El-Rufai’s Mother Died Because Of His Son’s Detention By FG – Kenneth Okonkwo

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April 6, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Nollywood celebrated figure-turned political actor Kenneth Okonkwo, a Barrister-at-law, has insisted that the arrest and detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai by state-backed institutions was at the heart of the death of his mother, Hajia Umma El-Rufai.

This is as he posited that the sudden grant of bail to El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to attend his mother’s funeral remains an eloquent testimony that the Government of the day is controlling the affairs of the Judiciary in the country.

The Source reports that El-Rufai who had been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, was on March 28, 2026 granted temporary and compassionate bail to enable him participate in the burial ceremony of his mother who passed on ,on March 27 ,in Cairo Egypt.

Okonkwo who spoke in an interview with Symponi TV remained adamant that the psychological shock and trauma arising from the arrest and detention of El-Rufai killed her mother.

“I give you a good example of what happened in El-Rufai’s case. As far as I’m concerned, it was the incarceration of El-Rufai that killed his mother.

“You know when mothers get to that age (90 years) , they become so sentimental, and emotional.

“Let me tell you,there was a time that somebody told my mother that thieves burgled the residences of some her children, she felt so bad that they had to call religious preachers to come and talk to her.

“Then you can imagine the case of an aged mother who was told about the arrest and detention of her son . And may be ,some people might also have told her that her son has died. That was what killed her in my own opinion” Okonkwo stated.

Okonkwo ,a known ally of Atiku Abubakar, also pointed out that the death of El-Rufai’s mother highlighted a disturbing reality about the tight grip the All Progressive Congress -Federal Government has on the country’s Judiciary.

He expressed serious concern that the ICPC could grant bail to El-Rufai without reference to the Court that ordered his detention.

According to him, the ICPC’s gesture supposedly on the directive of the Federal Government is a clear indication that the Country’s Judiciary is under the control of the executive branch of Government.

“When the woman died that was when they remembered that they will release El-Rufai without a court order; meaning that they (Government) are the ones using the Judiciary because you can’t disobey the order of the Court just at will”, he added.

Defilement: Ondo Police To Arraign 23-Year Old Boy

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Ayodele Oni

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April 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Police Command is to arraign a 23 year old boy for defiling a 14 year old girl.

Already, the Command’s Gender-based Violence Unit has commenced investigation into the incident, which was reported at Ijebu-Owo.

The case was reported by a 14-year-old female (name withheld for confidentiality), a resident of Ijebu Owo.

According to the report, the victim alleged that on the same date, one Emmanuel Usman ‘M’, aged 23 years, forcefully dragged her into his employer’s office located along Ijebu Owo, where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

The victim further alleged that the suspect threatened her with dire consequences should she disclose the incident to anyone, an act intended to intimidate and silence her.

Despite the threat, the victim courageously reported the matter to the police, prompting immediate action.

Upon receipt of the report, operatives swiftly moved into action, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

He is currently in police custody and has made useful statements that is aiding investigation. He will be charged to court accordingly upon conclusion of investigation.

However, the victim has been taken to the General Hospital, Owo, where she received necessary medical care.

Additionally, appropriate psychosocial support mechanisms are being explored to ensure the victim’s well-being throughout the investigative and judicial process.

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Adebowale has directed that the case be handled with utmost diligence, sensitivity, and urgency to ensure justice is served.

He further reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating all forms of sexual and gender-based violence across the State.

The Command strongly condemns acts of defilement and all forms of abuse against minors and assures the public that such offenders will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Jega Asks: Is INEC Part Of Scheme To Destroy Opposition Parties?

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Ayodele Oni

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April 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Political Analyst, Mahmud Jega has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the ongoing crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) saying it is being deliberately orchestrated to weaken Nigeria’s opposition bloc.

Jega, who stated this when he featured as one of the panelists on Arise News programme ‘Prime Time”, specifically warned INEC against actions that could completely erode public trust in it, stressing that the commission must maintain its expected neutral position which should at all time be above suspicion.

Jega, who was part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president 2023 presidential campaign Media Team, noted that INEC’s handling of opposition party developments has so far raised serious concerns.

According to Jega; “A proposed platform, ADA, was allegedly stalled for two years before political actors shifted to ADC—only to face fresh hurdles.

“The impression INEC is giving is that it is part of a scheme to destroy all opposition parties,” he emphasised.

Jega therefore challenged INEC to act with caution to avoid undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

The leadership crisis leaked when INEC announced that it derecognized the David Mark led executive of the ADC citing Court ruling.

ADC has also accused INEC of taking side in the crisis insisting that it would go ahead with the planned national convention with or without presence of officials of the commission.

Jega, who was part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president 2023 presidential campaign Media Team, noted that INEC’s handling of opposition party developments has so far raised serious concerns.

