Politics

Parties clash over El-Rufai’s probe for criminal conspiracy

Published

2 months ago

September 6, 2025

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress have accused the Federal Government of intimidation and witch-hunt following a police invitation to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his allies over allegations of criminal conspiracy.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Uzairu Abdullahi, El-Rufai and six ADC leaders were summoned to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department on September 8.

The allegations against them bordered on criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.

Those listed in the letter were El-Rufai’s former Chief of Staff, Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed, Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita and Ahmed Hussaini, aka Mikiya.

The ADC state chairman was directed to produce the individuals for questioning.

El-Rufai vs Kaduna govt

El-Rufai and his successor, Governor Uba Sani, had been embroiled in political disputes.

Tension had been building between the duo after El-Rufai’s allies lost by-elections in the state.

Matters got to a head last Saturday when a meeting of the ADC to inaugurate a transition committee in Kaduna State was disrupted by political thugs.

The hoodlums reportedly attacked attendees with weapons, causing injuries and property damage.

The police had blamed El-Rufai for the affray, an allegation he denied.

A recent Channels Television interview in which the former governor also accused the government of “empowering bandits” led to rebuttals by both the federal and state governments.

The Kaduna State Government in particular accused El-Rufai of attempting to destabilise the state.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Suleiman Shuaibu, the state said the former governor’s recent actions amounted to “provocation, manipulation and incitement,” which posed a threat to peace and development.

The government further alleged that El-Rufai convened an “illegal and chaotic meeting” of his associates last Saturday, which degenerated into violence, including gunshots that endangered innocent citizens.

He was subsequently summoned by the police on Thursday.

Atiku, ADC slam govt

Reacting to the development on Friday, former Vice President Atiku said recent events in Kaduna, Katsina, and other areas highlighted “a troubling trend towards authoritarianism” under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Atiku described the police summons of El-Rufai and other ADC leaders, the alleged attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum security meeting as part of “a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.”

He warned that criminalising opposition and undermining peaceful civic engagement could push Nigeria towards authoritarian rule, urging citizens and leaders alike to defend democracy.

Similarly, the ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the police of being used to harass opposition figures while neglecting the insecurity ravaging communities.

He condemned the Kaduna police invitation and the reported attack on Malami’s convoy in Kebbi, calling them assaults not only on individuals but on democracy itself.

Abdullahi alleged that police officers failed to act while ADC members were attacked in Kaduna.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the police invitation to El-Rufai and his allies, the reopening of the ADC office in Kaduna, and the prosecution of those behind political violence in the state.

APC, Middle-Belt knock El-Rufai

But the All Progressives Congress said El-Rufai was not above the law and should honour the police summons.

The party’s National Secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru, said, “That you are a politician does not give you immunity from criminal investigations. Even if he is charged, it is the court that will decide if he is guilty or innocent. It is wrong to dismiss every police invitation as a witch-hunt.”

Also, the Middle Belt Forum cautioned political parties against aligning with El-Rufai ahead of the 2027 elections, saying such alliances risked alienating voters in the region.

The MBF’s National Publicity Secretary, Luka Binniyat, accused the former governor of making “degrading and divisive” remarks against Southern Kaduna when he appeared on Channels TV.

He described El-Rufai as a “political virus,” warning that any coalition involving him could face massive voter rejection across the Middle Belt.

According to Binniyat, Southern Kaduna’s size, population, and cultural relevance make it strategically important, and any insult to the area is an attack on the wider Middle Belt.

The group alleged that El-Rufai has long had a “toxic relationship” with the region, adding that embracing him politically would mean courting rejection from millions of Middle Belt voters.

‘El-Rufai reaping what he sowed’

Reacting to the development, the Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday accused Governor Uba Sani of using security agencies to persecute perceived political opponents.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Maria Dogo, described the invitation as a “clear case of political witch-hunt” targeted at those who refused to align with the governor’s camp.

“Although I don’t want to react to it, let me tell you, El-Rufai is only reaping what he sowed,” Dogo said.

“He robbed us of our mandate during the 2023 governorship election and handed it over to Governor Uba Sani. Look closely at the composition of those invited by the police; they are mostly people who left the All Progressives Congress. This is witch-hunting, plain and simple.”

The PDP spokeswoman accused Governor Sani of hiding behind security agencies to clamp down on political rivals.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Government for comments proved abortive as calls and messages sent to the governor’s spokesperson were not returned as of the time of filing this report.

However, a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed the PDP’s claims as “baseless and self-serving,” insisting that the police were merely doing their job.

“Nobody is above the law. If the police have credible evidence against anyone, whether a former governor or not, they have the right to invite them for questioning. The PDP is only crying foul because it suits their political narrative.”

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Politics

Otti denies defecting to APC, affirms loyalty to LP

Published

20 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has refuted claims circulating on social media that he has left the Labour Party for the All Progressives Congress.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, on Monday.

Kanu dismissed the report as false, adding that it is the handiwork of political opponents unsettled by Otti’s growing popularity and record of performance.

He stressed that the governor remains a steadfast member of the Labour Party, describing the report as a “desperate attempt to distract Abians and create unnecessary confusion.”

He stated, “Governor Alex Otti remains a committed and proud member of the Labour Party, the platform under which the good people of Abia overwhelmingly elected him to serve. His focus remains unshaken, to rebuild Abia, restore accountability, and deliver the dividends of democracy to every citizen of the state.”

