Ajuji Ahmed, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has criticized former party members who left to join other political parties.

Ahmed said those who left the NNPP would experience rough road and challenges in their new parties.

He made these comments during the party’s 10th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

He described the ex-members as “renegades” while noting that although the NNPP may not be large, it is stronger and more united than many other parties.

Ahmed urged party members to ignore those who defected, saying their decision would only bring them hardship.

He added that leaving a peaceful party for troubled ones was a poor choice.

He also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the NNPP has remained stable despite efforts by outsiders to create problems.

According to Ahmed, the NNPP has no internal divisions and is not controlled by any individual.

He stressed that the party is not split into factions or weakened by external influence, but remains united and committed to its goals and guiding principles.

Ahmed said: “I call upon you to please forget entirely the antics of renegades who call themselves defectors.

“May their road continue to be rough.

“If a man or some men decided to jump from calm waters only to land in not just a frying pan but directly into a burning fire, we wish them a safe journey.

“We are not fragmented into three parts with two party chairmen. We have not been captured and broken and made ineffective by a single omnipotent external force, we are NNPP. We are united.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has stated why he visited the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is serving a hail term in Sokoto.

Speaking when the leadership of the Abia Diaspora Commission and the medical team of the state Global Medical Mission 2025 visited him at the Government House, Umuahia, on Friday, Otti said his visit was not driven by political ambition.

The governor’s clarification is coming against the backdrop of a video circulating on social media, where a certain man was criticising his visit to Kanu.

However, Otti defended his visit to the IPOB leader, saying that the trip was driven by the need for dialogue and peace.

According to him, the video represented differing opinions, which formed part of the democratic system, arguing that disagreement did not automatically make one position right.

Otti also said that he had no intention of contesting any election after completing his tenure as governor.

“One of the issues he raised in the video was my ambition after serving as governor.

“I have said this before, sometime in October, when we received representatives of the President, and I will say it again today. By the time I complete my tenure as governor, I will retire from public office,” he said.

Bauchi State Government has appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding during President Bola Tinubu’s condolence visit following the death of renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.

The appeal was contained in a statement on Friday by Governor Bala Mohammed’s media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, who said the President is scheduled to arrive in Bauchi on Saturday.

The statement urged residents to cooperate with security agencies deployed across the state to ensure a smooth and safe visit.

It also announced that some major roads leading to the Sheikh’s mosque and other key locations would be temporarily closed or diverted between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. for security and traffic management purposes.

Residents were advised to plan their movements accordingly and avoid restricted areas.

While acknowledging possible inconveniences, the government thanked residents for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and order while honoring the legacy of the late Islamic scholar, whose teachings had a lasting impact on Bauchi State, Nigeria, and the wider Muslim community.

The National Youth Service Corps has extended the service years of 16 corps members in Sokoto State over misconduct.

According to the State Coordinator of the scheme, Alhaji Usman Yaro, the corps members committed various infractions, including absenteeism and abscondment.

Speaking during the passing-out ceremony of the 2024 Batch C, Stream 2 corps members in Sokoto on Friday, Yaro said the scheme was operating a zero-tolerance policy for truancy and indiscipline.

“Discipline remains a core value of the NYSC, while sanctions are necessary to maintain the integrity of the scheme and ensure corps members comply with laid-down regulations.

“In this regard, no fewer than 16 corps members will be punished with an extension of their service year due to various offences committed while undergoing their service year,” he stated.

The NYSC boss also announced that two corps members received the prestigious Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Award in recognition of their “exceptional contributions” to improving the living standards of their host communities.

He commended the State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for his sustained support for the scheme, particularly his commitment to the continuous payment of state allowances to corps members.

Yaro explained that corps members were deliberately posted to rural communities in line with the scheme’s mandate to promote grassroots development and in alignment with the development agenda of the present administration.

He noted that most corps medical personnel were deployed to rural areas to help bridge manpower gaps in the health sector, adding that their various medical outreaches have benefited thousands of residents across the state.

He further disclosed that a large number of corps members were posted to schools as part of NYSC’s commitment to strengthening the education sector in Sokoto State.

President Bola Tinubu has assured of his commitment to implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Nigeria.

This was as he urged State governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure that they don’t interfere with funds of the local governments.

Speaking during the APC Caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Tinubu said the implementation must be practical and effective.

According to Tinubu: “Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgement. What can we do with it, and how well we can position our country and our party?

“To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. Let us give them. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate.

“We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the supreme court.”

The president also charged the governors to be flexible and be involved in the happenings in their respective states.

“You have to navigate this country; whether we like it or not, you are in the leadership position that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible and get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” Tinubu said.

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally invited him to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to him, after months of consultations and personal introspection, he had to make the move in the interest of the state.

Mutfwang, who made the revelation on Thursday shortly after defecting to the APC, said he did not make the move for personal gain but as a form of respect to Tinubu, who has shown a special interest in Plateau State and its challenges.

Mutfwang has made it clear that though the President had extended the invitation to him to join the APC on several occasions, he had politely declined.

“I pay my respects to President Tinubu for honouring our earlier decisions not to move to the APC and still maintaining a cordial relationship with us despite that,” he said during a meeting with political appointees and stakeholders at the Government House in Jos.

He noted that there had also been the beckoning of highly placed personalities, including fellow governors from the APC, too, but the whole time, he stood by his decision.

He however, stated that what finally changed his mind was the challenges and chaos within the PDP at the national level.

“Until recently, when it became clear that the PDP at the national level has undeniable problems with its structure, the need to decamp to another party was already quieted. We have zero challenges at the state level but all our efforts are vain without a solid structure at the national level,” he said.

