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Shehu to Jonathan: Your Claim on Buhari, Boko Haram is False

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, has disputed assertions made by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan that his predecessor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, was ever designated by the Boko Haram militant faction to act as their negotiator.

Responding to Jonathan’s observations during the public launch of a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd), in Abuja on Friday, Shehu characterized the declaration as inaccurate.

He stated that if Jonathan’s words were meant to serve as an early campaign platform for a potential 2027 presidential bid, then “he is making a false start.”

Shehu asserted that neither Mohammed Yusuf, the initial leader of Boko Haram, nor his follower, Abubakar Shekau, at any point selected Buhari for such a role.

On the contrary, he emphasized that Shekau persistently vilified and menaced Buhari, a consequence of their diametrically opposed beliefs.

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He reflected on the 2014 incident where Buhari had a close escape from a Boko Haram detonation in Kaduna, an event that resulted in injuries to members of his staff.

“Buhari’s electoral platforms were centered on confronting Boko Haram and reestablishing national security upon his election, placing him in direct conflict with the commanders of the terrorist organization,” Shehu remarked

Shehu added that Buhari himself had disavowed any awareness of such a proposal when the matter emerged in 2011.

Referencing a subsequent declaration by Buba Galadima, then secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), he recounted that Buhari had rejected the account as “mere conjecture,” as he had received no direct communication.

At that time, Shehu noted, Buhari affirmed that as a dedicated citizen, his continued commitment was to offer prayers for the nation’s peace.

The former aide explained that the misconception stemmed from an event where a Boko Haram splinter cell, potentially backed by Buhari’s adversaries, held a media briefing in Maiduguri. A man known as Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz asserted that the group favored Buhari, alongside other northern figures like the late Shettima Ali Monguno and Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, to serve as intermediaries.

Shehu underscored that Abdulaziz’s pronouncements were promptly repudiated by followers of Shekau, who stated he lacked the authority to represent the collective.

During that period, the CPC’s publicity secretary, the late Rotimi Fashekun, had also censured the Jonathan administration and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for capitalizing on the alleged nomination for political advantage.

Fashekun had labeled it “the latest gambit in the desire of the corrupt PDP-led government to divert attention from the massive looting of the people’s common patrimony.”

He maintained that Buhari had never been associated with any militant activity, depicting him as an “exemplary nationalist,” while simultaneously alleging the PDP government’s own involvement in the nation’s security challenges.

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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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