Category: PM News

For more than two decades, Nigerians have gone to the polls with one simple expectation: that their votes will determine who leads them and that, once the ballots are counted, the matter will end there. Yet, too often, the announcement of election results has only marked the beginning of another battle – petitions, tribunals and prolonged arguments over whether the declared result truly reflected the will of the people. The ballot box has repeatedly produced a winner, only for the courts to be called upon to determine whether that victory should stand.

Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has conducted seven general electoral cycles, but concerns about credibility, fairness, manipulation, vote-buying, violence, logistics and the conduct of electoral officials have remained familiar features of our political experience. The 2007 general elections, in particular, left a deep scar on public confidence, amid widespread allegations of irregularities and premature declaration of results.

That history makes the recent record of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the off-cycle governorship elections particularly significant. The elections in Anambra in 2025, Ekiti in June 2026 and Osun in August 2026 have given the Commission an opportunity to demonstrate that careful planning, technology, stakeholder engagement, stronger logistics and professional election management can restore confidence in the electoral process.

INEC deserves recognition for these improvements, not because every challenge has suddenly disappeared, but because the Commission has shown that lessons from previous elections can be applied to improve the way future elections are conducted. The three off-cycle elections have offered useful evidence of what is possible when preparation begins early and election management is approached as a serious national responsibility.

The Anambra governorship election was the first major test of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, barely weeks after he assumed office as INEC Chairman. The Commission approached the election with considerable preparation, undertaking stakeholder engagement and pre-election assessments while testing its election technology and strengthening its operational arrangements.

The scale of the preparation was significant. INEC planned for 5,718 polling units, more than 24,000 trained ad hoc personnel, 6,879 tested and configured BVAS devices, over 3,000 vehicles and 83 boats for difficult terrain. A Situation Room was also established in Abuja to monitor field operations and respond quickly to emerging challenges, while four National Commissioners and ten Resident Electoral Commissioners were deployed to strengthen supervision.

The Commission also extended PVC collection, raising the collection rate to 98.80 per cent, while making provisions for voters living with disabilities through sign-language interpreters. These may appear to be administrative details, but they matter. Election credibility is built not only through the counting of votes, but also through the ability of eligible citizens to participate without unnecessary barriers.

The Ekiti election demonstrated another important element: preparation well ahead of election day. INEC finalised a legally verified register of 1,059,360 registered voters and engaged political parties, the media, civil society, security agencies and traditional institutions before the poll.

The signing of a Peace Accord also helped establish a common commitment to non-violence. More importantly, security planning was treated as an integral part of the election rather than something to be addressed when voting was already underway. Observers subsequently described the election as generally peaceful, although concerns such as vote-buying, isolated violence and some operational shortcomings were also identified.

That balance is important. INEC should be commended for what worked while remaining willing to acknowledge what did not. No election is beyond criticism, and an electoral commission earns public trust not by pretending that everything went perfectly, but by identifying weaknesses and fixing them before the next election.

The Osun governorship election has perhaps produced the most striking development so far. Following the 15 August 2026 poll, the statutory 21-day period for filing election petitions expired without any of the defeated candidates or political parties filing a petition challenging the result. Reports from the election tribunal confirmed that no petition had been received within the prescribed period.

That does not, by itself, mean that the election was flawless, nor should the absence of litigation become the only measure of electoral credibility. But in a country where post-election litigation has become almost routine, the fact that no petition was filed is certainly significant. It suggests that the process did not produce the kind of immediate and widespread dispute that has often followed Nigerian elections.

Having recorded these gains from the off-cycle elections, the real challenge before Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, and the Commission is now the 2027 general election.

The three elections have provided INEC with valuable lessons, but the 2027 general election will be a far greater test. A governorship election in one state cannot be compared in scale with a nationwide exercise involving the Presidency, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

The Commission must therefore preserve what has worked and confront what has not.

Logistics must remain a priority. Election materials and personnel must arrive early enough to ensure that polling units open on time. Delayed deployment creates frustration, discourages voters and creates room for suspicion. The experience in Anambra, where thousands of vehicles and boats were deployed as part of the transportation plan, demonstrates why logistics must be treated as a central component of electoral credibility.

