President Bola Tinubu has renamed the Federal University of Education in Kano the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education.

Alhaji Sule, 1929–2017, contributed significantly to Nigeria’s socio-political development throughout his illustrious career.

He served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, where he was Chairman of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid.

He also served as Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives (1954–1959), Leader of Nigeria’s Delegation to the Conference of Independent States (1960), First Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints (1976), and Minister of Mines and Power.

President Tinubu believes that immortalising Ambassador Sule’s legacy will inspire younger generations to uphold integrity, patriotism, character, and nationalism.

The Federal University of Education, Kano, is one of seven specialised universities of education under the Federal Government.

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and strategy Bayo Onanuga said as a federal university of education, it will continue to play a pivotal role in training teachers, further strengthening Nigeria’s education sector.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the party’s deviation from its founding principles. In a statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), vowing to rally opposition forces against the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, recalled his role in the party’s formation, expressing disappointment over its current state. He lamented that those now in control of the APC have shown no interest in addressing what he described as an “unhealthy situation” within the party.

“It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC would continue to align until I retire from politics. However, developments in the last two years have shown that this is no longer the case,” he said.

He further stated that despite raising concerns privately and publicly about the party’s direction, nothing had been done to change its course.

Departure from APC and Shift to SDP

El-Rufai announced that he had formally resigned from the APC by submitting his letter to his ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. He emphasized that before taking this step, he consulted with mentors, colleagues, and loyalists nationwide.

“As a loyal party man, I worked to help secure the APC’s election victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. However, the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers. The APC has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt. I find this no longer acceptable.”

Declaring his new political home, El-Rufai revealed that he had joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he intends to use as a platform for future political engagements.

Plans to Challenge APC in 2027

Beyond his defection, El-Rufai pledged to mobilize opposition forces under a unified front to challenge the APC in upcoming elections.

As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027,” he said.

El-Rufai called on his supporters and Nigerians concerned about the country’s future to join the SDP in the quest to restore Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape, given his influence and past role in shaping the APC. Analysts believe his move to the SDP could signal the start of a broader realignment among political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reactions and Implications

While the APC is yet to officially respond to El-Rufai’s exit, political observers note that his departure could embolden other discontented members to follow suit. The SDP, once a dormant party, may now emerge as a formidable opposition force, especially if El-Rufai succeeds in attracting key political figures to its ranks.

As Nigeria moves towards another election cycle, all eyes will be on how this new political development reshapes the contest for power.

Family of late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha (rtd) has cautioned former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida against tarnishing the image of the former military leader.

A statement on Sunday by Mohammed Abacha, the Abacha family noted that Gen. Babangida had in his recent book titled, “A Journey in Service” alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election “was the responsibility of the late General Sani Abacha.”

Abacha’s family said the claim sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response in the interest of historical accuracy and justice.

The statement which described the allegation as false, said, “Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha, who was a very senior military officer within the regime, is a deliberate distortion of historical facts. For years, various actors have attempted to rewrite the history of that critical period in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.”

The family in the statement argued that Gen. Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief at the time the June 12 election was annulled, saying, “The decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for the actions of his government.”

Abacha’s family also urged Nigerians to be “wary of revisionist narratives that seek to manipulate public perception for personal or political reasons”, stressing that “The memory of our late father and leader, General Sani Abacha, must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible.”

On how Gen. Abacha saved Gen. Babangida, Abacha’s family said, “We also find it necessary to state that at the time General Babangida’s life was under threat, it was General Abacha who came to his rescue, ensuring his safety.”

“We regret that ‘A Journey in Service’ missed the opportunity and failed to make history as a truthful and objective account of past events. As one public commentator aptly put it, honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author.”

Daily Trust