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In 10 Years All Parts Of Nigeria Will Be Linked By Rail

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Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi

The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, have expressed hope that the country, within the next five to 10 years would be linked by rail.

Okhiria told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that this would be achieved in line with the determination and will of the present administration.

He added that Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi was also making endless and tireless efforts to ensure the country’s rail network was expanded to better serve Nigerians.

”I think in five years we will be hoping that somebody can leave Lagos and get to Abuja within eight hours by rail.

”We have several projects on the eastern axis, and all those contracts have been signed but the finance people are looking for the funds to ensure the contractors move to site.

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”We also have the contract from Calabar to Lagos, the coastal rail, we also have the Itape-Warri, being completed to link from Itape to Abuja.

”So if you link Itape to Abuja, it means people can leave Warri to Kano because the Kano-Kaduna is presently ongoing, formation are being put in place and with the time line, we are hoping that by December this year the track would have been laid.

”Also the eastern line has an expansion that when it gets to Benin it will come to Agbor, Agbor to Onitsha , Onitsha to Awka, Awka to Enugu and to Abakaliki.

”And we also have plans to link the deep sea in River State and then link Owerri and come back to Enugu. And from Damaturu we also do the one going to Maiduguri, we just hope that the economy improves and we’re able to get funding,” Okhiria said.

On the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), he said the country could benefit largely from the agreement with the correct policies and programmes.

He said: ”If we champion the market and we are able to extend, so that we have road, rail, the economy can move smoothly and you have easy rating of goods and services.

”And with rail being the cheapest means and the safest way to go about it, I think we are on the right part.”(NAN

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Holds Exclusive Prerogative to Choose Deputy – Malam Inuwa Waya

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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.

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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.

 

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ADC Reports Surge in Membership Following Kwankwaso’s Defection, Calls Him ‘Game Changer’

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially welcomed former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into its fold, touting his defection as a pivotal move that strengthens a growing coalition for political realignment in Nigeria.

In a statement released for immediate effect, the party described Kwankwaso as a “game-changer,” announcing that he has directed his network of supporters nationwide to join the ADC. According to the party, this call has already triggered a significant uptick in registrations on its online platform over the past 24 hours.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, framed the defection as part of a broader recognition among Nigerians of the need for a credible political alternative. The statement emphasized Kwankwaso’s experience in governance, grassroots influence, and capacity to unify as assets to the party’s ambition to “rebuild Nigeria.”

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Notably, the ADC highlighted the presence of several high-profile leaders at the defection event, including the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark; National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and leading presidential aspirants such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Their attendance, the party stated, reflects a united front and growing momentum.

The party characterized the surge in online registrations as evidence that Nigerians are aligning with what it called a “different path forward.” In its appeal to Kwankwaso’s supporters and the broader public, the ADC positioned itself as a vehicle for restoring dignity, opportunity, and public trust in governance.

“Change does not happen by chance,” the statement concluded. “It happens when people come together with purpose.”

The development marks a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition political landscape, with the ADC seeking to position itself as a converging point for influential politicians and their followings ahead of future elections.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Governorship Election

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State in the 2027 election.

Tuggar submitted his resignation on Monday, in compliance with a presidential directive requiring all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their posts by the March 31, 2026, deadline.

The directive, issued through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It affects ministers, advisers, and heads of federal agencies intending to contest in the 2027 general elections.

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Reports have it that his resignation positions him to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bauchi State gubernatorial race.

Tuggar’s entry is expected to significantly reshape the state’s political landscape, intensifying an already competitive contest for the APC nomination. His background as a career diplomat and serving minister is seen by political observers as a potential advantage, offering national visibility and extensive political networks.

With less than 24 hours remaining before the deadline, additional resignations from the Federal Executive Council are anticipated as other appointees move to formalize their electoral ambitions.

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