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  • Bauchi commissioner Adamu, four others arraigned for alleged terror financing, money laundering 

    Bauchi commissioner Adamu, four others arraigned for alleged terror financing, money laundering 

    …remanded in Kuje prison till January 5

    The Commissioner of Finance in Bauchi State, said to be a former Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Plc (Bauchi branch), Yakubu Adamu, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on two separate charges of terror financing and money laundering.

    Adamu was arraigned on Wednesday along with three others on a 10-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which they were accused of engaging in terrorism financing to the tune of $9.7million.

    Those arraigned with Adamu on Wednesday on the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which prosecuting lawyer, Samuel Chime sought for a date for the commencement of trial and applied that the defendants be remanded in prison.

    Defence lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN) informed the court about the bail applications filed by his clients and sought the court’s permission to move them.

    Chime acknowledged being served with the bail applications and said he has also filed a joint response to them.

    Justice Emeka Nwite then asked Uche is the facts in the four bail applications were the same, to which he (Uche) said there a slight difference.

    Uche said while Adamu was arrested, the other three defendants reported to the EFCC upon being invited.

    He then, proceeded to move the applications and argued that the prosecution’s proof of evidence did not specifically linked his clients with the offence of terrorism financing as alleged.

    Uche prayed the court to appreciate the circumstances and exercise its discretion in favour of the defendants.

    He told the court that Adamu’s continued detention has affected about 60, 0000 workers in Bauchi State, who were yet to be paid their salaries.

    Uche added, “My lord, do not be carried away by the nature of the charge. I urge you to give it a liberal view and grant them bail on liberal terms.”

    Responding, Chime urged the court to refuse the defendants’ bail request and drew the court’s attention to paragraphs 15 and 16 of the prosecution’s counter affidavit.

    The prosecution, in paragraph 15 of the counter affidavit, said it firmly opposes the grant of bail to the defendants in view of the terrorism-related allegations, the money laundering counts and the magnitude of the sums stated on the face of the charge. 

    It claimed in paragraph 16 that Adamu is also facing another pending criminal charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025, bordering on money laundering.

    Adamu and one other were arraigned on the said charge the previous day before the same court.

    After listening to arguments on the bail applications, Justice Nwite adjourned till January 5, 2026 for ruling and ordered that th defendants be remanded in Kuje prison before until then.

    In count one of the charge, Adamu, Sirajo Jaja (while being Accountant-General of Bauchi State, now at large}, Samaila Irmiya Liman (now at large}, Ilelah, Bose and Mohammed (said to be civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government’s accounts and/or payment instruments) were alleged to have committed the offence sometime between Jan. 2024 and May 2024.

    They were alleged to have conspired to provide funds in the aggregate sum of 2,300,000.000 U.S. dollars in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

    The said funds were alleged to be used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist or terrorist group.

    In count three, the defendants were accused of involving in an arrangement which resulted in the sum of about 500,000.00 U.S. dollars being delivered in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him for the purpose of terrorism and for the benefit of a proscribed terrorist group pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed.

    They were, in count four accused of conspiring to disguise the origin of the 2, 300, 000. 00 U.S. dollars, being Bauchi State Government’s funds, routed through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators and other nominees and converting same to U.S. dollars, for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Adamu and a firm, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd were arraigned before Justice Nwite on a six-count charge in which the EFCC accused them of laundering about N5billion.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them, following which Chime (who represented the prosecution) applied to the remand of the defendants in prison pending the commencement of trial.

    Uche (who also represented the defendants) moved a bail application for his client, which was opposed by the prosecuting lawyer, following which the judge adjourned till January 2, 2026 for ruling and ordered that Adamu be remanded in EFCC’s custody.

    In one of the counts in the charge, the EFCC alleged that Adamu, while acting as Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Plc, Bauchi, conspired with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, Managing Director of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Limited, and Muntaka Mohammed Duguri, both currently at large, between June and December 2023, to launder ₦4.65billion. 

    The funds were allegedly availed by Polaris Bank under the guise of financing the supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises, which motorcycles were never supplied.

