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Order Oduah to Produce Her NYSC Certificate, Groups Urges PDP
The Concerned Anambra North Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Stakeholders has asked the National Chairman of the party to order a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah to produce her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate or be disqualified from participating in the party’s primary for Anambra North Senatorial election.
The group, in a petition to the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, said Oduah should be disqualified for presenting doubtful documents and credentials all of which they said were in the custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the public domain.
They attached to the petition INEC Form C.F. 001 in where Oduah claimed she had lost her NYSC certificate. It was on the basis of this claim that she was elected into the Senate
The stakeholders said these documents and credentials having now been subjected to verification were found to be doubtful or non-existence.
In 2014, Oduah deposed to an affidavit and obtained a police extract (both documents attached to the petition) where she stated that she obtained a First School Leaving Certificate from St John Odoakpu, Onitsha.
“However, upon an enquiry to the Ministry of Basic Education, Anambra State in 2019, it was discovered from their response that Senator Oduah was never among the pupils that sat for FSLC in 1973 in the Old East Central State of which the present Anambra State was part of. Thus, her claims of obtaining FSLC in 1973 are false and misleading”, the stakeholders said. They attached a Certified True Copy of list of pupils who sat for the exams in 1973.
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In the same affidavit and police extract submitted to INEC by Oduah, she also claimed to have participated in the National Youth Service NYSC scheme in 1983 and that she lost the discharge certificate issued to her by the NYSC.
However, instead of applying to the NYSC headquarters for a letter of confirmation indicating her NYSC number and the year she did the service, she submitted a letter from Nigeria Employers Consultative Association purportedly confirming that she participated in NYSC.
The PDP stakeholders in Anambra North said this claim is doubtful, noting that NECA is not in a position to confirm whether Oduah did NYSC or not.
The stakeholders are demanding that the PDP screening panel subject Oduah to strict documentary proof of all her claims on primary school attendance, certificate and the NYSC.
They also drew the attention of the screening panel to item number ‘f’of the PDP Primaries Screening Exercise Brief Forms which harps on integrity where aspirants were expected to answer questions like ‘Were you ever indicted by an administrative or judicial panel of enquiry’.
The stakeholders said: “Senator Oduah was indicted by the House of Representatives in 2013 as well as a Presidential Panel of Enquiry in the same year over the bullet proof BMW scandal. She is also undergoing criminal prosecution.”
They urged the screening panel to disqualify her from participating in the primaries and that the party would be taking a risk if it sponsored an unqualified candidate for the 2023 general elections.
They reminded the party that a candidate of any political party who claims documents that are misleading/unverifiable jeopardizes the seat of that party it won in a general election in the event of a pre or post- election inter party litigation.
The Electoral Act 2022 in section 29(8) also imposes a fine of N10 million on the party that sponsored an unqualified candidate.
THISDAY
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2027: Over 500 Northern Muslim Clerics Endorse Tinubu for Second Term
2027: Over 500 Northern Muslim Clerics Endorse Tinubu for Second Term
The Muslim Intellectuals Forum, comprising over 500 Islamic scholars and preachers from northern Nigeria, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing improvements in security and infrastructure development across the region.
DUTSE, Nigeria – The Muslim Intellectuals Forum has urged Nigerians to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 general election, passing a vote of confidence in his leadership following a closed-door meeting in Dutse, Jigawa State, on Saturday. The forum, a coalition of Islamic preachers, Juma’at imams, academics, and Qur’anic memorisers from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, declared its support after extensive discussions on the state of the nation. The resolution was read to journalists by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muntaka Darma, who said the forum acknowledged improvements in security and infrastructure across northern Nigeria under the Tinubu administration. “The forum agreed that there have been some improvements in terms of all factors and indicators of development in northern Nigeria,” Darma stated.
No fewer than 500 Muslim clerics attended the meeting, including imams, preachers, and Qur’anic memorisers from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Several political leaders also graced the event, including Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The forum identified infrastructure development, including the rehabilitation of the Kano-Kaduna road, as one of the notable improvements recorded. Darma also cited improved security in several areas, particularly parts of Kaduna, Katsina, and Sokoto states. “Generally, security has improved in the north-eastern states,” he said, while acknowledging that further efforts were still required.
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Despite its endorsement, the forum urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address security challenges in Niger and Zamfara states. “Although the forum agreed that more needs to be done in Niger, Zamfara and other places, generally security has improved,” Darma said. According to him, the forum subsequently resolved to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. “The forum, therefore, invited the general public to vote for the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 2027 election,” he said. Darma described the endorsement as the resolution of the meeting following extensive discussions among participating Muslim intellectuals and religious leaders.
The endorsement comes as political actors intensify mobilisation and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections. It also follows recent comments by prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, who reaffirmed his support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, describing himself as “one of those who raise the flag of Islam.” Jingir, one of the most influential clerics associated with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), made the remarks at a mass wedding celebration in Kano, urging Muslims to vote in large numbers to demonstrate their numerical strength. “I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again,” he said. He also claimed that in the 2023 election, “when the votes were counted, Allah helped us, and we defeated them.”
