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  • Igboho: my name has been removed from Wanted Persons’ list

    Igboho: my name has been removed from Wanted Persons’ list

    Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, yesterday arrived in Nigeria after his name was removed from the list of wanted persons.

    He returned home from self-exile in neighbouring Cotonou, Benin Republic.

    Upon arrival, Igboho was welcomed by supporters, Muslim clerics and others at his Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State home.

    They offered prayers over Igboho’s smooth return, and also prayed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and traditional rulers, who intervened in his case.

    Recounting his ordeal, Igboho, who shed tears, lamented that under the previous administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, he was declared wanted, denied a Nigerian passport, and had his bank accounts frozen despite favourable court rulings.

    His return could be termed as another homecoming after he fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021, following a raid on his Ibadan residence by a combined team of Department of State Services and Nigerian Army over allegations of stockpiling arms and ammunition.

    In 2024, Igboho was in the country briefly for his late mother’s burial.

    After arriving yesterday, Igboho proceeded to the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, where he was received by supporters.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    The visibly happy Oba Ladoja welcomed Igboho and prayed for him.

    Igboho said: ‘’I’m grateful to God Almighty for this day. I’m also grateful to our President. Baba Olubadan Ladoja was instrumental to my final freedom. Since I was in Cotonou, he has been checking up on me as a son. Baba Adebanjo also helped me. Baba Ladoja helped me by speaking with elders in Yoruba land.

    “He spoke with me last Friday while I was in Cotonou. He told me to pack my belongings. That he was with the President and had spoken with him. Baba Ladoja said he begged him, and he has authorised that I am cleared. I’m grateful to God Almighty because I never thought I would come back home.

    “I’m very happy. This is why I have to come to pay homage to Baba Ladoja. I’m grateful to President Tinubu.

    “My advice to Yoruba people is that we should unite so that we can take our region to greater heights. I’m confident President Tinubu is making efforts to improve security.”

  • APC: no plan to replace Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027

    APC: no plan to replace Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said there is no truth is the rumour about the possibility of replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 general election.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, debunked the rumour in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    Morka said the rumours and name speculations were purely speculative, untrue, and utterly baseless.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to growing media frenzy about the possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu under the platform of our great party ahead of the 2027 general election.

    “While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacements for Vice President Shettima.

    “Our party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue, and utterly baseless.”

    READ ALSO: Accord, APC, ADC ready for battle

    The APC also urged media organisations to refrain from lending their platforms to rumour-peddlers and mischievous “news sources” of questionable provenance whose only intention is to promote discord and confusion in the polity.

    Reiterating that the laws and electoral regulations banning political activities remain in force, the party maintained  that “at this time, our Party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people.”

    The party also urged ministers, senior government and party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations.

    It advised them “to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and our Party, and bolster the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader”.

  • Legal, technical hitches stall Diezani’s corruption trial in UK

    Legal, technical hitches stall Diezani’s corruption trial in UK

    The corruption trial of a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in London was delayed yesterday for legal and technical reasons.

    The 65-year-old, who is the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, related to her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015, when Goodluck Jonathan was Nigeria’s president.

    The trial may not begin until today, with both the prosecution and defence teams needing to agree on certain evidence that may or may not be examined during the proceedings — and to finalise the selection of jurors — lawyers said.

    Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups between 2011 and 2015.

    These included the use of refurbishment work on, and staff costs at several London properties, furniture, chauffeur-driven cars, a private jet flight to Nigeria and £100,000 ($137,000) in cash.

    Other counts allege she received bribes, including school fees for her son, products from high-end shops such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton, and further private jet flights.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    Accepting these bribes constituted “improper performance” of her duties as oil minister, the indictment read.

    She appeared at a London court last week for preliminary proceedings, including technical matters and jury selection, ahead of the trial, which is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.

    Two others, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted on bribery charges linked to the case.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke has been on bail since she was first arrested in London in October 2015.

    She has denied the charges against her.

