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Oricha Musa

Lokoja

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un.

Your Excellency,
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,
Executive Governor of Kogi State.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

On behalf of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and the United Progressive Political Parties (UPPP), I, Hon. Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu, wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency and your esteemed family on the passing of your beloved father, Alhaji Ahmed Momoh Sani Ododo.

Indeed, “every soul shall taste death.” We are comforted by the knowledge that he lived a fulfilled life of faith and service. At this trying moment, we pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives him his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus.

We also pray that Allah (SWT) grants you, your family, and the entire Ododo household the patience and strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Please accept our deepest sympathy and solidarity.

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Yours sincerely,
Hon. Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu
Gubernatorial Candidate, National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Chairman, United Progressive Political Parties (UPPP)

By Ojo Sola, Abuja

The Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM) has announced plans for the Cultural Hangout Festival (CHF) 2025, a three-city celebration highlighting the contributions and rights of migrants.

The festival will be held in Abuja from December 12–14, with subsequent editions in London and Manchester, United Kingdom.

Themed “Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting Their Rights,” the Abuja event would bring together migrants, policy leaders, cultural icons, and development partners.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cultural Hangout Festival, Aihawu Victor, said in a statement that the event would feature music, dance, art, storytelling, trade exhibitions, and policy dialogue, all aimed at promoting inclusion, cultural exchange, and economic opportunities.

According to him, the CHF aligns with the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), supporting objectives to empower migrants, eliminate discrimination, and create conditions for their full contribution to sustainable development.

One of the highlights would be the Migrant Excellence Awards Night, a red-carpet ceremony recognising outstanding migrants who have significantly contributed to Nigerian society and beyond, he said.

Aihawu clarified that Abuja was chosen in recognition of Nigeria’s leadership role in migration governance, especially as the country currently chairs the Rabat Process, an Africa-Europe dialogue platform on migration and development.

“Cultural Hangout Festival is more than an event, it’s a declaration that migration enriches societies.

“We are here to challenge negative narratives, foster inclusion, and celebrate the people who carry cultures across borders,” said Aihawu.

The Abuja edition builds on the success of the inaugural CHF London held in May 2025 in commemoration of Africa Day, which was endorsed by the African Union and attended by Africans in the Diaspora and lovers of African culture.

Already, some federal ministries are showing interest in the cultural hangout considering its diplomatic advantage, cultural integration and economic importance to the participating countries especially Nigeria.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has yesterday night struck a major blow against electoral malpractice in Kaduna, arresting a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fatange, with a staggering cash of about ₦30 million allegedly set aside to buy votes in today’s bye-elections.

Fatange was apprehended Friday evening at a hotel in Kaduna metropolis, where he was coordinating the illicit distribution of funds to sway voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency poll.

According to impeccable security sources, the suspect was caught red-handed with the money, which investigators believe was meant to compromise the integrity of the elections and tilt the outcome in favour of his party.

The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the arrest. Its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the suspect was in custody and under investigation, stressing that security agencies were working hand-in-hand to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

The dramatic bust comes against a backdrop of rising tension, with parties trading accusations of desperate politicians’ planned vote-buying, thuggery to rig the bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru, Zaria and Sabon-Gari constituencies.

While details of the sting remain under wraps, the DSS and police assured that investigations are ongoing, urging voters to stay calm and troop out peacefully to exercise their franchise today.

By Samuel Konna

 The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is in grave danger if the current wave of infighting, ego battles, and factional wars within opposition parties is not urgently resolved.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the coalition of elder statesmen and leaders from major socio-cultural groups in Southern and Middle Belt Nigeria said the absence of a credible, disciplined, and united opposition would clear the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to dominate the political space without meaningful checks.

SMBLF expressed “deep concern” over the disarray and internal crises plaguing opposition parties, stressing that a healthy democracy “thrives on the presence of a credible, organized, and vibrant opposition.”

“At this critical period in our national history, the role of the opposition goes beyond contesting elections,” the statement read. “It includes holding the government to account, offering alternative policies, defending citizens’ rights, and serving as a constant reminder that political power is not a birthright of any party.”

The forum lamented that self-inflicted wounds within opposition ranks were ceding ground to a “power monopoly” that stifles accountability and encourages impunity.

> “Nigeria’s democratic project is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of internal wrangling. The people deserve a united, disciplined, and focused opposition that can checkmate the excesses of the ruling party and ensure governance remains people-centered rather than power-centered,” SMBLF said.

The leaders urged opposition parties, regardless of size or ideology, to put aside “ego, personal ambition, and petty rivalries” in the interest of national stability.

Warning to the Ruling Party

SMBLF also called on the APC to resist the temptation of undermining the opposition through “subtle intimidation, inducement, infiltration, or other underhand tactics.”

