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How Nigeria Arrested Top Al-Qaeda Leaders – NSA Ribadu

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Al-Qeda Leaders Mahmuda and Abu Baraa

By Adesina Soyooye

Says the International terrorists were, also, the masterminds of the unprecedented Kuje (Abuja) Prison break during which scores of dangerous arrested terrorists escaped”

In a heart-warming news, Nigeria  announced, on Saturday, that it has arrested two top leaders of Al-Qaeda. The announcement of their arrest was important enough to be handled personally by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The arrest of the two leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, is a product of several months of counter-terrorism operation.

According to Ribadu who

disclosed this at a press briefing he held in his office,

the intelligence-driven operation was carried out between May and July 2025. It was  a perfect collaboration by security and intelligence agencies.

Those arrested are Mahmud Muhammad Usman, known also as Abu Bara’a, Abbas or Mukhtar. He is the  self-acclaimed Emir of Ansaru, and his Chief-of-Staff/ 2nd-in-command, Mahmud al-Nigeri, who is also known as Mallam Mamuda.

Ribadu revealed that Abu Bara coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and is the brain behind high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies which proceeds he uses to finance terrorism. His deputy, Mamuda, was in- charge of “Mahmudawa” cell around Kainji National Park. He trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors.

Ribadu: “The targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of two top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years. The first is Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU.

“He is the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. He is also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.

“The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in, and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to the Benin Republic.

“Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and IED fabrication.

The two men, the NSA said have been on Nigeria’s and International most-wanted list for years.

They were, said Ribadu,  responsible for  other attacks, including the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on Niger’s uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, and the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura.

“They were, also, behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa and they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

“The two men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody”

With their capture the Ansaru’s central command structure has been dismantled. It marks a significant achievement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

The NSA disclosed that security forces recovered materials and digital evidence during the operation. These are undergoing forensic analysis.

His words: “This strike has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group.

” Let me use this opportunity to inform the public that, in the course of the operation, our security forces captured and recovered valuable actionable intelligence.

“These include a cache of materials and digital evidence which are all now undergoing forensic analysis. The findings from the analysis are expected to support our ongoing efforts to exploit this success, bring them to justice, and completely bring them to justice, and completely annihilate the remnants of ANSARU networks and disrupt their foreign collaborators.”

Umahi Says He Could Be First President Of Nigeria From South East

By
The Source
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Dave Umahi
Dave Umahi

By Charles Igbo

The Minister for Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has dashed the hope of the likelihood of a Nigerian of South-east extraction becoming Nigeria’s President within the next 12 years – beginning  from 2027.

The Minister dashed this hope, and, therefore, rubbished the efforts being currently made by Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, when he said, on Saturday, that he might be the first South Easterner to become Nigeria’s President when the time comes.

Umahi spoke when he received in audience, the Minister for Information, Mohammed Idris and his team who paid him a courtesy call at his Ebonyi State country home. Idris and his team are on a tour  of Federal Government’s projects countrywide.

While addressing them, Umahi said the South-east would produce Nigeria’s President at God’s own time. For the Zone to produce the President, Umahi, also, said the region has to “re-engage” and support others so that at God’s approved time, other Zones will support it.

“We have to support other regions, and at the time of God, nobody will stop it.” Then, remembering his long time ambition,  he added: “And, who knows, you know, whether that time, it will be me.”

Given that Umahi is campaigning for Tinubu’s second term against 2027, if Tinubu gets it, his term will end in 2031. And given APC’s zoning arrangement, it means the Presidency will go back to the North in 2031, and will likely be there till 2039. Which, perhaps, all things being equal, is when Umahi feels a South-easterner, possibly himself, if God wills it, could be President.

Umahi has harboured a Presidential ambition for a long time. In the early years of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Arthur Eze, every Nigerian President’s friend, had suggested, and publicly recommended Umahi to him as his (Buhari’s) successor. And then, of course, Umahi, according to him, defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while serving his second term as Governor, because he said the PDP was not forthcoming on whether it would zone the Presidency to the South-east or not. He was, also, very visibly angry when Peter Obi in 2019, was chosen as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate. He said as the Chairman of the South-east Governor’s  Forum, he was not consulted nor was it discussed.

In 2023, Umahi contested for the Presidential ticket of the APC against Tinubu. He, however, failed woefully, but thereafter, wholeheartedly worked for Tinubu’s victory.

