The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, that his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will negatively affect his presidential ambition.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele claimed that Peter Obi is too desperate and is unable to see beyond what he wants.

The man of God explained that the former Anambra governor doesn’t listen to instructions and that Kwankwaso has sold him out already but he doesn’t know.

“Peter Obi doesn’t listen to divine instructions, and because of this, he has fallen into the wrong hands for his ambition.

“Kwankwaso isn’t ready to fight for him; he will eventually sell him out, but he doesn’t know it yet. He has already muddled Obi’s presidential ambition,” he claimed.

The prophet stated that anything Kwankwaso was doing is for his personal interest and nothing more.

He explained that he doesn’t hate Obi or any politician, but he isn’t mature for the presidential position.

“Kwankwaso is doing everything for his personal interest and nothing more. I wish Obi’s eyes could be opened to what is happening around him, but he can’t see it. I don’t hate Peter Obi, I love him and his courage, but he is not yet mature for the position he is seeking.

“However, Kwankwaso’s plans will soon be exposed, but it will be too late for Peter Obi because he has gone very deep into it,” he added.

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The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has strongly criticized former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his reported alliance with Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a lengthy statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Secretary General, Hafiz Garba, the group described the alliance as what it called the “ultimate betrayal” of the principles upon which the Kwankwasiyya Movement was built.

The organization argued that Kwankwaso’s political movement had, for more than two decades, cultivated an identity centered on northern development, education, economic empowerment, and the defense of northern cultural and political interests. According to the statement, these values formed the foundation of Kwankwaso’s appeal across northern Nigeria and distinguished the movement from conventional political structures.

The Assembly pointed to the movement’s scholarship initiatives, welfare programs, and emphasis on northern identity as evidence of what it described as Kwankwaso’s longstanding commitment to advancing the region’s interests.

However, the group claimed that the reported alliance with Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement represented a direct contradiction of those ideals. It alleged that some supporters associated with the Obidient Movement had made disparaging remarks about prominent northern historical figures, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto; Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; and Islamic scholar Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio.

According to the statement, Kwankwaso has failed to publicly distance himself from or condemn such remarks. The Assembly argued that his silence on the issue raises questions about his commitment to the values and historical legacy he previously championed.

“The north has every right to demand answers,” the statement said, questioning how a leader who built his political identity around northern pride could align himself with a movement that, in its view, has shown insufficient respect for northern historical icons.

The organization further argued that the alliance demonstrates a shift from what it described as principled regional advocacy to political pragmatism aimed at securing electoral advantage in 2027. It accused Kwankwaso of prioritizing political ambition over the preservation of northern cultural and historical heritage.

The statement also expressed concern among some supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement who view the alliance as a departure from the movement’s original mission. According to the Assembly, many loyalists who embraced the movement’s symbolism and programs may now feel alienated by the new political arrangement.

Concluding its remarks, the Northern Youth Assembly described Kwankwaso as a major disappointment to northern political aspirations and argued that his actions undermine the legacy of leaders and institutions that have historically shaped the region’s identity.

Neither Kwankwaso nor representatives of the Obidient Movement had publicly responded to the Assembly’s statement at the time of publication.

Political analysts note that alliances and realignments are expected to intensify as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, with major political actors seeking broader coalitions capable of competing on the national stage.This version follows a conventional news-reporting style by attributing all claims to the Northern Youth Assembly and maintaining a more neutral journalistic tone.

By Lamara Garba

The return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has commenced, with the first batch of 560 pilgrims from Nasarawa State departing King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, on Wednesday for Abuja.

The flight, operated by Max Air, took off at exactly 9:27 a.m. Saudi time, marking the beginning of the inbound phase of the 2026 Hajj operations following the successful completion of the pilgrimage rites.

As the homebound journey begins, the Kano State Amirul Hajj and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has assured pilgrims from the state that adequate arrangements have been concluded to guarantee a smooth and hitch-free return to Nigeria.

