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By Yunusa Hamza (Tafidan Farin Dutse/Uban Dawakin Katukan Dutse)

Some government policies are announced; others are implemented, but only a few become deeply rooted in the consciousness of the people. The revival of the Polling Unit Development Fund, popularly known in Jigawa State as Kudin Akwati, under the administration of Governor Umar A. Namadi, FCA, belongs to this category.

On April 27, 2026, Governor Namadi signed the Polling Unit Development Fund Law into force, giving communities a legally backed mechanism to identify and implement small-scale projects based on their immediate, most felt and impactful needs. The initiative is designed to reduce bureaucratic delays and bring development decisions closer to the people.

Kudin Akwati transforms the polling unit from merely a place of voting into a platform for continuous grassroots development. Its legal foundation gives the initiative greater potential for continuity, accountability and community confidence beyond political cycles.

The policy aligns with Governor Namadi’s broader philosophy of bringing government closer to the people, particularly through rural transformation, education, healthcare, agriculture, social protection and other development priorities. It can therefore be viewed as a shift from political expression to a practical development instrument.

To bring the matter closer home, Gwaram Local Government Area, as a predominantly rural and agrarian entity, has many community challenges that may require relatively small financial interventions but have significant consequences.

A repaired borehole can restore access to water. Clearing a drainage channel can reduce flooding. Repairing a culvert can reconnect farmers to markets. A modest intervention in a school or healthcare facility can improve the lives of children, women, elderly people and other vulnerable citizens.

Kudin Akwati is therefore not intended to replace major government projects, but to complement them by addressing immediate and localised needs. This is where small funds can begin to make a big and impactful difference.

The greatest attraction of Kudin Akwati is not simply the money involved, but the recognition that citizens’ voices matter. Communities can collectively identify whether their greatest needs are water, drainage, education, healthcare, livelihood support or repairs to public facilities.

This changes citizens from passive beneficiaries into active partners. When communities participate in identifying, implementing and monitoring projects, they are more likely to protect and sustain them. Thus, the fund can become more than a financial allocation; it can nurture a culture of community responsibility and ownership.

The experience across the 298 polling units of Gwaram Local Government Area provides a useful case study of what can be achieved when polling unit representatives and community stakeholders demonstrate commitment to the process.

The full-time commitment demonstrated by polling agents and other stakeholders around the 298 polling units has created opportunities for neighbouring polling units to synergise, collaborate and partner on projects of common interest, as enshrined and permitted by the legal framework.

Pooled resources could support shared boreholes, drainage and erosion-control projects, schools, primary healthcare facilities, agricultural access routes and sanitation projects, thereby turning small allocations into interventions with greater impact.

Women, youths, traditional and religious leaders, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations and community-based organisations have also become more aware of their roles and are participating meaningfully in decision-making, monitoring and accountability.

The success of any decentralised fund depends on transparency. Every polling unit should clearly document funds received, projects identified and selected, expenditure incurred, contractors or artisans engaged, beneficiaries reached and evidence of completion.

The principle is simple: Every naira should have a story, every project should have evidence, and every community should know what happened to its allocation.

For every stakeholder that matters, Kudin Akwati offers an opportunity for a new relationship between government and citizens: government provides the framework and resources, while communities identify priorities, use resources responsibly and protect what they build.

In this sense, Jigawa State, under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, has the opportunity to give renewed meaning to democracy beyond mere voting. It becomes continuous citizen participation in decisions about public resources and community development.

This is also a testament to the offshoot of the popular Gwamnati Da Jama’a programme and a demonstration of a new social contract at the grassroots.

For Gwaram Local Government Area, Kudin Akwati is an opportunity to demonstrate what responsible grassroots governance can achieve. From Sara to Kila and Tsangarwa wards, we witness the enthusiasm and flow of demands, with full commitment to implementing the outcomes of resolutions reached by committee members.

The same spirit can be seen in Zandam Nagogo, Maruta and Gwaram wards, where competition, partnership and collaboration have taken the lead. In Farin Dutse and Fagam wards, the story is equally encouraging, as some critical infrastructure interventions have been achieved through mutual respect, cooperation and decorum.

