Kaduna State

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Mallam Umar Maikuɗi (popularly known as Cashman), a lecturer at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, and President of the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN), has passed away after a prolonged illness. He died this evening at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH).

Colleagues, associates, and the entertainment industry mourn his passing, praying for Allah’s forgiveness and for him to be granted Al-Jannah al-Firdaws.

Until his death, Maikuɗi was an active academic and a key figure in Nigeria’s motion picture industry.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

By Sumayyah A. Usman

The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani,  has appointed Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo as the Commissioner of Education. Until his appointment, Prof. Sambo served as Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. 

From 2005 to 2012, he served as the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. He was later appointed Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Sani has also redeployed the outgoing Education Commissioner, Prof. Sani Bello (Mainan Zazzau), to the newly created Ministry of Information.

The Governor has also appointed Barrister Gloria Ibrahim as the Commissioner of Youth Development. The appointments and redeployments take effect immediately.

by Salim Yunusa

In Zaria, the name Danraka means different things to different people. To students of Ahmadu Bello University, it reminds them of a well-known student housing area off campus. To businesspeople, it represents a strong legacy in commerce. For many in Zazzau, it speaks of a house of nobility and respect. But to countless others, it brings to mind one person—Isyaku Danraka, a town planner, businessman, and a man known for his kindness and generosity.

The iDANRAKA Care Foundation is changing how we think about giving. It is not just about donations or handouts – the usual long queues and few kobos to get the town talking. It is about creating real and lasting change in people’s lives. Whether through helping young people learn new skills, supporting sports, or providing training for the future, the foundation is giving hope to those who need it most. Danraka has quietly been given to students, widows, young people, and others in need for years. Today, his good work has grown into a full foundation that has helped more than 5,000 people.

One of the foundation’s early efforts was the ZYA Phone Repair Project. It trained 150 young people from Zaria and nearby towns in just two months. These young people now have a way to earn a living and help their families. It gave them confidence and a new sense of purpose.

In another inspiring program, 50 young people were chosen from over 800 applicants for a special digital training. They learned to use digital tools, create content, understand artificial intelligence, and find remote jobs. These are life-changing skills that open new doors and build a better future.

The foundation also focuses on those who are often forgotten. People with disabilities are frequently left out of opportunities, but not here. Through the Zaria Para Sports Competition, more than 100 athletes living with disabilities got the chance to play, compete, and be celebrated. These events bring smiles, joy, and a deep sense of belonging. They remind us that everyone matters and deserves a chance to shine.

At the iDANRAKA Football Academy, young boys who dream of playing football professionally are given a real shot. With help from an American agency, scouts from the United States and Dubai came to watch talented players from places like Kano, Maiduguri, and Zaria. For many of these boys, it was their first real chance to be seen and noticed. You could feel the excitement in the air. Dreams suddenly felt possible. I was personally there and witnessed the signing of the MoU. The foundation means business.

Young people are at the heart of everything the foundation does. One of its most powerful programs is the Youth Empowerment Lab. Open to people between 17 and 30 years old, it offers more than just training. It offers hope. It teaches digital skills and shows how to find work online. The foundation even covers transport, meals, internet access, and gives out certificates. I was lucky to speak on a panel during one of the sessions, where we talked about what truly matters in the workplace today. We spoke about creativity, problem-solving, and how real-life experience can be just as important as a university degree. The room was filled with energy and emotion. You could see young people beginning to believe in themselves.

The Zaria Para Sports Competition is now more than a sports event. It is a celebration. Winners receive cash and gifts, but what they take home most is pride. They are seen, respected, and encouraged. These moments lift not just the athletes but their families and communities, too.

In a world where help sometimes feels far away, the iDANRAKA Care Foundation is different. It listens. It understands what people need. It works closely with local communities and offers support that genuinely changes lives. Whether it is a skill to start a small business, a way to earn money online, or a chance to play football, the foundation is lighting the way forward.

The iDANRAKA Care Foundation is not just making a difference. It is spreading hope. From the streets of Zaria to towns across Nigeria, it shows us that when people are given the tools, support, and love they need, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

By Prof. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

Some years ago, a group of students from Kaduna state came to my office, lamenting how Muslim elders imposed a Christian candidate on them and rigged him into power. They even told how an Emir and some elders called Islamic scholars and warned them against remonstration in their preachings. “How can we bear this disgrace?” my students were frustrated.

