Category: Daily Trust

Because this evening, as I write this column, I will be speaking at a pop-up event in Bergen, Norway, on the subject of ‘Betrayal’ in Literature, which will be the theme of Litfest Bergen in February 2026, I find my mind wandering to the concept of betrayal in African politics.

These wanderings I am sure are influenced by recent events across the continent which have made this theme even more resonant, from Nigeria to Cameroon to Tanzania.

Betrayal in politics is an age-old tradition. From the days of the pharaohs to Brutus’ vicious selling out of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, history is replete with examples. Even recently, one could count Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi’s ouster and murder as a clear example of betrayal by his allies. In all these cases, it is evident that the betrayed parties have assumed the loyalties of the betrayer are secured, forgetting that loyalty is not permanent but often conditional, especially in politics.

In the field of politics, betrayals often work two ways. There are instances where the sovereign is betrayed by his trusted circle, often by those who are sworn to protect them. In this instance, Burkina Faso’s Blaise Compaoré sticking a knife in the back of Thomas Sankara comes to mind. So does Roman Emperor Caligula’s murder by his own Praetorian Guards. This one strikingly resembles what has been happening in Nigeria since 1966 and what almost happened yet again this October.

The reported plots to overthrow President Tinubu fit this mould perfectly. Soldiers sworn to protect the president and defend the constitution were caught allegedly scheming to betray that oath, plotting to subvert the constitution and the mandate of the people. That is the ingredient from which a flavourful betrayal soup is cooked. This sort of betrayal is considered the norm to the extent that the other type, where the sovereign betrays the people, is hardly ever registered. In literature, the comparative equivalent would be the pigs’ betrayal of the other animals at the end of George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

Happenings in Cameroon and Tanzania brought this sort of betrayal into focus. For example, at 92, Paul Biya has no business being president of Cameroon, a position he has occupied for the last 43 years. He should have retired years ago and allowed other able-bodied and able-minded persons to oversee the development of the country he has governed mostly from a hotel room in Geneva. He certainly had no business running for president again, which, following the announcement of disputed election results, guarantees that in all likelihood, he will die in power or see out the seven-year term when he is clocking a hundred.

This decision is a betrayal of the people of Cameroon, who certainly deserve a new start. Let’s not be mistaken; Biya is not Lee Kuan Yew, and Cameroon is nowhere on the path to becoming the Singapore of Africa. Biya has been an absent president for decades and has not done anything meaningful to set his country on the path of development.

This decision also confirms Cameroon as a bona fide gerontocracy, with a 92-year-old president and a chief of the military, Claude Maka, who is 86 years old and has been holding on to that office for 24 years. Why is an 86-year-old man still in the army when he should be retired, playing golf somewhere and being content with the service he has rendered to his country? For context, this head of the Cameroonian military, who backed Biya in the electoral dispute, was born in 1939 when Hitler started World War II.

The desperation to cling to power serves only to promote their personal interests, not the lot of the people or their country. And we are witnessing it as well in Tanzania, where, as I write, the Tanzanians are going to the polls to effectively coronate President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

This was a woman who, as Vice President, came to power in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli. She was lauded as East Africa’s first female president, one who came in with a conciliatory tone, a more friendly disposition compared to her predecessor, and initial radical reforms that earned the cheers of her compatriots.

However, as she faces her first elections, Samia has transformed from the nice woman to a brutal and ruthless politician. Even though her CCM party has won every election in the country since multi-party democracy was reinstated in 1992, the politicking and campaigns have always had the semblance of democratic participation, with vibrant debates between the rival parties.

This will not be the case since this time, President Samia has decided to clear her path to power, not with ballots, but with the dictatorial machinations of arresting opposition rivals, detaining them, and arraigning some of them for treason.

What she is doing is not only a betrayal of the men and mostly women who celebrated her ascension to the presidency, and the Tanzanians who hoped she would be a burst of fresh air, a midwife of many dreams, but it might also be a betrayal of the person she was, or presented as.

Africa’s landscape is dotted with such betrayals, where leaders abuse the oaths they swore to their people, change constitutions to advance their personal interests and perpetuate themselves in power, loot their country dry, and crack down on the dissenting voices that helped them to power.

