By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah have begun their movement to Makkah as of Thursday.

According to an update from the commission, the transfer commenced after the pilgrims had completed a four-day stay in Madinah.

NAHCON further disclosed that the four official airlines handling this year’s Hajj operations—Max Air, Umza Airline, Air Peace, and Flynas—have so far transported 9,756 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The commission also advised pilgrims intending to visit the Rawdah (the sacred area containing the Prophet Muhammad’s burial chamber in Madinah) before departing for Makkah to coordinate with their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards for proper guidance and scheduling.

“NAHCON wishes to assure the Nigerian contingent that officials of state pilgrims’ welfare boards have already been trained and adequately guided on the procedures for booking Rawdah visits,” the statement read.

“However, pilgrims are kindly reminded that due to congestion and crowd management measures, access to the Rawdah is strictly subject to space availability and approved bookings. Pilgrims are therefore advised to remain patient, orderly, and to heed the guidance of their Ulama regarding the validity and acceptance of their Hajj rites.”

The commission emphasized that while visiting the Rawdah is a blessed opportunity, it is not a condition for the validity of Hajj.

“Allah grants such opportunities according to His will,” NAHCON added.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strongly worded warning to the federal government, demanding an immediate halt to what the party describes as covert attempts to interfere in the ongoing legal case involving Nafiu Bala Gombe.

In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi on Thursday, the opposition party alleged that desperate forces within the corridors of power are mounting pressure on Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court to recuse himself from the matter.

The party claims this alleged plot represents “a direct assault on the integrity of the judiciary” and a dangerous escalation in efforts to “weaponise state institutions against the opposition.”

According to the ADC, its legal team has obtained information indicating that despite the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment not yet being released or formally communicated to the trial court, the case has been curiously scheduled before Justice Nwite for May 8, 2026.

“This unusual haste,” the statement read, “is part of a calculated scheme to force Justice Nwite into recusing himself, thereby creating an opening for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the matter to judges allegedly considered more amenable to political influence.”

The party noted that this development runs contrary to directives from both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which ordered an accelerated hearing by the substantive trial judge.

The ADC further warned that “judicial recusal is not a toy for political convenience” but “an extraordinary measure guided by law, facts, and established judicial principles.”

The party has called on the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the international community to intervene urgently, drawing parallels to what it called “the shameful roles played by certain reckless judicial actors” during the collapse of Nigeria’s First and Second Republics and the subversion of the June 12 mandate.

“The judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man,” the statement concluded, “and not the last refuge of desperate politicians terrified of justice.”

As of press time, the federal government and Justice Nwite’s chambers had not issued responses to the ADC’s allegations. The case is scheduled to resume on May 8.

The Leadership of the Northern Youth, has criticized Amnesty International over its recent report on the alleged killing of five people in Kano, accusing the organization of bias, selective outrage, and deliberate attempts to tarnish the image of Kano State.

It is clear that, the statement of Amnesty International is reckless, unbalanced, and politically coloured, looking at how the organization has rushed to label the incident as politically motivated without carrying out a fair and comprehensive investigation.

The more disturbing on the report of the Amnesty International, is how it has consistently concentrated its attention on Kano while allegedly paying little attention to insecurity and violent incidents occurring in several other states across the country.

Many communities in different parts of Nigeria have continued to experience serious security challenges leading to loss of lives and displacement of innocent citizens, yet such incidents do not always receive the same level of international attention and condemnation, directed at Kano State

The clash that occurred on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, was a confrontation between rival groups of thugs with a long history of violent rivalry, insisting that there was no evidence linking the Kano State Government or any political actor to the incident.

We categorically fault the Amnesty International for allegedly relying on viral videos and unverified claims to make sweeping accusations against the APC stakeholders in the State, or government officials, warning that such narratives could inflame tension and mislead the international community.

“It is unfortunate that Amnesty International has chosen to politicize a criminal routine clash among hoodlums in order to create a false impression against Kano State and its leadership

We clearly accuse the organization of operating double standards by amplifying incidents in Kano while allegedly paying little attention to other parts of the country where similar security concerns are reported.

The Northern Youth Assembly shall continue to maintain the branding of the incident as political thuggery, without concrete evidence, as the claim of the Amnesty International should best be described as irresponsible and deliberate action capable of damaging the reputation of innocent individuals and institutions.

We call on Amnesty International to stop what we term as selective activism and sensational reporting, urging the organization to embrace fairness, professionalism, and objectivity in addressing issues affecting Nigeria.

The people of Kano would not remain silent while external organizations continue to portray the state in a negative light through what could be best described as unfounded and exaggerated allegations.

Signed:

Dr. Mohammed Ali Idris

President,

Northern Youth Assembly

NYA

Dr. Hafiz Garba

Secretary General,

Northern Youth Assembly

7th May, 2026