    In 2023, she was formally charged with offences of accepting bribes, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

    “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA said at the time.

    Earlier in 2023, the NCA, which targets international and serious and organised crime, said it provided evidence to US prosecutors allowing them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.

    They included luxury real estate in California and New York, as well as a 65-metre (213-foot) superyacht, the Galactica Star, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on March 27.

    Born to a well-off family in the oil city of Port Harcourt in 1960, Alison-Madueke studied architecture in Britain and the United States before joining oil giant Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary.

    In politics, she held three major positions in government — first as Transport Minister in 2007 under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, then Minister of Mines and Steel development.

    When Jonathan took over after the death of Yar’Adua, he appointed her Minister of Petroleum Resources in April 2010.

    In 2014, she became the first female president of OPEC, a role she held for around a year.

  • I work hard because my husband is diligent, says First Lady

    I work hard because my husband is diligent, says First Lady

    • Senator Tinubu selected as Leadership Newspaper’s ‘Person of the Year’

    • ‘Award motivates me to do more’

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has said her work ethic is inspired by the example of her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    She described the President as a hard-working leader whose commitment to duty pushes her to do more.

    Mrs. Tinubu spoke yesterday in Abuja while formally receiving the notification of her selection as Person of the Year by Leadership Newspapers during a visit by the organisation’s management.

    “I like to work hard because my husband is a hard-working man,” the First Lady said.

    She said the recognition had further motivated her to deepen her service to Nigerians.

    In a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Mrs. Tinubu said: “With this, I am fired up for the year. I am guided by the scripture, which says I can do all things… There is still more for me to do — what I am doing for the common man.”

    The First Lady thanked the newspaper for the honour, describing it as a call to greater responsibility.

    She expressed appreciation that her efforts as a woman were being acknowledged.

    Mrs. Tinubu noted that society often describes the world as male-dominated, saying this reality only challenges women to work harder and remain focused.

    READ ALSO: Accord, APC, ADC ready for battle

    “I have never seen men as a challenge, but that makes me know that I have to work three times as hard to get ahead,” she said.

    Mrs. Tinubu urged young women to be confident, focused, and hardworking.

    The First Lady also paid a tribute to the late founder of the Leadership Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah, whom she described as a man of integrity.

    She hailed the current management of the newspaper for sustaining the late founder’s legacy.

    The Chairman of Leadership Newspapers, Zainab Nda-Isaiah, said the decision to honour Mrs. Tinubu as Person of the Year 2025 was unanimous.

    She cited the impact of her interventions nationwide through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) since 2023.

    The group’s Senior Vice Chairman, Azu Ishiekwene, said the First Lady had redefined the office, turning it into a platform for compassionate leadership that impacts lives beyond ethnic, religious or political lines.

    The award ceremony is scheduled for February 12, marking the 18th edition of the honour, which President Tinubu has received three times in the past.

  • Shell’s planned $20b investment driven by Tinubu’s policies

    Shell’s planned $20b investment driven by Tinubu’s policies

    Global energy giant, Shell Plc has credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership and reforms for its latest decision to invest additional $20 billion in Nigeria.

    Shell is also committing to more long-term investments in Nigeria in what the corporation described as a “sea change” from where it was several years ago, when it was pulling back on investments in the country.

    Global Chief Executive, Shell Plc, Mr Wael Sawan, at a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, said the bold and visionary leadership of President Tinubu was the major reason Shell is deepening its investments in Nigeria.

    According to him, President Tinubu’s leadership has created a healthy and stable climate that is restoring investors’ confidence and stimulating new investment decisions.

    Shell’s new project, Bonga Southwest, will see the corporation investing about $20 billion in foreign direct investment. The new investment, which is expected to reach Final Investment Decision (FID) soon, comes on the heels of a string of recent investments by Shell including $5 billion in Bonga North, $2 billion in HI conventional gas project and the gas project with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.  

    Sawan said: “We have really been in a space where we are very keen to invest in Nigeria. But I would say this has not always been the case. Your leadership and your vision have created an investment climate over the last few years that, I will be very honest with you, propelled us to invest, in particular, also as we compare to other investments around the world.