    In another count, Adamu is accused of acquiring, using, retaining and taking possession or control of ₦976million in 2023, paid into the account of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Limited and subsequently transferred to several individuals and entities, knowing or having reasonable grounds to know that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity linked to the diversion of the Polaris Bank facility.

  • Former IGP Adamu hails Tinubu’s giant strides in two years

    Former IGP Adamu hails Tinubu’s giant strides in two years

    Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Abubakar Adamu, has commended President Bola Tinubu over the giant strides he has recorded during his two years in office.

    In his goodwill message to mark the second anniversary of Tinubu’s administration, the erstwhile top brass of the police force described the President’s leadership as highly impactful and transformative.

    He commended the strides made across key sectors and urged Nigerians to support the government’s reform efforts.

    Recall that President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has spent the last two years implementing wide-ranging reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The administration is credited with improvements in power supply, with generation rising to over 6,000 megawatts, and crude oil output increasing from 600,000 barrels per day to about 1.8 million.

    Economic indicators show steady progress. Inflation dropped from 34.8% to 24.48% by February 2025, GDP rose by 3.8%, the highest in five years, and debt servicing declined from 97% to 68%.

    The government also cleared $5 billion in outstanding foreign exchange obligations, just as revenue generation surpassed ₦9.1 trillion, while Nigeria’s trade surplus rose by 209.6% to ₦18.86 trillion in 2024.

    Federal allocations to states increased alongside the adoption of a unified foreign exchange system to strengthen economic stability.

    Read Also: Masari, Al-Makura, Adamu, others: we remain with Tinubu

    Social interventions have also been a key focus. The administration disbursed N45.6 billion in student loans across tertiary institutions, while ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector are projected to unlock $700 billion in long-term revenue.

    Adamu praised the administration’s inclusive approach to governance, highlighting its achievements as clear evidence of a focused and determined leadership.

    He also expressed optimism that the next phase of the Tinubu presidency would deliver even more tangible results for the benefit of Nigerians.

  • Masari, Al-Makura, Adamu, others: we remain with Tinubu

    Masari, Al-Makura, Adamu, others: we remain with Tinubu

    • CPC bloc ‘won’t quit APC’

    The rumoured planned defection of key members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc in the All Progressives Congress (APC) was laid to rest yesterday.

    The members affirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration and its policies.

    They also pledged loyalty to the APC.

    Former Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the only elected CPC governor; former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who was House of Representatives Speaker, and Minister of Education in the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, signed a communiqué after a meeting of the CPC bloc, along with 20 others.

    The rumour of the CPC bloc defection gained currency following the move by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a member of the CPC bloc, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) last month.

    The CPC, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors fused to form the APC in 2014.

    The then new political party galvanised the votes across the country to defeat the then-ruling PDP and its presidential candidate, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Gen. Buhari became President in 2015.

    Those alleging a defection plot by the CPC stalwarts attributed the reason to the so-called neglect by President Tinubu.

    Read Also: CBEX: Why Nigerians will always fall for Ponzi schemes

    Others who signed the CPC bloc communiqué are: Senator Ibrahim Musa, Senator Mustafa Salihu, Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Almajiri Geidam, Waziri Bulama, Dr. Nasiru Ladan Argungu and Dr. Dominic Alancha.

    Others are Ayuba Balami, Osita Okechukwu, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Lucy Ajayi, Captain Bala Jibrin, Uche Ufearoh, Alh. Yusuf Salihu, Abubakar Maikudi, Mutallib Badmus, Alh. Muhammed Ahmed Datti, Muhammed Etsu, Chief Jerry Johnson and Alh. Alkali Ajikolo.

    The statement reads: “We, the undersigned leaders and committed members of the former CPC, who were part of those instrumental in the historic merger that gave birth to the APC, hereby issue this statement to clarify our unalloyed loyalty to our great party and express firm solidarity with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

    “Recent misleading narratives suggesting a defection or disaffection among CPC stakeholders are false, mischievous, and should be ignored.

    “We remain integral to the APC and are fully aligned with its leadership and vision.

    “Our position is as follows: We stand firmly with you, the APC. We wish to state categorically that we have neither left the APC nor do we intend to leave.

    “The CPC bloc remains one of the legacy foundations of the APC, and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals.

