News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Professor Charles Soludo has been re-elected as the Governor of Anambra State after a decisive victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the winner on Sunday.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced that Soludo polled 422,664 votes.

The results placed Chief Nichols Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a distant second position with 99,445 votes.

Mr. Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) followed in third place with 37,753 votes.

Notably, the Labour Party, which is associated with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, finished in fourth place.

Its candidate, George Moghalu, received 10,576 votes. John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) trailed with 8,208 votes.

The declaration was made at the INEC state headquarters in Awka, solidifying Soludo’s continuation in office for a second term.

By Uzair Adam

Residents of Dangoro community in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State on Saturday held a special prayer session, seeking divine intervention over what they described as the continuous takeover of their farmlands and plots by the state government.

The residents said they were thrown into panic following the government’s plan to relocate the Yan Lemo Fruit Market and Yankaba Vegetables Market to their area, an action they fear will lead to another round of land seizures and displacements.

Speaking during the prayer session, one of the affected landowners, Sadik Muhammad Abdullahi, expressed frustration over what he called repeated loss of property to government projects.

He stated that, “This is the fourth time such an incident is happening in Dangoro. I was a victim of the previous one. I had eight plots of farmland, but when the government came, it took them and gave me only one and a half plots as compensation. I later sold it and bought another land, which is now being targeted again.”

Abdullahi added that many residents could suffer the same fate if the plan goes ahead, saying the area consists of individually owned plots, which would make fair compensation extremely difficult.

“If what happened before happens again — where someone loses eight plots and gets one or one and a half plots — some people might collapse or even die of shock. The situation is becoming unbearable,” he lamented.

Another landowner, Comrade Nuraini Adabayo, said the community had been devastated since hearing of the government’s plan.

“I even encouraged others to buy land here, assuring them that the government would not carry out any further measurements since it had done that three times before.

“Now, we have over forty plots belonging to me and others who trusted me. Some people have even laid foundations for their buildings. I don’t know what to tell them,” Adabayo added.

He also complained that the government gave them very short notice, with the land measurement for compensation expected to start on Monday.

He added that many of the affected landowners do not live in Kano, making the process more complicated.

He appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to consider relocating the markets to Kano Economic City, where, according to him, there is ample space to accommodate both the fruit and vegetable traders, similar to how the medicine sellers were relocated.

A respected community member, Alhaji Gambo Saminu Adamu, also urged the state government to urgently address the situation to prevent what he described as a looming humanitarian problem.

“I call on His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to personally visit this community and see the situation himself rather than relying on reports.There is enough space at the Economic City to accommodate all these traders without taking away people’s lands,” Alhaji Adamu added.

When contacted, the District Head of Dangoro, Ishaq Yusuf Ishaq, declined to comment, saying the issue did not originate from his office.

“As a traditional titleholder, we have our protocols. But you can contact the relevant government officials; they are aware of the development,” he said.

Similarly, when reached for comment, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Kano State Ministry of Land, Murtala Shehu Umar, said he was not aware of the plan.

“Well, I am not aware of this ongoing plan. However, once I get any information, I will let you know. Maybe we can meet on Monday at the community during the exercise or before that time,” he stated.

The residents vowed to continue seeking divine intervention and called on the government to halt the planned relocation to prevent what they described as a threat to their livelihoods and ancestral heritage.

By Uzair Adam

Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin has condemned recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, describing his comments labeling Nigeria as “a disgraced country” as offensive and undiplomatic.

Trump, during a White House press briefing, had threatened to “take decisive action” if the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria continued.

In a viral video where the Deputy Senate President addressed members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing, Jibrin said the statement was unacceptable and contrary to international law.

“For Trump to come and say, ‘We are going to attack you, Nigeria is a disgraced country,’ is quite unacceptable. We feel he should understand and retract that statement. It is against international law,” Jibrin stated.

He further emphasised that no world leader has the right to threaten military action without following proper international procedures.

“It’s against international law. Whatever you feel about our country, follow the legal route. Go to the United Nations, get a resolution there, and then anything can come later. To bypass that route is quite unacceptable. It’s un-American,” he added.

