Abbas Yushau Yusuf

In what appears like turn of events in Bauchi politics, the citizens of Bauchi state resident across the seven states of the North West zone, put their weight behind Bauchi Gubernatorial candidate under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Usman Adamu Suphi in the forthcoming general election, 2027.

This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Suphi Campaign Coordinator, North West Zone, Bello A. Bello (Nalardi), in Kano, Sunday, after the meeting with stakeholders from the seven North West states.

Describing Suphi as a “… distinguished accountant, political strategist, grassroots mobilizer, philanthropist and public servant whose life has been defined by quality leadership, exposure, excellence and service to humanity…” Nalardi said they agreed to come together and support someone who could bring new Bauch on board.

Strong supporters came from all the seven North West states, after believing that, Bauchi now needs someone with vast experience across public and private engagements. Whose age could mean well for the development of the state across all ages irrespective of party affiliation.

According to the release, they put their weight behind Suphi bearing in mind that, his contributions towards the development of his people and the state long before now, earned him respect, reliability, enhanced trust and organizational independence among the citizens of Bauchi across Nigeria, as a whole.

According to Nalardi in the release, what Suphi represents, for being part of the gubernatorial candidates in the state, was hope, commitment, economic inclusion, equal opportunities for all, enhanced inter-dependence of multi-sectoral growth, good leadership style, humility and simplicity.

Without recourse to party differences, all the stakeholders from the North West believe that, his magnanimous relationship with all segments of the society and his patriotic love for the state, meant a lot in searching for the soul of Bauchi.

Referring back to some years before now, the press release acknowledges that, even outside politics and other professional feats he achieved, he is widely respected for his humanitarian contributions and commitment to uplifting ordinary citizens.

Part of the release reads, “Over the years he did well in the facilitation of employment opportunities for over 200 youth from Bauchi state in the federal institutions like FIRS, NCC, CBN, and other reputable organizations.”

Adding that he supported the recruitment of over 300 young people into security agencies like the Nigerian Police Force, Military, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Customs and Excise, and Nigeria Correctional Services. While sponsoring the marriage of numerous orphaned girls by covering wedding expenses, furniture, dowries and start-up support.

The signed release by Nalardi also appreciates Suphi’s unwavering dedication in the empowerment of multitudes of youth and women through business funding and entrepreneurial support worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

Adding that, he “… donated vehicles, motorcycles, and sponsored many individuals for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
His philanthropy has impacted thousands of families across Bauchi state and beyond.”

“One of his most notable ongoing projects is the construction of a massive 850-capacity ICT/CBT Centre in Azare, valued at hundreds of millions of naira. The project is designed to expand access to digital education, technology training, and employment opportunities for young people in Bauchi State. This initiative reflects his belief that education, innovation, and technology are essential tools for future economic transformation,” release reads.

Apart from his professional calling where he attained nadir position, he is not a new entrant in politics, the release observed. His political sojourn spans over two decades from where he achieved remarkable experience across different political platforms, strategic campaigns, and grassroots mobilization structures.

The stakeholders recall that, his political relevance and leadership began in 2001. The time he served as the President of the Katagum Progressive Youth Movement. From where he kick-started deep interest in Bauchi youth in political participation.

He was a member of the PDP Governorship Swearing-In Committee, in 2003. Where he proved his mettle as a vibrant young politician. As his relevance and contributions became visible in the eyes of all.

His relevance and visibility became amplified in 2015, when he played a strategic role when the chips were down during the formation and consolidation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). As the country was transiting to more meaningful democratic era.

As years moved on, that was between 2016 and 2017, he was State Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Where he subsequently emerged as their governorship candidate. That was when je declared in a louder tone, that his ambition was to serve his state at the higher level. That demonstrated his growing political influence, relevance and ambition.

The press release reflected back that, “From 2017 to 2019, he served as the Deputy National Chairman of NNPP, where he contributed significantly to party expansion, organizational growth, and policy direction at the national level.

In 2022, he served as Director of Mobilisation for the APC Gubernatorial Campaign, where he led extensive grassroots outreach and voter mobilization efforts.
He also served as Director of the Tinubu Support Group in 2022–2023, coordinating stakeholder engagement and campaign strategy in support of national political objectives.”

While in recent period, as noted by the release, between 2023 and 2025, he was the Deputy Chairman of AA Consolidation of APC Support Groups. As he became a unifying factor in gaining multiple support structures and strengthening of grassroot political inclusion and proper coordination.

So also in 2025, as the release noted, “… he returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and currently serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP in Bauchi State, where he contributes to strategic party direction, conflict resolution, party unity, and policy guidance.”

The North West stakeholders meeting of Bauchi citizens further disclosed that, plan reached an advance stage, where each and every state of the North West would organize their support meeting before election period, to show their solidarity to the candidature of Suphi and his unmatched credentials for Bauchi Government House.

,Nalardi appreciated that from the time they started urging people on the current voter registration exercise, Bauchi citizens particularly, to go and register well with the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was a significant improvement in the number of people who registered and were set for election period, come 2027.

