The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Kaduna State Council, has passed a vote of confidence in the administration of Governor Uba Sani, commending his commitment to workers’ welfare, job security and harmonious industrial relations in the state.

The decision was taken at the 33rd session of the State Executive Council of the TUC, held on Friday at the Congress Secretariat, Millennium City, Kaduna.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency executive council meeting, the union particularly commended the Governor for the reinstatement of 37 workers of the Kaduna State Local Government Service Commission who were allegedly wrongfully disengaged.

The Congress said the Governor approved the reinstatement of the affected workers on August 15, 2026, describing the gesture as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to justice and workers’ rights.

It also praised the administration for promoting job security, improving the timeliness of staff promotions and ensuring the payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.

TUC further “commended the State Government’s free CNG transport scheme . The initiative has reduced workers’ transportation challenges and costs, improved punctuality and enhanced productivity,,” the communique said.

However, the union appealed to the Governor to extend the free CNG bus service to Kafanchan and Zaria to enable workers and residents in the two cities benefit from the scheme.

The union also applauded the return of the Civil Service Welfare Loan Scheme, under which civil servants can access loans ranging from N400,000 to N1.5 million, repayable over four years at relatively low interest rates.

It noted,that workers had also benefited from local and international training programmes facilitated through the Office of the Head of Service to improve their skills and professionalism.

The Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr Sam Amadi, and Akin Osuntokun, the Arise News Political Director, have said that Lere Olayinka, Spokesperson to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, missed the chance to stand by his principles as a public official over his display on TV.

DAILY POST reported that Arise TV, on Friday, abruptly ended its interview with the minister’s spokesperson, following a verbal attack on Rufai Oseni during an interview on The Morning Show.

The development occurred after Rufai, who has been at loggerheads with Olayinka, asked the minister’s aide to comment on Wike’s position on the controversy surrounding members of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council.

Responding, Olayinka said he was not willing to answer questions from Rufai, insisting that he wanted the discussion to be between “reasonable human beings.”

However, Ayo Mairo, one of the Show’s anchors, took exception to Olayinka’s remarks, insisting that Oseni is a legitimate anchor on the show and that the minister’s aide should have expected to see him before agreeing to the interview.

Speaking on Arise News, Amadi reminded Olayinka that the reason he appeared before the media was to sell his message, to communicate, and to win the hearts and minds of the audience, not just the host.

He added, “You are speaking to a much larger audience, so missing the opportunity to communicate your message and instead using the platform to throw tantrums only exposes the weakness of the person speaking for the government.”

He further added that media persons should always respect the dignity of the persons they interview.

“Lere would have come with a sense of ‘I’m going to give it to him’, and that’s shameful because he lost the opportunity as a public official to defend his principle. The notion is that you have to understand clearly that the reason why you appear before the media is to sell, to communicate, to win and to shape minds, not just the host.

“But at any rate, we expect that media practitioners will also understand that, whereas they are going to be violent for truth, but also are not the persons who are making the news. They are basically people helping to push those conduits for the opinion. You don’t have to be the guy in the ring fighting. You have to be the guy who enables the public to understand and perhaps see the weakness or the falsity of the claim pushed.

“Yours is to tactically expose to the viewing public that this is correct or this is not correct. So caution on both sides. I think it was a disgraceful performance and could have been avoided.”

Also speaking, Osuntokun said that Olayinka is setting a bad precedent for himself.

“Lere Olayinka was under no compulsion to speak or answer. Whether he was invited or invited himself, he was still at liberty to say what he wanted to say. However, the manner in which he spoke was unfortunate and did little to strengthen his position. And it’s not good for his principle.”

‎ Political parties and other stakeholders in Jigawa State have signed a peace accord ahead of the forthcoming electioneering campaigns and electoral processes in the state.

The accord was signed on Thursday during a strategic meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairmen of registered political parties, party executives and media practitioners.

Addressing the stakeholders, CP Tijjani Murtala called for collective responsibility, mutual respect, political tolerance and strict adherence to electoral laws throughout the electioneering period.

He said the meeting was aimed at promoting peaceful, credible and violence-free political activities across the state

He urged political leaders to caution their supporters against acts capable of undermining peace and public order, including hate speech, inflammatory statements, vote-buying, thuggery, intimidation, destruction of campaign materials and other forms of electoral malpractice.