According to Jega; “A proposed platform, ADA, was allegedly stalled for two years before political actors shifted to ADC—only to face fresh hurdles.

“The impression INEC is giving is that it is part of a scheme to destroy all opposition parties,” he emphasised.

Jega, therefore, challenged INEC to act with caution to avoid undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

His remarks come amid growing tension within opposition circles and stakeholders’ warning that any perceived bias by the electoral commission could further worsen political divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Plateau Killings: More States Rescue Students From Unijos

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James Orji

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April 6, 2026

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Following the recent killings in Plateau state some state governments have evacuated their students attending the University of Jos from the troubled state because of the proximity of the tertiary institution to where the attacks happened. The management of the institution had since shut it down.

The magazine earlier reported that some suspected gunmen, had on March Palm Sunday, March 29 attacked Angrwan Rukuba, Jos North, a community in the state killing at least 27 persons. The state government had quickly imposed curfew in the affected community, but no sooner than the curfew was lifted than the fresh killings occurred, causing people who fear for their lives to run for safety, particularly students attending University of Jos who have chosen to leave the besieged communities en masse.

According to sources who spoke with the magazine, some students of the institutions had written their various state governments to evacuate them from campus in order not to be caught up in the cross fire.

In the past one week, no fewer than five state governments have evacuated their students from the school to safety, the latest being Delta state which has successfully brought back its student to the state.

When receiving the 36 students, the State Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode, said the state government decided to move the students from the institution due to their safety, and because the management of the school has shut it down.

He expressed hopes that the students will resume school after the crisis has been resolved by the government.

Onoriode: “We believe that with God, peace will be restored. When the time comes for you to return to school, you will go back and complete your studies successfully.”

Also, 37 students from Cross River State have been successfully evacuated from the campus.

Reacting on the issue, Governor Otu’s Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Joseph-Kelvin Enyam, disclosed this in a statement in Calabar, the state capital that the students were filled with fears before they were rescued. He said the state government acted after receiving Save our Soul, SOS, message from the students.

Enyam:“Their voices were filled with fear, and reports of insecurity, killings, and uncertainty had turned what should be a safe academic environment into a zone of anxiety and survival.

“Immediately, His Excellency, our compassionate Governor Bassey Out , upon being briefed, did not hesitate. He gave a firm directive: mobilise, deploy, and ensure the safe evacuation of every Cross River student back home until normalcy is restored.”

According to him, the state government have to comb every streets, house by house, around the campus under heavy security to ensure that no student was left behind.

“We moved into high-risk areas, including Angwa Rukuba, where a number of our students resided off campus. Street by street, house by house, we located them, reassured them, and safely evacuated them under security escort.”

Apart from Cross Rivers state, Benue state had earlier withdrawn its students attending the university. No fewer than 600 of its indigenes attending the institution were evacuated few days after the killings.

Similarly, Bauchi state sent its officials to move its indigenes out of the troubled state. According to information provided by the Governor Bala Mohammed-led state, 64 students of Bauchi state were evacuated from the tertiary institution.

Meanwhile, the magazine learned that other states have concluded plans to evacuate their indigenes from the school in the next few days to save them from being caught up in the crisis.

Strike: Why Atiku Backed Resident Doctors

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James Orji

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April 6, 2026

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has backed the ongoing nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD. The resident doctors have declared strike over the federal government’s plan to stop the implementation of the revised professional allowance table, PAT.
Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD’s secretary-general, gave the order on the members to go on strike, after the association’s virtual extraordinary national executive council, NEC. The strike, he said, will commence on Tuesday.
In his reaction, Abubakar said it was wrong for the government to enter an agreement with the doctors, and not renege. He said the doctors are very important to the country because they are the ‘first line’ of defence in Nigeria’s health sector which is almost collapsing.
Abubakar: “The Federal Government signed a deal on the Professional Allowance Table, and now it wants to abandon it. This is not governance; it is betrayal.
“Our resident doctors are the last line of defence in hospitals that are already collapsing. They work gruelling hours, in impossible conditions, for pay that insults their sacrifice. And now, the government seeks to take away the little that was promised? The Tinubu administration must demonstrate commitment to the issues: 19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance arrears; promotion arrears gathering dust; a Medical Residency Training Fund stuck in bureaucratic limbo; and a government that treats its doctors as an afterthought and remains unconcerned as they flee the country in droves.
“Every doctor Nigeria loses to the UK, Canada, or Saudi Arabia is a failure of leadership, not a failure of patriotism. You cannot ask people to serve a nation that refuses to honour its own word.
“I stand with NARD. Pay what you owe. Honour what you signed. Or explain to 200 million Nigerians why their hospitals will go dark on Tuesday.”

Wike Banned By Broadcasters For Threatening To Shoot Channels TV’s Seun Okinbaloye

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 6, 2026

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike.