Technology must also be backed by proper preparation and credible contingency plans. The inability to transmit results effectively during the 2023 presidential election, amid reported network-related difficulties, damaged public confidence in the process. BVAS and electronic result transmission can strengthen transparency, but only when the equipment is properly configured, tested, powered and supported by adequately trained personnel. INEC should continue stress-testing its systems and ensure that genuine technical difficulties do not become excuses for delays or uncertainty.

The voter register must also remain clean and trusted. Continuous voter registration and the planned revalidation exercise will be important ahead of 2027. A credible election begins with a credible register, and every effort must be made to eliminate multiple registrations, ineligible names and other weaknesses that can undermine confidence.

Security agencies, too, have a major role to play. Their professionalism and political neutrality are essential. Voters must be able to approach polling units without intimidation, while electoral officials and materials must receive adequate protection. INEC should continue strengthening coordination with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

Political parties, candidates, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media, youth groups and persons with disabilities must equally remain part of the conversation. Early engagement is far better than explanations after problems have occurred. Political parties must also be encouraged to train their agents properly and to pursue genuine grievances through lawful channels rather than resorting to violence or misinformation.

Results management will be another critical test. There have been cases of alleged result falsification, mutilation of result sheets and other irregularities in previous elections. As the country approaches 2027, results must be communicated clearly, promptly and transparently. The more confidence citizens have in figures emerging from polling units and collation centres, the less space there will be for speculation, misinformation and unnecessary tension.

The work ahead is enormous, but the recent elections provide genuine reason for cautious optimism. Anambra demonstrated what detailed preparation and operational discipline can achieve. Ekiti showed the value of consultation, peacebuilding and coordinated security planning. Osun has produced a particularly unusual post-election development in Nigeria, with no petition filed within the statutory 21-day window.

INEC deserves credit for these gains, and Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, deserves particular commendation for the leadership he has brought to the Commission during this period. His early record suggests a willingness to listen, prepare, engage stakeholders and insist on a more disciplined approach to election management. The best way to honour that progress, however, is not through praise alone but by challenging the Commission to sustain it.

The 2027 elections will require consistency, independence, transparency, reliable technology, professional personnel, effective logistics and, above all, the courage to resist every attempt to compromise the will of the voter.

The goal should be straightforward: when Nigerians cast their votes in 2027, they should not have to wonder whether those votes will count. When the ballots are counted, the result should be credible enough for the winner to accept responsibility and the loser to accept defeat, with the courts available for genuine grievances rather than becoming an expected second stage of every election.

That is the democracy Nigerians have been waiting for since 1999. If Professor Amupitan can sustain the discipline, transparency and professionalism witnessed in these off-cycle elections, 2027 could become an important turning point in Nigeria’s long search for elections that are decided by the people, through the ballot, and not by the courtroom.

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, knew Peter Obi was a ‘packaged fraud’ before becoming his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

Sowore made the allegation while reacting to comments attributed to Datti, where he reportedly stated that Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political figures could not provide the solutions Nigeria needs.

In a post shared on his X handle, Sowore claimed that Datti had firsthand knowledge of Obi’s political background and character during their time together on the Labour Party presidential ticket.

‘He knew Peter Obi, whom he deputised, was a packaged fraud. That needs no repeating, he just revealed what he knew up close,’ Sowore wrote.

The AAC candidate also revisited the 2023 presidential election Peace Accord ceremony, claiming he sat beside Datti during the event and observed his interaction with President Bola Tinubu.

Sowore alleged that he had raised concerns about the relationship between Obi, Datti and Tinubu at the time, but his comments were dismissed by supporters of the Labour Party candidate.

He said those who criticised him during the 2023 election period now had a better understanding of the situation, urging Nigerians to carefully evaluate political choices ahead of the 2027 general election.

At least 18 people have been killed and 12 others abducted in separate attacks on communities in Adamawa and Sokoto states, with suspected Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits unleashing violence on residents in the early hours of Monday.

In Adamawa State, 11 people were reportedly killed when suspected Boko Haram insurgents invaded Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area, shooting residents and setting houses ablaze.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Monday, forcing residents to flee into surrounding forests, while several others remained missing.

A resident, who spoke by telephone with The Punch, but requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists, said 11 bodies had been recovered.