The same opportunity exists in Dingaya, Kondiko and Basirka, where one polling unit may restore water, another may improve a school, another may clear drainage, while another may support vulnerable people or repair a public facility.

Individually, these interventions may appear small; collectively, they can transform an entire local government.

This is the moment of salient opportunity that Governor Umar Namadi, FCA, has provided. The true measure of success should therefore not be the size of the allocation, but the quality, relevance, transparency and sustainability of the projects delivered.

It is worthy of note that the revival and legal institutionalisation of Kudin Akwati represents an important opportunity for participatory grassroots governance in Jigawa State. Governor Umar Namadi has provided the political and legislative framework, while local structures and communities have the responsibility to make it work.

For Gwaram, this is more than another government programme. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that when citizens are trusted, included and held accountable, small resources can generate meaningful development.

The aroma of Kudin Akwati should not end with ceremonies and speeches. It should be seen in repaired boreholes, cleaner drainage channels, improved schools, stronger public facilities and empowered communities.

Kudin Akwati is more than money in an envelope; it is a statement of trust in the people. For Gwaram Local Government Area, the challenge is to turn that trust into development, accountability and a lasting legacy as institutionalised by Governor Umar Namadi, FCA. If properly sustained, transparently implemented and genuinely owned by the people, the initiative has the potential to leave a lasting imprint on grassroots development. It is therefore important that the best-performing polling units and teams, based on clearly defined and transparent criteria, be recognised and rewarded for exemplary performance. Such recognition will not only encourage healthy competition among polling units but also motivate communities to deliver projects that are relevant, transparent, impactful and sustainable. In that way, the aroma of Kudin Akwati will not only be felt in the projects delivered, but will also inspire a culture of excellence, accountability and responsible grassroots leadership.

Yunusa Hamza Farin Dutse is the newly turbaned Uban Dawakin Katukan Dutse, Protem Chairman, Gwaram Local Government Community Assembly, and Lead Facilitator, Birnin Kudu-Gwaram-Buji Progressive Platform.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed pilot scheme under the New National Livestock Policy, describing it as a disguised attempt to seize ancestral lands belonging to ethnic communities in the Middle Belt.

The forum, in a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by the Leader of Afenifere and Chairman of SMBLF, HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan; President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata; and National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said the pilot targets Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory.

It questioned why the experiment was concentrated almost entirely in the Middle Belt when, according to the group, vast expanses of sparsely populated and unused land exist across the far North.

“The scheme is being presented as a pilot, but if it is not firmly opposed by the communities whose lands are being short-changed, it will inevitably be expanded to other parts of the country, including the Southern states,” the statement read.

The forum said it was not opposed to modern livestock production, ranching or the development of the livestock value chain, but faulted what it called the opaque, coercive and discriminatory manner in which the policy was being pursued.

‘Land Use Act not a licence’

Citing the Land Use Act of 1978, the SMBLF said the law vests rural land in local governments, recognises customary rights of occupancy and permits revocation only for overriding public interest, adding that it also protects agricultural land, including fallow land, as continuing community property.

“Ranching is an economic enterprise that is privately driven. Government cannot disguise compulsory land acquisition for specific economic actors as public interest,” it said.

The group alleged that the true aim of the policy was the creation of permanent settlement zones for nomadic Fulani herdsmen, whose activities, it said, had contributed to the occupation of thousands of square kilometres of land across the Middle Belt and parts of the South.

“Apart from the genocide they have been accused of carrying out in the Middle Belt, they have rendered millions homeless. They cannot be handed the lands of their victims as a reward for their heinous crimes,” the statement added.

It further claimed that some of the pastoralists were not Nigerian citizens, insisting that any policy allocating ancestral lands to them under state protection would be unacceptable to indigenous communities in the Middle Belt and the South.

RUGA, cattle colony recalled

The forum recalled the rejected RUGA and Cattle Colony proposals, which it said Nigerians resisted over their implications for land ownership and demographic restructuring.

