The 19 Northern states in the country have no other option than supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, according to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda who gave reasons.
The APC boss spoke yesterday in Nasarawa state at a solidarity rally organised by a group to appreciate President Tinubu and Governor of the state, Abdullahi Sule.
Yilwatda cited some ongoing legacy projects being done in the region by the president, such as railway, Dams, roads and others, saying those projects could become abandoned if the re-election bid of Tinubu is truncated.
The magazine reporst that some leaders in the region have mounted a campaign against Tinubu’s return to office, accusing him of abandoining the rgion after they massively voted for him in the 2023 presidential election.
But Yilwatda insist that the president has done very well for the region since he came to office three years ago, warning of the consequences should they chose to do otherwise.
“Mr. President has shown that Nigeria can be one. Mr. President has shown that Nigeria can be inclusive. He has shown that the government can be resolute. That is why we are here,” he said.
Adding, “We have a road from Sokoto to Badagry, and it is going to carry over 60 dams that will have water for irrigation. It will provide agriculture, electricity, and clean water. This is what Mr. President is providing for us in the North.
“Mr. President is providing railways, the rail line that will run from Abuja to Kano and to the Niger Republic. For all of us in the North, it simply means that we will become importers and exporters because the entire northern part of Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Chad will rely on us for their imports.
“All these projects are being done by Mr. President. That is why it will be a disservice to the North if we do not support him, because nobody may have the capacity to do those projects for us again. Supporting Mr. President is a must for the North because of what he has laid, what he is doing, and what he will do for the entire region.”
For instance, those leading the anti-Tinubu campaign in the north have accused him of favouring the south west, where he hails from with juicy federal appointments.
His political opponents from the region have also cited the insecurity in the region as one of the reason why he should not be returned.
But analysts insist that the problem of insecurity in the region predates the incumbent.
A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar says former governor governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose lied about the meeting he and Governor of Oyos state, Seyi Makinde had with Gen Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), a former military head of state.
The meeting, the magazine reports, took place on Monday this week at the former leader’s Minna, niger State Hill Top Mansion.
Following the meeting, the Ekiti former helmsman had claimed that Abubakar had a deal with Makinde that he will be his running mate, if he picked the African Democratic Congress, ADC presidential ticket for 2027 presidential election.
Reacting, in a statement by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president described Fayose claim as fabricated and tissues of lies.
He stressd that Fayose’s claim was a ‘shameless’ concoction by him, a ‘political gossip’ and cheap propaganda.
Fayose had claiemd that part of the deal Abubakar had with Makinde include that the Oyo governor will provide N10 billion during the presidential campaign, and that the duo has scheduled another meeting for ‘Dubai’ where the agreement will be finalised.
But Abubakar said this is not true describing Fayose’s claim as “bear parlour” gossip.
Below, the full statement:
“Our attention has been drawn to a reckless and malicious fabrication titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” Shaibu wrote, adding that the entire publication was a “shameless concoction.”
The statement further read:
“Let it be stated clearly: the entire publication is a shameless concoction – a tissue of lies stitched together by a serial purveyor of political gossip whose relevance survives only on controversy, distortion, and cheap propaganda.
“At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary horse-trading described in that laughable script.
“There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets. There were no discussions about A10 billion contributions. There were no zoning manipulations. There were no delegate-delivery guarantees.
And there is certainly no clandestine “Dubai meeting” on any such agenda.
“The attempt to drag other political actors into this fabricated beer parlour tale does not elevate its credibility; it merely exposes the desperation behind it.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope – not the narrow, transactional theatrics invented in that publication.
“Atiku Abubakar does not transact politics in secrecy, bribery, or transactional desperation as mischievously and irresponsibly portrayed. He remains focused on principled engagement and national redemption – not backroom theatrics designed by attention-seekers. We advise the public to treat the publication with the contempt it deserves.”
Will the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, The Honourable Justice Musa Muhammad Dattijo, stand up for recognition.
Justice Dattijo deserves a standing ovation for defending his integrity. He has lived to his reputation while still in service. He was, by all accounts, a no-nonsense Judge. Blunt. Disciplined. Incorruptible.
I first picked interest in him when he retired from the Supreme Court in 2023. His valedictory speech was unputdownable. It was “da bomb”. He pulled no punches, spared neither the Judiciary nor the Executive.
