By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah have begun their movement to Makkah as of Thursday.

According to an update from the commission, the transfer commenced after the pilgrims had completed a four-day stay in Madinah.

NAHCON further disclosed that the four official airlines handling this year’s Hajj operations—Max Air, Umza Airline, Air Peace, and Flynas—have so far transported 9,756 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The commission also advised pilgrims intending to visit the Rawdah (the sacred area containing the Prophet Muhammad’s burial chamber in Madinah) before departing for Makkah to coordinate with their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards for proper guidance and scheduling.

“NAHCON wishes to assure the Nigerian contingent that officials of state pilgrims’ welfare boards have already been trained and adequately guided on the procedures for booking Rawdah visits,” the statement read.

“However, pilgrims are kindly reminded that due to congestion and crowd management measures, access to the Rawdah is strictly subject to space availability and approved bookings. Pilgrims are therefore advised to remain patient, orderly, and to heed the guidance of their Ulama regarding the validity and acceptance of their Hajj rites.”

The commission emphasized that while visiting the Rawdah is a blessed opportunity, it is not a condition for the validity of Hajj.

“Allah grants such opportunities according to His will,” NAHCON added.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strongly worded warning to the federal government, demanding an immediate halt to what the party describes as covert attempts to interfere in the ongoing legal case involving Nafiu Bala Gombe.

In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi on Thursday, the opposition party alleged that desperate forces within the corridors of power are mounting pressure on Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court to recuse himself from the matter.

The party claims this alleged plot represents “a direct assault on the integrity of the judiciary” and a dangerous escalation in efforts to “weaponise state institutions against the opposition.”

According to the ADC, its legal team has obtained information indicating that despite the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment not yet being released or formally communicated to the trial court, the case has been curiously scheduled before Justice Nwite for May 8, 2026.

“This unusual haste,” the statement read, “is part of a calculated scheme to force Justice Nwite into recusing himself, thereby creating an opening for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the matter to judges allegedly considered more amenable to political influence.”

The party noted that this development runs contrary to directives from both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which ordered an accelerated hearing by the substantive trial judge.

The ADC further warned that “judicial recusal is not a toy for political convenience” but “an extraordinary measure guided by law, facts, and established judicial principles.”

The party has called on the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the international community to intervene urgently, drawing parallels to what it called “the shameful roles played by certain reckless judicial actors” during the collapse of Nigeria’s First and Second Republics and the subversion of the June 12 mandate.

“The judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man,” the statement concluded, “and not the last refuge of desperate politicians terrified of justice.”

As of press time, the federal government and Justice Nwite’s chambers had not issued responses to the ADC’s allegations. The case is scheduled to resume on May 8.

Aspirant for the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mohammed Musa Zango, has formally submitted his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, depicting the official start of his campaign to represent the district in the National Assembly.

The submission took place on Monday at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, the venue designated by the party for the exercise. The development came barely 24 hours after the aspirant publicly declared his intention to contest the Kano Central Senatorial seat.

Speaking shortly after the submission, Dr. Zango said his ambition to represent Kano Central is driven by “responsibility, preparation, and a clear understanding of what the people truly need,” stressing that effective representation must go beyond political promises to measurable results.

According to him, years of grassroots engagement and institutional experience have helped shape a practical vision focused on development, inclusion, and economic growth across the senatorial district.

The APC aspirant unveiled a seven-point legislative and development agenda which he said would guide his representation if elected into office.

Top on the agenda is effective representation at the National Assembly, with Dr. Zango promising to ensure Kano Central has a stronger and more result-oriented voice in national affairs.

He also emphasized agriculture and economic growth, pledging support for farmers, expansion of agricultural value chains, and policies aimed at connecting agriculture to broader economic opportunities.

On youth and women empowerment, the aspirant said his administration would prioritize skills acquisition, economic inclusion, and sustainable livelihood programmes targeted at young people, women, and vulnerable groups across the district.

Dr. Zango further highlighted healthcare development as a major pillar of his campaign, promising to advocate for improved healthcare facilities, wider access to medical services, and better healthcare delivery systems in communities within Kano Central.

In the area of infrastructure and industrial revival, he pledged support for strategic development projects, including renewed advocacy for the revival and completion of major initiatives such as the AKK gas pipeline project, which he described as critical to boosting industrial productivity and economic activities in Northern Nigeria.

The aspirant also identified water resources management as a pressing concern, promising to push for improved access to clean and reliable water supply across the senatorial district.

Another key focus of his campaign is the revival of the textile industry, a sector once regarded as the backbone of Kano’s economy. Dr. Zango said restoring the industry would create employment opportunities, stimulate local production, and strengthen the state’s economic base.

“This agenda is not theoretical,” he stated. “It reflects a roadmap shaped by experience, community engagement, and a clear understanding of the gaps that must be addressed.”

He added that the task ahead requires smart work, strategic partnerships, and leadership focused on delivering tangible outcomes for constituents.

Dr. Zango, founder of the Fatah Zango Foundation, maintained that his leadership style would remain disciplined, people-centered, and result-oriented throughout the campaign and beyond.

Political observers in Kano State say the race for the Kano Central Senatorial seat is expected to attract significant attention within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, given the district’s strategic political importance in the state.

At the time of filing this report, Dr. Zango said he remained the only aspirant who had completed and submitted the nomination forms for the contest.