“There Is Plot To Prolong My Detention” – El-Rufai

April 21, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With his second bail application billed for ruling today, Tuesday April 21, 2026, by a Kaduna state High Court, detained former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that there are subtle and orchestrated plots to rope him into a case he knows nothing about and use it to prolong his stay in custody.

El-Rufai who is facing inter-agency investigations and prosecutions over multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds and security related Offences has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, since February 18, when he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The anti-graft Commission had, last month, arraigned El-Rufai before a Federal High Court Kaduna and a Kaduna State High Court.

The Federal High Court granted him bail on April 14,2026, but his bail application at the High Court,was re-scheduled for ruling on Tuesday , April 21 ,after it had suffered postponement twice.

But in a statement, Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson for the former Kaduna state Governor, raised an alarm over what he described as a coordinated and orchestrated attempt to smear his reputation and prolong his ordeal by linking him to an alleged attack on one of the prosecution witnesses.

While vehemently distancing himself from any link to the said attack, El-Rufai described the ingenious ploy to drag his name into the incident as not only malicious, but a witch-hunt.

Referencing a report in the The Nation Newspaper of April18, 2026 , captioned “El-Rufai’s trial: Gunmen invade principal witness’ home”, El-Rufai alleged that the said publication contains “innuendos suggestive of a plot to frame him”.

According to him, the publication which had claimed that a witness in his ongoing alleged corruption trial reported an attack on his residence, and linking same to his role as a witness, amounts to a deliberate witch-hunting exercise and a ploy to injure his reputation.

“Any objective reader would recognise the clear intent behind these statements: to smear Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s reputation , jeopardise his pending bail application at the Kaduna state High Court ,and implicate him in serious capital offences” Adekeye stated .

While maintaining that he has no connection with the said attack, El-Rufai informed that he has directed his legal team to consider the filing of defamation proceedings against the newspaper outfit .

For the records, The Nation Newspaper is owned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,whose Government El-Rufai has consistently alleged is persecuting him due to his membership of the opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and for holding contrary political views.

Kano Emirate Tussle: Sanusi, Bayero To Know Fate In 2027… Nigerians React To Long Adjournment

Ayodele Oni

April 21, 2026

Aminu Bayero and Sanusi Lamido — Emirs Aminu Ado Bayero and Mohammad Sanusi II

By Ayodele Oni

Parties in the legal tussle over the Kano Emirate seat will wait till 2027 to know their fate.

On April 20, 2026, the Supreme Court adjourned till April 19, 2027, to continue its hearing in the matter.

This unprecedented long adjournment by the Apex Court, has attracted reactions from a number of Nigerians.

At the proceedings on Monday, the Supreme Court heard the preliminary arguments from the parties involved in the matter before the announcement of the adjournment.

The suit, which has drawn widespread public and political attention, is about the contentious leadership structure of the Kano Emirate.

According to reports, the move to fix the date one year after, suggests that the Court may be preparing for an extensive legal consideration of the matter, as Nigerians are eager to hear the latest development on one of the most closely monitored Traditional Institutions in the country.

Instructively, the hearing would be coming up after the 2027 general elections scheduled to hold in February.

It is not known how much, if any,

the political realignment will have on the case.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who as a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), deposed Emir Bayero, and re-enthroned the earlier deposed Sanusi as Emir, has since dumped the NNPP for the All Progressives Congress, under which Government Sanusi was deposed and Bayero enthroned. Unconfirmed sources insist that the APC, the ruling Party at the centre, and Governor Yusuf’s new party, is solidly behind Bayero.

In mixed reactions to the new date, Nigerians queried the long adjournment, saying it has again demonstrated possible interest by Government in the matter.

Etaredafe questioned why it was adjourned for a year:

“Please, does anyone know why it was adjourned for a year? I know the elections might be a factor, but I doubt the judge will cite that as the reason.

“I am curious to know the reasoning behind this lengthy adjournment. I have never seen anything like this before.”

Kanoblog urged one of the Traditional Rulers to step down.

“I think it’s time for one of them to step back and accept that he is not a king.

“If they truly care about what they have built together in their family, then they should not allow its reputation to be destroyed.

“They are all intelligent people who understand the value of life and culture, so they should not let the legacy their parents left for them be ruined.”

Engr Shaibu raises concerns that the ruling will come after the general elections.

“Exactly two months after the 2027 election. Okay na. Dem go soon blackmail person to influence election.”