Since his retirement, he has held his fire in check. He has been quiet. Just enjoying his retirement from the stressful, energy sapping, and often thankless job.
Nigerian Judges go down in history as the most insulted, the most disrespected.
I know quite a couple of them – serving and retired. Respectable. Polished. Deep. Incorruptible. Brilliant.
While I served on the Police Service Commission as a Federal Commissioner, for 10 unprecedented years, I had the privilege of working with three of them – retired Supreme Court Justices, as Commissioner-colleagues at different times. They came across as some of the best even when compared with their colleagues in other climes. I learnt quite a lot from them, and at a point, toyed with the idea of going back to school to read law. But adult education “come no too shack me” again. I could be a spectacle, the joke of young people. Watching some of them in my house “performing magic” with all kinds of appliances, I suddenly feel too old, illiterate, uneducated and lost – no matter how much I try to cover up.
But in Nigeria, who cares about incorruptible Judicial Officers. They dump all of them in one basket and abuse them silly. Any riff-raff could wake up from a drunken slumber to insult them, to abuse them, and call them names. Thieves. Corrupt. And often without proof.
I always wonder why they fail to defend themselves in the face of the many false allegations leveled against them. I took it up one day with the Supreme Court Justices I worked closely with. They explained. I failed to understand. I have a different temperament. So, even if I had agreed with them, it is difficult to understand why, even after retirement, they keep quiet in the face of brazen lies against them from, especially, politicians.
Politicians praise them to high heaven when they rule in their favor, but scream “tainted ruling, bought judgment” when they lose.
Yet, they keep quiet, no defence.
But enters the Honourable Justice Dattijo. He has just been dragged out from retirement by Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
You, of course, know the irrepressible Kwankwaso. Two-term former Governor of Kano State. Former Defence Minister. Former Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP. Founder of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Former political godfather of a Governor. And now, an estranged political godfather to a serving Governor. Too many “formers”! But no matter. In Nigeria, you must recognize most people as “former this and former that”, else, they take offence.
But it is Kwankwaso’s last recognition as estranged political godfather of a serving Governor that dragged Justice Dattijo out.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Here is how.
It began when the relationship between Kwankwaso and his political godson, Governor Abba Yusuf, began to go sour. Both politicians have not made public why they fell out. But from the grapevine, the story is that Yusuf was just a Governor in name; that everything revolved around Kwankwaso; and that the Governor had to look for a way to remove himself from bondage. That hurt, for reasons.
In 2023, Kwankwaso fought the political battle of his life to snatch victory for Governor Yusuf. Yusuf defeated the candidate fielded by then incumbent APC Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. That defeat was a life saver for Kwankwaso who had suffered all kinds of humiliation in the hands of his former subordinate, Ganduje. Defeating Ganduje’s candidate gave Kwankwaso a political life line. It woke him up from a political graveyard.
The two men were very close political allies. During Kwankwaso’s second coming as a Governor, he picked Ganduje as his Deputy Governor. Before then, he was Kwankwaso’s Special Assistant, (or was it Adviser) when he was the Minister of Defence.Then, from being Deputy Governor, he succeeded Kwankwaso as Kano State Governor.
Opinion was divided as to how he succeeded Kwankwaso. In Nigeria, Governors never allow their Deputies to succeed them in office. Some people said Kwankwaso was forced to hand over to Ganduje; that he worked against Ganduje. And that’s how come I, unknowingly, almost, courted Kwankwaso’s trouble.
Yours sincerely was ignorant of the undercurrents. So, a few months after Ganduje was sworn into office, I was on my way to Abuja when I saw Kwankwaso at the Protocol Lounge of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. Full of admiration that he “picked” his Deputy, Ganduje, to succeed him, I greeted him very warmly, and heaped praises on him for picking his Deputy as his successor. I now forget if he was as warm as I was. I guess I was just carried away, coupled with the fact that a number of his Security Aides (Police) who recognized me as a Commissioner on the PSC, were busy paying me compliments. But as I walked back to my seat, one of his Police aides followed me, and whispered nervously: “Madam, ah, no mention that man (Governor Yusuf) name to Oga again. Haa, they no good oooo.” I was, therefore, not surprised when Ganduje started showing Kwankwaso real pepper, even barring him, literally, from visiting Kano.
This man, Kwankwaso, was a former Governor, former Defence Minister, a serving Senator at the time, yet, his State Governor, who was his Deputy, before then, was his Adviser, barred him, literally, from even visiting his Senatorial zone! The powers some Governors wield is obscenely incredible.