I said, “You can solve the problem and make governance difficult for the imposed Governor”. The young people paid attention, expecting an “academic” solution to their problem. “The Governor cannot rule Kaduna state alone. Since the majority are against him, why not look for and beat up anyone who accepts his political appointment?” I offered.

My students looked at one another and said, “Sir, there will be chaos and mass arrest”. Poor them, they want to bring change, are not happy with what is happening, and are afraid of arrest. “The alternative is to support the unpopular Governor and struggle for your share of the haram”, I finalised the discussion.

In the case of my Kaduna state students, the problem was election rigging, even though there was relative peace in their state, at least up to that time. In the case of Katsina people, it has been killing, kidnapping, rape, stealing, etc. How have the people reacted to the politicians they elected to solve the problem of insecurity? 

Several people have asked why they no longer see my comments on insecurity, and I always reply that I am busy with other things. I am busy, but not too busy to write a few paragraphs to express my opinion. However, it reached a point where I began to ask, as far as insecurity is concerned, who is the culprit? Whom should I write to blame? The Government? The military? The masses?

Going by the advice I gave Kaduna youth, one would expect that no elected politician would have the guts to go to any community ravaged by insecurity in Katsina or nearby states. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I saw people who lost some of their closest relatives to banditry staunchly supporting a politician, whose actions mean that their losses do not matter. Bandits displaced a community, but I saw their youth on social media actively supporting politicians who were giving public money to bandits in the name of the peace agreement.

If you are actively fighting for those victims through writing or interviews, and you offend any politician, you should be ready to get a good beating from some of the banditry victims if that is what would please the politician.

So, whom should I blame? Do the people take no blame? What of the military? Should I write to blame the masses as weak as they are? Should I write to condemn the military as strongly as they are? Should I not be afraid of arrest like my Kaduna students? If I offend the military, and you must surely offend them if you will tell the truth about insecurity, who would bail me out when I am arrested and tagged a troublemaker or any name they decide to give me?

The cheapest people to blame are the politicians. Everybody is against them. Public money is in their hands, and they are spending it on weddings and musicians, just like we witnessed in Katsina. But are all the people criticising them sincere? Would they not do the same if they were in their position? Some of these things were the reason Nigerians voted PDP out ten years ago, and the “saints” they elected are doing the same.

If you are expecting me to continue directing my blame to politicians, you will be disappointed. While they have their fair share of the blame for insecurity, we also have our share as victims. 

The masses should take my advice to the Kaduna youth if they can. They can only beat the politicians or join them. For the politicians, I have no words. Only the masses can deal with them if they take the first side of my advice. For me, I shall keep mum about the military because I am a coward.

For other Nigerians, continue to enjoy yourselves before insecurity reaches your side. I pray it will not.

Prof Abdussamad Umar Jibia wrote via aujibia@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Muhammad Kabir Sa’ad, a social media content creator, for allegedly abusing the Naira.  

The suspect, known as @youngcee0066 on TikTok and Instagram, posted a video showing him throwing Naira notes on the ground, stepping on them, and daring EFCC officials to arrest him in Hausa.  

Acting on intelligence, operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Directorate tracked him down in the Tudun Wada area and took him in for questioning.  

EFCC officials confirmed that Sa’ad will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded. The arrest serves as a warning against the misuse of the national currency.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has dismissed claims by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the state’s monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) has declined, while also refuting allegations of an illegal N100 million diversion from state funds.  

Speaking at a press conference, KADIRS Executive Chairman Jerry Adams stated that under the current administration of Governor Uba Sani, the state has recorded significant revenue growth, surpassing figures achieved during El-Rufai’s tenure.  

“It is necessary to clarify certain statements made by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Whether due to incomplete information or a deliberate attempt to mislead, it is important to set the record straight,” Adams said.  

El-Rufai had claimed that Kaduna’s monthly revenue dropped from N7 billion to N2 billion under Governor Uba Sani. However, Adams refuted this, stating that the highest annual IGR recorded under El-Rufai was N59 billion in 2022, translating to a monthly average of N4.9 billion.  

He further explained that a significant portion of the revenue between 2019 and 2022 came from one-off sources, including debt recoveries and government asset sales, which amounted to N45 billion.  

