BY Saidu Sani

The Arewa Youth Assembly For Good Leadership (AYAGL) has averred that putting into perspectives former and recent actions of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Northern Senators, it is crystal clear that the Senate President has something against the northern region hence fighting the North directly and indirectly.

AYAGL who also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call him to order
in the interest of justice, harmony and peace, posited that “For us as Northern Youths, we feel Akpabio is fighting the entire Northern region and would want to silence all the notable voices from the region who are critical of his high handedness and sectional politics”.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Speaker of the AYAGL, Ambassador Abdul Danbature reiterated that, “going by what has happened under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, we believe Akpabio is fighting the North directly or indirectly. Our reasons for this belief is not farfetched. The perfunctory suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti recently has reinforced our beliefs that Akpabio is fighting the North”.

The youth group queried’ “What has Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduanghan done to warrant her suspension from legislative duties for 6 months, what has She done to warrant her change of seat? What has She done to warrant her removal as Senate Committee Chairman on Local Content and above all, what has Northern women done for continue harassment?

“What has Northern Nigeria done against Senator Akpabio to stop a motion moved by senator Natasha on NLNG gas pipeline project to Northern Nigeria? Alot of questions are begging for answers and we hope Senator Akpabio will provide answers.

“Northern Nigeria deserves more than what its getting from Akpabio as Senate President. Without the overwhelming support of our Senators from the North, Akpabio wouldn’t be sitting as Senate President today. He must stop the victimisation of Senators from the North. He must stop his selective justice. He should realise that power, position and influence are ephemeral.

Since the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, it has been one drama to another and as discerning Northern Nigeria Youth, we are gradually jumping to the conclusions that Akpabio has a axe to grind with some section of the country especially, the North.

As Youth who constitute the bulk of the population of Northern Nigeria, we have unanimously resolved to lend our voice in condemnation of the mistreatment and maltreatment Northern Nigeria Senators have been subjected to under the leadership of Akpabio.

We have endured and tolerated Akpabio beyond limit and now it is time to speak out. We have realised our Senators from the North are afraid to call a spade a spade because of fear of witch hunting and suspension from the Senate.

Danbature further said, Senator Akpabio must stop relegating the North, stressing that “He must stop his anti North policy. Let Akpabio quickly recall Senator Natasha Akpoti in the interest of justice otherwise, posterity will remember him harshly.

“Let our Northern leaders call Senator Akpabio to order and let the Southern leaders too do same in the interest of peace and unity. This is not just a Senate issue but a national disgrace. Senator Akpabio has ridiculed and denigrated the parliament in Nigeria. We are now a laughing stock among the comity of Nations.

“Akpabio must heed to our call to recall Senator Natasha within 48 hours else we will occupy National Assembly Complex, block lokoja -Kaduna express road and all the 19 Northern States and FCT. We are very much ready and prepared to engage in civil protest until our demands are met.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wade into this matter because some section of the North believes Akpabio could not have done this without his imprimatur”.

“As Youth, we are using this medium to tell Akpabio that Nothing last forever, no position is permanent and no power is eternal. Therefore, we will like to advise him to be circumspect and treat his colleagues equally and fairly”.

ENDS

Nigerians in Diaspora Forum (MDF) appeared divided about the planned protest against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the recent face-off with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to information gathered in the communique issued after a meeting held in London on Friday, some members insisted the protests scheduled for Monday 10,2025 in London and New York must be done and others disagreed.

The communique signed by Dr. Timothy Gabriel and made available via electronic mail to some journalists, revealed that some members of the Forum, backing Senator Natasha are of the view that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio is using his office to silence and malign an innocent woman,thus he should resign immediately.

The members, who are angry about the suspension of Senator Natasha , described the action of the Akpabio led Senate as an assault on democracy and a deliberate attempt to silence women in leadership.

They insisted on the planned protests and vowed to mobilise members thinking along same line in United States of America and United Kingdom to come out for the protests and tell the world about the injustice meted out on Natasha.

However ,those supporting Akpabio described the planned protests against Akpabio as nothing, but mischief-makers who are exploiting the process to embark on the protests to cast aspersions on the Senate President’s image.

The communique captured that they appeal to the Nigerians in Diaspora to avoid any action that cast aspersions on the image of our country and leadership of the Senate over an issue that been resolved with the floor of the Senate.