I understood how bad the situation was when one day, a group of Kwankwaso loyalists came to the PSC (at the time) to report the State Commissioner of Police for allegedly being partisan. “Tell him to be careful and face his job”, they said.
On a visit to Kano, we took the case up, but were shocked by the CP’s response. He appealed (begged, actually) to us to let the situation remain. Meaning: Kwankwaso should, in the name of God, keep off the State. “Why?”, we chorused. He nervously explained that there could be a bloodbath. And he was doing everything to avoid that. Tactically, we let go.
You can then imagine how relieved and thankful to Allah Kwankwaso was when his Candidate, Yusuf, swept away everything Ganduje in 2023. In 2026, to Kwankwaso’s shock, Governor Yusuf simply handed back Kano to Kwankwaso’s adversaries, along with a cane to flog him silly.
I would give an arm to know if Kwankwaso managed to sleep for even an hour the day Governor Yusuf defected to the APC. What I can confirm is that he went berserk. He declared the day as “The World’s betrayal day”. No wonder he was afflicted by the diareah of the mouth. He talked and talked and talked.
Honourable Justice Musa Muhammad Dattijo
Some defections actually can hurt more than the others. One of such is the defection of former Delta State Governor, and PDP’s Vice Presidential candidate in 2023 Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. One of the main reasons for which the PDP is in a deep coma today is Okowa. If Atiku had picked then Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who desperately wanted to be his running mate, instead of Okowa, PDP would still have been very alive now. Okowa knew the role his candidacy played, and yet, he “dishonorably” dumbed the Party. The PDP did not drag him. But in Kwankwaso’s case, he suddenly forgot that in Nigeria, most politicians are “food is ready politicians.” And Kwankwaso is not innocent when it comes to defection. He defected from PDP to APC, from APC back to PDP, and from PDP to NNPC. And, he betrayed President Goodluck Jonathan who encouraged him to go back and contest for the Governorship of Kano State after he was defeated in his second term bid. He won, on that second trial, but that did not stop him from betraying Jonathan. He defected to the APC and was one of those who saw to it that Jonathan lost in 2015.
Jonathan endured without lamentations. But Kwankwaso couldn’t endure Yusuf’s defection. He has cursed and cursed. Lamented and lamented until his mouth ran over. His tongue and mouth crossed the red line. And, in one reckless moment, he said what nobody of his status, and in his right senses would say.
Kwankwaso looked all of us in the eyes and told us, publicly, that to make Yusuf Governor of Kano State in 2019, he took the then candidate to the homes of all Supreme Court Justices. Cases which involve Governorship and Presidential election results end up at the Supreme Court. So, in simple elementary language, what Kwankwaso meant was that he took Yusuf to the homes of the Supreme Court Justices to ask them to influence the outcome of the case before them; that he went to corrupt the Justices. By so doing, and by shamelessly making it public, Kwankwaso has shamed Nigeria before the civilised world. He has told the world that it is as easy as ABC to visit Justices of Nigeria’s highest Court and corrupt them, and so, influence the outcome of any case before them.
This is an outrage. Yet, I see no outrage coming from the Judiciary; the National Judicial Council has said nothing; the Nigerian Bar Association has said nothing, and most important, the retired Supreme Court Justices who were in office in 2019 have said nothing; have not deemed Kwankwaso’s statement damaging enough to challenge him.
Questions then:
Are they guilty? Is Kwankwaso right? Did they play host to him and then Candidate Yusuf? If so, what did they discuss with them? What promises did Kwankwaso make to them? What was in the bag for them?
But enters the Honourable Justice Dattijo to distance himself from the scandal. He spoke because he was a serving Justice of the Supreme Court in 2019. Others have been tight-lipped. He has denied ever playing host to Kwankwaso and Yusuf. He has challenged Kwankwaso to tell the world when and where he and Yusuf visited him. But, for emphasis, he said he was speaking for himself only, not for his brother-Justices.
“I speak only for myself. I was a serving Justice of the Supreme Court at the time and never held such a meeting with Kwankwaso or Governor Abba Yusuf. My intervention is not intended to defend or indict anyone else. It is simply to clarify that I was not part of any such engagement”, he said in a statement.
Questions are: why are other retired Justices not talking? Why have they not challenged Kwankwaso? Why are they allowing Kwankwaso to get away with this terrible dent on their reputation?