“If these irregular revenues are excluded, the actual monthly IGR at that time was far lower than what is being claimed,” Adams noted.  

Regarding the alleged illegal transfer of N100 million, Adams dismissed it as “completely false,” explaining that Kaduna’s revenue collection system operates entirely through PAYKADUNA, with all payments going directly into the state’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).  

He emphasized that under Governor Uba Sani, Kaduna’s IGR has seen consistent improvement.  

“In 2023 alone, Kaduna State generated N62.48 billion in IGR, which increased to N71 billion in 2024—averaging N5.2 billion and N6 billion monthly, respectively.”  

“In just January and February 2025, the state has already collected N7.46 billion and N6.68 billion, totaling N14.16 billion in two months—without any debt recoveries or one-off revenues.”  

“This demonstrates the commitment and diligence of this administration in driving economic growth and ensuring sustainable development,” Adams stated.

By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially parted ways with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

While party defections are common in Nigerian politics, El-Rufai’s departure from the ruling party carries significant political implications that could alter the dynamics leading up to the 2027 elections.

For a man instrumental in the formation of the APC and a staunch ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, El-Rufai’s departure raises critical questions. Is this a strategic move to remain politically relevant? A protest against President Bola Tinubu’s leadership? Or does it signal widening cracks within the APC that could deepen in the coming years?

El-Rufai’s political journey within the APC has been marked by loyalty, controversy, and influence. As a key figure in the party’s 2015 victory over the PDP, he was regarded as one of the strongest voices in Buhari’s inner circle.

His tenure as Kaduna governor further solidified his image as a reformist, albeit one who often courted controversy. From restructuring Kaduna’s civil service to his hardline stance on security issues, El-Rufai commanded attention. Under Buhari, he wielded significant influence, not just within Kaduna but on the national stage.

Many expected him to secure a prominent role in Tinubu’s government. However, cracks began to show when he was dropped from the ministerial list, allegedly over security concerns flagged by the National Security Adviser.

El-Rufai’s departure from the APC is not a hasty decision; it represents the culmination of increasing frustration. His rejection as a minister was perceived by many as a calculated marginalization, signaling the start of his estrangement from the ruling party’s core decision-making processes. 

Reports suggest he became increasingly disillusioned with Tinubu’s governance style, particularly in handling economic and security challenges. The former governor is known for his bluntness, and sources indicate that his inability to influence policies within the APC played a significant role in his decision.

While his supporters argue that his move to the SDP is based on principle, critics suggest it is driven by personal ambition—positioning himself for a possible political comeback in 2027.

El-Rufai’s choice of the SDP, rather than the PDP or a new political movement, is intriguing. The SDP remains a relatively small force compared to the APC and PDP, raising questions about whether he genuinely believes in the party’s ideology or sees it as a convenient platform to negotiate his future.

Some analysts believe El-Rufai is playing the long game—joining a smaller party now to avoid confrontations with APC heavyweights while testing the waters for potential alliances with other opposition figures ahead of 2027. Others argue that he has limited options, given his strained relationship with Tinubu’s camp and his unlikelihood of returning to the PDP, a party he once fiercely opposed.

Expectedly, the APC has brushed off El-Rufai’s departure, with the Presidency dismissing it as driven by “inordinate ambition.” Kaduna’s APC leadership has also claimed they are unbothered, arguing that his influence has waned significantly since leaving office. 

However, political observers note that El-Rufai’s defection could have ripple effects. While he may not command a nationwide political structure, his ability to shape narratives, especially in northern politics, should not be underestimated. Some opposition figures, including former Senator Shehu Sani, have downplayed his move, arguing that El-Rufai’s political relevance has diminished.

El-Rufai’s defection is not just about one man leaving a party—it reflects deeper tensions within the APC. Since taking power in 2023, Tinubu has had to balance competing interests within the ruling party, from former Buhari loyalists to his own political allies. The cracks within the party are becoming more visible, and if not managed properly, they could deepen before 2027.

For El-Rufai, the road ahead is uncertain. Aligning with the SDP may be a strategic step, but it remains to be seen whether it will translate into real political leverage. Is this the beginning of a broader coalition to challenge APC dominance, or will it end up as another failed defection story in Nigeria’s political history?

