Category: Local

KATSINA, July 16, 2025 – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar drew massive attention at the burial of late President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina on Tuesday, raising fresh debates about the political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who attended the high-profile funeral alongside key political heavyweights including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and several African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftains, was greeted by a large crowd chanting “Sai Atiku.” The strong display of support has intensified speculation that Atiku is consolidating influence within the ADC ahead of 2027, with many political analysts questioning the chances of Labour Party’s Peter Obi in securing a viable platform for his presidential ambition. Observers note that if Atiku secures the ADC ticket, Obi’s path to the presidency could become significantly more challenging. Some political commentators suggest that Obi should consider negotiating for the vice-presidential slot on a joint ticket with Atiku, rather than risk political isolation. “In Nigerian politics, coalitions and strategic alliances often determine success,” one analyst noted, drawing parallels with Goodluck Jonathan, who rose to the presidency after accepting the VP role under late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007. Analysts argue that for Obi, accepting a vice-presidential slot could keep him relevant on the national stage and position him for future leadership opportunities. The unfolding developments indicate that 2027 will likely be dominated by power blocs, mergers, and survival politics, as major contenders begin to align forces across regional and party lines.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has praised the burial process of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, describing it as a landmark step toward restoring the dignity of the Yoruba traditional institution. Oba Akanbi lauded the decision to bury Oba Adetona according to Islamic rites without subjecting his remains to traditional practices such as mutilation, which he likened to “acts done by butchers.” The Awujale, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, was laid to rest on Monday in accordance with Islamic customs. Soldiers were deployed during the burial to prevent traditionalists from disrupting the process after Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, affirmed that the late monarch had clearly expressed his burial wishes. In a statement by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, the Oluwo commended the Awujale’s family, Governor Abiodun, and the state’s Attorney General, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), for ensuring the monarch’s wishes were honored. He described their stance as a “victory for the Yoruba race.” “The courage demonstrated by the late Adetona’s family, Governor Abiodun, and the Attorney General is commendable and a blessing to restore the glory of Yoruba stools. Any town willing that its king be butchered after death should rather appoint an herbalist or Ogboni as their ruler,” Oba Akanbi said. He stressed that Oba Adetona had set a new standard for how Yoruba monarchs should be buried, emphasizing that traditional rulers should be treated with dignity even in death. “Honour doesn’t die with the king. They should be honoured to the grave and beyond, not butchered like an animal,” the Oluwo stated. Oba Akanbi further advocated that the burial of monarchs should follow the instructions left by the king before death or his family’s decision afterward, condemning the forceful seizure of royal corpses by secret societies. The Iwo monarch reaffirmed his stance against idol worship and traditional cult practices, noting that he had liberated the Oluwo stool from such influences since ascending the throne a decade ago.

GOMBE, Nigeria – July 15, 2025Thousands of mourners across Gombe State gathered on Tuesday to offer Salat al-Gha’ib (funeral prayer in absentia) for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in a London hospital at the age of 83. The largest prayer gathering took place outside the Pantami Township Stadium, where Islamic clerics led the faithful in solemn prayers, invoking Allah’s mercy and seeking eternal rest for the late president in Jannatul Firdaus. Speaking at the event, Sheikh Usman Bello praised Buhari’s legacy: “We are here to seek Allah’s mercy for our former president. He served this country with dedication. May Allah forgive his sins and grant him the highest level of paradise.” Many residents expressed a deep sense of loss, despite Buhari’s passing occurring far from home. “He may have passed away in London, but we in Gombe feel the pain. He was a father figure to many of us,” said Ibrahim Adamu, a local trader who attended the prayer with his children. Fatima Yakubu, a student at the Federal University, Kashere, said Buhari’s leadership motivated many young Nigerians to consider public service. “He stood for discipline and integrity. Whether you agreed with all his policies or not, his presence on the national stage was powerful. We pray Allah accepts him and comforts his family.” According to reports from local mosques and community groups, similar prayer sessions were held across various neighborhoods and open spaces in Gombe, all conducted peacefully in an outpouring of respect for the late president. Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and later a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, was known for his austere lifestyle, anti-corruption agenda, and conservative governance style. His death has triggered nationwide mourning, with tributes pouring in from citizens, religious leaders, and international dignitaries.

The Nigerian Senate has refused to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite a Federal High Court ruling declaring her six-month suspension unconstitutional. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended by the Senate in March 2025 for alleged misconduct. However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on July 4, the Federal High Court held that her suspension was “excessive and violated her constitutional rights.” Following the judgment, her legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Michael Numa, formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties on July 15, 2025. The notification was sent via a letter dated July 11 and addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly. But in a reply dated July 14, the Senate rejected the move, stating there was no explicit court directive mandating her recall. The letter, signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling on behalf of the Clerk, stated: “There’s no order made on the 4th day of July, 2025, by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, for the Senate, President of the Senate or National Assembly to comply with.” The Senate argued that the court merely offered a declaratory judgment, suggesting that the chamber may choose to exercise its power to recall her but was not compelled to do so. Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, reinforced this stance, saying: “The judgment did not include any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.” Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team insists that the judgment is binding under Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution and demands her immediate reinstatement, citing the court’s finding that the Senate’s action violated her constitutional rights. As of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended, with the Senate maintaining that she lacks legal standing to resume her seat pending a formal decision from the chamber. The standoff raises constitutional questions about the limits of legislative authority in the face of judicial intervention.