The commissioner assured political parties, candidates, supporters, electoral officials and members of the public that the command would provide adequate security and maintain law and order before, during and after the elections.

The INEC delegation, led by its Administrative Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Idris, also urged political parties and other stakeholders to comply with electoral laws, rules and guidelines.

The participating political parties subsequently signed the peace accord, reaffirming their commitment to peaceful political engagement, respect for democratic values and the rejection of violence throughout the electoral process.

The command described the accord as a significant demonstration of the collective commitment of political actors and stakeholders to preserving the peace and security of Jigawa State.

It called on residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant, while urging political parties and their supporters to see the electoral process as a contest of ideas and programmes rather than a conflict.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Zamfara State chapter, has questioned the priorities of the All Progressives Congress, APC, amid the worsening insecurity confronting residents of the state.

The reaction followed a 7-kilometre solidarity walk organised by the APC and its support groups in Gusau on Wednesday to celebrate the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, as Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the state ADC Chairman, Hon. Kabiru Garba, the party said the timing of the political celebration was troubling, given the security challenges facing communities across Zamfara.

The ADC said residents continue to suffer the consequences of banditry, killings, kidnappings, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods.

According to the party, the APC could have used the gathering to draw national attention to the plight of victims of insecurity rather than focus on celebrating a political appointment.

The party questioned why there was no similar expression of solidarity with families who had lost loved ones, as well as women and children displaced by insecurity.

It also challenged the APC to explain what concrete measures the Federal Government had put in place to permanently address the insecurity ravaging Zamfara communities.

The ADC said political leadership should prioritise the welfare and safety of citizens over political positions, appointments and campaign structures.

The party stressed that it was not opposed to political mobilisation but objected to what it described as “politics without humanity.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), says the Department of State Services, DSS, and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, are still investigating the alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

General Musa gave the update on Thursday while responding to questions during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said the suspects involved in the alleged plot had been taken to court and were currently facing trial.

According to him, the plot was authentic, and investigators had confirmed the suspects’ intention to seize power.

“The DSS is still investigating together with the NIA, and they don’t want to just say things they are not sure of, so I’m sure they’re taking their time to ensure that they get the details.

“They’ve taken them [alleged coup plotters] to court, so it’s still with the court. It’s not with us. It was real, and they actually wanted to do it for whatever reason.

“Again, when you start hearing why they wanted to do it, just know that they’re just a bunch of misguided individuals who went into it for just no reason,” he said.

Amnesty International has said it is closely monitoring and documenting reckless, inciting and divisive remarks by politicians and their associates during ongoing campaigns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

The human rights organisation warned that politicians who use campaigns to undermine freedom, peace and democratic participation could be held accountable under international law.

Amnesty’s warning follows a series of controversial political remarks, including recent threats attributed to the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Paul Ituma.

In a video seen by Amnesty, Ituma warned political opponents and those accused of working against his party’s interests, saying, “Anyone who tries to do so will be declared persona non grata.”

He also said, “Anyone who wants to put sand in my garri (not vote for APC) should not come close to Ohaukwu.”

Amnesty condemned the remarks, saying, “Such threatening and inciting rhetorics are dangerous and show clear desperation to undermine freedom of association and the democratic value of personal liberty.”

Another controversy was reported in Yobe State earlier in the week, where the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Muhammadu Gadaka, was criticised over remarks directed at women and their voting choices.

Gadaka was quoted as telling women whose husbands would not allow them to vote for the APC to leave their marriages.

He reportedly said, “If your husband does not allow you to vote for APC, divorce him. I will give you money for your dowry.”

The remark sparked criticism, prompting Gadaka to apologise and retract the statement.

Last month, the organisation also raised concerns over remarks attributed to Kuje Area Council Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo.

In a video, Shekwolo was heard saying, “It’s either you are doing APC or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all.”

Although, he said he was quoted out of context.

Amnesty International said such incidents demonstrate the need for authorities to act early against political intimidation and incitement before the situation escalates into violence.

The organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force to promptly investigate the Ebonyi chairman’s remarks and take appropriate action if a criminal offence is established.

It also urged the Ebonyi State Government and other authorities to protect political parties, candidates, supporters and voters from intimidation and violence.

Amnesty said, “Everyone must be free to support, campaign for and vote for the candidate or party of their choice. Authorities must act now to protect this right.”

Kebbi State House of Assembly has passed four Executive Bills into law following the consideration and adoption of reports submitted by relevant House committees.

