By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), recently met with JD Vance, vice-president of the United States; and Marco Rubio, US secretary of state; over counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa.

In a post on X, Secure Nigeria, a social media platform focused on security issues, stated that the meeting reinforced the partnership between Nigeria and the US in combating terrorism across the region.

The post added that President Bola Tinubu appreciates the partnership and continued support of the US government under President Donald Trump.

“@officialABAT is grateful for @realDonaldTrump’s partnership and continued U.S. training and intelligence support as Nigerian forces intensify operations to dismantle terrorist networks, protect Nigerian Christians, and defend all vulnerable communities,” the post reads.

“Africa’s largest democracy isn’t wavering. Nigeria stands as a frontline U.S. partner against ISIS, Boko Haram, and rising terror threats across the Sahel.”

The platform said both countries remain committed to defeating terrorism and strengthening regional security cooperation.

“This fight is winnable, and together, the U.S. and Nigeria intend to finish it,” the post added.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A deepening leadership crisis has split the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the body of state governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), into rival factions.

The incumbent chairman, Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State, maintains that he remains in charge of the forum alongside his deputy, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna State. However, a competing bloc has reportedly coalesced around Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara State.

Governors aligned with the Abiodun-AbdulRazaq camp hail from Adamawa, Zamfara, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Enugu, and Katsina states.

On the other side, governors backing Uzodimma include those from Kano, Taraba, Kebbi, Yobe, Lagos, Gombe, Kogi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states.

On Friday, the governors supporting Uzodimma passed a vote of confidence in his leadership during what was described as an emergency meeting at the Imo State Lodge in Abuja. The gathering occurred just hours after the PGF denied reports that Uzodimma had been removed as chairman.

Governors present at the meeting included Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Emmanuel Akabe, deputy governor of Nasarawa State, attended on behalf of his principal.

Earlier reports had claimed that Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu State, emerged as the new chairman of the PGF following an extraordinary meeting of APC governors in Abuja on Thursday night. According to those reports, about 20 governors—including those from Ogun, Bayelsa, and Enugu states—attended the closed-door session, which was said to have resulted in Mbah succeeding Uzodimma.

As of the time of this report, the precise cause of the disagreement remains unclear, and neither faction has issued a detailed official statement explaining the split.

From Abbas Yushau Yusuf

As a result of diligent and transparent consensus supervised by the Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, between aspirants for House of Representatives seat from Tarauni federal constituency, the former Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Citizenship and Leadership, Nasir Bala Aminu (Ja’o’ji), picks the ticket.

He will contest in the forthcoming 2027 general election, under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), as he got the endorsement of sixteen (16) out of nineteen (19) stakeholders, from the constituency.

As Ja’oji’s opponents accepted consensus as the easiest way for victory, governor Yusuf, assured them of carrying all, as partners in progress in his administration. Thanking them for their foresight in the patriotic effort they exhibited.

On his part, Ja’oji thanked all the stakeholders and other party faithful, for the good understanding they show before and during the consensus period. Urging them to support the candidature for the betterment of the people of Tarauni, and Kano in general.

“I assure you of my total commitment and loyalty to your cause. Which is ultimately ours and party’s. I will also make sure that I always consult those who were there before us, in our legislative engagement,” he pledged.

As his nomination form, has already been handed over to him, by the governor, he thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for supporting youth inclusion in politics and governance.

Adding that, “As one of the pillars of Renewed Hope Initiative, youth inclusion, I will not relent in assuring our youth that, they will have a competent and committed Ambassador to the National Assembly. I will also make our able President appreciate our timely inclusion.”

Other opponents were reported to have appreciated governor Yusuf’s elderly intervention in the entire consensus process. Promising to support Ja’oji with all their political strength and influence.