    “The APC is our collective project: As part of the legacy parties that formed the APC, we take pride in the sacrifices made to build a platform that promotes national unity, justice, and development.

    “We will not allow some people to dismantle the party we helped to build through years of tireless work and dedication.

    “We reject the politics of division and desperation: Attempts to create disunity within the party and the country do not reflect the will or position of the genuine CPC core members, and it is unacceptable.

    “Support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda: We align ourselves fully with the economic and governance reforms being undertaken by President Bola Tinubu.

    “Though challenging, these policies are necessary steps to rebuild our economy and secure a better future for all Nigerians.

    “We urge patience and collective support as the benefits unfold.

    “Internal discontent must be addressed through due process: While we acknowledge that some party members may feel sidelined, we emphasise that such grievances are not exclusive to any one bloc.

    “We advise those concerned to seek redress through constitutional channels within the party and not to resort to negative public agitation or hasty exits from the party.

    “Our democracy and party must be strengthened, not weakened. At this critical point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, it is imperative for all APC members—especially those with deep roots in the party’s formation—to work together to preserve its legacy and help consolidate Nigeria’s democracy.

    “We must avoid actions that erode our unity and the stability of the nation.

    “Call for better engagement and communication: We call on the leadership of the APC to scale up engagement with members across all levels.

    “Strengthening internal communication will reduce tension, foster inclusiveness, and enhance support for the party’s programs.

    “Party unity must be nurtured continuously in order to sustain the gains and to secure the future.

    “We therefore reaffirm our loyalty to the APC and our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

    “The CPC family remains a vital pillar of the APC and will continue to play a responsible role in its growth and the progress of Nigeria.”

    ‘El-Rufai is selfish’

    Corroborating the position of leaders of the CPC bloc in the APC that they remain an integral part of the ruling party, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, said those spreading the rumour that the bloc will quit are mischievous.

    He also described former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as a “selfish politician”.

    Speaking on television last night, he said El-Rufai, who played a leading role in President Tinubu’s victory, became bitter when he could not get a ministerial slot.

    Aliyu, who is a close ally of Buhari, said the CPC bloc within the APC won’t dump the party no matter what.

    He said: “It is not true; there is nothing like members of the defunct CPC wanting to move out of APC.

    “Our certificate, the certificate of CPC, was part of what formed APC. So, how can we leave? To go where? This is our party.”

    He noted that Buhari did not endorse El-Rufai’s defection from the APC to the SDP.

    Aliyu urged the APC leadership to engage all blocs within the ruling party to prevent competition and disunity before the next poll.

    “Politics is about engagement. Politics is about the interests of groups, people and so on.

    “That is what we are saying: engage more; not only with people from the defunct CPC, but even from the PDP, so that in 2027, there will be less competition,” he said.

  • Ex-APC national chair, Adamu, announces retirement from politics

    Ex-APC national chair, Adamu, announces retirement from politics

    The former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu has announced his decision to quit partisan politics.

    According to Adamu, he noticed that he had started developing allergies for political activities.

    He made the disclosure over the weekend at the presentation and launching of a book titled, ‘Progressive governance: Showcasing the achievements of His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State 2019-2023’, which was written by Abdullahi Tanimu.

    Speaking on the content of the book, which has 230 pages and a total of 23 chapters, the former APC national chairman, who was the first civilian governor of the state, commended the author for his efforts in writing out all the achievements of the governor since he was elected into office.

    He said: “I am not only a retiree but I am out of politics. I’m beginning to develop little allergies for political activities now and political speeches.

    “So, forgive me, I will not make any political statements beyond asking for further and more support for the governor of the state.

    “He needs all your prayers and goodwill to be able to succeed. So, to encourage the author for his good work, I will launch 20 copies of the book for one million naira.”

    Adamu, popularly called the “Bridge,” began his political career in 1977 when he was elected a member of the Constituent Assembly, which drafted the 1979 Constitution.

    At the beginning of Second Republic, he became a founding member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which was formed from a political association, the National Movement.

    At the time, his home state, Nasarawa was part of the old Plateau State. Thereafter, he was eventually elected Secretary of the NPN in Plateau State and later its chairman.