Honourable Balo alleged that the president’s interest in the state was the reason for the adjournment. He said:

“The president needs the state ahead of 2027, and any judgment that doesn’t favour any of them may cause a crisis for the state, and the president’s chances will be limited.

“After the elections are over, anyone the court judgment favours the president won’t care much.”

ACF Rejects Amnesty For Terrorists; Demands “Overwhelming’ Force To Defeat Them

Tosin Olatokunbo

April 21, 2026

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has urged the federal government to be cautious in granting amnesty to repentant terrorists, using the Rwanda and Sri Lanka models as an example.

ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, Leadership Newspapers reports, quoting him as saying that the terrorists should be prosecuted in court, where they will face their victims as penance for the crime they have committed against the country.

The ACF spokesman spoke amidst divisions among Nigerians over federal government’s amnesty policy for repentant terrorists. Not a few Nigerians, particularly leaders from the northern part of the country have condemned the programme, describing it to be very premature when terrorism has not been totally defeated.

ACF made the remark few hours after the insurgent group, Boko Haram issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening to execute 416 captives—mostly women and children—unless its demands are met.

The terrorists are demanding N6 billion ransom for the captives.

The development also comes following last weeks graduation of over 700 repentant terrorists under the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp under Operation Safe Corridor.

The Northern apex social group said the federal government has placed the cart before the horse by not ensuring the total defeat and surrender of the terrorists before granting them amnesty.

It said the terrorists are being pampered while the victims have been left on their own, asking, What of the victims? What happened to them?

The group said the federal government should have ensured that forgiveness is left to the victims of terrorism, who have the right to decide whether they want to forgive the terrorists or not., saying the terrorists must face the law before any other thing.

“This amnesty, these deals and so on with terrorists and bandits, in the first place, when you want to do that, there has to be accountability. What of the victims? What happened to them? The wrong was done to the state represented by the government, but the harm was inflicted on individuals, people, and families. What is their fate? It has been tried in Rwanda, but in Rwanda, the terrorists are taken before a Special Court and made to confess their sins, and they are confronted by their victims. And it was up to the victims to forgive or not. And if they don’t forgive, the law would take its course”

It noted that the amnesty programme is being carried out without adequate consultations with all necessary stakeholders, saying other countries who had faced insurgency ensured that the terrorists were only pardoned after they have been totally defeated.

“Now, when you do this kind of thing, in the first place, we don’t have enough details. The federal government just announced something. You know, who has wronged these people? And what of the unfortunate victims of their activities who have nothing? You go into a village, you burn, you loot, you kill, you maim, you rape. What for? Innocent people. Look, I think we have to go back to the experience of other countries first. Sri Lanka faced an insurgency, but the government ensured overwhelming success. When the insurgents realised they could not succeed, the peace process began. I would love to see this in Nigeria.”

It urged the federal government to use overwhelming force to defeat the terrorists before contemplating amnesty, adding that “the final person who will forgive is not the government, it’s the victim.”

ACF: “I would love to see a situation where the government shows unequivocally that it will prevail with overwhelming force to discharge its duties to citizens. And then we can talk about other non-kinetic measures. But that is, we don’t have enough details. We worry about the victims. We worry about the nature of a reorientation that these bandits and terrorists were put through.

“No details. So, in short, we urge extreme caution, one. Two, we add that the interests of victims should be taken into consideration. And the final person who will forgive is not the government, it’s the victim. If they so wish. There has to be retributive justice. You just cannot carry arms. It’s not even against the state. It’s against the people. We don’t have enough details. What can one say? We just express our opinion about it, and that’s all.”

Not a few Nigerians have raised alarm that some terrorists who have received amnesty, later went back to join Boko Haram and ISWAP, particularly those of them who were reported to have been recruited into the military.

The federal government has, however, denied recruiting repentant terrorists into the nation’s Armed Forces.

2027 General Elections: Tinubu To Pay N100m As APC Waits To Rake In Billions Of Naira From Aspirants… Releases Timetable

Ayodele Oni

April 21, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Aspirants for elective positions on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of 2027 general elections, can now advance their ambition as the party on Monday, released the timetable and schedule of activities for the General Elections.

According to the schedule signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, sale of forms to all aspirants, has begun since Monday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

It will be rounded off on May 2.

Argungu stated that the screening of all aspirants will hold between May 6 and May 8.

The schedule shows that the primary election for all categories of the aspirants will begin with the presidential on Friday, May 15; the House of Representatives, Monday, May 18 and the Senate, Wednesday, May 20.

