By Uzair Adam 

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, no longer has the party’s platform to contest against President Bola Tinubu or any other presidential hopeful in the upcoming 2027 elections.

This was announced in a statement on Saturday by the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, in response to comments made by Buba Galadima, who claimed that Kwankwaso would remain in the NNPP and contest the next presidential election on its ticket.

Galadima had dismissed speculations that Kwankwaso was defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting the former governor would strategically stay in the NNPP until the 2027 political whistle is blown. He also urged Nigerians to support Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.

However, Dr. Agbo refuted Galadima’s claims, stressing that both Kwankwaso and Galadima had long been expelled from the party for anti-party activities and therefore could not speak for or use the NNPP for any political ambition.

“Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, ended shortly after the 2023 elections. We cannot allow Kwankwaso back into the NNPP because of the internal crises and legal battles he caused,” Agbo stated.

He alleged that Kwankwaso attempted to hijack the party by changing its logo to reflect the Kwankwasiyya movement’s identity, which was later reversed through court intervention after a controversial convention in Abuja.

Agbo also dismissed the possibility of Kwankwaso receiving another automatic ticket from the NNPP, stating that such a privilege would not be granted again.

“Kwankwaso is known for joining only political parties where he can control leadership. But here, that era is gone. His ambition is dead on arrival,” Agbo added.

While affirming Kwankwaso’s constitutional right to contest any office, Agbo emphasised that the NNPP would not be involved in any antagonism against the President or other political parties.

He said the party is now considering fresh aspirants ahead of 2027 and will ensure due process and transparency in selecting its next presidential candidate.

“The NNPP has moved on. We will not be drawn into needless controversies. We advise Kwankwaso to form his own party if he still wants to pursue his ambitions,” Agbo concluded.

By Oladoja M.O

Benue bleeds again. A recent massacre in Yelewata village, where at least 100 to 150 lives were claimed, cast a shadow over headlines, but smothered the deeper truth of decades-long sorrow. As images flash across social media in real time, outrage erupts. But near-instant outrage often substitutes for understanding. And in Benue, where tragedy is almost normalised, such performative empathy does more harm than good.

A Land on Fire, not for the First Time. This is not a one-off disaster. The roots go deep:

The 2001 Zaki‑Biam, where Nigerian soldiers massacred hundreds of Tiv civilians, razing villages in a brutal military reprisal, the 2016 Agatu Massacre, where more than 300, possibly up to 500, villagers were slaughtered during herders‑farmers clashes, leaving thousands displaced, the Odugbeho 2021, where suspected Fulani herders killed at least 40 residents in Agatu LGA, part of a continued wave of violence. In April 2022, over 25 were murdered in coordinated herder attacks on farming communities in Goma, up till this latest carnage, where victims were shot and burned in their homes, echoing a tragic pattern.

Between 2015 and March 2023 alone, 5,138 lives were lost across Benue in herder‑farmer attacks. Under President Buhari’s term, Benue became a killing field; 6,000 killed, 2 million displaced. The Humanitarian Crisis has been ongoing under the surface of fleeting headline moments.

The tragedy is not fodder for political stunts. The moment a video goes online, hashtags spiral: blaming the President, vilifying the government, and stirring political gain. But very few pause to ask: who suffers most in these cycles of condemnation? The dead do not return. The displaced families do not reclaim their farms. The real loss is in our silence, our unwillingness to grasp the whole before pointing fingers. Yes, government leaders, state and federal, bear responsibility.

The 2017 anti‑open grazing law in Benue was well-meaning. However, it remains a paper tiger: characterised by uneven enforcement, a lack of ranches, and feeble federal support. President Tinubu’s speeches and increased defence budgets amount to little on the ground when arms still flow, and security forces remain under-resourced. And when political opponents oversimplify the conflict as mere religious persecution or ethnic cleansing, nuance is lost.

At the heart of all these disputes is a struggle over scarce resources, including land, water, and natural resources, as well as grazing routes, which is exacerbated by climate change. Historically, grazing corridors existed. However, escalating population growth, farmland encroachment, and desertification have reduced these spaces. Compounding this: centuries-old migration, religious and ethnic tensions, cattle rustling, and political exclusion of Fulani groups. Each side bears accumulated grievances; farmers over burnt crops, herders over stolen cattle.

This is fundamentally communal, not merely political. Solutions must be rooted in non‑kinetic, non‑violent engagement. Dialogue tables must sit Fulani herders alongside Tiv farmers and local officials. Traditional leaders, ranchers, security services, and federal authorities must all negotiate a win-win framework, including grazing reserves, clear land-use maps, property rights enforcement, and swift justice for perpetrators. Yes, bring the perpetrators to book. Those profiting from killing, whether herders or cartels supplying arms, must face speedy consequences. However, we cannot rely solely on force. We need intelligence systems, community policing, and legal reform. We need peaceful co-management of land and water.

