The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Ex-Councillors has expressed strong support for the nomination of Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor, commending Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what it described as a thoughtful and strategic decision, according to a statement signed by its chairman, Hon. Sunusi Kata Madobi.

The forum said the endorsement followed a consultative meeting convened to review recent political developments, noting that the Governor’s action demonstrates a clear commitment to competence-driven governance and the consolidation of administrative stability, the statement added.

Members of the forum, who served across the 44 Local Government Areas, praised Governor Yusuf for prioritizing experience, loyalty, and grassroots connection in selecting his deputy, emphasizing that such attributes are critical to strengthening governance delivery and maintaining public trust, the group stated.

The forum further described Garo as a seasoned public servant with a strong background in party administration and political coordination, stressing that his experience positions him to effectively support the Governor in advancing the administration’s development agenda, according to the statement.

It added that the nomination was both timely and reflective of the Governor’s dedication to effective governance, noting that the decision shows a deliberate effort to align leadership capacity with the expectations of the people, the forum said.

Highlighting broader implications, the group noted that the move reinforces continuity, institutional strength, and inclusive governance, while expressing confidence that Garo’s experience will enhance executive coordination and improve service delivery, the statement read.

The forum also called on party members, stakeholders, and the general public to rally behind the nomination, urging collective support in the interest of unity, stability, and sustained development, according to the statement.

In addition, the group appealed to political actors to place collective progress above personal interests, warning that only cohesive leadership can deliver meaningful and lasting impact, the forum stated.

Reaffirming its position, the APC Ex-Councillors pledged unwavering support for the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and reiterated its commitment to promoting decisions that strengthen governance and improve citizens’ welfare, the statement concluded.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested Senate approval for a loan facility totaling $516,333,007 from Deutsche Bank AG to finance the construction of Sections 1, Phase 1a, and 1b of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Thursday’s plenary session, the President described the 1,000-kilometer flagship project as a strategic corridor designed to link Nigeria’s Northwest to the Southwest. The highway will run from Illela in Sokoto State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun, and terminate in Badagry, Lagos State.

According to the letter, the loan will specifically cover 120 kilometers of the total route. The financing arrangement is structured as a syndicated loan secured through Deutsche Bank, backed by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank.

President Tinubu noted that the Federal Government will provide counterpart funding of ₦265,542,689,569 to cover land acquisition, compensation, and ancillary infrastructure. The loan carries a nine-year tenor, including a three-year grace period, with an interest rate not exceeding the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) SOFR plus 5.3 percent per annum.

The President confirmed that the Federal Executive Council has already approved the financing arrangement and urged the Senate to incorporate the loan into the national borrowing plan. The letter emphasized that the superhighway will improve north-south connectivity, enhance road safety, reduce logistics costs, strengthen trade and food security, and support national cohesion by linking production zones to markets and ports. The central median is also being reserved for future rail integration and utility corridors.

Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Committee on Foreign and Local Debts, which is expected to report back within one week.

Speaking in support of the project, Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) described it as a long-overdue initiative, noting that it has been in development for 55 years. “I have inspected the project and I have seen the progress made. I am highly impressed,” Aliero said.

He confirmed that ongoing work includes both concrete and asphalt roads fitted with solar streetlights, and estimated that travel time from Sokoto to Lagos would drop by more than 70 percent — from 13 hours to approximately six hours — upon completion. He urged the Senate to grant expeditious approval once the committee submits its report.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday said he is now a “freelance politician” with no direct ties to any political party.

Mohammed made the remark while hosting a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and stakeholders from the South-East in Bauchi.

The governor said the meeting centred on national unity and collaboration, noting that the discussions were not driven by partisan interests.

“Neither PDP nor ADC is standing alone. I am a freelance politician now, and his party is also in limbo. We are looking up to the judiciary.

“Certainly, we are all in the opposition, and that is why I say this is a political discussion. We will not disclose everything we have discussed in terms of the ‘I’s and ‘t’s we have crossed,” he said.

He added that ongoing engagements among political actors were focused on possible realignment and cooperation ahead of future elections.

“We cannot operate without a platform. At the end of the day, the current political situation may even help unify us and strengthen our chances of winning elections,” he added.

Mohammed described Obi’s visit as symbolic, saying it reflected efforts to build bridges across regions.

“He is talking about unifying the country, building bridges, and creating a new tomorrow for Nigeria. This is what we stand for as a state and as a people. We feel highly honoured by this visit,” Mohammed said.

Speaking earlier, Obi said the visit was aimed at fostering unity and strengthening collaboration across the country.

“My purpose is to solicit support and cooperation among stakeholders, particularly from the Bauchi state, in our quest to unite this country,” Obi said.