For his efforts, he was rewarded with the position the Minister for Works, the first time somebody of South-east extraction would occupy the office.

In 2039 when the Presidency, under the APC, would rotate to the South again, Umahi, 63 years old now, will be 76 – not too comfortable an age to be President.

“You Are Not Fair In Your Humanitarian Outreaches”, Muslim Group Accuses First  Lady, Oluremi Tinubu

By
The Source
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Oluremi Tinubu

By Charles Igbo

In a patently false allegation, likely to shock not a few people, and meant to sow seeds of religious division and discord and rancour, an Islamic group, The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), has accused First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu of discriminating against  the Muslim population in her humaritarian outreaches.

Recall that Mrs Tinubu has been hailed for using her platform, The Renewed Hope Initiative, to console, inspire and uplift thousands of Nigerians, especially, women, the down-trodden, and most especially, those who have been visited by both natural and human-triggered tragedies.

But in a strongly-worded statement signed by Sheik Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, 00N, Sheik Isa Salahudeen Akindele, and Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, mni, President, Vice President and Secretary General respectively, the SCSN, alleged that the First Lady was concentrating her Humanitarian Outreaches on Christian areas, and reminded her that while Nigerian Christians, and, even her own Church, campaigned and voted against the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which produced her husband, President Bola Tinubu, and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Muslim Community stood behind the ticket.

The First Lady is an ordained Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.

Following is the full text of the statement.

THE NEED FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND BALANCE IN THE HUMANITARIAN

OUTREACH OF THE FIRST LADY

“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), as the umbrella Islamic body dedicated to the defence of the rights and interests of the Muslim Ummah, finds it necessary to address a growing and deeply troubling pattern in the humanitarian activities of Her Excellency, Senator

Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While the office of the First Lady is not a constitutional one, it remains a highly visible moral and humanitarian platform. How it is used sends powerful signals to Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.

“Unfortunately, recent actions have raised the perception that this platform is being tilted towards selective religious and political constituencies, in a manner that is neither

fair nor reflective of the diverse fabric of the nation.

“We begin by acknowledging the recent donation made to the victims of the Mokwa flood disaster in Niger State. We welcome the fact that Her Excellency deemed it necessary to visit and offer some measure of relief to our people in their time of need. We recognise that any act of kindness to fellow citizens in distress is a noble gesture worthy of appreciation.

“However, the magnitude of the disaster, the scale of displacement, and the economic devastation caused by the floods make it clear that the relief came rather too late.

“It is important to recall the political journey that brought President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to

office. At a time when the Muslim-Muslim ticket was under intense attack, it was the Muslim Ummah in the North and in the South-West that stood firmly in defence of that ticket.

“We mobilised. We voted in overwhelming numbers. We protected the legitimacy of the ticket from hostile narratives. That political solidarity was not a small matter; it was the bedrock of the President’s victory. On the other hand, many Christian constituencies, including Her Excellency’s own denomination, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), not only

withheld their support but in many cases actively opposed the ticket. In several Christian￾majority states, the vote for APC was negligible.

“In the days and weeks following the victory, prominent Christian groups did not acknowledge, let alone celebrate, the outcome of the

election. This history should not be ignored when considering the balance and fairness of the

First Lady’s outreach.

Since assuming her role, Her Excellency’s Renewed Hope Initiative has rolled out a series of high-profile donations and empowerment programmes. A disturbing trend is that many of these

have been directed overwhelmingly towards Christian communities, often in symbolic and

publicised ways.

“In September 2023, ₦500 million was given to families in Plateau State, with the beneficiaries drawn largely from Christian-dominated communities. In December 2024, under the guise of Christmas palliatives, ₦5 million cash and 1,200 bags of rice were distributed in each of the 19 northern states exclusively through the Northern Nigeria Christian Political Forum (CNNPF), a political and religious bloc that did not play any measurable role in the electoral success of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket. Additional targeted donations followed

1,000 bags of rice to the Christian community in Bauchi, another 1,000 bags to the CNNPF in Kogi, and further empowerment packages channelled almost entirely through Christian political and church-based structures.

“In July 2025, ₦1 billion and truckloads of relief materials were donated to communities in

Plateau State and Yelewata in Benue, both events framed in ways that highlighted and benefited

Christian-majority areas. These interventions were not matched by any equivalent gesture to

Muslim-majority communities suffering simultaneous or even worse tragedies.

