Atiku Abubakar, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, on Sunday rejected the accusation by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, that he had ignored victims of violence in Nigeria.

Stressing that Lawal’s claims are untrue, Atiku said that, contrary to the allegation, he attended a church thanksgiving service in the Kagoro area of Southern Kaduna to show support for the grieving community and share in the pain of families affected by the violence.

In a statement titled, “From Kagoro to Chibok: The Atiku Babachir Lawal Refuses to See,” signed by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said that when tragedy struck the people of Kagoro in Southern Kaduna, he did not ask whether the victims were Christians or Muslims, northerners or southerners, Fulani or non-Fulani; instead, he stood with them.

He stated that over the years, he has consistently condemned terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, communal violence, attacks on Christian communities, attacks on Muslim communities, and other forms of insecurity across Nigeria.

According to the statement, “The problem of banditry in Northern Nigeria is very real. Thousands have been killed. Communities have been displaced. Farmers have abandoned their lands. Families are now budgeting for ransom payments just as they budget for school fees. Using that tragedy to blame an entire ethnic group is both intellectually lazy and morally wrong.

“There is an irony here that Mr. Lawal appears unwilling to confront. The same ethnic group he now speaks of with so much suspicion once gave him tremendous support when one of its most prominent members, Muhammadu Buhari, appointed him to the highest office he would ever hold in public service as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. At no point during that appointment did Mr. Lawal object to the fact that a Fulani man elevated him to such a prominent national position.

“He accepted the trust, the office, and the privileges that came with it. It is therefore strange and unfortunate that he now seeks to condemn an entire ethnic group simply because another Fulani man, Atiku Abubakar, seeks to become president through a democratic process. Such selective outrage is neither fair nor credible.

“The facts also contradict his attempt to portray Atiku as indifferent to the suffering of people across ethnic and religious divides. When the people of Kagoro in Southern Kaduna suffered a devastating tragedy, Atiku Abubakar did not ask whether the victims belonged to a particular ethnic group, religion, or background.

“He attended a church thanksgiving service to identify with the people, share the pain of grieving families, and support a hurting community. That is how a leader behaves when he sees Nigerians as fellow citizens rather than as members of competing ethnic groups. It is difficult to reconcile Babachir’s portrayal of Atiku with the public record of a man who has consistently worked to unite people across religious and ethnic lines during periods of national crisis.

“Babachir further questioned why Atiku has not spoken about victims of violent attacks across the country. This accusation collapses under the weight of readily available evidence. For years, Atiku Abubakar has consistently condemned terrorism, banditry, mass killings, attacks on Christian communities, attacks on Muslim communities, kidnappings, and communal conflicts. He has spoken on the tragedies that occurred in Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Niger, Owo, and many other locations.

“One may disagree with his prescriptions. One may even question whether statements alone are sufficient. But to claim that he has remained silent is simply incorrect.”

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that the airlift of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria will commence on June 15, 2026.

Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying all pilgrims would be transported home in the same sequence in which they arrived in the Kingdom for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Ibrahim Datti, on Sunday.

According to him, pilgrims who departed Nigeria on the first flight will be returned on the first inbound flight, while subsequent groups will be airlifted according to their original travel schedules.

Abubakar stressed that no pilgrim would be permitted to alter or select a different return flight outside the arrangements made by the agency.

“Pilgrims who arrived on the first flight will return on the first flight, while other groups will be transported according to their respective schedules,” he said.

The chairman urged all Kaduna pilgrims to cooperate with officials of the agency and strictly comply with the approved return timetable to ensure a smooth and successful airlift operation.

As political parties conclude their governorship primaries, the battle to succeed Bala Mohammed in 2027 is gradually taking shape.

Mohammed is the current governor of Bauchi state.

Although five candidates have emerged from the major political parties in the state, political observers believe the contest is increasingly narrowing to a three-horse race involving Yakubu Adamu of the All Progressives Movement (APM), former governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Senator Shehu Buba Umar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Haliru Dauda Jika, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (Wike-led faction), Usman Adamu Sufi, remain in contention. However, their parties are yet to demonstrate the statewide structure and momentum required to challenge the leading trio.

