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Army Chief: Tribal, Regional Factors May Delay New COAS appointment

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Barely 72 hours after the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru in a plane crash, there is a political dilemma over the region and likely tribe of the person that could be appointed for the Nigerian Army’s top job.

PRNigeria gathered from competent and knowledgeable sources on the ongoing appointment that government seems to be in a fix. This is because some touted people on the list happened to come from the same States or tribes of current occupants of other military and security Chiefs, making it difficult for the government to make an urgent decision on Attahiru’s successor.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers died in a plane crash on Friday, during an official visit to Kaduna State. Some retired senior security officers who are politicians are also putting pressure on the presidency to consider seniority, competence, merit and war experience and jettison ethnic and sectional sentiments in picking the next COAS.

Breaking :Chief Of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru Dies In Plane Crash
A retired military officer with vast intelligence background, told PRNigeria that socio-political factor may likely play a role in the choice of the candidate for the Army Chief job. He however, said Mr. President wields the discretion to pick anybody of his choice.

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“Those being touted as late Attahiru’s successors are eminently qualified on account of their vast qualifications, professional discipline, instructional appointments, service command, operational experiences, and above all managerial capabilities. They are suitable, but political consideration of regions, states and tribes may likely be some of the determinant factors. “For instance, one of the latest names being pencilled down is Major General Jamil Sharham, originally of Regular Course 35 but running RC 36 seniority. He was the Sector Commander, Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta, and Brigade Commander at Baga in the North-East. Before he was appointed Commandant National Defence Academy (NDA), he was Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry and GOC 6 Division. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow at NIPSS,” the retired military officer said.

Investigation by PRNigeria revealed that the major dilemma in the choice of Sharham is the fact that he is from Kano State, where the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, hails from. A similar dilemma on tribe may play out since the present Chief of Policy and Plan (COPP), Major General Ben Ahonatu is an Igbo, like the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor, though they are from different but neighbouring states of Anambra in South-East and Delta in South-South respectively.

General Ahanotu of Regular Course 35 and very fluent in Hausa. He was the Military Commander that captured the founder of Boko Haram, late Mohammed Yusuf and his followers, at their hideout in Maiduguri in 2009 before handing them over to the Police.

Similarly, the Army’s Chief of Operation, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf is from Yobe, the state of the current acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba. Gen Yusuf of Regular Course 37 was former Force Commander, Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) and General Officer Commanding 7 Division. He also taught at Nigerian Defence College (NDC), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji. Last Saturday, unconfirmed reports claimed that Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, was appointed as COAS.

However, PRNigeria gathered that General Ali-Keffi was not among the more than 30 most senior military officers in the Nigerian Army. Another officer being touted is Major General AM Aliyu of Regular Course 36 from Gombe State. He is the Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army and former Director, Foreign Liaison, at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

He was responsible for processing actionable intelligence for military operations in recent years. Another officer being mentioned is Major General Faruk Yahaya of Regular Course 37 from Zamfara State. He is the current Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East and former General Officer Commanding of 1 Division. PRNigeria further gathered that there are other senior operational officers worthy of considerations because of their rich experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

 

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NNPP Crisis:High Court Affirms Abiya as Acting Kano Chairman

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As Court Fixes January 19 for Hearing of Case Filed by Dawakin Tofa Exco Against Former Chairman

The Kano State High Court has affirmed Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as the Acting State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State.

In the ruling, the court also upheld the suspension of the former State Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, and restrained him from interfering in the affairs of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The interim order followed a motion ex-parte dated December 30, 2025, filed by members of the NNPP from Gargari Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, seeking the court’s intervention over the leadership crisis in the party.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf of High Court No. 13, Miller Road, Kano, delivered the ruling in an interim order.

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The applicants urged the court to uphold the disciplinary process that led to the suspension of Dungurawa by his ward executive over allegations of denigrating the office and person of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, creating division within the party, and failure to pay party dues.

The court further fixed January 19 for the hearing of the substantive case filed by the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Executive Committee of the NNPP against the former chairman.

In the suit marked KN/1218/2026, the court restrained Dungurawa from parading himself as the NNPP State Chairman or interfering with party affairs pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.

The suit was instituted by Abdullahi Ali Uban Iya, Shuaibu Hassan, and Auwal Sani Abubakar.

Justice Yusuf also ordered that the suspension of the former chairman effected on December 30, 2025, be maintained, while directing that all court processes be duly served on the respondents.

