A statement attributed to Nigerian politician Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed has sparked widespread online reactions after he was quoted as describing terrorists and bandits operating in the country as “gentlemen in the forest.” The comment surfaced in a post published on X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE, who shared a video clip and quoted Baba-Ahmed as saying: “B@nd!ts and terrørists are not j!h@d!st. The real meaning of jihådist is totally different from what they are doing. They’re gentlemen in the forest doing something else.” Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, a well-known Nigerian political figure and the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party,…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
The Department of State Services has invited Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who was the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, after he made comments that officials consider inciting. According to sources in the agency, the invitation followed worries raised by some of his recent public statements. One of the officers said Baba-Ahmed went on national television a few days ago and blamed the judiciary and the military for allowing the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The officer added that Baba-Ahmed also made remarks that were seen as provoking the military. The source said, “His…
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), months after his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC). El-Rufai registered with the ADC and received his membership card at the party office in Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna State. He was accompanied by a large group of loyal supporters, including former appointees and local government chairmen. Addressing party officials and supporters, including ADC Vice Chairman (North West) Hon. Jafaru Sani and National Membership Secretary Senator Sadiq Yar’adua, El-Rufai said: “Mr. Peter Obi and I pleaded with the ADC coalition to allow us conclude the…
The United States government says it will review green cards that were issued to migrants from 19 countries as part of a new check on its immigration system. Nigeria is not on the list. The decision follows the recent incident involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of shooting two members of the US National Guard. The case has led to stronger security measures ordered by President Donald Trump. Joe Edlow, who heads the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, said in a post on X that he ordered a full review of green cards belonging to people from nations seen…
President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian side of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, marking a strategic step to enhance bilateral collaboration in addressing security challenges across the country. According to a statement from the Statehouse, the composition of the Joint Working Group follows an agreement reached during a recent visit to Washington, DC, by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu will lead the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group, supported by a multi-stakeholder team drawn from senior officials across relevant government ministries and security agencies. Key members of…
Tension rose on Wednesday at the Akwete headquarters of Ukwa East Local Government Area in Abia State after the Head of Personnel Management and Clerk of the Legislative Council, Maxwell Ahukanna, was reportedly attacked by some councillors during a sitting. Residents said the councillors are divided into two groups. One group supports the Mayor of the council, Chibunna Akara, while the other is aligned with the Labour Party leader in the area and the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu. Witnesses said the disturbance began during the plenary when several councillors confronted the clerk. The incident later turned violent.…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide state of emergency on national security, directing the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to immediately increase personnel and strengthen operations across the country. In a statement released via his official media centre, Tinubu said, “Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces. By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel.” The President specified that the police would recruit an additional 20,000 officers,…
Shehu Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, urging that the funds be redirected to address rising insecurity in northern Nigeria. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Abubakar questioned the rationale behind investing in infrastructure while safety concerns remain unaddressed. He wrote, “If the President is serious, he should suspend the work on Coastal road, and rechannel those funds to solving insecurity in the country. What’s the point of the roads if people aren’t safe driving on them?” The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, a major…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has turned down the membership claim of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The party said the registration carried out for him at Jada 1 Ward in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State did not follow its rules. Dr. Christopher Okechukwu, who serves as the Director of Media and Public Affairs for the faction, said in a statement that the officials who handled Atiku’s registration were not recognised by the party’s national leadership. According to him, the party had told Atiku several times to register with the proper ward…
Former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has said that he became very upset during his 65th birthday celebration after comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Fayose explained in a new interview that he had tried to make peace with several political figures before the event. He said he reached out to Obasanjo through a mutual friend who gave him the former president’s phone number. According to him, the call was not meant to be an apology. He said Obasanjo later invited him to his home and promised to attend the celebration even though he had another engagement abroad. Fayose…