The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dissolved its Kano State executive committee and constituted a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party pending the conduct of future congresses. The announcement was made on Monday in Kano by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North West), Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad, during a press briefing at the Kano Press Centre.

Addressing journalists, Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad said the newly constituted caretaker committee would be chaired by Alhaji Umar Bala. She explained that the decision was taken by the national leadership of the party in line with its constitutional responsibility to preserve the unity, continuity and constitutional integrity of the ADC in Kano State.

According to her, the dissolution of the state executives and the inauguration of the caretaker committee should not be interpreted as a victory for one faction over another but as a constitutional response to an administrative situation within the party. She stressed that the move was aimed at restoring stability and ensuring the uninterrupted administration of the party in Kano State.

Hajiya Najaatu stated that the national leadership acted in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and its responsibility to safeguard the future of the ADC. She maintained that when circumstances create a leadership vacuum within a political party, it becomes the duty of the national leadership to take appropriate constitutional measures to maintain order, discipline and continuity.

She further emphasized that the constitution of the caretaker committee was not a judgment on the loyalty or commitment of party members across Kano State. According to her, thousands of members had sacrificed their time, resources and reputation to build the party at the grassroots and had remained committed even during difficult political periods, adding that their contributions remained appreciated by the national leadership.

Speaking on the mandate of the committee, Hajiya Najaatu said its primary responsibility was to heal divisions within the party rather than deepen them. She noted that the committee was expected to rebuild confidence in the party’s structures, strengthen its institutions, prepare for future congresses and ensure that every genuine member of the ADC had a place within the party.

She urged members of the caretaker committee to lead with fairness, humility, transparency and impartiality, saying their success would be measured not by the number of decisions they make but by their ability to reunite members under one platform. She advised the committee to consult widely, exercise patience and always regard leadership as a trust rather than a privilege.

The ADC Deputy National Chairman also appealed to party members across the 44 local government areas of Kano State to support the transitional arrangement in good faith. She assured members that the doors of the party remained open to everyone and called on stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, dialogue and unity in the overall interest of the party.

Hajiya Najaatu said the political environment ahead would require greater unity and discipline, warning that internal disagreements should not distract the party from presenting itself as a credible alternative to Nigerians. She urged members to channel their energy toward strengthening the party, mobilising supporters, expanding membership and engaging communities instead of focusing on internal divisions.

She expressed confidence that the future of the ADC in Kano State would be stronger if members remained faithful to the party’s constitution and democratic ideals. She called on members to replace division with dialogue, suspicion with trust and personal interests with the collective interest of the party, while praying for God’s guidance for the caretaker committee, Kano State and Nigeria.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African businesses in Nigeria to leave the country.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Enugu, by Bestman Okereafor, NANS national executive director, corporate and private sectors engagement.

Mr Okereafor stated that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face the wrath of the more than 43.1 million Nigerian students across the country.

“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law-abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.

“As the biggest student body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.

“The reason for this action is simple: South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” he said.

He also stated that immediately after the expiration of the ultimatum, the student body would consider picketing South African businesses, while further actions follow.

He called on the federal government and the African Union to take more decisive actions against South Africa for its “inimical” acts towards other Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” he added.

It will be recalled that xenophobic attacks by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some allegedly gruesomely murdered.

Several businesses and premises owned by Nigerians in South Africa were either completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans during the xenophobic attack.

The perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.

The federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa back to Nigeria.

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

In what appears like turn of events in Bauchi politics, the citizens of Bauchi state resident across the seven states of the North West zone, put their weight behind Bauchi Gubernatorial candidate under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Usman Adamu Suphi in the forthcoming general election, 2027.

This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Suphi Campaign Coordinator, North West Zone, Bello A. Bello (Nalardi), in Kano, Sunday, after the meeting with stakeholders from the seven North West states.

Describing Suphi as a “… distinguished accountant, political strategist, grassroots mobilizer, philanthropist and public servant whose life has been defined by quality leadership, exposure, excellence and service to humanity…” Nalardi said they agreed to come together and support someone who could bring new Bauch on board.

Strong supporters came from all the seven North West states, after believing that, Bauchi now needs someone with vast experience across public and private engagements. Whose age could mean well for the development of the state across all ages irrespective of party affiliation.