    Upon the collapse of the Second Republic in 1983, Adamu went to the University of Jos to study law as a part-time student. He was through with his studies by 1992 and enrolled in the Nigeria Law School, Lagos.

    In 1994, the new APC chairman was appointed a member of the National Constitutional Conference convoked by the military administration of Sani Abacha.

    A year later, precisely in 1995, Adamu was appointed the Minister of State for Works and Housing, a position he occupied until November 17, 1997.

    When the ban on politics was lifted by the Abacha administration, he joined the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) on whose platform he wanted to run for the governorship seat of Nasarawa State. That process was truncated following the death of Abacha in 1998.

    In 1999, following the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Adamu became a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He contested and won the governorship election of Nasarawa State. He was governor for eight years between May 1999 and 2007.

    While he served as governor, Mr Adamu chaired the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) between 1999 and 2004.

    In 2007, the year he left office, the former governor won election into the Senate on PDP’s platform to represent Nasarawa West Senatorial District in 2007.

    On January 29, 2014, he and 10 other PDP senators joined the APC.

    In the Senate, Adamu was appointed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

    He also chaired the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) but was removed in 2018 for alleged “financial mismanagement and maladministration,” according to a letter from the Forum’s signed by its then spokesperson, Dino Melaye, and read on the floor of the upper chamber by the then Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Adamu was at various times Chairman of the Board of Directors of Benue Cement Company, Gboko and a member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

    Adamu, who is married with five children, holds the traditional titles of Sarkin Yakin Keffi and Aare Obateru of the Source, Ife, Osun State.

  • Insecurity: Police deepen strategy, launch new operation against bandits – IGP

    Mr Muhammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police, has said that the police had taken steps to deepen its strategy of combating crime and criminals across the country.

    He reiterated that the force would not relent in its efforts to redirect attention to renewed approach against criminal attacks by bandits on innocent Nigerians.

    Adamu said, the force will match step by step against every criminal act” we will close every attempt by swiftly taming criminals. Wherever they move to, they will find us tactically and combatant difficult to perpetrate their acts”, he vowed.

    Adamu who on Tuesday night addressed officers and men of the Sokoto command of the force, gave his words of assurance with passion and commitment to ensuring the use of strategic intelligence machinery to combat insecurity especially in parts of northwest also said the police was actively and battle ready to deplete crime rate in the country.

    ” We are strengthening our logistics capacity with adequate support for our personnel”, he said.

    He urged police operatives to be awake to their role in tackling security problems to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens.

    To this end, the IGP disclosed that the force had demonstrated its commitment through the launch of its newly introduced “Operation Puff Addar”, adding ” we have commenced action in Abuja, Katsina and Zamfara. Our next place of launch is Sokoto”, he disclosed.

    According to Adamu who was in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state earlier in the day before visiting Sokoto,” it is duty bound on all police to brace up to the task of doing what is best, taught and needed at curbing crime. Note that the public is watching kinly”, he stressed.

    Read Also: IGP visits Zamfara, charges Policemen to be offensive

    He noted that there were enormous challenges which informed his decision to tour formations and commands to get first-hand information in order to profer solutions in earnest.

    The IGP also assured of welfare of the police, explaining that the problems of underpayments and related challenges especially those associated with TSA, IPIS among others would be tackled speedily.

    ” Efforts are being made as we are working assiduously in synergy with the office of the Accountant General and CBN to ensure every personnel is captured as appropriate”, he stressed.

  • Human trafficking, migrant smuggling threat to security, says IGP

    The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu has decried the spate of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Nigeria.

    The police boss said the menace has become a major internal security challenge that poses grave threat to the victims and the countries involved.

    The IGP disclosed in Abuja on Monday at a workshop organised by Interpol to counter trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling in Nigeria.

    He said: “Nigeria and indeed the continent of Africa have been experiencing a surge in the menace of trans-border trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

    “These illegal activities do not only pose a threat to the victims as individuals but also to the countries involved at both ends.

    “The Nigeria Police, working in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have been at the forefront in the fight against the menace.

    “The Nigeria Police under my leadership shall continue to support the two agencies while strengthening its institutional capacity towards addressing the threat of human trafficking.”

