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President Buhari’s Narrow Escape From The Scam Of Zamfara State Visit

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By Ibrahim Madugu

President Muhammadu Buhari was to visit Zamfara State last Thursday but the trip was cancelled on the grounds of bad weather. The purpose of the trip from official declarations was to condole the people of Zamfara State on the deaths caused by the bandits; but the grand purpose according to observers was for the state government to use the good reputation of the President through the visit to mend the ugly images of bad governance in the state including the strong allegations of aiding banditry. On learning about cancelling the trip, the social media space and public fora around Gusau and major cities in Zamfara State was filled with jubilation and joy as many did not understand the purpose of the visit beyond its broad day light political scam. One of the leading commentators and Chairman of a prominent civil society group asked a representative question in a social media post “what was the president coming to do in Zamfara…was he planning to meet the representative of the IDPs, for example?”. Another academic and prominent commentator wrote “thank you PMB for postponing the visit. This will save the image of the government and the good people of the state… there is virtually nothing to be commissioned by the President”.

On the other hand, cancelling the trip was a big disappointment for Governor Matawalle and his supporting minions because of the near zero goodwill they enjoy from the wider public. One of the members of Zamfara State Assembly loyal to the Governor wrote an emotional comment in response to the cancelled trip in Hausa that reads “May God disappoint all those who want to see us disappointed”, On his part, the Governor organized an elaborate press conference to explain the reason for cancelling the trip submitting that it was the will of God. Mr. Matawalle was quoted by the Punch Newspaper lamenting “As man proposes, God disposes. I am sadly announcing that President Muhammadu Buhari has postponed his condolence visit to Zamfara due to the sharp drop in weather conditions”. One insightful person asked, if this is truly a condolence visit, why all the effort to raise hundreds of billboards in the state capital? Is it to mock the dead persons? Ideally, a condolence visit should be low key; but that of Zamfara was done with huge amount of money spent out of the meagre resources of the state to raise bill boards and use same money explain why the trip did not happen to the media.

After President Buhari’s return to Abuja, a recorded broadcast was made by the President in both English and Hausa to apologise to the people of Zamfara State for his inability to conduct the visit. The one minute thirty seconds scripted speech revealed how much pressure was mounted on the presidency to save the face of Zamfara State Government. In a sane world, a brief impromptu session with the media from Sokoto or at arrival in Abuja by the President could have been more natural response; others feel a statement from the President’s media aids as it happens in even more important situations than cancelling a trip could have been apt. One analyst said that the speech was a useful clue to the suspicion that the Governor of Zamfara was scammed by the most talked about merchants of the presidency who collect millions of money behind the President’s stern eyes and make promises and assurances. He believed that same people must have been given more money or have received enough to drag the President into making the exaggerated address that does not tally with his known ways in recent past.

President Buhari needs to give credence assumptions like the one earlier and watch his close aides especially as 2023 draws nearer. In fact, President Buhari should actually do more vigilance as someone like the Governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, who has serious allegations of corruption and wrong doing are desperately frequenting the Presidency to return to power with the support of another scammer in the person of former Governor Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura. Two prominent allegations that President Buhari should know about Matawalle to be on his guard are the forgery of certificates of landed properties in Abuja and being a top beneficiary of the misappropriation of armed funds of the past government. As a Governor, Matawalle has been known to be collaborating with the bandits and supporting their action through the agency of the failed amnesty he created hoping to use them as the last option to win election. One of the strong indicators to this are the recent arrest of the supplier of arms and food to the bandits by name Musa Kamarawa who was confirmed to be a political appointee of the Governor Matawalle. Presently, a prominent Islamic Scholar in Sokoto State by name Malam Murtala Assada attributed the escalation of banditry in northwest to the complicity of Governor Matawalle and challenged the Governor to counter the claim. The scholar argued that Governor Matawalle joined the APC to cover his crime of aiding bandits because he knew that joining the ruling party guarantees ‘forgiving all sins’.

On behalf of the people of Zamfara, we have every reason to celebrate the cancellation of President Buhari’s trip to the state. The good people of Zamfara do not deserve such scorning from President Buhari whose loyal supporters they have remained in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 against antics like Governor Matawalle who left no stone unturned in opposition to the president during his famous political struggles. If it is the work of the weather, it must be God’s way of answering the prayers of the good people of Zamfara and a way of protecting the good image of President Muhammadu Buhari from the scam of Governor Matawalle and his co-travellers.

Ibrahim Madugu Writes from Gusau Zamfara State.