“No ruling party, however powerful, should forget that democracy is sustained by pluralism, not political domination,” the statement warned. “A political culture that actively sabotages dissent will inevitably breed instability, disillusionment, and resistance from the citizenry.”

INEC Urged to Act

The forum turned its attention to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reminding it of its “statutory obligation to serve as an impartial umpire and a guardian of the democratic process.”

SMBLF insisted that INEC must proactively resolve intra-party disputes in accordance with the Electoral Act, rather than “folding its arms or selectively intervening.”

> “By appearing to favor one party over another, INEC risks further erosion of its already battered public trust and affirming the perception that it is working at the behest of the ruling APC,” the group said.

The forum outlined four specific demands to INEC:

1. Strengthen internal mechanisms for the timely resolution of intra-party conflicts brought before it.

2. Ensure strict adherence to the Electoral Act in all party matters, without bias or political coloration.

3. Publicly reaffirm neutrality to reassure Nigerians of its commitment to free, fair, and credible elections.

4. Guarantee real-time transmission of election results, noting that glitches in the last presidential election raised serious doubts over the integrity of the process.

Call for Political Pluralism

“Nigeria’s democracy is still relatively young, and its sustainability requires all political stakeholders to play by the rules,” SMBLF stressed. “A democracy without an effective opposition is a democracy in name only. And a democracy where the umpire is compromised is one headed for collapse.”

The forum reaffirmed its commitment to working with political actors to deepen democratic culture, entrench justice, and ensure “the will of the Nigerian people remains the ultimate authority in governance.”

The statement was jointly signed by:

Oba Olaitan Ladipo, Chairman, Afenifere (SMBLF Chairman)

Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, President, Ohaneze Ndigbo

Ambassador Goodknows Igali, President, PANDEF

Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President, Middle Belt Forum

The Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) has issued a fierce condemnation of an anonymous petition targeting the Paramount Ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, Agwatyap Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, labelling it a dangerous attempt to disrupt hard-won peace in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

The petition, purportedly authored by “Concerned Residents of Zango Urban,” accuses the Agwatyap of injustices and oppression against Hausa and Fulani communities within his domain, specifically alleging the denial of access to ancestral farmlands cultivated “for over 400 years.”

In a strongly-worded press statement signed by its President, Dr. Samuel T. Achie, ACDA dismissed the petition as “dangerous, provocative, unfounded, and highly divisive.” The association characterized it not merely as an attack on the Agwatyap’s reputation, but as a “direct assault on the peaceful coexistence” painstakingly built in the area with the efforts of communities and governments, including those of Senator Uba Sani and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Key Points from the ACDA Rebuttal:

1.  Defending the Agwatyap:

 ACDA described Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya as a known “peace-builder and statesman” renowned for championing inclusive dialogue, fairness, and peaceful coexistence among all ethnic and religious groups in his chiefdom, including the Hausa and Fulani of Zango Urban. They stated he is widely recognized by these communities for his generosity, compassion, and fairness.

2.  Malicious Intent Alleged:

The association asserted that “disgruntled negligible elements” disguising themselves as concerned residents are unhappy with the sustained peace in Atyap land and Southern Kaduna. ACDA claims these elements aim to create ethno-religious tension, starting with Zangon Kataf.

3.  Baseless Allegations:

ACDA categorically denied all allegations of land seizure, targeted harassment, or ethnic oppression. They labeled the claims “entirely baseless, malicious and without any iota of truth,” fabricated to incite hatred and mislead the public. They challenged the anonymous petitioners to publicly prove their allegations.

4.  Land Ownership Disputes:

 The association clarified that land ownership in Atyap land is individual or familial, not tribal. They stated any land disputes are settled through traditional arbitration or courts, not by incitement or blackmail, and questioned why alleged claimants remain anonymous instead of using established channels.

5.  Condemnation of Zango Urban Leadership:

 ACDA expressed disappointment that the traditional leadership of Zango Urban District allegedly claimed helplessness in calling the petitioners to order, despite reportedly acknowledging the petition’s falsehood. ACDA viewed this as “tacit endorsement of illegality” deserving reprimand.

6.  Demands and Warnings:

 The association demanded an immediate retraction of the “inciting and libelous” petition, warning failure would be seen as deliberate sabotage of peace. They called on security agencies to urgently investigate and unmask the petitioners to prevent potential violence.

7.  Call for Calm and Support:

ACDA reaffirmed loyalty to the Agwatyap, Zangon Kataf LGA, Kaduna State, and Federal Government, pledging to remain law-abiding. They urged the public to disregard the petition entirely and allow security agencies to act.

The Controversial Petition’s Claim

The petition excerpt quoted by ACDA states:

 Agwa Atyap… has chosen to misuse his powers by oppressing the Zango Urban community. Alongside some of his chiefs and prominent Kataf individuals, he has denied our people access to their farmlands, lands which our forefathers have cultivated for over 400 years.

