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“There Are No Plans To Impeach Deputy Governor” – Kano Assembly

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo
L-R: Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and Governor Abba Yusuf

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State House of Assembly has refuted claims suggesting that plans are in the offing to impeach the State’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo, over his refusal to join Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf to defect to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The Source reports that Governor Yusuf had, a couple weeks ago, joined forces with the ruling party at the centre, after resigning his membership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.

His Deputy, alongside other top Government functionaries refused to join, preferring instead to stick with the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

However, the Deputy Governor is believed to be facing immense pressure and threats   from some die-hard loyalists of the Governor to either voluntarily resign his position or get impeached.

Only penultimate week, the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, while speaking during a  live programme on Muhasa Radio Kano, urged the Deputy Governor to toe the honourable path of resigning his position, insisting that his decision to remain in opposite political camp with the Governor represents a serious set back for the smooth governance of the State.

But speaking during an interview session with the Media on Saturday in Kano, the spokesperson for the Speaker of the House, Kamarudeen Sani Shawai, distanced the Lawmakers from the insinuations in some media outlets suggesting plans for the impeachment of the Deputy Governor.

“There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the Deputy Governor.

“The various reports claiming that there are plans to impeach the Deputy Governor are false, misleading, and, therefore, should be disregarded by the public.

“The Deputy Governor continues to discharge his duties with the full support of the House of Assembly”, Shawai stated.

He emphasized that the legislators are primarily occupied with the onerous task of assisting the executive arm in delivering on the people’s mandate.

“The priority of the House is how to deliver good governance and serving the people of Kano, not in embarking on an unnecessary political voyage”, the Speaker’s media aide added.

This is as he tasked members of the public, particularly the media, on the need to verify information before publications, warning that misleading and mischievous reports could undermine the fragile peace of the State.

President Tinubu For State Visit To UK In March

By
Adesina Soyooye
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King Charles and Bola Tinubu

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, will in March, embark on a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.

This was announced on Saturday by the Royal Communications Unit, Buckingham Palace in a statement.

The state visit, on the invitation of British Monarch, His Royal Majesty,   King Charles, is scheduled for March 18, according to the announcement.

To be accompanied by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, it will be the first state visit to the United Kingdom in 39 years, by a Nigerian President/Head of State.

The first Nigerian Leader to be invited to a state visit by a British Monarch was General Yakubu Gowon in 1973. That was followed by the State Visit in 1981 by President Shehu Shagari. The third was in 1989 by President  Ibrahim Babangida. The three State Visits were during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth 11.

39 years after, it is the turn of President Bola Tinubu.

King Charles, when he was Prince of Wales, had visited Nigeria four times – 1990, 1999, 2006, 2018.

The upcoming visit is not, however, the first time the King would meet with President Tinubu. He had, in 2024, received the President on a private visit. Both had, also, earlier met in  November 2023 ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

PSC Reaffirms Commitment To Data Privacy At National Summit

By
The Source
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PSC at Data Protection Summit

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), has underscored the critical importance of data protection in modern law enforcement at the National Data Privacy Summit 2026.

The summit, with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation,” was organized by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Chairman Argungu commended the NDPC and its National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, for their pioneering work in strengthening data privacy nationwide. He highlighted the pivotal role of data in contemporary crime prevention and combat, marking a shift from reliance on physical policing methods.

In his address, the PSC Chairman made a firm commitment to uphold the highest standards of data privacy. “In the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables and across all our operations, the PSC is dedicated to strict compliance with NDPC policies on data protection,” he stated. He further reaffirmed the Commission’s sustained partnership with the NDPC at the event which took place yesterday, 4 February 2026.

The PSC remains focused on integrating ethical data management practices into its mandate to ensure public trust and enhance policing efficiency.

The Police Service Commission is the Federal Executive Body vested with the powers to appoint, promote and exercise disciplinary control over all police officers, with the exception of the Inspector-General of Police, in accordance with the Constitution (FRN 1999 as amended)  and the PSC Establishment Act, 2001.

