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As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence from British colonial rule, the Concern Progressive Positional Network Worldwide (CPPN) has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to nation-building, declaring that the country’s challenges should strengthen rather than diminish their resolve.

In an Independence Day message to members across the nation and beyond, CPPN National President Dr. Victor Olusola acknowledged the difficulties the nation has faced since October 1, 1960, but insisted that Nigeria’s story is far from over.

‘October 1st is more than a public holiday. It is a day that reminds us of the journey of our nation, the sacrifices of those who came before us, and the responsibility that rests upon every generation to contribute to the building of Nigeria,’ Dr. Olusola said.

Reflecting on the nation’s post-independence journey, he noted that while the founding generation carried a great vision for a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, the decades since have brought political uncertainty, economic difficulties, insecurity and social divisions.

‘There have been moments when citizens have questioned whether the dreams of our founding fathers would ever be fully realised,’ he admitted. ‘But we must not give up on Nigeria. The fact that we have faced difficulties does not mean that our story has ended. Our challenges should strengthen our determination to build a better future.’

A Nation of Potential

The CPPN president described Nigeria as a nation blessed with enormous human and natural resources, talented young people, entrepreneurs, professionals, farmers and innovators – yet one where much work remains.

He listed stronger institutions, greater accountability, improved infrastructure, economic growth, security, quality education, healthcare and justice as pressing needs, stressing that ‘nation-building is everybody’s responsibility’ and cannot be left to government alone.

The CPPN Mission

Dr. Olusola explained that CPPN was established as a platform built on the belief that Nigerians must participate constructively in rebuilding the nation, promoting unity over division and supporting initiatives that drive national development.

To members who may feel discouraged, he offered a direct charge: ‘Do not abandon the mission because the journey is difficult. Do not allow disappointment to destroy your hope. Do not allow ethnic, religious, political or regional differences to make us forget that we share one country and one common destiny.’

A Vision for the Future

Outlining the Nigeria CPPN envisions, the president called for a nation where merit, responsibility and service matter; where young people see opportunities at home; where communities actively participate in development; where diversity is a strength rather than a source of division; and where patriotism is demonstrated through service, honesty and hard work.

He urged members nationwide to support the President and all levels of government ‘in a professional, constructive and responsible manner, while offering honest advice and promoting accountability.’

‘Stay committed. Stay united. Stay focused. Keep building,’ he charged. ‘What we are building may not yet be fully visible to everyone, but we are working. There is a time to prepare, and there is a time for the work to become visible. By the grace of God, our time will come.’

A Call to Every Nigerian

Dr. Olusola emphasised that independence is not merely freedom from colonial rule but also the responsibility for shaping the country’s future.

‘We cannot continue to wait for somebody else to rebuild Nigeria. Whether you are a student, professional, farmer, entrepreneur, civil servant, community leader, youth leader, traditional leader or ordinary citizen, there is a role for you in nation-building,’ he said.

He concluded with a message of hope: ‘Let us believe in Nigeria. Let us work for Nigeria. Let us pray for Nigeria. And let us build Nigeria. Nigeria will get it right. The journey continues. The work continues. The hope continues.’

‘Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Long live CPPN. Together, let us build the Nigeria we desire and the Nigeria that future generations deserve. God bless Nigeria,’ Olusola prayed.

The General Court Martial hearing the alleged coup plot involving some Nigerian military officers has again deferred its ruling on the admissibility of statements tendered by the accused persons.

The ruling, which was expected on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, will now be delivered on Monday, October 5.

The court, presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force, is sitting at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.

A notice circulated to members of the court and other parties in the case announced the change in date.

‘The GCM sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, has now been postponed to Monday, 5 October, 2026.

‘The new sitting is scheduled to commence at 10 am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja,’ the notice stated.

The notice was signed by the Liaison Officer, Maj. M.U. Ardo, who did not disclose the reason for the postponement but expressed regret over the inconvenience caused.