“During the same period, the First Lady has not been seen to extend a comparable hand to

Muslim victims of serious calamities. When passenger boats capsized in Niger and Kwara States, claiming scores of Muslim lives, there was no high-profile visit, no substantial relief

intervention. The persistent killings in Zamfara and Katsina, targeting Muslim villages and markets have not attracted her public condolence or material support. The recent killing of Muslim travellers in Jos passed without any statement from her office. For many in the Ummah,

the silence in these moments is both painful and telling.

“We have seen this trajectory before. History teaches that selective humanitarianism from the nation’s First Lady can become a political liability. During the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the then First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, became publicly associated with a

perceived sectional bias in her engagements. That perception became part of the narrative that

alienated large parts of the country from the presidency.

“Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, stands today at a similar crossroads. The choice before her is simple: to use her platform to unite Nigerians through fair, balanced, and inclusive humanitarian outreach, or to deepen the dangerous perception that the Office of the First Lady is an exclusive channel for

favoured religious and political groups.

“We, therefore, call upon Her Excellency to take deliberate steps to address this imbalance. The

Muslim Ummah is not asking for favour or special privilege, we are asking for justice, fairness,

and recognition of our equal place in the Nigerian federation. When our communities suffer,

when our people are displaced, when tragedy strikes in our towns and villages, we expect the

same empathy, the same visibility, and the same material relief that is extended elsewhere.

“The Renewed Hope Initiative carries a noble name. But hope cannot be truly renewed if it is

perceived as selective. Compassion loses its moral power when it appears to follow political loyalties or religious lines. The SCSN urges Her Excellency to rise above the pull of partisan

and sectarian instincts, and to embrace the whole nation with equal warmth. That is what leadership demands, that is what history will remember, and that is what justice requires.

Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, mni

Secretary General

PRESIDENT: Sheikh Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, OON

VICE PRESIDENT: Sheikh Isa Salahudeen Akindele

Kano Bye-elections: APC Calls For Cancellation, As Police Arrests 288

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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INEC BVA

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, called for the cancelation of the by-election in Bagwai/Shanono  State Constituency of Kano State.

This is as over 288 political thugs and miscreants were arrested by Security Agents over alleged violent activities during election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had held   a re-run and by-election in Tsanyawa and Bagwai/Shanono State Constituencies of Kano State respectively, along side other areas across the country on Saturday August 16.

But in a statement from its National spokesperson, Felix Morka, the APC alleged massive violence and widespread disruption of the exercise by suspected hoodlums.

According to the APC, the elections, particularly in Bagwai/Shanono Constituency was marred by it described as “extreme violence and disruption by armed thugs across several polling units in the affected areas.

“Variable reports from Shanono/Bagwai state Constituency had voters fleeing polling units, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible.

”Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai Kano State Constituency by-election and Ghari re-run election in the atmosphere of utter brigandage ,and outright violent voter intimidation will be against democratic dictates of free, fair and peaceful election and set a dangerous precedent for undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist”, Morka stated.

Meanwhile security agencies under the aegis of ” Kano state Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security ICCES, in a statement b the spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the suspected hoodlums were apprehended for various electoral offences, and their alleged involvement in acts of violence and disruption of the exercise.

According to Kiyawa, several dangerous weapons, including bows and arrows, cutlasses, knives, and clubs were recovered from the suspected thugs.

“The suspects, according to the  police statement,  are presently in custody, while further investigations are underway to identify their sponsors and collaborators.”

The Command assured the public that all individuals found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, had, earlier, issued a strong warning that all forms of electoral manipulation, violence and malpractices will not be tolerated .

” Members of the public are encouraged to continue being law-abiding ,and to cooperate fully with security agencies . Citizens are urged to report any suspicious activities to the police”, the statement reads in part.

Supreme Court Did Not Sack Abure As National Chairman, LP Insists

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Julius Abure

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee, NEC, on Saturday, August 16, expressed deep surprise at the claims in a section of the Media suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has withdrawn its recognition.

This is as the faction  rejected claims that it was sacked by the April 4 ,2025 Supreme court ruling on the party’s leadership crisis .

The Source reports that the Senator Nenadi Esther Usman-led Interim National Working Committee had, on Friday August 15, 2025, lauded INEC for finally doing the needful by recognizing it as authentic National leadership of the LP.

In the same vein ,the only Governor elected on the platform of the party, Dr  Alex Otti of Abia State, had also applauded the Electoral Umpire over its decision to implement the verdict of the Apex Court in the country.