ACDA vehemently rejects this narrative, positioning the Agwatyap as the target of a destabilization plot aimed at reviving “the dark days of communal violence” in the region. They vowed to resist such efforts “with all lawful means available” and called for collective efforts to sustain the current peace. Security agencies are now under pressure from the community to investigate the origins of the anonymous petition.

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

Southern Kaduna activist, Nasiru Jagaba, has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of ethnic exclusion, divisive politics, and complicity in the insecurity that claimed hundreds of lives in the region during his tenure.

In a statement made available to The ELANZA NEWS on Friday, Jagaba warned non-Hausa/Fulani ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria not to fall for “failed politicians rebranding themselves for power.”

“El-Rufai is a known sadist, a political cheetah whose spots are too glaring to ignore,” he declared.

Jagaba, a former National Coordinator of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Youth Wing, alleged that El-Rufai dismantled the state’s fragile political balance, sidelined Southern Kaduna from government appointments, eroded traditional institutions, and enforced a Muslim-Muslim ticket “as a tool of religious supremacy and ethnic humiliation.”

He further claimed the former governor’s rhetoric emboldened armed herdsmen and Fulani militias to carry out targeted killings, sexual violence, and mass displacement in Southern Kaduna.

The activist also accused El-Rufai of neglecting the region in infrastructure and development despite billions in allocations and loans.

On El-Rufai’s recent verbal attacks against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Jagaba said the former governor was driven by “personal pain” after being denied a ministerial post.

“Tinubu has given Southern Kaduna a Federal University, a Federal Medical Centre, and a Military Brigade Command in just two years, more than El-Rufai gave us in eight,” he stated.

Jagaba urged his people to negotiate for projects, appointments, and justice before any election season, warning:

“We will no longer be pawns, we will be players shaping our future.”

End

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has declared that the persistent underdevelopment and poverty in Northern Nigeria are not the fault of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but rather the direct result of decades of failed leadership by Northern elites.

Speaking when members of the Tijjaniyya Grassroots Mobilization and Empowerment Initiative of Nigeria (TIGMEIN) paid him a courtesy visit at his Kaduna residence, Senator Sani was blunt in his assessment.

“We had Buhari in power for eight years, but the North remained backward and impoverished. Industries like KTL, UNTL, Nortex, Arewa Textiles, and others were abandoned. Our leaders lacked vision and pursued development only for their families,” he said.

Sani expressed deep disappointment over the dashed hopes of many northerners who believed that electing “one of their own” in 2015 would usher in transformative development. Instead, he said, the region continues to struggle with poverty, insecurity, joblessness, and poor infrastructure.

According to him, it is both dishonest and misleading to lay the blame for the North’s current woes at the feet of President Tinubu, who has been in office for only two years.

> “The North’s problems didn’t begin two years ago when Tinubu took over. They stem from selfish power struggles and missed opportunities. Former leaders had the chance to fix education, healthcare, and security, but they failed,” Sani said.

He alleged that many past Northern

*Demands explanations on N54bn spent by Abia govt

The immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Lands Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, has raised serious concerns over the Alex Otti-led administration’s claim that it spent ₦54 billion on the retrofitting and construction of public schools across Abia State.

Speaking through his media assistant, Ujo Justice, PhD, while addressing stakeholders in Ukwa, Prince Ikonne described the government’s claim as “deeply suspicious, laughable, and insulting to the collective intelligence of Abians,” especially when compared to the current shameful condition of schools in the state. He questioned how any responsible government could boldly claim to have spent such an enormous sum—₦54 billion—on merely 53 schools, without corresponding evidence on the ground.

A state government report, signed by the Accountant General of Abia State, Njum Uma-Onyemenam, had revealed that the state generated N320 billion in 2024 from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), and other capital receipts, excluding local government earnings and borrowings.

Among the key expenditures listed in the report—published on the state government’s official website on January 28, 2025—are include rehabilitation of Public Schools – N54.07 billion

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, Ikonne said: “What we see in Ukwa and several other parts of Abia is an education sector that is visibly in ruins. Ceilings are caving in, blackboards are barely usable, roofs are missing, walls are covered in moss, and some students still sit on bare floors under leaking roofs. If ₦54 billion was truly spent, then show us where. Which schools? What exactly was done? Let the government name them and take us there,” Ikonne queried.

The statement challenged challenged the government to immediately publish a breakdown of how the ₦54 billion was disbursed—identifying the contractors, locations, timelines, and photographic or video evidence of completed work.

According to him, anything short of this transparency amounts to a blatant disrespect for accountability and governance.

Prince Ikonne called on Governor Alex Otti to invite journalists, civil society organizations, and independent assessors to embark on an open and unscripted tour of the so-called renovated schools.