    Speaking on present and future efforts to curb the menace, Adamu said: “The Nigeria Police raised the bar by upgrading the Anti-Human Trafficking Section of the Force with the appointment of a Commissioner of Police to head the Section.

    “In addition to this, the Police have over the years, remained faithful to the inter-agency framework of seconding police officers to NAPTIP to support and enhance their investigative and operational capacities towards attaining their anti-human trafficking mandate.

    “I can assure that these initiatives shall be sustained under my leadership as the Inspector General of Police.”

    He also promised to engage the Heads of NAPTIP and all other strategic security agencies with mandate for managing human trafficking and migrant smuggling with a view to strengthening inter-agency collaborative efforts and exploring new pathways that will advance the fight against the menace.

    “In addition, I shall continue to deploy our unique intelligence and operational assets and draw on my strong network with INTERPOL to support this initiative, just as I will also be engaging with international agencies and foreign development partners towards achieving the goals of addressing the transnational crime of human trafficking and migrants smuggling.

    “These sets of actions are essential because human trafficking and smuggling of migrants is an organized and transnational crime which requires multi-agency and multinational collaborative approach to effectively combat.”

    Speaking on the impact of the menace, the Acting Head of National Central Bureau, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Lanre Bankole said the fight against the scourge has proven difficult because most victims are under serious threat and intimidation.

    He said: “Fighting human trafficking and migrant smuggling has been a challenging task because the victims were either unsuspecting tools or were subjected to some forms of intimidation and threats of violence with grave consequences to the victims. This makes it difficult for victims to come forward and seek for help.”

    On how to combat it, Bankole said: “This challenge can be mitigated through proactiuve policing of our borders, vigorous and sustained synergy among stakeholders especially intelligence gathering and sharing among other collaborative efforts.”

    The workshop had in attendance participants from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other relevant agencies.

  • Lawan, Goje, Ndume, Adamu battle for Senate Presidency

    •PDP in fresh plot to pitch Dogara against Gbajabiamila as Speaker

    The race for the leadership of the 9th session of the National Assembly is on, just a week after the election into the legislative arm.

    Already in contention are the Senate Presidency and the Speakership of the House of Representatives.

    The Nation can now reveal that no fewer than five candidates are seeking to head the 9th Senate when it is inaugurated in June.

    They are the outgoing Senate Leader  Ahmad Lawan; a former Senate Leader,  Ali Ndume; a former Governor of Gombe State and the outgoing Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation,   Danjuma Goje; and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Support Group (PSG), ex-Governor Adamu Abdullahi.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State who is also being touted as a possible candidate does not seem to stand a chance on account of zoning as he is from the same zone -Southwest- and same state -Ogun- as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He was suspended by the National Working Committee of APC on Friday for alleged anti party activities and recommended for expulsion by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

    For now, only the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is the front runner in the race for the Speakership of the Green Chambers, although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is allegedly hatching a plot to push outgoing Speaker Yakubu Dogara for a return to the seat.

    Dogara emerged in controversial circumstances in 2015 to clinch the post and sources said the PDP to which he now belongs may look for an alternative to Dogara in a desperate bid to stop Gbajabiamila, on the strength of his closeness to the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    PDP is banking on a likely split in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House Caucus to return Dogara as Speaker.

    But pressure is mounting on President Muhammadu Buhari to take charge to avert a repeat of the political scheming which led to the emergence of the outgoing President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Speaker Dogara in 2015 against the directive of the APC.

    The Nation also gathered that some forces in APC want party leaders to prevail on the President to give members of the National Assembly a free hand to elect their leaders.

    Results of the last  National Assembly elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), shows that the  APC won 65 of the 109  (about 59%) senatorial seats in the country, leaving the  PDP with  41 Senatorial seats (37%) and Young Progressives Party’s (YPP) one seat (1%).

    The APC has also won 200 of the 360 House of Representatives seats – leaving PDP with well over 100 seats. The final figure for the two major parties is still not clear as there are still unresolved election contests for several House of Representatives seats.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the APC has the majority of the seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, the emergence of the President of the Senate and the Speaker will still require the input of the PDP.