It declared its solidarity with the Middle Belt Forum, which had earlier rejected the scheme, and urged communities and governments in the southern states to prepare to do the same.

The SMBLF demanded full disclosure of the proposed ranching sites, the legal instruments for their acquisition, the ownership structure, security arrangements, the beneficiaries, the size of the land involved and the source of funding.

“We warn the Federal Government that the Middle Belt and the South are not dumping grounds for controversial land policies. Our lands belong to our communities that depend on them for farming, homes, livelihoods and survival,” it said.

The group added that until the questions were answered transparently and the rights of affected communities protected, it would resist every attempt to seize community lands under the guise of livestock development.

The YARI 774 Initiative for Asiwaju 2027 has congratulated Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Marafan Sokoto, on his reported appointment as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.

The grassroots mobilisation platform, in a statement signed by its National Chairman and Convener, Chief Dr. Ibrahim Emokpaire, described the appointment as “well deserved” and a case of “a round peg in a round hole.”
The group said the appointment was a recognition of Senator Yari’s years of political service, leadership experience and commitment to the APC and the Nigerian people.

According to the statement, Yari’s political experience, particularly his tenure as a two-term Governor of Zamfara State and as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, has prepared him for the demands of coordinating a nationwide political campaign.
The group also credited the former governor with contributions to security, education, healthcare and infrastructure development during his administration in Zamfara State.

It further noted that Yari’s experience extends beyond elective politics, describing him as a businessman whose enterprises have created employment and economic opportunities for Nigerians.

The statement added that his traditional title in the Sokoto Emirate and his philanthropic activities had further demonstrated his commitment to service and community development.

As a serving senator, the group said Yari had continued to contribute to national development through legislation and representation in the National Assembly.

The YARI 774 Initiative expressed confidence that, under Yari’s leadership, the APC Presidential Campaign Council would conduct an inclusive and issue-based campaign capable of strengthening the party’s structures and mobilising Nigerians in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Under Senator Yari’s direction, we are confident that the Campaign Council will run a robust, inclusive and issue-based campaign that will further unite our party and consolidate the gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the group said.
The organisation pledged the support of its national executive members, state and local government coordinators, women and youth leaders, as well as its members across the 774 local government areas, to the campaign council.

It said its members were ready to work with Senator Yari to mobilise grassroots support and contribute to what it described as a “resounding victory” for the APC in the 2027 elections.

Signed:

Chief Dr. Ibrahim Emokpaire
National Chairman/Convener
YARI 774 Initiative for Asiwaju 2027.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has criticised leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over what he described as attempts to seek foreign validation and intervention ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

Sani, in a post on his X account on Wednesday, urged the ADC and its presidential candidates to concentrate on winning the confidence of Nigerian voters rather than expending political energy on efforts directed at the United States and European institutions.

His comments came amid renewed political exchanges over efforts linked to Atiku’s camp to draw international attention to issues concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his political administration.

“The ADC flag bearers should focus and spend their time in seeking for votes from the Nigerians they want to lead; and not seeking for validation from President Trump or the EU,” Sani wrote.

He further criticised what he regarded as an excessive reliance on foreign institutions, saying opposition politicians should convince Nigerians about their policies and demonstrate how they intend to govern differently.

“They should convince Nigerians on what they can do differently, instead of wasting their time, scanning graveyards and exhuming corpses in the US, in search of talisman and treasures for political advantage in Nigeria,” he added.

The former senator’s remarks come against the backdrop of a growing political confrontation between Atiku’s camp and the Tinubu administration over issues surrounding the President’s past legal history in the United States.

In April, Atiku engaged Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. under a reported $1.2 million, 12-month agreement. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice indicated that the firm was engaged to strengthen Atiku’s standing in U.S. policy circles and counter narratives associated with the Nigerian government.

The development subsequently triggered a political backlash in Nigeria, with the Presidency accusing Atiku of attempting to internationalise domestic political disputes. The Presidency specifically criticised efforts by Atiku-linked lobbyists to draw the attention of President Donald Trump, the U.S. State Department and members of Congress to a long-standing U.S. civil forfeiture matter involving Tinubu.