Monday’s proceedings will mark the fourth time the court has deferred its ruling on the issue.

The decision is significant to the ongoing trial because it will determine whether statements allegedly made by some of the accused officers can be admitted as evidence.

The defence has challenged the statements, alleging that some of the officers were subjected to coercion by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency and made to reproduce statements containing information they regarded as false.

The dispute prompted a trial-within-trial in which the defence presented evidence challenging the circumstances surrounding the taking of the statements.

Defence counsel argued that the statements did not satisfy the legal conditions required for them to be admitted in evidence. They also alleged that lawyers or witnesses selected by some of the accused were not present when the statements were made.

The defence further questioned the absence of video recordings showing some of the officers writing their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required by relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The lawyers also alleged that some of the accused were not properly cautioned or adequately informed of their rights before making the statements.

The prosecution, however, led evidence to establish that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure.

During the trial-within-trial, some of the accused officers gave accounts that differed sharply from the prosecution’s position, alleging that they were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse while in detention.

Some of the officers told the court that they were made to believe that reproducing particular statements would help secure their release.

They further alleged that intelligence officials had prepared some of the statements beforehand and that they were compelled to copy or sign documents containing matters they claimed not to know.

Some also maintained that they did not personally originate or write the statements attributed to them, alleging that they were forced to reproduce pre-written documents containing claims or admissions they considered false or outside their knowledge.

The court’s eventual ruling will determine whether the disputed statements can form part of the prosecution’s evidence in the substantive proceedings.

The latest postponement therefore prolongs the court’s consideration of a central evidentiary issue in the trial.

The case concerns allegations that some military officers conspired to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu on October 1, 2025.

Following investigations by military authorities, the officers were arrested and subsequently arraigned before the General Court Martial in Abuja.

The accused officers have denied the allegations. Their trial has also been marked by disputes over the circumstances surrounding the statements attributed to them, particularly the defence allegations of coercion and other forms of improper treatment.

An aide to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Emmanuel Akpan, popularly known as Egogo, has come under scrutiny after a video in which he confronted social commentator Joel Omosere Agho, popularly known as Mr Common Sense, over his criticism of the state government circulated on social media.

In the video, Egogo challenged Mr Common Sense to return to Nigeria and take his allegations against the government to court, while making remarks which the commentator interpreted as threats to his safety and that of his family.

The exchange followed a series of social media posts by Mr Common Sense in which he questioned aspects of the Edo State Government’s activities and made allegations concerning the administration.

Egogo accused the commentator of spreading what he described as propaganda against the government and urged him to provide evidence for his claims rather than use social media to generate controversy.

‘Go and do your marching order now and sue me to court immediately. Make I see the power wey you get,’ Egogo said in the video.

He also challenged the commentator over his location outside Nigeria, telling him to return to Edo State if he was confident about the claims he was making against the government.

‘Come Nigeria come dey do that your video wey you dey do. Make we teach you lesson,’ he said.

The remarks have attracted renewed attention because they came from a political aide and amid earlier controversies surrounding Egogo’s public comments about opposition politicians.

In April 2026, the Edo State Government publicly distanced itself from a viral video involving Egogo in which he made threatening remarks about opposition figures, saying the comments were personal and did not represent the position of the government. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said the administration did not condone gangsterism, political intimidation or attempts to suppress opposition voices.

The Edo State Police Command also previously distanced Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika from remarks made by Egogo in another viral video, saying the comments were his personal views and did not represent the position of the police command or the commissioner.

There have also been reports and allegations circulating about Egogo’s previous conduct, including claims concerning alleged harassment of opposition figures and videos in which political commentators living outside Nigeria were warned against returning home. Such claims require verification from the relevant authorities before they can be treated as established facts.