Addressing a cheering audience, the Sardaunan Kano maintained that Nigeria would not be intimidated by Trump’s rhetoric.

“We are not scared to say the truth. If Trump were here, I would tell him he has gone against international law and that the route he’s taking is not the best,” Jibrin said.

He called on the United States to embrace diplomacy and mutual respect in its engagement with Nigeria, noting that such principles remain vital to maintaining global peace and cooperation.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that no American government officials will attend the upcoming Group of Twenty (G20) summit in South Africa, scheduled for November 22–23, 2025.

Trump described South Africa as “a total disgrace,” alleging that the white Afrikaner minority is being “killed and slaughtered” and that their land and farms are being seized illegally. He confirmed that Vice President J.D. Vance, who had been expected to attend, would no longer travel to the summit—effectively leaving the United States unrepresented at the major international gathering.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly rejected the allegations, calling them “completely false” and “a gross misrepresentation of the reality in South Africa.” He emphasised that violence in the country affects citizens of all races and that claims of state-sanctioned persecution are unfounded.

Trump also hinted that he would push for South Africa’s suspension from the G20, further straining relations between Washington and Pretoria. Analysts warn that the move could have wide-ranging implications for diplomacy, trade, and global cooperation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced today that he has held a constructive phone conversation with the United States President Donald Trump, aiming to de-escalate recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

In a national address following the call, President Tinubu stated that both leaders agreed on the priorities of “peace over conflict, hope over fear, and unity over division.”

He acknowledged the “genuine” concerns that led to the tensions and confirmed that both sides would take necessary time to address them.

The President sought to reassure Nigerians, pledging that his administration, in collaboration with the United States, would leverage existing security cooperation to prevent any recurrence of incidents that threaten individuals based on faith, origin, or other constitutional rights.

“Under my leadership, the Government of Nigeria… will leverage existing security cooperation and mutual interests to prevent any recurrence,” Tinubu stated.

He promised a decisive shift from the “unfulfilled promises of the past,” assuring citizens that they would “witness tangible actions and results in the coming days.”

The address emphasized the government’s commitment to the security and dignity of every citizen, urging Nigerians to continue their lawful activities with confidence.

Tinubu also reaffirmed the enduring diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States alongside President Trump.

He concluded by calling on citizens to uphold the national motto: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Kaduna State has set a new benchmark for rapid housing delivery in Nigeria with the commissioning of a 100-unit estate built entirely using prefabricated technology.

Governor Uba Sani inaugurated the project, which was developed by Family Homes and constructed by Karmod Nigeria.

The entire estate, from groundbreaking to completion, was finished in under six months—a fraction of the time required for conventional construction.

Beyond speed, the development offers modern amenities including paved roads, drainage, water, and electricity.

The houses are designed to be durable, with a projected lifespan of more than 50 years.

The success of this project is being positioned as a viable solution to Nigeria’s housing crisis, proving that with modern methods, quality and affordable homes can be built at an unprecedented pace.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration is actively engaging with the international community as Nigeria’s economic reforms show positive results.

He gave this assurance during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

The President, speaking after the swearing-in of two new ministers, pointed to the recent oversubscription of a $2.3 billion Eurobond by 400% as a sign of strong international confidence in the country’s direction.

“The most important thing is the fact that despite the political headwinds and the fear of our people, we will continue to engage with partners,” Tinubu told the council.

Addressing the nation’s security challenges, the Commander-in-Chief charged Nigerians not to give in to despair.

“Do we have problems? Yes. Are we challenged by terrorism? Yes. But we will defeat terrorism,” he affirmed.

The cabinet meeting also featured an economic briefing from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun.

He reported that Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% in the second quarter of 2025, which he described as the highest growth rate in a decade, excluding the post-COVID rebound period.

