Tinubu chides El-Rufai, says Kaduna no longer toxic, uncontrollable – Newstrends
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Tinubu chides El-Rufai, says Kaduna no longer toxic, uncontrollable

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu chides El-Rufai, says Kaduna no longer toxic, uncontrollable

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday appeared to take a jab at former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, crediting the state’s current administration under Governor Uba Sani for transforming what he described as a once “toxic” and “uncontrollable” environment.

President Tinubu was in Kaduna to commission a number of infrastructure projects, including the state’s newly completed 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, located at Millennium Square. The ultramodern health facility includes nine medical wings with departments for maternal and child health, radiology and imaging, intensive care, and special care units.

The hospital complex also received federal approval from the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority to house a cancer treatment centre and nuclear medicine facility.

Speaking during the event, the President said, “Governor Uba Sani has performed wonders and changed the environment from a previous toxic, uncontrollable environment to a state of life, progress, and development. I say thank you, my comrade. Thank you very much.”

The remark, widely interpreted as a direct reference to El-Rufai’s tenure, comes amid ongoing political tension between the two former allies.

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El-Rufai’s time as governor (2015–2023) was marked by controversies, especially his handling of the persistent ethno-religious violence in Southern Kaduna. He was frequently accused of bias and insensitivity in dealing with the crises, with critics claiming he downplayed the scale of the killings and unrest. His governance style also drew public backlash, notably in 2019 when he warned that any foreigner who interfered in Nigeria’s elections would “go back in body bags.”

The ceremony drew a crowd of political and traditional dignitaries. Among those in attendance were Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.

Also present were several state governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara).

Expectedly absent, however, was former Governor El-Rufai, who on March 10, 2025, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Announcing his move to the SDP, he declared his intention to “engage and persuade other opposition leaders and parties… under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and by-elections.”

Since then, the former governor has been in active talks with major opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, in a bid to block Tinubu’s path to re-election in 2027.

The rift between Tinubu and El-Rufai appeared to deepen following the controversial denial of a ministerial appointment to the former Kaduna governor in August 2023. Though initially nominated by the President and screened by the Senate, El-Rufai—alongside two other nominees—was not confirmed due to what the Senate described as unresolved “security clearance” issues.

Sources pointed to a Department of State Services (DSS) security report which allegedly flagged El-Rufai for previous inflammatory remarks related to religion and ethnicity. However, El-Rufai has since refuted the existence of any such report, asserting instead that it was Tinubu himself who withdrew support for the appointment.

Tinubu chides El-Rufai, says Kaduna no longer toxic, uncontrollable

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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7 minutes ago

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July 9, 2025

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

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“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

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Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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