Hajiya Zulai Yusuf has died at the age of 98 after a prolonged illness.

Zulai Yusuf (Babar Talatuwa), who resided at Gama in Mangwaran Shata Ward of Nassarawa Local Government Area, hailed from Yajin Rana in Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano State. She died at the age of 98, leaving behind three children.

Among her children are Malam Abubakar Anas, Hajiya Saadatu Anas, and Malama Amina Anas.

She left behind 25 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Among her grandchildren are Dr. Muhammad Jameel Yushau, a communication scholar with the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah; Dr. Muttaqa Yushau of the Nigeria Labour Congress; and Abbas Yushau Yusuf, an editor with Nigerian Tracker online newspaper.

Others are Dr. Nafisa Yushau Yusuf of the State Universal Basic Education Board; Mujahid Yushau Yusuf, who works with the ICT unit of Bayero University, Kano; Anas Yushau Yusuf, a development worker; Barrister Sumayyah Yushau Yusuf; Abdurrahman Yushau, a banker; Gwana Hafsa Yushau Yusuf; and Ruqayya Yushau Yusuf.

Others are Juwairiyya Abubakar, Lubabatu Abubakar, Mubarak Abubakar, Muawaiyah Abubakar, Amiru Abubakar, Salim Abubakar, Nusaiba Abubakar, Mudasir Abubakar, and Abdulyazid Abubakar.

Also among them are Rabi Sale, Kamalu Sale, Balaraba Sale, and Yasir Sale.

She has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Kaduna State High Court on Monday directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to produce former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai for the next hearing in his trial.

Justice Darius Khobo gave the directive while adjourning proceedings after counsel for the defence and the prosecution agreed to the adjournment.

Speaking before the court, ICPC lead counsel, Ayodeleji Adelukpe, SAN, explained that the defence had requested an adjournment to enable its lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, to attend the swearing-in ceremony for a new set of Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the Supreme Court.

Adelukpe said Erokoro had sent him a WhatsApp message requesting that the proceedings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday be vacated, followed by a telephone call to explain the request.

He said he agreed to the adjournment for Monday out of respect for Erokoro and in recognition of the importance of the Supreme Court event but proposed that the case continue on Tuesday.

According to him, he suggested 10 a.m. for the continuation of proceedings, subject to the judge’s approval, but Erokoro requested that the sitting be fixed for noon.

The ICPC counsel, however, expressed surprise that El-Rufai was also absent from court, saying the communication he received from the defence counsel did not indicate that the defendant would be unavailable.

Adelukpe told the court that the information available to him was that El-Rufai would not attend because he wanted to review the results of his medical tests.

The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday and directed the ICPC to produce the former governor at the next hearing.

Nigeria Forward, a national socio-political group, has urged politicians and political parties participating in the 2027 general elections to focus on issue-based campaigns and refrain from hate speech, personality attacks and dangerous rhetoric capable of threatening national unity and peaceful coexistence.

In a press release issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, the group called on political candidates, parties and other stakeholders to conduct their campaigns responsibly by prioritising policies, manifestoes and programmes that address the needs of Nigerians.

The group’s position was contained in a statement issued by its Directorate of Communications and Strategy in response to the commencement of public political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Nigeria Forward, the growing tendency among some political stakeholders to engage in personal attacks rather than discuss policies and governance issues could undermine peaceful coexistence and deepen divisions across the country.

The organisation expressed concern over what it described as campaigns of calumny, character assassination and other negative political practices, warning that such tendencies could turn the political environment into an arena for personality clashes rather than a platform for exchanging ideas.

Nigeria Forward maintained that election campaigns should provide voters with an opportunity to assess candidates based on their policies, proposed programmes, leadership priorities and capacity to address the country’s challenges.

The group also criticised the alleged abuse of the media space, particularly digital platforms, which it said some political actors and groups use to spread fake news, hate speech and misinformation in pursuit of political advantage.

It called on politicians and their supporters to exercise restraint in their use of social media and other communication channels, stressing that the dissemination of misleading information could heighten tensions and weaken public trust during the electioneering period.

While acknowledging that the pursuit of political power is a legitimate feature of democracy, Nigeria Forward said political ambitions should be pursued with decency, decorum, mutual respect, responsibility and patriotism.

The organisation urged Nigerian politicians to draw lessons from established democracies where, according to the group, election campaigns focus on issues, manifestoes, policies and programmes intended to improve the welfare of the electorate.

“Our politicians must take a cue from their contemporaries in the advanced and developed democracies, where electioneering campaigns are based on issues, manifestoes, policies and programmes that are intended to be implemented for the benefit of the electorates,” the statement said.

Nigeria Forward further called on political leaders to demonstrate a sense of responsibility and patriotism in their conduct as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

The group said responsible political engagement would encourage voters to embrace patriotism and civic responsibility, while placing national unity, peace and development above partisan interests.

“Our politicians must show sense of responsibility and patriotism in their approach towards the 2027 electioneering campaign activities, thereby setting the pace and tune for a more responsive and patriotic electorates that are alive to their responsibility of being patriotic and committed citizens whose focus is national unity, peace and development,” the statement added.

The organisation also appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, civil society groups and other well-meaning Nigerians to hold politicians accountable for their public statements and actions, particularly where such conduct could promote division among citizens.

According to Nigeria Forward, sustained public scrutiny of political rhetoric and campaign activities would help promote responsible political participation and discourage conduct capable of threatening national cohesion ahead of the elections.

The group said all stakeholders had a responsibility to contribute to a peaceful electoral environment by encouraging issue-based debates and rejecting inflammatory statements that could undermine democratic engagement.

It further expressed the hope that greater accountability and responsible campaigning would contribute to the emergence of leaders committed to democratic principles, national unity and peaceful coexistence.

The statement was signed by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD, Co-Convener of Nigeria Forward.