By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde are currently engaged in a closed-door meeting with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), at his Uphill Residence in Minna.

Atiku arrived in Minna at approximately 1:30 PM local time, proceeding directly from the airport to the meeting venue. Governor Seyi Makinde joined the session around 2:10 PM, after which the high-level discussions commenced.

A brief press statement may be issued following the conclusion of the private talks. The agenda and details of the meeting remain undisclosed.

It was a moment of joy and motivation for Sai Masu Gida on Sunday as Kano Pillars FC returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Remo Stars and were handsomely rewarded for their dominant display.

Businessman and staunch supporter of the club, Alhaji Alkasim Musa, gifted the Kano Pillars players the sum of ₦1 million in appreciation of their impressive performance and fighting spirit against the visitors.

Mid-season signing Luis Dadong proved to be the difference on the day, netting the decisive goal in the 57th minute to secure all three points for the Pride of Kano at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

At the end of the encounter, midfielder Olakunle Alaka was named Man of the Match, an award presented by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano State Chapter. In recognition of his outstanding display, Alhaji Alkasim Musa further rewarded Alaka with an additional ₦200,000.

The generous gesture by Alhaji Alkasim Musa was warmly received by the players and officials, serving as a major morale boost as the team continues its push for a strong finish in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Next up, Sai Masu Gida will be on the road as they travel to Ilorin, Kwara State, to face Kwara United in NPFL Matchday 26, aiming to build on the momentum and secure valuable points away from home.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The #OccupyNASS protest demanding urgent amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act entered its second day on Tuesday, marked by a significant police blockade and the participation of high-profile political figures.

Protesters, who are advocating for provisions mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, were prevented from entering the National Assembly complex by a heavy security cordon. The standoff amplified criticisms of the police’s handling of peaceful assembly.

A substantial deployment of security personnel barricaded the entrance to the legislative complex, preventing demonstrators from submitting their demands directly. The move drew sharp condemnation from activists at the scene.

Prominent rights activist Aisha Yesufu directly challenged the police, stating, “Nigerian police, una no dey shame?” She accused them of targeting peaceful citizens while security challenges persist nationwide. “They send you to fight innocent citizens who want their voices heard, when there are terrorists to kill… When we pray against enemies of this country, we would have to include police that have made themselves a tool of oppression,” Yesufu declared.

Frustrated by the blockade, protesters chanted, “How many people police go kill o, how many people police go kill,” voicing concerns over what they described as excessive force and intimidation.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a recent defector from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), addressed the crowd. He linked his support for the protest to broader issues of governance and corruption.

“Is life easier now than when I was in the APC? Life is worse now,” Amaechi claimed, comparing the current administration to that of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He alleged severe corruption, citing an unspecified “16 billion dollar road project awarded without due process,” and firmly stated, “I left APC already and they will not win.”

The protest’s momentum has been building since Monday when former Labour Party presidential candidate and ADC chieftain, Peter Obi, joined the demonstrations. Obi endorsed the calls for electoral reforms, specifically urging lawmakers to enshrine real-time electronic transmission of results into law.

The ongoing #OccupyNASS action underscores increasing public pressure on the National Assembly to prioritize electoral transparency and accountability through comprehensive legislative amendments.