AKUNGBA-AKOKO, ONDO STATE – The two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), who were declared missing three weeks ago, have been found dead. The bodies of Andrel Eloho Okah, a student in the Department of History and International Studies, and John Friday Abba, of the Department of Economics, were discovered over the weekend in a forested area near the border between Ondo and Ekiti states. The students, both in their second year, had been reported missing by their coursemates after failing to return to campus or attend lectures. A search was launched a week after their disappearance, and the matter was reported to the police. A security source, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, confirmed the recovery of the bodies. “It’s sad to inform you that the two missing AAUA students have been killed by their suspected abductors. Their corpses were found where they were dumped,” the source said, adding that security personnel were dispatched to retrieve the remains. A student of the university, who preferred not to be named, also confirmed the grim discovery. “It’s true. Their corpses have been found in the bush. The campus is in mourning. There’s a heavy cloud of sadness everywhere,” he said. The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the command is aware of the incident and investigations are ongoing. She promised to provide more details as they emerge. The tragic development has plunged the university community into grief, as colleagues and friends mourn the sudden and violent loss of the two young scholars.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently in London to accompany the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria for burial, following Buhari’s death on Sunday afternoon. Shettima departed Nigeria around midnight on Sunday and was received in the United Kingdom on Monday morning by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuff Tuggar, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly dispatched the Vice President with the presidential air fleet to retrieve the late President’s body after learning of his demise. Buhari, who had been hospitalised in the UK for a prolonged illness, passed away quietly at about 4:30 pm on Sunday in a private clinic in London. The former president’s corpse is expected to arrive in Nigeria today (Monday) for final burial rites, which will receive full honours from the Federal Government. In response to the development, President Tinubu has summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to deliberate on the government’s involvement in the burial and other state responsibilities. Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023, will be buried in accordance with Islamic rites. More details on the funeral plans and national tributes are expected to follow shortly.

Suspected bandits launched a deadly late-night attack on Jargaba community in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on Thursday, killing six men and abducting two women. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen stormed the village and headed straight to a popular meeting spot where local men usually gather. Without warning, they opened fire, killing six men on the spot, including an aide to the local Community Watch Corps (CWC) commandant. Two children were also reportedly injured by stray bullets during the chaos. Following the massacre, the attackers invaded a nearby residence and abducted two women, whose whereabouts remain unknown as of the time of reporting. The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the attack. Spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq said, “Yes, bandits attacked the community and shot people. Two died on the spot, while four others who were injured yesterday were confirmed dead today, making a total of six people killed.” However, he added that he could not confirm the abduction case yet, stating, “I will contact the DPO to verify that.” Reacting to the attack, Hon. Abdulrahman Ahmed, who represents Bakori in the Katsina State House of Assembly, condemned the violence, describing it as another grim reminder of the state’s worsening security challenges. “In Jargaba community, bandits attacked a group of six men who were seated and interacting. All six were killed. Two children were also injured, and two women were abducted from a residence,” Ahmed said, expressing sorrow over the tragedy. He extended condolences to the grieving families and called for divine intervention, while assuring that he had contacted security agencies to respond to the crisis and support the affected community. Katsina, like several other states in Nigeria’s northwest, has experienced a surge in deadly attacks and kidnappings by armed groups in recent years.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has dismissed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project as a scam, citing a lack of transparency and visible impact on Nigerians. Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Lawal said he does not believe the project addresses the developmental needs of the country. He criticized the current administration for what he described as nonexistent or minimal infrastructure delivery across regions, particularly in the North. “If you ask me, ‘What projects has this government implemented so far that are visible to Nigerians and have impacted their lives?’ I cannot see any,” Lawal said, adding, “In the South-West, I don’t think there is any either. They are still talking about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway — a project every government mentions, funds, but never completes.” He was especially scathing about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it a premeditated fraud: “Even before they started, we knew it would be a scam, and it has become a scam.” The highway’s first 30-kilometre phase — from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village in Lagos — was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025. The entire project spans 700 kilometres and is estimated to cost about ₦15 trillion, with the Federal Government securing a $747 million loan in June to support its execution. Lawal questioned the value of such loans, suggesting that borrowed funds are often exhausted overseas before any real development occurs locally. “You borrow money from Europe, and before it comes, it is spent over there. What can Nigerians see? What are they doing with our money?” he queried. The project has faced widespread criticism, including from opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, as well as from property owners affected by demolitions along the construction corridor. Despite the backlash, Minister of Works David Umahi has insisted the coastal highway is a “catalyst for economic growth”, promising it will benefit all regions of the country. “When people stop the suspicion and digest the coastal road project very well, they will know it’s a catalyst for the growth of every state in this country,” Umahi told the Senate Committee on Works in December 2024. As debate over the project continues, public skepticism remains strong, especially amid Nigeria’s mounting debt profile and the lack of visible progress on major infrastructure.