The commissioner recalled that during the October edition of ‘Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians’, the governor had reiterated his disinterest in political realignments or defections, stressing that his priority was governance, not politics.

“It is important to remind the public that only last week, during the October edition of ‘Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,’ the Governor made it unequivocally clear that his interest is not in political permutations or defections, but in service to humanity and the transformation of Abia State. He reaffirmed that leadership, to him, is about impact, not political convenience,” he added.

Kanu highlighted that the Otti administration has maintained a clear policy direction built on transparency, fiscal responsibility, infrastructural development, economic expansion, youth empowerment, and renewed trust in government.

“These are values synonymous with the Labour Party’s ideals, values that the Governor will never compromise for any political expediency,” the statement added.

The commissioner urged residents to disregard the fake report, describing it as another round of cheap propaganda aimed at diverting attention from the progress being made across the state.

“We wish to assure Abians that Governor Alex Otti remains resolute in his mission to continue to build a new Abia where truth, justice, and equity prevail under the banner of the Labour Party,” he stated.

Recall that Otti had in May emphasised that he does not need to join the APC to be close to President Bola Tinubu.

He noted that not everyone needs to join the ruling party.

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Politics

Kaduna ADC expels deputy chairman, eight others over misconduct

Published

21 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has plunged into crisis following the expulsion of its Deputy Chairman, Ahmed Mustapha, and eight other top officials over alleged gross misconduct, insubordination, and attempts to usurp leadership positions within the party.

The sweeping decision, described by insiders as “a necessary purge to restore discipline,” was part of the resolutions reached by the State Executive Committee during an emergency meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Those affected by the expulsion include the State Publicity Secretary, Idris Musa; State Vice Chairman (Zone 1), Sulaiman Abdullahi; State Treasurer, Gambo Sani; State Financial Secretary, Magaji Maiwada; and State Legal Adviser, Danlami Dabai Musa. Others are the State Coordinator of Persons with Disabilities, Saura Muhammed; State Deputy Youth Leader, Ibrahim Muhammed; and one Mansur Gaga.

The embattled officials were accused of engaging in what the party described as “activities capable of undermining the unity, image, and lawful operation” of the ADC in Kaduna and the North-West zone.

According to the SEC’s resolution, the members allegedly held secret meetings to plot leadership changes, forged official documents, and extorted money from party members in violation of the ADC’s constitution.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the Kaduna State ADC Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, said the party could no longer tolerate actions that threaten its internal cohesion.

He declared that the leadership in Kaduna remained “committed to discipline, transparency, and the rule of law,” adding that the expulsions followed due process as provided in the ADC constitution.

“As law-abiding members of the ADC, we are committed to upholding the party’s constitution and safeguarding its integrity. No individual, no matter his position, is above the law of the party,” Ambut said.

The chairman accused the Deputy Chairman, Mustapha, of abuse of office, impersonation, and acts capable of causing disharmony not only in Kaduna State but also across the North-West zone.

“These actions constitute a gross violation of the ADC constitution and are contrary to established party procedures,” Ambut said.

“The Deputy Chairman acted without due process, as he lacks the constitutional authority to convene any meeting or issue such directives on behalf of the party.”

Meanwhile, the party announced the appointment of the Deputy State Publicity Secretary, Alex Tagwai, as Acting Publicity Secretary pending further adjustments within the state executive.

Ambut said the decision was endorsed unanimously by the SEC, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders during the meeting.

“Mr. Tagwai will immediately assume responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of the publicity unit and prevent any communication gaps,” Ambut said.

He also urged members to remain calm and loyal to the constituted leadership, warning that further acts of indiscipline would not be tolerated.

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Politics

My re-election bid, a divine project -Soludo

Published

24 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has described his second-term reelection bid as “a divine project and a mass movement” which ignites a sense of collective purpose and commitment to continued development in the state.

Soludo stated this in his address during a campaign rally in Onitsha South Local Government Area of the state, where he and his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, were received by a large crowd of supporters on Tuesday.

The governor said the gathering, filled with residents eager to show their backing, portrayed the growing momentum of his campaign.

He said, “My candidacy is a divine project and a mass movement which resonated deeply with the people and ignited a sense of collective purpose and commitment to continued development in the state.

“I express my heartfelt thanks to the community for their unwavering support. This is a campaign like no other in our history. I am humbled and deeply thankful, and I appreciate you.”

The governor outlined the progress his administration has made in all sectors of the state economy, especially in Onitsha South LGA, highlighting the establishment of a specialist general hospital in Fegge, the exceptional improvements made to public schools, among others.

He promised that many more advancements would follow if given the opportunity for a second term.

Several people also took the stage to voice their support, highlighting the achievements made under the Soludo-led administration.

Among them was the President General of Fegge, Onitsha, Okwudili Nwankwo, who praised the governor’s impact, adding, “Under Governor Soludo, we have seen remarkable changes, particularly with initiatives like the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ programme. This has empowered many of our youth and provided them with valuable skills for a brighter future.”

Another resident, Chibuike Ugo, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Free education, free antenatal care and delivery services have made a significant difference in our community. These programs are not just policies; they are lifelines for our families.”

Another one, Franklin Onyeke added, “As we pray for Governor Soludo’s victory on November 8, 2025, we remain steadfast in our belief that he will continue to lead Anambra towards greatness.”

A cheque donation of N20 million was also made to support the governor’s campaign.

Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, is contesting the governorship election alongside 16 other candidates from other political parties on November 8, 2025.

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