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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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Public Enlightenment Movement Spotlights Northern Nigeria’s Infrastructure and Healthcare Gains Under Tinubu

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The National Coordinator of the Public Enlightenment Movement, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, has unveiled Phase 7 of the organisation’s project update, highlighting major infrastructure and healthcare achievements recorded across Northern Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing members of the press, Nuhu said the initiative remains committed to providing verified information on government projects and developmental progress across the northern states.

He explained that the Public Enlightenment Movement was established to promote transparency, public awareness and citizen engagement by documenting and disseminating updates on strategic national projects.
According to him, the latest phase focuses on critical infrastructure interventions aimed at boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.

Among the projects highlighted is the ongoing reconstruction of the Ajingi–Jahun–Kafin Hausa Road linking parts of Kano State and Jigawa State, which is expected to ease transportation of agricultural produce and improve trade activities across the corridor.

He also noted progress on the dualisation of the Minna–Bida Road in Niger State, describing it as a strategic route expected to reduce travel time and improve road safety for commuters.

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Nuhu Abdullahi further highlighted the accelerated completion of the Kaduna Western Bypass in Kaduna State, noting that the project is designed to improve movement for residents and travellers connecting to the Abuja corridor.

In the same vein, he said the rehabilitation of the previously neglected Shiroro Road in Niger State has significantly shortened travel distances and revitalised economic activities in surrounding communities.

On healthcare, the National Coordinator described the establishment of a world-class cancer centre at Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina as a landmark achievement in the health sector.

According to him, the facility is among the country’s top oncology centres, equipped with modern medical infrastructure aimed at making quality cancer treatment accessible and affordable for Nigerians.

He also cited progress on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, noting that the highway project is advancing steadily across six states with the integration of smart infrastructure such as streetlights and CCTV surveillance to enhance security and traffic management.

Nuhu stated that the projects outlined in the Phase 7 briefing reflect broader national efforts to improve infrastructure, healthcare delivery and economic resilience.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining public awareness on government interventions and national development initiatives.

“The projects detailed in this briefing are a testament to the wider national transformation currently underway.

While this phase focuses on northern Nigeria, it reflects a broader commitment to building a resilient, interconnected and healthier nation,” he said.

He thanked members of the media and citizens for their continued support of the Public Enlightenment Movement and called for sustained public engagement in national development.

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BREAKING: INEC Restores Mark-led ADC Leadership on Website After S’Court Ruling

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its website, listing David Mark as the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary following the judgement of the supreme court.

The development, spotted on Thursday evening, reverses INEC’s earlier decision in early April to remove the Mark-led executive from its portal, citing the ruling of an appeal court on the leadership crisis in the ADC.

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The Mark-led faction of the ADC and Nafiu Bala, a former national vice-chairman of the party, have been laying claim to its leadership.

However, earlier today, the supreme court directed Mark to return to the federal high court for the hearing and determination of issues arising from the leadership dispute within the ADC.

Delivering a unanimous judgement, a five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Mohammed Garba, faulted the order of the court of appeal which asked parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum.

Following the ruling, the ADC page on the INEC website, which was taken down initially, now shows the full list of the party’s leadership led by Mark.

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BREAKING: Supreme Court Nullifies Status Quo Ante Bellum Order, Restores David Mark-Led ADC Executive

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Supreme Court has set aside the status quo ante bellum order previously granted by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ruling effectively restores the executive committee led by Senator David Mark, reversing its delisting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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Delivering a unanimous judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel chaired by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the Court of Appeal’s order was unwarranted. The apex court also found that the appeal challenging jurisdiction had been improperly filed—it was based on an ex parte order inviting parties to show cause, without first obtaining the requisite leave of the appellate court.

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