We are not in support of any protest after the Senate has taken action to suspend Senator Natasha.And therefore urge members of the Forum to avoid being used for sponsored protests aimed at personal political mischief.

The Senate had taken a decision to suspend after referring the matter to the Ethics Committee for fair hearing and transparency and the ends the stirred up tension.

Benin Kingdom’s Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Ezelekhae Ewuare II, has been showered with heartfelt tributes as he marks another year of life. Among the many messages of goodwill, one particularly notable felicitation came from Goodnews Ibhade Ehiabhi, who praised the Crown Prince’s leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication to the progress of the kingdom and the nation at large.

In the congratulatory message, Ehiabhi described His Royal Highness as an inspiring leader, mentor, and father figure whose strategic brilliance continues to shape the destiny of the Benin Kingdom. The message also highlighted his commitment to peace and his transformative influence on the lives of many.

“On this special day, I offer my humblest salutations to you. We will continue to celebrate a visionary who keeps pushing boundaries and making the impossible, possible in our kingdom and the country at large,” the message read.

Ehiabhi further prayed for divine guidance and protection upon the Crown Prince, calling upon the gods of the ancestors to bless him with wisdom, courage, and strength.

The tribute concluded with the traditional Benin salutation, “Edaiken Gha tor kpere… Iseee,” reaffirming loyalty to the revered heir to the throne.

The people of Benin Kingdom continue to celebrate this auspicious occasion, honoring Crown Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare II for his leadership and contributions to the preservation of Benin’s rich cultural heritage.

Long live the Omo N’Oba! Long live the Benin Kingdom!

.. Warns against dragging Gov. Uba Sani into Mr LA’s Failure

Kaduna Good Governance Monitoring Group again took a swipe at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Lawal Adamu after accusing Kaduna State Governor ,Mal Uba Sani of alleged sabotage.

According to the group,who is sabotaging who now,when records of performance over the past 18 months show that the party’s Senator has been unable to stand to speak on the floor of the Senate and sponsor bills that will help cushion effects of hardship in the State?

Recalled that the Senior Special Assistant to the National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Media and Communication, Mr Yusuf Dingyadi in a Statement did claim the state government refused to distribute learning and teaching materials procured by Senator Adamu.

According to the PDP statement, the move is aimed at discrediting Senator Adamu, who has been working to improve education in the state.

But in a swift reaction to the statement by PDP , Kaduna Good Governance Monitoring Group queried the rational behind a statement from a party when its representative in the Senate has failed to deliver on campaign promises.

The group in the statement signed by the Secretary, Comrade Bello Bashir Mohammed, said it is unfortunate that a dead opposition party such as PDP could make such sweeping statement in defence of Mr LA ,who since he came on board ,he has no any serious projects to show.

The statement reads : ” Mr LA as he is popularly called and his cohort cannot be hiding under his inability to perform and bring any tangible project to the table to stirr up sympathy from the public who already know he has failed and would be summarily voted out come 2027 .

“How dare the PDP compare Governor Uba Sani’e days in the Senate with that of a lawmaker adjudge by his constituents as complete failure.

“All other two Senators and members of House of Representatives are doing well to the extent that one of PDP senators was able to attract a University to Southern Kaduna with the backing of Governor Uba Sani and the President.

“We make bold to say if senator Lawal has done anything tangible,the Governor and President we know, will come out openly to support him and even go extra miles to ensure he succeeds .

“We have decided to speak out in defence of Governor Uba Sani to avoid misrepresentation of facts . PDP and her failed lawmaker cannot make baseless allegations without getting reaction from our group that has statistics of performance of all political office holders in the State.”

The group however, warned PDP against dragging Governor Uba Sani into the weakness and failure of her lawmaker,Mr LA.

By Emmanuel Nwakwo, Abuja

The national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, of deliberately undermining the efforts of Senator Lawal Adamu (Sen LA), who represents Kaduna Central and serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The party criticized the governor for allegedly halting the distribution of learning and teaching materials procured by the senator, claiming it was an attempt to tarnish his reputation. In a statement issued by Yusuf Dingyadi, Senior Special Assistant to the PDP National Chairman on Media and Communication, the party urged the state government to set aside political differences and prioritize the welfare of Kaduna residents.

According to Dingyadi, the APC-led state government has refused to distribute essential educational materials, including textbooks and notebooks, to primary and junior secondary schools in the senator’s constituency. “The materials, which were meant to enhance learning and improve the quality of education at primary and junior secondary levels, have been locked away in storage instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries,” Dingyadi alleged.