Atiku’s camp, however, has argued that questions concerning Tinubu’s past should be subjected to public scrutiny.

An Atiku aide, Paul Ibe, previously defended the lobbying effort and argued that Nigerians had a right to know more about records relating to the U.S. case.
Sani’s intervention therefore adds another dimension to the increasingly heated political debate as Nigeria formally enters the 2027 electioneering season.

Nigeria’s presidential campaign season commenced on Wednesday, with Tinubu seeking a second term against a fragmented opposition that includes Atiku, now the presidential candidate of the ADC. International reports have described the opposition as divided despite earlier efforts to form a broad coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC has emerged as a major opposition platform following the movement of several prominent politicians into the party. Atiku adopted the ADC as his political platform after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, while the party has faced internal leadership disputes and legal challenges over its structure and recognition.

The party’s political fortunes have also been affected by legal battles. In June, a Federal High Court ordered the deregistration of the ADC and several other parties, although the party rejected the decision and vowed to challenge it through the appellate courts.

Against this background, Sani’s message appears to be a call for the opposition to shift the centre of its campaign from international pressure to domestic political mobilisation.

His argument is that the 2027 election will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters, making grassroots engagement, policy presentation and public persuasion more important than attempts to obtain endorsements or interventions from foreign governments and institutions.

For Sani, however, the message is clear: rather than looking to Washington, Brussels or other foreign capitals for political advantage, opposition parties should return to the Nigerian electorate and make their case directly to the people they seek to govern.

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has commenced the implementation of the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) for its students across the country.

The development was announced during an emergency meeting of the NOUN Management Committee on TISHIP held on Tuesday at the university’s headquarters in Abuja, where four Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) were unveiled for the programme.

The four HMOs — Healthspring, Noor, Novo and Precious activates 2026_2 of the programme which brings the figure to eight appointed and assigned to cover the respective geo-political zones under the scheme, which took effect in the January 2026_1.

Chairman of the committee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, said the welfare of NOUN students remained a priority of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma.

Explaining the operational framework of TISHIP, Adamu said each student would be enrolled through their respective study centre and issued a health insurance card to facilitate access to medical services.

He added that participating students would have access to designated healthcare facilities in the states where they reside.

To ensure a seamless enrolment process, the university’s Directorate of Management Information System (MIS) has been tasked with providing the list of students in each senatorial district across the country.

According to him, students’ names, registration numbers, email addresses and telephone numbers would be collated and forwarded for enrolment with designated healthcare providers in each senatorial district.

The DVC also outlined a range of medical services to be made available to students enrolled in the programme, stressing that the initiative was designed to provide students with affordable and accessible healthcare while pursuing their studies.

Adamu further disclosed that the university management had received the list of selected hospitals that would provide services under the scheme.

He explained that the list would form the basis for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and the participating healthcare facilities, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the parties.

He called on the HMO to ensure efficient health service provision to aligned with the mandate of the Vice Chancellor of improving student’s welfare.

TISHIP is aimed at providing health insurance coverage for NOUN students, enhancing their access to healthcare and promoting their wellbeing as they pursue their academic programmes.

The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, has been honoured as a Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) Ambassador as the Church celebrates its historic 180th anniversary at Hope Waddell Parish, Calabar.

The honour holds special significance for Professor Uduma, who comes from a strong Presbyterian family and has maintained a deep connection with the Church and its institutions. He dedicated the award to the memory of his parents, the late Elder and Elder (Mrs.) Oji Uduma, acknowledging their faith, values, and influence in shaping his life.

Professor Uduma’s association with the Presbyterian Church extends beyond family heritage. He once served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, one of the Church’s historic institutions and an important part of its enduring legacy in healthcare and community service

The Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, has its roots in the missionary work of the Church of Scotland Mission, which established the institution in 1913. Its establishment reflected the Presbyterian tradition of combining Christian evangelism with education, healthcare, and service to humanity.