A couple of years ago, a retiring Senator Muhammad Bulkachuwa, openly, in the Senate Chambers, revealed how he abused his position as the husband of the then President of the Court of Appeal, the Honourable Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to help his colleagues who had election cases at the Court of Appeal. After the initial “gra-gra”, nothing happened. He got away with the damning allegation. Till date, the Senator and his wife are sitting pretty, enjoying their retirement benefits and their “high profile status” in the society.
One can go on and on. We have seen a number of our leaders brazenly lie against others in the name of politics. In Edo State during one Governorship Election, a high profile national leader labeled a candidate a thief, a cultist, a murderer and more. He knew he was lying, but he said them all the same, and kept repeating them. A couple of years later, he swallowed his vomit, and said he was just playing politics. In more civilized climes, that would have been the end of his political career. But here, nothing happens. It is why, in the Entertainment industry, our actors and actresses make all kinds of damaging allegations in the social media against one another – witch, wizard, blood sucker, juju “patrioniser” who blocks the progress of others. And worse. All, without proof. It is the reason some “content creators get away with murder”. Nobody cares.
But back to Kwankwaso and his allegations against Supreme Court Justices who he said he met in their homes in 2019. He should come forward and say more. The Supreme Court Justices who were in service in 2019 should speak up. They should challenge Kwankwaso for proof. The NBA, the NJC, should be interested. What Kwankwaso owes Nigeria is proof. He cannot drag the Justices of the Supreme Court in the mud with such a weighty allegation and behave as if nothing happened. He cannot make a laughing stock of Supreme Court Justices and behave as if it is nothing, as if it is the usual. All the Supreme Court Justices in 2019, still serving or retired should get together and challenge Kwankwaso. If he had a slip of the tongue, he should clarify and publicly apologize. Otherwise, they should sue Kwankwaso for everything he has got, unless they have something to hide. The first step is to toe Justice Dattijo’s line. Then, follow it up with a barrage of law suits.
To think that Kwankwaso, a man who has publicly admitted to visiting Justices of the highest Court in the land in order to influence the outcome of a case before them, is actually aspiring to be Nigeria’s President? Well, this is Nigeria. So, why not? This is the shame of a nation. No, it’s worse than that – if you ask me. Enough.
The operations of mobile telecommunications giants, Globacom were on Thursday, February 12, 2026 disrupted following the sealing of its offices in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia state and Umuahia, the State Capital over unpaid taxes and statutory levies.
The sealing of the offices by the authorities of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, ABIRS, was sequel to a High Court order which empowered the agency to take steps to recover over N4 billion in unpaid and unremitted taxes and levies by Globacom.
In a statement from its spokesperson Emelle Akunna Loveth, the revenue board informed that the offices which were closed on the strength of an Abia state High Court, Umuahia, will only be unsealed when the Communication outfit settles its indeptedness.
According to the board, the Court had, on January 14, 2026, in its ruling ordered Globacom to pay into the Abia state coffers the sum of N4,048 ,748,880, representing accumulated and unremitted Right of Way (RoW), withholding taxes and other statutory levies covering the period between 2010 and 2022.
The Court similarly directed Globacom to pay a 10 per cent annual interest on the main sum, beginning from the date of the commencement of the taxes to the day the entire liability is liquidated.
“Under the Abia state Tax ( Codification and Consolidation) Law, 2020, the revenue board has been empowered to go beyond just sealing the offices.
“The Court order allows ABIRS to seize goods, chattels, and premises belonging to Globacom within the State.
“The sealing of the offices was a lawful measure strictly in compliance with the Court order”, Loveth stated.
While emphasizing its readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the impasse, the board warned that it may be forced to take further action, including the disposal of the company’s assets to recover the debt, should Globacom fail to comply within the next 14 days.
The joint committee of the national Assembly, has approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) annual allocation.
The promise came on Thursday at the defence of N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections by INEC.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had presented the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal and projected 2027 election costs before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
He clarified that the N873.778 billion estimate is separate from INEC’s proposed N171 billion expenditure for 2026 operations, which covers by-elections, off-cycle polls, and routine activities.
Amupitan noted that the projected election cost excludes a fresh request by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking increased allowances for Corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff.
According to him, the election budget is structured across five components: N379.748 billion for operational costs; N92.317 billion for administrative costs; N209.206 billion for technology; N154.905 billion for capital costs; and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses.