    It was learnt that the APC will need two-thirds majority in the Senate (about 73 votes) to be able to pass any bill.

    The APC   secured 61 seats in the Red Chambers in 2015 before the PDP infiltrated its ranks to secure the office of the Deputy President of the Senate for Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

    Following the development, all the candidates aspiring to lead the Senate and the House have started reaching out to elected PDP members.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The horse-trading to lead the Senate and the House of Representatives has begun.

    “It is going to be a tough contest because all the candidates are ranking. For example, Ndume has been in the National Assembly for 16 years with eight years spent in the House and another eight years in the Senate. Lawan has been a Senator since 2007 with Adamu and Goje joining in 2011.

    “Some governors and APC stalwarts are gambling with the choice of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to lead the Senate as a bosom friend of the President. They have linked the suspension of the governor to the plot to install him as Senate President.

    “This jostling for power is despite of the fact that the APC is yet to define its zoning or power sharing formula. Those aspiring to lead the National Assembly are banking on the 2015 formula of the APC, which ceded the Senate Presidency to the Northeast and the Speaker to the Southwest, before the President of the Senate, Speaker Dogara and some APC lawmakers revolted.

    “The lack of zoning formula made ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the Northcentral to join the race. As the chairman of the Parliamentary Support Group which resisted the outgoing Senate President to save President Buhari, he believes he should lead the Senate.

    Responding to a question, the source said: “All the candidates are already lobbying not only to have the Senate presidency and House Speaker zoned to their areas but to be anointed.

    “Unless it is carefully managed, the Senate may witness a repeat of the 2015 crisis which PDP took advantage of.”

    Sources said that although Gbajabiamila has a brighter chance to be the next Speaker, the PDP might still resist him.

    It was reliably gathered that the PDP might back Dogara’s return as Speaker by depending on a possible split in the APC caucus. It was also learnt that the PDP might throw mud at Gbajabiamila like it did in 2015 in order to stop the APC candidate.

    Another source said: “The PDP is working on another joker to checkmate Gbajabiamila’s ambition again. Some PDP leaders are uncomfortable with Gbajabiamila, who is a political son of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who worked harder to ensure the defeat of PDP at the presidential poll.

    “PDP actually wants Dogara back in line with its pre-election plans. The opposition can only succeed if the APC Caucus in the House is disunited.

    “The only challenge APC is facing is about likely imposition of the Senate President and the Speaker. Most of the candidates want the race left open equitably.

    “This is why some APC leaders are pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari and party leaders to meet and work out an equitable power sharing module.”

    The source added: “I think in the next two months, the game will be more interesting. If Dogara’s candidacy does not fly, PDP might sponsor another ranking member from the Southwest to be the Speaker.”

    A source in government said: “President Buhari has really not shown interest now on those who will lead the National Assembly. Maybe he has a mindset but he is yet to discuss with party leaders.”

    Lawan is spending his 2oth year in the National Assembly having being elected into the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003 before becoming a Senator.

    Set up zoning mechanism for NASS leadership to avoid 2015 scenario, Nabena tells APC

    The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, yesterday asked the leadership of the party to set in motion machinery for the zoning and selection of preferred principal officers of the incoming 9th National Assembly.

    In a statement in Abuja, he said this was necessary to avoid a repeat of the crisis that engulfed the party in 2015 over the struggle for the leadership of the legislative arm.

    Describing the National Assembly as strategic to APC’s change agenda for the country, he said President Muhammadu Buhari’s direct involvement and views on the matter “will be very important as the party works around the zoning and selection arrangements for principal NASS officers.”

    He added:  “The Peoples Democratic Party has lost the presidential election and they have now adopted a plan B from their infamous Dubai strategy meeting.

    “The plan is to hijack the incoming National Assembly leadership by repeating their heinous coup in the previous Assembly.

    “The APC must prevent a repeat of a situation where despite our overwhelming majority in the outgoing 8th Senate and House of Representatives, its leadership was hijacked by saboteurs and their opposition PDP collaborators.”

  • IGP condemns attack on Police officers

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu has condemned attack on Policemen across the country.

