helped shape the region’s literary heritage, including Abubakar Imam and Bashir Tofa.

He said recognising their contributions to literature, history and culture was essential to sustaining the region’s creative legacy and inspiring emerging writers.

Also speaking, Anas Abba, an executive officer of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, described poetry as an important component of Hausa literature and a longstanding means of communicating messages to different sections of society.

Abba said oral poetry had historically been used to convey messages to traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, wealthy individuals and ordinary members of the public, while also serving as a tool for educating young people.

According to him, Hausa poetry has addressed social issues, including idleness, while encouraging productive activities such as farming and promoting the Hausa language.

“Poetry is an important pillar of Hausa literature. We have different forms of oral poetry that have, for a long time, helped to communicate important messages to different people,” he said.

Abba said the festival’s growing acceptance demonstrated the potential of collaboration between cultural organisations and government institutions to promote literature and preserve indigenous traditions.

He added that the Kano State History and Culture Bureau would continue to support efforts to strengthen the festival and ensure that subsequent editions achieved even greater success.

One of the attendees, Abdurrazak Ibrahim from Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, said he was impressed by the participation of people from different ethnic backgrounds and their willingness to showcase their cultures in Kano, a city widely associated with Hausa heritage.

Ibrahim said the presence of participants from different communities, including Igbo, Yoruba and Ebira groups, demonstrated how cultural events could bring people together and encourage mutual understanding.

“I am really impressed by what I have seen because people from different ethnic groups are here in Kano, which you can call the headquarters of the Hausas, and everyone is showcasing their culture. It is a good thing,” he said.

He added that the festival could strengthen social relationships, promote cultural development and help preserve indigenous languages at risk of disappearing.

The festival featured literary conversations, panel discussions, performances and exhibitions involving artists working across Hausa, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Nupe, Shuwa Arab, Yoruba, Igbo, Ebira, Tiv, Igala and other languages, alongside Arabic, French, German and English.

The activities at Gidan Dan Hausa on Thursday featured a cultural showcase involving traditional music, poetry, drama and fashion, alongside workshops and literary sessions aimed at developing the skills of emerging writers.

The main programme on Friday also featured discussions on indigenous languages, translation, artist mobility and literary exchange, as well as Hausa literary and musical expression across generations.

A major highlight of the festival was the presentation of the KAPFEST Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Ibrahim Malumfashi in recognition of his contributions to literature and culture.

The festival concluded on Saturday, October 17, with further conversations, performances and cultural exchanges, alongside a poetry slam competition in which participants competed for a N1 million prize.

The event also featured a closing performance by its headline act, Bash Amuneni.

The third edition coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, which began as an online hashtag before developing into a platform for poetry, literature, performance, cultural exchange and education.

By Uzair Adam

Residents of Kumbotso, Madobi and Dawakin Kudu local government areas of Kano State have accused the state government of destroying farmlands during ongoing fencing work on an industrial layout, alleging that officials continued the exercise despite a court order to suspend it.

The residents said the ongoing work had heightened concerns over an earlier land measurement dispute already before the court, while a proposed extension of the industrial layout into additional plots and residential areas had triggered fresh opposition from affected property owners.

Speaking on behalf of the affected residents, Alhaji Rabi’u Idris, a Kumbotso community leader and chairman of an elders’ committee advocating for landowners in the three local government areas, said the dispute had been pursued through legal channels for nearly four years.

Idris said residents were particularly concerned about the extension of the layout and the treatment of those opposing the exercise, insisting that their demand was for fairness and transparency in the handling of their properties.

He also alleged that crops, including rice, maize and beans, had been destroyed during the ongoing fencing activities, leaving farmers worried about the loss of their investments and livelihoods.

According to him, the dispute affects more than 15,000 people across the three local government areas, many of whom acquired land and invested their savings in the properties.

“Our complaint is not against the measurement itself, but the irregularities surrounding it. We are asking for justice,” Idris said.

He added that the residents had sought permission from relevant authorities before attempting to organise demonstrations, but abandoned an earlier plan after security officials advised against it.

Idris also expressed concern over the arrest of the chairman and secretary of a youth association following a protest in Tamburawa, insisting that the two leaders were not involved in the demonstration that preceded their arrest.

