On Monday, former Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, dropped a political bombshell by announcing his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). I wasn’t shocked. Anyone following the political undercurrents knew this divorce was just a matter of time. By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah My thoughts on this? It’s both a calculated strategy and genuine frustration. El-Rufai’s press release cited the party’s deviation from its founding principles, but there’s always more beneath the surface in Nigerian politics. To be sure, el-Rufai was no ordinary APC member. As one of the architects who built the APC…
Author: TheStories
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Wednesday elected new executives to lead its affairs for the next three years. The election saw the emergence of Ankeli Emmanuel of National Accord Newspaper as the newly elected Chairman. Musa Ubandawaki of Vanguard Newspaper was elected Secretary, while Umar Danladi Ado of Triumph Newspaper emerged as Treasurer. Others who were elected unopposed include Adamu Suleiman of The Nation Newspaper as Vice Chairman, Olakunle Ma’aruf of Tribune Newspaper as Assistant Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed Goronyo of Aljazirah Newspaper as Financial Secretary, and Shafa’tu Suleiman of…
The Nigerian Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, opened the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja by calling on member States to foster collaboration and solidarity in the face of emerging threats of terrorism, organized crime, climate change, and other forms of criminality. In his opening remarks, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for a unified approach to addressing the pressing security challenges facing the West African sub-region as well as highlighted the complexities of the current security landscape, noting that the rise of global populism and revisionist ideologies has heightened the…
During a visit to Mali, Ghanaian President John Mahama vowed to mend relations between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasizing the need for mutual respect. Mahama acknowledged the AES—a coalition of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger that left ECOWAS in 2024—as an irreversible reality. The three nations exited the bloc in response to sanctions following military coups, framing their departure as a step toward self-determination. ECOWAS has given them until the end of July to reconsider, and Mahama’s diplomatic mission reflects growing efforts to prevent a permanent split. Having already…
Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to support President Salva Kiir amid escalating tensions with his deputy, Riek Machar. This move aims to prevent a potential rebel advance on the city, highlighting concerns over a possible return to civil war in the oil-rich nation. The deployment follows recent clashes in Upper Nile State between government forces and the White Army, a militia believed to be allied with Machar. The situation intensified after the killing of a South Sudanese general during a UN helicopter evacuation mission and the subsequent detention of several Machar allies in Juba. Uganda’s…
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described as “cheap politics and trivialising of a serious issue” the claim by incumbent Senate President, Godswill Akpabio that the call on him to ensure that transparent and open process is instituted to investigate the accusation levelled against him by one of his colleagues, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is an attempt to remove a Niger Delta person from office. Saraki, in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of his media office in Abuja, urged Akpabio to read his press statement dated March 1st, 2025 very well to understand that there was nowhere…
The Federal Government has adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, as a Federal University of Education. Founded by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED is Nigeria’s first specialised university of education, named after the renowned activist and founder of Mayflower School, Dr. Tai Solarin. The institution now becomes the first federally-owned tertiary institution in Ogun East Senatorial District. With its robust infrastructure and established academic programmes, the transition will require minimal federal investment. President Bola Tinubu approved the adoption on Friday, commending the Ogun State Government for offering one of its best educational assets…
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged the State House of Assembly to prioritize enacting laws that drive meaningful development and enhance citizens’ well-being. This was stated in a press release issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. During a special breakfast meeting with members of both the State and National Assemblies from Kano, Governor Yusuf emphasized the need for synergy between the executive and legislative arms to promote good governance, social welfare, and economic growth. He underscored the importance of purposeful legislation in addressing challenges related to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security, urging lawmakers…
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening democracy by promoting gender equity and ensuring women’s active participation in governance and societal development. This was stated in a press release issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday. In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025, Governor Yusuf emphasized that his government is implementing policies aimed at empowering women in leadership, business, and other sectors of the economy. He acknowledged the critical role women play in nation-building and assured that his administration would continue to create opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to…
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated the rehabilitation of 17 dilapidated roads in the Kano metropolitan area. Flagging off the reconstruction of the urban renewal network at the popular Club Road in Nassarawa Local Government, Governor Yusuf said the initiative was part of his administration’s agenda to transform Kano into a mega city. Governor Yusuf’s statement was contained in a press release issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and made available on Saturday. The statement quoted Governor Yusuf as saying: *”I feel highly delighted, I feel happy, and I feel fulfilled as your governor, who made…