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has been penalised by the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) for threatening to shoot Channel Television’son Seun Okinbaloye’s over his method of interviewing his guests.

IBAN made the announcement, on Sunday, of its decision to boycott press briefings by Wike until he retracts his threat to shoot Channels Okinbaloye, and tender public apology for the threat.

IBAN is the recognised umbrella body representing the interests of all independent broadcast stations across the country.

Wike had, on Friday, April 3, 2026, during his monthly Press Interview Television/briefing said that he felt like shooting journalist Seun Okinbaloye while listening to him interview a guest:

Wike: “If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him.”

IBAN, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Alh (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Ramalan, and Acting General Secretary, Fidelis Duker said: “While the Minister has since indicated he did not intend physical harm, IBAN believes that any expression of violent intent – even hypothetical – is inappropriate for a public official. Such language can be perceived as intimidation and risks normalising hostility toward the media.

Nigeria currently ranks 122 out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index.

“Journalists already face significant challenges, including surveillance, attacks, and arbitrary arrests. Remarks of this nature from a senior government figure only worsen an already difficult environment for media professionals.”

For peace to reign IBAN gave its conditions to the FCT Minister. They are:

1. Fully retract the statement in clear terms.

2. Issue a public apology to Mr. Seun Okinbaloye and the broader media community.

3. Reaffirm his commitment to non-violence and respect for press freedom, consistent with Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended).

It directed a boycott thus:

“Should the Minister fail to meet these requests within a reasonable period, IBAN will have no choice but to advise all independent broadcast stations – whose interests this association solely represents – to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences hosted by the FCT Minister.

“This is not a step IBAN takes lightly. However, independent broadcasters must protect their personnel and uphold the principle that violent rhetoric will not be normalised or rewarded with platform access.”

IBAN emphasised its commitment to constructively engage with public officials.

It said: “We hope the Minister will take the necessary corrective action so that normal coverage can continue without interruption. The ball is in his court.”

The Minister, however, in a statement signed by Lere Olayinka, his Special Adviser said his Principal spoke figuratively and never meant that he could have shot Okinbaloye and disclosed that both the Minister and the Journalist spoke on Saturday – a day after the Minister’s tactless comment.

INEC Suspends Voters Revalidation Exercise

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 6, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the suspension of its planned controversial voters revalidation exercise across the country.

The Commission has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners to henceforth, temporarily, halt all publicity and arraignments in relation to the exercise.

The Source reports that INEC’s decision to embark on a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections had been trailed by widespread indignation and outright condemnation by individuals, religious and community leaders, political parties, particularly the opposition and other interest groups who expressed the fears that the exercise, apart from smacking of a hidden agenda, is a recipe for chaos.

The Commission which had earlier scheduled April 13, 2026 for the commencement of the exercise, however, in a notice issued by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, dated April 4, 2026 while announcing the suspension, asked all RECs to wait for further directives.

“RECs are also directed to step down all publicity and arraignments for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the Commission”, the notice partly reads.

This is as the Commission also directed the RECs to continue all other necessary preparations for the exercise, including the sourcing of personnel as well as preparing INEC Voter Enrollment Devices.

The notice, also, informed about a virtual meeting scheduled for April 9,2026 between the Commission and the RECs.

“Further to the notice of meeting dated April 3,2026, please be informed that the meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners scheduled for Thursday April 9, 2026, at 11:00 am, will now hold virtually via Zoom.

“Consequently, RECs are advised to remain in their States, and await the log-in details which will be shared once the meeting is set up”, the Commission added.

Terrorists Attack Police Area Division In Borno, Kill Four Policemen

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Ayodele Oni

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April 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

While their families were waiting for their return to celebrate Easter with them, four police officers lay dead following an attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents on a divisional police headquarters in Borno State.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the attack took place around 1:00 a.m. on April 4, 2026, revising earlier reports that suggested it occurred late on April 3.

The incident targeted the Nghanzai Divisional Police Headquarters, where heavily armed attackers reportedly stormed in large numbers.

Security sources disclosed that the assailants engaged officers in a prolonged gun battle before eventually overpowering them.

The confirmed casualties include Inspectors Samuel Ezekiel, Sanusi Mohammed, and Police Constables Bitrus Luka and Shaibu Bukar, all of whom were attached to different units.

The attack highlights the persistent security challenges in Borno, a region long plagued by insurgency linked to Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province.

In a related development, suspected insurgents also carried out a separate late-night raid on Kwapul community in Chibok Local Government Area.

Residents reported that the attackers set a Church and several homes ablaze during the coordinated assault, which lasted for hours.

Although no deaths were recorded in the Chibok incident, the attack left many residents displaced and traumatized.

Locals lamented the lack of immediate resistance, raising concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations.