Mr Common Sense subsequently said he regarded the latest remarks as a threat and publicly documented his concerns about his safety and that of his family in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

‘This is me officially registering my concerns about my safety and documenting it thus that everybody that needs to know should know that anything that happens to me or my family, both in the United Kingdom and in Nigeria, Emmanuel Akpan aka Egogo has said with his own mouth that him and the rest of the members of the Edo State government are actively searching for us to hurt us,’ he said.

He added that the incident would not deter him from questioning the government or discussing issues of public interest.

‘Let me also add that this, by no measure, will deter me from holding the Edo State government accountable. In fact, this will spur me even further to asking the right questions even further,’ Mr Common Sense said.

Egogo, however, insisted in the video that he was not afraid of the commentator and said he was prepared to face any legal action arising from their disagreement.

‘If you like, carry me go police station o, like carry me go court o. My brother, I will still continue to call you and pick your call to tell you say we dey do this case o. I no dey fear now,’ he said.

The aide also maintained that criticism of the government should be supported by evidence, urging Mr Common Sense to establish the facts before making allegations against public officials.

‘But the only thing wey I dey tell you as my brother say, they get concrete evidence before you speak,’ he said.

He further questioned Mr Common Sense’s decision to make allegations while living abroad and challenged him to return to Edo State.

‘You will hear from the office smart,’ Egogo said, before continuing his criticism of the commentator’s social media activities.

The latest confrontation comes amid increasingly heated political exchanges on social media, where government officials, political actors and commentators regularly respond directly to one another over governance, security, public spending and political activities.

Mr Common Sense has previously attracted public attention for his social media commentary on political and security matters. Earlier this year, controversy also followed videos involving Egogo and opposition figures, prompting both the Edo State Government and the state police command to clarify that his remarks did not represent their official positions.

The latest incident has nevertheless shifted attention from the substance of the disputed allegations to the language used during the exchange and the concerns raised by Mr Common Sense about his personal safety.

Where government officials or their aides dispute allegations made against an administration, such disagreements can be addressed through factual clarification, requests for corrections, institutional responses or available legal remedies.

Similarly, allegations of threats can be reported to appropriate security authorities for investigation, while any claims of wrongdoing by public officials or political actors should be subjected to evidence and due process.

The earlier decision by the Edo State Government to distance itself from Egogo’s controversial remarks is also relevant to the latest controversy, as it demonstrates that the administration has previously characterised his political statements as personal rather than official government policy.

Neither the circulation of the latest video nor Mr Common Sense’s account, by themselves, establishes that any physical attack against him or his family has occurred.

The immediate public-interest concern is therefore the nature of the language used by a government-linked political figure against a critic, particularly where the recipient says he understands the remarks as a threat to his safety.

West Trybe reports that the latest confrontation between Mr Common Sense and Egogo has renewed scrutiny of the conduct of political aides in responding to government criticism, while also bringing renewed attention to earlier controversies surrounding Egogo’s public remarks and the need for political disagreements to be addressed through evidence, lawful processes and non-violent engagement.

Sixty-six years ago today, our flag was raised, for the first time, over a free and sovereign nation. Since then, we have journeyed together as one nation, bound by our collective trust in the great promise of Nigeria: that a country of our size, our bountiful resources, our cultural diversity and, above all, our extraordinary people can build a giant in Africa; that in this blessed and fertile land we can build a united, strong and prosperous nation; a land of regional authority and global consequence.

Our journey has not always been easy. In truth, it has generally been too hard for too many. We have known moments of great hope and periods of profound disappointment. We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.

It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance. We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may live in peace.

Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better.

This faith, which sustains us all, is the inheritance of independence. Our founding fathers did not struggle merely for a flag, an anthem or a place among the nations of the world. Independence carried a larger promise: that Nigerians would have the freedom to shape their own destiny and build a nation capable of providing opportunity, dignity and a better life for its people. Sixty-six years later, Almighty God has made it our responsibility to deliver that promise.