One thing is clear—El-Rufai’s move has reignited conversations about Nigeria’s shifting political landscape. Whether it leads to a major realignment or fizzles out as an individual protest remains to be seen.

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

By Uzair Adam 

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has dismissed an invitation from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, urging opposition politicians to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).  

El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP, made the appeal in an interview with BBC Hausa, inviting prominent figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola to join him in the party.  

Responding in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Lamido described El-Rufai’s call as an insult, emphasizing that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was instrumental in shaping the former Kaduna governor’s political career.  

“The party we built, the PDP, is what gave birth to El-Rufai. He is not in a position to make us abandon it,” Lamido said.  

He also criticized El-Rufai’s leadership approach, questioning his sudden shift to the SDP after years in the APC.  

“Leadership requires patience, vision, and commitment to the peace and stability of the country. It should not be driven by anger or personal interests,” he added.  

Reaffirming his allegiance to the PDP, Lamido stated that he had no reason to leave the party, saying, “If I wanted to leave, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed.”  

He advised El-Rufai to prioritize national interest over political grievances, stressing that the PDP remains focused on rebuilding its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election.

By Anas Abbas

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has officially announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a resignation letter submitted to his local ward in Kaduna State on Monday, El-Rufai cited irreconcilable differences with the ruling party’s leadership and expressed disappointment with the APC’s recent direction.

“I have served the APC diligently and have contributed significantly to its viability as a political platform,” he stated. “However, recent developments have revealed a concerning disregard for democratic principles and progressive values that I hold dear.

”As a founding member of the APC, El-Rufai played a pivotal role in securing electoral victories for the party in 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Reflecting on his tenure as governor, he emphasized his administration’s commitment to human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.

He explained that his departure from the APC was motivated by growing concerns regarding governance and internal party dynamics.

“At this juncture in my political journey, I must seek a different political platform that aligns with the progressive values I cherish,” he remarked.

Upon joining the SDP, El-Rufai expressed his gratitude to mentors, colleagues, and supporters, reaffirming his dedication to advancing democratic principles.

“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to building a unified democratic front to challenge the APC in the upcoming elections,” he concluded.

I would like to start by expressing my profound admiration for your work. I must admit that I have always been a great fan of yours, appreciating your leadership skills and vision more than any politician in Kaduna State.

Your impressive work ethic, policy foresight, demonstrated competence, and ability to resist criticism and implement what you consider the right thing earned you a place in my heart.

(Un)fortunately, I’m not the kind of fan who always praises his favourites and considers any criticism an attempt to discredit his master.

Sir, your recent actions, remarks, and holier-than-thou attitude have led some to speculate that you are suffering from Out-of-Office syndrome. However, I prefer not to believe them.

In your recent interview with Arise TV,  you said things that, had I not watched the interview, I would have dismissed as typical political propaganda.

Firstly, you defined “friendship” as  “someone that has the fidelity to some ethical and moral standards, and will be there for you when you need him, not when it’s time to party or enjoy.”

Of course, I agree with you to some extent. However, in this context, are you suggesting that you prioritise loyalty over accountability, even if it means ignoring the concerns of those who elected you?

I believe that, by your definition of “friendship,” Uba Sani should prioritise being a “friend “ to the people of Kaduna who are struggling to get a meal due to these “economic reforms “ (which you said you supported and are the right orthodox policies…) rather than showing loyalty to his predecessor.

In your interview with Charles, you mentioned that the Late Yar’adua invited you to join his cabinet, an offer you declined. This remark reminded me of another instance in which you used his death as a mocking tool to brag about your resilience.

Your allegations against Nuhu Ribadu and his subsequent response reveal a lot about your dynamics with him. They raise questions about who has maintained the values of true friendship and who has not. I won’t elaborate further.

Sir, as you are probably approaching the last decade of your active political career, I would advise you to focus on nurturing your private life (considering your frequent references to prioritising it) rather than investing time and energy in making new (or perceived) enemies.

Do not dwell too much on criticism and allegations; do what Kwankwaso did: allow your track record to speak for you.

Lastly, may your famous political slogan — “MURUS” — not be used against you.

Best regards,

Ukasha Sani Idris

Facebook: Ukasha a Kofarnassarawa.