The primaries for the State Assembly will hold on Thursday, May 21, while those for the Governorship will hold on Saturday, May 23.

The schedule further shows that the election petition for all the aspirants will commence on Monday, May 18, with the Presidential, and will be rounded off on Monday, May 29, with the Governorship.

According to the schedule, aspirants contesting for the State House of Assembly will pay N1 million for the expression of interest and N5 million for the nomination form.

Aspirants for the House of Representatives will pay N1 million for the expression of interest form and N9 million for the nomination form, while aspirants for the Senate will pay N3 million for the expression of interest and N17 million for the nomination form.

Aspirants for governorship will pay N10 million for expression of interest and N40 million for nomination form, while those contesting for presidential will pay N30 million for expression form and N70 million for the nomination form.

CBN $1bn Monthly Diaspora Remittance Target On Course- Cardoso

Tosin Olatokunbo

April 21, 2026

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Yemi Cardoso, has urged commercial banks in the country to provide enabling environment for Nigerians living abroad to remit more foreign currencies into the country. This is to ensure that the $1 billion monthly target diaspora remittance by the CBN is met by the end of the year.

The CBN governor made the call during engagements at the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank in Washington, United States, were he said the ongoing economic reforms in the country has boosted investors confidence in the country.

Cardoso noted that the CBN’s target of achieving $1bn in monthly remittance inflows remains strongly on track, stressing that banks must play a critical role in ensuring that Nigerians in the diaspora can seamlessly send funds home through formal financial channels without hindrance.

The CBN governor stated that improved policies and reforms in the foreign exchange market, coupled with ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency, has created a conducive environment for more diaspora remittances.

He stressed that simplifying remittance processes, reducing transaction costs, and improving customer experience for Nigerians abroad would make the goal realisable.

“The target is achievable, but it requires the active participation of banks in leveraging the opportunities provided by the current reforms,” Cardoso said.

The CBN Governor had stated last year, June 2025, that Nigeria is edging closer to a historic milestone in foreign inflows, projecting that diaspora remittances will hit $1 billion monthly by 2026.

He made the disclosure at the 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to him, the bank has taken deliberate steps to build confidence among Nigerians abroad, including working with leading commercial banks such as Access Bank and Zenith Bank on international outreach.

“By next year, our projection will be a billion dollars a month of diaspora remittances. As far as we are concerned, we have done everything to enable that to happen,” Cardoso said, adding that monthly remittance inflows, which stood at $250 million at the start of the reforms, had risen to $600 million after surpassing the $500 million mark in 2025.

Police Move To Rescue 15 Abducted Boat Passengers Along Calabar/Oron Waterways

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 20, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Akwa Ibom and Cross River Police Commands said they have launched concerted ,and coordinated response to locate and rescue 15 passengers abducted by suspected pirates along Calabar/Oron Waterways.

The inter-command rescue efforts are sequel to a marching order from the Assistant Inspector -General of Police AIG Zone 6, Auwal Musa, for the deployment all available logistical and human equipment to ensure the swift release of the victims.

The source reports that suspected pirates on Friday, April 17, 2026, ambushed, attacked and whisked away over 20 persons aboard a passenger boat while heading from Calabar to Oron.

The Police has however put the number of victims at 15.

Most of the kidnapped victims were, allegedly, students and candidates on their way to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME.

In a statement on Monday April 20, 2026, from its spokesperson Timfon John, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command informed that it is already working in synergy with its Cross River state counterpart to carry out the rescue order from the AIG.

The Command stated that a combined team of crack Marine and Tactical operatives and intelligence assets, with the capacity to dominate the waterways and adjourning creeks, have been deployed to track down the suspected hoodlums ,and effect the safe release of the victims.

“Acting on the directive of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 6, the Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, has ordered sustained intelligence-driven operations, including coordinated patrols, surveillance, and targeted raids across identified criminal hideouts within the maritime corridor.

“The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe rescue of all abducted persons and bringing the perpetrators to justice”, John stated.

In the same vein, the Cross River State Police spokesperson, Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed that the Command is collaborating with its Akwa Ibom State counterpart, to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt and the masterminds held accountable.

He emphasized that coordinated and intelligence-driven operations are already underway, with operatives combing all identified hotspots in search of both the victims and the hoodlums.