“The risks involved in staying back in the PDP are too high for us to carelessly gamble with the mandate Plateau people gave us. No one can tell reassuringly when and how the crisis will end, or what wins or losses could be incurred.

“Bearing in mind the emotional torture our dear people went through, we can’t, by our actions or inactions, subject ourselves to another experience like that.”

Gov. Mutfwang confessed that he could have easily moved to another party but that history had taught him that it is one thing to be voted massively, and another to make sure the votes count.

“Although we’ve had our issues with Plateau APC, we can’t deny the favour and cordiality with which the Tinubu-led administration has related with us. And since the President didn’t try to force us to join the APC before things went completely south in the PDP, it’s fair enough that we considered joining the APC.

“We have a chance to attract and be entitled to so many good things, from appointments, to favours that will richly impact Plateau. Is it really wisdom to forfeit all that? No! Already there’s good news to be announced soon. Stay tuned,” he added.

Troops of 8 Division Garrison Nigerian Army Sokoto have neutralised five armed criminals, recovered weapons and motorcycles during a coordinated operations conducted in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.

A credible source from the army told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Sokoto that the planned operation kicked off on Wednesday.

”It is struck of a major blow against banditry, during a sweeping offensive that targeted notorious hideouts spanning Sokoto and Zamfara States.

”The coordinated assaults targeted known bandits enclaves in Gangara, Makawana, Satiru, Baici, and Kurkusu villages within Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

“The swift advance disrupted the criminal networks, forcing many to flee as the military asserted control over the troubled terrain,” the source said.

According to the source, the operation also intensified in Batamna village of Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state where soldiers encountered heavy resistance.

”In a fierce exchange of fire, the troops’ neutralised 5 bandits and recovered weapons, motorcycles and baofeng radios used by the bandits to carry out nefarious activities, ” source added.

Recall that troops of 8 Division of Nigerian Army had in December neutralised notorious bandits’ kingpin, Kachalla Kallamu and Kachalla Na’Allah, in Sabon Birnin and Isa local government areas Sokoto state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Col. Ahmad Usman and other citizens had commended the Nigerian Army and other security operatives for the significant success recorded against banditry in the state.

Jigawa State Executive Council  has approved development projects worth N91.04 billion, spanning road construction, power supply, healthcare, flood control and public infrastructure across the state.

The approvals were announced in a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr. Sagiru Musa Ahmed, following the council meeting presided over by Governor Malam Umar Namadi in Dutse.

According to the commissioner, the council approved N689.38 million for electrification and solarisation of selected government institutions and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Beneficiaries include Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse; GDSTC Gumel; institutions in Babura and Kafin Hausa; Jigawa Television (JTV); NYSC Orientation Camp; Dutse Township Stadium; specialist hospitals in Hadejia and Kazaure; general hospitals in Ringim, Birnin Kudu and Bulangu; Khadija University; Bamaina Academy; major markets; and the Polytechnic of Communication and Information Technology, Kazaure.

The council also approved the construction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion workshop training centres and gas conversion facilities in Dutse and Hadejia at a combined cost of N563.0 million.

In another key decision, the council approved the construction of solar-powered mini-grids at the Government House, Deputy Governor’s Office, official residences of the Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, State Secretariat, House of Assembly, Judiciary Complex and Shuwarin/Gidan Ihu Water Plant, valued at N15.24 billion.

To boost road infrastructure, the council reallocated N5.5 billion from the Market Development and Stabilisation Funds to the Ministry of Works for mobilisation and contract awards covering 58.56 kilometres of township roads in Dutse Phase II, Kafin Hausa, Gumel Bypass, Dangyatim and Doko in Garki LGA. The road projects are valued at N57.79 billion.

Other approvals include the construction of mosques in Kaugama, Kafin Hausa and Maigatari LGAs at N204.03 million, and the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Research at Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, costing N557.08 million.

The council further approved N1.07 billion for hostels and staff quarters at the Skill Acquisition Centre, Limawa, Dutse, and N506.58 million for the renovation of the Skill Acquisition Centre in Ringim.

In the health sector, N8.05 billion was approved for renovation, upgrading and equipping of general hospitals across the state, including facilities in Hadejia, Gumel.

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has approved the payment of excess refunds to 109 pilgrims who made initial deposits of N8,500,000 and N8,440,000 for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

This is contained in a statement released by the board’s Public Relations Officer Sulaiman Dederi on Wednesday.

According to Dederi, the Director General of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, made the disclosure while fielding questions from newsmen in his office on Wednesday.

Danbappa explained that a total of 593 pilgrims made their initial deposits before the announcement of the final Hajj fare.

“A total of 593 intending pilgrims paid initial deposits before the announcement of the final fare for the 2026 Hajj,” the statement quoted the DG as saying.

Therefore, he called on the remaining affected pilgrims to visit the board to collect their balance before the commencement of airlifting operations.

Speaking on the registration status, the Director General stated that 3,607 pilgrims have so far been registered for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

He further revealed that the board has already paid over N23 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria on behalf of the registered pilgrims.

The Director General urged pilgrims who have yet to submit their international passports to do so immediately to facilitate timely visa processing.

Meanwhile, the Director General commended the Kano State Government for its support and contributions toward the welfare of pilgrims in the state.

Arewa PUNCH recalls that the President, Bola Tinubu, had in early October 2015 directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to immediately reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj fares, which it had recently announced.

The commission had then announced over N8.2 million as the final fares for the 2026 Hajj.

Following the downward review of the fare, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board announced the approved amount of N7,696,769.76 as the 2026 Hajj fare.

All intending pilgrims who initially deposited N8,500,000.00 will receive a refund of N803,230.24, while those who paid N8,244,813.67 will receive a refund of N548,043.91.