Torty Njoku Kalu,

Spokesman, PSC,

PSC Headquarters, Abuja.

5 February 2026

Again, Three Killed, Catholic Priest, 10 Others Abducted In Kaura, Kaduna State

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Rev Fr Nathaniel Asuwaye

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye is among 11 persons kidnapped by suspected terrorist elements  in the wee hours of Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Karku Community in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

Rev Fr Asuwaye is said to be the Parish Priest in-charge of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, under the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan.

Three persons were also killed during the attack, which came just days after the last batch of the 177 worshipers abducted  in early January from multiple Churches in Kurmi Wali area of Kajuru local council were released from the abductors’ den.

A statement on Saturday from the Kafanchan Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet informed that the suspected terrorists invaded the Priest’s residence at about 3.00am on Saturday in what he described as a coordinated operation killing three persons, and whisking 11 others, including Rev. Fr. Nathaniel. Asuwaye.

He gave the names of the dead as Jacob Dan’azumi  Maitala Kaura and Alhaji Kusari.

The Diocesan Chancellor, while expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, called on Priests, Christian faithful, and all people of goodwill to pray for the safe and speedy release of the abducted Priest and others.

He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the those that lost their lives during the attack.

As at the time of reporting, neither the Kaduna State Government nor the State Police Command has reacted to  the development.

PDP: INEC Clarifies, Says “We Have Not Recognized Any Faction”

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan - INEC Chairman

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, dismissed claims suggesting that it has accorded recognition to one  of the contending factions within the Peoples Democratic party PDP .

The clarification is coming against the backdrop of widespread claims by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike-backed Abdulraham Mohammed-led National Working Committee, NWC of the PDP that it has been recognized as the authentic leadership of the beleaguered party, following the recent Ibadan Federal High Court pronouncement nullifying the November 15 and 16, 2025, Ibadan National Convention of the party which threw up the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC

The speculated recognition had arisen from the attendance of the Wike-backed group at  INEC’s interactive session with leaders of political parties on Thursday February 6, 2026, in Abuja.

The Turaki-led PDP National leadership was conspicuously absent at the meeting, further fueling reports that the INEC may have given its stamp of approval to the Abdulraham Mohammed-led NWC .

But at a media briefing on Saturday ,INEC’s Deputy Director, Osilama Ifogah, noted that the attendance of the Wike-backed faction at its meeting does not, in anyway, amount to its recognition as the authentic faction of the PDP.

According to the INEC’s spokesperson, the PDP as a party was invited to the said meeting just the way other parties were invited, not on the basis of individuals.

“Invitations are extended to parties, and not individuals. And they are addressed to the Chairmen and Secretaries.

“Whoever the party sends as their representatives is okay by the Commission because the letters of invitation are sent to the party, not individuals.

“As far as the party is concerned, we are not sure who comes. It is just the party that sends people and it is not the business of INEC to start verifying and questioning such representations.

“As a matter of policy, INEC doesn’t meddle into party’s internal affairs . Most times, you find out that it is either the person will say he/she is representing the Chairman, or the person is the Chairman himself/herself, with the next person probably standing in for the Secretary.

“The bottom line is that as  far as the parties are concerned, we (INEC) are not sure who comes. It is just the party that sends people”, Ifogah noted.

He emphasized, however, that no particular faction and group has been recognized as the authentic leadership contrary to widespread insinuations .

According to him, the INEC does not border itself with the leadership and internal crises within political parties.

“The internal crisis of the party has nothing to do with INEC. We don’t border about that. When ever they settle, we work.

“The only thing or advice we usually give the parties is that whatever be the problems at stake, they should settle it before we have activities”, the INEC’s spokesperson added

Wike Rains Curses On Fubara Supporters, Wishes Them Death

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nyesom Wike
Nyesom Wike. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A still embittered Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday went overboard on Saturday in Port Harcourt, and rained curses on anybody, nationwide, no matter his/her status, supporting the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, wished them death.