We have often seen how leaders and politicians respond to betrayal or hints of it-President Tinubu, for instance, responded with a sack of his military chiefs and is poised for a purge of the military, as most leaders in his position would do. But when leaders betray the people, the result is often a haunting hopelessness. This is mostly because the hope of the people is often vested in the leaders who sell them out to advance their personal interests and leave them with nothing. All sorts of betrayals hurt, but the one Africans are often subjected to by their leaders cuts differently. It cuts deeper.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has apologised to supporters for his reaction to being substituted in Sunday’s fiery El Clasico win against Barcelona.

The Brazilian was taken off in the 72nd minute and expressed his frustration by going straight down the tunnel.

Vinicius later returned to the bench and, after his side’s 2-1 win, tried to confront Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal during unsavoury post-match scenes.

‘Today I want to apologise to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clasico,’ he posted on X.

When Vinicius was substituted on Sunday, cameras from broadcaster Dazn picked him up saying: ‘Always me! I’m leaving the team! It’s better if I leave, I’m leaving.’

The alleged humiliation of teachers at the Government Day Secondary School, Amule, Ilorin, by Professor Raheem Adaramaja, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, has sparked outrage.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday during an inspection visit to the school.

It was reported that the SUBEB boss accused the teachers of maintaining an untidy environment and ordered them to sweep the compound, including the Vice Principal’s area.

Explanations by the teachers that students had just returned from their break when the chairman arrived were reportedly ignored.

The incident went viral across social media platforms and has been widely discussed among teachers in the state.

A teacher who spoke with Daily Trust in confidence on Wednesday, said many of her colleagues viewed the action as degrading and undignified.

She said it was troubling that the SUBEB boss, a former teacher, would reduce his colleagues to such a low level in the presence of their students.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also condemned the incident.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party said it was deeply outraged that a professor could subject teachers to such humiliation.

It described the alleged incident as a public disgrace and a gross abuse of office.

The PDP called on the governor to sanction Adaramaja and urged the Nigeria Union of Teachers to rise in defence of its members to ensure the dignity of teachers was not trampled upon by government officials.

The NUT Chairman, Ilorin East Branch, Comrade Saka Saafi Adanla, in a statement, condemned the act and described it as totally unacceptable.

‘The humiliation and disrespect meted out to our members by the SUBEB Chairman is unacceptable. Teachers are not janitors. We demand an immediate apology from Professor Adaramaja,’ Adanla said.

However, a senior SUBEB staff member who spoke anonymously said the opposition party was twisting facts for political gain.

He said officials from the Universal Basic Education Commission in Abuja were on a monitoring visit alongside the SUBEB team when the incident happened.

According to him, Professor Adaramaja also joined in picking up the littered papers as a show of leadership by example.

Speaking on the issue, Professor Adaramaja dismissed the opposition party’s position and accused it of propaganda.

‘What happened at GDSS Amule was a simple reminder that teachers must lead by example in instilling discipline among students, not an act of humiliation,’ he said.

He emphasised that his actions have always been guided by a sense of responsibility and service rather than pride or abuse of authority.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Wednesday night, the state NUT Chairman, Yusuf Wahab Agboola, said the union has waded into the matter.

‘We visited the school today to find out what really happened. We are forging ahead with other aspects of our findings, including a scheduled meeting with the SUBEB Chairman and the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development.

‘So, it is when we have all the details, because we are also hearing some denial from the part of the board, that we will know the next appropriate action to take,’ he said.

The National Agriculture Development Fund (NADF) and the Jigawa State government have jointly launched an initiative to develop the first-ever sub-national agricultural lending de-risking framework in the country.

The initiative aims to unlock private sector financing, boost smallholder access to credit, and drive food self-sufficiency, according to a statement from NADF.

The ‘Jigawa State Agricultural Lending De-Risking Model’ marks a critical step toward improving access to finance for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses through innovative, state-led financial risk management mechanisms.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the initiative represents a bold, practical approach to overcoming long-standing barriers that have constrained agricultural lending in Nigeria.

‘Persistent barriers to access to finance for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses cannot be overemphasized. If state-led mechanisms like this are put in place, those barriers can be easily surmounted. National-level financing bodies like ours have done well, but a bottom-up approach led by state governments, tailored to their peculiarities, will have greater impact,’ Ibrahim stated.

