By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Dauda Lawal’s Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has experienced mass defection of its leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress in recent days.

The defection, as claimed by a civic group known as the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, is as a result of leadership failure of the state under the administration of governor Dauda Lawal.

“The steady movement of PDP members into the APC is a clear signal of growing public frustration with the style of governance currently witnessed in Zamfara State,” the group said.

The Forum, in a statement signed on Thursday night by its Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Tsafe, praised Alhaji Muttaka Dalhatu, the former PDP Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area of the State, and others identified as ward leaders and executives for the courageous political move they made, adding that governor Lawal plays politics with the innocent lives of Zamfara people.

“Turning insecurity into a tool for political warfare is dangerous and deeply unfair to innocent citizens who bear the real cost,” the Forum stated.

The Forum expressed dissatisfaction on the degenerated state of insecurity in the State, alleging that since Matawalle left office, insurgency has grown in multiple folds, terrorising the people while the government has continued to fail in responding promptly with the required urgency.

The Forum further disclosed that some of the defectors cited Matawalle’s compassion, accessibility and understanding of Zamfara’s security realities as reasons for their decision.

“Our concern is not party labels, but leadership outcomes. Zamfara people deserve governance that prioritises security, honesty and human dignity over propaganda and political vendetta,” it added.

The Forum described Matawalle as a leader with political torelance and maturity, attributing his winning over members of different political parties as a proof of his leadership acumen.

According to the Forum, media narratives and political distractions were said to be the current government priorities rather than actionable plans to address the challenges facing the state.

The Forum emphatically stated that it was a non-partisan civic platform that prioritizes accountability, peace and the protection of lives and livelihoods in Zamfara State.

“Our concern is not party labels, but leadership outcomes. Zamfara people deserve governance that prioritises security, honesty and human dignity over propaganda and political vendetta,” it added.

Among the defectors who expressed confidence in the leadership experience of Bello Matawalle are political leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the State.

The member representing Maradun Local Government in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon Maharazu Salisu Faru; the PDP Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Abbakar Siddi Ciroma; and the PDP candidate in the state assembly by-election, Muhammad Lawal are said to be among the defectors.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has demanded for a probe into the discrepancies between the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the one gazzated and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP Sokoto), a member of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, raised a matter of privilege on the floor of the House, alleging discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions subsequently gazetted and made available to the public.

Standing under Order Six, Rule Two of the House Rules on a Point of Privilege, Dasuki told the House that his legislative privilege had been breached, insisting that the content of the tax laws as gazetted did not reflect what lawmakers debated, voted on and passed on the floor of the House.

However, in a statement on Thursday NafiuBaba-Ahmad, the Secretary General
of Council, said that the Council noted the alleged additional clauses and other substantial material alterations appearing in the gazetted tax laws signed by the President with utmost seriousness.

The statement added that the additions were neither debated nor approved by the National Assembly.

The statements read, “If established, this represents a grave and egregious constitutional infraction with far-reaching implications for democracy, governance, economic stability, and public trust.

“Given the profound impact of tax legislation on the lives, livelihoods of ordinary citizens, businesses, and religious, social, and economic obligations of Nigerians, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria actively monitored and contributed immensely throughout the legislative process of considering these tax reform bills at the National Assembly. Our engagements were guided by the need to ensure fairness, equity, transparency, constitutional compliance, and protection of the public interest.

“The Council is therefore shocked and deeply disturbed by allegations on the floor of the House of Representatives that what Nigerians collectively debated, scrutinised, and agreed upon through their elected representatives may have been altered at the executive level.

“Such action, if established ,tantamounts to tampering with the sovereign will of the Nigerian people and undermines the very foundation of constitutional governance.”

Accordingly, the council called on all stakeholders, in particular, the leadership of the National Assembly — the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio — to rise to their constitutional responsibilities by ensuring that these claims are transparently examined and appropriate actions taken before the commencement of the Tax Laws, on the 1 January, 2026.

The statement added, “Nigerians deserve respect, transparency, and fidelity to due process. Members of the National Assembly must be allowed, without hindrance, to conduct a critical, open, and transparent comparison between the harmonised bills passed by both chambers and the versions that were eventually gazetted, in order to establish the nature, extent, and impact of any alterations.

“The consequences of such alleged infractions are grave. They include erosion of public confidence in democratic institutions, weakening of the doctrine of separation of powers, exposure of the affected laws to constitutional challenges, economic uncertainty, and loss of investor confidence. Most critically, they set a dangerous precedent where laws become negotiable instruments rather than binding outcomes of democratic deliberation.

“Tax laws, by their compulsory nature, demand the highest level of constitutional integrity and procedural fidelity. Nigerians cannot be expected to comply with fiscal obligations arising from laws whose authenticity and legislative origin are in doubt. The Council therefore urges that this matter be treated with urgency, sincerity, and transparency in order to preserve constitutional order, protect institutional credibility, and reaffirm the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Nigeria’s democracy must not be undermined by executive overreach or procedural shortcuts. The will of the people, as expressed through the National Assembly, must be respected and defended.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate has, on Thursday, approved the nomination of 64 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees after reviewing a report from its Committee on Foreign Affairs. The committee’s findings, presented by Chairman Senator Sani Bello, were adopted by lawmakers. The confirmed nominees are expected to represent Nigeria in various countries, strengthening diplomatic relations and promoting national interests.

Career ambassadors confirmed include Arewa Esther (Oyo), Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Jane Basset (Cross River), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), and Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna), among others.

Non-career ambassadors include Ajimobi Florence (Oyo), Sulola Akande (Oyo), Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), Jerry Manwe (Taraba), Reno Omokri (Delta), Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River), Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Kano), and Abas Braimah (Edo), among others.

Senator Sahabi Yau raised concern over the absence of nominees from Zamfara State, urging the Senate to alert the President. The Senate President acknowledged the issue, noting the list was not exhaustive, and assured that more appointments are expected, with Zamfara State included in the next round.

The confirmation of these 64 ambassadors is a key step in filling Nigeria’s diplomatic positions, reflecting efforts to balance merit and equitable state representation. The newly approved ambassadors are expected to assume their posts soon, enhancing Nigeria’s diplomatic presence worldwide.