‘For now, 11 dead bodies have been recovered. Many people are still missing. Search teams and security personnel are in the forest searching for the missing people,’ he said.

Another resident said his wife and two other members of his family were among those killed in the attack.

‘My wife and two of my family members were also killed during the early morning invasion of my village,’ he said.

The attackers were also said to have set houses ablaze during the assault, although the extent of the destruction could not immediately be established.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Adamawa State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, did not respond to several calls placed to his telephone seeking confirmation.

Meanwhile, in Sokoto State, at least seven people were killed and 12 others abducted when armed bandits invaded Tofa village in Rabah Local Government Area.

The attack reportedly occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday, with the bandits operating in large numbers and opening sporadic fire on residents.

A security source told Daily Trust that the attackers operated for about four hours and also rustled an undisclosed number of animals.

‘They killed seven persons including two women and abducted several others,’ the source said.

The seven people killed were identified as Malam Muhammadu, Danbakanike, Musa Dan Agaji, Masaudu Basiru, Buba Biti, Yar Kuluwa Basiru and Jamila Umma.

The 12 abducted victims were identified as Shafiu Bello, Bilyaminu Abubakar, Saifullahi Buhari, Hauwau Zayyanu, Saratu Ibrahim, Safiyya Nasi, Zulaiha Aminu, Bilya Abu, Farida Lawali, Yar Kadan Aminu, Kulu Amadu and another victim.

The bandits reportedly released 10 other victims while returning to their hideout.

Those released were identified as Hadiza Kabiru, Amina Abu, Jiborin Buhari, Babangida Buhari, Fati Abdullahi, Abdurrazak Muhammad, Usman Umar, Nanuwa Aminu, Maryam Isah and Aisha Ummaru.

The security source further disclosed that the attackers abducted two other people during separate incidents, including Sani Gayya, popularly known as Magatakarda Saburu, who was reportedly kidnapped while working on his farm in nearby Saburu village.

The two attacks have further heightened security concerns in the affected communities, with search efforts continuing in Adamawa for missing residents and the fate of those abducted in Sokoto remaining a major concern.

The reported incidents underline the continuing threat posed by insurgents and armed bandits to rural communities, particularly where residents remain vulnerable to attacks during the night and early morning hours.

President Bola Tinubu has authorised the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, directing the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and 12 Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) to fast-track the process.

Oyetola said the directive was aimed at ending more than 20 years of delays in accessing the fund and unlocking investment, growth and job opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The minister said this in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola. He said NIMASA had received 92 funding applications under the CVFF, adding that 20 had been submitted to the PLIs, while one had been reviewed and forwarded for final approval.

Oyetola said the move to operationalise the CVFF marked a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen indigenous participation in coastal and offshore shipping.

He recalled that in April 2025, he directed NIMASA to begin the disbursement of the fund, ending years of administrative stagnation and paving the way for the repositioning of Nigeria’s indigenous shipping capacity.

He said the momentum continued with the launch of the CVFF Application Portal in Lagos on Jan. 22, to provide transparent and structured access to eligible shipowners.

According to him, the number of PLIs was subsequently increased from five to 12 to expand access and reduce bottlenecks in loan processing.

The minister said the CVFF had accumulated for more than two decades without being accessed and was designed to provide low-interest, long-term financing for vessel acquisition.

He said the fund would enable Nigerian shipowners to compete for coastal shipping contracts, reduce dependence on foreign vessels and retain more value within the Nigerian economy.

Oyetola projected that the initiative could generate more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in shipyards, marine engineering firms and maritime logistics companies across the country.

He said the disbursement followed President Tinubu’s authorisation to address long-standing financing challenges and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.

Beyond financing, Oyetola said the ministry was also investing in seafarer development through NIMASA by expanding training, certification and welfare initiatives for maritime professionals.

He disclosed that 222 seafarers had received free training in basic and advanced courses, while 333 cadets had completed academic training and been awarded degrees.

‘Under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, 135 cadets successfully completed the programme and obtained Certificates of Competency,’ he said.

Oyetola added that 7,059 Nigerian seafarers had been placed onboard vessels to gain the required sea-time experience for career progression.