The Director General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), Dr. Saifullahi Umar, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to driving agricultural transformation through innovation, private sector inclusion, and strategic partnerships.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) yesterday released data for global air cargo markets in September 2025, showing continued momentum in the sector despite evolving global trade patterns and policy headwinds.

According to the data, African airlines saw a 14.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in September, the strongest rise of all regions while capacity increased by 7.4% year-on-year.

Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 2.9% year-on-year compared to September 2024, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth. International operations rose by 3.2%. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), also grew by 3.0% year-on-year (+4.4% for international operations).

‘Air cargo demand grew 2.9% year-on-year in September, marking the seventh consecutive month of overall growth.

Buried in that growth is a significant alteration of trade patterns as US tariff policies, including the ending of de minimis exemptions, kick in.

On one side of the equation, a decline in North America-Asia demand has set in over the last five months.

But this has been more than compensated for with strong growth within Asia and on routes linking Asia to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. While many had feared an unwinding of global trade, we are instead seeing air cargo adapting successfully to serve shifting market demands,’ said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Several macroeconomic and operational factors influenced performance in September, according to the data.

It said global goods trade grew by 3.7% year-on-year in August while jet fuel prices rose 5.4% month-on-month despite lower crude oil prices, driven by a tighter diesel market that doubled the crack spread compared to a year earlier.

Manufacturing sentiment strengthened globally, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising for the second consecutive month to 51.3.

New export orders improved slightly to 49.6, remaining below the 50-point expansion threshold, reflecting ongoing caution amid trade policy uncertainty.

.Expert explains rise in air cargo

Speaking with our correspondent, an aviation analyst and cargo player, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick said if there is a strong demand, it means the volume has increased.

He stated that this could be as a result of the fast coming holiday season, saying, ‘Since COVID, most cargo operators boycotted Africa because Africa didn’t have the money.’

He lamented however that most freighters (cargo aircraft) coming to Africa especially from China return empty.

The stage is set for the Niger State local government elections scheduled for Saturday, November 1, with insecurity and internal wrangling within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) expected to play decisive roles in shaping the outcome across the 25 local councils.

According to the Chairman of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Engr. Mohammed Jibril Imam, 10 political parties are fielding a total of 805 candidates for chairmanship, vice chairmanship, and councillorship positions.

Imam disclosed that the APC has presented 25 candidates each for chairmanship and vice chairmanship, along with 274 councillorship aspirants. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) follows with 23 candidates for chairmanship, 21 for vice chairmanship, and 233 councillorship hopefuls.

Other parties in the race include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with 16 candidates each for chairmanship and vice chairmanship and 144 councillorship contestants, while the Labour Party (LP) has five chairmanship and four vice chairmanship candidates, as well as 12 councillorship contenders. The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) fielded two councillorship candidates, while smaller parties such as the Booth Party (BP), Action People’s Party (APP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Action Alliance (AA), and Accord Party each presented one councillor.

The NSIEC chairman explained that although the law requires every chairmanship candidate to have a running mate, the commission had relaxed the rule to ensure inclusivity. He also said arrangements had been made to enable internally displaced persons (IDPs) to vote in the election, urging political actors to prioritise issue-based campaigns over propaganda.

Imam noted that ongoing court cases arising from disputed party primaries would not stop the commission from conducting the poll as scheduled.

Insecurity threatens voter turnout

Despite assurances of security, fears persist that thousands of voters in several councils may be unable to participate due to rising bandit attacks. Communities in Mariga, Kontagora, Borgu, Rijau, Magama and Mashegu LGAs have witnessed renewed violence, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

A resident of Magama told Daily Trust that ‘many of our people have continued to run away because of the attacks,’ adding that some polling units may remain deserted on election day.

The NSIEC chairman has, however, insisted that security agencies have been mobilised to ensure that residents in conflict-affected areas can exercise their franchise.

Feud over consensus in APC remains key

Beyond the security challenge, the APC is still battling internal divisions triggered by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s insistence on adopting consensus candidacy for the polls. While party leaders argued that the move would promote unity and prevent internal crises, several aspirants and stakeholders condemned it as undemocratic, warning that it could undermine grassroots participation, just months after the Supreme Court affirmed financial autonomy for local councils.

Aggrieved members accused party power brokers of hijacking the process and imposing loyalists as candidates. Allegations also surfaced that some aspirants paid to make the ‘consensus list’.