    “Stability in today’s environment will honestly have a premium for corporates because we are investing not for one administration or five or 10 years, we want to invest for 20, 30, 40 years and in the case of Nigeria, for many, many decades”.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    He pointed out that Nigeria, under the Tinubu administration, is one of the countries attracting significant investment from global oil companies.

    He said Shell sees further opportunities for additional investments in Nigeria given President Tinubu’s transformative leadership, his team and investors-friendly policies.

    He noted that Shell has recently expanded its investments in Nigeria by deepening its interest in Block OML 118, the Bonga Block.

    “Total Energies was selling, so we bought it because we want to deepen further. But that, we think, is not enough. We think there is more to invest here, and we understand the vision that you have for the country. And so we are indeed working on a project, Bonga Southwest, that could, if we reach an FID stage, see us, with our partners, invest around $20 billion in foreign direct investment, half of which will be capital. The other half will be the operating expenses and the like that will come into the country.

    “This will be one of the biggest, I would say, energy projects in the world,” Sawan said.

    He added that the corporation still sees “opportunities like Bonga South, which is further in the funnel, to be able to continue to invest”.

    He said: “Your Excellency, to Bonga Southwest, that huge project, I would like to thank you. I want to thank you for the leadership you have shown there to be able to provide the incremental incentives that are now getting us line of sight to an investment in this project with our partners”.

    He also commended the President’s team, describing them as outstanding professionals.

    “And that leadership, I would also say, has put many of the people that we are working with, your team, are amongst the best that we are dealing with anywhere in the world, and that professionalism allows us to be able to have the confidence, and I would say our partners as well, to have the confidence to continue to invest,” Sawan said.

    Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, stated that at the meeting, President Tinubu approved the gazetting of targeted, investment-linked incentives to support the proposed Bonga South West deep offshore oil project by Shell and its partners.

    The President also directed his Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, to facilitate the gazette of the incentives in line with Nigeria’s existing legal and fiscal frameworks.

     The President made it clear that the incentives were not blanket concessions but linked to verifiable investments.

    “They are ring-fenced and investment-linked, focused on new capital and incremental production, strong local content delivery, and in-country value addition.

    “My expectation is clear: Bonga South West must reach a Final Investment Decision within the first term of this administration,” President Tinubu said.

  • Kano quakes with governor, lawmakers defection to APC

    Kano quakes with governor, lawmakers defection to APC

    • Barau excited by movement into party

    • Kwankwaso’s son quits exco

    A major realignment of political forces ahead of next year’s polls occurred in Kano State yesterday.

    Governor Abba Yusuf, 22 members of the House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, 44 local government chairmen and several political appointees defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Also defecting with the governor were eight federal legislators, 44 local government chairmen and 484 councillors.

    Explaining their decision, the lawmakers said the move was driven by the need for political stability and sustainable development.

    The development triggered ripples within the state’s political space, particularly among members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement led by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    Kwankwaso’s son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, subsequently resigned his appointment as Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, citing a conflict of loyalty.

    At a separate event elsewhere in the sprawling Kano metropolis, Kwankwaso met with members of his political group and others who declined to follow Governor Yusuf into the APC.

    Today in Jos, the Plateau State capital, Governor Caleb Mutfwang is expected to be formally received into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

    Exuding confidence, Yusuf was warmly received into the APC by former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibril Barau; Senator Kawu Sumaila; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Atah; members of the House of Representatives; and other party chieftains.

    They commended him for what they described as courage and political foresight at the defection ceremony held at the Coronation Hall of Government House, Kano, where he received the party’s flag and membership card.

    The governor pledged to work closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate development and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State.

    READ ALSO: Accord, APC, ADC ready for battle

    He described his defection as a choice for progress over pride and emphasised the significance of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Yusuf also announced plans to establish a Kano Elders Council aimed at promoting stability, unity and good governance in the state.