It’s time for Nigerians to shift from hashtag empathy to hard-won solidarity. Unleashing threads of blame on social media while clicking “share” does little for grieving widows or orphaned children. 

Recording a burn-out home instead of rescuing a trapped neighbor is the hallmark of a self‑absorbed age. 

Public discourse must evolve from political opportunism to intellectual empathy. From performance to purpose. When presidents speak, let’s demand substance: “Where are the ranches? Where is land‑use reform? Who funds security at the village level?”

We demand action, but not at the cost of conscience. We must hold leaders accountable while still listening. Civil society must stop yelling into empty rooms, and start negotiating into full ones.

A practical roadmap might include;

Reviving grazing reserves with clear boundaries, monitored jointly by local farmers and herders, enforcement of anti-grazing laws, backed with ranching incentives and federal support, swift prosecution of killers, with community courts supported by federal justice, strengthening local security, with trained village vigilantes under lawful guidelines. Climate adaptation, planting trees, building dams, restoring soil to reduce migration pressure, and, more importantly, promoting inter‑communal peace‑building through youth exchanges, shared markets, and local councils.

If Nigeria continues to allow Benue’s blood to stain its conscience, we’ll face another generation hardened by loss, distrust, and rage. A country that waits for television headlines before honouring its fallen has already forgotten them. Benue’s suffering needs more than outrage; it needs us: grounded, knowledgeable, purposeful. We must reject hollow political theatre and demand real solutions. Because beneath the noise and the blood, lies an entire community crying for justice, and silence is not an option.

Oladoja M.O writes from Abuja and can be reached at: mayokunmark@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has launched scathing corruption allegations against his political rival and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of enriching his family through government agencies.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike vehemently denied Amaechi’s recent claims of disliking money while portraying his wife as merely a businesswoman.

Wike labelled Amaechi a “liar” and alleged systematic corruption.Wike’s key accusations include:

1.NDDC Payments: Claiming Amaechi’s wife received ₦4 billion monthly for one year, totaling ₦48 billion, from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

2.Contract Facilitation:Asserting that as Minister of Transportation, Amaechi facilitated government contracts for his wife within agencies under his ministry – specifically the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

3.Agencies’ Debt Motive: Suggesting Amaechi’s recent mention of NPA and NIMASA owing contractors stemmed from debts owed to his wife’s companies.

4.Rolls Royce Gift: Condemning Amaechi for allegedly accepting a Rolls Royce as a gift from a contractor working for Rivers State in 2014.

Wike challenged President Bola Tinubu to release a forensic audit report on the NDDC, vowing it would expose Amaechi’s wife’s dealings.

He staked his position, declaring, “should the allegations be found untrue, he is ready to resign as FCT Minister.”

These accusations mark a significant escalation in the long-running feud between the two prominent Rivers State politicians. Amaechi is yet to publicly respond to these specific claims.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has expressed his willingness to support the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a bid to ensure President Bola Tinubu’s defeat in the 2027 general elections.

Lamido, while reaffirming his membership in PDP, accused President Tinubu of having total control over the party, alleging that figures like Samuel Ortom and Nyesom Wike are being used to weaken the PDP’s position as a formidable opposition.

He declared support for any coalition or group that aligns with the goal of unseating the ruling APC, adding that reclaiming the country’s integrity and ensuring peace for the masses is his top priority.

By Maryam Ahmad

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been officially charged with multiple sexual offences, the Metropolitan Police Service confirmed on Thursday.

In a statement, the police said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had authorised the charges following a file of evidence submitted by detectives. Partey, 32, of Hertfordshire, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The alleged offences are reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022.

“The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Thomas Partey… in connection with the following offences: Five counts of rape, One count of sexual assault,” the statement read.

Further details about the case have not been released, and a court date is expected to be announced soon.

Partey and his representatives have yet to make a public statement regarding the charges.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State government has ordered a temporary stoppage of the importation of metal scraps and waste materials from the Northeastern states, especially those ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The order is contained in a press statement by Muhammad Dahir Idris, the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment of the ministry, which was made available to journalists.

According to the statement, the commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, AVM Ibrahim Umaru (Rtd), gave the directive on Wednesday during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers, Employers of Nigeria.