“Until then,” he warned, “this ₦54 billion remains a phantom project—something that only exists on budget documents and media headlines.”

He also pointed to the dilapidated condition of state-owned tertiary institutions such as the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, where parts of the buildings have collapsed, leaving students in unsafe and non-conducive learning environments.

“If we can’t even maintain our own health college, how can we claim that we’re making progress in education? It is an utter disgrace and a sign of failed priorities,” he said.

Furthermore, Prince Ikonne reminded the public that under the current federal administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, states now enjoy increased federal allocations.

“The President, in his wisdom, has ensured that more resources flow to the states. One would have expected that the Abia State government would utilize this opportunity to transform critical sectors like education, health, and road infrastructure. Instead, what we are seeing is media packaging, propaganda, and empty political marketing.”

He emphasized that good governance is not about viral videos or curated press releases, but about results that citizens can see and benefit from.

“How on earth does anyone justify spending ₦54 billion on just 53 schools, with nothing visible to show? This must not be swept under the carpet. Abians must ask questions. Lawmakers must wake up. We need a comprehensive forensic audit of this expenditure. Our children deserve better,” Ikonne concluded.

He urged all well-meaning Abians, civil society groups, anti-corruption agencies, and legislative oversight bodies to rise in defense of accountability and demand answers from the state government.

The Sokoto Democratic Youth Forum (SDYF) has come down hard on former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent comments seen as an attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a visit to Sokoto.

The Forum accused El-Rufai of fueling regional discord and reminded the public of his past controversial remarks about the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as well as the arrest of respected Islamic cleric Sheikh Bello Yabo.

In a strongly worded statement issued to journalists on Saturday, the Forum expressed dismay at El-Rufai’s political maneuvers, accusing him of attempting to manipulate northern sentiments against the President. They described his campaign against Tinubu as selfish and rooted in personal grievances rather than any sincere commitment to national progress.

“We have not forgotten how El-Rufai insulted the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, nor have we forgotten how he ordered the arrest of respected Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Bello Yabo. His visit to Sokoto is a provocation we totally reject,” the Forum stated.

The youth group did not mince words in criticizing El-Rufai’s recent political moves, particularly his flirtation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which they described as a desperate and premature attempt to undermine Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“There is no amount of insult or mobilisation that will discourage the average northerner from supporting President Tinubu. We have seen the bold steps he has taken to recover the economy, enhance security, and improve agricultural productivity across the country,” the statement read.

The Forum emphasized that Northern youths are now more politically aware and will not be manipulated by what they called El-Rufai’s “political theatrics.” They described his criticism of the current administration as hypocritical, pointing out that El-Rufai had failed to deliver real development in Kaduna State and was now projecting blame to cover his political frustrations.

“Just because he didn’t get a ministerial appointment, El-Rufai has chosen to fight President Tinubu under the guise of a false coalition. We want to categorically state that we are in full support of the South completing its constitutionally guaranteed two-term tenure of eight years.”

The statement concluded by reaffirming the group’s commitment to national unity and democratic stability, urging other northern youth groups across the 19 Northern states to reject divisive rhetoric and personal vendettas disguised as political activism.

“We will not allow El-Rufai or any politician to drag us back. The North is awake and united behind the values of peace, progress, and patriotism,” the Forum declared.

The Kaduna Central Stakeholders Forum has issued a strong rebuke against the lawmaker representing the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Lawal Adamu (popularly known as LA), accusing him of playing with the intelligence of his constituents and failing to live up to legislative expectations.

In a strongly worded statement, the Forum described Senator Adamu’s approach to governance as “superficial and misleading,” particularly criticizing his reliance on social media posts as a substitute for effective representation.

The statement signed by the Coordinator Dr .Mustapha Ibrahim Further reads:“Someone who can’t stand up in the Senate and speak on behalf of his people is pretending to be doing well by simply posting on Facebook,” the stakeholders lamented. “This is an insult to the intelligence of the people who voted him into office.”

Their reaction comes in the wake of a recent Facebook post by Senator LA in which he criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of neglecting the critical Abuja-Kaduna Expressway—a major artery connecting Northern and Southern Nigeria.

In the post, Senator Adamu reportedly wrote: “Renewed agony. You abandoned the Abuja-Kaduna road—a very important road that connects the economic growth of the North and Southern Nigeria—yet you are spending over 700 billion naira on an existing airport.”

While the senator’s post may have resonated with some of his online followers, the stakeholders argue that mere social media commentary without concrete action in the red chamber is hollow and unproductive.

They further urged the senator to take legislative responsibilities seriously and engage meaningfully in the National Assembly to address pressing issues affecting his constituents.

“Representation is not a Facebook popularity contest. Our people need action, not empty online rhetoric,” the Forum emphasized.