Today, as we celebrate our independence, we must speak honestly about the journey so far, the choices we made, and the country we are determined to build from here.

For too long, the promise of Nigeria was undermined by choices that postponed difficult decisions and allowed deep economic distortions to grow.

By 2023, poverty was rising, and hope was nearly gone. The country’s situation was darker than ever. We had no choice but to act.

Nigeria was like a sick patient who receives the terrible news that he has cancer. His doctor explains that the treatment will be difficult and painful, but that it offers a strong prospect of recovery. The patient has a choice. He can begin treatment, endure its discomfort and fight the disease. Or he can ask only for morphine, dull the pain and leave the cancer to spread.

For too long, Nigeria’s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came.

They focused on symptoms while allowing the disease to take hold deep within the fabric of our society. We spent enormous sums sustaining inefficient arrangements that were never intended to last. We hid from difficult truths and passed the consequences from one generation to the next.

When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease.

Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them. Now, as certain influential but regressive voices would have us abandon the treatment and return ourselves to the abuse of addictive subsidies, we must resist their siren song. We must remember why we began this journey and how far we have already come.

Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth.

Oil theft is down. Inflation has fallen substantially from its peak. Our foreign reserves have been rebuilt, our foreign exchange market has stabilised, and in 2025 this country recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports in its history, exceeding $6 billion. This is real money being made by real Nigerian businesses.

These are not idle claims. International observers, journalists, NGOs and multilateral institutions can see the change. Each has concluded that our reforms have strengthened Nigeria’s economic stability and resilience. The private sector has long since delivered its verdict, and foreign direct investment continues to rise each year.

My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point.

The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course.

Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity.

When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics. I mean something much more personal.

I mean a Nigeria in which the farmer can cultivate his land safely, produce more at lower cost, and earn a decent return for his labour. A Nigeria in which factories have reliable power, businesses can obtain credit, and young people can find productive work. A Nigeria in which food and transportation are affordable, education is within reach, and hard-working families can look towards the future with confidence.

This is the promise we must now fulfil.

Our priority is to bring down the cost of living. We will achieve this by lowering the cost of producing and moving the things Nigerians consume.

We have the land and people to feed ourselves. My government is therefore focused on expanding mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improving access to seeds and fertiliser, holistically increasing mechanisation, and investing in storage and transportation. We are building and completing the roads, railways and ports that connect farms and factories to markets.

Our logic is simple. When a farmer produces more cheaply, when fewer crops are lost between the farm and the market, when a manufacturer spends less on electricity, when a truck reaches its destination faster, and when the business environment fosters fair competition, all those savings will ultimately find their way into the price of goods in the market.

But prosperity requires more than cheaper goods. It requires productive work.

Nigeria is a young country. Millions of young Nigerians enter adulthood every year with talent, energy and ambition. Our responsibility is to ensure that this great demographic strength becomes an engine of production rather than a source of despair.

We are therefore placing jobs, enterprise, and industrial growth at the heart of our government’s policies.

We will use our gas to power new industries. We will support businesses that work to bring factories back to life in our great industrial centres. We will expand digital connectivity into communities that have waited too long to participate in the modern economy. We will invest in the skills employers demand and support Nigerian businesses with the infrastructure and finance they need to grow.

I want to see more Nigerians making things. I want to see more Nigerian farms feeding our cities and supplying our factories. I want to see Nigerian businesses selling Nigerian goods to the whole world. I want young Nigerians building unicorns and creating opportunities for others here at home.

I am also conscious that millions of our fellow citizens cannot wait for tomorrow. Some Nigerian families still struggle today for the next meal, the next school fee, the next medical bill, or simply enough money to get to work. Their circumstances did not begin with the reforms of the last three years. Their struggle is the accumulated consequence of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunity and institutions that too often failed those who needed them most.

We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course. We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way.

That is why we are strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register so that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.

It is why the Nigerian Education Loan Fund is ensuring that the child of a low-income family need not surrender the dream of higher education simply because his parents cannot afford the fees.