Speaking during a visit to Kano pilgrims at their accommodation centres in Makkah, the Amirul Hajj said officials of the Kano State Government, through the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, are working closely with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and airline operators to ensure seamless airlift operations.

According to him, the commencement of the return journey by pilgrims from Nasarawa State signals the beginning of the final phase of the Hajj exercise, adding that Kano pilgrims should remain calm and continue with acts of worship while awaiting their scheduled flights.

“We have been following developments closely and are satisfied with the level of preparations being made. We want to assure our pilgrims that every necessary arrangement is being put in place to ensure a smooth return to Nigeria. There should be no fear of delays as we are maintaining close contact with NAHCON and the airline operators responsible for the airlift,” he said.

Dr. Abdulkadir explained that although the responsibility for transporting pilgrims back to Nigeria rests primarily with NAHCON and the designated airlines, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board remains actively engaged with all stakeholders to safeguard the interests of pilgrims from the state.

“While the return airlift is not directly the responsibility of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, we consider it our obligation to liaise continuously with the relevant authorities to ensure that the process is seamless and that our pilgrims are not subjected to unnecessary hardship,” he stated.

The Amirul Hajj also advised pilgrims to strictly adhere to airline baggage regulations, warning that anyone who exceeds the approved luggage allowance may face difficulties during check-in procedures.

“I want to urge all our pilgrims to carefully observe the luggage guidelines issued by the airlines. Anyone who carries excess baggage beyond the approved weight should not blame anybody if such luggage is rejected by airline officials at the airport. Let us all cooperate to ensure a smooth operation,” he cautioned.

He further reminded the pilgrims that the remaining days of their stay in the Holy Land should be devoted to prayer, reflection and other acts of worship.

Describing Makkah as a city specially blessed by Allah, he urged the pilgrims to intensify prayers for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

“The time we have left here should not be wasted on frivolous activities. Makkah is a sacred and blessed city where prayers are answered. We should intensify our prayers for ourselves, our families, our leaders and our country. Nigeria is in need of peace, stability and prosperity, and we must continue to seek Allah’s intervention for our nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, data obtained from NAHCON showed that two additional return flights have been scheduled for Thursday, conveying pilgrims from Kebbi and Ogun states aboard Flynas, one of the airlines designated for the 2026 Hajj operations.

NAHCON’s Head of Aviation, Alhaji Habib Bello, had earlier announced the commencement of the return flights and appealed to pilgrims to comply with baggage regulations to avoid unnecessary delays.

He said each pilgrim is entitled to two checked bags weighing 23 kilograms each and one hand luggage weighing eight kilograms, warning that non-compliance could result in delays or removal from flight manifests.

According to him, pilgrims are also required to notify officials at least 48 hours before departure to facilitate passport release, baggage processing and transportation arrangements.

The flight schedule for the return of Kano pilgrims is yet to be released by the commission. Kano pilgrims were among the last contingents to arrive in Saudi Arabia during the outbound airlift and are therefore expected to be among the later groups to depart.

Statistics from the NAHCON control room indicate that a total of 38,888 Nigerian pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia during the outbound phase of the operation.

The pilgrims were conveyed in 98 flights conducted over a period of 19 days by four designated carriers.

Max Air transported the highest number with 14,701 pilgrims in 31 flights, while Flynas airlifted 11,005 pilgrims in 30 operations. Umza Aviation conveyed 6,917 pilgrims in 16 flights, while Air Peace transported 6,265 pilgrims in 21 flights.

Further analysis of the data shows that 24,159 male pilgrims and 14,729 female pilgrims participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Kebbi State recorded the highest number of pilgrims with more than 4,000 participants, followed by Kano State with 3,603 pilgrims. Cross River State had the smallest contingent with 15 pilgrims, while Bayelsa State sent 17 pilgrims. Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Ebonyi states did not participate in this year’s pilgrimage.