Yakubu Adamu

Yakubu Adamu enters the race with what many analysts consider one of the strongest political advantages — the backing of Governor Bala Mohammed.

The immediate past Commissioner of Finance is banking on the incumbency influence and the growing agitation for power rotation to Bauchi North.

His emergence followed Governor Bala Mohammed’s defection to the APM alongside a significant portion of his political structure.

From elected officials and party executives to grassroots mobilisers across the state’s 20 local government areas, the governor’s movement has effectively transformed the APM into a major political force.

For many observers, the greatest strength of Yakubu Adamu’s candidacy lies not necessarily in the party itself but in the extensive political machinery behind him.

Bala Mohammed remains one of the most influential political figures in Bauchi State and is expected to deploy his vast network to rally support for the APM candidate.

Beyond the advantage of structure, Yakubu Adamu is also expected to benefit from increasing calls for a power shift to Bauchi North.

The zone has not produced a governor in many years, fuelling sentiments among political stakeholders that power should rotate for equity, balance, and inclusiveness. Should the campaign gain wider acceptance across the state, it could significantly boost his electoral prospects.

However, the APM candidate is not without challenges.

Apart from allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Yakubu Adamu faces another hurdle many political analysts consider significant.

Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, no sitting governor in Bauchi State has successfully installed a preferred successor at the end of his tenure.

The state’s political history has consistently favoured change over continuity.

Former governor, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu completed two terms between 1999 and 2007 under the PDP but failed to hand over to a successor of his choice, as Isa Yuguda of the ANPP emerged victorious in the 2007 election.

Likewise, Isa Yuguda, who governed the state from 2007 to 2015, could not transfer power to his preferred candidate, as Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of the APC won the governorship election in 2015.

Whether Bala Mohammed can break that political jinx may become one of the defining questions of the 2027 race.

Mohammed Abubakar

For the All Progressives Congress (APC), the emergence of Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar has exposed deep cracks within the party.

The governorship primary triggered the exit of key stakeholders, including Shehu Buba Umar, while many members remain dissatisfied with the process.

Several party members have reportedly defected over allegations of injustice, candidate imposition, and lack of internal democracy.

Aggrieved stakeholders and aspirants accused the APC leadership of sidelining due process during the conduct of governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly primaries.

They alleged that no genuine direct primaries were conducted and claimed candidates emerged through what they described as imposition rather than democratic selection.

Some groups also accused the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, and former governor Isa Yuguda of influencing the emergence of Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar as the party’s governorship candidate.

Among those who exited the party was the member representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency, Hon. Rabilu Bala Kashuri, who resigned following his unsuccessful bid for re-election.

Similarly, Katagum Federal Constituency aspirant, Hon. Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, accused the party of conducting a flawed primary characterised by predetermined results and violations of party guidelines.

Another APC chieftain, Hon. Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir, also quit the party, describing the process as unfair and undemocratic.

In the same vein, Hon. Sulaiman Sunusi Lalaye, an aspirant for the Bauchi State House of Assembly, cited persistent irregularities and injustice as reasons for leaving the party.

Political tensions escalated further when Senator Shehu Buba Umar dumped the APC for the PRP to pursue his governorship ambition.

Unless urgent reconciliation efforts are undertaken, the APC may struggle to maintain its competitiveness.

Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and Minister Muhammad Ali Pate are expected to spearhead efforts to reunite aggrieved members and restore confidence within the party.

APC’s success in healing its internal divisions could ultimately determine how formidable the party remains ahead of the election.

Shehu Buba

Shehu Buba Umar remains one of the strongest contenders in the race owing to his grassroots appeal, political audacity, and growing influence across Bauchi South, the state’s most populous senatorial district.

His defection from the APC and emergence as the PRP governorship candidate have injected fresh momentum into the contest.

Unlike many politicians who depend heavily on party structures, Shehu Buba’s strength is largely rooted in his personal political brand and growing popularity among grassroots supporters.

He enjoys significant influence in Bauchi South, widely regarded as the state’s biggest electoral battleground due to its voting strength.

A commanding performance in the zone could place him in a strong position as the campaign intensifies.

The senator is also expected to benefit from protest votes by APC members dissatisfied with the outcome of the party’s primary election.

For many observers, his candidacy offers a viable alternative for voters seeking change without aligning with the ruling APM.