It is why CREDICORP is giving working Nigerians access to consumer credit, allowing people to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets without first having to accumulate years of savings.

That is why, working with our states and local governments, we will continue to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and the essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on most. Since 2023, we have paid salaries and pensions on time and in full. We have reformed the national pension program to benefit retirees and the vulnerable.

These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it. Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently.

We will defeat it.

It will take time. It will require discipline. It will require sustained growth year after year and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across our country.

But for the first time in decades, we embark on this task from a position of strength; with an economy whose fundamental direction has been corrected. We confronted the difficult choices we faced and have laid the foundations for lasting prosperity. Rather than fail the promise of a better future for our children, the time has come for us to build that future.

The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity. An age in which the promise of this great nation must finally become the lived experience of Nigerians from all walks of life.

We have travelled through difficult years together. We have made hard decisions together. And now, still together, we must build the country those decisions have made possible.

I believe deeply in what lies ahead.

I believe in the millions of ordinary men and women whose work, courage and determination have always been the true strength of our country. The road ahead will still demand much from us. But we travel it now with firm footing, a clear direction and renewed hope in our collective future.

Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back. Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.

The Promised Land before us is a Nigeria of abundance and opportunity; a nation where prosperity is broadly shared, where every child can dream beyond the circumstances of his birth, and where our country’s immense promise is finally reflected in the lives of our people.

Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.

Happy Independence Day, my fellow Nigerians. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

A man simply identified as Sikiru was killed while his wife housewife, two children and six others were abducted by bandits who invaded Babban Saura (PW) community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the early hours of Thursday.

The bandits invaded three houses in the community, according to community source.

The source said the attackers first invaded the residence of an elderly man and abducted two of his children.

He said the assailants later proceeded to the residence of the man identified as Sikiru, where they broke through the fence and gained entry into the compound.

According to him, Sikiru attempted to resist the attackers when they entered his parlour and engaged some of them in a struggle.

The source said the bandits eventually shot and killed him before abducting his wife and two children.

He added that the attackers also invaded a neighbouring house, where they abducted a woman and her four children.

The woman, identified as Maman Mubarak, was later rescued by soldiers and local vigilantes, while her four children remained in captivity.

The commander of the local vigilantes, Usman Adamu, confirmed the incident to, saying nine persons were initially abducted.

Adamu said the vigilantes received a distress call about the attack and immediately alerted soldiers, who joined them in pursuing the bandits.

‘We received a distress call that bandits had entered Babban Saura PW, and so we informed soldiers who joined us.

‘We traced them to the Eastern Bypass area and succeeded in rescuing a woman, Maman Mubarak, whose four children were among those kidnapped,’ he said.

He said the security personnel made efforts to rescue the other victims, but the attackers escaped with them.

Another resident, who identified himself as Anas, said Sikiru had called him after the attackers stormed the community.

During a visit to the community, sympathisers were seen gathered at the deceased’s residence, while residents expressed concern over the security situation.

The attack came a few days after suspected bandits invaded a nearby Kadaure community, where a man was reportedly killed and cows rustled.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful as the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, could not be reached on phone.

Hassan had also not responded to a text message sent to him.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, has urged Nigerians to mark the country’s 66th Independence anniversary with renewed commitment to unity, inclusive growth and sustainable national development.

According to a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, the Presidential Aide described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s resilience, honour its founding fathers and strengthen collective efforts towards a prosperous and equitable nation.

She emphasized that the ideals of independence must translate into access to quality education, affordable healthcare, decent employment, basic infrastructure and opportunities for citizens to improve their lives.

These aspirations, she noted, align with the Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a framework for tackling poverty, reducing inequality, empowering women and young people, and building peaceful communities.