The comments have drawn criticism from political figures, including Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa Femi Fani-Kayode, who warned that Jingir’s remarks risked alienating Christian voters and could undermine Tinubu’s re-election bid. “Jingir is not only feeding into that false narrative with his reckless words, but he is also endangering the chances of our candidates in the 2027 presidential election because in order for us to win, we need BOTH Muslim AND Christian votes,” Fani-Kayode said. Former Kano State Governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso also condemned Jingir’s remarks, saying divisive rhetoric should be discouraged at a time when the country requires greater cohesion. “At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged,” Kwankwaso said. Jingir, however, has remained defiant, telling BBC Hausa that he has “no regrets” over his position, insisting that his advocacy is based on Islamic teachings rather than political interests. “I am not promoting Tinubu; I am promoting Islam,” he declared.
2027: Over 500 Northern Muslim Clerics Endorse Tinubu for Second Term
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Lagos Police arrest five suspected telecom vandals, recover truckload of iron rods
Lagos Police arrest five suspected telecom vandals, recover truckload of iron rods
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspected telecommunication vandals and recovered a truckload of suspected stolen iron rods in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The suspects were allegedly caught stealing iron poles intended for the construction of telecommunication masts before they were apprehended while conveying the materials in a truck.
The suspects were identified as Mohammed Shaibu, 26; Musa Zakari, 29; Abdullahi Bala, 22; Salisu Musa, 18; and Yahuza Bala, 20.
The Command said the arrests were made as part of its intensified efforts to tackle vandalism and theft of critical infrastructure across Lagos State.
According to the police, the suspects are currently in custody, while the matter is being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.
The Command said discreet investigations were ongoing to track down other suspects who allegedly fled and establish the full extent of the alleged operation.
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The police also acknowledged the support of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, saying the cooperation between the two security agencies contributed significantly to the successful operation and arrest of the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to protect critical infrastructure and ensure that anyone found responsible for vandalism is brought to justice.
Fatai also urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information about suspicious activities in their communities to security agencies.
The Command said members of the public can report emergencies and suspicious activities through its designated emergency lines, including 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.
The latest arrests highlight continuing security concerns over the vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, which can undermine network expansion, disrupt services and impose additional costs on infrastructure operators.
The police said investigations would continue to determine whether the five suspects allegedly acted alone or were connected to a wider network involved in the theft and movement of telecommunications infrastructure materials.
The suspects remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.
Lagos Police arrest five suspected telecom vandals, recover truckload of iron rods
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Stop Sokoto killings or resign, MURIC tells Defence Minister
Stop Sokoto killings or resign, MURIC tells Defence Minister
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has given the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), 14 days to take decisive action to halt killings and kidnappings in Sokoto State or resign from office.
MURIC, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the ultimatum followed what it described as the worsening security situation in the state and the minister’s earlier pledge to end the killing of Nigerians.
According to the organisation, 43 people and an imam were killed while 19 others were abducted in three separate attacks in Sokoto State within the past few weeks.
MURIC said the victims were Muslims, adding that the continued attacks had heightened concerns over the safety of residents, farmers, travellers and communities across the state.
“Killings and kidnappings around Nigeria have continued unabated. The level of insecurity has risen to an all-time high. But these terrorist activities have been concentrated on Sokoto State in particular in the past two years,” Akintola said.
The group described the attacks as a reflection of what it called weaknesses in the country’s security architecture and accused the military of failing to adequately protect citizens in the affected areas.
MURIC further argued that attacks in Sokoto had wider implications because of the state’s historical and religious significance to Nigerian Muslims.
“If Abuja is Nigeria’s political capital, if Lagos is the country’s economic hub, then Sokoto is the heart of Islamdom in Nigeria,” the group said.
It urged the military to strengthen security around Sokoto, insisting that the state required what it described as an “iron-clad defence mechanism” to prevent further attacks.
The organisation also recalled statements reportedly made by Musa when he assumed office as Defence Minister in late 2025, in which he pledged to work towards ending killings and said he could not afford to fail himself, his country and his family.
MURIC said the current security situation in Sokoto amounted to a failure to fulfil that pledge.
“Today Sokoto is under siege. Farmers cannot go to their farms. Villagers seek safe haven in distant lands. City dwellers sleep with one eye open. Travellers have become human merchandise, abducted, humiliated, dehumanised and turned to mere goods whose price must be haggled with criminals,” Akintola said.
The group also expressed concern over a warning reportedly issued by the Department of State Services that terrorists were planning attacks on tertiary institutions in Sokoto State.
MURIC described the warning as a serious development, saying it further underscored the urgency of taking immediate and effective measures to protect residents and institutions in the state.
The organisation therefore gave the Defence Minister 14 days, beginning from Monday, August 24, to demonstrate what it called “visible, tangible and reliable changes” in the security situation in and around Sokoto.
MURIC said the objective should be to make the state, particularly the Sokoto metropolis, safe from terrorist and bandit attacks.
“The alternative is for the Minister to submit his letter of resignation on or before the ultimatum. There is no other option on the table,” Akintola said.
The organisation called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to intensify operations against terrorists and bandits while ensuring the protection of civilians, farmlands, educational institutions and major routes across Sokoto State.
Stop Sokoto killings or resign, MURIC tells Defence Minister
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