    He commended Ganduje and Barau Jibrin for their support, assuring them that he would not let them down.

    The governor recalled that he first joined the APC in 2014, when he won the party’s primary election for the Kano Central Senatorial seat, which he later relinquished to Senator Kwankwaso.

    He cited governance realities, national cohesion and development needs as reasons for returning to the APC, which he described as “familiar and structured for progressive governance.”

    According to him, his return would strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government, fast-track development, improve security and enhance service delivery in Kano State.

    Yusuf said: “I am entering the APC together with 22 state lawmakers, eight federal legislators, 44 local government chairmen and 484 councillors.

    “We will work collectively to advance the party’s noble ideals for the overall political development of Kano State.

    “Our mission is to advance the Kano agenda, which remains our primary concern, not personal interest.”

    Ganduje urges governorship aspirants to step aside

    Ganduje urged all governorship aspirants in Kano State to shelve their ambitions, declaring that the APC ticket for 2027 would be ceded to Yusuf.

    He called on party members to rally behind the governor, whom he described as the leader of the party in the state.

    Ganduje said: “Anyone seeking to govern Kano State in 2027 should put their ambition on hold to enable Governor Yusuf complete his two-term tenure.”

    The former governor of Kano State praised Yusuf for defecting to what he called the progressive camp and for placing the interest of the state above personal considerations.

    He added: “I can categorically tell you that you are going to win in 2027 by a landslide because those contesting for the same seat have agreed to step aside.

    “To us, the leaders of the APC, this is a memorable occasion. I strongly welcome Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf back to his home.”

    Ganduje recalled that Yusuf was part of the APC at its formation but left due to political differences.

    “Now, we are thankful that you are back to your party and your home,” he said.

    Describing Yusuf as a progressive politician, Ganduje cited his policies, utterances and implementation style as evidence.

    He formally declared Yusuf as the leader of the APC in Kano State, saying: “As the leader of the APC in Kano today, you embody the party’s policies.”

    Putting to rest speculation about party leadership, he added: “Governor Yusuf today stands as the leader of the party in the state.”

    Ganduje also described President Tinubu as a nationalist who treats citizens equally, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

    Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, himself a governorship aspirant, joined Ganduje in raising Yusuf’s hands during the reception.

    He commended Yusuf for what he called a bold and decisive return to the APC, describing the move as lasting.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, Barau said he would work with Yusuf and other stakeholders to address the challenges facing Kano State.

    Barau recalled that his entry into politics over three decades ago was driven by a desire to serve the people of Kano and Nigeria.

    He said he has remained committed to that mission and would continue to work for unity, progress and development.

    Barau said: “I welcome His Excellency, the Governor of our beloved state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, to our great party, the APC, the largest political party in Africa.

    “I also want to reassure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of my unalloyed commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, as we work together to take Nigeria to the next level.”

    The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi, said in a statement that Yusuf does not require Kwankwaso’s support to secure a second term.

    Kwankwaso’s son resigns as commissioner

    Mustapha Kwankwaso, in his resignation letter, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the state.

    He said: “As I resign, I pray that the youth of Kano State will continue to receive the attention and support they deserve.”

    He expressed confidence that sports development programmes in the state would continue to flourish and wished the Yusuf administration success.

    Atiku’s son Abba registers for APC

    In Adamawa State, Northeast, Abba Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, formalised his defection to the APC.

    He received his APC membership card at his Gwadabawa Ward in Yola, the state capital, and was formally welcomed by party leaders at the state secretariat.

    Addressing party executives and members, Abba said he was motivated by the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He described the President as the best option for Nigeria under the current circumstances and pledged to support his re-election in 2027.

    Abba’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) comes six months after his father left the PDP for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Observers note that while Atiku is positioning himself within the ADC ahead of 2027, his son is now in the ruling APC, campaigning for President Tinubu’s re-election.

    Receiving Abba, Adamawa APC Chairman, Idris Shuaibu, said the party appreciated his conviction and decision.

