Angélique Kidjo Hails Rema’s Rise on Global Stage

Beninese-French singer-songwriter and Grammy-award winning icon, Angélique Kidjo, has praised Nigerian Afrobeats star, Rema.

The singer lauded Rema for his global success, stating that he embodies the global takeover of the Afrobeats genre of music.

While speaking about the artist’s latest honor, the TIME 100 Next honors, Kidjo revealed her love for Rema’s song, stating that it reflects African originality.

‘I fell in love with Rema’s Calm Down. It has a unique flow and feel, not mimicking Western pop,’ Kidjo wrote. ‘It is rooted in Africa but also catchy and virtuosic. I love to sing it. The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much. Rema is the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats. Thanks to artists like him, African music is at the forefront of global culture,’ she wrote on Instagram.

Rema in turn, responded to the praises with a comment on the post.

Gratitude Queen. I’m honored,’ he wrote.

Lagos unveils Global Safety Summit to drive Megacity transformation

The Lagos State Government will on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, host the Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health (LASOSH) Conference, a high-level gathering designed to reposition safety as a central pillar of the state’s economic and social transformation.

Themed ‘Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a Catalyst for Nation Building,’ the landmark event, organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC), will take place at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, and will bring together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and development partners.

According to the organisers, the conference comes at a crucial time in Lagos’s development journey, as the state grapples with rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, and rising population density.

These factors, they noted, have heightened risks ranging from building collapses and transport accidents to industrial hazards, large gatherings, and emergencies in informal sectors.

The summit will move beyond dialogue to concrete policy action, aligning safety governance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader vision of transforming Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and a global economic hub that is safe, secure, and resilient.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Director General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, underscored the strategic importance of the conference.

‘Occupational Safety and Health is not just about compliance; it is about protecting lives, preserving dignity, and driving Lagos’s growth story. At LASOSH 2025, we are going beyond rhetoric and building a Lagos where safety is a culture, innovation drives resilience, and every life is valued,’ he said.

The programme will feature an address by Governor Sanwo-Olu, a keynote speech on OSH as a cornerstone of sustainable nation-building, and a special policy dialogue led by Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, on financing safety through public-private partnerships.

Global representatives from Canada, Germany, Sweden, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States will also share lessons from international best practices.

Panel and discourse sessions will explore sector-specific safety standards, as well as the future of work in balancing innovation, technology, and health. Companies such as Google, Ernst and Young, Lafarge, and BUA Group are expected to participate.

Expected outcomes from the conference include stronger legislation, safer workplaces, improved emergency preparedness, reduced accident rates, and greater economic productivity. By mainstreaming safety into urban planning, industrial operations, and social development, the state hopes to secure investor confidence while safeguarding the lives of its residents.

The LASOSH Conference 2025 is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island.

Women key to raising righteous Ummah -Ahmadiyya leader

Nigerian Muslim women have been challenged to rise as ambassadors of faith, peace, and moral guidance, especially for the younger generation.

National President of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, the women’s wing of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hajiya Taofeeqah Fagbolade, gave the charge during the 46th annual convention of the body, which took place at Victory College in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State.

At least 4,000 women from various regions across Nigeria attended the three-day spiritual and educational gathering, themed ‘Fauzan Azeema. A Great Success’.

The convention featured speeches, lectures, workshops, peace walk, sports competitions and interactive sessions focused on personal development, faith and community leadership.

In her remarks, Fagbolade reminded women of their unique roles in shaping a righteous and progressive society.

‘My dear sisters, every journey towards greatness requires commitment, sacrifice and unity.

‘We are now living in times where confusion is dressed as truth and distraction is disguised as progress. But as believing women, we are not lost, because we have guidance,’ she said.

While referencing the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Fagbolade stressed that Muslim women are not on the sidelines of Islamic progress but are key drivers of transformation within the Ummah.

‘As women – mothers, daughters, wives, teachers, professionals and leaders – our contributions are central to the Ummah’s journey.

‘Our voices matter. Our character matters. Our example matters,’ she declared.

She emphasised the impact of raising righteous children and seeking knowledge as pathways to building a stronger Muslim community.

