By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ICPC and DSS operatives, after the court session on Tuesday, 31 March, have taken Mallam Nasir El-Rufai with them to Abuja, a move which has raised questions about the status of his administrative bail.

The journey to Abuja followed his appearance at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, which was scheduled to hear his application for bail. The court adjourned to tomorrow, 1 April 2026, after the prosecution said it had just filed its counter affidavit.

He had been released on administrative bail on Friday following the death of his mother. Sources say that he was granted bail for 14 days. He hosted the fidau prayers for his mother yesterday in Abuja before proceeding to Kaduna for today’s court sessions. The latest development indicates that the bail has been revoked.

Mallam El-Rufai has first appeared this morning at the Kaduna State High Court. The absence of the second defendant stalled the hearing which was then adjourned to 10 April 2026.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a dramatic political realignment, eight members of the House of Representatives from Kano State formally defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.

The mass defection, which signals a significant shift in the political dynamics of Nigeria’s most populous state, was announced during plenary at the Green Chamber. The move represents a major blow to the NNPP, which controls the Kano State Government House, and a substantial boost for the APC as it consolidates its federal influence.

The announcement drew a high-profile audience, underscoring the political weight of the development. Among those present to witness the defection were Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a prominent figure in the NNPP; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; and former Kano governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who now serves as a national leader of the APC. Their presence highlighted the escalating political contest for control and influence in the state.

Political analysts view the defection as a major realignment ahead of future electoral contests. For the APC, the addition of eight federal lawmakers strengthens its numerical standing in the House and deepens its foothold in a state where the NNPP had mounted a formidable challenge in the 2023 elections.

The lawmakers have yet to publicly detail their reasons for leaving the NNPP, but the coordinated switch points to intensifying factional battles and strategic maneuvering within Kano’s political landscape. The development is expected to further polarize the state’s political environment as both parties position themselves for the next electoral cycle.

Malam Inuwa Waya, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, has reaffirmed that the constitutional prerogative to appoint a new Deputy Governor rests solely with His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, Malam Waya cautioned against undue interference from individuals on social media who have been attempting to dictate the Governor’s choice following the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.

“It is only Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who has the prerogative to choose his deputy. People should stop coming to social media to tell him who to appoint. The constitution does not mandate him to select from any particular zone; it is entirely his decision,” Malam Waya stated.

He further explained that while political balancing may encourage consideration of candidates from Kano North or South since the Governor hails from Kano Central, such arrangements remain political strategies rather than constitutional requirements.

Malam Waya also commended Governor Yusuf’s infrastructural strides, noting that within two years, the administration has revived water projects, advanced public-private partnerships in power, and accelerated development across education, agriculture, and investment.

“The Governor has revived the glory of Kano. With the infrastructure projects ongoing, it will be an easy sail for all of us as we prepare for 2027. He has put Kano first, and that is what matters,” he said.

On the issue of inclusivity, Malam Waya emphasized that all stakeholders, including former APC members, are being carried along in governance. He urged the people of Kano to unite behind the Governor’s vision.

“We, the old APC members, have no problem with Governor Yusuf. We are knit together in Kano, and our priority is Kano first, not any individual. The Governor knows who he will pick as his deputy, and we trust his judgment,” he concluded.

Malam Waya also extended prayers for the acceptance of Ramadan fasting and congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Kano for celebrating Sallah peacefully.