    A Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) was attacked in Brass, Bayelsa State on Sunday while a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was also attacked at a Collation Centre in Umuahia, Abia State.

    The Police boss in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba who described the attack as “unprovoked” ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of persons involved, no matter their positions in society.

    The Police also said five suspects have been arrested in connection to the attack on a Police officer in Umuahia.

    The statement reads: “The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu, has decried the attack on a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Brass, Bayelsa State on Sunday, 24th February, 2019 and has ordered for the immediate arrest, comprehensive investigation and diligent prosecution of persons involved, no matter their positions in society.

    “The IGP, who described the incident as unwarranted and unprovoked, warns that under his watch, such brazen acts of impunity will not be condoned.

    “In a related incident, five male suspects have been arrested in Umuahia, Abia State over an attack on a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who was patriotically defending the sanctity of the electoral system at a Collation Centre in Umuahia.”

    The IGP who said the attacks on the personnel of the Force shows the risk involved in policing called for support from stakeholders.

    “These attacks have once again highlighted the risks and hazards inherent in policing our clime, and the need for stakeholders and government at all levels to continue to support the officers and men of the Force in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

    He also commended all Nigerians, who identified with the Force by denouncing the actions against Police Officers performing their legitimate duties.

  • Sen. Adamu wins third term

    Sen. Abdullahi Adamu of All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Monday declared the winner of Nasarawa West Senatorial District election with 115,298 votes in the election held on Saturday.

    Adamu, a former governor of the state, defeated his close rival, Alhaji Bala Ahmed Aliyu of PDP, who scored 85,615 to return to the Senate for a third term.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Ahmed Yakubu, made the declaration in Keffi.

    The returning officer said that the total votes cast was 238,000, valid votes was 232,494 and the rejected votes was 5,506.

    Yakubu said that the number of registered voters was 696,877 and accredited voters were 249,877.

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    “Sen. Abdullahi Adamu of APC scored 115,298 votes,Alhaji Bala Ahmed Aliyu of PDP scored 85,615 votes, while Dr. K’tso Nghargbu of APGA scored 28,857 votes.

    “By the power conferred on me as the Returning Officer of this election, I, Prof. Ahmed Yakubu, certify that Sen. Abdullahi Adamu of APC having satisfied the requirements of law and secured the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,’’ he said.

  • Ex-IGPs to Adamu on election: be neutral

    Former Inspector Generals of Police (IGP) have urged the Acting IGP Mohammed Adamu to be neutral and professional in the discharge of his mandate, especially as elections draw near.

    The former IGPs, who stated this in Abuja during the decoration ceremony of 18 newly promoted Assistant Inspector General (AIGs) and 33 Commissioners of Police, emphasised the need to stop god-fatherism in the Force and show respect to all.

    The former IGPs Aliyu Attah, Mohammed Abubakar, Suleiman Abba and Solomon Arase reminded the senior officers that no seat of power was permanent.

    The police chiefs, while urging Adamu to take advantage of the 2019 elections to write his name in gold in the history of the country, also advised him to refuse to be used by anyone.

    Adamu assured Nigerians and the international community that the police have perfected plans and mobilised available assets towards giving the nation a peaceful and credible elections.

    He also asked the decorated officers to be professional in their conduct.

    He said: “Let me remind the promotees that the 2019 general elections are around the corner and the Nigeria Police Force, being the lead agency in the electoral process, are expected to exhibit optimal level of professionalism and to undertake their mandate within the dictates of rule of law.

    “I can assure the nation and the international community that we have perfected plans and mobilised available assets towards giving to the country a peaceful and credible elections.”

    He added that the new senior officers will be deployed for electoral duties.

    “All of you, the newly promoted officers, will be deployed to play active roles in this process. The Force leadership and indeed, the nation look up to you to manifest your sense of professional excellence in the election security task you might be deployed to perform. I trust that you shall not fail the Force, neither will you fail the nation in this arduous national duty.”

    “The elevation of these seasoned senior police officers is a clear testimony to their history of professional excellence, loyalty, zeal and invaluable experience. That their promotion was guided by the principles of seniority and merit are also a clear testimony to the new focus of my leadership in relation to promotion policy,” the Acting IG said.