By Anas Abbas

A bill introduced into the United States Congress proposes visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals associated with the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The legislation, presented by U.S. Representative Christopher Smith, names the groups among “entities responsible for or complicit in severe violations of religious freedom,” under the framework of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

In the bill, the “Fulani-ethnic militias” operating in Nigeria’s Benue and Plateau states are explicitly designated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs), a classification previously applied to organisations such as Boko Haram, ISIS‑West Africa, the Taliban and the Houthis.

Under the terms of the bill, if passed, U.S. authorities would be empowered to bar visas and freeze assets of individuals linked to the listed organisations.

The move comes amid mounting concern in Washington over reported attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. Representative Smith applauded the U.S. government’s re-designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom violations.

The Nigerian federal government has rejected these claims, pointing to constitutional guarantees for freedom of worship.

Nevertheless, U.S. officials appear to be advancing this legislative effort following agitation from American lawmakers and evangelical groups.

This development signals an escalation of U.S. pressure on Nigeria over human rights and religious-freedom concerns, raising the stakes for Nigeria’s domestic and international stance on such issues.

By Maryam Ahmad

Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati, a Brussels-based correspondent for the Italian news agency Nova, has been dismissed after posing a question about Israel during a European Commission press briefing.

According to reports from La Stampa, Nunziati asked officials about Israel’s responsibility in the ongoing Middle East conflict — a question his employer later described as “inappropriate” and “embarrassing.” Shortly after the exchange, Nova informed him that his collaboration had been terminated.

The incident has sparked debate within journalistic circles about press freedom and the limits of editorial control. Colleagues in Brussels expressed concern that the dismissal reflects growing pressure on journalists covering sensitive international issues, particularly those related to Israel.

Neither Nova nor the European Commission has issued a detailed statement on the matter. Nunziati, for his part, has defended his question as a legitimate exercise of journalistic duty.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Wednesday launched a major enforcement operation in Kano State, targeting warehouses and retailers accused of selling under-measured fabric materials to unsuspecting buyers.

The exercise, which took place in the Sharada Industrial Area and other commercial hubs, focused on companies including LGR Products, UME Products, Nana Textile Products, Mama Africa Products, and UE Products, among others.

Speaking during the operation, the Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the FCCPC, Boladale Adeyanka, said the move followed verified intelligence and weeks of discreet surveillance that exposed deceptive sales practices by some fabric dealers.

“The enforcement exercise carried out today at this target location is in response to verified intelligence. This is just one of the many targeted businesses or warehouses involved in this alleged infraction,” Adeyanka explained.

According to her, the Commission discovered that several traders were selling fabrics below the stated measurements printed on their labels.

“You will recall that we took measurements right before us—fabrics labelled 10 yards were found to be only 9 yards, while those labelled 5 yards were as short as 4 and a half,” she said.

Adeyanka emphasized that such conduct violates multiple provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive representations concerning product quantity or quality.

“Under Section 123 of the FCCPA, no retailer or trader shall make any false or misleading representation about the quantity or price of goods supplied.

“Similarly, Section 125 prohibits any supplier or distributor from engaging in conduct that implies a false or misleading representation to a consumer,” she stated.

She added that such deceptive practices not only exploit consumers but also disrupt fair market competition.

“These acts undermine honest traders and businesses that comply with lawful standards. They can drive legitimate retailers out of the market, thereby reducing consumer choice and entrenching anti-competitive behaviour,” she noted.

Adeyanka further disclosed that following verified findings, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, approved the sealing of several shops under Sections 27 and 28 of the Act to allow further investigation.

Samples of the implicated materials were also seized for measurement and quality verification.

She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers from fraudulent practices, stressing that the operation reflects the FCCPC’s statutory duty to promote fairness and integrity in trade.

“This enforcement operation demonstrates our commitment to ensuring a fair marketplace and safeguarding consumer welfare—both economic and social. It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting consumers’ rights in Nigeria.”

The Commission urged consumers to stay alert and report any suspected cases of deceptive trade practices through its official complaint channels.

“We encourage consumers to insist on their rights and to report any unscrupulous practices. The Commission will continue to deploy lawful enforcement measures to deter exploitative and obnoxious business conduct across the nation,” Adeyanka concluded.