    Shuaibu added that the party was pleased that Abba was bringing his experience and influence into the APC.

    Tinubu to receive Mutfwang into APC today

    All arrangements have been concluded for today’s formal reception of Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, into the APC.

    Mutfwang, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, defected alongside members of the state cabinet, National Assembly members, the entire State House of Assembly, local government chairmen and councillors.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to represent President Tinubu, who is on an official visit to Turkey.

    He will be joined by Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; members of the National Working Committee; and governors elected on the platform of the APC.

    Also expected at the event are Plateau traditional rulers and federal and state lawmakers.

    Co-chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Ahmed Wase, said the reception marks a defining moment in Plateau State politics.

    “This event has ignited excitement across the state and beyond,” Wase said, adding that it reflects a growing consensus for unity and inclusive governance.

    He recalled that Governor Mutfwang formally resigned from the PDP on December 29, 2025, citing commitment to purposeful leadership and effective service delivery.

    According to Wase, the governor’s subsequent alignment with the APC signalled support for the Renewed Hope Agenda and a desire to position Plateau State for accelerated development, improved security and better living standards.

  • NAFDAC’s ban of sachet drinks will cripple local investments, says DIBAN

    NAFDAC’s ban of sachet drinks will cripple local investments, says DIBAN

    Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), yesterday, urged National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to reconsider its stand on the implementation of ban on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets in the interest of the economy and local investments.

    The association, which led a coalition of civil societies of Nigeria,  including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and workers from various companies to the day-2 protest at Lagos office of the regulatory agency, said the decision to ban the products would cripple  investments and lead to job loss.

    The protesters, who converged on the agency’s office as early as 8.30am , carried placards with various inscriptions as they appealed to Federal Government to call the NAFDAC Chief to order in the interest of the nation’s economy and the likely consequence of the decision on millions of Nigerians, whose means of livelihoods are connected with the sector.

    Some of the inscriptions on the placards read; ‘Local manufacturers deserve protection, not frustration’, ‘Stop destroying local manufacturers’, ‘N2 trillion investment deserves protection’, ‘5.5 million Nigerians cannot be pushed to the streets’, and ‘The Renewed Hope Agenda must work for all Nigerians’.

    The Executive Secretary, Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, a union under TUC, Comrade Solomon Adebosin, who spoke to Journalists said the protest became necessary following the decision of  NAFDAC to commence the enforcement on the ban of production and sale of alcohol in sachets and pet bottle below 200ml, despite the directive of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that all actions and measures related to the proposed ban, should be suspended, pending the outcome of consultations and final directive.

    Last week, NAFDAC announced that it had begun enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcohol packaged in sachets and polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottles across the country.

    READ ALSO: Accord, APC, ADC ready for battle

     “At this period of our economy, throwing over five million people out of their jobs and putting at least  3 trillion investment at risk will not augur well for our country. We appreciate our president for his various proactive measures to strengthen the economy, killing local investments, and throwing people out of jobs will definitely frustrate President’s commitment to boost the economy,” Adebosin said.

    He pointed out that the policy to ban the sachet drinks seemed targeted at the indigenous producers as they are the most affected by this policy.

    “With the trend and the target of the ban, it is clear that it meant to frustrate local manufacturers out of the market. Unfortunately, this will have multiple negative effects on the economy as all the people engaged in the value chain of sales and production would be affected.” he stated.

    To this end, Adebosin affirmed that proper regulation through access control and advocacy are globally accepted as a sustainable approach in resolving the imbroglio. To this end, he appealed to the regulatory agency to follow the global trend by deepening regulation rather than embarking on an unpopular route that would create economic havoc for Nigerians.

    Comrade Declan Ihekaire, who represented the coalition of civil societies of Nigeria protecting consumer rights, said that the initiative is in solidarity with members of the distillers’ association, under the aegis of the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, who have been shut out of work following the regulatory action by NAFDAC.

    He argued that the ban would worsen economic hardship, noting that millions of Nigerians are employed across the value chain of sachet alcohol production, distribution, and sales.