According to the Abia State Governor,  going by the facts of the Supreme court judgment, it had never been in doubt that Abure was no longer the National Chairman of the LP .

The Source further reports that  an Abuja High Court had also, Friday August 15, dismissed an application brought before it by the Abure-led NEC , seeking among other things, an order compelling the INEC to recognize the candidates nominated by it for the August 16 by-election .

However, the court in dismissing the suit, held that going by the Supreme court ruling, that Abure’s tenure had long expired before the controversial Nnewi Convention that purportedly returned him to office as National Chairman.

But, in statement on Saturday, August 16, issued by factional spokesperson, Obiorah Ifoh, the Abure-led NEC berated Senator Usman for misleading the public on the true position of the leadership of the party.

According to Ifoh , a Federal High Court in, Nasarawa State, had granted an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from recognizing any other LP National Leadership , outside of the Abure-led NEC.

This is just ,it insisted that the Abuja High Court rulings have been twisted by Senator Usman and her supporters to suit their predetermined purposes.

The faction noted that the INEC as a body established by law, is bound to respect the Nasarawa High Court order as it relates to the Abure leadership.

“The leadership of the Labour Party, LP, the government is surprised at the reports in some sections of the media where one Senator Nenadi Usman ,and her quislings are busy misinforming members of the public ,and jubilating that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has withdrawn recognition from Barrister Julius Abure, hinging their media propaganda on the Federal High Court’s decision of  August 15 ,2025 .

“For the records ,two cases concerning Labour Party were decided and dismissed yesterday by the same court . One by Nenadi Usman through one Chris Omofuma ,her purported candidate in the Edo bye-election ,and of course ,the one filed by Labour Party through Barrister Julius Abure .

“INEC was the respondent in all the matters . While INEC, for obvious reasons, refused to put up any counter against Nenadi’s camp ,it however ,deposed to counter affidavit in opposition to Abure’s suit on the premise that it neither monitored nor recognized the March 27 ,2024 Convention in Nnewi ,and that Abure’s tenure , along.with that of the National Executive Committee , according to their illusions , expired in June ,2024 .

“The court wasted no time in dismissing the suit by Nenadi Usman through Chris Omofume on the ground that both Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha were not National Chairman and National Secretary respectively ,of the party ,and therefore are not competent to nominate candidate for the by-elections.

“The court also while dismissing the suit by Abure and Labour Party held that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter , noting that the Supreme court had in its April 4,2025 decision on Appeal No SC/CV/56/2025 ,ruled on the supremacy of the party ,and its ability to resolve its internal affairs using the party’s internal mechanism

” In any event ,the Supreme court never said that Abure was not the National Chairman of the Labour Party ,nor made pronouncement on the Convention .

It only said that issues of leadership is an internal affairs of the party . It is also clear that the Abure-led leadership is the party here ,and that is what the apex court referred to .

” Disappointed by the judgment of the court Nenadi Usman and her power mongering renegades went to town publishing INEC’s counter affidavit which the court never relied on.

For us , their celebration.was laughable and a smokescreen meant to mislead members of the public  They know that they have nothing to really celebrate .

” They forgot so soon that INEC’s so-called counter affidavit has been tested in various courts ,up to the Supreme court and has not been accepted .

The INEC’s counter affidavit is clearly what the Commission has been portraying all through in the courts since the beginning of their unlawful exclusion.of our leadership..

” They tendered it before Justice Omotosho ,and it was rejected . INEC also said so in Justice Nwite’s court ,and the Judge ruled against them .They said so at the court of Appeal ,the court also ruled against them  . Even the Supreme court ruled against them .All those issues in the counter affidavit have raised before ,and have been resolved against INEC” the LP statement reads in part..

The LP faction therefore described as infantile the resort by Senator Usman to be circulating same counter affidavit that has been several rejected by several courts of competent jurisdiction.

They reemphasized the need for INEC  to respect a lawful court order as issued by the Nasarawa High Court , regarding the legitimacy of the Abure leadership.

“Stop Allowing Your Envy Of Peter Obi To Consume You”

By
The Source
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Charles Soludo and Uche Onyeagucha

By Uche Onyeagucha

Open Letter to Charles Chukwuma Soludo

I watched your video wherein you stated that any politician who promises to serve for one single term of four years should be subjected to psychiatric examination.