The latest wave of violence comes during the Easter season, a period that has historically seen increased attacks in parts of northeastern Nigeria.

ADC: Bala Nafiu Gombe Now Living, Moving Like A State Governor – Atiku

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 5, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the self-acclaimed factional Chairman of the opposition Coalition platform, African Democratic Congress, ADC, is now behaving like the 37th state Governor of Nigeria.

Atiku, a prominent figure in the ADC, and one of its Presidential hopefuls said Nafiu Gombe is now moving with security details and convoy just like a State Governor.

In an interview with DW Hausa, Atiku insisted that what is currently playing out in the opposition Coalition is the handiwork of external and establishment forces who are uncomfortable with the rising profile of the ADC.

According to him, going by the sudden lavish lifestyle of Nafiu Gombe and the heavy security around him, it is evidently clear that he is being sponsored by the powers-that-be to disrupt the activities of the ADC.

He emphasized that the growing influence and widespread acceptance of the opposition Coalition has completely unnerved the establishment so much so that they are desperately shopping for ways of undermining the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

“What is happening is external interference. Some individuals have been bought over and used because certain interests have noticed that the party is gaining traction by the day and they have come to perceive this growth as a threat to their veiled ambition”, Atiku posted.

The former Vice President questioned the sources of the sudden affluence ,and lavish lifestyle being displayed by Nafiu Gombe.

According to him, the sudden flamboyant lifestyle of Nafiu Gombe is a clear testimonial to the fact that he is being sponsored by forces within the establishment.

“How can someone who is claiming to be the ADC Chairman suddenly be provided with security, fleet of vehicles and a residence?

“It clearly points to outside influence. We have evidence to that effect. We know where he resides, and we observe how he moves around, almost like a Governor”, Atiku noted

But despite the heavy security ring around him, Atiku stated that Nafiu Gombe has so far refrained from setting his feet in his home town and state ever since the commencement of the orchestrated crisis.

“Since the beginning of the crisis, he has not traveled to his hometown. Why is he afraid to visit home?, he queried.

However, the ADC Presidential hopeful maintained that despite the sinister move to truncate and disrupt its activities, the opposition Coalition has continued to gain momentum with more people coming forward to register and identify with the party.

This is as he noted that the party and its leadership are not in any way perturbed by the antics of some disruptive forces using the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

The source reports that the electoral body shocked not a few on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 when it announced its decision to withdraw recognition for the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC.

According to Mohammed Kudu Haruna INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee ,the decision to halt all dealings with both parties in the ADC leadership tussle was derived from a subsisting Court of Appeal judgment directing for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum pending the determination of legal proceedings in relation to the matter.

But Atiku, in the interview, insisted that the Commission was prodded more by some external influence, than any court order in its action.

“Of course, we shouldn’t have to say it, but this is external interference. They are using someone because they see our party getting stronger by the day, and they think it will be a threat to them if we continue to grow”, he noted

But according to the former Vice President, the party has continued to flourish and have been gaining new grounds amidst the ongoing crisis.

He emphasized that the party has continued to attract Nigerians from all walks of life, particularly the youths who see in the ADC the only road to redemption.

FG Pays N3.3 Trillion To Boost Power Generation

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Ayodele Oni

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April 5, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Nigerians are set to enjoy stable power as the ten years debt of N3.3 trillion incurred under Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme is now due for settlement.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment plan to finally settle the outstanding debts

A statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) stated that the debt repayment plan followed the final review of the legacy debts that have beset the power sector for more than a decade.

The statement reveals that “The long-standing debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025. Following verification, ₦3.3 trillion has been agreed as a full and final settlement, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution.

“Implementation has begun, with 15 power plants signing settlement agreements totalling ₦2.3 trillion. The Federal Government has already raised ₦501 billion to fund these payments.

“Out of the amount, N223 billion has been disbursed, with further payments underway.

“What this means for Nigerians: With payments reaching the power value chain, generation will be more stable. With power plants supported, electricity reliability will improve.

“And as the sector stabilises, more investment, more jobs, and better service will follow.

“This programme is not just about settling legacy debts. It is about restoring confidence across the power sector — ensuring gas suppliers are paid, power plants can keep running, and the system begins to work more reliably,” explained Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to President Tinubu.

“It is part of a broader set of reforms already underway — including better metering and service-based tariffs that link what you pay to the quality of electricity you receive.

“The government is also prioritising power supply to businesses, industries, and small enterprises — because reliable electricity is critical to creating jobs, supporting livelihoods, and growing the economy.

“The goal is simple: more reliable power for homes, stronger support for businesses, and a system that works better for all Nigerians,” she added.

President Tinubu has commended all stakeholders who supported efforts to resolve the legacy issues in the power sector. He has also confirmed that the next phase (Series II) will begin this quarter.