He said the interventions reflected the government’s commitment to building a competitive maritime workforce and ensuring that Nigerians benefited directly from opportunities in the blue economy.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that United States President Donald Trump supports his plan to restore fuel subsidy in Nigeria.

Atiku made the claim on Sunday while explaining his plan to reintroduce fuel subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.

His spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Atiku boasts of stakeholders, Trump support on fuel subsidy.’

Atiku said his proposed policy would focus on supporting local production and refining while ensuring that Nigerians benefit from lower fuel prices.

He said, ‘This is why my Production Subsidy is about putting money back into people’s pockets. Support what we produce and refine here, increase supply, monitor the price and make sure Nigerians feel the benefit at the pump.

‘CORAN is saying support domestic production. America understands the importance of supporting strategic energy production.

‘Yet Tinubu attacks relief for ordinary Nigerians while his government understands perfectly well how to grant waivers, incentives and concessions to multinational oil companies and businesses close to his administration.

‘So why does intervention suddenly become bad economics when ordinary Nigerians are meant to benefit?’

Atiku has repeatedly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy has increased the cost of living and placed additional pressure on Nigerians.

He has promised to introduce what he calls a ‘Production Subsidy’ to support local refining and reduce the burden of high fuel prices on citizens if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Behind the controversy trailing the proposed amendment of the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court Law, 2015, is a policy question that goes beyond the proposed extension of the retirement age of Law Officers from 60 to 65 years like the Magistrates

Findings show that the proposal is linked to a broader policy of harmonising the conditions of service of Law Officers in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice with those applicable to Magistrates in the Judiciary, a policy that had already received government approval and partial implementation.

The discovery raises a fundamental question: Is the proposed five-year extension a new privilege for Law Officers, or the completion of a policy already approved and being implemented by the Lagos State Government? Documents and the history of the policy indicate that the latter provides the stronger explanation.

The Harmonization Policy in Lagos State received approval in October 2021. Implementation subsequently commenced, with State Counsel receiving Security and Insurance Allowances like the Magistrates and were expecting Responsibility Allowance.

The significance of the harmonization cannot be overstated. It means that the principle of parity between State Counsel and Magistrates was not conceived for the current amendment of the Magistrates Law. The state government had already accepted the policy and commenced implementation. What is before the House of Assembly is therefore substantially a question of how to complete and institutionalise the harmonization arrangement which includes the retirement age of Magistrates and Law Officers.

The history leading to the current amendment of the Magistrates Law dates back to 2023, when the retirement age of High Court Judges was increased from 65 to 70 years pursuant to a constitutional amendment.

Although the amendment was intended to extend the judicial careers of serving High Court Judges, it inadvertently created a significant institutional consequence for Chief Magistrates and Law Officers in the Ministry, whose statutory retirement age remained 60 years.

Under the previous regime, the retirement of High Court Judges at 65 years was expected to create vacancies which could, in the ordinary course, be filled by suitably qualified and experienced Chief Magistrates and Directors of Law.

The extension of the retirement age of High Court Judges from 65 to 70 years, however, substantially reduced the number of vacancies available on the High Court Bench. Consequently, experienced Chief Magistrates and Directors of Law who would otherwise have been considered for appointment to the High Court were compelled to retire upon attaining the age of 60 years, despite having acquired the requisite experience, competence and institutional knowledge for elevation to the Bench.

The amendment to the Magistrates Law is therefore intended, among other things, to address this unintended consequence and to ensure that the legal and judicial system continues to benefit from the experience and expertise of senior judicial officers and Law Officers, while maintaining an appropriate and sustainable career progression structure within the justice sector.

Those who have backed the proposal include Evans Ufordi, Monday Akasike, Maxwell Udoh and Bamidele Babatunde, who advanced different arguments in support of the proposed extension.

For Akasike, the history of the policy is crucial to understanding the current amendment.

‘This is not a policy that started with the present amendment. The government had already approved the harmonisation and implementation had commenced. What is before the Assembly is essentially about giving the policy the necessary legal backing,’ he said.

Ufeli argued that the state stands to benefit from retaining experienced Chief Magistrates Law Officers, for the Bench

According to him,’The state cannot afford to lose experienced lawyers overnight when they have spent decades acquiring knowledge of government litigation, policies, legislation and transactions. That institutional knowledge has value and should be preserved where the officer is still capable and useful.’

