Tinubu

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, for his administration’s focus on impactful projects in education, health, and transportation.

The President made the remarks on Saturday in Maiduguri during an official tour, where he commissioned several new projects.

The commissioned facilities include the international wing of the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, a new VIP extension, and a fleet of Electric Vehicles, intra-state buses, and tricycles. He also inaugurated three model schools covering primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels.

“I am commissioning this primary, junior secondary school and senior secondary schools to the glory of God, and continuous education of our children,” President Tinubu stated.

The visit also featured a cultural dimension as the President participated in the marriage ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. In line with Kanuri tradition, President Tinubu stood in as the father of the groom, while Governor Zulum acted as the father of the bride to receive the traditional bride price in gold coins.

The ceremony was held at the Maiduguri Central Mosque and hosted by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi.The events were attended by seven state governors, senators, and ministers.

President Tinubu departed Maiduguri for Bauchi State at 3.25 pm.

By Uzair Adam

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the death sentence earlier handed to Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after finding her guilty of culpable homicide.

Sanda was sentenced to death by hanging by an Abuja High Court on January 27, 2020, for fatally stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, at their Abuja home in 2017.

Despite spending about six years and eight months in Suleja prison, her sentence was reduced to 12 years after President Bola Tinubu granted her clemency under his executive powers.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had stated that the presidential pardon was based on “compassionate grounds and the best interest of the children,” noting her “good conduct, new lifestyle, role-modelling to other inmates, and remorse.”

However, in a split judgement of four to one, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court on Friday reaffirmed the original death sentence. The apex court dismissed Sanda’s appeal, holding that all issues she raised failed to challenge the earlier conviction.

Justice Moore Adumein, who delivered the lead judgement, ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court further described the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal—which upheld her conviction—as sound and without error.

The Supreme Court also faulted President Tinubu’s decision to grant a pardon in a case of culpable homicide while an appeal was still pending, noting that such an action was inappropriate for an ongoing judicial matter.

By Anwar Usman

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said the directive to redeploy police officers working with VIPs, VVIPs and ministers was not negotiable urging all ministers to ensure immediate compliance.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.The president while speaking at the opening of the Federal Executive in Abuja warned all relevant stakeholders against non-compliance.

He noted that, “Police officers were trained to protect the lives and properties of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society not the protection of VIPs” adding that, the NCDC are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too.

He also ordered the minister of interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for the immediate replacement of police officers by the civil defense corps.

“We face security challenges of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilized. I know some people are exposed; we will make exceptions. The Civil defense is very much around,” the president stated.

Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Ibrahim Gaidam and the Inspector General of Police to follow up on the implementation of the order.

The President also urged the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is the chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) to further sensitise governors and other stakeholders on the implementation of the reforms on ranching.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu alongside the National Assembly and the FCT Minister have pledged a total of N320 million to the Nigerian Legion, the association for military veterans and families of fallen heroes.

The donations were announced on Tuesday at the launch of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

President Tinubu led the contributions with a donation of N200 million, promising that his administration remains dedicated to the welfare of serving personnel, injured officers, and the families of those who died in service.

He praised the military’s sacrifices and ongoing role in securing the nation.

The National Assembly, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy House Speaker Benjamin Kalu, donated N100 million.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, contributed N20 million.

During his address, President Tinubu called on government institutions, businesses, and individuals to donate generously to the Legion.

He highlighted his administration’s security gains, including the surrender of thousands of insurgents and improved maritime security, reiterating that security is the central pillar of his “Renewed Hope” agenda.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, urged Nigerians to wear the remembrance poppy emblem and support the appeal fund as a symbol of national gratitude.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, commended the President’s consistent support for the military.

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15th to honour fallen soldiers and recognise living veterans.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has nominated the immediate-past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence.

The nomination was disclosed in a press release from the State House on Monday, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

General Musa, 58, is proposed to succeed Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned from the cabinet earlier.

A highly decorated officer, General Musa served as the nation’s top military commander from June 2023 until October 2025.

His extensive career includes frontline roles in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations, notably as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and commander in the Lake Chad region.

President Tinubu, in a formal letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressed confidence that General Musa would provide strong leadership to the Defence Ministry and bolster national security.

The appointment is pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC).

According to a press release from the State House, the committee will be responsible for the coordinated execution of the government’s new tax laws, aiming to build a “fair, transparent, and technology-driven tax system.”

The committee will be chaired by a seasoned tax expert, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, and will operate under the oversight of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

President Tinubu emphasised that the effective implementation of the new Tax Acts is critical to the nation’s economic transformation, strengthening public finance, and safeguarding the interests of investors.

The NTPIC’s mandate includes undertaking extensive nationwide consultations with the private sector, professional bodies, and subnational governments.

It will also focus on inter-agency coordination to harmonise existing frameworks with the new statutes.

The committee comprises experts from tax administration, finance, law, and the private sector. Mrs. Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and Economy, will serve as its Secretary.