    While accusing the government of using regulatory agencies to impose policies that affect low-income earners, who are the consumers of the products, he noted that the ban can only be justified when there is serious health challenges.

    He said: “Millions of Nigerians have decided to go on low-key by consuming those products because of the income level. It’s not everybody that is so rich to afford Hennessy and other big drinks. So when you now say we shouldn’t take such a drink, it’s as good as saying don’t take sachet water but only take bottled water.”

    He, however, insisted that regulation rather than banning the products should have been adopted if there were issues the regulatory agency wanted to address.

    Branch Chairman of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) in Lagos, Comrade Somefun Olamiye, accused the Director-General NAFDAC of misrepresenting facts to justify the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks, stressing that the claim that sachet alcohol contains excessively high alcohol content were false.

  • Military set to court-martial suspects for alleged coup

    Military set to court-martial suspects for alleged coup

    For months, the whispers refused to die down as questions about what truly happened behind the barracks walls persisted.

    Yesterday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed what it once dismissed as mere rumour.

    It said investigations into alleged coup plotting within the military have been concluded, with a report submitted on 16 officers arrested for serious service violations, including attempts to overthrow the government.

    The DHQ said the report was forwarded to the appropriate superior authority, in line with extant military regulations.

    The confirmation was contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Sumaila Uba.

    According to the statement, the investigation, conducted strictly in accordance with established military procedures, examined all circumstances surrounding the actions of the affected personnel.

    “The findings have identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN),” the statement said.

    Major General Uba explained that officers found to have cases to answer would be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    “Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.

    This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process,” he added.

    How the coup story broke

    The controversy dates back to October 2025, when reports surfaced alleging that some military officers were involved in a plot to destabilise and possibly overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    At the time, the reports triggered widespread public concern, coming against the backdrop of coups and attempted coups in several West African countries, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

    The military high command swiftly moved to douse tensions.

    In an initial response, the Defence Headquarters categorically denied that there was any coup plot, describing media reports of an attempt to overthrow the Federal Government as “baseless” and “misleading.”

    However, shortly after the denial, the military announced that 16 officers had been arrested and were facing military justice, not for coup plotting, but for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

    What the military said then

    In its October 2025 statement, the DHQ explained that the grievances of the arrested officers stemmed largely from internal issues, particularly perceived career stagnation resulting from repeated failures in promotion examinations, among other service-related complaints.

    The military further stated that some of the officers were already under military jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting trial or currently undergoing trial, before their latest arrest.

    At the time, the high command was emphatic that the actions taken were purely disciplinary.

    “The measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” the DHQ said.

    It also reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, loyalty and constitutional authority, insisting that there was no threat to Nigeria’s democratic order.

    A shift from denial to confirmation

    Yesterday’s statement by the DHQ marks a significant shift, from outright denial of coup-related allegations to a confirmation that investigations uncovered claims of plotting to overthrow the government among some of the arrested officers.

    Despite this, the military maintained that the process remains strictly within the bounds of military law and discipline, not political vendetta.

    “The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority,” the DHQ assured Nigerians.

  • ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    By Ayo Opadokun

    Could there have been Nigeria without the discovery of the gun? Could there have been Military insurrections without the gun? Could there have been an imposition of Military dictatorship that arrested Nigerians’ manifest hopes and aspirations as well as stunted its growth and development without the gun?

    Was the “Nigerian Army” a creation of Nigeria or that of the Imperialist Great Britain to suppress, intimidate, hound, repress and humiliate Nigerian ethnic groups in order to force the over 350 different groups into co-habitation so as to achieve the so-called amalgamated Nigeria?

    Who were the Principal Promoters of the First and Revenge coups? Who were the Principal Advisers of Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi in 1966 after supplanting the democratically-elected government? Could there have been the Nigerian Civil War without the ego contest between Col. Ojukwu and Major General Gowon? What are the consequences of the Civil War on the Igbo ethnic group and Nigeria generally?