The history of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria itself is deeply woven into the story of Christianity and education in Nigeria. The Presbyterian mission began in Calabar in 1846, following an invitation from local leaders who sought assistance in education, agriculture, and the teaching of Christianity. Rev. Hope Masterton Waddell arrived in Calabar on 10 April 1846 and laid the foundation for what would become one of Nigeria’s oldest Christian denominations.

From its earliest years, the Presbyterian mission went beyond evangelism. It established schools, promoted literacy, and encouraged social development. The Hope Waddell Training Institution became one of the notable landmarks of early formal education in Nigeria.

The Presbyterian legacy was further enriched by missionaries such as Mary Slessor, who arrived in Calabar in 1876. Slessor became renowned for her courageous missionary and humanitarian work, particularly her opposition to harmful traditional practices, including the killing of twins. Her ministry exemplified a Christian mission that combined evangelism with the defence of human dignity and service to vulnerable communities.

Over the decades, the Presbyterian Church became increasingly indigenous. Administrative control was transferred to Nigerians in 1945, and the Church assumed the name Presbyterian Church of Nigeria in 1960. Its churches, schools, hospitals, and other institutions have since contributed significantly to Nigeria’s religious, educational, and social development.

Against this historic background, the conferment of the PCN Ambassadorial honour on Professor Uduma carries a particularly personal and symbolic meaning. His family heritage, his service to a major Presbyterian institution, and his present leadership of a national university converge around a common Presbyterian value: the transformation of lives through faith, knowledge, and service.

As Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma is advancing this educational heritage through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), a model that brings quality higher education closer to the people His leadership reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that distance, location, employment, family responsibilities, or other circumstances do not become barriers to acquiring university education.

This commitment has particular significance for the Presbyterian community. Through NOUN’s flexible and accessible ODL system, members of the Presbyterian Church—including pastors, church workers, professionals, young people and other members who may be unable to attend conventional universities—can pursue higher education while remaining in their communities and continuing their responsibilities. The university’s network of study centres across Nigeria further strengthens this opportunity by bringing learner support and educational services closer to prospective and existing students.

In this regard, Professor Uduma’s leadership of NOUN represents a modern extension of the Presbyterian tradition of using education as an instrument for human development. The same spirit that inspired the establishment of schools and institutions by Presbyterian missionaries in the nineteenth century is being expressed today through technology-enabled, flexible, and inclusive Open and Distance Learning.

The 180th anniversary celebration is consequently not merely a commemoration of longevity. It is a celebration of a remarkable legacy of faith, education, healthcare, humanitarian service, and national development—and an opportunity to renew that legacy for future generations.

For Professor Uduma, the honour is both a recognition and a homecoming: a tribute to his own contribution to education and service, while paying homage to the Presbyterian heritage that helped shape his family and, ultimately, his own journey.

By dedicating the award to his late parents, Elder and Elder (Mrs.) Oji Uduma, Professor Uduma underscored the enduring truth that great achievements are often rooted in values received from those who came before us.

From Hope Waddell and Mary Slessor in nineteenth-century Calabar to the establishment of Presbyterian schools and hospitals such as the Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, the Church’s 180-year story remains a powerful testament to the capacity of faith expressed through education, compassion and service to transform individuals and society.

Today, through his leadership of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Uduma is helping to carry that educational legacy into the future—opening the doors of higher education to more Nigerians, including members of the Presbyterian Church, through accessible, flexible and inclusive Open and Distance Learning.

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, has defended the presentation made by the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, during a recent television interview, arguing that the media focus on a comment about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu eating once a day and walking to his office overshadowed critical issues concerning Nigeria’s tax reforms.

Sani, in a post on his official X account, said the NRS Chairman made important submissions on tax laws, reforms, implementation and processes during the interview, which, in his view, deserved serious public debate and scrutiny.

According to him, rather than interrogating the substantive issues raised by the revenue chief, sections of the media concentrated on the controversial comment about the President’s personal routine.

“During the Channels interview granted by the NRS Chairman Adedeji, he made important points and statements concerning the Tax laws, reforms, implementation and processes that should have been debated or probed,” Sani wrote.