Umaru said the order was due to the recent bomb explosion at the warehouse of such scrap materials along the Western Bypass Road and the Kofar Ruwa, which resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

He urged members of the association to take preventive measures aimed at preventing such occurrences and ensure that explosives are not present in scrap materials before they are imported into the state.

“As Kano State will continue to protect your interest and your business, you should come up with a written policy and plans that will boost your business,” the commissioner urged the association.

On his part, the Regional President of the association, Aminu Hassan, informed the commissioner that his association had already ceased purchasing scrap and waste materials from states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

He assured Umaru that they would continue to be law-abiding business partners, just as he emphasised the need for the Kano State government to support them in improving their businesses.

The president further outlined some challenges bedevilling the association, including the inflow of underage children as scavengers, even as he readily disassociated the group from any form of involvement in the use of children as scavengers in the business.

However, he blamed the parents or guardians of such children and wards for their poor moral upbringing.

Hassan assured the commissioner that his association would not relent in its efforts to prevent the future occurrence of such incidents.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Barau Football Club of Kano has arrived in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, in preparation for the much-anticipated Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Eight tournament.

The competition will feature eight top-performing clubs from the NNL, with only four earning promotion to the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) for the upcoming season.

If Barau FC secure promotion, Kano State will boast two teams in the top-flight league, a significant achievement for football in the state.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Spanish international, Nico Williams, has officially signed a long-term contract extension with Athletic Club, committing his future to the Basque side until June 2035.

The new deal includes a significantly increased release clause over 50% higher than the previous €58 million alongside an improved salary package.

This move ends speculation about a potential transfer to Barcelona, as the Catalan giants reportedly pulled out of the race due to ongoing financial constraints and player registration challenges.

Speaking after the announcement, Nico said, “When it comes to making decisions, for me the most important thing is to listen to your heart. I am where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”

By Muhammad Abubakar

Abuja – Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, on Wednesday joined a distinguished gathering of diplomats, literary enthusiasts, and dignitaries in Abuja for the Nigerian tour of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest book, Dreams Count.

The event, which forms part of the global celebration of Adichie’s new release, attracted ambassadors and High Commissioners from various countries. Obi, who had earlier attended the book’s global launch on March 2 at London’s Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall—an event that drew over 3,000 attendees—described Dreams Count as “deeply moving” and lauded Adichie for her continued impact on literature and cultural advocacy.

During the Abuja event, Obi praised the powerful spoken word performances by Nigerian poets, including Dike Chukwumerije, noting the impressive display of literary talent in the country. He commended Adichie for using her platform to uplift fellow Nigerian writers, giving them visibility and a voice on the global stage.

“Chimamanda remains an exemplary model for every Nigerian, old and young,” Obi said, urging continued investment in Nigeria’s creative industries. “The world is watching, and indeed, our dreams count.”

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

Parental care is slowly disappearing in today’s Nigeria, and the consequences of this are evident. The family used to be the first point of training where values were shaped and morals were taught. Now, many homes are broken by the absence of emotional, physical or financial support. 

Parents are either too busy chasing survival or have surrendered their roles to the internet, peer groups and street culture. And the result is right in front of us. Young people with no sense of direction, crime becoming a normal path, and a country overwhelmed by insecurity.

A child not guided at home is more likely to find purpose in the wrong places. We are now dealing with the consequences of that neglect. From cultism to kidnapping, cyber fraud to political thuggery, we are raising a generation that is desperate, angry and emotionally abandoned. You cannot discuss national security without addressing family failure. Every bandit and every drug addict started as someone’s child.

At the same time, some parents do too much of the wrong kind of parenting. They shelter their kids from reality, provide for everything but discipline nothing and expect the schools to build what they have not started. Some parents no longer listen to their children. They demand excellence without showing concern for mental or emotional well-being. That is why depression is rising among young people. That is why suicide, addiction and social vices keep growing silently.

It is true that we no longer have the strong community system that once helped raise children. But there are still ways to rebuild. The society needs to encourage good parenting by example, not just by words or scolding. We need honest conversations between parents and children. We need schools to include real-life education, not just grades, but responsibility, empathy and values. We need religious and traditional leaders to focus less on miracles and more on morality and family life.

It is easy to blame the government, but even if they build roads and power, we will still collapse as a nation if we do not raise humans with a conscience. No law can replace the love and discipline of a present parent. And no society can grow when its children are lost.

If we want to fix this country, we must go back to our roots. Parents need to be present, not just physically, but also emotionally and morally. Being a parent is not just about giving birth or paying school fees. It is about being a guide, a mentor and a strong emotional backbone. Let us not expect society to raise the children we refused to raise. If the home fails, everything else will.

This country needs healing, and it starts in the family.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.