Udoh, drew attention to the fact that Lagos would not be creating an entirely new system if the amendment is passed.

He opinned, ‘The idea of harmonising the conditions of service of Law Officers with those of Magistrates is not peculiar to Lagos. Other states have adopted similar legislative frameworks, which shows that there is already a precedent for the policy.’

Babatunde argued that concerns over younger officers could be addressed through proper succession planning

The controversy appears to have been fuelled partly by the description of the proposal as a special five-year extension for lawyers in the Ministry of Justice. But the underlying policy is broader.

Law Officers are not seeking to become Magistrates, nor are they claiming to perform identical functions. Magistrates exercise judicial powers. State Counsels, on the other hand, perform executive legal functions that are indispensable to the administration of justice. The distinction between the two cadres is therefore clear. So is their interdependence.

Rejecting harmonisation within the justice sector simply because other professionals in the Public Service will not benefit will amount to throwing out dirty water with the baby. This is a policy already recognised and implemented in other part of Nigeria

Abia State enacted the Law Officers Harmonization with Magistrates Law, 2008, providing for the salaries and conditions of service of Law Officers to correspond with those of Magistrates in equivalent posts.

Kogi State has also legislated on harmonisation of the conditions of service of Law Officers with Magistrates and specified judicial offices.

Benue State operates under its Legal Officers (Harmonization of Conditions of Service with Magistrates, etc.) Law, while Imo State has a similar legal framework. Kwara State has also operated harmonisation arrangements involving Law Officers and Magistrates. The principle is therefore neither unique to Lagos nor without legislative precedent.

Why the Magistrates’ Law?

The most serious institutional question concerns the vehicle for the proposed amendment. Why should conditions of service for Law Officers be dealt with through an amendment to the Magistrates’ Court Law?

At first glance, the objection appears logical because Law Officers belong to the Ministry of Justice, while Teenage boy dies after pulling trigger of loaded gun in Bauchi

But the legislative connection becomes clearer when the purpose of the amendment is understood.

The Magistrates’ conditions of service provide the benchmark against which corresponding Law Officer benefits are being harmonised. The Assembly can, however, address concerns about the drafting of the amendment.

Fire has gutted a residential building near Mopol Base Junction, along Old Amansea-Awka Road, Anambra State, razing a duplex containing a boys’ quarters apartment, household furniture and a shuttle bus parked within the compound.

It was gathered that the fire, which started in one of the apartments at about 6pm on Saturday, quickly spread to adjoining apartments before engulfing the vehicle.

The blaze, which caused damage running into several millions of naira, was brought under control and prevented from spreading to adjoining properties through the intervention of the state fire service.

No life was lost in the incident. It was gathered that the fire was caused by a power surge, causing panic as residents struggled to salvage their belongings from the flames.

In a press statement confirming the incident on Sunday, the Head of the Media and Publicity Unit, Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said the fire service swiftly mobilised its personnel and firefighting equipment to the scene after receiving the distress call at about 6:30pm on Saturday.

Chiketa said, ‘The Anambra State Fire Service has successfully contained a fire outbreak at Mopol Base Junction, along Old Amansea-Awka Road, Anambra State.

‘The emergency call was received at about 1830 hours of Saturday, September 5, 2026, reporting a fire outbreak at the location.

‘Immediately, the Fire Service swiftly mobilised its personnel and fire-fighting equipment to the scene.

‘On arrival, the firefighters commenced aggressive containment and extinguishing operations to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to adjoining properties.

‘The fire involved a duplex building containing a boys’ quarters apartment, with a shuttle bus parked within the compound.’

According to him, through the timely intervention of the firefighters, the fire was successfully contained and extinguished before it could spread further.

The management and staff of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN have been thrown into mourning following the killing of the institution’s bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, while returning in Gusau, Zamfara State.

Marafa was shot dead early today, Sunday, 6th September 2026 while returning from Gusau, Oladipo Adetayo Ajayi, Registrar and Secretary to Council NOUN said in statement while announcing the tragic incident on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of the University.

The University, in the statement described Marafa as a dedicated and committed staff member who served the institution meritoriously and occupied various positions of responsibility and authority during his career.