The bills are the Kebbi State Geographic Information Services Agency, KEBGIS, Amendment Bill, 2024; Kauran Gwandu College of Midwifery Sciences Law No. 013 of 2025; Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology Law No. 009 of 2024; and the Kebbi State Scholarship Board Amendment Bill, 2025.

The KEBGIS Amendment Bill was considered by the House Committee on Lands and Housing, while the remaining three bills were considered by the House Committee on Higher Education.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Salihu Maikasuwa Dangoje, formally passed the bills after the respective committees presented their reports for consideration and adoption by the House.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon. Nuraddeen Usman Kangiwa, and his counterpart on Higher Education, Hon. Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Fana, said the bills were carefully scrutinised and thoroughly deliberated upon.

They said the review was aimed at strengthening the relevant institutions and ensuring that they were better positioned to deliver on their mandates.

The lawmakers expressed confidence that the laws, once assented to and fully implemented, would benefit residents and contribute to the development of education, human capital and land administration in the state.

Subtle political tensions are emerging within the Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 governorship election following Governor Nasir Idris’ decision to replace his deputy, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, with a former commissioner for finance, Ibrahim Muhammad Augie as his running mate.

The development has placed Governor Idris, his deputy, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, and Augie at the centre of a fresh political controversy.

The announcement of Augie as the governor’s running mate was made on Sunday at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi by the APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, during a visit by stakeholders from the Argungu Emirate to the governor.

Argungu said the decision followed professional legal advice concerning Tafida’s eligibility to continue as the governor’s running mate for the 2027 election.

He said the party had considered the legal issues arising from the 2023 governorship election and subsequently settled for Augie as Idris’ new running mate.

Argungu also said the decision was taken with Tafida’s understanding and consent, insisting that there was no disagreement between the governor and his deputy.

However, the circumstances surrounding the deputy governor’s replacement became a subject of controversy after his aide, Yahaya Danjadda, disputed the claim that Tafida had been consulted before Augie was presented as the new running mate.

Danjadda, Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on New Media, said nobody had consulted Tafida before the announcement, describing the suggestion otherwise as an attempt to tarnish his principal’s image.

The conflicting accounts initially raised questions over whether Tafida had personally agreed to step aside from the governor’s 2027 ticket.

Why Idris chose a new running mate

The decision was linked to legal concerns arising from the 2023 governorship litigation involving Idris and Tafida.

Following the 2023 election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Aminu Bande, challenged the victory of the APC ticket in court.

One of the issues raised in the litigation involved an allegation that Tafida presented a forged secondary school testimonial.

The Court of Appeal rejected the allegation in November 2023 while affirming Idris’ election.

The case subsequently reached the Supreme Court, which affirmed Idris’ election on January 19, 2024.

Argungu said the party’s decision to replace Tafida followed professional legal advice concerning his eligibility to remain on the 2027 ticket.

Despite citing the concluded litigation as the reason for replacing Tafida, the APC has not publicly identified the specific legal finding that would prevent the deputy governor from contesting again.

Tafida has now personally reacted to the development, dismissing claims that the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 governorship election was responsible for his replacement.

The deputy governor spoke on Wednesday in Argungu when supporters, political associates and well-wishers visited him following the APC’s decision to replace him with Augie, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state.

Tafida said attempts to link his replacement directly to the outcome of the 2023 election litigation were aimed at damaging his political reputation.

He said he had accepted the development as part of the realities of politics but rejected what he described as a false narrative connecting his replacement to the Supreme Court judgment.

“But to capitalise on the technicality presented to the Election Tribunal by the opposition party and later ruled upon by the Supreme Court, and now say that I should be replaced, was totally unbecoming and bogus,” he said.

Tafida said those promoting the narrative were seeking to tarnish his political image, adding that he would continue to explain his side of what transpired.

The deputy governor, however, said he had no objection to the political change if it was aimed at strengthening the party and improving its chances in the 2027 election.

He urged his supporters to remain calm, stressing that political positions were temporary and subject to change.

His reaction adds a new dimension to the controversy, as the deputy governor has rejected the Supreme Court explanation while accepting the political decision to replace him on the 2027 ticket.

The development does not remove Tafida from his current office as Deputy Governor of Kebbi State. It concerns the APC’s 2027 governorship ticket and his replacement as Idris’ running mate for the election.