Another affected resident, Alhaji Adamu Malam, alleged that the original land measurement exercise was characterised by irregularities, claiming that some landowners received allocation documents covering fewer plots than those recorded in their names.

Malam said residents became more concerned when officials resumed work on the layout, with fencing activities continuing while the earlier dispute remained before the court.

He claimed that residents had obtained a court order directing the suspension of the exercise, alleging that officials who were shown the order maintained that it did not apply to them.

Malam called on the government to review the measurement and allocation process, arguing that landowners should be given clear information about the plots allocated to them and the portions retained by the government.

“What we want is for the measurement to be reviewed, even if the exercise must continue. Every landowner should be satisfied that they have been treated fairly,” he said.

He added that transparent communication about land allocations would help resolve the dispute and restore confidence among affected residents.

Similarly, Sadiku Magaji Bello, a youth leader in the area, said residents initially cooperated with the government but became concerned when the industrial layout was extended to additional plots and residential areas they believed were outside the original demarcation.

Bello alleged that armed security personnel accompanied officials of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning when they resumed work on the extension.

He maintained that the extension had also become a subject of legal contention and appealed to the Kano State Government to address residents’ concerns before proceeding further.

“We gave the government 100 per cent cooperation at the beginning, but we later discovered that the exercise had been extended to areas belonging to ordinary residents,” he said.

Bello urged the state governor to intervene and ensure that the land exercise was conducted transparently and in accordance with the law.

He warned that failing to address the grievances could deepen frustration among residents in the affected communities.

However, the Kano State Government has defended its handling of the land exercise, maintaining that it has the legal authority to manage public land and would ensure fairness to affected parties.

The Director of Public Enlightenment at the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, Murtala Shehu Umar, said the existence of a court case would not necessarily prevent the government from carrying out its responsibilities.

Umar said the government had engaged affected landowners and paid compensation where necessary, maintaining that the dispute over the extension was distinct from the original land measurement exercise.

“The government owns the land and has the authority to manage it. Going to court will not necessarily stop the progress of work,” he said.

He added that the government had held discussions with residents over the extension but that some individuals continued to resist the exercise.

Umar maintained that the original landowners had received their entitlements and were satisfied with the outcome, urging all parties to remain calm.

“Everyone should remain calm. The government will ensure that justice is done to everybody,” he said.

The affected residents, however, insist that their concerns extend beyond the original measurement exercise to the ongoing fencing, alleged destruction of farmlands and the proposed expansion into additional plots and residential properties.

They are calling for the government to address the allegations, respect applicable court directives and ensure a transparent resolution of the dispute that protects the interests of all parties.

By Uzair Adam

A Sharia court in Kano State has ordered Ahmad Salisu Sheka to sweep Murtala Mohammed Friday Mosque and attend all five daily obligatory prayers in congregation after convicting him of conspiracy and theft.

The Upper Sharia Court sitting at Hausawa, Kano, presided over by Dr Bello Musa Khalid, handed down the sentence after Sheka pleaded guilty to the charges.

The court established his guilt through his confession before ordering him to clean the mosque and participate in the five daily congregational prayers.

It also directed him to pay compensation before handing him over to a correctional facility official, Habib H. Habib, for the execution of the sentence.

Reports indicated that Sheka was arrested alongside a friend over the alleged theft of streetlights in the Sallare neighbourhood of Kano.

However, his alleged accomplice reportedly escaped from those who apprehended them.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from hospital four days after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung following a diagnosis of lung cancer.

The 71-year-old pontiff left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican after doctors determined that he was fit to leave, according to Reuters.

He reportedly walked unaided to his waiting car and briefly addressed well-wishers outside the hospital.

His discharge followed blood tests and chest imaging conducted earlier on Saturday. Doctors said the operation, which took place on Tuesday, was successful and ended without complications.

The surgery was performed after doctors detected a suspected cancerous nodule in his right lung. Subsequent findings confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, Reuters reported.

However, details about the tumour’s size and whether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes have not been disclosed. Such information is important in determining the likely course of the disease.

Meanwhile, the Vatican announced on Saturday that the “Pope would lead the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window of the papal apartment overlooking St Peter’s Square.”

The appearance would mark his first public engagement since the operation.

Pope Leo XIV was elected in May 2025, becoming the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church.