He explained that the estimate was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the Commission to submit its election budget at least one year ahead of the polls.
On the 2026 fiscal plan, Amupitan pointed out that the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget envelope of N140 billion, but the Commission is proposing N171 billion in total spending — comprising N109 billion for personnel, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital expenditure.
He argued that the envelope budgeting system is unsuitable for INEC’s operations, citing the need for flexible funding to address urgent electoral demands.
He also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major operational gap, noting that building one would strengthen accountability for technical failures.
Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said external agencies should not dictate INEC’s budgeting framework given the sensitivity of its mandate, urging lawmakers to align funding with the Commission’s actual requirements.
Similarly, House of Representatives member Billy Osawaru called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided by the Constitution, with full and timely releases to support effective planning.
The Joint Committee subsequently approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual allocation. It also indicated it would review the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to raise allowances to N125,000 for Corps members engaged during elections.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Lalong, assured lawmakers would work closely with the Commission to ensure adequate support for the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, pledged legislative backing but cautioned INEC against overpromising on deliverables.
He recalled that during the last general election, assurances were given about real-time result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal.
“Meanwhile, the IREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.
In a strongly-worded statement, Ubong Esop Akpan, Counsel to the former Governor of Kaduna State, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nasir El-Rufai, protests the attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, today, on his return from Cairo, Egypt, where he went for his medicals.
Following is the full text of the statement.
STATEMENT ON THE UNLAWFUL ATTEMPTED ARREST OF MALAM NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI
“As counsel to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we unequivocally condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client by security operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja via Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. This is a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.
“The invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, rendering it inherently illogical and impractical to demand immediate attendance to answer purported allegations. Such an approach defies reason, as it presumes instantaneous compliance from an individual outside the jurisdiction, without regard for logistical realities or legal fairness. In response, we formally communicated with the EFCC on his behalf since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return. Yesterday, we explicitly notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying the precise place and time for addressing the invitation. Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives from the Department of State Services moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation. When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation — a basic entitlement of any citizen facing state action — none could be produced. No document, no signed directive, no lawful process. There was only raw power, unclothed by law. In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport. This act is nothing short of stealing — the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority.
“Ordinary Nigerians present at the airport, incensed by this open display of oppression, surrounded the scene and insisted loudly that he could only be arrested upon a legitimate process. Their voices, defiant and unbowed, were a testament to the citizenry’s unyielding commitment to the rule of law, even as state agents acted in flagrant disregard of it. That citizens had to remind security operatives of the Constitution is both shameful and instructive.
“No government agency possesses unfettered authority to detain citizens without due process. All public institutions and officials are bound by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates adherence to legal protocols.
“This attempted arrest directly infringes upon key constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental freedoms, including:
“Section 35 (Right to Personal Liberty): requires that any arrest be justified and conducted in accordance with lawful procedures, such as reasonable suspicion and prompt judicial oversight.
“Section 36 (Right to fair hearing): safeguards against executive actions that prejudice judicial processes.
“Section 34 (Right to Dignity of Human Person): Subsection (1)(a) protects citizens from mistreatment during arrest that assaults personal dignity.
“Section 41 (Right to Freedom of Movement): guarantees entry without arbitrary interception. The unlawful seizure of his passport directly restrains this right.
“Section 44 (Right to Own Property): This prohibits the snatching of his passport without legal authority.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment. Despite prior intelligence of plans to effect this arrest, Malam El-Rufai proceeded with his return following medical treatment and rest abroad, publicly affirming his commitment to face any legitimate inquiry. This premeditated interception at the airport exemplifies lawlessness and an abuse of state power.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain Malam El-Rufai, the immediate return of his stolen passport, and a formal apology for this egregious infringement on his dignity and rights.
“LET US MAKE IT PUBLICLY AND ABUNDANTLY CLEAR:
1. MALAM NASIR ▪︎0₩AHMAD EL RUFAI WILL NEVER TAKE THE COWARDLY ROUTE OF RUNNING AWAY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.
2. HE WILL HONOUR, WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, ALL LEGITIMATE LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMONS.
“Legal action will be pursued against all persons and agencies responsible for this unconstitutional conduct to uphold accountability and deter future abuses. The judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter, and we shall seek redress through all available legal channels to protect the sanctity of the law.