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Ward Tour: Akeweje Flags Off Cash Support for Widows, Older People in Oro Ward 2

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•Says 800 widows and older people across Irepodun LGA will benefit

The aspirant for Irepodun Constituency in the forthcoming 2027 Kwara State House of Assembly election, Akeweje Olayinka Fafoluyi, has taken his ward tour to Oro Ward 2 in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where he flagged off his N10,000 cash support initiative for widows and older people.Akeweje, who was warmly welcomed by stakeholders, APC faithful, and supporters, distributed N10,000 cash support each to about 50 widows and older people present, noting that the initiative would benefit 800 widows and older people across wards in Irepodun LGA.Speaking to stakeholders and APC faithful in Oro Ward 2, Akeweje first appreciated them for welcoming him to their midst, after which he unveiled his plans for Irepodun and urged them to support his ambition to represent the constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly so that he can actualise the plans.“Our beloved Irepodun deserves quality representation and purposeful leadership that will facilitate development projects for our constituency, empower our hardworking youth and women, offer employment opportunities to our graduates, and support our older people, including widows.“All these are achievable under purposeful leadership. This is why I am seeking your full support to represent Irepodun at the Kwara State House of Assembly in 2027. Together, let us build a stronger and more united Irepodun where every ward and community has a voice and benefits from responsive and accountable representation,” Akeweje said.The stakeholders and party faithful present took turns to commend Akeweje for his vision for Irepodun Constituency. They also appreciated him for the cash support he offered to widows and older people in the ward and wished him success in the forthcoming APC State House of Assembly primaries.

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2027: Lagos Lawmaker Secures Apex Leaders’ Endorsement

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Ahead of the party primaries scheduled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election, leaders in Eti-Osa, Lagos, have endorsed a lawmaker, Noheem Adams, as consensus the Lagos State House of Assembly.Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1, is the Majority Leader of the Lagos Assembly.In three different letters addressed to the APC Secretariat and leadership of the party in Lagos, the leaders and residents indicated their trust in the lawmaker’s ability to galvanise residents for success. They also affirmed what they described as his effective representation and loyalty to the party and people of his constituency.One of the letters dated March 26, 2026 and signed by 26 leaders including Engr. Murphy Adetoro (member, Governance Advisory Council) and Alhaji Raheem Alli, Apex Leader, Eti-Osa East LCDA, notified the party that Adams had been unanimously picked as the consensus candidate for the constituency.In the letter with the title: ‘Notification On Our Consensus Candidate In Eti-osa Constituency I’, the leaders said: “We, the combined body of the All Progressives Congress, Central Working Committee, (CWC) and Apex Leaders in Eti-Osa Constituency I, are pleased to notify you of our consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections in Eti-Osa Constituency I.”It is instructive that after careful deliberation and review of his performance in office, we have unanimously endorsed Hon. Noheem Babatunde Adams as our candidate.”The letter said Adams had demonstrated proven leadership and delivered visible results, “earning him the trust and admiration of our community.”His commitment to constituent engagement, responsive governance, and community development has made a tangible impact on our constituency. We are convinced that his re-election will consolidate our gains and drive further progress.”We urge the party leadership to ratify our consensus and ensure a smooth path for Hon. Adams’ candidature. This is important as we need a united front and enough planning time to prepare well for the elections of our president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other elective positions.In another letter sent to the Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, 16 ward and LGA chairmen in Eti-Osa confirmed the decision of the Central Working Committee in Eti-Osa on the adoption of Adams as consensus candidate.”We are convinced that with Hon. Noheem Adams as standard bearer, APC shall secure a landslide victory across all elective positions in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 in 2027.”This is a project we have adopted as our own, and we pledge to deploy all structures, influence, and electoral machinery for its total success.Meanwhile, the Lekki Residents Association, through its President, Alhaji Sulyman Bello, and executive members, have promised to mobilise support for Noheem Adams.In another letter to the Lagos APC chairman, the association promised to ensure massive votes for the party because of their support for Adams, who had been a pillar of support to the residents.

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Zamfara APC Congress: Gov. Lawal Declares Strong Political Base Key to Government Strength

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Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has declared that the effectiveness of any administration is directly dependent on the strength and unity of its political foundation.The Governor made the statement on Saturday while participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress held at the Trade Fair ground in Gusau. According to a press release from his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the event saw 745 delegates from 147 wards across the state’s 14 local government areas elect a new State Executive Committee via consensus.The process was overseen by a congress committee led by Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who affirmed the newly elected Chairman and other party officials.In his remarks, Governor Lawal described the congress as both timely and strategic, calling it a defining moment for consolidating the party’s structures and strengthening internal democracy.“Today’s process—culminating in the election, affirmation, and swearing-in of new State Executives—is a critical exercise that reinforces the credibility, transparency, and legitimacy of our party at the grassroots and state levels,” Lawal said.He expressed gratitude to the national APC leadership for their guidance and specifically thanked the congress committee, led by Dr. Balarabe, for their professionalism and integrity.“Today is about renewing commitment to our party’s ideals: unity, discipline, inclusiveness, and service,” the Governor added. “We know a government’s strength depends on its political base. A united, disciplined party offers a solid platform for governance and growth.”Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforms in security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development. He expressed confidence that the newly elected leaders would serve with integrity and purpose, urging them to view their positions as a call to service, responsibility, and accountability.In his acceptance speech, the newly elected APC Chairman for Zamfara State, Hon. Kabiru Moyi B/Magaji, pledged to enhance internal democracy and foster unity within the party.

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