The national president also encouraged the women to prioritise faith, modesty and sincerity over worldly distractions and urged attendees to return to their communities with renewed purpose.

‘When we choose modesty over popularity, truth over trends, faith over fear, we are walking the path of Fauzan Azeema, the path towards victory, triumph and absolute success.

‘Let’s return to our homes and communities as ambassadors of peace and purpose. Let us invest in learning our deen more deeply and support one another through life’s tests and triumphs,’ she said.

In her contribution, regional leader, Hajiya Muibat Taiwo Abdulrazaq, highlighted the virtue of obedience to Allah and His Messenger.

‘Obedience is particularly relevant in today’s world where we are constantly faced with challenges and temptations.

‘By reflecting on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live in submission to Allah,’ she said.

Tinubu visits Jos for funeral, faith dialogue

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Saturday for Jos, Plateau State capital, to attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

This is according to a press release on Friday evening by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President,(Information and Strategy).

He said: ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Saturday, October 4, for Jos, Plateau State capital, to attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

‘The President will later address Church Leaders across the North at the headquarters of the COCIN Church in Jos.

‘President Tinubu will return to Lagos on the same day after the visit.’

NDLEA destroys seven-hectare cannabis farm, arrests 58 in Adamawa drug crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Adamawa Command, says it has destroyed a seven-hectare cannabis farm and arrested 58 drug suspects in September.

Mr Aliyu Abubakar, Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Adamawa Command, disclosed this on Friday at a news conference in Yola.

He said the suspects comprised 56 males and two females, adding that five were arrested at Mijilu village, Mubi North LGA, where the cannabis farm was destroyed with the support of soldiers and community members.

According to him, the command also seized 366.8kg of cannabis sativa, 209.8kg of psychotropic substances, 11.6kg of methamphetamine, four vehicles and a motorcycle used for conveying the illicit drugs.

Abubakar said the command recorded a major breakthrough on Sept. 1 when operatives intercepted a Honda Pilot vehicle in Lamurde with over 500 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa.

‘The items were loaded from Akure, Ondo State, and destined for Mubi in Adamawa.

‘A controlled delivery led to the arrest of two siblings, while a further search in their premises in Mubi resulted in the recovery of 40 additional blocks of compressed cannabis.

‘One of the suspects, Suleiman Mohammed, is an ex-convict and a notorious drug dealer in Mubi. The three suspects will be charged to court accordingly,’ he said.

He said another operation in Farauta led to the seizure of 131kg of psychotropic substances and a Sienna vehicle.

The commander also disclosed that the counselling and rehabilitation unit attended to 70 drug dependents, mostly aged between 18 and 43 years, with interventions such as intensive counselling and follow-up for reintegration into society.

He added that under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, the command carried out sensitisation programmes in eight locations, including schools and faith-based institutions.

‘In line with the Federal Government’s drug integrity test policy, 25 persons were screened during the period. The test is preventive, not punitive, to ensure that those in sensitive positions or institutions are free from illicit substances,’ he said.

Abubakar commended officers of the command, sister security agencies and community members for their support, urging residents to provide timely and useful information to curb drug trafficking in the state.

‘Together we can keep Adamawa safe and secure from the scourge of illicit drugs,’ he added.

AI should bridge trust gaps, not just automate processes -Babatunde Esanju

How do you think your experience in LegalTech has influenced your approach to problem-solving in other industries, such as FinTech and CareTech?

My career began in LegalTech at LawPavilion Nigeria, where I worked on digitising case law and legal processes. That experience sharpened my ability to translate highly regulated, paper-heavy workflows into streamlined, user-friendly systems. The legal sector taught me that compliance, accuracy, and trust are non-negotiable. Every solution had to be airtight because the cost of mistakes in law is incredibly high.

When I transitioned into FinTech and later CareTech, I carried that mindset with me. It wasn’t just about building products that looked good or functioned on the surface; it was about designing systems that could stand the test of regulation, scrutiny, and scale. In finance, trust is the currency, and in healthcare, safety is paramount. My LegalTech foundation gave me the discipline to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that solutions not only solved problems but also met regulatory and ethical standards.

Can you share some insights into the technical architecture of the Loan Management Portal you developed at LSETF, and how it achieved a 40 per cent increase in productivity?