He further claimed that specific locations, such as LEA Malali Road and LEA Maiduguri Road, were instructed not to distribute the items. “It is expected that the state government, regardless of party affiliation, would collaborate with other elected representatives to improve the lives of Kaduna citizens,” he said.

Dingyadi also accused the APC of employing political propagandists to spread misinformation about Senator LA’s achievements. “They are using radio and social media platforms to claim that Senator LA has done nothing, forgetting that his two years in office have been more impactful than Uba Sani’s four years as a senator. During his tenure in the Senate, Uba Sani focused on passing bills that had little effect on the people,” he stated.

The PDP spokesperson further accused Governor Sani of attempting to impress President Bola Tinubu in anticipation of the 2027 elections rather than focusing on governance. “You cannot make progress by continuously attacking the PDP. You cannot manipulate our political success by sponsoring thugs and propagandists to discredit our performing legislators or by staging political defections in a choreographed manner,” Dingyadi said.

He also warned Governor Sani against relying on political advisers he described as “straying horses” who are liabilities rather than assets. “Our elected PDP members are actively delivering on their mandates and performing better than their APC counterparts. No serious northerner will campaign for APC in the region. Some politicians are only pretending to support the party to secure personal gains,” he concluded.

Lemuel Danni

…Passes vote of confidence on Uba Sani.

Kaduna Peace and Unity Forum (KPUF) has blasted former Governor ,Mal. Nasir Elrufai over his fraudulent and destructive legacies that left Kaduna an indebted State.

The Forum, which Passed Vote of Confidence on his successor,  said  Elrufai has no moral right to accuse Governor Uba Sani for working closely with President to enjoy Federal government support to provide adequate security and development in the State .

El-Rufai had launched a scathing attack on his successor, Uba Sani, accusing him of sycophancy and pandering to President Bola Tinubu for self aggrandizement.

The criticism followed Governor Uba Sani’s remarks during a TVC News interview on Monday, where the governor expressed surprise at the growing criticism of Tinubu’s administration from some founding members of the All Progressives Congress.

But in a swift reaction, the Kaduna Peace and Unity Forum in a statement rose in defence of the  Governor on account of his civil approach to governance and his cordial and visionary leadership style that gave birth to a peaceful and relatively secured Kaduna today.

According to group, the huge debt left by Elrufai’s administration is part of reasons ,the Governor is facing  difficulty in efforts to raise funds for development and working round the clock to ensure gaps of harsh economy are closed .

The Statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum,Dr. David Bege Abraham, explained,”There is no where in the world where frictions with superior leaders such as a President can yield growth and development. This is part of reasons, Governor Uba Sani’s support is apt and right in our view.

While Stating that Elrufai’s recent comments on Uba Sani are unwarranted , especially that the governor didn’t abuse of destroy his image on the live TV programme.

The statement further reads: “We can all testify to the commitments of the Governor to provide security that today has created enabling environment for the citizens, residents and business people.

“This was the case in days of Mal Nasir Elrufai.We can argue the fact he supported the Governor to win ,but he should allow him to govern the State with interference and distractions.”

” When  Elrufai accused the APC of poor leadership and encouraged the opposition parties to form a united front ahead of the 2027 election, What Governor Uba Sani did was  only to  gave an insight to why they are aggrieved and nothing else .

“What we want in Kaduna now is peace and unity and not political fights. Anything short of this would be resisted by the good citizens of the state

The House of Representatives is pushing for adequate funding for some government agencies, over the proposed amount in the 2025 budget, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon Philip Agbese, has said.

Ahead of the possible passage of the N49.70 trillion 2025 budget proposal this week by the National Assembly, the Benue State-born congressman disclosed that some agencies considered very critical to the nation’s socio-economic development have been penciled down for improved funding in the 2025 fiscal year.

While reiterating the commitment of the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas-led House to playing its part in birthing a new Nigeria; the lawmaker enjoined Nigerians to be hopeful, noting that the current hardship being felt across the country will soon give way to national prosperity.

He said, “We are making a case for improved funding for the National Identity Management Commission, the National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Defence Academy in the 2025 budget proposal. There are other agencies of government that are likely to benefit from this too.

“Yes, NIMC has become a very important agency of government in the past few years. A lot of Nigerians may not know how critical the agency is but we can’t talk about a national data bank without making and empowering that commission.