The Source further reports that the AIG had earlier directed the two sister Commands to temporarily set aside jurisdictional limitations, operational boundaries and take all necessary measures to ensure swift ,and safe rescue of the victims ,as well as hunt down the perpetrators.

Gbenga Daniel Locked Out Of Meeting As Gov. Abiodun Moves To Sack Him From Senate

Akinwale Kasali

April 20, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Dapo Abiodun has been endorsed by Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun East Senatorial District as its Senatorial Candidate in 2027.

In a gestapo move, Senator Gbenga Daniel was locked out of the hall and refused entry along with his supporters.

Governor Abiodun was named their consensus candidate for the 2027 Senatorial election, meaning that Senator Gbenga Daniel has forfeited his position.

The decision was reached at a zonal stakeholders’ meeting attended by party leaders and key political figures from the district.

The action of disallowing Daniel entry into the venue led to controversy.

This development heightened tensions within the party structure in the zone.

Addressing his supporters outside the meeting venue, Senator Daniel rejected the outcome, insisting that any decision reached without his participation would not be binding.

Though the APC leadership is yet to comment on this development, many have queried Governor Abiodun’s desperation in becoming the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District.

Thugs Attack Owo LG Chairman Following Attempt To Resume From Six Months Suspension

Ayodele Oni

April 20, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Embattled Chairman of Owo Local Government, in Ondo State, Tope Omolayo, again met a brick wall as he moved to resume from the six months suspension clamped on him by the Legislative arm of the Council.

The Legislative arm of Owo local government in Ondo State had suspended Tope Omolayo, the Chairman of the Local Government indefinitely since October last year over an alleged gross misconduct.

The suspension was part of the resolutions of the Owo Local Government Legislative Council, under the leadership of Doyin Adebayo, at its sitting on Wednesday in Owo.

The decision was passed by majority of the 11 Councilors in the Legislative Council.

According to the resolution signed by the two-third majority of the council Lawmakers, “the Owo Local Government Legislative Council, under the House Leader, Hon. Doyin Adebayo, has taken decisive action to ensure good governance and accountability in Owo Local Government Area.

“The allegations against Hon. Omolayo include financial improprieties, utter violation of statutory budget and IGR regulations, disrespect to traditional heads, and failure to conduct himself in an appropriate manner. These allegations are serious and require thorough investigation.

There was commotion at the council secretariat on Monday following attempt by the chairman to return to office.

Sources at the Secretariat, however, claimed there was no official letter to formally communicate his suspension at the time the crisis began aside the resolution by the Legislative arm.

The Chairman reportedly arrived at the Council Secretariat to reclaim his office when a group of suspected thugs stormed the premises, assaulted him, tore his clothes and fired gunshots into the air to disperse workers and bystanders.

Witnesses further claimed the attackers chanted that the Olowo of Owo had ordered the Chairman to leave the town. However, the Palace has not issued any official statement on the allegation as of the time of filing this report.

The gunfire reportedly caused panic among staff members and residents around the Secretariat, forcing many to flee for safety.

Workers at the Secretariat and concerned residents have called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene and restore calm in the council area before the situation escalates further.

Omolayo had earlier apologized to the Traditional Ruler of Owo kingdom, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye for his alleged unruly statements.

Omolayo in the wake of his suspension by the Councilors of the Council, had accused the Lawmakers and Olowo of making frivolous financial demands from him.

He had claimed that Oba Ogunoye demanded for one million naira monthly from him as Chairman of the Local Government, an allegation that has been denied by the Palace.

Omolayo also boasted that nobody could suspend or remove him from office as chairman.

The Chairman reaffirmed his loyalty to the Monarch, saying he holds the Traditional Institutions in high esteem.

Tendering his apology, Omolayo said: “With utmost humility and deep remorse, I write to tender my unreserved apology to Your Imperial Majesty regarding the recent viral voice notes in which I made some deeply regrettable and unruly statements.

“I take full responsibility for my words and acknowledge the grave disrespect they conveyed towards your highly revered stool and personality.

“I am profoundly sorry for any hurt, embarrassment, or disappointment my utterances may have caused you, our royal household, and the good people of Owo Kingdom.

“My actions in that moment were thoughtless, and do not reflect the values of our culture, the respect I hold for the traditional institution, nor the esteem with which I regard your person as the custodian of our cherished heritage.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I plead for your forgiveness and seek your fatherly understanding.

“I assure you that this unfortunate incident has served as a sobering moment of reflection and has further strengthened my resolve to act with greater wisdom, humility, and respect moving forward.”