Soludo, I know that your target is Mr. Peter Obi. Please note that there are some politicians with integrity in Nigeria. Peter Obi is one of them.

For your information, in the year 2003, I won election and represented Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the  platform of the APGA.

During my campaign, I promised the electorate that I will serve for one term of four (4) years. I got elected. Despite pressures from my constituents I kept to my promise. I served for only one term of four years and moved on.

Soludo, many Nigerians trust Peter Obi that if elected as President of Nigeria, he will keep to his promise of serving for only one term of four years.

Many Nigerians believe that if elected President of Nigeria, Peter Obi will lay an irreversible foundation for a new Nigeria in four years.

I didn’t require a psychiatric examination in 2003 and Peter Obi does not need one either.

Note that you are very welcome to run as APGA Presidential Candidate in 2027 against Peter Obi. As a former CBN Governor you may have better ideas about how to move the Nigerian economy forward.

In 2023, your party APGA fielded Prof Umeadi as Presidential Candidate. You never campaigned for him. You were busy attacking Peter Obi rather than campaign to deliver your candidate in the elections.

Please stop allowing you

Onyeagucha, Esq., a former SSG to Imo State Government, wrote from  Umuagam, Obinze, Owerri West, Imo State

Niger Flood: Tinubu Approves N16.7bn For Reconstruction Of Mokwa Bridge

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Aftermath of the flood disaster in Niger State few months ago, President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge, which was destroyed by flood in May.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this in Abakaliki on Saturday after a meeting with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

A statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Rabiu Ibrahim, stated that Idris, is leading a Federal Government delegation on a three-day tour of projects and citizen engagements in the South-East.

According to the statement, the approval underscores the administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.

“We want to thank Mr. President and we want to thank the Honourable Minister of Works. We jointly discussed this and approached Mr. President, who graciously approved it.

“It means a lot to the people. It’s N16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge — a 10-span bridge,” he stated.

The Minister also commended Umahi for his swift response in the wake of the disaster, including dispatching experts to assess the damage shortly after the bridge was washed away.

According to Idris, the approval for the bridge reconstruction will be “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Umahi, said President Tinubu is a compassionate and listening leader, who is committed to solving the challenges confronting the citizens.

“The President approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the Minister. He graciously approved because of him.”

Umahi explained that the latest round of approvals for provision of infrastructure cuts across all the geo-political zones of the country.

He listed some of the approvals to include: the reconstruction of the washed-away 5-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; the Lokoja Bridge; the permanent repair of the washed-away section of the Afikpo in Ebonyi to Abia and Imo State; the Keffi Flyover Bridge; the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State; seven bridges in Edo State; and a bridge in Kebbi State.

From Kano To Edo, Bye- Election Marred By Violence, Malfunctioning Of BVA Machine

By
Ayodele Oni
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INEC BVA

By Ayodele Oni

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the bye-election for Shanono/Bagwai Constituency and the rerun election for Ghari Constituency in Kano State over what it called widespread violence and disruption

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the elections were marred by “extreme violence and disruption by armed thugs across several polling units” in the affected areas.

According to Morka, “verifiable reports from Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas and Ghari constituency have voters fleeing polling areas, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by the violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible.”

He argued that allowing the exercise to continue would amount to endorsing electoral violence and undermining the integrity of the democratic process.

“Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai Kano State Constituency bye-election and Ghari rerun election in the atmosphere of utter brigandage and outright violent voter intimidation will be against democratic dictates of free, fair and peaceful election, and set a dangerous precedent for undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist.”

The party, therefore, urged the electoral body to “immediately cancel” the bye-election and rerun “to protect the sanctity of the ballot” and safeguard the country’s democracy.

Kano state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Audu Zago in another report, confirmed that over 100 suspected political thugs arrested at bye- election at Bagwai local government area of the state will be prosecuted in accordance with the rule and regulations guiding the election.

“More than 100 political thugs have been arrested. The police have confirmed this. The process is continuing and you have seen for yourself. Those political thugs arrested will be prosecuted,” he added.

He however, noted that the election was peaceful and commended the security personnel for providing adequate security of live and property. I am very impressed by the security arrangements here in Bagwsi town,” the REC said.

In Edo state, Governor Monday Okpebholo  expressed concerns over the slow performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the bye -election in Edo Central Senatorial District.

Okpebholo said this while casting his vote at Ward 2 Polling Unit 1 in Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government.

Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote, Okpebholo said that although the exercise was peaceful, the BVAS machines deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were causing unnecessary delay

Seized Funds For Payment Of Party Agents, Workers, Not Vote-buying,  Kaduna PDP

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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By Election in Kaduna

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected claims that the money seized from one of its chieftains was allegedly for vote-buying purposes.

The Source reports that the Kaduna Police Command had earlier, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, announced the apprehension of one Shehu Aliyu  Pantangi and a recovery of about N25 .9 million from him, suspected to be for the manipulation of the State and National Assemblies By-elections in the State.

According to a statement by DSP Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Pantingi was arrested at a hotel along Turunku road in Kaduna, from where he was allegedly coordinating the vote -buying largese.

The Police claimed the  suspect, during interrogation, admitted that the seized money was for the purpose of influencing the By-elections.

But in an interactive session with the Media on Saturday, the Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Edward Percy Masha, insisted that the seized money was purely for election logistics, including payment of party agents and other party officials involved in the election.

The PDP Chairman while describing the allegation of vote-buying as false, malicious and politically motivated, accused its main rival, the All Progressive Congress, APC, of being behind the false alarm.

He emphasized that every party involved in an election sets apart some money for  logistics, noting that the money being branded was meant for vote-buying was the funds voted for PDP agents and other officials during the by-elections.

According to him, over 5000 PDP agents and other officials were deployed across the Constituencies involved in the by-elections, with the now seized  N30 million representing their stipends.

” Let me, at this point, make it clear that the money was for election logistics. We have 169 wards, and if you multiply the number of agents, supervisors, and collation officers by their allowances, you will arrive at well over N30 million.

“That is the reality. To now turn around and say it was for vote-buying is mischievous and insult to the intelligence of Nigerians”, Masha stated.

This is as he pointedly accused the APC of using state apparatus, including security agencies, to hound and intimidate opposition parties.

The PDP Chairman regretted that the Party has been targeted in recent times by security agencies for molestation and intimidation at the instance of the ruling party APC.

He described the clampdown on the PDP as a clear sign of desperation on the part of the APC, having been rejected by overwhelming majority of Nigerians owing to the despondent state that it has plunged the country.

Finally, WHO Approves Injection Against  HIV

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Lenacapavir (LEN) - HIV Injection

By Akinwale Kasali

“It’s a game-changer” -Experts

In a bid to curtail the spread of Human Immuno Virus, HIV, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has approved an Injection.

Experts have named this as a game-changer in the global fight against HIV.

WHO has formally endorsed lenacapavir (LEN) — a long-acting injection that only needs to be taken twice a year — as a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option.

The landmark announcement of a preventive injection was made in Kigali, Rwanda, at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025), and is being hailed as a major breakthrough for millions of people at high risk of HIV infection.

Lenacapavir is the first PrEP product in the world to offer Six-month protection against HIV with a single injection, giving people a powerful alternative to the daily oral pills that many struggle to take consistently due to stigma, forgetfulness or poor access to health facilities.

The move towards this long term injection comes at a time when HIV remains a stubborn global threat, with 1.3 million new infections recorded in 2024 — most of them among key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, injecting drug users and adolescents.

To ensure faster access to the injection , WHO has also rolled out a simplified HIV testing protocol using rapid test kits — removing laboratory barriers and making it easier for pharmacies, community clinics and even tele-health platforms to deliver long-acting PrEP.

With this decision, lenacapavir joins daily oral PrEP, injectable cabotegravir and the dapivirine vaginal ring on the growing list of WHO-recommended prevention tools. Although lenacapavir access is still limited outside clinical trials, the WHO says governments and donors must move quickly to add the injection to their national HIV response and collect real-time data on uptake and impact.

In addition, new WHO treatment guidelines now recommend long-acting cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) injections for people living with HIV who have achieved viral suppression, giving them more flexibility and support with adherence.

Beyond PrEP and treatment, the agency has also issued new service delivery guidance, urging countries to integrate HIV care with hypertension, diabetes and mental health services. Updated STI guidelines now recommend routine gonorrhoea and chlamydia screening for high-risk groups, while people with mpox and HIV are advised to start antiretroviral therapy immediately.

With 40.8 million people still living with HIV and 630,000 deaths in 2024, WHO warned that declining global funding threatens to roll back hard-won gains. Its message out of Kigali is blunt:

“We now have the tools. What we need is bold implementation.”

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