At the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, we were faced with the challenge of managing large volumes of loan applications manually. The process was not only slow but also prone to human error. To solve this, we built the Loan Management Portal on a modular, service-oriented architecture. Each module handled a specific function-whether that was loan application intake, credit assessment, approval work flows, or reporting.

We also implemented role-based access so that everyone from loan officers to compliance managers had clearly defined permissions. Automated credit assessments reduced approval times, and integrated reporting created transparency for management. What used to take days could now be accomplished in hours. The productivity increase of over 40 per cent came from automation of repetitive tasks, smarter workflow orchestration, and data-driven dashboards that gave decision-makers a real-time view of what was happening. It transformed LSETF’s operations from a manual, paper-heavy process into a dynamic and scalable digital platform.

What role do you think artificial intelligence and machine learning play in enhancing financial inclusion, and how have you incorporated these technologies into your projects, such as Wyrr and GenCapita?

AI and ML have the potential to rewrite the financial services playbook. Traditional credit scoring models often exclude people without a formal credit history, which is a large portion of the African population. With AI, we can look at alternative data, such as mobile phone usage, transaction patterns, or even behavioral analytics, to make fairer credit decisions.

At Wyrr, we experimented with fraud-prevention models that analysed transaction patterns in real time, flagging unusual behavior before it caused damage. At GenCapita, the focus was on investment pattern recognition. By applying machine learning, we were able to recommend smarter portfolio allocations to users based on their behavior and risk appetite. These aren’t just technical improvements; they are steps toward financial inclusion, creating opportunities for people who were previously invisible to traditional banking systems.

How do you balance the need for innovation with the requirement for regulatory compliance in your work, particularly in the FinTech sector?

This balance is one of the toughest challenges in FinTech. Many startups are eager to move fast and disrupt, but ignoring compliance is a ticking time bomb. My approach has always been ‘build fast, but build right.’ For instance, at Gen Financial Limited, we had ambitious goals around securities trading and payment processing. But we knew from the start that we had to work closely with regulators.

We engaged with them early, explaining our product roadmaps, and aligning with KYC, AML, and data-protection frameworks. Instead of seeing compliance as a burden, we treated it as a competitive advantage. Once regulators trusted us, it gave us the freedom to innovate more confidently. That discipline is what has allowed me to build products that are both groundbreaking and sustainable.

What are some of the key lessons you learned from developing the Buy Now, Pay Later platform at QOOP, and how have you applied these lessons to other projects?

The BNPL platform at QOOP was an eye-opener. The technology itself was straightforward-creating a credit line for users and integrating it into e-commerce platforms. But the bigger challenge was human behavior. Many African consumers are still new to digital credit, and that means issues like repayment discipline, trust in the platform, and understanding the terms are critical.

We learnt very quickly that education and transparency had to be built into the product. Instead of hiding fees in fine print, we made repayment terms clear and user-friendly. Instead of focusing solely on growth, we focused on responsible lending. That approach reduced defaults and built long-term trust. I’ve carried those lessons into other projects, always ensuring that innovation is accompanied by financial literacy and user education.

As a co-founder and CTO of Aisiki, what was the inspiration behind building a logistics and agriculture-tech platform, and how do you see this sector evolving in the future?

Aisiki was born out of the realisation that one of Africa’s greatest challenges-agriculture-is also one of its biggest opportunities. Farmers were losing significant income because they lacked reliable logistics and direct access to markets. We set out to build a platform that connected farmers with logistics providers and buyers, reducing waste, improving efficiency, and increasing incomes.

The agriculture sector in Africa is primed for disruption. With the right mix of data, logistics, and financing, smallholder farmers can scale beyond subsistence farming. Looking ahead, I see technologies like IoT sensors for crop monitoring, mobile platforms for market access, and decentralised finance for micro-lending as key drivers of this transformation.

Can you tell us more about the technical challenges you faced in developing Caresyntra, and how you overcame them to create a seamless care management platform?

Caresyntra was a complex project because it sat at the intersection of healthcare, compliance, and technology. Care management requires strict adherence to regulations, but at the same time, caregivers need a platform that is intuitive and not overly bureaucratic. We had to build features like rostering, compliance tracking, and secure communication, all while ensuring that users found the platform easy to adopt.