    Could there have been a reprisal Military insurrection on July 29,1966 without the gun Furthermore, When Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, bluntly declared publicly that the execution of the coup in the South was tribalistic and his view was corroborated by Captain Emmanuel Nwobosi,Leader of operations in the Western Region that the operation in Lagos were compromised by nepotism,why did Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi dither for about six months without convening the appropriate Military bodies to decide the fates of the coup plotters?

    Why did General Aguiyi-Ironsi insist on the promulgation of  Decree 34 of 24th May 1966 despite the critical advice and suggestions to him by Lt.Col.Usman Katsina and others ?

    The above posers have not been adequately responded to by various writers even though the general public is repeatedly asking questions as to:

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    When and how did Nigeria start getting it wrong?

    What are the impacts of the Military’s dictatorship on the country’s socio-economic, political, social services, infrastructure and public institutions, like the police and the Nigerian Army itself?

    Why has Nigeria lost her cherished national ethos, values, standards, rules of engagement? And  Why has Nigeria become a country of opposites whereby while a number of those countries with which we were relatively at par at our political Independence in 1960 have become “developed” countries and  we remain an “under-developing” country in spite of our quantitative and qualitative natural and human resources advantages?

    What are the levers of alternative powers who collaborated or acquiesced to sustain Military dictatorship in Nigeria for so long and the consequences of their actions?

    The Gun Hegemony tackles all these posers. As a historical, educative and informative book, it attempts to provide answers and responses to the above posers. The book also challenges other interested observers to write on the consequences of Military dictatorship on our body politics and its enduring negative legacies. Nigerians should be able to appreciate why Nigeria remains a country rather than developing into a nation after 65 post-independence years.

    Where would Nigeria be today if the military did not stage the insurrection of January 15,1966?

    •Opadokun is the Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)

  • Yusuf, Kano politics and national integration

    Yusuf, Kano politics and national integration

    By Gloria Fraser

    Kano State has long occupied a unique place in Nigeria’s political imagination. As the most electorally significant state in the North-West and one of the country’s most politically engaged societies, Kano’s voting choices often carry implications far beyond its borders.

    This is why reports suggesting that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may be moving toward alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have generated strong reactions — including claims that such a decision would be a “big mistake” because Kano, historically, is said to be “predominantly opposition.”

    Yet a closer reading of Kano’s political history suggests something more complex, and far more pragmatic: Kano is not ideologically committed to opposition. Kano is strategically committed to relevance, bargaining power, and local political ownership.

    The idea that Kano must always resist the party at the centre may be rhetorically appealing. But it is not supported by the full record of Nigerian electoral history.

    Beyond the Opposition Label.

    Critics often point to Kano’s support for NEPU in the First Republic, and the PRP in the Second Republic, as evidence that the state has always leaned opposition. There is no doubt that Kano did, at key moments, vote differently from the dominant northern establishment of those eras.

    But NEPU and PRP were not simply “opposition parties” in today’s sense. They were deeply indigenous movements rooted in Kano’s urban populism, anti-feudal sentiment, and local class politics.

    In other words, Kano’s choices were less a rejection of the centre, and more an assertion of identity — a desire to back platforms that expressed Kano’s internal political temperament and social aspirations.

    Kano was not voting against national power as a doctrine. Kano was voting for itself.

    A State That Has Backed the Centre When It Suits.

    Perhaps the most damaging flaw in the “permanent opposition” argument is that Kano has, in modern democratic history, overwhelmingly supported the ruling party at the centre when conditions aligned.

    In 2015 and even more decisively in 2019, Kano became one of the APC’s strongest electoral pillars.

    In the 2019 presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari won Kano with more than 1.46 million votes, representing over 77 per cent of the total.

    That was not opposition politics. That was Kano voting massively for the sitting president and the ruling national party.

    This single fact complicates any claim that Kano “never purposefully leaned toward the centre.”

    It has. And it did so emphatically.

    Kano Votes Structure and Ownership, Not Opposition Romance.