He added that the media’s emphasis on the statement that the President eats once a day and walks to his office ultimately reduced a serious discussion on taxation and public finance to a subject of public amusement.

“The media chose to emphasise on ‘the President eating once in a day and walking to his office’. That was how a serious issue was rubbished,” the former senator said.

Sani’s intervention comes amid continuing public discussion over Nigeria’s tax reform agenda, including questions surrounding the implementation of new tax laws, revenue mobilisation, compliance, institutional responsibilities and the impact of taxation on individuals and businesses.

The former lawmaker’s position suggests that public discourse on the country’s tax system should move beyond sensational statements and focus more closely on the policies and mechanisms being introduced to improve revenue collection and strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal system.

Taxation has remained a major issue in Nigeria’s economic debate as governments at the federal and state levels seek to increase internally generated revenue, reduce dependence on borrowing and oil-related receipts, broaden the tax base and improve compliance.

For Sani, the interview by the NRS chairman presented an opportunity for journalists, policymakers and citizens to interrogate the details of the government’s tax reforms and their implications for the Nigerian economy.

His comments also highlight concerns about the role of the media in shaping public understanding of complex policy matters, particularly when substantive economic discussions compete with politically or personally sensitive statements that attract greater public attention.

Rather than allowing the President’s reported personal routine to dominate the conversation, Sani argued that the focus should have remained on the tax laws, reform measures and implementation processes outlined by the NRS chairman.

The former senator maintained that such issues require sustained public scrutiny because taxation directly affects citizens, businesses, investors and government finances.

He therefore appeared to call for a more substantive approach to reporting economic policies, urging the public and the media to interrogate the content and consequences of government reforms rather than allowing a single controversial remark to eclipse the broader policy discussion.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has launched the Tinubu Again Movement, a political support group aimed at mobilising grassroots support across Nigeria for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The movement was unveiled on Friday in Kaduna, with Matawalle serving as its Convener and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Speaking at the launch, the National Coordinator of the movement, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said the organisation was established with a clear mandate to mobilise Nigerians at the grassroots and secure what he described as a “resounding victory” for President Tinubu in 2027.

“We are promising the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, that we will not fail him. We will talk to everyone, we will mobilise everyone, we will do everything to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns as President in 2027,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that the movement would adopt a grassroots-driven approach, reaching voters at the household and community levels while bringing together political support groups, non-governmental organisations, women’s groups and other stakeholders.

“Our mandate is one: to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. We will mobilise support house to house, community to community, to galvanise all support political groups, non-governmental organisations, women groups and bring them under one umbrella to garner support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027,” he stated.

Abdullahi said the movement was committed to working under the introuctions of Matawalle, a grassroots politician and former Governor of Zamfara State, to expand support for the President across the 19 northern states.

“We are determined and committed to work as former Governor, Bello Matawalle, direct us to mobilise fellow Nigerian brothers and sisters men and women young and elderly to vote Tinubu for another term,” he said.
He disclosed that the movement’s mobilisation strategy would focus on grassroots engagement, voter education and consultations with key stakeholders, including youths, women, community leaders and traditional institutions.

According to him, the organisation would also engage existing political and civic groups as part of efforts to build a broad-based support network for the President ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Tinubu Again Movement further announced plans to formally inaugurate its state and local government coordinators in the coming weeks as part of efforts to establish structures across the country,

President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, is constitutionally eligible to seek a second four-year term in the 2027 presidential election.

Matawalle, who served as Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023, was appointed Minister of State for Defence in August 2023 and has remained an important political figure within the Tinubu administration.

The unveiling of the movement comes amid increasing political consultations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various political groups and support organisations beginning mobilisation activities across the country.

The Tinubu Again Movement said it would continue its consultations and grassroots mobilisation in the months ahead as it seeks to build support for the President’s second-term bid.

Residents of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have condemned Senator Lawal Adamu for what they described as “derogatory remarks” mocking the recent flag-off of the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, an event attended by the Emir of Birnin Gwari.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by community leaders, the residents said the Senator’s comments were insensitive to the suffering of the people and an affront to the traditional institution.