The Arewa Youths Merger Group, APC, has thrown its full support behind the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and demanded the immediate investigation and prosecution of one Adeyemi Adeyini Matthew for allegedly parading himself as the Director-General of a bogus agency, the *Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

The group described the scandal as a deliberate political plot to defame the Presidency, embarrass the Federal Government, and undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after a meeting with the Chief of Staff at the Presidential Villa, the National Coordinator of the Arewa Youths Merger Group said it was the Presidency itself that uncovered the fraud and directed the EFCC and ICPC to investigate those behind it.

According to him, Adeyemi Adeyini Matthew has been moving around the country claiming to be the DG of PFIPC, an agency with no gazette, no law, and no approval from the Federal Government.

“He has been issuing fake appointment letters, fake ID cards, and collecting money from unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of recruitment, contracts, and foreign intervention projects. He is using the name of the Chief of Staff and the Presidency to give the scam credibility,” he alleged.

The group called on security agencies to arrest Adeyemi Adeyini Matthew and compel him to produce any genuine appointment letter from the President. “Nothing of such exists. PFIPC is a complete fraud,” it stated.

The Arewa Youths Merger Group said the attack on Gbajabiamila is part of a wider plot by some politicians to damage Nigeria’s reputation internationally and weaken the Tinubu administration.

“President Tinubu set up an economic team to block loopholes used in stealing public funds. He is the first President to openly expose how stamp duty funds were diverted and how irregularities at NNPCL were used to put pressure on Nigerians,” the group said.

It referenced ongoing corruption cases including a former Minister of Aviation accused of repainting a leased aircraft and presenting it as new, a former Minister, Suleiman Mamman and the alleged diversion of billions meant for the Mambilla Hydro Power Project, as well as cases involving former Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.

The group added that fraudsters are now colluding with some elements in the National Assembly and some bad staff within the Presidency. It said the removal of fuel subsidy was President Tinubu’s move to stop the racketeering done in the name of subsidy, which never benefited ordinary Nigerians.

The group linked the campaign against Gbajabiamila to religion and region, noting that most senior staff in the Presidency are Muslims and that Gbajabiamila is married to a Northerner.

“The aim is to tarnish his image, force him out, and break the South-Arewa alliance that produced the APC and brought President Tinubu to power,” it alleged.

The Arewa Youths Merger Group said it stands firmly with Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and will continue to defend his integrity.

It recalled supporting him during his bid to become Speaker in the 8th Assembly, his emergence as Speaker in the 9th Assembly, and his appointment as Chief of Staff.

Drawing lessons from the Buhari administration, the group said targeting the Chief of Staff, as was done to the late Abba Kyari, only weakens government.

“75% of presidential functions run through the Office of the Chief of Staff. How can the same person responsible for coordinating government be the one to create PFIPC to destroy that same government? If there is a problem, he will be the first to be blamed,” the group queried.

It alleged that some journalists, social media influencers and bloggers are being used to spread false narratives to “break the President’s spinal cord” ahead of 2027.

The group urged the EFCC, ICPC and other security agencies to conclude investigations and prosecute Adeyemi Adeyini Matthew and his accomplices.

It said it remains committed to defending the South-Arewa alliance and ensuring peace, unity and development under the Tinubu administration.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has denied the allegation that it spent more than ₦8 trillion outside the 2026 budget, asking those who believe this to show evidence.

This follows comments by IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, who said about two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside the budget in 2025, making the country’s fiscal deficit appear smaller than its actual borrowing requirements.

The IMF official said the discrepancy suggested that the government’s financing needs were higher than reflected in official budget figures.

The comment had stirred reactions from opposition leaders, civil society groups and critics of the Tinubu administration.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the off-budget spending allegation.

Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), demanded the resignation of the President.

But in a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Finance said reports suggesting that about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product was spent through a “shadow budget” lacked evidence.

The statement personally signed by Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance, said the comments of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) official was misrepresented.

Oyedele emphasised that the Federal Government does not operate any unofficial budget, arguing that all withdrawals and spending of public funds were authorised through Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts and other laws passed by the National Assembly.

He clarified some capital projects extend across multiple budget cycles and are implemented through approved rollover provisions, adding that such expenditures should not be interpreted as spending outside the budget.

“The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two percent of GDP amounting to over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government’s financial management.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government does not operate a “shadow budget” or expend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework established for public finance.

“Under Sections 80 – 83 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), public funds may only be withdrawn and expended in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly. Accordingly, Federal Government expenditure is incurred pursuant to duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other statutory authorities enacted by the National Assembly. In addition, multi-year capital projects which necessarily span multiple budgets are implemented in accordance with extant laws and approved provisions for capital rollovers where applicable. These are recognised features of public financial management and should not be misconstrued as expenditures outside the budget.

“It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support of the claim. To be meaningful, assertions of this magnitude must be supported by verifiable facts rather than conjecture.

“For the purpose of public education, it is important to distinguish between appropriation, expenditure authorisation, financing, and fiscal reporting. Nigeria’s public finance framework contains several statutory transfers, first-line charges and intervention mechanisms established by Acts of the National Assembly.”

Oyedele said the Federal Government remained firmly committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability.

He added that recent reforms have significantly strengthened public financial management with ongoing improvements in budget assumptions and credibility, transparent revenue administration, digitalisation of government financial processes, and stronger treasury management.