“Whether you are a Senator, House of Representatives Member, Governor, Minister  or appointed officials, and you are supporting betrayal, people will continue to betray you in life. And the day you will be betrayed, you will not have the mouth to complain. There, you will collapse and go, and they will announce your death.”

Wike and Fubara who he chose as his successor in office as Governor, have been at daggers drawn over the political structure, some say the treasury of the State, since 2023.

The crisis has reduced the State to its knees, and Wike, angry over what he sees as a betrayal by the Governor, has shown absolute disdain and disrespect to the office of the Governor and its occupant.

In Port Harcourt on Saturday when the Minister went to commission the office of the Renewed Hope  Ambassadors, his anger towards Fubara and his supporters boiled over, and he publicly rained curses on them.

His words:

“Whether you are a Senator, House of Representative Member, Governor, Minister or appointed officials, and you are supporting betrayal, people will continue to betray you in life. Betrayal will be your portion.

“And the day you will be betrayed, you will not have the mouth to complain. There, you will collapse, and go, and they will announce your death.

“Every Governor who is presently serving a second term in office, and who has the ambition of choosing a successor, and is supporting betrayal, he will never survive betrayal.

“That is the seed you have sowed; and whatever you sow, you shall reap. Since you are sowing betrayal, betrayal will follow you everywhere you go.”

A, elder of the Peoples Democratic Party who pleaded anonymity,  described Wike’s curses, especially, the death wish as crossing the red line. He said: “Because of betrayal? Wike should look in the mirror, and he will see betrayal written all over him. He has cursed himself.”

2027: Boastful Wike Says “We Don’t Need Any Governors To Deliver Victory To Tinubu

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday February 7, 2026, upscaled his seemly open disregard and disdain for the person and office of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, with his declaration that his erstwhile protege is not in any way needed in the mobilisation processes for the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

His assertion is coming against the backdrop of growing disagreements and clashes between the camp of  Governor Fubara and that of  his entranged political godfather over who is the true leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Rivers State.

While Governor Fubara, supported by some party and presidency officials, has staked his claims on the number one APC member in the State, President Tinubu himself, apparently being persuaded by some vested political interests, has continued to equivocate over the issue.

The President of recent was quoted to have described his FCT Minister and political attack dog as the political leader in Rivers State, while at the same time placating Fubara with the popular refrain within the APC circle that recognise Governors as leaders of the party in their various states.

Speaking at the occasion of the formal commissioning of the Port Harcourt office of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, insisted that the body and its local leaders do not require the assistance of sitting Governors to adequately market the second term ambition of the President.

According to the FCT Minister, with the full complement of National and State Assembly Members, Local Government Chairmen and Councilors, and local Council Party leaders, both from the PDP and APC, the Renewed Hope Family does not need the help of any Governor to deliver the President in 2027.

“We are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In that regard, we don’t need a Governor to  mobilize for us. We have what it takes to operate independently.

“We have State and National Assembly members, Local Government Chairmen, local council party Chairmen, both of the PDP and APC extraction.

“We have mobilised ourselves to demonstrate our commitment because true support doesn’t need to be bought by someone,  you have to make the commitment yourself” Wike stated.

VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Woro Village, Kwara, On Assessment Visit

By
Ayodele Oni
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VP Kashim Shettima arrives Woro Kwara State

By Ayodele Oni

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday visited Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State to deliver a message from President Bola Tinubu, following a violent attack which claimed at least 75 lives.

The visit was carried out on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a statement issued by Shettima’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

He said the Vice President was asked to assess the situation on the ground and deliver the President’s condolences to affected families.

“The President has directed the Vice President to undertake a firsthand assessment of the incident and convey federal sympathies to the bereaved,” Nkwocha said.

Shettima was received on arrival by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq alongside senior state officials.

Governor AbdulRazaq had earlier described the victims as Muslim residents who were “massacred for refusing to submit to extremists promoting a strange ideology,” although early reports initially placed the death toll at more than 100.

The attack reportedly took place on Tuesday night after militants failed in an attempt to forcibly indoctrinate members of the community.