The fallout has been most visible in Paikoro and Mokwa LGAs, where party unity has fractured.

In Paikoro, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Aloma sued the incumbent chairman, Aminu Umar Yadayi, alongside the APC and NSIEC, over his exclusion from the consensus arrangement. On July 25, Justice Abdullahi Mikailu of the Niger State High Court ruled in Aloma’s favour, declaring him the valid consensus candidate and ordering the withdrawal of Yadayi’s certificate of return. But the defendant’s refusal to comply prompted the court to issue a contempt notice threatening imprisonment for disobedience of court orders.

Party loyalists say the lingering tension could fuel anti-party activities during Saturday’s polls.

In Mokwa, the crisis has taken a more dramatic turn. Angry residents reportedly set brooms, the APC symbol, on fire in Muwo town this week, pledging support for the PDP candidate, Usman Alhaji Gumba Muwo. Earlier in April, protesters had taken to the streets to oppose the selection of the incumbent chairman, Jibril Abdullahi Muregi, as the APC’s consensus flagbearer.

‘If our choice is not respected, we will work against the party,’ one protester told Daily Trust. ‘We have a zoning arrangement that the governor has ignored, and this is causing an unnecessary crisis.’

The controversy deepened after the arrest of Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a student union leader from Mokwa LGA, who criticised Governor Bago over the handling of the local flood disaster. His arrest, allegedly at the instance of the incumbent chairman, sparked outrage and renewed debate about the APC’s handling of dissent ahead of the elections.

Isah, a master’s student at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, was charged with cyberbullying, inciting disturbance, and defamation under the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2024 and the Niger State Penal Code. Analysts described the arrest as a misstep that could further alienate voters.

Tight contest in Gurara

In Gurara LGA, the race is expected to be closely fought between Jonah Ishaya of the APC and Attahiru Musa Abuja of the SDP.

‘It may be hard for the SDP candidate to win because of the incumbency factor,’ said a resident of Lambata, Mohammed Halilu. ‘But he enjoys strong grassroots support, and several SDP councillorship candidates are also popular. We’ll have to wait for the outcome.’

Meanwhile, as preparations reach the final stage, Governor Bago has declared Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, as public holidays to allow citizens to participate in the exercise. Essential workers, including hospital, bank and security staff, are exempted.

Encouraging voters to come out en masse, Bago said the peaceful conduct of the election was crucial to Niger State’s progress.

The 2025 Kaduna international polo tournament that celebrated the 30th year anniversary of Georgian Cup kings, EL-Amin and the rich heritage of Nigerian polo came to a flourishing climax on Sunday, with EL-Amin, Kangimi Resort, Kano Pop-cola and the Nigerian Army teams emerging major champions.

Georgian Cup kings, EL-Amin took their Nigerian high-goal polo dominance to a news height, handing their city rivals, Kaduna Makarfi a thumping defeat to clinch their 16th Georgian Cup title, while Kangimi Resort team edged two opponents to win their first Emir of Katsina Cup.

Visiting Kano Pop- Cola team ran an impressive campaign defeating a crowded field of eight ambitious oppositions to cart home the Imani Cup, their first major Kaduna polo laurel, just as the Nigerian Army polo team rampage through a battery of 20 turbo charged rivals, to retain the EL- Amin Cup.

Revered as the biggest polo fiesta in the north, the prestigious polo extravaganza noted for its rivalry, Competition and exceptional atmosphere, was also highlighted by the debuting Clear Water Youth Challenge Cup series that threw up promising youngsters whose display of skills throughout the event was highly applauded.

Polo Royals also noted that at the end of the international decided over eight days top class matches at the jammed -packed Murtala Square, four youngsters, Nabil Ibrahim Abba, Malik Ibrahim, Nasif Abba and Abba Abdukadri emerge champions of the Clear Water to prize.

Other top winners include the duo of Khalil Babangida and Marwan Bago who led their team to clinch the inaugural BUA Cup, while Kashim Buka and Abubakar Atiku Saleh also enjoyed Podium celebration after powering their team to victory in the General Hassan Katsina Cup.

Elated Kaduna Polo Club President and patron of the all-conquering EL-Amin team who thanked all the participating teams, sponsors and dignitaries for making the 2025 Kaduna polo festival such an exciting and memorable event, lauded all the winners of the event.