“They came up with a robust projection for 2025 but they can only deliver if they are empowered to train their staff members, and acquire the latest technological devices critical to the work they do. Without the NIMC, the war against terrorism will be difficult for the government and the security agencies.”

According to the All Progressives Congress lawmaker, the time has come for the reformation of the NYSC scheme, given its contribution to manpower needs of the nation in both the public and private sectors.

“The ideal of the NYSC must be sustained and this informed the decision to demand adequate funding of the corps. It is too early to disclose the amount we have agreed on but it is important to say that the National Assembly is not happy with the state of the NYSC. We need it to be better funded to meet the needs of corps members. During their service years; they gave a lot to the nation in a way that cannot be explained with ease,” he added.

He made a similar argument for the NDA, noting that “At a time terrorists continue to come up with new strategies despite the gallantry of our troops; we cannot but devise means to outwit them. One of the ways to do this is to improve the funding of the institutions charged with the mandate of building the capacity of our security personnel to tackle emerging security challenges.

“In all this, we also realized that the budget envelope system is not enough to meet the capital expenditure needs of most of these agencies. If you recall when the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle appeared before the House Committee on Defence to defend the ministry’s budget; one of the things he complained about was the paltry allocation of N50bn in the 2025 budget proposal. It is the same story for other agencies of government.”

He also noted that foreign missions deserve commendation for their services to the nation, adding that an upward review of their budget estimates has been agreed by the House.

Recall that in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, presented to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was allocated N66.88bn for capital expenditure and N286.88bn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure.

Disturbed by the poor proposed allocation, the Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke told news men in January 2025 that “The needs assessment conducted by the ministry indicates they require N1.5tn.

“While the Federal Government may not be able to meet this in a single financial year, and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework approved by the parliament, the ministry and its missions should receive at least N500bn. We must also consider the impact of the unstable exchange rate.

“We have numerous obligations, including subscriptions to international organisations, passage allowances for Foreign Service Officers, and the United Nations General Assembly, among others.”

In the words of Agbese, “We have made a case for the missions because of the critical services they are rendering to Nigerians in other countries,” he said, pointing also that the parliament has been very impressed with the stewardship of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo.

“The Aviation Ministry under the watch of Festus Keyamo has brought in a lot of reforms aimed at boosting the government’s revenue as well as improving our national image. We are prepared to improve on the funding of the Ministry in this year’s budget proposal.

That said, Mr Agbese urged Nigerians to stay optimistic in the New Year, noting that the Federal Government with the support of the National Assembly is working hard to make life enjoyable to the citizens within the shortest possible time.

By Domton Obinna

The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has responded to the alarming and incendiary remarks made by Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transport, against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by the Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze condemned Amaechi’s call for Nigerians to resort to “brutal force” to snatch power from President Tinubu, stating that it contravenes the principles of civility, democracy, and peace.

Ohanaeze also denounced Amaechi’s assertion that politicians must be willing to “steal, maim, and kill” to retain power, saying it diminishes the dignity of political discourse and poses a threat to society.

The organisation expressed concern that Amaechi’s rhetoric could incite unrest and mobilize youth toward violent actions, plunging the nation into chaos.

Ohanaeze distanced itself from Amaechi’s statements, emphasizing that the Igbo people will never endorse any political conspiracy aimed at undermining the legitimacy of an elected President.

The organisation lent its support to the position articulated by the Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawelle, calling for Amaechi to retract his statements and cease from further inciting the populace.

Ohanaeze also announced its intent to mobilize and galvanize the Igbo population residing in the nineteen Northern States to stand firmly alongside Dr. Bello Matawelle and ensure President Tinubu’s victory in the forthcoming elections.

The organisation called for robust measures to monitor and thwart any attempts to incite disorder and emphasized that those found guilty of treasonous actions must face severe penalties, irrespective of their political connections or influence.

Ohanaeze reiterated its unwavering allegiance to President Tinubu, stating that there shall be no support from the Igbo for any coalition of opposition leaders plotting against the sitting President.

“Our resolve is steadfast, as we remain committed to fostering peace, stability, and fruitful governance in Nigeria,” the statement added. “Let it be said that the aspirations of the Igbo people align with a future predicated upon legitimate leadership, respect for democratic processes, and a shared vision for a prosperous Nigeria.”

Senator Shehu Sani has blasted Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, for his recent comments criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. Sani accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy, pointing out that he remained silent when former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of nepotism, but now speaks out against Tinubu.

