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Fayose Alleges Makinde/Atiku Deal on ADC Ticket Ahead of 2027

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has agreed to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the condition that he emerges as the party’s vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general elections.

Fayose made the claims in a statement titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday.

According to him, Makinde met with Atiku in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday in what he described as a carefully choreographed meeting designed to ensure “confidence and acceptability,” with selected personalities in attendance.

“It is no longer news that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, went to Minna, Niger State, yesterday to hold a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,” Fayose wrote.

“Here is what happened behind the curtains. Venue and personalities involved in the meeting were carefully chosen so as to ensure confidence and acceptability.”

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Fayose alleged that Makinde agreed to join the ADC on the understanding that he would secure the vice-presidential ticket as Atiku’s running mate, subject to ratification by Atiku’s inner caucus.

He further claimed that discussions at the meeting took into account the possibility that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might neither accept a vice-presidential slot nor be considered widely acceptable in the North as Atiku’s political successor.

“Consideration was given to the fact that Peter Obi will not accept to be Atiku’s running mate and he won’t also be acceptable to the North, as Atiku’s successor,” Fayose stated.

The former governor also alleged that Makinde offered an initial contribution of N10 billion—payable in two tranches—to support what he described as the “proper take-off” of the ADC, with additional funds to be made available at the commencement of campaigns.

According to Fayose, Atiku is “70 per cent certain” of clinching the ADC presidential ticket, having allegedly influenced the party’s decision not to zone its presidential slot.

He further claimed that Makinde pledged to mobilise delegates from the South-West during the party’s primaries and leverage his wife’s Rivers State roots to garner support in the South-South. Fayose alleged that Makinde argued that his candidacy could split South-West votes in the general election to the ADC’s advantage.

Fayose added that a follow-up meeting between key figures was scheduled to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks.

Atiku and Makinde on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.), at his residence in Minna.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Atiku reportedly said his visit was aimed at strengthening the ADC’s structures in Niger State and paying a courtesy call on Gen. Babangida. He maintained that the meeting was not related to the 2027 presidential election, stating that his current engagements were focused on electoral reforms, particularly the push for real-time electronic transmission of results.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Makinde nor the ADC had publicly responded to Fayose’s allegations.

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Governor Yusuf Sacks Sagagi as Kano Commissioner Of Commerce

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi of his appointment as Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the former Commissioner is directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Director Commerce with immediate effect.

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Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation for the services rendered by the former commissioner during his tenure.

He acknowledged Sagagi’s contributions to the development of the state, particularly in the areas of politics, religion, small and medium enterprises.

The Governor wished him success in his future endeavours as he reassured the public of his administration’s continued commitment to efficient service delivery and good governance in the state.

This decision is part of the ongoing strategic realighment of government structures for systematic growth and sustainable development.

 

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Terrorist Logistics Suppliers Apprehended in Borno

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

This is contained in a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.

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The military said the suspects were intercepted while travelling towards the location to deliver the goods to the terrorists.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to the terrorist group.

“They admitted that they routinely purchase and convey items to the terrorists.

“Their justification was lack of employment, which points to a deeper socio-economic challenge in Maiduguri and its environs,” the army said.

The development, according to the reportt, validates recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic hardship and the sustenance of insurgency logistics networks.

“The arrest highlights the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in remote areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali,” it added.

The army called for a comprehensive approach combining military operations with economic empowerment and job creation to address the root causes of insurgency in the region.

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Kano Gov’t  Offers Study Scholarship to SWAN Members

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Kano state government has  facilitated and supported   members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Kano chapter  to proceed to pursue professional certification courses  in sports journalism, our correspondent reports .

The Special  Adviser , youths and sports to Kano state governor, Sani Musa Danja, disclosed that the offer covers their tuition fees.

He said ,   the beneficiaries  have been identified and their enrolment process have been completed.

According to him,  through interactions with stakeholders , the decision was reached for  some sports writers, who  are faced with the challenge of acquiring the required professional qualification to practice their trade should be given support to fill the gap.

said, findings have revealed that , for Kano sports writers to compete favorably there exists the urgent need to empower members of the association  to acquire certain requisite qualification to enable them feature amongst the best in Nigeria and beyond.

Danja speaking, when he hosted SWAN members in his  office , located within the premises of Kano state Library Complex, along Ahmadu Bello Way said that  the state government, under Abba Kabir Yusuf ,  on discovering this major   challenge , acted swiftly to address the lapses, by offering  to sponsor 10 SWAN  members to pursue professional diploma in Sports Journalism at El Roi London University.

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In his word  “ we give thanks to almighty Allah for his mercies, I want to thank our mentor and leader, his excellency governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf , who made this possible.

“his excellency takes the issue of empowering our people very seriously, the challenge facing our sports journalists is principally the issue of professional certification, some of our sports journalists have their degrees in other fields, but we are aware that, they also require to obtain certain  minimum qualification in journalism or other related fields to help them to excel .

“in line with the policy of the government of his excellency, we have moved in to make sure , these sons and daughter of Kano overcome  this hinderance that may hinder their professional progress.

“the sports media is the back bone of sports development and sports promotion, our government is focused and committed to  support and reshape the sports media to achieve the set out goal to empower Kano youths through sports.

“the mission  of his excellency through this gesture is   to empower our professional sports journalists and give them the required qualification to continue with their pursuit to upward steadily representation of  Kano state in that sector.

 

Danja hinted that,  Kano state government remains unrepentant  in its  upward investment drive to create a generation  of professionals that  would keep the state afloat on the terrain of quality and abundance human resources.

Reacting, chairman SWAN Kano chapter, comrade Zahradeen Saleh thanked the state government for the support.

He said, the scholarship offer is an major step towards uplifting the practice of sports journalism in the state.

He said the dividends of sports could only  accrue with the effective operations of the sporting press through the training and re-training of sports writers.

He admitted that, acquiring the requisite qualification to practice  sports journalism has been one of the major challenges confronting members of the association.

“ our members  who are the beneficiaries of this offer are  youths, on completion of the professional course, they will have stable professional growth and  would be better equipped to contribute their quota to the development of the state.” Zahradeen said .

 

 

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