The court further ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante as it existed after December 30, 2025, pending the determination of the case.

The court’s decision effectively maintains the status quo within the party leadership in Kano State until the determination of the case.

Meanwhile, the NNPP State Executive Committee has endorsed the emergence of Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as Acting State Chairman following the suspension of Hashimu Dungurawa.

The endorsement was made during an emergency meeting of the party’s state executive held at the NNPP secretariat in Kano.

The decision was announced by the party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, Barrister Yusuf Mukhtar, who said Abiya’s emergence was in line with the provisions of the NNPP Constitution with the State Hight has affirmed today by the experte order.

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Call for Governor Yusuf to Join APC, a Welcome Development – Inuwa Waya

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and elder statesman, Mallam Inuwa Waya, has said that His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusif is an Excellent performer who received awards for good governance in improving education, agriculture, press freedom, accountability, infrastructure and urban beautification. He is therefore an asset to any political party.

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Mallam Inuwa Waya stated that the call for the governor to join the APC is a welcome development that would usher in a new era of reforms devoid of political chicanery, which is necessary for the survival of the APC in Kano State.

The elder statesman further stated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusif will bring his unique style of political sagacity necessary for internal democracy and cooperation among leaders and followers.

 

Inuwa Waya urged APC stakeholders to put aside personal ambition and support His Excellency Engineer Abba Kabir Yusif. As the Governor of Kano State, he is the undisputed leader of the party. Everyone must show loyalty and willingness to work with him for the greater good of the greatest number.

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Zaura Empowers 5,000 PWDs Across Kano”

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Over 5,000 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) from all 44 local government areas of Kano State have received support through a wide-reaching empowerment program spearheaded by Abdussalam Abubakar Zaura known as A.A. Zaura.

The beneficiaries converged in Kano metropolis, where the empowerment forms were officially distributed.

Speaking at the event on behalf of AA Zaura, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Zaura said the initiative was designed to discourage street begging and promote self-reliance among PWDs across the state.

He added that program was designed to enhance economic inclusion and improve the quality of life for marginalized communities across the state

He noted that the gesture was part of a broader commitment to support vulnerable groups and integrate them into productive economic activities.

Alhaji Ado, a former Deputy Chairman of Ungoggo Local Government Area, emphasized that years of neglect and lack of adequate support from both government and well-meaning individuals had pushed many PWDs into street begging.

He stressed that the empowerment programme aims to reverse that trend by providing sustainable means of livelihood.
According to him, AA Zaura resolved to come to the aid of PWDs by offering various empowerment opportunities, including start up capital for small-scale businesses, sewing machines, scholarships, and other forms of assistance tailored to individual needs and interests, including education.

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He further disclosed the introduction of a new initiative tagged “AA Zaura Aqidah Programme,” under which 27 participants will be selected from each ward across the state to benefit from further empowerment, with special focus on youths.

Also speaking at the event, Garba Nuhu Darki, former member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Wudil Constituency and Director-General, Political Contact and Mobilization of the AA Zaura Movement, described the large turnout of PWDs as a clear indication of AA Zaura’s vision and leadership direction.

“To me, the gathering I witnessed today reflects the direction of AA Zaura’s ambition, especially considering that this empowerment programme is exclusively for persons living with disabilities,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the support provided and to continue supporting the movement in order to achieve its broader political aspirations.

Earlier, Chief Protocol of the movement, Abubakar Yawale (popularly known as Baba Yawale), said PWDs occupy a special place in the heart of AA Zaura, adding that for over 20 years, AA Zaura has consistently supported persons with disabilities to enhance their wellbeing and productivity in society.

In his remarks, Isa PA assured the beneficiaries that more empowerment programmes were underway.

He revealed plans to procure hearing aids for persons with hearing impairments, walking sticks for the visually impaired, and electric wheelchairs for physically challenged persons. He, however, encouraged beneficiaries to ensure they obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In her remarks, Hajiya Maimuna Shitu, popularly known as Uwar Marayu, commended A.A. Zaura for his initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities and, by extension, orphans.

She urged the beneficiaries to rally behind Zaura’s vision of advancing the socio-economic welfare of the populace.

Hajiya Maimuna noted that all his efforts in capacity building and economic empowerment have been carried out independently, without external assistance.

She highlighted that Zaura has been funding these initiatives from his personal resources, acting in his capacity as a businessman rather than a government official.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their happiness for the gesture and affirmed their loyalty to AA Zaura.

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