The solution was to design the platform in a modular way, using cloud-based microservices for flexibility. Real-time synchronisation via secure APIs ensured that patient and staff data was always up-to-date and protected. It wasn’t just about solving technical problems; it was about designing for empathy. A platform in healthcare has to serve patients, families, and caregivers equally well, and that’s what we achieved with Caresyntra.

How do you think the ticketing industry can be transformed through technology, and what innovations have you introduced at TixTrack to enhance the user experience?

The ticketing industry has long suffered from inefficiencies and fraud. At TixTrack, we looked at how technology could make ticketing more transparent and accessible. I worked on features like transferable tickets, which allowed users to resell tickets safely, and group sales optimization, which helped event organizers cater to bulk buyers. We also introduced advanced reporting for organizers, giving them real-time insights into sales patterns.

These innovations don’t just improve efficiency-they improve trust. Event-goers feel safer knowing they won’t be duped by fake tickets, and organizers gain better tools to manage revenue and engagement. The result is a win-win ecosystem for everyone involved in live events.

What motivated you to create PayBridge.SDK, and how do you see this open-source project contributing to the developer community and the broader tech ecosystem?

Payment integration is one of the biggest headaches for developers. Each gateway has its quirks, and integrating multiple ones can be time-consuming. I built PayBridge.SDK as a unified API wrapper that supports both local and international gateways, drastically reducing integration time.

Making it open-source was intentional. I believe the best tools should be shared, not hoarded. Open-source projects like PayBridge democratise access, allowing small teams and startups to build at the same level as larger firms. It also encourages collaboration-developers can improve on it, adapt it, and feed those improvements back into the community. My hope is that PayBridge becomes a foundation stone for the next generation of African startups that want to scale globally.

Through your technical blog, tundehub.dev, you’ve shared insights on a range of topics, including microservices and cloud computing. What do you think are some of the most pressing issues in these areas, and how can developers stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies?

Microservices and cloud computing are exciting but also tricky. The biggest issues I see are around security, scalability, and cost optimization. Many startups rush to adopt microservices without putting observability, governance, and cost controls in place. That leads to chaos when the system scales.

Developers can stay sharp by engaging with open-source communities, studying real-world case studies, and experimenting with emerging technologies in safe environments. Writing for tundehub.dev keeps me honest. It forces me to learn continuously, to explain concepts clearly, and to share both successes and failures. That cycle of learning and teaching is what keeps me current.

With TechNaija FM, you’re creating a platform for voices in fintech, edtech, and digital transformation. What do you hope to achieve with this podcast, and how do you see it contributing to the tech ecosystem in Africa and the UK?

TechNaija FM is my way of giving back to the ecosystem. It’s a platform where African and UK voices can come together to share stories of innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Too often, the African tech narrative is told from the outside. I wanted to create a space where founders, developers, and investors could tell their own stories in their own voices.

My hope is for TechNaija FM to become a knowledge hub and an inspiration platform. If a young developer in Lagos or a founder in Manchester hears an episode and feels motivated to push through challenges, then the podcast has done its job. By amplifying diverse voices, we strengthen both ecosystems and build bridges across continents.

As someone who has worked on several high-impact projects, what do you think are some of the key factors that contribute to a project’s success, and how do you measure impact in your work?

From my experience, three factors stand out: clarity, collaboration, and adaptability. Clarity means everyone on the team understands the vision and the problem we’re trying to solve. Collaboration ensures that ideas flow freely and that no one feels siloed. Adaptability means being ready to pivot when new information emerges or when the market shifts.

I measure impact not just by whether the code works, but whether people actually use and trust the product. Adoption metrics, efficiency gains, and user satisfaction are my benchmarks. A project is only truly successful if it makes life easier for its users.

What role do you think collaboration and knowledge sharing play in driving innovation in the tech sector, and how have you incorporated these principles into your work?

Collaboration is the lifeblood of innovation. No one builds in isolation. Open-source projects, community events, hackathons, and mentorship all exist because innovation thrives when ideas are shared. Personally, I’ve embraced this through my blog, podcast, and developer

I’ve also seen firsthand at conferences how a single conversation can spark an entire startup. Knowledge sharing doesn’t just benefit the community; it benefits the individual too. By sharing what you know, you deepen your own understanding and open doors to opportunities you might never have imagined.