“Ubong Esop Akpan
The Chambers of Ubong Akpan
Counsel to Malam Nasir El-Rufai
Abuja, February 12, 2026”
The listing of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in the 2023 general elections by the United States America, USA Congress as one of the alleged progenitors and sponsors of religious extremism and Christian persecution in Nigeria has been described as a concerted and orchestrated smear campaign to water- down his political influence ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Source reports that the USA Congress, last week, introduced a bill seeking to impose wide ranging sanctions on some Nigerians, including visa ban, and assets freeze, with the former Governor of Kano State toping the list.
However, the move has continued to elicit widespread indignation and condemnation from across the Northern region of Nigeria irrespective of political party affiliation, with not a few impugning political motives.
In separate reactions on Thursday, February 12, 2026, the duo of Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the NNPP, and social critic and activist Mahdi Shehu, insisted that labelling Kwankwaso as an Islamic extremist is part of a well designed plot to reduce his influence and undermine opposition groupings in the country.
Writing on his official site, activist Shehu highlighted what he described as a coordinated profiling of opposition figures, including Kwankwaso, with a view to weakening opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Truth be told, Kwankwaso is being declared an Islamic fundamentalist fully aware he does not have that record, not by mistake, but as part of a broader design to diminish whatever political relevance he possesses and weaken the strength of the opposition groupings.
“If declaring Kwankwaso an Islamic fundamentalist is based on his signing of the Sharia Criminal Code Law in Kano during his tenure as Governor, then it follows that all Northern state Governors who signed Sharia laws during, and after Obasanjo’s regime would also be called Islamic fundamentalists .
“This includes the Governors of Zamfara , Katsina , Sokoto , Kebbi , Kaduna , Bauchi,Jigawa, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe States.
“Two weeks after Pastor Remi Tinubu attended the America’s Annual Prayer Breakfast where she allegedly called for more bombs on Northern Nigeria, and held some consultations, American Lawmakers declared Kwankwaso an Islamic fundamentalist.
“This is not a coincidence, Kwankwaso is part of a political equation. It is arithmetic.
“Two weeks after the Governor of Plateau state Caleb Mutfwang Mennasse, attended the same prayer breakfast, Kwankwaso was designated an Islamic fundamentalist. This is not a coincidence ,but mathematics.
“Two weeks after the decamping of the Kano state Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf from NNPP to the APC, Kwankwaso was branded an Islamic fundamentalist. This is not coincidence but geometry,” Shehu stated.
Similarly, while speaking on Arise Television News on Thursday, Galadima, a known ally of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement maintained that linking the former Kano state Governor to religious extremism is a well rehearsed politically motivated rhetoric to erode his influence.
According to him, the move is primarily targeted at undermining and preventing Kwankwaso from constituting an obstacle in the count down to the 2027 presidential race .
“The insinuations that Kwankwaso was a financier of terrorism is baseless. It is an attempt to smear a peaceful Nigerian ahead of the 2027 elections”, Galadima noted
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has flayed the decision of the United States (US) to single out only Muslims for sanctions over banditry in Nigeria describing the decision as lopsided, unjust and selective.
Five US lawmakers on Wednesday proposed a bill seeking to impose sanctions, including visa ban and asset freeze, on a former governor of Kano State and the national leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, among others.
Executive Director of the group, Prof Ishaq Akintola, said on Thursday, that government officials in Southern Nigeria, who have been persecuting Muslims in the region, as well as leaders of Christian militia groups in North Central Nigeria, whose terror machines have been killing Muslim residents and Muslim travellers in the zone for decades should be sanctioned by the US to make the exercise balanced, objective and transparent.
”We take the decision of the US Congress to sanction Muslims alone with a pinch of salt. It amounts to scapegoating, preconceived judgement and crusade-brandishing.
”Coming to Nigeria with the avowed aim of protecting Christians carries with it the implications of coming to promote Christianity, coming to deter the prosecution of Christian criminals who are behind the killing of hundreds of Muslim travellers in Plateau State, coming to undermine Islam, coming to persecute Muslims and coming to encourage Muslim haters.
”We affirm that there is denial of religious freedom and religious extremism in Nigeria. But we identify the culprits behind this heinous crime as religious fanatics among both Christians and Muslims. In short, we are saying there are Muslim extremists and there are Christian extremists.
”Now, if sanctions are to be imposed on certain figures and groups, such sanctions must be comprehensive and unbiased, not selective and lopsided. For an objective sanction exercise, therefore, the US must beam its searchlight on the whole country.