‘We want to thank the Almighty for his grace and our teeming supporters who always urge us on to victories particularly this year to win back the Georgian Cup for the 16th time which is the longest winning run by any team in the history of the Georgian Cup series’ Babangida added in a chat with the media during the closing ceremony in Kaduna on Sunday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will on Friday know whether it can proceed with its planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16, as the Federal High Court in Abuja delivers judgment in a suit seeking to halt the exercise.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after hearing final arguments in the case filed by three PDP officials: Austine Nwachukwu, Imo State chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia State chairman; and Turnah George, the party’s South-South secretary.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The plaintiffs, believed to be allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a vocal critic of the convention, are asking the court to stop the event, arguing that the party failed to comply with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act in the build-up to the convention.

Their lawyer told the court that ‘no congress was conducted in 14 states,’ insisting that the issue before the court is whether the defendants violated the law and that it cannot be dismissed as an internal party matter.

The PDP, however, maintained that the suit concerns its internal affairs and therefore falls outside the jurisdiction of the court. The party said the claimants were attempting to destabilise preparations for a legitimate leadership transition process.

The case is seen as a major test of unity within the opposition party, which has been struggling to reconcile warring factions ahead of 2027.

Daily Trust reports that the convention controversy is compounded by other internal and legal challenges.

The party’s embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, also an ally of Wike, recently petitioned security agencies, alleging that his signature was forged on documents sent to INEC notifying it of the convention. The PDP’s NWC and Board of Trustees (BoT) have dismissed the allegation as baseless.

In a separate case, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido has approached the court to challenge his alleged disqualification from purchasing the chairmanship nomination form, a move he described as an attempt to exclude genuine contestants.

Meanwhile, the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) has indefinitely postponed the screening of aspirants initially scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, a development many observers believe is linked to the party’s decision to await Friday’s court judgment before proceeding with further preparations.

The police high command, on Wednesday, sought the support of Media Trust Group, publishers of Daily Trust Newspapers and Aminiya, owners of Trust TV and Trust Radio, in its bid to tackle the country’s security challenge.

The Force appealed to the media not to create fears among residents with their reportage, while also soliciting Nigerians’ support to report suspicious movement to police officers.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force spokesman, who stated this at the corporate headquarters of Media Trust Group, Abuja, during a courtesy visit, said efforts are being made to ensure that every part of the country is safe.

‘The IGP conveyed his sincere greetings to the management of Media Trust Group. He also said I should appeal that we should not create fears in the minds of Nigerians through our news reports, though Daily Trust has not been found wanting before,’ Hundeyin, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said.

On his part, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Malam Ahmed Shekarau, lauded the appointment of Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer.

Shekarau, who was represented by the Deputy Editorial Director, Hamza Idris, said the appointment of Hundeyin was well deserved.

He, however, appealed to the police spokesman to ensure that his doors are opened for the free flow of information, which Nigerians would like to know.

Borno has begun exporting plastic products manufactured locally, according to Governor Babagana Zulum.

The governor said this while inspecting the plastic industry, on Thursday.

The factory, which now operates at full capacity, produces a wide range of items, including plastic chairs, tables, basins, buckets, pipes and other plastic materials.

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The governor said the export would wean the state off over-dependence on monthly federal allocation and create several opportunities to people in the state.

‘I am happy to note that people from Borno State will no longer procure plastic materials from other places. You have seen that the products have been sold to our neighbouring countries and other states within Nigeria.’

‘We will invest more in our industries, so that in the near future, Borno State Government will no longer rely on the Federation Account for its day-to-day activities,’ Zulum said.

The governor revealed that the factory received international order, with finished plastic wares already exported to neighbouring countries such as Chad and the Republic of Cameroon.

Zulum noted that the facility was constructed during the administration of former Governor Kashim Shettima, but was resuscitated as part of his administration’s recovery and development plan.

Governor Zulum further explained that to ensure its sustainability and commercial viability, the government transitioned the factory to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with Tatabe Global Services now managing the day-to-day operations, production, and marketing, while the state government provides oversight and a conducive business environment.

Zulum was accompanied by the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, as well as principal officers of the House of Assembly and other top government officials.