The SSAP-SDGs stressed that national progress must be measured by improvements in citizens’ wellbeing, particularly among vulnerable households and underserved communities. She identified investments in schools, healthcare, clean water and productive livelihoods as essential to achieving meaningful development outcomes.

Orelope-Adefulire highlighted women’s economic empowerment as a driver of household wellbeing and inclusive growth, calling for expanded access to skills, enterprise opportunities and productive resources. She also advocated greater investment in young Nigerians through education, practical training and opportunities to apply their creativity and enterprise.

With the 2030 SDGs deadline approaching, she urged governments at all levels to accelerate implementation through coordinated planning, targeted investment and stronger accountability.

She called for closer collaboration among public institutions, businesses, civil society, development partners and communities to mobilise resources and improve service delivery. Reliable data, she added, must guide interventions and help measure their impact.

Orelope-Adefulire reaffirmed her Office’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and advancing the principle of leaving no one behind.

Congratulating Nigerians, she urged citizens to promote peaceful coexistence and contribute to community development, expressing confidence that unity and purposeful leadership would strengthen the country’s journey towards lasting prosperity.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, has warned party leaders that another victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 could effectively end the political careers of the current crop of opposition leaders.

Amaechi made the declaration on Wednesday while speaking at the ADC National Women League Conference in Abuja, where he urged party members to leave the capital and return to their states to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the presidential election.

The former Rivers State governor told the gathering that ADC leaders could not afford to remain in Abuja while the battle for votes was being fought across the country.

‘If you are not from FCT, go home and campaign. Me, I am going on Wednesday. I will not wear a suit, I will dress like a young man,’ Amaechi said.

He then issued a blunt warning about what he believes would happen to the party’s current leadership if the APC retains power in 2027.

‘Let me tell you what will happen, we the crop of leaders you see here, if APC wins the 2027 elections, we are retired from politics.

‘So if you don’t want us to retire from politics, we must go home.’

Amaechi urged ADC members to focus heavily on mobilisation at ward level, arguing that delivering substantial votes across communities could determine the outcome of the presidential contest.

‘If you bring two thousand votes per ward, just bring two thousand votes and we have won the election,’ he said.

His remarks came as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election and pushes its leaders and supporters to strengthen mobilisation across the states.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has threatened legal action over what it described as continued clampdown on the opposition by the ruling party in Kano State.

According to a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, the Movement also commended Amnesty International, ‘for its thorough investigation and courageous intervention concerning the disturbing reports of arrests, detention, intimidation and harassment of critics of the Kano State Government.

‘This is significant because it independently confirms what we have consistently raised about the shrinking democratic space in Kano State and what appears to be a sustained effort to intimidate and silence opposition voices, particularly members and supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.’

Mohammed further stated that: ‘The report identified several individuals allegedly affected by this pattern, including Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aiha K Nass; Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dawanau; Fatima Dayyabu; Maryam Usman, popularly known as Golden Queen; Muhammad Ahmad; Hafsat Muhammad Sauwama Kauwama; Khadija Garba Kadnass; Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala; and Isa Zanna Isa.

‘It also raised concerns over threats and intimidation allegedly directed at Zaidu Magaji.’

Mohammed added that: ‘If a citizen can be arrested and detained because of his political opinions or because he expresses criticism of those in government, then this is not merely an issue concerning one individual. It becomes an issue concerning every citizen’s constitutional right to freedom of expression.

‘We particularly welcome Amnesty International’s attention to the case of Aiha K Nass, whose continued detention since August is deeply troubling.

‘Aiha K Nass was arrested and brought before the Shari’a Court. His application for bail was initially refused and was subsequently granted subject to stringent conditions. One of the conditions, as understood by the Movement, requires him to produce two serving Permanent Secretaries, and an employee of the Kano State Government as sureties.

‘The practical consequence is that, despite the grant of bail, he remains in detention because he has been unable to satisfy those conditions.’