According to the statement, the deceased was appointed Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria in September 2026, a position which, the institution said, he assumed with a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the University.

‘His sudden demise is a profound loss to the University community. The entire University community mourns the passing of a distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family,’ NOUN said

In the statement, the University extended its deepest condolences to the immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and all those mourning the loss of Marafa

It also prayed that the Almighty Allah will grant the family and the entire University community the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

NOUN added that further information concerning the burial arrangements of the late bursar will be communicated as soon as details are released by the family.

‘May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, colleagues and the entire University community the strength to bear this painful loss,’ NOUN management concluded in the statement.

As defence minister Christopher Musa’s views in a recent interview continue to generate public interest, Mr Victor Bobai, media aide to Kaduna governor Uba Sani, has cautioned against criticisms that could distract him.

Bobai told newsmen on Sunday in Abuja that the minister should be allowed to focus on the ‘all-important task of tackling insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes plaguing the nation’.

Musa, in the recent television interview, spoke on various issues including politics, security and the 2027 elections. He commended efforts by Gov. Uba Sani to restore peace, mutual respect, friendship and love across all lines in Kaduna State.

He said that Sani’s efforts were a sharp contrast to his predecessor’s actions that polarised the state along various divides.

The minister’s views have generated various reactions with some describing them as ‘frank, truthful and forthright’, while others felt otherwise.

But Bobai, while acknowledging Nigerians’ right to hold their individual opinions on every issue, said that the minister’s frank response to newsmen’s questions only reflected his readiness to speak openly about sensitive issues, particularly those relating to security and governance.

Bobai, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Governor, urged Nigerians to encourage Musa to remain focused on his professional responsibilities.

‘We are happy standing with someone who has considered truth as his shield and honour. We must encourage him to stay focused on his professional career as he is winning the war against insecurity in the country.’

According to him, the minister’s views were purely personal.

‘The thoughts he expressed were just his opinion. Nigerians should distinguish between the authority attached to a military office and the personal or political views expressed by a retired military officer serving in a civilian administration. We must distinguish between an official directive and a political opinion. Musa did not issue a military order, announce a defence policy or instruct the Armed Forces to support any political party,’ Bobai explained.

Bobai also cautioned against reducing Musa’s decades of military service to a single television interview.

He described Musa’s career, including his service in the North-East, his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff and his subsequent appointment as Minister of Defence, as a continuation of national service.

‘This is a man whose professional life was built around the Nigerian flag before any political party became relevant to his present position,’ he said.

According to Bobai, Nigeria should be able to accommodate experienced voices without compromising democratic accountability.

‘Nigeria cannot simultaneously demand experienced leadership and then punish experienced people whenever they speak honestly about difficult realities,’ he said.

Bobai also reacted to questions about neutrality and the responsibility of a defence minister when commenting on politically sensitive matters.

‘Disagreements in individual opinions should be settled through evidence rather than personal attacks. Nigerians should feel free to challenge Musa’s facts if you disagree with them. Let such challengers produce evidence. Correct him where necessary. But don’t replace argument with insults,’ he said.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has welcomed over 136,000 new members who defected from various political parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Yusuf described the mass defection as a strong indication of the growing acceptance of the APC in Kano State, saying the development would further strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He commended the new members for their decision to join the APC and urged them to remain committed to the development, peace and progress of Kano State and Nigeria.

The Governor assured the new members that his administration would continue to work with all stakeholders to promote unity, stability and sustainable development across the state.

The defectors pledged to mobilise support for President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf, promising to work tirelessly to ensure the success of the APC in the 2027 elections.

They said their decision to join the APC was based on their confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf, as well as their commitment to supporting the development of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf further called on all APC members and supporters to remain united, peaceful and focused as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

Governor Yusuf, also welcomed Senator Rufai Sani Hanga and his supporters into the APC, following their decision to leave the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Kwankwasiyya political group.

Governor Yusuf described the development as a significant addition to the APC family in Kano, saying the decision by Senator Hanga and his supporters reflects growing confidence in the party and its leadership.

The Governor warmly welcomed the senator and other defectors, assuring them that the APC remains a broad platform where all members have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of Kano State and Nigeria.

He urged the new members to join hands with other APC stakeholders and work towards strengthening unity, peace and stability within the party.