How do you think technology can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing socioeconomic challenges in Africa and the UK, such as financial exclusion and inequality?

Technology has already shown us glimpses of its power to transform lives. In Africa, mobile money has lifted millions out of financial exclusion. But we can go further-with blockchain providing transparency in public finance, AI offering fairer credit scoring, and telehealth making medical services accessible in remote areas.

In the UK, inequality manifests differently, but the tools are similar. Digital skills training can empower underserved communities, and AI-powered care platforms like Caresyntra can make healthcare more efficient and equitable. The key is designing technology that is inclusive, affordable, and accessible to those who need it most.

Looking back on your career, what do you think have been some of the most significant milestones, and how have these experiences shaped your approach to technology and innovation?

Looking back, there are several moments that shaped me. At LawPavilion, digitising legal processes taught me discipline and respect for compliance. At LSETF, driving financial empowerment showed me the power of technology to change lives on a large scale. Building BNPL and cooperative platforms at QOOP and getQoop.com taught me the importance of user trust and responsible growth.

On the technical side, creating open-source contributions like PayBridge.SDK and TableauSharp reinforced my belief in community-driven innovation. Launching TechNaija FM and planning the Obokun Tech Summit reminded me that storytelling and convening people are as important as writing code. Each milestone reinforced my core philosophy: technology should be a tool for empowerment. My approach today is simple-build solutions that matter, scale them ethically, and create opportunities for others.

Laide Bakare under fire for exposing daughter to alcohol, clubbing at 17

Nollywood actress Laide Bakare has come under fire after revealing that she introduced her teenage daughter to nightlife and alcohol at the age of 17.

The actress made the revelation during an interview with content creator Mr Lilgaga, where she openly admitted that she took pride in being the one to expose her daughter to clubbing.

Laide said:

‘I took my daughter to the club for the first time at 17. And I like the fact that in her memoir, she would reference me as the person who introduced her to alcohol and clubbing.’

One social media user, @It_hafizski, wrote:

‘Introducing a 17-year-old to alcohol and nightlife is reckless parenting, not cruise. At that age, guidance and discipline should come first, not clubbing.’

Another, @DonMike_X, questioned her motherhood, saying:

‘And are you a good mother like that?’

Police nab 3 suspected child traffickers, bandits’ drugs supplier in Kaduna

The Police Command in Kaduna State, said its operatives have nabbed three suspected child traffickers and one bandits’ drugs supplier in Kaduna.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday.

‘On Monday, at about 4:00 pm, Police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected bandits’ drugs supplier, identified as Franklin Ozo, of Danmagaji, Zaria,’ he said.

According to him, the suspect was arrested by a surveillance team from Maraban Jos Division in possession of large quantities of Exol tablets, worth millions of Naira.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the illicit drugs were ordered and heading to Kidandan and Giwa, where it was intended for consumption by bandits.

‘The suspect is currently in custody while further investigation is ongoing, ‘he said.

Hassan also disclosed that on Sept. 22, at about 4: 30 pm, police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected notorious child trafficker, one Khadija Ibrahim, around he Narayi area of Kaduna.

He said she was found in possession of a child later identified as Abdulmumin (surname unknown).

‘Further investigations resulted in the arrest of two other suspects: Daniel Samuel of Narayi and Danjuma Makoshi. Their arrest subsequently led to the rescue of another victim, one Ibrahim Bilyaminu, a 5-year-old male from Gusau, Zamfara. The rescued children are safe and currently under police protection, while discreet investigation is ongoing to uncover the full network of the trafficking syndicate and ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice, ‘he said .

The spokesperson said that on Monday, following credible intelligence received from a reliable source, a suspect was sighted in possession of illegal firearms within Doka Ilu village in Giwa Local Government Area.

He said a team of detectives from the Anti-kidnapping Unit swiftly mobilised to the location and successfully apprehended the suspect identified as Alhaji Sani, popularly known as ‘Dan Gude.’