He said the development has raised serious questions about access to bail and the proportionality of conditions imposed on a citizen who is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

‘ His case is particularly disturbing to us because the circumstances surrounding his arrest and prosecution appear to be closely connected to his outspoken criticism of the government.

We believe that no citizen should be subjected to unnecessarily burdensome conditions merely because he is critical of those in power.

‘If there are genuine criminal allegations against any citizen, let such allegations be tested through transparent, impartial and lawful judicial proceedings.

‘It is for this reason that the Movement took the responsible step of petitioning the Chief Judge of Kano State and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission concerning the conduct and circumstances surrounding the proceedings before the Shari’a Court, Ungogo Division. Believing that where there are concerns about the conduct of any judicial proceeding, the appropriate response in a democracy is to seek review, accountability and redress through the institutions established by law.

‘Our expectation is simple: that the petition will receive fair, impartial and thorough consideration, and that where any wrongdoing, misconduct or procedural violation is established, the appropriate corrective action will be taken.

‘The decision to petition the Chief Judge and the Judicial Service Commission should therefore not be interpreted as an isolated action concerning one individual.

‘It represents a clear position of the Kwankwasiyya Movement that any attempt to intimidate, harass, silence or unlawfully restrict the rights of our members or other citizens will be challenged through every legitimate legal and institutional avenue available to us.

‘We will not respond to intimidation with violence. We will not encourage our members to take the law into their own hands.

‘Instead, we will continue to use petitions, complaints, legal representation, judicial review, constitutional remedies and every other lawful means available under Nigerian law to defend the rights of our members and citizens.

‘Kwankwasiyya Movement commends our members, particularly those who have had the courage to pursue these matters through lawful channels rather than resorting to confrontation, this demonstrates that political opposition can be firm, courageous and principled while remaining committed to the rule of law.

‘We therefore urge all members and supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement to remain steadfast, peaceful and law-abiding in the face of any future attempt to intimidate, harass or silence opposition voices in Kano State.

‘Our position is clear: citizens must be allowed to criticize government and public officials within the bounds of the law.

‘A governor, minister, president or any other public official cannot be placed beyond scrutiny merely because of the office he or she occupies.

‘Similarly, expressing a political opinion on social media should not, by itself, become a justification for arbitrary detention.

‘We therefore call on the Kano State Government, security agencies and all relevant institutions to respect the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of expression and association.

‘We further call for an urgent and impartial review of cases involving persons allegedly detained or prosecuted primarily in connection with their political expression, including the case of Aiha K Nass and others identified by Amnesty International.

‘We equally call on the judiciary to jealously protect its independence and constitutional responsibilities and to ensure that every citizen who comes before the courts receives fair and impartial treatment in accordance with the law.

‘Let nobody provoke us into abandoning the path of law, our response will continue to be constitutional, peaceful and lawful,’ the Statement concluded.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, urging Nigerians to maintain faith in the country’s future as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

Akpabio, in an Independence Day message released on Thursday, said Nigeria’s journey had experienced moments of triumph and uncertainty but insisted that the resilience of Nigerians remained the country’s greatest strength.

He said the Senate and the National Assembly would continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening the country and improving the lives of citizens under Tinubu’s leadership.

‘As President Tinubu leads our country through this chapter, the National Assembly remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen our nation and improve our people’s lives,’ Akpabio said.

The Senate President described Nigeria as ‘our destiny, our duty, our future,’ while congratulating Tinubu and Nigerians on the anniversary.

Akpabio said the country’s independence represented the hopes of millions who believed in freedom, self-government and the ability of Nigerians to shape their own destiny.

He paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers and previous generations whose sacrifices, according to him, laid the foundation for the nation.

‘May we prove worthy of their faith, and may our children inherit a Nigeria greater than the one entrusted to us,’ he said.

Acknowledging the challenges Nigeria has faced, Akpabio said the country’s progress was reflected in the determination of farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs, young people and Nigerians making contributions across the world.

