By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized the £746 million port rehabilitation agreement signed by President Bola Tinubu during his recent state visit to the United Kingdom, describing it as a “mugu” deal—a Nigerian slang term for a foolish or exploitative arrangement—that disproportionately benefits the British economy while saddling Nigeria with significant debt.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that the agreement, which aims to rehabilitate the Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos, effectively functions as a commercial loan designed to channel Nigerian funds toward the preservation of UK industries.

“While the APC government has tried to pass off the deal as President Tinubu’s major achievement, it is in fact an achievement of the UK Government, which, through this deal, has managed to save its steel industry, protect thousands of UK jobs, and get Nigeria to pay for it,” the statement read.

According to details cited by the ADC from the UK Government’s official website, the agreement is structured through UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Buyer Credit Facility, arranged by Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The party noted that such facilities are typically used to finance the procurement of UK goods and services.

The ADC highlighted specific contractual obligations, noting that at least £236 million of the total will be awarded to British companies. Additionally, British Steel is set to supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets under a £70 million contract, described by UKEF as its largest export order of its kind.

The party expressed alarm that Nigeria appears to be assuming substantial debt to fund foreign industrial interests. The ADC called on the Federal Government to provide full transparency regarding the agreement, demanding details on interest rates, repayment terms, local content provisions, job creation for Nigerians, and skills transfer requirements.

“If the APC government has answers to these questions, it should make them available to Nigerians,” the statement added. “Otherwise, Nigerians are justified in concluding that, 66 years after independence, President Bola Tinubu has travelled to London to sign an agreement that resembles a colonial-era treaty, one that risks mortgaging the country’s future for limited value and symbolism.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has pushed back against speculation that he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that he is in no rush to leave the platform despite internal turbulence within the opposition party.

Speaking with journalists, the governor acknowledged that the PDP is facing what he called “existential problems,” but expressed confidence that the challenges can be resolved.

“We have some existential problems within the political space, but as leaders, we try to manage it,” Mohammed said.

His remarks come amid persistent rumors linking him to a possible move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The speculation has intensified in recent weeks as political realignments and defections gather pace ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mohammed moved to reassure his supporters, emphasizing that he remains committed to a collective political direction.

“I want to assure my supporters within the PDP and outside that I will not take them astray. We will make sure we provide a way for all of us,” he said.

Highlighting the fluid nature of politics, the governor hinted at the strategic considerations that shape major political decisions, though he stopped short of confirming any plan to defect.

“Politics is dynamic. We can be anywhere, but certainly we will not be stupid. We are strategic,” he added.

Mohammed’s comments underscore the broader uncertainty within the PDP, which has struggled with internal divisions and leadership disputes since the 2023 general elections. The turmoil has triggered a wave of defections and fueled speculation about further realignments.

While no formal move has been announced, the governor’s remarks appear aimed at steadying his political base and pushing back against the narrative of an imminent departure.

Political observers note that while defections are common in Nigeria’s pre-election season, Mohammed’s emphasis on caution and strategy suggests he is carefully weighing his options rather than acting impulsively.

For now, the governor remains in the PDP, even as speculation about his next political step continues to swirl.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A prominent Islamic scholar in Sokoto has delivered a blistering indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the President of exploiting religious sentiment to secure the presidency in 2023 while abandoning the Muslim community and the Northern region he courted for votes.

Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, a respected academic and cleric, used his Eid-el-Fitr sermon on Friday to launch a scathing critique of the administration, arguing that the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that propelled Tinubu to power was nothing more than a cynical political maneuver devoid of any genuine commitment to Islamic interests or Northern development.

“Tinubu won the 2023 election using the Muslim-Muslim ticket, but today Muslims are suffering under his government,” Prof. Sokoto declared before a congregation in Sokoto. “It is clear he is not governing with the interests of Muslims or Islam in mind.”

The scholar took aim at the core promise implied by the same-faith ticket, asserting that nearly two years into the administration, the North—which delivered overwhelming support for the President—has received neither policy focus nor tangible development in return. He pointedly noted that the President’s priorities lie elsewhere, favoring his political base in the South-West where alliances transcend religious lines.

“The North, which is predominantly Muslim, is not his priority. What he appears to prioritise is Lagos, and even there, his political alliances cut across religious lines,” Prof. Mansur stated.

In a direct challenge to fellow religious leaders who continue to rally support for the President, the professor called for an end to mobilizing voters based on religious sentiment. He insisted that future political advocacy must be anchored in verifiable performance rather than shared faith.

He issued a stark challenge to the President’s defenders, demanding they justify their support with tangible evidence of progress.

“Anyone who wants to campaign for Tinubu should tell Nigerians what he has done—whether in education, healthcare, agriculture, business, the economy, or electricity,” he said. “But if there is nothing to point to, then Nigerians should be free to explore other options in the hope of finding relief.”

The cleric’s remarks have reignited a fierce debate over the role of faith in Nigeria’s electoral politics, a conversation that has grown increasingly volatile since the Muslim-Muslim ticket shattered traditional religious balancing norms during the 2023 general elections.