Sani also referenced El-Rufai’s own track record, saying “Let’s not make reference to the nepotism that marginalised Southern Kaduna for eight years. Kaduna was an apartheid state for eight years”. He argued that El-Rufai has no moral authority to criticize Tinubu, given his own history of exclusion and marginalization.

El-Rufai had shared a post by Farooq Kperogi, a US-based Nigerian professor, accusing Tinubu of governing Nigeria with a Lagos mindset. However, Sani countered that El-Rufai’s criticism is motivated by his own personal grievances, rather than a genuine concern for good governance.

Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, has slammed Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, for his recent comments criticizing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.

Sani accused El-Rufai of practicing tyranny while in power but now preaching democracy after being ousted. El-Rufai had claimed that the APC has abandoned its founding principles and is fostering poor leadership, stating that “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders”.

However, Sani countered that El-Rufai has no moral authority to criticize, given his own history of intolerance and hypersensitivity to criticism. Sani likened El-Rufai to a man who speaks ill of a woman who rejected him, saying that El-Rufai “demonised the opposition when in the palace and now embracing them when in the wilderness”.

Sani also pointed out that El-Rufai’s criticism of Tinubu’s government as being led by “illiterates” is hypocritical, given that El-Rufai himself was accused of nepotism and marginalization during his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State.

By Ismaila Abba

A Kaduna-based pressure group, “Eagle Brain,” has called on all stakeholders in the state to stop any planned relocation of the College of Administrative and Social Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Romi, Kachia road.

A Statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna Thursday, said the rumored relocation, if confirmed as true, would have devastating consequences on the wellbeing of the community, especially on youths development.

Reads the Statement:

“As a civil society organization dedicated to the promotion of justice, equity, and the advancement of educational opportunities in our communities, we at Eagle Brain feel compelled to address a pressing issue that threatens the very fabric of our society – the rumored relocation of the College of Administrative and Social Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic (Romi Campus, by Kachia road) and the alarming demarcation of its land into plots.

“Education is undeniably the cornerstone of societal development. It shapes minds, fosters innovation, and drives economic growth.

“The presence of higher education institutions in our communities not only enhances access to quality education but also stimulates local economies by creating jobs and supporting businesses that cater to students and staff.

“The College of Administrative and Social Studies has been a vital institution for the people of Chikun Local Government and its surrounding areas, providing invaluable services and opportunities for youth development.

“However, during a recent visit to the campus, we observed unsettling activities that warrant immediate attention.

“The open fields surrounding the school, which have historically served as communal spaces for students and the local youth, are being cultivated and demarcated into numbered plots. This alarming development raises serious concerns about the future of the institution and the community it serves.

“Moreover, there are rumors of the school’s relocation to Rigachikun, a move that would displace students, staff, and local businesses, leading to significant economic and social dislocation.

“The implications of such a decision are profound: loss of educational access, disruption of livelihoods, and the dismantling of a critical support system for the youth of our community.

“We must ask ourselves: Who stands to benefit from these actions? Why is there a concerted effort to undermine the educational foundation of our community?

“The answers to these questions are crucial as we seek to protect our rights and the future of our youth.

“As a community, we cannot stand idly by while these injustices unfold. We urge all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government, Chikun Local Government, civil society organizations, community groups, faith-based organizations, political leaders, traditional institutions, youth organizations, student associations, opinion leaders, and concerned citizens, to rise and demand accountability,” the statement continued.

Eagle Brain wants stakeholders to:

“Investigate the Allegations: Demand transparency regarding the demarcation of land and the rumored relocation of the college. Who is responsible for these actions, and what are their intentions?

“Protect Our Educational Institutions: Advocate for the preservation of the College of Administrative and Social Studies as a vital resource for our community. It is essential that we safeguard our access to education and the opportunities it provides.

“Support Local Youth: Recognize the importance of the college’s facilities, such as the playground, which serves as a hub for youth engagement and development. We must ensure that our young people have spaces to grow, learn, and thrive.

“Mobilize Community Action: Encourage community members to voice their concerns and stand united against any actions that threaten our educational institutions and the well-being of our community.

“In conclusion, we at Eagle Brain have raised our voices in protest against this injustice. Now, we implore you to join us in this critical fight for the future of our youth and the integrity of our community. Together, we can ensure that our educational institutions remain a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come.”