‘We celebrate that resilience today: the strength of a people whose hopes have survived every storm,’ he added.

Akpabio also called for unity among Nigerians, saying the country’s diversity across languages, cultures and faiths remained an important part of its identity.

He praised the Armed Forces and security agencies for their sacrifices, while remembering those who lost their lives in service to the country.

The Senate President urged Nigerians to use the Independence Anniversary to renew their commitment to serving the country with integrity, compassion and devotion.

‘Independence is an inheritance renewed by every generation,’ Akpabio said, calling on citizens to celebrate with gratitude and continue believing in Nigeria’s possibilities.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s era of difficult economic reforms is over, saying the country has entered a new phase focused on delivering shared and widespread prosperity to its citizens.

Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday in his Independence Day address to Nigerians, marking the 66th anniversary of the country’s independence.

According to the President, the administration’s economic priority has shifted after three years of what he described as difficult but necessary reforms aimed at correcting longstanding distortions in the economy.

‘The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed,’ Tinubu said.

‘For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course. Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity,’ he added.

Tinubu said the reforms undertaken since his administration assumed office had produced improvements in Nigeria’s economic outlook, citing economic growth of more than four per cent this year, lower inflation, rebuilt foreign reserves and a more stable foreign exchange market.

He also said oil theft had declined and that Nigeria recorded its highest-ever revenue from non-oil exports in 2025, exceeding $6 billion.

‘These are not idle claims,’ the President said, arguing that international observers, journalists, non-governmental organisations and multilateral institutions had recognised improvements in the country’s economic stability and resilience.

Tinubu acknowledged, however, that the economic gains must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He stated that prosperity should not be measured simply by the size of the economy or improved economic statistics, but by whether Nigerians could produce, work and live with greater security and opportunity.

Tinubu outlined a vision of a Nigeria where farmers could cultivate their land safely and earn better returns, factories have reliable electricity, businesses could access credit and young Nigerians could find productive employment.

He also promised that food and transportation would become more affordable while education and other essential services would become more accessible.

The President said the administration’s next phase would focus on reducing the cost of living by lowering the cost of producing and transporting goods.

He listed expanded mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, greater access to seeds and fertiliser, increased mechanisation, improved storage and transportation, and continued investment in roads, railways and ports among the measures being pursued.

Tinubu argued that reducing production and transportation costs would ultimately bring down the prices of goods in the market.

‘When a farmer produces more cheaply, when fewer crops are lost between the farm and the market, when a manufacturer spends less on electricity, when a truck reaches its destination faster, and when the business environment fosters fair competition, all those savings will ultimately find their way into the price of goods in the market,’ he said.

The President also placed jobs, enterprise and industrial growth at the centre of the new phase, promising to use Nigeria’s gas resources to power new industries and support the revival of factories in major industrial centres.

He said the government would expand digital connectivity, invest in skills demanded by employers and provide Nigerian businesses with infrastructure and financing to expand.

Tinubu noted that millions of Nigerians still face difficulties meeting basic needs, including food, school fees, medical bills and transportation costs, but argued that these challenges were the accumulated result of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure and insufficient opportunities.

‘We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course,’ he said.

The President also pointed to social interventions, including direct support for poorer households, improvements to the National Social Register, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and CREDICORP, as measures intended to support vulnerable Nigerians while the broader economy expands.

He stressed that such programmes were not intended to replace economic prosperity but to serve as a bridge towards it.

‘Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently. We will defeat it,’ Tinubu declared.

He acknowledged that achieving that objective would require sustained economic growth and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across the country.

‘The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,’ he said.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to look beyond the sacrifices associated with the reform period and focus on building on what he described as stronger economic foundations.

‘Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back,’ he said.

He called on Nigerians to move forward with confidence in the country’s future, describing the destination as a Nigeria of ‘abundance and opportunity’ where prosperity is broadly shared and every child can aspire beyond the circumstances of birth.