His role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence has further enhanced his visibility and projected him as a politician with influence beyond Bauchi State.

Nevertheless, significant challenges remain.

The allegation linking him to banditry during his political disagreement with Governor Bala Mohammed is expected to resurface during campaigns. Although the claim was denied and never substantiated, opponents may seek to weaponise it politically.

More importantly, the PRP faces the daunting task of building a statewide structure capable of matching the organisational strength of both the APM and APC.

Political popularity may attract attention, but elections are often won through effective grassroots mobilisation, polling unit management, and voter turnout operations.

For Shehu Buba, the real test will be translating growing public sympathy into a formidable electoral machine.

A Senatorial aspirant for Edo South on the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has pinpointed what he refers to as the issue facing the NDC.

Agbonayinwa has been vocal regarding his purported exclusion from receiving the party’s ticket for the senatorial district, which he asserted he secured following the NDC primary elections held on May 29.

The former member of the House of Representatives is among the dissatisfied members of the party who are displeased with how the party’s leadership has managed the candidate selection process.

DAILY POST reports that the NDC has not yet disclosed the results of the primary elections for the Senate, House of Representatives, state governors, and state legislatures.

During an appearance on Arise News on Friday, Agbonayinwa stated that the most significant issue within the NDC is that the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, is imposing his will on everyone.

He said, “I think what is wrong is that one man cannot dictate for the whole NDC. You have national leader, you have national chairman, a senator of reput, a wonderful guy, a great guy. I respect him.

“You have the secretary, Barrister Ikenna, wonderful people. You have the national public secretary, they are great men, but at the same time we have the National Organising Secretary, wonderful people working day and night, but guess what? One man cannot detect and decide for the future of members of NDC.

“So for me, I cannot be going to the leader’s house every day waiting from morning till night. This is not democracy, for God’s sake. This is undemocratic.

“Democracy is for the people, by the people. You must allow the people to decide their own faith, I won the senatorial seat. There’s no two ways about it.

“What stopped them from announcing the result for God’s sake? Primary was on May 29, this is June 5. What are they hiding?

“He said they’re featuring one lady, that the lady is going to be giving affirmation, that they need a woman to be among the senator.

“You don’t do that. We went to primaries, those who won should be given the opportunity. Since I have won, I should be given the opportunity.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced restrictions on the operations of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada operators, as part of measures to strengthen security across the state.

Makinde announced the directive in an Executive Order issued on Friday.

The governor, while addressing residents of the state on the ongoing efforts to secure the release of abducted teachers and pupils of Oriire Local Government Area, assured the people that the state government remained committed to ensuring their safe return.

Makinde, in a video seen by Saturday PUNCH, said the operations of motorcycle riders would henceforth be restricted between 10:30pm and 5:30am across the state

He noted that the directive formed part of additional security measures introduced through an executive order aimed at curbing criminal activities and improving public safety.

“With the signing of this executive order, we are also introducing additional measures to enhance security across our state. Consequently, the operations of motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, will now be restricted between the hours of 10:30pm and 5:30am throughout Oyo State,” the governor said.

Makinde stressed that the government would not relent until the abducted teachers and schoolchildren regained their freedom, describing their continued captivity as painful for their families and communities.

“We will not relent until our teachers and children are returned safely home. Every day they remain in captivity is a painful day for their families, their communities, and all of us in Oyo State. They have not been forgotten, and they have not been abandoned,” he said.

According to him, the government may not be able to disclose details of ongoing rescue operations due to security considerations, insisting that intensive efforts were being made behind the scenes in collaboration with security agencies.

“We may not be able to disclose every step being taken because of the sensitive nature of the operations involved, but I ask our people not to mistake our silence for inaction. A great deal of work is being done behind the scenes, and we remain fully engaged with all relevant security agencies,” Makinde added.

The governor also called on residents to support security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent crime and improve security in their communities.

“We can create laws and regulations, but their success ultimately depends on the cooperation of our people. This is another opportunity to remind us all that security is a shared responsibility.

“If you see something, say something, and the authorities will do something,” he said.

Makinde further urged residents to make use of the state’s toll-free emergency lines to report suspicious activities and security threats promptly.