ADC Dismisses Merger Talks, Says It Is Focused On Reversing INEC’s Illegal Action

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 20, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has strongly rejected claims suggesting that it is in merger talks with other political parties.

Specifically, the party dismissed reports claiming that it has opened discussions with the Peoples Redemption Party PRP in anticipation of unfavourable pronouncements from the courts, in relation to its ongoing legal battles.

The Source reports that the Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22, 2026, an appeal by the ADC seeking to set aside the Court of Appeal judgment ordering parties in the leadership tussle to maintain the status quo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had, on ApriI 1, based on its interpretation of the Appellate Court’s judgment, opted to withdraw recognition for the Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC, thereby, severely disrupting the party’s preparations for the 2027 polls.

The ADC, in the appeal, is also seeking an order of the apex court, compelling the INEC to restore recognition for the Mark’s leadership of the party, as well as recommence the acceptance of correspondences from it as the authentic leadership of the party.

However, speculations have been rife suggesting that the Mark-led ADC faction, which is locked in a festering battle for the soul of the party with the Bala Nafiu Gombe-faction is exploring alternative measures, should the outcome of the Supreme Court appeal turns out not to be in its favour.

But dismissing the development, Bolaji Abdullahi, the spokesperson for the faction in a statement on Monday, on his official site insisted that the party is irrevocably committed to the prosecution of the legal processes aimed at reversing ,what it described as ” the illegal action taken against the leadership of the party by the electoral Commission.

According to him, getting the unjust action of the electoral body corrected remains the only way to safeguarding the country’s democratic arrangement.

He emphasized that while the party is open to the idea of welcoming on board more partners into the coalition for the purpose of rescuing the country, it nevertheless remains focused on the enormous responsibilities imposed on it by the realities of the moment.

“Our attention have been drawn to a story in circulation that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is in talks with another political party, specifically the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, in anticipation of its court judgment.

“We would like to state categorically that this is not true .

“The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment.

” We are fully committed to ensuring that the illegal action taken against our leadership by INEC and other agents of the ruling party is upturned.

“We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensure that multi-party democracy survives in Nigeria.

“While we are open to expanding the coalition to bring all opposition elements in the country together to rescue our, we remain clear about the responsibility that this moment has imposed on us. We will not abdicate that responsibility.

” Therefore, any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is pre-emptive and speculative, and should by ignored”, Abdullahi stated

PDP Crisis: Wike Sues For Peace, Urges Defectors To Return

Ayodele Oni

April 20, 2026

Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike

By Ayodele Oni

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sent a message to those who left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the wake of internal crisis to return.

Wike, one of the leaders of the PDP warring factions, assured aggrieved members of the party that they will not lose their entitlements if they return. He declared that many who left only did so out of uncertainty and in search of political shelter.

Wike spoke at the 108th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held Monday at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

He, therefore, urged the party leadership to urgently move for reconciliation.

“Chairman and your team should put in place a strong committee to reach out to those who are aggrieved.

“There is room for them to come back, and whatever is due to them will still be given.”

The former Rivers State governor insisted that the PDP must close ranks quickly, warning that lingering internal wrangling could weaken its chances ahead of future elections.

“In life, there must be a period of crisis. What matters is how we resolve the crisis. Now that we are together, we must not stop at reconciliation,” he said.

Wike also reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, declaring that he has no intention of leaving despite ongoing tensions.

“I have been a member of this party since 1998 and I will not leave. Whatever happens, we will continue to live as members of the PDP,” he stated.

He further called for transparency and openness in party affairs, saying this would rebuild confidence and attract back those who had drifted away.

“If you engage them, they will understand and support the party. There is need for openness so that we can achieve the unity we desire,” he added, while expressing confidence in the party’s legal team.

Earlier, PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, signalled a fresh start for the opposition party, declaring that the era of uncertainty was over.

According to him, the party will strictly follow the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting its congresses.

“The era of uncertainty is behind us. The era of strategy, consultation, and electoral preparation has begun,” he said, promising transparent and credible congresses across all levels.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, stressed that unity must remain the party’s top priority.

He urged members to bury their differences, warning that there was no room for exclusion if the PDP must regain its footing nationally.

Ohuabunwa also called for discipline and strict adherence to the party’s constitution, while commending reforms such as the e-registration initiative aimed at strengthening internal processes and repositioning the party for the challenges ahead.

The faction, loyal to the FCT Minister is in support of the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu.

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