Nkwocha added that the Vice President also carried a message from President Tinubu assuring Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“Vice President Shettima is conveying President Tinubu’s firm commitment that the Federal Government will pursue the attackers until they are identified, arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

President Tinubu had earlier condemned the assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities, describing the perpetrators’ actions as “cowardly and beastly.” He confirmed that military operations had begun to track down those behind the violence.

The President announced the deployment of an Army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to secure the area and protect vulnerable communities.

He also called for stronger coordination between federal and state authorities to provide relief to victims while ensuring accountability for the attack.

Fmr President Obasanjo’s Daughter, Iyabo, Declares For Ogun Governorship, To Contest On APC

By
Ayodele Oni
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Iyabo Obasanjo
Iyabo Obasanjo

By Ayodele Oni

Following her return to active politics, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has announced that she has been working with some groups on how to emerge as the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

She declared her intention on Saturday, while featuring on an interactive programme on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, anchored by Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami.

Iyabo returned to active politics after about 15 years and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State.

Iyabo, who represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, had participated in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, effectively sealing her membership of the ruling party.

The renowned epidemiologist and former Ogun State Commissioner for Health lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

She subsequently returned to the United States to pursue her academic career, rising to the rank of a professor.

Speaking during the interview, the former senator confirmed that she is returning to politics after “pressure” from her supporters.

“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, I did not form them into a group, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back.”

The former commissioner explained that she could not return to the PDP, where she last contested for election, due to “all kinds of turmoil” in the party.

Iyabo hinted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was another option for her, but noted that the coalition party does not have its “ducks in a row yet; they’re still working on it.”

She pointed out further that all those who reached out to her and were instrumental to her return to active politics are now in the APC. The former senator said she made wide consultations before deciding to join the APC.

“So, I think APC is my natural home. I don’t have any animosity towards any individual or any group within the APC. I feel comfortable with all the actors I know within the APC.

“I feel more comfortable, actually, than with some of the actors I know in the PDP, and some of them are now in the ADC. So I think it’s my natural home. I feel quite confident and happy to have made that decision. I have an absolute 100% feeling it’s my natural home,” she said.

Asked on her ambition upon returning to active politics, Iyabo ruled out going back to the Senate, saying she is running for the state’s governorship seat.

“So moving ahead, I’m not going to be commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate.

“Like the American would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.

“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it,” she said.

Security Operatives Demobilize Explosives Targeting Zamfara Travellers

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Police on Duty

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A combined team of Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Unit EOD-CBRN ,the Anti-Kidnapping Unit ,and the Military Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit has successfully neutralized deadly Improvised explosive devices IED planted on the ever busy Danjibga/Kunchi Kalgo road within the security challenged Tsafe Local Council of Zamfara state by suspected terrorist elements..

The timely discovery and demobilization of the explosive divices, according to police, have saved the State another orgy of violent deaths and destruction at the hands of terrorist groups .

A statement on Saturday February 7, 2026, from the spokesperson for the Zamfara state police Command ,Yazid Abubakar, informed that the team led by one Abdulrazak Musa Hassan SP  applied standard Render Safe Procedures RSP to professionally, and safely neutralize a pressure-plate IED discovered at the place.

According to him ,the IED have been safely recovered and is presently secured for further forensic examinations.

Abubakar noted that following the comprehensive sweeping and technical assessment of the affected area ,the axis has been declared safe and free of any threats against commuters and residents.

While assuring of the unflinching commitment of security agencies towards ensuring adequate protection of lives and properties ,the police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and to always avail operatives of credible intelligence that will assist them in the discharge of their duties.

The Source further reports that , Zamfara state ,has remained the epicentre of insurgency and other criminal activities within the Northwest region of Nigeria for over a decade now.

Apart from setting up operational camps across some local councils of the State, the insurgents whose activities have resulted in the death of several hundreds and abduction of 5000  innocent residents, sometimes resort to planting IEDs on some vulnerable spots particularly along major highways linking Zamfara with neighbouring States.

IEDs  planted  along major highways and some soft targets in the state ,are believed to have claimed hundreds of lives and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira in the last couple  of years.

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