“You are a disgrace,” the statement read in part. “At a time when our people are beginning to see hope with the flag-off of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, attended by our revered Emir, Senator Lawal Adamu chose to mock the ceremony instead of supporting it.”

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, last week flagged off the reconstruction of the 200km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, a project residents say has been neglected for over a decade despite incessant attacks and economic losses along the corridor.

The Emir of Birnin Gwari, HRH Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, was in attendance alongside government officials, contractors, and community members. Community leaders described the event as a major step toward restoring security, trade, and movement in the area.

The residents accused Senator Adamu of playing politics with a project that directly affects the lives of thousands of Birnin Gwari people who have endured banditry, kidnapping, and poor road infrastructure.

“For years we cried out. Now that the road is finally being worked on, a Senator from our state is busy mocking the effort. That is not representation,” said Malam Suleiman Idris, a community youth leader.

Another resident, Hajiya Aisha Musa, said: “The Emir was there to give royal blessings and to show that our people support development. To mock that gathering is to mock the entire Birnin Gwari people.”

The group called on the Senator to apologize publicly and to join hands with stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the road project.

The residents further urged political leaders in Kaduna State to prioritize development over partisan attacks, noting that infrastructure, security, and the economy remain the key concerns for the people.

“We appreciate any effort aimed at developing our area. What we need now is unity and support, not ridicule,” the statement added.

As of press time, efforts to get Senator Lawal Adamu’s reaction were unsuccessful.

The Kaduna State Government has described the road reconstruction as part of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda aimed at opening up rural areas and improving security across the state.

A coalition of professionals from Southern Kaduna has declared support for the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and announced plans to hold a World Press Conference on Saturday to address what they described as “deliberate misinformation” about ongoing federal infrastructure projects in the region and across Nigeria.

The group, under the aegis of Southern Kaduna Professionals Forum, SKPF, said the press conference will provide factual updates on road projects, funding, and timelines under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Audu Bako, the group said the decision to rally behind Senator Umahi was informed by the Minister’s “transparency, technical competence, and commitment to completing inherited and new road projects.”

“We have watched closely in the last one year how the Ministry of Works under Senator Umahi has moved from mere contract awards to actual site work and performance tracking.

“For Southern Kaduna, and indeed the entire North, this is the first time in a long while we are seeing contractors back on site with measurable milestones.” the group stated.

The professionals specifically referenced the rehabilitation of critical federal roads linking Southern Kaduna to other parts of the state and neighboring states, including sections of the Kaduna-Kachia-Kafanchan road corridor.

They argued that improved road connectivity will boost agriculture, reduce insecurity, and lower transportation costs for farmers and traders who have borne the brunt of poor infrastructure for years.

“Security and the economy are tied to roads. When you can move farm produce from Kagoro, Zangon Kataf and Jaba to major markets without fear or delay, you are directly addressing poverty and banditry,” said Engr. Laraba John, Secretary of the Forum.

According to the group, the Saturday briefing became necessary to correct what they termed “false narratives” circulating on social media about abandonment of projects in the South and non-inclusion of Southern Kaduna in the federal road budget.

“We are not politicians. We are engineers, lawyers, lecturers, medical doctors and business owners from Southern Kaduna. Our interest is development. The Minister has opened the books. He is publishing project status, and we will be presenting those same facts to the world on Saturday.” it hinted.

It added that the press conference will feature presentations on budget performance, project verification reports, and testimonies from community members along project corridors.

The Forum urged civil society, traditional institutions and the media to compare the current pace of infrastructure delivery with previous administrations.

“The role of professionals and community leaders in the past is appreciated, but we must now compare the situation of the country before the present administration with what is happening now,” Bako noted. “In infrastructure, security and the economy, there are clear steps being taken. Let us encourage the government to achieve more instead of politicizing everything.”

The group said invitations have been extended to the Ministry of Works, federal lawmakers from Kaduna State, traditional rulers, and the press for the event scheduled to hold at 10:00am on Saturday in Kaduna