The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he describes as a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, criminal defamation and fake news allegedly orchestrated to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Highly placed sources familiar with the petition disclosed that Gwamna requested an immediate investigation by the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre, with the involvement of INTERPOL, following intelligence suggesting that some of those behind the online attacks may be operating from outside Nigeria.

The petition reportedly names several social media accounts accused of publishing false claims that the APC candidate had been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegations which Gwamna categorically denies.

According to the sources, the petition describes the publications as a carefully coordinated disinformation campaign designed to mislead the public, injure his reputation and manipulate public perception at a time when his political profile and grassroots support continue to grow across Gombe State.

The petition reportedly urges the Police to obtain subscriber information, IP logs and other digital evidence from Meta Platforms, identify the sponsors and financiers of the campaign, prosecute all those found culpable and secure the removal of the offending publications.

Political analysts believe the latest development underscores the increasingly desperate tactics being deployed as the Gombe governorship contest gathers momentum.

Observers note that Dr. Gwamna’s emergence as the leading contender has significantly altered the political landscape in the state, with his growing acceptance across different constituencies unsettling sections of the opposition.

Rather than engage on policy, programmes and the future of Gombe State, critics say some political actors appear to have embraced misinformation, character assassination and cyberbullying in an attempt to slow the momentum of his campaign.

Supporters of the APC candidate expressed confidence that the petition would expose those behind what they describe as an organised smear campaign and reaffirmed their belief that the electorate would ultimately judge candidates on competence, integrity and their vision for the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the EFCC had publicly commented on the petition.

The spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, has alleged that popular singer Tijjani Gandu failed to distribute ₦10 million that was reportedly entrusted to him for musicians and media practitioners, according to a statement shared on the spokesperson’s verified Facebook page.

According to Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,he has released the ₦10 million to Tijjani Gandu with the intention that the money would be shared among fellow musicians and members of the media as financial support. He claimed, however, that the funds were allegedly not distributed as intended.

Writing in Hausa on his verified Facebook page, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa stated: “Na bawa Yaron nan Tijjani Gandu kudi naira miliyan goma ya rabawa mawaka da ‘yan media ya cinye, amma wai har dashi a maganar masu amana.” The statement translates to: “I gave this young man, Tijjani Gandu, ₦10 million to distribute among musicians and media practitioners, but he consumed it all, yet he still speaks as though he is among the trustworthy.”

According to the governor’s spokesperson, the allegation was made in response to ongoing public discussions regarding accountability and trustworthiness. He did not provide additional details on when the funds were allegedly handed over or identify the intended beneficiaries.

As of the time of this report, Tijjani Gandu has not publicly responded to the allegation made by Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. There has also been no official confirmation or independent evidence released to substantiate the claim beyond the spokesperson’s social media statement.

The allegation has generated reactions on social media, with supporters and critics expressing differing views on the claims made by the governor’s spokesperson.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the outgoing registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, on Friday, said strong institutions built on integrity, technology and transparency remained the key to sustaining public confidence in the tertiary admissions system.

Mr Oloyede stated this during the handover ceremony to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, in Abuja, where he reflected on his 10-year stewardship and expressed confidence in the board’s future.

He said the board’s achievements were anchored on five cardinal principles: staff welfare, discipline, technology, transparency and networking, which guided reforms that strengthened the credibility of JAMB’s operations.

He added that staff welfare received unprecedented attention during his tenure through improved working conditions, rehabilitation and construction of office facilities across the country, and enhanced retirement benefits.

He said, “When I stood at the threshold of this national assignment 10 years ago, I understood the depth of the responsibility placed on me.

“I knew the privilege and burden of stewarding a process that opens the doors to millions of Nigerians.

“One thing I remembered clearly was that I was just like a general on a military expedition and to fight, I needed officers and troops.”

Recounting his achievements, Mr Oloyede disclosed that the board committed more than N8 billion to strengthen employees’ retirement savings and financial security.

He added that the board under his leadership also introduced a 13th-month salary, increased examination-duty incentives from 10 per cent to 20 per cent and provided daily meals for staff.

The outgoing registrar said that retired workers received benefits ranging from N3 million to N10 million, while medical interventions and performance-based rewards were also introduced to boost staff morale.

Mr Oloyede, however, stressed that improved welfare did not diminish the board’s commitment to discipline.

He said more than 10 members of staff faced prosecution over various allegations of misconduct, noting that accountability remained non-negotiable in preserving the institution’s integrity.

Highlighting JAMB’s technological reforms, Mr Oloyede said the board expanded the use of biometrics, digital verification, CCTV surveillance, electronic payment platforms and remote monitoring systems to improve examination security and service delivery.

“I share the belief that we must all suffer for either the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment. This is why discipline is incontestable as a cardinal principle of JAMB operations, and that accounts for the well-known remittances of scores of billions in operational surpluses to the government treasury.

“At the heart of our operational blueprint is technology, and we owe many of our far-reaching reforms to innovative technologies.

“Scaling up of computer-based test (CBT), improvement of digital architecture, creating a central admissions processing system (CAPS), advanced biometric and identity verification, CCTV monitoring, and others are some of the steps taken to make our operations seamless on rock-solid integrity,” he said.

He acknowledged that technology was not infallible, recalling recent operational challenges, but maintained that continuous innovation and internal vigilance remained essential.

He also said that transparency was institutionalised by publishing the board’s operational and financial activities and making the admission process more open and accountable.

According to him, the reforms have significantly reduced arbitrary admissions and strengthened public trust in the board.

Mr Oloyede also attributed some of JAMB’s achievements to collaboration with security agencies, tertiary institutions, the National Identity Management Commission, communications regulators, civil society organisations, the media and more than 1,000 accredited CBT centres.

He said the board had modernised its operations, reduced examination malpractice, strengthened accountability and restored confidence in Nigeria’s admission process.

“We made mistakes because we are human, and we corrected them. Whatever was done right was a collective effort, while I accept responsibility for whatever fell short,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the board’s institutional culture, dedicated workforce and robust systems would enable his successor to consolidate on the reforms.

He urged stakeholders to support the new registrar, saying the success of any institution depended not on an individual but on the strength of its systems and values.

In his inaugural address, the new Registrar, Mr Aina, pledged to preserve JAMB’s integrity while building a stronger institution driven by professionalism and accountability.