A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has stated that former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has no moral right to advise him.

Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, Bala also refuted claims by Kwankwaso about his age, stressing that he is 46, not 35.

While advising the former presidential candidate to do proper research before making comments, Bala advised Kwankwaso to stop attempting to infiltrate the ADC through the back door.

He further described Kwankwaso as a mole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that it is time for politicians like him to give way for the younger generation to lead.

“Even if I were young, Kwankwaso has no right to look down on me,” Bala said.

He reminded Kwankwaso that he and many of today’s political leaders were themselves very young when they took up major public offices.

“They should allow youths to steer the affairs of our parties and the country while they play advisory roles,” he declared.

Bala further described Kwankwaso as “still an APC mole,” recalling that in 2023, Atiku Abubakar and other northern leaders mobilised Arewa elders to prevail on Kwankwaso to step down for the sake of Arewa votes, but Kwankwaso refused.

“Having refused to step down then, he has no moral justification to bully or advise me on the injustice being done to me by impostors in the ADC,” he said.

Bala stated that Kwankwaso is not qualified to intervene in the current crisis rocking the ADC because he does not regard him as a member of the party.

He warned Kwankwaso to join the ADC through the proper channel if he wishes to participate, and urged him to familiarise himself with the party’s constitution, noting that he can’t be bullied.

“I cannot be bullied by anyone,” Bala insisted.

It was reports that the outburst from Bala follows an earlier disclosure by Kwankwaso that Bala failed to show up at a planned meeting between the two of them.

It is understood that the meeting was aimed at resolving the issues affecting the leadership and activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

However, Kwankwaso was quoted to have said that he stayed up all night expecting Bala to arrive for the meeting, but the politician didn’t turn up.

Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa, Kwankwaso called on the Emir of Gombe, other Emirs and Sheikhs to prevail on Bala not to work against the interest of the ADC.

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United States President Donald Trump has accused CNN of broadcasting what he described as a false statement from Iran regarding the ceasefire agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.

Trump alleged that the statement, which was attributed to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), originated from what he described as a “fake news site from Nigeria.”

The ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran was announced roughly two hours before Trump’s earlier deadline in which he warned that Iran’s “civilisation” could face destruction if the conflict escalated.

CNN had reported that Iran described the ceasefire as a major victory, quoting a statement attributed to the SNSC.

“The enemy, in its unfair, unlawful, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat,” the report quoted the Iranian body as saying.

According to the statement cited by CNN, Iranian authorities claimed that Tehran forced the United States to accept its 10-point proposal as part of the ceasefire arrangement.

Reacting in a post on Truth Social, Trump rejected the report and accused CNN of spreading misinformation.

“The alleged Statement put out by CNN World News is a FRAUD, as CNN well knows,” Trump said.

He further alleged that the report originated from a Nigerian news outlet, which he described as unreliable.

“The false Statement was linked to a Fake News site (from Nigeria) and, of course, immediately picked up by CNN, and blared out as a ‘legitimate’ headline,” the US president wrote.

Trump, however, did not name the Nigerian outlet he referred to and provided no evidence to support the claim.

In another post, he described the outlet as “a new, trouble making site from Nigeria.”

The US president also called on CNN to withdraw the report, stating that authorities had begun examining the matter.

He suggested that investigations would determine whether the publication of the report constituted a criminal offence.

Trump subsequently shared what he described as the official Iranian statement, attributed to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.

Araghchi confirmed that Iran would suspend defensive operations if attacks by the United States and Israel were halted.

“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” he said.

He also reiterated that Iran would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for global shipping for a limited period.

“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”

The Iranian foreign minister said the remarks were made on behalf of the Supreme National Security Council.

Iranian state-linked media outlets also carried statements attributed to the SNSC.

Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), published excerpts from the council’s message.

“The enemy has suffered an undeniable, historic and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal and criminal war against the Iranian nation,” the statement read.

The council also claimed that Iran forced the United States to accept its 10-point plan and congratulated the Iranian people on what it described as a victory.

Meanwhile, Brendan Carr, chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), warned that broadcasters could face consequences if they fail to act in the public interest.

He stated that media organisations risk losing their licences if they do not adhere to professional standards in their reporting.

CNN has defended the report, insisting that the statement was obtained from Iranian officials and was also reported by multiple Iranian state media outlets.

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The Nigerian Army has clarified that the dismissal of Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as “Soja Boi,” was due to serious disciplinary breaches and not for expressing opinions about political leadership.

In a statement issued by spokesperson Apollonia Anele, the Army said the dismissal followed due process in line with military laws and regulations. Anele explained that Olamilekan’s actions violated established rules, including the Armed Forces Social Media Policy. She cited offences such as unauthorised media appearances, commercialisation of military identity, partisan content creation, and misuse of military uniform.

Olamilekan had previously made claims in an interview alleging poor welfare conditions for soldiers, including assertions that personnel receive no additional benefits beyond basic salary and are required to purchase their own uniforms and protective equipment.

The Army strongly refuted these claims, describing them as “false, baseless, and clearly intended to misinform and generate unwarranted sympathy.”

According to Anele, the Nigerian Army operates a structured and transparent remuneration system guided by the Manual of Financial Administration for Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA), where salaries are determined by rank and years of service.

She added that personnel receive various allowances, including uniform allowances, which are paid directly into their accounts. Soldiers deployed on operations are also entitled to additional benefits such as Ration Cash Allowance, Habit Allowance, and operational allowances.

Anele highlighted that troops serving in operational theatres, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, receive mission-specific entitlements aimed at supporting their welfare and effectiveness.

Addressing claims about equipment, the Army stated that it is responsible for providing uniforms, protective gear, arms, and ammunition through established logistics systems managed by dedicated ordnance units.

She noted that while some personnel may choose to supplement issued kits for personal comfort, such actions are voluntary and do not indicate any systemic failure. The Army emphasised that no soldier is deployed without appropriate protective equipment and warned that claims suggesting otherwise are not only false but could undermine public confidence and troop morale.

Reaffirming its stance, the Nigerian Army stated its commitment to discipline, accountability, and the welfare of its personnel, urging the public to disregard what it described as misleading allegations.

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