By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a rise in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which increased to 15.38% in March 2026, up from 15.06% recorded in February.

According to the NBS’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Wednesday, the 0.32 percentage point increase marks the second consecutive monthly rise in inflation this year. The March figure also represents a significant jump compared to the same period last year, underscoring persistent price pressures across key sectors.

Analysts point to rising food and energy costs, coupled with lingering supply chain disruptions, as primary drivers of the uptick. The NBS noted that food inflation remained elevated due to higher prices of staple items such as bread, cereals, and vegetables, while core inflation excluding volatile agricultural produce and energy also edged upward.

The development puts additional pressure on households and businesses, and may influence the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy stance in the coming months.

Kano South Concerned Elders Forum has appealed to Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf to appoint Hon Kabiru Alhassan Rurum as the next Deputy Governor of the state.

According to them, his appointment would support the administration and correct the years of political lopsidedness in the leadership of the state.

Their appealed was sequel to the nomination of Rurum, alongside Engineer Rabiu Sulieman Bichi and Murtala Sule Garo by the legacy group of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) for the governors final selection for the vacant post.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Elders, Senator Masaud El- Jibril Doguwa, they affirmed that the nomination of Rirum , a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and a current member of the Nigeria’s House Representatives, represented a turning point in the political history of Kano -South.

“For the first time in over 30 years, someone from the zone has come close to being nominated as the state Deputy Governor. All past efforts by other capable politicians from the zone to secure the post of the state governor has failed to materialize” they recalled.

The elders, which included Musa Salihu, Alhassan Kibya, Rabiu Bala, Yau Beza , Wai Ado and several others , lamented that the zone, which has 16 LGAs and is one of the largest Senatorial zones in Nigeria, has yearned for decades for an equitable representation at the highest levels of leadership in the state.

While appreciating the Governor for his strength of character, fairness, justice and sense of inclusiveness, they stressed that the choice of Rirum for the position would go a long way to strengthen the administration.

“He is a grass root politician, a team worker, and approachable with extensive network all over the state and beyond.. He shares the same values with the Governor on the delivery of democratic dividends to his constituency” they declared. End

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Tuesday secured bail from a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, bringing to an end a detention that lasted nearly two months.

Meanwhile, a Kaduna State High Court adjourned ruling on a separate bail application to April 21.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted the former governor bail after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution.

However, but ordered that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), had urged the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that it is a constitutional right and that the former governor has strong ties within Nigeria, making him unlikely to abscond.

However, the prosecution, led by the ICPC, opposed the application, citing concerns that the defendant could interfere with witnesses or obstruct ongoing investigations if released.

The court subsequently granted bail with stringent conditions, including a N200 million bond with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties are to include a recognised traditional ruler and a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15. Other conditions include the submission of landed property documents, deposit of international passports with the court, and a restriction on public comments relating to the case, among others.

A family member of the former governor, Bello El-Rufai, told journalists that efforts were underway to meet the conditions.

“The conditions are many, close to 10 or more, but we hope to fulfil them,” he said.

The ICPC had, on March 18, filed a 10-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, money laundering, and abuse of office.

El-Rufai’s legal ordeal began on February 16, when he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Although he was initially granted bail, he was subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC and remained in custody for several weeks before his arraignment.

On March 27, the ICPC granted him temporary release on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma.El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.

He was, however, returned to custody after her burial.

Proceedings were further complicated when the defence filed a motion asking Justice Aikawa to recuse himself over alleged bias, a request that was later withdrawn.

Meanwhile, at the Kaduna State High Court, proceedings in a separate case took a different turn as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application to April 21, 2026.

Counsel to the defendant informed the court that the defence team was served with an amended charge in court and required time to study its contents. The prosecution, also led by the ICPC, had filed an amended nine-count charge, altering the scope of the case and dropping a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, from the trial.

Defence counsel, Ubong Akpan, explained that the adjournment was also due to the inability of the court to deliver the ruling as scheduled, citing the bereavement of the presiding judge.

“His lordship was bereaved and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen,” Akpan said, adding that the defence remains optimistic ahead of the next hearing date.

El-Rufai is facing separate charges before the Kaduna State High Court bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

There was heavy security presence at the court premises, with armed operatives stationed at strategic points to maintain order and restrict movement.