    The 2023 elections are often cited as Kano’s “return” to opposition, following the victory of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state.

    But even this requires more careful interpretation.

    Kano did not simply vote for a fringe opposition platform. Kano voted for the Kwankwasiyya movement — a political identity with deep grassroots structure and emotional resonance.

    The NNPP’s strength was less about party ideology and more about political ownership: a feeling that Kano had found a vehicle that belonged to its internal political machinery, rather than one imposed from outside.

    As one political observer in Kano noted privately at the time, “The party was secondary. The movement was primary.”

    This is not unusual in Kano. Political labels often matter less than the networks beneath them.

    Adaptation, Not Permanence.

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    Over the decades, Kano has shifted through multiple political alignments: NEPU, PRP, PDP, ANPP, APC, NNPP.

    Such fluidity is not evidence of ideological opposition.

    It is evidence of adaptability — the hallmark of a politically sophisticated electorate.

    A truly opposition-locked state does not deliver landslide victories to a ruling president in one cycle, and then switch to a regional movement in another. Kano does both, depending on circumstance.

    The Myth of Electoral Impossibility.

    Perhaps the most sweeping claim made by critics is that the APC cannot simultaneously win Kano and win nationally — that Kano must always vote against whoever holds power in Abuja.

    This is not grounded in political reality.

    Elections are shaped by measurable variables:

    candidate appeal; elite cohesion; grassroots mobilisation; performance in office; economic pressures; security dynamics; and federal-state relationships.

    There is no mystical law that Kano must oppose the centre.

    As the late British statesman Harold Macmillan once observed, “Politics is a matter of realities, not illusions.”

    Kano’s politics, above all, is a politics of realities.

    Federal Alignment and Development Incentives.

    Nigeria’s contemporary political economy has increasingly made federal alignment a practical consideration for many states.

    Access to major infrastructure partnerships, security coordination, industrial revival programmes and strategic appointments often flows more efficiently through cooperative centre-state relations.

    Neighbouring North-Western states such as Kaduna and Katsina have benefited from sustained federal attention partly because of political synchronisation with the centre.

    For Kano — Nigeria’s commercial hub of the North — the incentives of full federal integration are substantial.

    Supporters of Governor Yusuf’s potential APC move argue that Kano cannot indefinitely afford political distance from the centre if it seeks mega-projects, industrial expansion, enhanced security architecture, and sustained fiscal cooperation.

    In this sense, alignment is not surrender — it is strategy.

    Governor Yusuf’s Calculation: Risk, But Not Necessarily Error.

    Would joining the APC automatically guarantee victory in 2027? No.

    Would it automatically guarantee defeat? No.

    It would be a high-stakes recalibration — one that could succeed if matched by tangible governance outcomes and careful party integration.

    If Governor Yusuf moves with significant legislative backing, institutional cohesion, and visible federal dividends, Kano’s electorate is pragmatic enough to follow.

    But if the shift is viewed as elite manoeuvring without clear developmental benefit, Kano’s politically conscious electorate could respond harshly.

    Kano rewards strength. Kano punishes emptiness.

    A Politics of Negotiation, Not Opposition.

    The enduring truth about Kano is not that it is “predominantly opposition.”

    The truth is that Kano is predominantly power-conscious.

    It votes for relevance. It votes for ownership. It votes for political structures that can deliver both pride and progress.

    Governor Yusuf’s possible alignment with the ruling party may therefore not be a historical mistake, but an attempt to position Kano at the heart of national development bargaining ahead of 2027.

    In Kano, the centre is not automatically rejected.

    The centre is negotiated.

    And the outcome will depend not on mythology, but on performance.

    The National Patriots Movement notes that Kano’s full integration with the federal centre is not a surrender of identity, but a strategic pathway to accelerated development. As Nigeria’s commercial nerve of the North, Kano stands to gain from deeper synergy with Abuja in infrastructure, security coordination, and industrial growth. Sustainable progress often follows cooperative governance, not permanent political distance.

    •Fraser is an official of The National Patriots.