The spokesperson also said that exhibits recovered from the suspect included one fabricated AK47 rifle, two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and one AK-47 magazine. He said discreet investigation was ongoing to ascertain the source of the firearm and to arrest other possible accomplices.

Hassan said on Tuesday, at about 8:45 pm, based on the sustained community policing strategy recovered 60 cattle and 25 sheep that were earlier rustled.

According to him, this was the result of non-kinetic approach employed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Muhammad.

He said that Muhammad had reiterated the command’s determination to combat drug trafficking, arms proliferation and its dangerous effects to violent crimes in the state. He further warned all criminal elements involved in child trafficking and related crimes to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

Uba Sani’s CoS commends principal over transformational leadership

The Chief of Staff to the governor of Kaduna State, Sani Kila, has described his principal as a leader who has brought renewed hope to the people of Kaduna State.

Kila noted that Governor Sani has, in less than three years in office, demonstrated uncommon leadership qualities by delivering tangible results across key sectors of governance.

He emphasised that the governor’s achievements are not only visible but also speaks volumes about his passion for service and his commitment to the welfare of the people.

According to him, the administration’s strides in the education sector stand out as a major milestone. Schools across the state have witnessed renovation, new classrooms have been built, and teachers have received training to improve the quality of education.

He added that the interventions have created a better learning environment for children and given parents renewed confidence in public schools.

On security, Kila said the governor’s pragmatic approach to addressing the challenges of banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

He said Uba Sani’s collaboration with security agencies, coupled with grassroots engagement through community leaders, has helped to restore relative peace and stability in previously troubled areas.

He also highlighted the administration’s achievements in infrastructure development, pointing to the rehabilitation and construction of roads linking rural and urban communities, provision of water supply projects and the expansion of rural electrification, all of which have boosted economic activities and improved the standard of living for residents.

Healthcare, according to him, has equally received attention under the current administration, and the upgrade of primary healthcare centres, provision of essential drugs, and recruitment of more health workers are among the steps taken to ensure that quality medical care is accessible to people at the grassroots.

Kila explained that the state governor has placed emphasis on youth empowerment and women’s development, creating opportunities through skills acquisition programmes, small business support schemes, and agricultural initiatives.

He added that the governor’s inclusive style of governance, which gives room for participation by all groups regardless of tribe, religion, or social background, has united the people of Kaduna and strengthened social cohesion.

Boko Haram never chose Buhari as mediator, Jonathan is a liar – Garba Shehu

Former presidential aide, Garba Shehu, has rejected ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that the late President Muhammadu Buhari was once nominated by Boko Haram to serve as their mediator in peace talks with the Federal Government.

In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Shehu described Jonathan’s assertion as ‘false and politically motivated,’ suggesting the former president was attempting to rewrite history as part of his 2027 presidential ambition.

‘To be president in 2027, Goodluck Jonathan should look for another story to tell Nigerians,’ Shehu said.

‘Muhammadu Buhari was never nominated by Boko Haram. On the contrary, Shekau routinely denounced and threatened him, and their ideologies were diametrically opposed.’

Shehu recalled the 2014 Kaduna bomb attack where Buhari narrowly escaped death in an assault blamed on Boko Haram.

‘His campaigns were built around restoring security and defeating terrorism, not representing their cause,’ he noted.

Quoting the late Buba Galadima, then CPC National Secretary, Shehu reminded Nigerians that Buhari had at the time dismissed the reports as speculation.

Galadima had clarified that: ‘He (Buhari) said he had not even heard about it, and since nobody contacted him, he would not speak to the press.’

The rumour, Shehu explained, stemmed from a 2012 press conference staged by a Boko Haram faction led by Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed Buhari and other northern elders were acceptable mediators.

The statement was swiftly disowned by Abubakar Shekau, who declared Abdulaziz had ‘no mandate.’

At the time, CPC’s late publicity secretary, Rotimi Fashekun, also accused Jonathan’s PDP government of exploiting the alleged nomination for political gain, calling it ‘a gambit to distract Nigerians from the massive looting under their watch.’

Shehu warned Jonathan against using ‘false narratives’ as political capital: ‘Mr Jonathan, you are making a false start. Buhari never spoke for Boko Haram, he fought them.’