”As a Muslim human rights group that has been in operation for 32 years (since 1994) MURIC has records of proven acts of inhumanity, discrimination, marginalization, denial of religious freedom and other acts of violation of rights committed by individual Christian state actors in Southern Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubts, we assert clearly, unequivocally and emphatically that Christian militia groups of North Central Nigeria, who are well known by the state governments have killed thousands of Muslims in the past decades.
“If, therefore, Northern Muslims are being marked for sanctions, present and past governors and government officials of North Central Nigeria, who have funded, enabled and protected Christian terrorists in the zone deserve conspicuous spaces on the list.
”However, we nurse the suspicion that even US officials have always preferred to listen to Nigerian Christians without seeking to hear from Muslims to balance the stories and for justice, equity and fairness.
“This explains why the US Congress has always been anxious to invite Christian activists and clergymen from Nigeria without inviting their Muslim counterparts. This attitude is contrary to the well known principle of justice (audi alteram partem i.e. hear from the other side).
”In the present circumstances, with the US false designation of Nigeria as a country perpetrating genocide against Christians without proper investigation and without hearing from the other side, coupled with the fact that the US has also landed its troops on Nigerian soil ‘to protect Nigerian Christians’ while individual Muslim leaders are being marked for sanctions, Nigerian Muslims have no other option than to cry out to the outside world.
”We therefore wish to alert the global community to these ugly developments in Nigeria. After decades of forceful conversion and failed attempts to turn Nigeria to the land of Jesus, leaders of the minority Christians in the country have conspired to level false allegations of genocide against us, the majority Muslims, and invited the US military to stem the growth of Islam.
”As at today, the 12th of February, 2026, we nurse the palpable fear of the arrival of the age of conversion to Christianity at gunpoint, aided and abetted by the US military. Muslims have become endangered species in Nigeria.
“Nigerian Muslims have no reason to antagonize America. Neither has there ever been any declared hostility between the US and Nigerian Muslims. It is also true that apart from millions of Americans who are Muslims, hundreds of Nigerian Muslims make their living in the US. It is therefore in our mutual interest to avoid tension.”
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on his return to Nigeria, on Wednesday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
However, the Commission’s operatives got stiff resistance from El-Rufai who declined to follow the agents without a formal invitation.
El-Rufai’s passport has, however, been seized by the EFCC operatives.
Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Aide to the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress confirmed that security operatives attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Adekeye said the operatives approached el-Rufai shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt, but he declined to go with them because no formal invitation was presented.
Ubong Akpan, Counsel to the former governor, described the incident as a violation of his client’s constitutional rights and an abuse of executive power.
He claimed officers of the Department of State Services, (DSS), tried to detain el-Rufai without a warrant or any official letter of invitation.
According to Akpan, el-Rufai requested to see the invitation letter, but none was provided.
The lawyer further alleged that the operatives seized el-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides, describing the action as unlawful and a breach of his property rights.
Akpan said the EFCC had sent an invitation to el-Rufai’s residence in December 2025, while he was out of the country, which his team considered impractical.
He added that the former governor’s legal team later informed the Commission on February 11, 2026, that el-Rufai would voluntarily appear at its office by 10:00 am on February 16, 2026.
Despite this assurance, Akpan said the attempted arrest still took place.
He cited alleged violations of el-Rufai’s rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity, freedom of movement, and ownership of property.
“There is no lawful basis for the attempted arrest or the treatment meted out to him,” the statement said, adding that el-Rufai returned to Nigeria after medical treatment abroad and had publicly expressed readiness to respond to any legitimate inquiry.
Akpan demanded the immediate return of the passport, an end to what he described as unlawful efforts to detain his client, and a formal apology.
He maintained that el-Rufai would honour any legitimate summons from law enforcement agencies.
ElRufai in a recent interview had revealed that there were attempts by security agents to arrest him.
He also accused the National Security Adviser, (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of arbitrarily using his office to order the arrest of anybody he so wishes.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima is among African leaders billed to attend the 2026 African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Already, Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Summit.
A statement on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), stated that the Summit, is themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
It will also focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
While in Addis Ababa, the Vice President will join other African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
On the margins of the Summit, Shettima will participate in high-level side events and hold bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
The Vice President is accompanied by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.
He is expected to return to Nigeria on the conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.