According to the release, they put their weight behind Suphi bearing in mind that, his contributions towards the development of his people and the state long before now, earned him respect, reliability, enhanced trust and organizational independence among the citizens of Bauchi across Nigeria, as a whole.

According to Nalardi in the release, what Suphi represents, for being part of the gubernatorial candidates in the state, was hope, commitment, economic inclusion, equal opportunities for all, enhanced inter-dependence of multi-sectoral growth, good leadership style, humility and simplicity.

Without recourse to party differences, all the stakeholders from the North West believe that, his magnanimous relationship with all segments of the society and his patriotic love for the state, meant a lot in searching for the soul of Bauchi.

Referring back to some years before now, the press release acknowledges that, even outside politics and other professional feats he achieved, he is widely respected for his humanitarian contributions and commitment to uplifting ordinary citizens.

Part of the release reads, “Over the years he did well in the facilitation of employment opportunities for over 200 youth from Bauchi state in the federal institutions like FIRS, NCC, CBN, and other reputable organizations.”

Adding that he supported the recruitment of over 300 young people into security agencies like the Nigerian Police Force, Military, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Customs and Excise, and Nigeria Correctional Services. While sponsoring the marriage of numerous orphaned girls by covering wedding expenses, furniture, dowries and start-up support.

The signed release by Nalardi also appreciates Suphi’s unwavering dedication in the empowerment of multitudes of youth and women through business funding and entrepreneurial support worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

Adding that, he “… donated vehicles, motorcycles, and sponsored many individuals for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
His philanthropy has impacted thousands of families across Bauchi state and beyond.”

“One of his most notable ongoing projects is the construction of a massive 850-capacity ICT/CBT Centre in Azare, valued at hundreds of millions of naira. The project is designed to expand access to digital education, technology training, and employment opportunities for young people in Bauchi State. This initiative reflects his belief that education, innovation, and technology are essential tools for future economic transformation,” release reads.

Apart from his professional calling where he attained nadir position, he is not a new entrant in politics, the release observed. His political sojourn spans over two decades from where he achieved remarkable experience across different political platforms, strategic campaigns, and grassroots mobilization structures.

The stakeholders recall that, his political relevance and leadership began in 2001. The time he served as the President of the Katagum Progressive Youth Movement. From where he kick-started deep interest in Bauchi youth in political participation.

He was a member of the PDP Governorship Swearing-In Committee, in 2003. Where he proved his mettle as a vibrant young politician. As his relevance and contributions became visible in the eyes of all.

His relevance and visibility became amplified in 2015, when he played a strategic role when the chips were down during the formation and consolidation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). As the country was transiting to more meaningful democratic era.

As years moved on, that was between 2016 and 2017, he was State Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Where he subsequently emerged as their governorship candidate. That was when je declared in a louder tone, that his ambition was to serve his state at the higher level. That demonstrated his growing political influence, relevance and ambition.

The press release reflected back that, “From 2017 to 2019, he served as the Deputy National Chairman of NNPP, where he contributed significantly to party expansion, organizational growth, and policy direction at the national level.

In 2022, he served as Director of Mobilisation for the APC Gubernatorial Campaign, where he led extensive grassroots outreach and voter mobilization efforts.
He also served as Director of the Tinubu Support Group in 2022–2023, coordinating stakeholder engagement and campaign strategy in support of national political objectives.”

While in recent period, as noted by the release, between 2023 and 2025, he was the Deputy Chairman of AA Consolidation of APC Support Groups. As he became a unifying factor in gaining multiple support structures and strengthening of grassroot political inclusion and proper coordination.

So also in 2025, as the release noted, “… he returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and currently serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP in Bauchi State, where he contributes to strategic party direction, conflict resolution, party unity, and policy guidance.”

The North West stakeholders meeting of Bauchi citizens further disclosed that, plan reached an advance stage, where each and every state of the North West would organize their support meeting before election period, to show their solidarity to the candidature of Suphi and his unmatched credentials for Bauchi Government House.

,Nalardi appreciated that from the time they started urging people on the current voter registration exercise, Bauchi citizens particularly, to go and register well with the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was a significant improvement in the number of people who registered and were set for election period, come 2027.