Chairman Joseph Tegbe pledged the committee’s diligence, stating they would “work closely with all stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation and build public trust in the tax system.”

Finance Minister Wale Edun described the committee as a pivotal step to “reset not just the tax system but the entire fiscal policy framework of Government,” aiming to deliver significant economic growth for Nigerians.

The NTPIC is expected to enhance revenue mobilisation, minimise leakages, and reinforce accountability, thereby supporting the government’s fiscal sustainability and national development goals.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised the immediate recruitment of thousands of new personnel into the military and police force.

In a major address from the Statehouse on Tuesday, the President announced that the Nigeria Police Force is to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, a move that will bring the total number of new recruits to 50,000.

To accommodate the surge in trainees, the President has authorised the police to use various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots. He also directed that officers recently withdrawn from VIP guard duties undergo “crash training” before being redeployed to areas with high security challenges.

The announcement comes amid a wave of attacks and kidnappings across several states.

President Tinubu commended the security agencies for the recent release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, but pledged to sustain efforts to rescue the remaining students of a Catholic school in Niger State and other hostages.

Outlining a multi-pronged strategy, the President also ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to “flush out terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.”

He declared, “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

In a significant political move, President Tinubu called on the National Assembly to review the nation’s laws to allow states to establish their own police forces.

He also advised state governments to reconsider the establishment of boarding schools in remote, insecure areas.

Addressing the farmer-herder crisis, the President urged herders to end open grazing, surrender illegal weapons, and embrace ranching, which he described as “the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.”

He paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and issued a stern warning to adversaries: “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”

The President concluded by urging citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies, stating, “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Amidst the heightened security tension, President Bola Ahmad cancels his planned trip to G20 Leader’s Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa and delegated Vice president, Kashim Shettima to represent him in the meeting.

Disclosed by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of The Vice President, Shettima has departed Abuja for the G20 Leader’s Summit.

President Tinubu has cancelled the trip to South Africa awaiting the security briefings on the current escalated terrorists operations in Kebbi and Niger state.

The Presidential statement said, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African leader who also serves as the current President of the G20 group had invited his Nigerian counterpart to participate in this year’s edition.

The Summit, scheduled to take place from Saturday, November 22nd, to Sunday, November 23rd, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, financial institutions, among others.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has expressed confidence in the Nigerian military amid reports of an alleged failed coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the government’s position known in an interview with newsmen on Sunday. He stated that the administration had “no reason to doubt the military” following the Defence Headquarters’ denial of the alleged coup report.

On Saturday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had dismissed a report by Sahara Reporters that linked the detention of 16 military officers to a failed coup.Gusau, in his statement, described the publication as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”

He explained that the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day celebration was “purely administrative,” allowing the president to attend a bilateral engagement abroad while troops continued operations against insecurity.

He added, “The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings would be made public.”

Reaffirming the government’s trust in the military, Idris said, “The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said. The Federal Government believes that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to ensuring the territorial integrity of the country and also strengthening its fight against insecurity. The Federal Government commends the military, and it will continue to support them in their task of ensuring the security of Nigeria.”

Opposition Calls For Transparency

Opposition parties, however, have urged the Federal Government and the military to ensure transparency regarding the matter.The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, said Nigerians deserved to know the truth about the alleged plot.

“They should let us know what actually happened. We have to know the charges and whether they are facing court-martial or not,” he stated.

Similarly, the Labour Party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, expressed concern that the military appeared to be “speaking with two mouths.”

He said, “They said those in detention are there because of some disciplinary measures. Yet, we have sources within the rank and file saying there indeed was an issue of that nature.”

Akeni appealed to the military to “be courageous, according to the oath of their service, to bring the actual facts to the public so that innocent lives do not suffer.”

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, also cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions.

“First of all, you need to establish the truth of the matter before you can suggest punitive measures,” he said.

He added that public frustration over the government’s performance might have contributed to the rumour, saying, “People are hungry and tired of being manipulated. So, we are not surprised the anger has gone to that particular level even in the military.”

Afenifere Warns Against Military TakeoverMeanwhile, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has cautioned against any attempt to disrupt Nigeria’s democracy, warning that a coup would have disastrous consequences.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said in Ibadan that such an act “would set the country back by decades.”

He noted, “The constitution clearly stated that government cannot be changed except through constitutional means.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Vice President Namadi Sambo on his turbaning as the Sardaunan Zazzau.

The ceremony will be performed by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, on Saturday, October 11.In a press release, President Tinubu described the title as one of “great cultural and historical significance in Northern Nigeria.”

He stated that the honour reflects the Zazzau Emirate’s confidence in Sambo’s “wisdom, integrity, and commitment to society’s progress.”

The President praised the former Vice President’s exemplary leadership, humility, and dedication to national development.

He also commended the Emir for upholding the tradition of honouring individuals whose character embodies the Emirate’s values of unity and service.

President Tinubu wished Sambo success in his new role and urged him to continue guiding the younger generation and working with community leaders to advance peace and development in the country.